Abstract: Power can be preserved in a tracking device equipped with a GPS receiver and a transceiver by evaluating the proximity of the tracking device to a mobile device and enabling the GPS receiver and transceiver only in the event that the tracking device is out of the range of the mobile device. Once enabled, the location of the tracking device can be determined based on location information received from the GPS receiver. The determined location can be provided to a tracking system associated with the tracking device. The tracking system can then inform an owner of the tracking device of the determined location. Once the tracking device has been found, the GPS receiver and the transceiver can be disabled to save additional power.
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes storing, by a tracking server, a hash value for each of one or more tracking devices associated with the tracking server. The method includes receiving, at the tracking server from a user device, a hash value associated with a tracking device, the hash value computed based on a static value uniquely associated with the tracking device and a dynamic value maintained by the tracking device. The method includes identifying, by the tracking server, the tracking device based on a comparison between one of the stored hash values and the received hash value. The method includes updating, by the tracking server, one or more records associated with the identified tracking device based on the receiving the hash value.
Abstract: Unauthorized tracking devices, including those that change their identification information periodically, are detected to protect an individual's privacy. A mobile device of a user detects a first advertisement signal from an unknown wireless device, the first advertisement signal containing information representative of the unknown device. Multiple advertisement signals may be received as the mobile device moves a distance greater than a broadcast range away from the location where the first signal was detected. Responsive to detecting a second advertisement signal containing the same identity information after the mobile device has moved at least the distance greater than the broadcast range away from the location where the first signal was detected, the system generates an interface on the mobile device. The generated interface indicates to a user of the mobile device the presence of an unknown device.
Abstract: A tracking device has a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and control logic. The first transceiver can transmit a first tracking signal for locating the tracking device to mobile devices via a first network. The mobile devices provide the first tracking signal to a tracking server. The second transceiver can transmit a second tracking signal for locating the tracking device to the tracking server via a second network. The control logic can configure the tracking device in a first state in which the first transceiver transmits the first tracking signal, and the second transceiver is disabled and does not transmit the second tracking signal. In response to determining that the tracking device cannot connect to the tracking server via the first network, the control logic configures the tracking device in a second state in which the second transceiver is enabled and transmits the second tracking signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 18, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 7, 2023
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Mohamed Sameh Mahmoud, Muhammad Umair, John Mathew Depew, Richard Philip Sillman
Abstract: A tracking system can provide configuration instructions to an electronic device based on user presence. The tracking system can determine a user's location relative to a geographic boundary surrounding a geographic area associated with the user. Depending on the user's location, the tracking system may send instructions to configure an electronic device to send a notification or change the operating mode of the electronic device in response to the user's presence. The electronic device may be a scanning device that is configured to have a higher or lower scanning frequency, depending on the presence or absence of the user relative to the scanning device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven R. Klinkner, Josselin de la Broise
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a tracking server from a first computing device, a request to establish a search party to locate a tracking device associated with the tracking server. The method includes, until a threshold number of computing devices have been added to the search party: identifying one or more candidate second computing devices for addition to the search party, each candidate second computing device satisfying criteria for inclusion in the search party; adding one or more of the candidate second computing devices to the search party in response to receiving an acceptance of a request sent to the candidate second computing devices to join the search party; determining that a number of second computing devices added to the search party fails to satisfy the threshold number of computing devices; and modifying the criteria for inclusion in the search party.
Abstract: A mobile phone connected to a tracking system detects the presence of a nearby tracking device. If the tracking device is detected for more than a threshold amount of time, the tracking system can instruct the mobile phone to generate a user notification prompting a user to claim ownership of the tracking device. After the user claims ownership of the tracking device, the mobile device provides the ownership claim to the tracking system which can associate the tracking device with that user's account in the tracking system, enabling the user to access features of the tracking device and tracking system reserved for owners of that tracking device.
Abstract: An electronic device with a primary functionality and a tracking functionality can be used in a centralized tracking system. A controller configures the electronic device to operate in one of a set of: an “on” mode, an “off” mode, a first standby mode, and a tracking standby mode. While configured to operate in the “on” mode, the primary and tracking functionality of the electronic device are enabled, and while configured to operate in the “off” mode, both are disabled. While configured to operate in the first standby mode, the tracking functionality is enabled and the primary functionality is limited. While configured to operate in the tracking standby mode, the primary functionality is disabled but the tracking functionality is enabled, enabling the electronic device to be located while the primary functionality is disabled and saving power relative to the first standby mode and the “on” mode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 19, 2021
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2023
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven R. Klinkner, Josselin de la Broise, Michael George Farley
Abstract: Tracking devices can be associated with safe zones, smart zones, and high risk zones. Safe zones correspond to regions where a likelihood that a tracking device is lost within the safe zone is lower than outside the safe zone. High risk zones correspond to regions where a likelihood that a tracking device is lost within the high risk zone is higher than outside the high risk zone. Smart zones correspond to an expected tracking device, mobile device, or user behavior. Home areas are geographic regions in which a user resides, and travel areas are geographic regions in which a user does not reside. A tracking device can be configured to operate in a mode selected based on a presence of the tracking device within a safe zone, a smart zone, a high risk zone, a home area, or a travel area.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 20, 2022
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Arunkumar Puppala, Liuyin Cheng, Wayne Patterson
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a tracking system server, a data stream comprising events related to a set of devices. The set of devices include tracking devices and mobile devices. Each event contains a location update respectively associated with a tracking device of the set or a mobile device of the set. The method includes programmatically separating, by the tracking system server, the events from the data stream. The method includes batching, for processing by the tracking system server, the separated events into one or more batches. The method includes processing, by the tracking system server, a specific batch of events, of the one or more batches of events, that involves a specific tracking device to estimate a location of the specific tracking device using a location determination algorithm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 20, 2022
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Pierre-Marie Lévêque, Wayne Patterson, Arunkumar Puppala
Abstract: A lost tracking device associated with a tracking system can be located by leveraging one or more community members by inviting these members to join a search party. Search party criteria can be identified and candidate search party members can be selected and invited based on the search party criteria. When invited candidate search party members accept the invitations, they are added to the search party. A last known location of the tracking device can be provided to the search party members, and the search party can remain in effect until the lost tracking device is located. The location of the lost tracking device is provided to the tracking system, which forwards it to the owner of the lost tracking device. A reward can be provided by the owner of the lost tracking device to the tracking system, which releases the reward to the search party member that located the lost tracking device.
Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a tracking system server, an instruction from a first computing device relating to a feature of a second computing device having a tracking component and a functional component. The method includes receiving a notification from a third computing device that the second computing device has received a tracking signal from the tracking component. The method includes, in response to receiving the instruction and the notification, transmitting, by the tracking system server to the third computing device, an instruction for the second computing device relating to the feature, the third computing device configured to provide the instruction to the tracking component of the second computing device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2022
Assignee:
Tile, Inc.
Inventors:
Jossie Haines, Josselin de la Broise, Steven R. Klinkner, Dan Danknick