GB2359443A

GB2359443A - Transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting lo cality factors whilst preserving user privacy

Info

Publication number: GB2359443A
Application number: GB0001510A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-25
Filing date: 2000-01-25
Publication date: 2001-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-25
Also published as: GB0001510D0; GB2359443B

Abstract

Developments in communications have increased the volume of traffic travelling over different circuits, including copper, fibre and wireless. The anarchic architecture of the Internet means problems of overload and slowness are likely to remain. Remedies have been found, including server caching and Internet accelerators, but these address symptoms not causes. Much of the traffic is unnecessary given what we know of human information processing. An alternative is presented. This method uses locality as a factor in determining routing, making it more predictable, shorter and faster than existing mechanisms. To preserve privacy the method hides locality cues within random and/or non-location specific addresses. The underlying geographic cues can be utilised for genuine purposes, but are not freely available. By hiding locality cues within the information substructure it gives additional degrees of anonymity and security to users, helping with both privacy issues and security so improving opportunities for electronic interaction and commerce.

Description

2359443 Title Methods for effectively transmitting information to

individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy Backgd The huge increase in the volume of information exchange created by the Internet has bought its own problems as capacity limits have been reached and users have struggled with poor information organisation and slow response times. A variety of techniques have between introduced to help overcome these difficulties, but these have been limited and/or expensive. The techniques include cache server farms and information accelerators as well as investments in core infrastructure. High speed lines and modems have also been used increasingly to help overcome the current limits, but fundamental difficulties remain with regard to information transmission. We have discussed elsewhere (Ross 1999, a, b, c and d) the benefits from a more structured approach to information and its dissemination to overcome some current limitations with these processes.

If digital information delivery and exchange its to fulfil its potential and become a useful feature of everyday life, providing high levels of user reliability and satisfaction, then better ways have to be found for disseminating and delivering content and supporting communications and transactions between individuals and groups of users, and information providers and other information intermediaries.

1 m Problem In many ways the problems and difficulties have been created by the very nature of the Internet design, which was built in such a manner as to work despite significant physical disruption to the underlying communications and other networks. The delivery infrastructure was designed to find a route to the intended destination irrespective of any breaks in the network infrastructure. This approach worked well during the cold war when possibilities of nuclear conflict made the model relevant but circumstances have changed.

With the improvements in international relations and the growth of network bandwidth on national and international scales we face a different situation. Yet the fundamental design flaws remain. By approaching the opportunity taking account of the technology infrastructure developments, and innovative progress, it is possible to define a much more appropriate model for information delivery.

The situation now is of extensive availability of even large bandwidth transmission pipes so that information can be delivered reliably and cheaply. It is time the information dissemination paradigms reflected the improvements and differences in the underlying infrastructure and the changes to the international situation.

2 Essential Features Our method involves the routing of information not in a random and arbitrary manner but according to fixed locality cues that enable effective and efficient transmission across major and minor pipes in direct and predictable ways, including alternate routing mechanisms to take account of temporary difficulties, congestion factors and pricing structures. These methods are much more closely aligned to the international telecommunications networks that respond in flexible manners according to demand, including buying-in of temporary capacity when needed. Phone calls are not routed through multiple, unsynchronised channels around the world, but are sent along the most suitable and where required, direct routes possible.

We do not underestimate the importance of the cable near and in the hofne, even in these days of rapid developments with wireless communications. The basis copper infi-astructure of the telecommunications carriers has the potential to support MultiMegabit volumes of traffic. There is more scope in the established infrastructure than may at first be apparent. Our methods for locality based switching can exploit the current infrastructure as well as the emerging wireless infrastructures.

Nor is our method restricted to the delivery of information. We have shown elsewhere (Ross 1999, a, b, c) the benefits of structure to information presentation and navigation. So locality could equally well be used in the creation and organisation of information as well as its delivery. This would mean, for example, that local newspapers, instead of creating their own local web sites which people can visit, could join with others to give a better information experience to users. This could involve the development of common information organisation and presentation methods according to the requirements and organisation of a multi-dimensional information space, with associated navigation structures and tools. Users would benefit from the convenience and relevance of local information and classified advertising, whilst at the same time being able to widen their geographic search area if and when required.

One difficulty with location routing is that it makes obvious the physical location of the recipient, which can have privacy implications. People may well not want others to automatically know their physical location if they are engaged in electronic communications. Such information will be required for the physical delivery of goodi and services, but it is not essential or desirable for location information to be overt.

Our method balances two requirements; 1. Eliminating unnecessary traffic and unpredictable delays by using locality information as a routing device, and 2. The need to protect the privacy of individuals and groups by not revealing physical location unless by user choice and even then only in selected circumstances.

The method exploits one of the basic characteristic of much information processing, which is that a large amount of information created stays local - to the individual, to immediate groups, to regions, countries and continents. By exploiting this 1ocality 3 factor- unnecessary traffic is eliminated and the routing is automatically more direct, eliminating unpredictable circuits through unknown locations. This improves speed, reliability and certainty of delivery.

One potential problem is that locality switching could permit the easy identification of users participating in electronic communications. This may be undesirable. To avoid the difficulties of easily identifying individuals and groups when using such locality routing our method goes finther to include a generated and unconnected address which does not provide geographic locations cues. By combining this identifier with location identification translation tables at source and/or secure server locations it is possible to both enjoy the performance benefits of location switching and the privacy benefits of non-geographic specific identifiers, tags, labels or addresses.

We go further to propose the additional non-geographic identifiers be used not only for individuals but for groups, including nuclear and extended families, and others sharing a common physical co-location. With a non-geographic tag attached to a physical locality the tag can be shared by the people at that locality. For example, father(&,xyz.cube, mother(@,xyz.cube dau son R w be h -ghterl@xyz.cube, 1 x =, and so on. T' is means that systems adniinistration, including control over unwanted material, can where appropriate be decentralised to minin-iise costs. In a family, for example, this would give a degree of control over both access to content and e-commerce spending patterns and this may be desired.

4 Introduction To Drawing.

Figure 1 shows how Locality switching provides a direct route between the providers of information and the recipients. It shows how information can be aggregated at different levels to give users and groups of users the information they require.

Figure 2 also indicates how, given the non-location specific nature of the address cues proposed, that it is possible to cues locality to route information, and also to provide information of use to those within a locality, whilst preserving individual and group anonymity so far a physical location are concerned.

If geographical cues are required, for example when delivering shopping ordered across electronic devices, then it is a relatively simple matter to dissociate the electronic and physical addresses, thereby preserve privacy in the other direction by providing the physical address, but not providing the corresponding electronic address for those involved in goods delivery.

Examples

An example of the benefits of our approach is that of a local paper delivering, via a trusted third party, information about local resources and events to all those in the locality, as well as to others anywhere in the world with an interest in that locality Equally some sports fans may support a local team, but other supports may be at a distance. Our method allows for the easy dissemination of information to both local and remote ffins. Getting, for example, Manchester United information whether or not you live in Manchester or the local area, could be seen as a benefit by fans worldwide.

Another example is if someone plans to visit a particular area. Today it can be difficult getting organised and reliable information on an area because of the ease of posting information and keywords for search engines. A more trusted information source, such as a local paper, could organise information for visitors, and keep it up to date easily and effectively. So for example before going on holiday to a specific location it would be easy to find information about the locality from a reliable and trustworthy source, with the information well presented in familiar structured formats to support navigation and understanding.

House purchase and finding information about the locality you are moving to as well as tracking information about developments in your current locality are other examples where information organised on, and disseminated according to locality cues, would be useffil.

References Ross 1999 (a) A Multi-Dimensional Human Computer Interface Using Information Categorisation and Visualisation. GB 9915892.5 Ross 1999 (b) A Method for Multi-dimensional Information Representation Processing and Interaction Using Categorisation Structures and Processes GB 991589.3 Ross 1999 (c) A Method for Integrated Multi-Media Compound Document Structure, Creation, Representation, Processing and Interaction. GB 9915894.1 Ross 1999 (d) Multi-dimensional Computer Supported Communications Using Database Linking and a Visual Language Interface GB 9915895.8 6 Title Methods for effectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy

Claims

Claims

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secure by patent is as follows:

I claim the methods for effectively transmitting inffirmation to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy as they provide a nwnber of advantages, including delivery, tracking and billing of information, goods and transactions and that the locality switching methods described for delivery of electronic content delivery, communications and transaction inffirmation are as or more secure, direct and reliable than methods which do not use locality as a primary factor in routing of infbrmation and data, together with other advantages as described here and below.
2. Methods for effectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy as claimed in Claim 1 is effective in preserving the privacy of individuals and groups whilst allowing locality cues to be used for information delivery, and under controlled circumstances, delivery of local information to those in, or interested in, a locality.
3. Methods for efFectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 ensures information of interest locally stays local and does not need to follow essentially random routes before delivery, improving the overall utilisation of networks and making delivery more speedy and reliable and effective and eflicient.
4. Methods for effectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 provides a base for delivery to different people withmi the same space, such as a family home, such that when required one person can take responsibility for systems security, administration and billing, and members can share a common address route, differentiated by their name or some other way which opens up the possibility for co-ordinated naming mechanisms for people sharing a common physical locality, which has efficiency and effectiveness advantages, as well as improving communications within and between individuals and groups.
I claim this method provides a base for delivery to different information devices within a small or large geographic area like a home or city or region. Individuals can view the information on the device or devices off their choice and not be limited to personal computers with modem attachments, and this opens up the potential for Meta-nets subsuming content distribution and telecommunication and cable networks with compatible and complementary infrastructures.
6. A method for effectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy substantially as described herein with reference to Fs 1 - 2 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A method for effectively transmitting information to individuals and groups by exploiting locality factors whilst preserving user privacy substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 2 of the accompanying drawings.

1, e i - q_ Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by patent is as follows:

1. A nw of transmitting information from a source'-to ai desn:usm'g an address which doesiiot rovide keo ion -'cues the co, ' m P. graphic 1 Ppstag the s of.

"'aM:id ress,-:usmg (a) associating i location'. jC allon cues storetl a tbles il'source r secure se rver locations and (b) routing said information to said dcsn in a direct and ictable way according to said on ide tWn 2_ A method as chimed. in claim 1 and further comprising the step of associating a non-location address and its corresponding physical ' location address for the planning and delivery of physical goods or Servkm, so that fulfilment requires only the physical address keeping any non-location address separa and private to ensure separation and security between electronic and physical environments 3. A method as chimed in claim 1 and L comprising the step of associating loc cues with different depths or levels of content to be used for different levels or depths for information aggregation or scn, so local information can be sent to both those in, and those interested in, a.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 and fi comprising the step of filtering information of interest locally so it stays local and does not need to follow random routes for delivery, improving the overall utilisation of networks and making delivery more speedy, effective and efficient 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 and farther comprising the step of combining colocated individuals into common electronic addressing schema in databases to provide for delivery to different people withirt the same space, such as a family home, such that if required one person can take responsibility for electronic systems security, administration and billing, and members can share a common address route, differentiated by name or some other way to open up co-ordinated non-location naming mechanisms for people sharing a common physical locality.