SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING WIRELESS ACCESSORIES

Smart overview of the Invention

Objective: The described system and method aim to locate wireless accessories that are not directly connected to a wide area network. These accessories, such as earbuds or smartwatches, often lack the capability to communicate their location independently when lost or misplaced.

Functionality: The solution involves a data processing system that uses a user interface on an electronic device to help determine the location of an associated wireless accessory. The system generates a set of public keys that the accessory broadcasts. These keys are sent to a server, which returns corresponding data. Using a private key, the location data is decrypted to determine the accessory's probable location.

Technical Approach: The system operates by performing beacon scans via a baseband processor, even when the application processor is in low power mode. Beacon data, identified by a public key from the accessory, is stored alongside timestamps. When active, the device determines its location, encrypts it using the beacon identifier, and sends this information to a server for storage and later retrieval.

Implementation Details: The described methods ensure secure crowdsourced locator services for devices unable to connect to a wide area network. The approach is flexible, allowing various embodiments and combinations of features to be practiced. A touch-sensitive display on computing devices facilitates user interaction with these systems.

Network Environment: Mobile devices communicate with accessories over various networks, including cellular and Wi-Fi. These devices can perform both voice and data communications and may operate through wired connections or wireless peer-to-peer connections for data synchronization.