Verified distance ranging

An apparatus for verifying a distance to a device, comprising:

• a distance determiner adapted to determine the distance between the apparatus and the device;
• a comparator adapted to compare the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the device, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence unknown to the device;
• a receiver adapted to receive a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the random sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• and
• a verifier adapted to determine, based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance, whether the distance between the apparatus and the device is valid or allowable and to cause the device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance.

An apparatus for verifying a distance, comprising:

• means for determining the distance between the apparatus and a device;
• means for comparing the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• means for transmitting, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the device, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence unknown to the device;
• means for receiving a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the random sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• and
• means for determining, based on a round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal, whether the previously determined distance between the first device and the second device is valid or allowable;
• and
• means for causing the second device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance.

A non-transient computer-readable medium comprising instructions operational in a first device verifying a distance to a second device, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:

• determine a distance between the first device and the second device;
• compare the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• transmit, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the second device, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence unknown to the second device;
• receive a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the second device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the random sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• determining, based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance, whether the previously determined distance between the first device and the second device is valid or allowable;
• and
• causing the second device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance.

A headset for processing signals, comprising:

• a distance determiner adapted to determine a distance between the headset and a device;
• a comparator adapted to compare the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the device, the first set of at least one signal including a defined sequence unknown to the device;
• a receiver adapted to receive a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the defined sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• a verifier adapted to determine, based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance, whether the distance between the headset device and the device is valid or allowable and to cause the device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance;
• and
• a transducer adapted to provide an audible output based on a signal received via the receiver.

A watch for processing signals, comprising:

• a distance determiner adapted to determine a distance between the watch and a device;
• a comparator adapted to compare the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the device, the first set of at least one signal including a defined sequence unknown to the device;
• a receiver adapted to receive a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the random sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• a verifier adapted to determine, based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance, whether the distance between the watch and the device is valid or allowable and to cause the device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance;
• and
• a display adapted to provide a visual output based on a signal received via the receiver.

A medical device for processing signals, comprising:

• a distance determiner adapted to determine a distance between the medical device and a second device;
• a comparator adapted to compare the determined distance to a threshold maximum acceptable distance to determine if the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit, after the determination of the distance and that the determined distance is equal to or less than the threshold maximum acceptable distance, a first set of at least one first signal to the second device, the first set of at least one signal including a defined sequence unknown to the second device;
• a receiver adapted to receive a second set of at least one second signal transmitted by the second device in response to the first set of at least one first signal, the second set of at least one second signal generated by applying a function to the defined sequence of the first set of at least one first signal;
• a verifier adapted to determine, based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance, whether the distance between the medical device and the device is valid or allowable and to cause the device to take one or more actions, in response to verification of the validity or allowability of the previously determined distance;
• and
• a sensor adapted to generate sensed data to be transmitted via the transmitter.

A method of responding to a signal, comprising:

• receiving a first set of at least one first signal at a second device from a first device after a determination of a distance between the first device and the second device and a determination by the first device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• generating a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the first device and the second device;
• and
• transmitting the second set of at least one second signal to the first device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the first device and the second device to be verified, the first device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance.

An apparatus for responding to a signal, comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between the apparatus and a device and a determination by the device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• a signal generator adapted to generate a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the apparatus and the device;
• and
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the second set of at least one second signal to the device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the apparatus and the device to be verified, the device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance.

An apparatus for responding to a signal, comprising:

• means for receiving a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between the apparatus and a device and a determination by the device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• means for generating a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the apparatus and the device;
• and
• means for transmitting the second set of at least one second signal to the device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the apparatus and the device to be verified, the device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance.

A computer-program product for responding to a signal, comprising:

• non-transient computer-readable medium comprising codes executable by at least one computer to:
• receive a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between a first device and a second device and a determination by the first device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• generate a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the first device and the second device;
• and
• transmit the second set of at least one second signal to the second device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the first device and the second device to be verified, the second device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance.

A headset for processing signals, comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between the headset and a device and a determination by the device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• a signal generator adapted to generate a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the headset and the device;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the second set of at least one second signal to the device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the headset and the device to be verified, the device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance;
• and
• a transducer adapted to provide an audible output based on a signal received via the receiver.

A watch for processing signals, comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between the watch and a device and a determination by the device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a defined sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• a signal generator adapted to generate a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the watch and the device;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the second set of at least one second signal to the device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the watch and the device to be verified, the device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance;
• and
• a display adapted to provide a visual output based on a signal received via the receiver.

A medical device for processing signals, comprising:

• a receiver adapted to receive a first set of at least one first signal after a determination of a distance between the medical device and a device and a determination by the device that the determined distance is equal to or less than a threshold maximum acceptable distance, the first set of at least one signal including a random sequence and wherein the first set of at least one first signal is received at a first time;
• a signal generator adapted to generate a second set of at least one second signal by applying a function to the random sequence, based on a signal response scheme known to the medical device and the device;
• a transmitter adapted to transmit the second set of at least one second signal to the device at a second time that is within a defined time period after the first time causing the previously determined distance between the medical device and the second device to be verified, the device verifying that the previously determined distance is valid or allowable based on an actual round-trip time from transmission of the first set of at least one first signal to reception of the second set of at least one second signal and an expected round-trip time for the previously determined distance;
• and
• a sensor adapted to generate sensed data to be transmitted via the transmitter.