Tracking device distress mode configuration
A tracking device can be configured to operate in a distress mode in response to receiving an input pattern associated with the distress mode from a user. Once configured to operate in distress mode, the tracking device modifies connection properties of the tracking devices, for example by connecting to additional mobile devices, and sends a message indicating that the tracking device is in distress mode to a connected mobile device. Based on connecting to a tracking device in distress mode, a mobile device can send a distress message to emergency services or to a predetermined emergency contact. After a threshold amount of time passes, the tracking device can exit distress mode.
1. A method for placing a tracking device in a distress mode, the method comprising:
receiving, at a tracking device comprising a button accessible from a surface of the tracking device, a user input at the tracking device button from a user of the tracking device, the tracking device configured to operate in a normal mode;
configuring, based on the user input, the tracking device to operate in a distress mode;
responsive to the tracking device being configured to operate in the distress mode:
modifying the communicative properties of a wireless transmitter of the tracking device; and
transmitting, from the tracking device to a connected mobile device, a message indicating the tracking device is configured to operate in the distress mode; and
in response to a set of conditions associated with operation in the distress mode being satisfied, configuring the tracking device to operate in the normal mode.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the user input comprises receiving a specific pattern of input through the tracking device button.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the specific pattern of input comprises a series of consecutive button presses.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the specific pattern of input is selected by the user in advance.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the connected mobile device is configured to send a distress message responsive to receiving the message indicating that the tracking device is configured to operate in the distress mode.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the connected mobile device is associated with the user and wherein the distress message is selected in advance by the user.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the connected mobile device is a community mobile device associated with a second user.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the connected mobile device is configured to send the distress message to one or more of an emergency contact, a local police entity, an emergency hotline, or mobile devices within a threshold proximity of the connected mobile device.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracking device, when configured to operate in the distress mode, is configured to automatically connect to additional mobile devices within a threshold proximity of the tracking device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of conditions associated with operation in the distress mode comprises one or more of: a threshold of time passing, an input received at the tracking device, and an input received at the connected mobile device.
11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing instructions, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving, at a tracking device comprising a button accessible from a surface of the tracking device, a user input at the hardware input from a user of the tracking device, the tracking device configured to operate in a normal mode;
configuring, based on the user input, the tracking device to operate in a distress mode;
responsive to the tracking device being configured to operate in the distress mode:
modifying the communicative properties of a wireless transmitter of the tracking device; and
transmitting, from the tracking device to a connected mobile device, a message indicating the tracking device is configured to operate in the distress mode; and
in response to a set of conditions associated with operation in the distress mode being satisfied, configuring the tracking device to operate in the normal mode.
12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein receiving the user input comprises receiving a specific pattern of input through the tracking device button.
13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the specific pattern of input comprises a series of consecutive button presses.
14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the specific pattern of input is selected by the user in advance.
15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the connected mobile device is configured to send a distress message responsive to receiving the message indicating that the tracking device is configured to operate in the distress mode.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the connected mobile device is associated with the user and wherein the distress message is selected in advance by the user.
17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the connected mobile device is a community mobile device associated with a second user.
18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the connected mobile device is configured to send the distress message to one or more of an emergency contact, a local police entity, an emergency hotline, or mobile devices within a threshold proximity of the connected mobile device.
19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the tracking device, when configured to operate in the distress mode, is configured to automatically connect to additional mobile devices within a threshold proximity of the tracking device.
20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the set of conditions associated with operation in the distress mode comprises one or more of: a threshold of time passing, an input received at the tracking device, and an input received at the connected mobile device.