Wireless Network Contact Tracing via Access Point Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contact tracing for infectious diseases is often difficult to scale, especially for diseases with high transmission rates or widespread community spreading, as it typically relies on in-person interviews which are labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that communicates with electronic devices in a network to determine spatial and temporal overlaps by analyzing connection information, identifiers, and timestamps, allowing for automated contact tracing without the need for installed applications or public health official involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If in-person interviews are used for contact tracing, then contact information can be collected, but the process becomes labor-intensive and difficult to scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person interviews with an automated electronic system that leverages existing wireless network infrastructure. Access points and base stations automatically collect connection information from electronic devices, eliminating the need for manual data collection by public health officials while maintaining contact tracing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service contact tracing where electronic devices automatically report their connection information to the network infrastructure without requiring user intervention or public health official involvement. The access points and base stations passively collect and store connection data, allowing the system to serve itself in gathering contact information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated contact tracing is implemented without installed applications, then scalability is improved, but the precision of contact identification must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing wireless network infrastructure (access points and base stations) for multiple purposes: their original communication function and additionally as contact tracing data collection points. This universal use of infrastructure enables scalable deployment without requiring device-specific applications while maintaining the ability to accurately identify contacts through network connection data.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless network infrastructure acts as an intermediary between electronic devices and the contact tracing system. Instead of devices directly reporting to a central system or requiring direct human intervention, the access points and base stations mediate by collecting, storing, and providing connection information, enabling scalable and accurate contact identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer may receive connection information associated with one or more communication devices in a network, where the connection information specifies dynamic associations or connections between electronic devices and the one or more communication devices in an environment as a function of time. Then, the computer may store system information that includes: first identifiers of the one or more communication devices, second identifiers of the electronic devices, and timestamps, where a portion of the system information specifies a duration of a dynamic association or connection between a given electronic device and a given communication device. Moreover, the computer may receive occurrence information that indicates an occurrence of an event. In response, the computer may determine, based at least in part on the system information, one or more regions in the environment where an electronic device was present during a time interval, and the computer may accordingly perform a remedial action.