Service Sentry Wireless Terminal Location Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for preventing the use of wireless terminals in proscribed areas, such as jammers and IMSI-catchers, are either ineffective in discriminating authorized from unauthorized users or vulnerable to tampering and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A wireless telecommunications system with a 'service sentry' that selectively denies or restores service to wireless terminals based on spatial estimates and confidence thresholds, utilizing user-assisted location evidence to improve accuracy and reduce resource consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a jammer is used to prevent wireless terminal use in a proscribed area, then the ability to block unauthorized access is improved, but the ability to discriminate between authorized and unauthorized users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking unauthorized accessVSAvoiddiscrimination between authorized and unauthorized users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different service characteristics to different users based on their location and authorization status. Authorized users receive normal service in proscribed areas, while unauthorized users are blocked. This is achieved by evaluating each user's identity, location, and authorization status individually rather than applying a uniform blocking approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a jammer is deployed in a proscribed area, then unauthorized wireless terminal use is prevented, but service to authorized wireless terminals in the same area is also denied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized useVSAvoidservice availability to authorized users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system evaluates each user individually based on their identity, location, and authorization status. Authorized users are permitted service in proscribed areas while unauthorized users are blocked, achieving selective service provision rather than uniform denial.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically evaluates user status and location in real-time to make service decisions. The service sentry continuously monitors user positions and authorization states, adjusting service provision accordingly rather than using static blocking rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If jammers are physically placed inside proscribed areas, then blocking effectiveness is improved, but vulnerability to vandalism and physical tampering increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidvandalism and physical tampering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical jammer approach with a software-based service sentry that operates within the existing wireless network infrastructure. Instead of using physical electronic devices that can be vandalized, the system uses software processes that evaluate user status and location to make service decisions, eliminating the vulnerability to physical tampering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of all wireless terminals is performed to distinguish authorized from unauthorized users, then discrimination accuracy is improved, but computational resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscrimination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs location estimation and service evaluation only for wireless terminals that are actually in or near proscribed areas, rather than continuously monitoring all terminals everywhere. This selective monitoring approach maintains discrimination accuracy for relevant cases while significantly reducing computational resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240023001A1Preventing the Use of a Wireless Terminal in a Proscribed Area

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 POLARIS WIRELESS INC

AI summary

A wireless telecommunication system is described that denies wireless telecommunication service to a wireless terminal in a proscribed area (e.g., prison, military installation, academic testing center, school, etc.). The system comprises an adjunct called a “service sentry.” The service sentry uses measurements of the location-dependent traits of the radio signals transmitted to, and received from, each wireless terminal in its purview to generate an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has entered the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area deny service to the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has exited the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area provide service to the wireless terminal.