Devices and methods for locating accessories of an electronic device

• US 9,779,596 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2012
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ingrassia, Jr., Michael Ignazio, Hramits, Nathaniel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US13/659,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20140111307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 340 81, 3405391
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

Devices and methods for locating accessories of an electronic device are provided. In one example, a method may include detecting parameters associated with disconnecting an accessory from the electronic device. The electronic device, or an associated device, may store the detected parameters so that the detected parameters are accessible if the accessory becomes lost. The electronic device may receive a request from a user of the electronic device for assistance in locating the accessory. In response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory, the electronic device may provide the stored parameters to the user of the electronic device to aid them in searching for their lost accessory.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an indication at a first electronic device that an accessory to the electronic device is lost;

sending a request via the first electronic device to a second electronic device for the second electronic device to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory, wherein the second electronic device is configured to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory by transmitting a signal to the lost accessory and receiving a reply indication from the lost accessory, and wherein the second electronic device is not physically attached to the lost accessory;

receiving a reply from the second electronic device comprising an indication that the second electronic device has located the lost accessory; and

generating a notification on the first electronic device when the accessory is located by the second electronic device;

wherein the second electronic device is configured to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory by detecting a distance between the accessory and the second electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device is configured to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory by detecting accessories attached to the second electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second electronic devices are commonly owned.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the request from the first electronic device for the second electronic device to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory comprises sending the request from the first electronic device for a plurality of electronic devices to aid the first electronic device in finding the lost accessory.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising establishing a virtual relationship between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.