VoIP Surveillance Server Interception via Call Setup Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveillance technologies are ineffective for monitoring Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, making it difficult for law enforcement to intercept and monitor VoIP calls, which are increasingly used by criminals to evade lawful surveillance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves a surveillance server interacting with an access router and a media gateway to identify and intercept VoIP communications by analyzing call setup messages and subsequent traffic, using protocols like H.323 and SIP, and forwarding relevant communications to a surveillance agency for monitoring and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional circuit-switched surveillance technology is used, then surveillance of traditional telephone calls is effective, but surveillance of VoIP communications is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surveillance server as an intermediary component that sits between the network and the surveillance agency. This server intercepts VoIP traffic, analyzes call setup messages to identify surveillance targets, and forwards relevant communications to law enforcement. The intermediary approach adapts traditional surveillance concepts to work with packet-switched VoIP networks without requiring changes to the underlying VoIP infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveillance server is designed to handle multiple types of communications (traditional telephone calls and VoIP communications) through a single system. It performs universal surveillance functions across different communication protocols and network types, making the surveillance system versatile and adaptable to evolving communication technologies.
2Productivity
If packet-switched network routing is used for VoIP, then network flexibility and efficiency are improved, but ability to intercept and monitor specific calls is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The surveillance system performs preliminary actions by analyzing call setup messages before the actual VoIP communication occurs. By identifying surveillance targets during the call establishment phase and storing relevant identifiers, the system prepares interception capabilities in advance, allowing efficient monitoring of subsequent packet-switched communications without disrupting network routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveillance server continuously monitors network traffic and uses feedback from analyzing call setup messages to dynamically identify and track surveillance targets. The system adjusts its monitoring based on identified communication patterns and identifiers, enabling effective interception of packet-switched VoIP calls while maintaining network efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for surveillance of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) communications is provided. A server (112) associated with a network provider receives information to identify communications associated with a party under surveillance (200). The server uses the information to direct communications associated with the party under surveillance to a surveillance server (130) (202). The communications are analyzed to identify any initial VoIP data (204). If initial VoIP data is detected, identifiers for subsequent related VoIP communications are determined from the initial VoIP data (206). The identifiers for subsequent VoIP communications are used to identify subsequent VoIP packets. Those subsequent VoIP packets are then stored and analyzed as needed by an agency conducting surveillance.