Probe Signal Database for Fugitive Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring technologies for parolees and similar monitored individuals face challenges in locating them when they disable their tracking devices, as existing methods are time-consuming and often ineffective, leading to limited options for authorities to track the individual's whereabouts.
Innovation Solution
The system leverages existing services that detect probe signals from wireless devices, such as smartphones and laptops, to identify devices that were proximate to the monitoring device, cross-referencing this data with prior location information to determine the monitored person's location, allowing authorities to dispatch to relevant locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard police investigation procedures are used to locate a parolee who has disabled their tracking device, then the search can be thorough, but it consumes significant time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and storing probe signal data from wireless devices in a database before the parolee disables their tracker. When a tracker is disabled, the system can immediately query the pre-collected database for devices that were proximate to the tracker's last known locations, eliminating the need for time-consuming initial searches and enabling rapid response.
2Reliability
If existing monitoring technologies are used, then the system can track monitored individuals when their devices are active, but it becomes ineffective when they disable their tracking devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary approach by using probe signal detection as a middle ground between active GPS tracking and manual investigation. The probe signal database serves as an intermediary data source that provides location information about wireless devices without requiring the monitored individual's active participation or the tracking device to be enabled, thus maintaining tracking effectiveness while adapting to disabled device scenarios.
3Reliability
If authorities obtain location data from cell carriers through warrants, then they can get current phone location, but this process is time-consuming and ineffective if the parolee doesn't have their phone
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by autonomously collecting, storing, and analyzing probe signal data without requiring manual warrant processes or cell carrier cooperation. The automated system continuously builds the database and can immediately query it when a tracker is disabled, providing location information independently and eliminating the time delays associated with legal procedures and carrier data retrieval.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided. The method includes: establishing a database of a plurality of individuals, data for each individual including identity, short range wireless device information, and at least one rule regarding expected interaction by the individual relative to the area; receiving probe signal information from a plurality of sensors around an area, each of the sensors being configured to receive probe signals from proximate wireless devices, the probe signals lacking information directly identifying an owner of the originating wireless device; cross referencing at least some of the received probe signals with at least a portion of the database; identifying, based at least on the cross referencing, a presence of an unauthorized individual in the area; and notifying a supervising authority of the identified unauthorized individual.