Alarm System Mobile Device Identification via Cellular Signal Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional alarm systems are limited in identifying individuals who were in the vicinity of a monitored site during an alarm event, and are susceptible to circumvention by motivated individuals.
Innovation Solution
An alarm system that captures cellular signals from mobile devices using a communicator module to extract and record mobile device identifiers, maintaining an active device identifier list based on signal strength and time, and transmitting this information to a central station upon an alarm event for identification purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video surveillance cameras are used to identify individuals at the monitored site, then identification capability is improved, but the system becomes susceptible to circumvention by motivated individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of video surveillance cameras with an electromagnetic field-based cellular signal detection system. The communicator module detects mobile device identifiers through cellular signals, extracting identification information without relying on visual surveillance that can be circumvented by masks, darkness, or deliberate avoidance of cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cellular network infrastructure and mobile devices as intermediaries in the identification process. Instead of directly observing individuals with cameras, the system uses mobile devices that individuals carry as intermediaries to transmit identification information (cellular signals) that can be captured and processed by the communicator module.
2Reliability
If traditional alarm systems are used to detect alarm events, then alarm detection is effective, but identification of persons in the vicinity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alarm detection function with mobile device identification functionality into a single integrated system. The alarm panel and communicator module work together to both detect alarm events through sensors and simultaneously capture mobile device identifiers in the vicinity, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm system is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding the communicator module that performs both alarm event detection and mobile device identification. This universal system can detect various alarm conditions (break-ins, fires, etc.) while also identifying persons of interest, eliminating the need for separate identification systems.
3Loss of information
If mobile device identifiers are captured from all signals received, then identification completeness is improved, but system complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from capturing all mobile device signals to capturing only the strongest signals based on signal strength threshold. The communicator module prioritizes processing signals above a certain strength level, which correlates with proximity to the alarm site, thereby reducing processing load while maintaining identification effectiveness for persons most relevant to the alarm event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by focusing identification efforts on the strongest signals that originate from the immediate vicinity of the alarm event. Rather than uniformly processing all signals equally, the system concentrates resources on analyzing signals with higher strength, which are more likely to represent persons directly involved in or near the alarm incident.
Data Source
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AI summary
An alarm system including an alarm panel, a sensor operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to detect alarm events, and a communicator module operatively connected to the alarm panel and operable to capture signals transmitted by mobile devices within a predefined area, extract mobile device identifiers from the signals, and record the mobile device identifiers in an active device identifier list that is maintained in a memory associated with the communicator module.