Privacy-Preserving Relative Location Based Services with WiFi APs for Mobile Users

Problem Definition

Problem Description: With the increasing usage of location-aware applications and services in smart phones, the privacy and security of users' geographical data has become a major concern. Current positioning features like GPS and AGPS gather precise geographical information which is often sent to service providers, risking exposure of users' location data. This poses a threat to users' privacy and security. One of the key challenges is how to provide location-based services for mobile users without compromising their privacy. The existing solutions often involve collection and transmission of sensitive user information to servers, raising concerns about data privacy.

Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can provide location information of mobile users without requiring the collection and transmission of sensitive data to servers. This solution should utilize WiFi results to calculate the relative location of two mobile users, ensuring privacy and security of user data. The proposed system should also include algorithms for accurately calculating distances based on WiFi access points, as well as features like the "Circle Your Friends" system that can help users track the distance between themselves and their social network friends without compromising their privacy.

Proposed Work

The research project titled "Privacy-Preserving Relative Location Based Services for Mobile Users Communication" addresses the critical issue of user privacy and security in location-aware applications, where the geographical location of users can be inadvertently exposed to service providers. With the widespread use of GPS and AGPS features in smartphones, there is a need for a solution that allows for location-based services without compromising user privacy. In this work, a novel approach is proposed that leverages WiFi results to determine the relative location of two mobile users. By having the clients report their nearest WiFi access points to the server, sensitive information is not transmitted, ensuring privacy. The server then calculates the distance between the users based on this information, with various algorithms proposed to enhance accuracy.

Additionally, a "Circle Your Friends" system is integrated into the solution, allowing mobile users to determine the distance between themselves and their social network friends. This research project utilizes cutting-edge technology and algorithms to ensure the privacy of mobile users while providing valuable location-based services. Modules Used: WiFi Results, Distance Calculation Algorithms, "Circle Your Friends" System Categories: Mobile Computing, Privacy-Preserving Services Sub Categories: Location-based Services, Relative Distance Calculation Software Used: GPS, AGPS, CYFS

Application Area for Industry

This research project on Privacy-Preserving Relative Location Based Services for Mobile Users Communication can be incredibly beneficial for a wide range of industrial sectors. Industries such as healthcare, transportation, retail, and finance rely heavily on location-based services for various purposes. However, these industries also have strict regulations and requirements regarding data privacy and security. By implementing the proposed solution that utilizes WiFi results to calculate relative locations without transmitting sensitive data to servers, these industries can ensure the privacy of their users' location information. For example, in healthcare, this project can be used to track the real-time location of medical equipment or ensure the privacy of patient data during telemedicine appointments.

In the transportation sector, this solution can enhance the accuracy of location-based services without compromising the privacy of passengers. Overall, this project's proposed solutions can be applied across different industrial domains to address the specific challenge of providing location-based services while maintaining user privacy and security.

Application Area for Academics

The proposed research project on "Privacy-Preserving Relative Location Based Services for Mobile Users Communication" is highly relevant and beneficial for MTech and PHD students conducting research in the field of mobile computing and privacy-preserving services. This project addresses the critical issue of user privacy and security in location-aware applications by proposing a novel approach that utilizes WiFi results to calculate the relative location of mobile users without transmitting sensitive data to servers. MTech and PHD students can use the code and literature of this project to explore innovative research methods, simulations, and data analysis for their dissertation, thesis, or research papers. They can experiment with different distance calculation algorithms, test the accuracy of the proposed system, and explore the implications of the "Circle Your Friends" feature in enhancing mobile user privacy. This project covers technologies such as GPS, AGPS, and CYFS, making it relevant for researchers working on Android-based mobile apps and wireless sensor network (WSN) projects.

The future scope of this research includes further refinement of distance calculation algorithms, integration of additional privacy features, and exploration of real-world applications for location-based services. MTech and PHD students can leverage this project to contribute to the field of mobile computing and privacy-preserving services while gaining valuable insights and skills for their academic and professional development.

Keywords

Location-based services, Privacy preserving services, Mobile users communication, Relative location, WiFi results, Distance calculation algorithms, Circle Your Friends system, User privacy, User security, Geographical data, GPS, AGPS, Data privacy, Sensitive user information, WiFi access points, Social network friends, Mobile computing, Location-aware applications, Service providers, User data privacy, WiFi localization, Routing algorithms, Energy efficient data transmission, Wireless networks, Microcontroller technology, 8051, 8052, AT89c51, MCS-51, KEIL software, Networking algorithms, WSN, Manet, Wimax, Android applications.