Terminal Identifier Acquisition via Location Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for obtaining a terminal device identifier, such as those used in law enforcement for tracking suspects, face challenges in accurately and quickly identifying mobile phone numbers due to cunning suspects frequently changing devices, leading to delayed investigations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a network element system that determines an identifier set based on location and status information of terminal devices, using multiple network elements to calculate and compare location information to accurately identify the target device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If police use location information to position a suspect's mobile phone, then the suspect can be visually positioned remotely, but it is difficult to quickly and accurately obtain the mobile phone number used by the suspect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of obtaining terminal device identifierVSAvoidtime to obtain terminal device identifier
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identifier acquisition process into multiple candidate identifiers obtained from different network elements (MME, HSS, SGSN, GGSN). Each network element provides a subset of candidate identifiers, and the system systematically queries each element to build a complete identifier set, then matches these candidates with location information to identify the target terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a positioning system as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple network elements (MME, HSS, SGSN, GGSN) and the law enforcement system. This intermediary manages the complex queries to different network elements, aggregates candidate identifiers, and performs the matching process between location and identifier information, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If suspects frequently change mobile phones to avoid tracking, then tracking accuracy decreases, but the complexity of identification systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of terminal device trackingVSAvoidcomplexity of network element system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal identification system that works across multiple network elements (MME, HSS, SGSN, GGSN) and can identify terminal devices regardless of which specific network element the device is currently connected to. The system queries multiple network elements to obtain candidate identifiers from different sources, making the tracking system universally applicable across the entire network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system queries network elements to obtain candidate identifiers, matches these candidates with location information, and uses the matching results to identify the target terminal. The system continuously updates and refines the candidate identifier set based on responses from different network elements, improving tracking reliability through iterative feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3836572B1Method of acquiring identifier of terminal device and network element
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3836572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3836572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

This application provides a method for obtaining an identifier of a terminal device, and a network element. The method includes: obtaining, by a first network element, first information that carries location information of a first terminal device, and determining an identifier set based on the first information, where the identifier set includes an identifier of the first terminal device, and specifically communication information of the first terminal device can be obtained based on the identifier of the first terminal device; sending, by the first network element, a request to a second network element based on each identifier in the identifier set, to determine location information of a terminal device corresponding to the identifier, so that the first network element can obtain location information of the terminal device corresponding to each identifier in the identifier set; and comparing the location information of the first terminal device with the location information of the terminal device corresponding to each identifier in the identifier set to obtain the identifier of the first terminal device. According to the technical solutions provided in this application, the identifier of the terminal device can be obtained based on the location information of the terminal device.