SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING WIRELESS ACCESSORIES

Smart overview of the Invention

Embodiments discussed introduce a novel system and method for locating wireless accessories that cannot connect to a wide area network. These systems leverage crowdsourcing to pinpoint the location of such devices. A key aspect involves using a data processing system that loads a user interface on an electronic device, facilitating the determination of a wireless accessory's location. The technology employs public keys broadcast by the accessory, which are then used to request corresponding data from a server, ultimately leading to the determination of the accessory's probable location.

Technical Field

The described embodiments focus on locating wireless devices and accessories, particularly those not connected to wide area networks. They address the challenge of tracking devices like earbuds, headphones, and other wearables that communicate directly with smartphones or tablets but lack independent location capabilities.

Background

Existing security features in portable devices allow users to locate their products when lost or stolen. However, many wireless accessories lack built-in positioning technology and cannot communicate with remote tracking services over wide area networks. This limitation prevents them from being tracked when misplaced. The proposed solution seeks to fill this gap by enabling the location of these accessories through crowdsourced data.

Methodology

The system operates by using an electronic device to perform beacon scans even when its application processor is in a low-power state. Beacon data, identified by public keys from the wireless accessory, is stored with timestamps. When the device is active, it determines its location and encrypts this data using the beacon identifier. The encrypted data is sent to a server for storage and later retrieval by an associated electronic device, aiding in locating the lost accessory.

Implementation

The system supports various mobile devices capable of wireless communication with accessories. These devices can connect over networks such as cellular or Wi-Fi and communicate with each other through peer-to-peer connections. This setup allows for synchronization and data sharing between devices, enhancing the ability to locate accessories through collective user inputs.