Image-based data communication device identification

A data processing system comprising:

• a data processing apparatus, comprising:
• data communication circuitry to communicate data, by wireless radio frequency communication, with a set of one or more external devices, the data communication circuitry being configured to detect a corresponding wireless signal strength of a data communication from each of the set of external devices;
• a data processor to detect a respective estimated separation of each of the set of external devices from the apparatus in dependence upon the respective detected wireless signal strengths;
• and
• an image processor to detect, in images captured by a camera, an image of an external device having image properties consistent with the estimated separation of a given one of the set of external devices from the apparatus and to associate the external device detected in the images captured by the camera with data communications between the apparatus and the given one of the set of external devices;
• and
• a set of one or more external devices each configured to communicate data wirelessly with the data communication circuitry of the apparatus,
• wherein the data communication circuitry is configured to request the set of one or more external devices to vary their wireless transmission power and to repeat the detection of wireless signal strength with the set of one of more external devices using different respective wireless transmission powers.

A method of operation of a data processing apparatus, the method comprising:

• wirelessly communicating data, by radio frequency communication, with a set of one or more external devices;
• detecting a respective wireless signal strength of a data communication from each of the set of external devices;
• detecting a respective estimated separation of each of the set of external devices from the apparatus in dependence upon the detected wireless signal strengths;
• and
• detecting, in images captured by a camera, an image of an external device having image properties consistent with the estimated separation of a given one of the set of external devices from the apparatus;
• and
• associating the external device detected in the images captured by the camera with data communications between the apparatus and the given one of the set of external devices,
• wherein the communicating data includes requesting the set of one or more external devices to vary their wireless transmission power and to repeat the detection of wireless signal strength with the set of one of more external devices using different respective wireless transmission powers.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium which stores computer software, which when executed by a computer causes the computer to control a data processing apparatus, by carrying out actions, comprising:

• wirelessly communicating data, by radio frequency communication, with a set of one or more external devices;
• detecting a respective wireless signal strength of a data communication from each of the set of external devices;
• detecting a respective estimated separation of each of the set of external devices from the apparatus in dependence upon the detected wireless signal strengths;
• and
• detecting, in images captured by a camera, an image of an external device having image properties consistent with the estimated separation of a given one of the set of external devices from the apparatus;
• and
• associating the external device detected in the images captured by the camera with data communications between the apparatus and the given one of the set of external devices,
• wherein the communicating data includes requesting the set of one or more external devices to vary their wireless transmission power and to repeat the detection of wireless signal strength with the set of one of more external devices using different respective wireless transmission powers.