Crowdsourced Device Detection via Intermediary Wireless Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device detection and tracking techniques face challenges in privacy concerns and require user permissions, especially when using GPS-based geo-fencing and indoor positioning, which limits their effectiveness and user acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes crowdsourced information from nearby devices to detect, identify, and track electronic devices independently of user authorization, using decentralized communication interfaces like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to share device identification information, allowing for peer-to-peer detection and tracking without the need for user consent or network infrastructure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based geo-fencing or indoor positioning techniques are used for device detection and tracking, then device tracking capability is improved, but user privacy concerns increase and user permissions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nearby devices as intermediaries that passively detect and report information about the target device to a server. These intermediary devices act as mediators between the target device and the monitoring system, enabling tracking without the target device actively participating or granting permissions. The detection is performed by surrounding devices that happen to be in proximity, not by the target device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the inherent wireless communication capabilities of devices that are already present in the environment. These devices are already performing their normal functions and inadvertently provide detection data as a byproduct. The target device does not need to activate any special services or grant permissions - the detection is performed autonomously by the surrounding ecosystem of devices.
2Reliability
If user permissions are required for device detection and tracking, then authentication security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection and authentication in advance, before any transaction or access request occurs. By continuously monitoring device presence and characteristics through passive detection by nearby devices, the system establishes authentication status proactively. This preliminary authentication eliminates the need for repeated user permission requests during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process is automated through passive detection of device characteristics by surrounding devices. The system self-authenticates devices based on their inherent wireless communication properties without requiring user intervention. Once authenticated, the device can operate freely without repeated permission prompts.
3Measurement precision
If centralized network infrastructure is used for device identification, then device identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and network dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function across multiple independent nearby devices rather than relying on a single centralized system. Each device independently detects and reports information about the target device. This distributed segmentation provides redundancy and maintains identification capability even if individual devices or network connections fail.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices use their existing wireless communication interfaces and inherent capabilities to perform detection and identification. The system leverages the self-service nature of wireless device discovery protocols already present in modern devices, eliminating the need for specialized hardware or complex centralized infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of detecting electronic devices, information about a first user equipment device is received at a server. The information is received from at least one second user equipment device within range of a wireless communication interface of the first user equipment device. A presence of the first user equipment device is detected at the server based on the information received from the at least one second user equipment device. The receiving and the detecting may be operations performed by at least one processor of the server. Related apparatus and computer program products are also discussed.