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Google patents Bluetooth trick to measure distance without pairing

Google has filed a patent for a method that helps two devices measure the distance between them using Bluetooth Low Energy. Instead of creating a full connection first, the devices swap short advertisement messages that include instructions on how to synchronize their signals for accurate ranging.

Why it mattersThis could make location-based features like precise indoor mapping or smart home automation work faster by removing the need for a time-consuming pairing step.

In the filing’s own words

A method and apparatus to help facilitate Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Multi-Carrier-Phase Difference (MCPD) ranging between a first device and the second device. An example method includes the first device engaging in an exchange of BLE advertisement messaging with the second device. Further, the method includes the including in the BLE advertisement messaging a set of data defining a sync-channel configuration for a synchronization process to help facilitate the BLE MCPD ranging between a first device and the second device, the including of the set of data in the BLE advertisement messaging facilitating communication of the set of data between the first device and the second device without a need for the first device and second device to establish a BLE connection with each other through which to communicate the set of data. In addition, the method includes the first device using the sync-channel configuration for the synchronization process.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: engaging, by a first device, in an exchange of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement messaging with a second device, wherein engaging in the exchange of BLE advertisement messaging includes the first device transmitting to the second device a BLE scan request message and receiving in response from the second device a BLE scan response message; including, by the first device, in the BLE advertisement messaging, a set of data defining a sync-channel configuration for a synchronization process to help facilitate BLE Multi-Carrier-Phase Difference (MCPD) ranging between the first device and the second device, wherein the including of the set of data in the BLE advertisement messaging facilitates communication of the set of data between the first device and the second device without a need for the first device and second device to establish a BLE connection with each other through which to communicate the set of data; and using, by the first device, the sync-channel configuration for the synchronization process.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
Use of Advertisement Messaging to Establish Synchronization Channel Configuration for Connectionless Phase-Based Ranging
Publication number
US20260270670A1
Application number
19167205
Filed
Mar 31, 2023
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 4/80 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.