US 12,126,992 B2
Unauthorized tracking device detection and prevention
Steven R. Klinkner, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to TILE, INC., San Mateo, CA (US)
Filed by Tile, Inc., San Mateo, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/093,076.
Application 18/093,076 is a continuation of application No. 17/373,782, filed on Jul. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,576,036.
Prior Publication US 2023/0147188 A1, May 11, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04W 12/02 (2009.01); H04B 17/318 (2015.01); H04W 48/16 (2009.01); H04W 64/00 (2009.01)
CPC H04W 12/02 (2013.01) [H04B 17/318 (2015.01); H04W 48/16 (2013.01); H04W 64/003 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for detecting unauthorized tracking devices, comprising:
detecting, by a mobile device, a plurality of advertisement signals from an unknown wireless device that changes an identity included within the advertisement signals after a passage of a predetermined interval of time, the plurality of advertisement signals received as the mobile device moves a distance greater than a predetermined threshold distance during the predetermined interval of time;
determining that a first identity included in a first advertisement signal received before the mobile device moves the predetermined threshold distance and a second identity included in a second advertisement signal received after the mobile device moves the predetermined threshold distance are the same; and
in response to determining by the mobile device that the first identity received before the mobile device moves the predetermined threshold distance and the second identity received after the mobile device moves the predetermined threshold distance are the same, generating, by the mobile device, an interface to both 1) indicate a presence of the unknown wireless device to a user of the mobile device and to 2) include a tracking history of the unknown wireless device, the tracking history based on the advertisement signals from the unknown wireless device and including at least a time and location at which the first advertisement signal was received from the unknown wireless device.