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Methods and systems for base station detection

  • US 9,374,709 B2
  • Filed: 01/29/2013
  • Issued: 06/21/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting an unauthorized base station, comprising:

  • scanning, by an in-vehicle controller of a vehicle or an application of a mobile communications device, a cellular radio environment to identify an available base station;

    detecting, by a signal detection unit in operative communication with the in-vehicle controller or the application, a strength of a signal of the available base station;

    comparing the detected signal strength with an expected signal strength range;

    determining that the detected signal strength is out of the expected signal strength range;

    categorizing the available base station as an unauthorized base station;

    connecting to the unauthorized base station;

    while in connection with the unauthorized base station, determining, by the in-vehicle controller or the application, a location of the unauthorized base station by triangulating a location of the vehicle or the mobile communications device, a direction of the signal, and the signal strength; and

    transmitting invalid signal strength information to the unauthorized base station to entice the unauthorized base station to further reduce the signal strength out of the expected signal strength range, wherein the invalid signal strength information falsely informs the unauthorized base station that its emitted signal is higher than a power level of the signal actually transmitted by the unauthorized base station.

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