Exigent Location Tracking via Intermediary Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Law enforcement faces challenges in identifying the current location of wireless devices due to the portability of phone numbers and the lack of direct correlation between wireless numbers and physical addresses, making it difficult to obtain relevant call and billing records for investigations.
Innovation Solution
A location-based services system that allows law enforcement to identify the current location of a wireless device by searching service provider databases using device identifiers, with an option for exigent circumstances searches that bypass traditional warrant requirements, notifying and obtaining approval from designated parties before proceeding with the search.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional warrant-based procedures are used to obtain location information, then privacy protection is ensured, but response time in urgent situations is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies and stores service provider information associated with wireless device identifiers before emergencies occur. When an exigent circumstance arises, the law enforcement officer can immediately query the system with a device identifier, and the pre-stored service provider information is instantly retrieved, eliminating the time-consuming process of identifying the current service provider during an emergency.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized location-based service system acts as an intermediary between law enforcement and service providers. This intermediary system handles the complex processes of identifying service providers, obtaining warrants, and retrieving location information, allowing law enforcement to simply submit device identifiers and receive location data without directly engaging with multiple service providers and legal procedures.
2Ease of operation
If wireless device location tracking is enabled, then ability to locate missing persons is improved, but complexity of identifying current service provider increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to work with multiple service providers through a unified interface. The centralized database accepts various wireless device identifiers (IMEI, ESN, MSISDN) and automatically resolves them to current service provider information, regardless of which carrier the device is currently using. This universal approach simplifies the process for law enforcement, who deal with a single system rather than multiple service provider-specific procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized location-based service system mediates between law enforcement and the complexity of the wireless carrier industry. It handles service provider identification, number portability queries, and location information retrieval, shielding law enforcement from the underlying complexity of identifying which carrier currently serves a given device.
3Loss of information
If billing address is used to identify device location, then initial location information is obtained, but accuracy of current location is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes associations between wireless device identifiers and service providers in a centralized database. When location information is needed, the system uses the device identifier to quickly retrieve the current service provider and then queries that provider for real-time location data, rather than relying on static billing address information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from using static, two-dimensional billing address information to dynamic, real-time location data obtained from service provider networks. By adding the dimension of real-time network-based location tracking, the system provides accurate current location information that reflects the device's actual position rather than its registered billing address.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for developing, deploying, providing, and/or operating location-based services are disclosed. A computer system receives a search request for location information associated with a wireless device. The search request is received from a requesting party, such as an investigator or law enforcement officer. The search request includes an indication of exigent circumstances. A service provider associated with the wireless device is identified. A notification message is generated comprising information associated with the search request. The notification message is provided to at least one notification party, who is other than the requesting party. When approval is received from the notification party, location information is obtained from the service provider. The location information may be provided to the notification party. When approval is received from the notification party, the location information is provided to the requesting party.