Apple Inc.
Ranging measurements for spatially-aware user interface of a mobile device

Abstract:

A method for identifying one or more other mobile devices in a vicinity of a first mobile device includes transmitting a first set of pulses to a second mobile device, receiving a second set of pulses from the second mobile device, and determining distance and angular information corresponding to transmission times of the first set of pulses and reception times of the second set of pulses received at the mobile device. The angular information indicates an angle between a pointing direction of the first mobile device and the second mobile device. A first probability that a position of the second mobile device lies within a first spatial region having a defined distance range and aligned with the pointing direction of the first mobile device is determined based on the distance information and the angular information. An importance metric for the second mobile device is determined based on the first probability.