US Patent 10015839 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.