Life360 has been granted a patent for a tracking device that provides a hashed identifier to a mobile device. The mobile device can then query multiple entities to identify the entity associated with the hash key used to generate the hashed identifier. The mobile device can encrypt its location with a public key received from the identified entity and provide the encrypted location to the entity for decryption. GlobalData’s report on Life360 gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Life360, vehicle telematics based risk analysis was a key innovation area identified from patents. Life360's grant share as of September 2023 was 81%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Tracking device provides encrypted location data to entities
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11770711B2) describes a method for secure location tracking using mobile devices and tracking devices. The method involves several steps to ensure privacy and security.
In this method, a mobile device receives a hashed identifier from a tracking device. The tracking device computes the hashed identifier using a hash key. The mobile device then queries a server associated with multiple entities using the hashed identifier. Each entity is associated with a set of hash keys and tracking devices and has a directory storing candidate hashed identifiers for each combination of hash key and tracking device associated with it.
The mobile device receives a public key from the server associated with the entity that used the hash key to compute the hashed identifier. This public key is associated with the tracking device. The mobile device accesses location data representative of its own location and encrypts this data using the received public key. The encrypted location data is then provided to the first entity.
The method also includes additional features such as accessing links or APIs listed within the directory associated with the server, storing computed candidate hashed identifiers within the directory, and providing indications to the mobile device about the association between the first entity and the hash key.
Furthermore, the method ensures that the mobile device does not provide any indication to the user about receiving the hashed identifier or detecting the tracking device, encrypting the location data, or providing the encrypted location data to the first entity.
The patent also mentions the use of private keys associated with the public key, allowing the device of the tracking device owner to decrypt the location data and determine the location of the mobile device. The decrypted location data can be displayed within a map interface.
Overall, this patented method provides a secure and privacy-focused approach to location tracking using mobile devices and tracking devices. It allows for encrypted communication between the devices and entities involved, ensuring that sensitive location data remains protected.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
