Multi-Point Radio Fingerprint for Device Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile computing devices lack an efficient method to seamlessly link identifiers from different wireless technologies, making it difficult to correlate radio frequency signals and identify mobile devices across various wireless communication technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-point radio fingerprinting technique that groups identifiers from Bluetooth, WLAN, cellular, and NFC transceivers to create a unique fingerprint for device identification, using a generic RF radio receiver and processor component to generate and store this fingerprint for accurate device tracking and location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple wireless technology identifiers are collected from mobile devices, then device identification capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple identifiers from different wireless technologies (Bluetooth MAC address, WLAN MAC address, cellular IMSI, device model, OS version) into a single unified radio fingerprint. This merging approach improves device identification capability by creating a comprehensive device profile while managing system complexity through centralized fingerprint generation and storage in a database.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio fingerprint serves multiple functions: it identifies mobile devices, tracks device locations, determines device values, and enables correlation across different wireless technologies. This multi-functional approach improves identification capability while avoiding the need for separate systems for each function.
2Measurement precision
If radio frequency signals from multiple wireless technologies are correlated, then device tracking accuracy is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating radio fingerprints from collected identifiers and storing them in a database before actual tracking operations. When a device needs to be tracked, the system retrieves pre-computed fingerprints and compares them against received signals, significantly reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining high tracking accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a generic RF radio receiver is used to receive signals from multiple technologies, then hardware requirements are reduced, but signal reception capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The generic RF radio receiver is designed with multi-functionality to receive signals from multiple wireless technologies (Bluetooth, WLAN, cellular) using a single hardware platform. This universal receiver approach reduces hardware requirements while maintaining reliable signal reception through software-defined radio capabilities and flexible signal processing algorithms that can adapt to different wireless standards.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed for radio fingerprinting and for device identification and valuation using a multi-point radio fingerprint. In some examples radio fingerprinting logic may be operative for execution on a processor component to receive a set of radio frequency signals from multiple mobile computing devices at a first time, store identification information for the set of radio frequency signals, receive a subset of the set of radio frequency signals from one of the multiple mobile computing devices at a second time, associate identification information for the subset of radio frequency signals to the one mobile computing device, and generate a multi-point radio fingerprint for the one mobile computing device based on the subset of radio frequency signals. In other embodiments, radio fingerprinting logic may be operative for execution on a processor component to generate a multi-point radio fingerprint for a mobile computing device, the multi-point radio fingerprint comprising a generic identifier associated with a set of radio frequency signals output by the mobile computing device, receive device information for the mobile computing device based on identification information contained in one or more of the set of radio frequency signals, assign a device value to the mobile computing device based on the device information, and correlate the device value to the multi-point radio fingerprint. Other examples are described and claimed.