Back to results
US 10,707,971 B2Granted
Ultrasound ranging for mobile devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsBrian Michael King, David Amm, Scott P. Porter, Steven P. Hotelling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ultrasonic ranging for mobile devices is disclosed. A mobile device using ultrasonic ranging can include an ultrasound transmitter capable of emitting an ultrasound signal for detection by a proximate device and an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving an ultrasound signal from the proximate device. The mobile device can then use a time lapse associated with one or both of these ultrasound signals to find a range to the proximate device.
Claims10
A mobile device comprising:
- an ultrasound transmitter configured to emit a first ultrasound signal to a proximate device;
- an RF transmitter configured to transmit an RF signal to the proximate device;
- one or more ultrasound receivers configured to receive a second ultrasound signal from the proximate device subsequent to transmitting the first ultrasound signal;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- determine a range of the proximate device based on a time lapse associated with the second ultrasound signal and independent of the first ultrasound signal;
- and
- determine an orientation of the mobile device relative to the proximate device.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- receiving an ultrasound signal at a mobile device from a proximate device;
- recording a time of receipt of the ultrasound signal from the proximate device at the mobile device;
- receiving an RF signal at the mobile device from the proximate device;
- recording a time of receipt of the RF signal from the proximate device at the mobile device;
- calculating a range of the proximate device at the mobile device based on a time lapse between the time of receipt of the ultrasound signal and the time of receipt of the RF signal;
- sharing the calculated range with a plurality of other proximate devices;
- and
- mapping at least one of a three-dimensional orientation and location of the proximate device and the plurality of other proximate devices.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- detecting occupancy in a frequency band or channel;
- in accordance with a determination that the detected occupancy in the frequency band or channel exceeds a threshold occupancy, switching to a new frequency band or channel from a current frequency band or channel;
- in accordance with a determination that the detected occupancy in the frequency band or channel does not exceed the threshold occupancy, transmitting a first ultrasound signal over the current frequency band or channel from a mobile device to a proximate device;
- recording a time of transmission of the first ultrasound signal at the mobile device;
- receiving a second ultrasound signal at the mobile device from the proximate device in response to the proximate device receiving the first ultrasound signal;
- recording a time of receipt of the second ultrasound signal from the proximate device at the mobile device;
- calculating a range of the proximate device at the mobile device based on a time lapse between the time of transmission of the first ultrasound signal and the time of receipt of the second ultrasound signal
- sharing the calculated range with a plurality of other proximate devices;
- and
- mapping at least one of a three-dimensional orientation and location of the proximate device and the plurality of other proximate devices.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.