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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 6/10

Apple patents faster wireless pings to check device distance for Universal Control

Apple describes a method where one device sends wireless signals at a higher speed to measure how far away another device is. If the calculated distance is close enough, the system allows one device to control the other, such as moving a cursor between a laptop and tablet.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of Apple's Universal Control feature by ensuring devices only connect when they are physically close, preventing accidental control of distant devices.

In the filing’s own words

In some aspects a first electronic device may detect a triggering condition for enabling control of a second electronic device. Upon detection of the triggering condition, the method can include determining an increased rate of transmission of advertising signals of a wireless protocol transmitted from a wireless transceiver of the first electronic device. The method can include transmitting a plurality of advertising wireless signals at the increased rate using the wireless protocol. The method can include receiving, from the second electronic device, one or more responses to the advertising wireless signals. The method can include determining a distance measurement based on the one or more responses. Responsive to the distance measurement being less than a threshold value, the method can include enabling control of one or more components of the first electronic device or the second electronic device by the other device. Numerous other aspects are described.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising performing at a first electronic device: detecting a triggering condition for enabling control of a second electronic device; upon detection of the triggering condition, determining an increased rate of transmission of advertising signals of a wireless protocol for transmitting from a wireless transceiver of the first electronic device; transmitting, during an advertising window, a plurality of advertising wireless signals at the increased rate via the wireless protocol; receiving, from the second electronic device, one or more responses to the advertising wireless signals that were transmitted at the increased rate using the wireless protocol; determining a distance measurement between the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on the one or more responses to the advertising wireless signals; and responsive to the distance measurement, based on the one or more responses to the advertising wireless signals between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, being less than a threshold value, enabling the second electronic device to control one or more components of the first electronic device, or enabling the first electronic device to control one or more components of the second electronic device.

Facts

Company
Apple (APPLE INC.)
Official title
Proximity estimation for universal control
Patent number
US12745162B2
Application number
17931842
Filed
Sep 13, 2022
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
7
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 48/16 Electricity & electronicsH04W 28/18 Electricity & electronicsH04W 28/26 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.