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SamsungGranted patentSecurity & privacyInterest 7/10

Samsung patents method to find lost devices via nearby phones

This patent describes a system where a device checks if it is lost by sending a signal to a paired device. If no response is received, it broadcasts a new signal to nearby phones to identify which one is closest. The lost device then sends its location details to that nearest phone to help the owner find it.

Why it mattersThis could make it easier to locate misplaced items like keys or wallets by using other people's phones as a temporary tracking network.

In the filing’s own words

Disclosed are methods and electronic devices configured to transmit, at a first period, a first-type advertisement (ADV) packet to a first external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit; determine that the electronic device is missing based on location information of the electronic device if a first response signal for the first-type ADV packet is not received from the first external electronic device; in response to determining that the electronic device is missing, transmit, at a second period, a second-type ADV packet to a nearby external electronic device using the wireless communication circuit; receive a second response signal for the second-type ADV packet from a second external electronic device; and transmit, to the second external electronic device, a signal including information of the electronic device based on reception of the second response signal.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device comprising: a wireless communication circuit configured to perform short-range wireless communication; a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to: transmit, from the electronic device to a first external electronic device at a first period, a first-type advertisement (ADV) packet using the wireless communication circuit, wherein the first-type ADV packet is transmitted to request a response from the first external electronic device, determine, by the electronic device, that the electronic device is missing based on location information of the electronic device and based on the first electronic device not receiving a first response signal for the first-type ADV packet from the first external electronic device, transmit, by the electronic device to a nearby external electronic device, a second-type ADV packet at a second period using the wireless communication circuit based on determining that the electronic device is missing, wherein the second-type ADV is transmitted to request a response from the nearby external electronic device, receive, by the electronic device and from a plurality of nearby external electronic devices, a plurality of second response signals for the second-type ADV packet, identify, by the electronic device, a second external electronic device from among the plurality of nearby external electronic devices based on at least one of a reception strength, a number of reception times, or a reception duration for each of the plurality of second response signals, and transmit, by the electronic device to the second external electronic device, a signal including information of the electronic device and missing state information.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Locating method using advertisement and electronic device therefor
Patent number
US12732778B2
Application number
18384274
Filed
Oct 26, 2023
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
17

Classified under

H04W 4/029 Electricity & electronicsH04L 51/222 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.