Device searching method and electronic device supporting the same

• US 9,571,974 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Jong Mu, Lee, Yo Han, Jeon, Yong Joon, Kim, Jae Hwan, Lee, Jin Woo, Jung, Bu Seop, Choi, Bo Kun
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US14/887,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20160112839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first communication module configured to support a first communication method, a second communication module configured to support a second communication method, a memory configured to store data used for operations of the first communication module and the second communication module, and a processor electrically connected to the first communication module, the second communication module, and the memory.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a first communication module configured to support a first communication method;

a second communication module configured to support a second communication method;

a memory configured to store data used for operations of the first communication module and the second communication module; and

a processor electrically connected to the first communication module, the second communication module, and the memory,

wherein the processor is configured to;

recognize an approach of an external electronic device based on the first communication method, and

after recognizing a location by at least one of transmitting a specified signal to and receiving the specified signal from the approach-recognized external electronic device based on the second communication method, correct at least one of location or direction information associated with the approach based on state information itself calculated using sensor information collected from a sensor module.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to operate the first communication module to at least one of transmit and receive a specified pattern signal based on a Bluetooth low energy (BLE).

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a location measurement request message to the external electronic device, and when receiving a location measurement response signal from the external electronic device, to calculate a relative location based on a location value calculated by the external electronic device and a location value calculated based on the location measurement response signal.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a location measurement request message including a location measurement value based on the location measurement response signal to the external electronic device a specified number of times.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to calculate a location based on a phase difference of signals received using a multi antenna or calculate a location based on a phase difference of signals transmitted from the external electronic device.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to:

at least one of transmit and receive the specified signal a specified number of times or until a specified event occurs, and

calculate an average value of a plurality of collected location measurement values as a location value.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a message for guiding a location measurement stop to the external electronic device according to a setting.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to obtain changed state information by using sensor information obtained by at least one sensor based on sensor information corresponding to a specified state.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to correct a calculated location according to the state information.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to display a location according to the correction value.

11. A device searching method comprising:

recognizing, by an electronic device, an approach of an external electronic device based on a first communication method;

recognizing, by the electronic device, a location by at least one of transmitting a specified signal to and receiving the specified signal from the approach-recognized external electronic device based on a second communication method; and

correcting, by the electronic device, at least one of location or direction information associated with the approach based on state information itself calculated using sensor information collected from a sensor module.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the recognizing of the approach comprises receiving a specified pattern signal based on a Bluetooth low energy (BLE).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the recognizing of the location comprises:

transmitting a location measurement request message to the external electronic device;

receiving a location measurement response signal from the external electronic device; and

calculating a relative location based on a location value calculated by the external electronic device and a location value calculated based on the location measurement response signal.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting a location measurement request message including a location measurement value based on the location measurement response signal to the external electronic device a specified number of times.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the recognizing of the location comprises at least one of:

receiving a first set of signals by using a multi antenna and calculating a location based on a phase difference of the first set of received signals; and

receiving a second set of signals transmitted by using a multi antenna and calculating a location based on a phase difference of the second set of received signals.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the recognizing of the location comprises at least one of transmitting and receiving the specified signal a specified number of times or until a specified event occurs and calculating an average value of a plurality of collected location measurement values as a location value.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting a message for guiding a location measurement stop to the external electronic device.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising obtaining changed state information by using sensor information obtained by at least one sensor based on sensor information corresponding to a specified state.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising at least one of collecting a calculated location according to the state information;

and displaying a location according to a correction value.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

checking whether a distance or direction with respect to the external electronic device satisfies a specified condition; and

performing a specified service activation in correspondence to satisfaction of the specified condition and outputting information according to the specified service activation.