Unauthorized tracking device detection and prevention
US10070309B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W8/005
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The detection and prevention of unauthorized tracking devices is described herein. For example, a mobile device may be configured to detect nearby wireless devices. The communication signal between a detected wireless device and the mobile device may be tracked over time, and used to programmatically determine the likelihood that the detected wireless device is an unknown tracking device. The user of the mobile device may be given a notification and related data when a suspicious device is identified, and the user may choose to identify the unknown tracking device as an authorized tracking device or an unauthorized tracking device. When a detected wireless device is identified as an unauthorized tracking device, various remedial actions may be performed by a user and/or a central tracking system. In one example, the central tracking system remotely deactivates the unauthorized tracking device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.