Remote Site Identification via Communication Signal Envelope Signatures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately identify the origin of communication signals transmitted through networks, especially when data content is encrypted or obscured by NAT or proxy forwarding, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious websites or web services.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that capture and parse communication signal segments to generate envelope signals based on predetermined parameters, creating characteristic signatures for remote sites, allowing for classification of signal origins without relying on data content, enabling fast and minimally invasive identification of remote sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption measures are employed to protect privacy, then data security is improved, but the ability to determine site identity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts envelope characteristics from communication signals without accessing the encrypted payload content. By taking out only the envelope information (timing, size, protocol fields) while leaving the encrypted data intact, the system maintains data security while still obtaining identifiable features for site classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces envelope characteristics as an intermediary between the encrypted communication content and the site identification process. These envelope features serve as a mediator that allows site classification without requiring decryption or direct access to the protected payload, thus preserving both security and identifiability.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive data content analysis is performed to identify remote sites, then identification accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential envelope characteristics (timing intervals, packet sizes, protocol field values) from communication signals, discarding the need to analyze the complete data content. This extraction approach maintains sufficient identification accuracy while dramatically reducing computational complexity and processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different analysis methods to different parts of the communication signal: envelope characteristics are analyzed in detail while the payload content is either ignored or minimally processed. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between identification accuracy and computational efficiency by focusing resources on the most discriminative features.
3Loss of information
If complete communication signal data is stored for analysis, then identification capability is improved, but storage requirements and processing overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only envelope characteristics (timing data, size information, protocol fields) rather than complete communication signals. This extraction reduces the volume of stored data significantly while retaining the essential features needed for remote site identification and classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication signal into envelope characteristics and payload content, storing only the envelope segment for analysis. This segmentation allows the system to maintain identification capability while minimizing storage requirements by excluding the redundant or sensitive payload data.
4Measurement precision
If payload data is accessed to determine site identity, then identification accuracy is improved, but privacy violation and security risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts identification information from the envelope characteristics of communication signals, taking out the necessary features for site identification without accessing the payload content. This approach maintains identification accuracy while avoiding privacy violations and security risks associated with payload inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of encrypted or obscured payload data into a benefit by relying on envelope characteristics that are always visible and accessible. This approach transforms what could be seen as a deficiency (not having payload access) into an advantage (maintaining privacy while achieving identification).
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for distinguishing between a plurality of remote sites accessed through a network interconnection by a reference site based upon envelope characteristics of communication signals transmitted therebetween. Communications signals transmitted during an interconnected session established between one of the remote sites and the reference site are time-captured in a plurality of data segments. The time-captured segments are parsed to selectively generate for each the interconnected remote sites an envelope signal indicative of at least one resource allocation response thereof during the interconnection session, the envelope signal being defined by values of at least a first predetermined envelope parameter acquired from the time-captured segments. Based on the envelope signal, a characteristic signature is established for each interconnected remote site to be identified. Newly-captured communication signal segments are thereby classified in remote site origination based on the characteristic signatures of identified remote sites.