SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PHYSICALLY DETECTING, IDENTIFYING, DIAGNOSING AND GEOLOCATING ELECTRONIC DEVICES CONNECTABLE TO A NETWORK

• US 20120179812A1
• Filed: 01/06/2012
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokomis Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nokomis Inc.
• Inventors: Keller, Walter J. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,825,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/06 Electric or electromechanical safeties F41A17/04, F41A17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/02 Locating undetonated charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks

Abstract

A system and method of detecting, locating, geolocating and providing diagnostics on electronic devices includes use of emission detection apparatus, information collected over a network and template containing emission signatures. Collected unintended emissions are compared to an emission signature in the template preferably constructed from the information collected on the network. Using the known location of the electronic device, the emissions measurement device is then used to detect and identify other devices in the vicinity of the electronic device that is connected to the network. The emission detection apparatus includes a high sensitivity receiver for receiving and analyzing electronic emissions. The network collection apparatus could be any software manifestation known in the art for collecting information about a device such as a cookie or online fingerprinting or a hardware based collection mechanism.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

(a) a first means for detecting at least one emission;

(b) a second means for collecting a set of parameters transmitted through a network by at least one device connectable thereto; and

(c) a third means for at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating the at least one device connectable to the network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes a connection between the at least one device and the network and wherein said set of parameters identifies at least one of the device and information transmitted therefrom.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said connection is one of wireless and wired.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one emission is at least one of intended and unintended.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one emission is at least one of an electromagnetic energy, sound and odor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said electromagnetic energy is in a Radio Frequency spectrum.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one emission is at least one of a microwave or millimeter emission.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one emission is at least one of an infrasonic or ultrasonic emission.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device includes at least one electronic component, wherein said at least one emission is an electromagnetic energy and wherein said first means is operable to detect said at least one emission of said electromagnetic energy.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said first means is configured to detect said at least one emission through at least one wall of a structure.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first means includes:

(a) an antenna;

(b) an emission collection device coupled to said antenna and configured to output an emission signal; and

(c) means for processing said emission signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said emission collection device at least includes a low noise amplifier, a tuner, and a digital to analog converter.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said emission collection device is a receiver having at least one receiver channel.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for processing said emission signal includes:

(a) a digital filter;

(b) means for processing said emission signal in a time domain; and

(c) means for processing said emission signal in a frequency domain independently from said means for processing said emission signal in said time domain.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for processing said emission signal further includes means for at least reducing noise of said emission signal processed in said frequency domain.

16. The system of claim 14, further including at least one transform domain so as to enhance detection, identification, geolocation and diagnostics of the at least one device.

17. The system of claim 14, further including means for weighting output from at least one of said means for processing said emission signal in said time domain and said means for processing said signal in said frequency domain.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for processing said emission signal in said time domain is configured to execute a plurality of algorithms.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for processing said emission signal in said frequency domain is configured to execute a plurality of algorithms.

20. The system of claim 11, further including means for matching said processed emission signal against a template containing at least one emission signature.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said means for matching said processed emission signal is configured to execute at least one algorithm.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said means for matching said processed emission signal is configured to execute at least two algorithms.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least two algorithms are operating in parallel to each other.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein each of said at least two algorithms operating in parallel to each other processes an independent characteristic of said at least one emission of the at least one device.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said at least two algorithms are orthogonal algorithms.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein each of said at least two algorithms operable based on a physically collected data.

27. The system of claim 22, further including means for weighting output of each of said least two algorithms so as to enhance probability of detection of the at least one device.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said means for weighting output includes another algorithm.

29. The system of claim 27, further including means for outputting a final score.

30. The system of claim 29, further including a threshold defined by a probability of a detection of the at least one device, wherein said final score is compared with said threshold.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein said final score derived from at least one of said time domain processing, said frequency domain processing, a plurality of time domain algorithms and a plurality of frequency domain algorithms is combined to enhance overall scoring for the detection, identification and geolocation of electronics.

32. The system of claim 11, further including data storage.

33. The system of claim 11, further including a display.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein said first means is configured to detect emissions of at least one other device located in close proximity to the at least one device.

35. The system of claim 34, further including means for identifying the at least one other device.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said system is configured to stream a preselected information to the at least one device connected to the network, wherein said preselected information is dependent on a type of the at least one other identified device.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein said system is configured to enhance information about a user of the at least one device based on a type of the at least one other identified device.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device is a plurality of devices and wherein said first means is configured to detect emissions from the plurality of devices.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein at least some of the plurality of devices are connected to the network when said first means is operable to detect said at least one emission.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein all of the plurality of devices were connected to the network prior to said first means being operable to detect said at least one emission.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to detect a device that is at least one of beginning to display signs of degradation and show signs of imminent failure.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device is employed in a manufacturing environment and wherein said system is configured to detect at least a component of the at least one device.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes at least one health monitoring device and wherein said system is configured to interface with said at least one health monitoring device so as to enhance at least one of health monitoring and status monitoring of electronic devices.

44. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes at least one health monitoring device and at least one backup device and wherein said system is configured to interface with each of said at least one health monitoring device and said at least one back up device so as to facilitate prompt switchover thereto.

45. The system of claim 1, wherein said data storage includes a library of signatures identifying at least one of the at least one device and at least one other device and wherein said signatures were generated by at least one of said first and second means.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to detect unauthorized users of the network.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured as a turnkey system.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to verify suppression of an electronic device.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to perform diagnostics on at least one electronic device.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured for at least one of health monitoring and status monitoring of electronic devices.

51. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes means for automatic operation of said first means in detecting electronic devices.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said means is a predetermined logic.

53. The system of claim 1, wherein said first means includes software configured to specifically detect physical characteristics of the at least one device connected to the network.

54. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes said network and wherein said network is one of an internet, an intranet, a Global System for Mobile communications, a Code Division Multiple Access, a Time Division Multiple Access, point to point network and a general cellular based network.

55. The system of claim 1, wherein said system includes a database of emission data derived from free field emission data of at least two devices that have been pre-measured.

56. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means is a computer, wherein said system includes a connection between said computer and the network and wherein said computer is configured to provide automated identification of the at least one device.

57. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means is a computer, wherein said system includes a connection between said computer and the network and wherein said computer is configured to provide automated generation of a signature template for detection of the at least one device.

58. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means includes at least one cookie.

59. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means includes a digital fingerprinting.

60. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means includes a deep packet inspection.

61. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means includes a predetermined logic configured to detect physical characteristics of the device connected to the network.

62. The system of claim 1 wherein said second means include a predetermined logic configured to detect non-physical (software settings) characteristics of the at least one device connectable to network so as to derive physical characteristics of the at least one device.

63. The system of claim 1, wherein said third means includes a pair of signatures, one of said pair of signatures defining said at least one emission and another one of said pair of signatures defining said set of parameters.

64. The system of claim 1, wherein said third means includes a signature template of the at least one device.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said signature template includes data from indirect emission measurement from the at least one device.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein said signature template includes said set of parameters collected from the network superimposed onto a frequency spectrum on top of one another so as to define an expected signature of said at least one emission.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein said set of parameters includes at least one of:

(a) a clock;

(b) a processor type;

(c) a transmission frequency;

(d) power supply switching frequencies;

(e) a transmission speed of data;

(f) a microcontroller type;

(g) timing protocols of the at least one device; and

(h) a configuration of the at least one device.

68. The system of claim 64, wherein said signature template includes at least one of:

(a) single peak characteristics;

(b) multiple peak characteristics;

(c) harmonically correlated characteristics;

(d) non-harmonically correlated characteristics;

(e) time correlated characteristics;

(f) phase correlated characteristics; and

(g) duty cycle characteristics.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein said first means at least one of:

(a) a peak detection algorithm;

(b) multiple peak detection algorithm;

(c) harmonic correlation algorithm;

(d) non-harmonic correlation algorithm;

(e) time correlation algorithm;

(f) phase correlation algorithm; and

(g) duty cycle timing correlation algorithm

70. The system of claim 64, wherein said signature template includes pre-measured parameters of the at least one device.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein only said pre-measured parameters are used to detect the at least one device.

72. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is operable to detect electronics over a broad geographical range.

73. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to at least one of detect and neutralize an improvised explosive device (IED).

74. The system of claim 73, wherein said first means is a tunable frequency agile source integrated onto a platform and configured to detect of IED trigger electronics.

75. The system of claim 1, wherein said first means is operable in at least one of an active automated detection mode, a network detection mode and a passive automated detection mode, wherein said first means is configured for correlation between said active automated detection mode and a network detection mode and said passive automated detection mode so as to detect at least two targets.

76. The system of claim 1, wherein first means is operable in absence of one of an active automatic detection mode and passive detection mode.

77. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second means are operable to independently identify operating state of the at least one device.

78. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to correlate measurements between network collected data and free field emission data for detection of electronics.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said network collected data is configured into a template and wherein said template is compared to a library of pre-collected free field emissions to detect a type of the at least one device transmitting over an network where the at least one device may not be known by network transmissions alone.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein a knowledge of the at least one device from a signature template alone when compared to a free field measured signature is sufficient to identify the at least one device so as to enhance said signature template by superimposing it on the free field measured signature.

81. The emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to perform diagnostics.

82. The emission measurement device of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to perform health monitoring.

83. The system of claim 1, wherein the first means is positioned in a first location, wherein said second means is positioned in a second location, wherein said third means is positioned in a third location, said first, second and third locations being independent from each other.

84. A method of at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating at least the device connected or connectable to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) providing means for collecting data transmitted by said at least one device connected or connectable to a network;

(c) collecting, by said data collecting means, data transmitted from said at least one device;

(d) generating, based on said data collected in step (c), a signature template of said at least one device;

(e) sensing, with said emission detection apparatus, emission radiated from said at least one device;

(f) processing said radiated emission in accordance with at least one predetermined algorithm;

(g) matching a signature of said radiated emission processed in step (f) with said signature template generated in step (d); and

(h) at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating said at least the device.

85. A method of marketing comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) providing means for collecting at least one of data and information transmitted by at least one device connected or connectable to a network;

(c) sensing, with said emission detection apparatus, emissions radiated from said at least one device;

(d) collecting, by said information collecting means, at least one of data and information transmitted from said at least one device;

(e) sensing, with said emission detection apparatus, emissions radiated from at least one other device located in a proximity to said at least one device;

(f) identifying said at least one other device; and

(g) streaming to said at least one device an information preselected based on identification of said at least one other device in step (f).

86. The method of claim 85, further including a step of storing all collected information to a database.

87. A method for detecting at least one of illegal activity and illegal device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) providing means for collecting information transmitted by at least one device connected or connectable to a network;

(c) collecting, by said information collecting means, at least one of data and information transmitted from said at least one device;

(d) generating a signature template of said at least one device based on information collected in step (c);

(e) sensing, with said emission detection apparatus, at least one emission radiated from at least one of said at least one device and at least one other device located in proximity to said at least one device;

(f) matching signature of said at least one emission sensed in step (d) with said signature template generated in step (d); and

(g) geolocating, with said emission detection apparatus said at least one of said at least one device and said at least one other device, whereby said at least one of said at least one device and said at least one other device is indicative of said at least one of illegal activity and illegal device.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein said at least one of said at least one device and said at least one other device is one of counterfeited electronic component and counterfeited electronic device.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein said at least one of said at least one device and said at least one other device is an apparatus configured to manufacture a counterfeited currency and wherein said method includes the additional step of at least geolocating a location for printing said counterfeited currency.

90. A system comprising:

(a) means for detecting at least one emission radiated by at least one device;

(b) a template containing emission signature of the at least one device; and

(c) wherein said means for detecting said at least one emission includes means for matching a signature of said at least one emission given off by the at least one device to said emission signature contained within said template.

91. The system of claim 90, wherein said means for detecting includes data storage and wherein said signature template is stored within said data storage.

92. A system for at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating at least one of counterfeited electronic component and counterfeited electronic device, said system comprising:

(a) means for detecting at least one emission radiated by at least one device;

(b) a template containing an emission signature of the at least one device; and

(c) wherein said means for detecting said at least one emission includes means for matching a signature of said at least one emission given off by the at least one of the counterfeited electronic component and the counterfeited electronic device to said emission signature contained within said template.

93. A system for at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating at least one device, said system comprising:

(a) a template containing an emission signature of the at least one device;

(b) a plurality of emission collection devices, each of said plurality of emission collection devices configured to sense at least one emission given off by the at least one device and output a unique emission signal indicative of said at least one emission;

(c) a plurality of means for processing emission signals, wherein each of said plurality of processing means is responsive to each unique emission signal to generate an emission signature thereof; and

(d) means for matching said signatures of said at least one emission given off by the at least one device to said emission signature contained within said template.

94. A method of at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing and geolocating at least the device connected or connectable to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) storing, within a memory of said emission detection apparatus, a template containing at least one signature of said at least one device;

(c) sensing, with said emission detection apparatus, at least one emission radiated from said at least one device;

(d) processing, with said emission detection apparatus, said radiated emission in accordance with at least one predetermined algorithm;

(e) matching a signature of said radiated emission processed in step (d) with said at least one signature template stored in step (b); and

(f) at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing and geolocating said at least one device based on matching said at least one signature in step (e).

95. A method of at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing and geolocating an unauthorized user of at least one device connected or connectable to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) providing means for collecting at least one of data and information transmitted by at least one device connected or connectable to a network;

(c) collecting, by said information collecting means, said at least one of data and information transmitted from said at least one device;

(d) generating a signature template of said at least one device based on said at least one of data and information collected in step (c);

(e) sensing, with said emission sensing apparatus, at least one emission radiated from said at least one device;

(f) matching signature of said at least one emission sensed in step (e) with said signature template generated in step (d); and

(g) geolocating, with said emission detection apparatus said user of said at least one device based on matching said at least one signature in step (f).

96. A method of identifying a user of a device containing at least one electronic component when said user is passing through a security screening station, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an emission detection apparatus;

(b) providing means for collecting at least one of data and information transmitted by said device through a network;

(c) collecting, by said information collecting means, said at least one of data and information transmitted from said device;

(d) generating a signature template of said device based on said at least one of data and information collected in step (c);

(e) sensing, with said emission sensing apparatus, at least one emission given off by said device;

(f) matching a signature of said at least one emission sensed in step (e) with said signature template generated in step (d); and

(g) identifying said user of said device based on a predetermined matching parameter.

97. The method of claim 96, further including an additional step of illuminating said device with an electromagnetic source.

98. A method of generating a signature template of at least one device connectable to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting a set of parameters of said at least one device;

(b) generating a set of frequency characteristics, each one of said set of frequency characteristics identifying a specific parameter from said set of parameters; and

(c) superimposing said frequency characteristics onto a frequency spectrum on top of one another.

99. A method of at least one of detecting, identifying, diagnosing condition of and geolocating at least one device connected or connectable to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining characteristics of said at least one device transmitted through said network;

(b) determining spectral characteristics of said at least one device in physical space; and

(c) correlating said characteristics transmitted through said network with said spectral characteristics.

100. A system comprising:

(a) an antenna operable to receive at least one emission;

(b) an emission collection device coupled to said antenna and configured to output an emission signal, said emission collection device including at least a low noise amplifier, a tuner and a digital to analog converter;

(c) means for processing said emission signal including means for processing said emission signal in a frequency domain and means for processing said emission signal in a time domain;

(d) a plurality of first algorithms, each of said plurality of first algorithms is operable to process a unique characteristic of the at least one emission;

(e) at least one second algorithm operable to weight output from said plurality of first algorithms;

(f) at least one third algorithm operable to determine final score of said output from said at least one second algorithm and to compare said final score against a predetermined threshold so as to match said processed emission signal with at least one predefined emission signature; and

(g) a data storage.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein said system is configured to at least one of detect, identify, diagnose condition of and geolocate at least one of counterfeited electronic component and counterfeited electronic device.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein said system is configured to at least one of detect, identify, diagnose condition of and geolocate at least one of counterfeited currency and apparatus operable to print said counterfeited currency.