US 12,219,631 B2
Controlling electronic devices based on wireless ranging
James H. Foster, Oxford (GB); and Duncan R. Kerr, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/821,460.
Application 17/821,460 is a continuation of application No. 17/142,171, filed on Jan. 5, 2021, granted, now 11,425,767.
Application 17/142,171 is a continuation of application No. 16/525,408, filed on Jul. 29, 2019, granted, now 10,912,136, issued on Feb. 2, 2021.
Application 16/525,408 is a continuation of application No. 15/424,394, filed on Feb. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,368,378, issued on Jul. 30, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/291,504, filed on Feb. 4, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0121160 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 3/16 (2006.01); G01C 21/20 (2006.01); G06F 1/16 (2006.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); G06F 3/14 (2006.01); G06T 19/00 (2011.01); G08C 17/02 (2006.01); H04W 4/02 (2018.01); H04W 76/14 (2018.01)
CPC H04W 76/14 (2018.02) [G01C 21/20 (2013.01); G06F 1/1626 (2013.01); G06F 1/1694 (2013.01); G06F 1/1698 (2013.01); G06F 3/011 (2013.01); G06F 3/016 (2013.01); G06F 3/017 (2013.01); G06F 3/14 (2013.01); G06T 19/00 (2013.01); G08C 17/02 (2013.01); H04W 4/023 (2013.01); G08C 2201/32 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
by a wireless device:
determining an intent to control an object within wireless range of the wireless device;
identifying the object to be controlled based at least in part on an identifier received from the object during a wireless ranging operation, wherein the identifier varies over time, to protect privacy and provide security, and distinguishes the object from a second object;
determining a command to control the object identified by the wireless ranging operation; and
transmitting a command value corresponding to the command to control the object.