Wireless Target Tracking With Obfuscated Subscriber Identifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in protecting subscriber privacy against malicious attacks from false base stations while allowing legitimate uses such as lawful intercept by law enforcement agencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method in network equipment to obfuscate identifiers transmitted over-the-air, while providing authorized parties with the means to determine unobfuscated identifiers, using cryptographic or temporary identifiers, and facilitating mutual authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If identifiers are transmitted over-the-air for tracking purposes, then law enforcement can perform lawful intercept, but subscriber privacy is compromised and malicious devices can steal identifying information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelawful intercept capabilityVSAvoidprivacy vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network equipment acts as a mediator between the radio equipment and the identifier. The network equipment receives obfuscated identifiers from radio equipment, translates them into unobfuscated identifiers for lawful intercept purposes, and then provides the unobfuscated identifiers to authorized entities. This intermediary approach allows lawful intercept while preventing direct exposure of unobfuscated identifiers to malicious devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the identifier into two forms: an obfuscated identifier that is transmitted over-the-air for privacy protection, and an unobfuscated identifier that is maintained internally for lawful intercept. The network equipment manages both forms separately, translating between them only when necessary for authorized access. This segmentation allows the system to maintain privacy while enabling lawful intercept capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If obfuscating identifiers are used to protect privacy, then unauthorized access is prevented, but authorized parties cannot access unobfuscated identifiers without additional authentication mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidauthentication mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication where the network equipment authenticates the radio equipment before allowing it to access unobfuscated identifiers. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized entities can obtain the unobfuscated identifiers, while the obfuscated identifiers continue to be transmitted over-the-air for privacy protection. The authentication mechanism is built into the network architecture rather than being an add-on.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4098005B1Tracking of a target in a wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

Network equipment (10) is configured for use in a wireless communication network (12). The network equipment (10) is configured to receive, over an interface (22) with radio equipment (14), a request (24) for information (26) based on which is determinable an unobfuscated identifier (20) associated with a target (16) being tracked by the radio equipment (14). The unobfuscated identifier (20) may be obfuscated by an obfuscating identifier (18) associated with the target (16). The network equipment (10) is also configured to send, from the network equipment (10) to the radio equipment (14), a response (28) that includes the requested information (26).