Wireless device tracking system
A method of tracking a wireless device comprising a wireless interface, the method comprises locating a first access point providing a threshold signal strength; sending an association request to the first access point; recording a network address for the first access point; suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time; resuming operation of the wireless device periodically to determine whether the access point still provides the threshold signal strength; and if it is determined that the first access point no longer provides the threshold signal strength and a second access point provides the threshold signal strength, sending a subsequent association signal to the second access point; receiving the network address of the second access point, recording a network address of the second access point, and suspending normal operation.
1 . A method of tracking a wireless device comprising a wireless interface, the method comprising:
locating a first access point providing a threshold signal strength;
sending an association request to the first access point;
recording a network address for the first access point;
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time;
resuming operation of the wireless device periodically to determine whether the access point still provides the threshold signal strength; and
if it is determined that the first access point no longer provides the threshold signal strength and a second access point provides the threshold signal strength, sending a subsequent association signal to the second access point; receiving the network address of the second access point, recording a network address of the second access point, and suspending normal operation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold signal strength is the strongest signal strength received from among a plurality of access points.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein suspending normal operation comprises turning off the wireless interface of the wireless device.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless device is a wearable bracelet.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising recording a time stamp associated with receiving the network address of the second access point.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless interface is a WiFi interface.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the network addresses of the first and second access points are MAC addresses.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless device operates on a low duty cycle.
9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a temporary MAC address from the first access point before sending an association request and including the temporary MAC address in the association request to the first access point.
10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising using an encrypted channel to communicate with a trusted server in the network after associating with the first access point.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising sending location information of the wireless device to the trusted server, wherein the location information is revealed only to the trusted server.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of suspending comprises:
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time that is specified by the access point.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of suspending comprises:
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time that is specified via an interface by a user of the wireless device.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of suspending comprises:
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time that is determined using motion information received from a motion detector coupled with the wireless device.
15 . An information handling system, comprising:
a processor configured for:
locating a first access point providing a threshold signal strength;
sending an association request to the first access point;
recording a network address for the first access point;
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time;
resuming operation of the wireless device periodically to determine whether the access point still provides the threshold signal strength; and
if it is determined that the first access point no longer provides the threshold signal strength and a second access point provides the threshold signal strength, sending a subsequent association signal to the second access point; receiving the network address of the second access point, recording a network address of the second access point, and suspending normal operation; and
a memory for storing the network addresses of each access point with which the wireless device is associated; and
a wireless interface for communicating with each access point.
16 . A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for locating a first access point providing a threshold signal strength, the program instructions including instructions for:
sending an association request to the first access point;
recording a network address for the first access point;
suspending normal operation of the wireless device for a length of time;
resuming operation of the wireless device periodically to determine whether the access point still provides the threshold signal strength; and
if it is determined that the first access point no longer provides the threshold signal strength and a second access point provides the threshold signal strength, sending a subsequent association signal to the second access point; and
receiving the network address of the second access point, recording a network address of the second access point, and suspending normal operation.