Patent ID: 9100790
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: G01S,H04L,H04M,H04N,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for discovering the presence of hidden neighbor mobile devices in a common environment, comprising the steps of: moving into a common environment with a given mobile device, the given mobile device having a unique identifier associated therewith; scanning the common environment within a scan range associated with the given mobile device; detecting the presence of broadcasting devices scanned by the given mobile device and receiving identification information therefrom; transmitting the received identification information from the detected broadcasting devices to a central location in addition to the unique identifier of the given mobile device; and receiving from the central location information about a hidden mobile unit that is not scannable by the given mobile device, but can scan other broadcast devices in the common environment, which information provides an indication that the hidden mobile unit had previously scanned at least one of the broadcast devices scanned by the given mobile device, wherein the information about the hidden mobile device includes temporal information as to time of scan relative to the time of scan of the given mobile device.