Cloud-coordinated location system using ultrasonic pulses and radio signals
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- outputting, by a mobile computing device, a first radio signal that includes a first data packet, wherein the first data packet includes information indicating that the mobile computing device is requesting initiation of a ranging operation, wherein the ranging operation comprises an operation performed by the mobile computing device to determine a location of the mobile computing device;
after outputting the first radio signal, outputting, by the mobile computing device, an ultrasonic pulse that includes a second data packet;
after outputting the ultrasonic pulse, receiving, by the mobile computing device, a second radio signal that includes a third data packet from a beacon device, wherein the third data packet includes information identifying the beacon device as a source of the third data packet;
determining, by the mobile computing device, a time difference between outputting the ultrasonic pulse and receiving the second radio signal; and
determining, by the mobile computing device and based at least in part on the third data packet and the time difference, the location of the mobile computing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, this disclosure describes location techniques for a mobile device. A mobile device may request permission from a server device to perform a ranging operation. Responsive to receiving an indication of allowance, the mobile device may output a first data packet via a radio signal, which is received by a beacon device that activates an ultrasonic transponder upon receipt of the first data packet. The mobile device then outputs a second data packet via an ultrasonic pulse. The beacon device receives the ultrasonic pulse and outputs a third data packet via a second radio signal that includes information identifying the beacon device. The mobile device calculates a time difference between outputting the ultrasonic pulse and receiving the second radio signal and determines its location based on the third data packet and the time difference.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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outputting, by a mobile computing device, a first radio signal that includes a first data packet, wherein the first data packet includes information indicating that the mobile computing device is requesting initiation of a ranging operation, wherein the ranging operation comprises an operation performed by the mobile computing device to determine a location of the mobile computing device; after outputting the first radio signal, outputting, by the mobile computing device, an ultrasonic pulse that includes a second data packet; after outputting the ultrasonic pulse, receiving, by the mobile computing device, a second radio signal that includes a third data packet from a beacon device, wherein the third data packet includes information identifying the beacon device as a source of the third data packet; determining, by the mobile computing device, a time difference between outputting the ultrasonic pulse and receiving the second radio signal; and determining, by the mobile computing device and based at least in part on the third data packet and the time difference, the location of the mobile computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a beacon device using a radio antenna, a first radio signal that includes a first data packet, wherein the first radio signal is output by a mobile computing device, and wherein the first data packet includes information indicating that the mobile computing device is requesting initiation of a ranging operation, wherein the ranging operation comprises an operation performed by the mobile computing device to determine a location of the mobile computing device; responsive to receiving the first radio signal that includes the first data packet, activating, by the beacon device, an ultrasonic transponder; receiving, by the beacon device using the ultrasonic transponder, an ultrasonic pulse that includes a second data packet, wherein the ultrasonic pulse is output by the mobile computing device; and responsive to receiving the second data packet, outputting, by the beacon device using the radio antenna, a second radio signal that includes a third data packet, wherein the third data packet includes information identifying the beacon device as a source of the third data packet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a server device and from a first mobile computing device, a first request to perform a ranging operation, wherein the ranging operation comprises an operation performed by the respective mobile computing device to determine a location of the respective mobile computing device; receiving, by the service device and from a second mobile computing device, a second request to perform the ranging operation; determining, by the server device, a first starting time at which the first mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation; determining, by the server device, a second starting time at which the second mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation, wherein the second starting time is later than the first starting time; outputting, by the server device and to the first mobile computing device, a first indication that, at the first starting time, the first mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation; and outputting, by the server device and to the second mobile computing device, a second indication that, at the second starting time, the second mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a server device and from a first mobile computing device, a first request to perform a ranging operation, wherein the ranging operation comprises an operation performed by the respective mobile computing device to determine a location of the respective mobile computing device; receiving, by the service device and from a second mobile computing device, a second request to perform the ranging operation; determining, by the server device, a first starting time at which the first mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation; at the first starting time, outputting, by the server device and to the first mobile computing device, a first indication that the first mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation; after outputting the first indication, receiving, by the server device and from the first mobile computing device, a second indication that the first mobile computing device has completed the ranging operation; and responsive to receiving the second indication, at a second starting time, outputting, by the server device and to the second mobile computing device, a third indication that the second mobile computing device is permitted to perform the ranging operation.
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Specification