# US 2018/0025595 A1 · Devices and methods for locating accessories of an electronic device

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- Number: US 2018/0025595 A1
- Document ID: US20180025595A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/722,830
- Filed: 2017-10-02
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2012-10-24
- Assignees: Apple Inc.
- Applicants: Apple Inc.
- Inventors: Michael Ignazio Ingrassia, JR.; Nathaniel P. Hramits
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180025595A1

## CPC

- G08B 13/1427: {with transmitter-receiver for distance detection}
- G08B 21/24: Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
- G08B 21/0247: {System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength}
- G08B 21/0277: {Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth®, piconet, Zigbee®, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]}
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## 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

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
playing a media item on an electronic device;
detecting, via the electronic device, disconnection of an accessory from the electronic device, wherein the disconnection of the accessory is detected to have occurred while the media item is playing on the electronic device;
detecting, via the electronic device, a title of the media item;
storing the title on the electronic device;
receiving a request at the electronic device for assistance in locating the accessory; and
presenting the title on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory as a reminder of the media item that had been playing when the disconnection of the accessory occurred.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising:
detecting, via the electronic device, a time of the disconnection of the accessory from the electronic device; and
presenting the time on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising:
detecting, via the electronic device, a date of the disconnection of the accessory from the electronic device; and
presenting the date on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising:
detecting, via the electronic device, a location of the disconnection of the accessory from the electronic device; and
presenting the location on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein presenting the location on the electronic device comprises presenting a map corresponding to the location.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein presenting the location on the electronic device comprises presenting a compass corresponding to a direction from the electronic device to the accessory.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising:
detecting, via the electronic device, device identification data of the accessory; and
presenting the device identification on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising:
detecting, via the electronic device, a distance between the electronic device and the accessory; and
presenting the distance on the electronic device in response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises wired headphones, wireless headphones, an adaptor cable, a power cable, a keyboard, a docking station, or a speaker, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 10

A method comprising:
detecting, via an electronic device, disconnection of an accessory from the electronic device;
storing a first global positioning system (GPS) location corresponding to a site where the accessory was disconnected on the electronic device;
receiving a request at the electronic device for assistance in locating the accessory;
initiating a background process on the electronic device in response to the request, wherein the background process comprises an application program configured to run in the background and occasionally search for the accessory;
detecting the accessory using the background process, wherein detecting the accessory using the background process comprises comparing the first GPS location to a second GPS location by utilizing GPS data, wherein the second GPS location corresponds to a current location of the electronic device; and
generating a notification on the electronic device when the first GPS location is determined to be proximate to the second GPS location as a reminder to prompt a search for the accessory in an area proximate to the first GPS location.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the background process is configured to periodically search for the accessory.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the accessory using the background process comprises detecting the accessory based at least partially on a distance between the accessory and the electronic device.

### Claim 13

A method comprising:
detecting free fall of an electronic device via the electronic device; and
providing an audio alert when the free fall of the electronic device is detected, wherein providing the audio alert comprises providing the audio alert to a separate accessory of the electronic device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the accessory comprises a wireless headset configured to emit the audio alert of the free fall to provide an indication that the electronic device is falling.

### Claim 15

An article of manufacture comprising:
one or more tangible, computer-readable media having instructions encoded thereon for execution by a processor, the instructions comprising:
instructions configured to generate one or more parameters that correspond to a physical wired disconnection of an accessory of an electronic device from the electronic device, wherein the one or more parameters comprise data corresponding to a song last played by the electronic device before the accessory was disconnected from the electronic device;
instructions configured to store the one or more parameters on the electronic device;
instructions configured to receive a request for help in finding the accessory; and
instructions configured present the one or more parameters in response to the request for help in finding the accessory.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the one or more parameters comprise a date, a time, a location, device identification data, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the accessory comprises wired headphones, wireless headphones, an adaptor cable, a power cable, a keyboard, a docking station, or a speaker, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 18

A method, comprising:
detecting free fall of a first electronic device; and
providing an electronic alert to a second electronic device upon detecting the free fall of the first electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is configured to provide an audio alert that the first electronic device is falling.

### Claim 19

A method, comprising:
receiving a first wireless signal from a first electronic device via a second electronic device, wherein the first wireless signal comprises a request for the second electronic device to aid the first electronic device in finding a lost accessory of the first electronic device;
generating and transmitting a second wireless signal via the second electronic device to the lost accessory to locate the lost accessory; and
transmitting a reply to the first electronic device via the second electronic device, wherein the reply comprises an indication that the second electronic device has located the lost accessory.

### Claim 20

A method, comprising:
receiving a signal via a wireless headset indicating a free fall of an electronic device compatible with the wireless headset; and
providing an audible alert via the wireless headset, wherein the audible alert is configured to indicate that the electronic device is falling.