IP Library Granted Patent US 12666385
Granted Patent B2
US 12666385 · App. 18/273,577 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Assistance in ranging a communication device

Inventors: Min Xu (Beijing, CN); Haiming Wang (Beijing, CN); Jing Han (Beijing, CN); Jie Hu (Beijing, CN)
Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
H04W64/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12666385
App. No.
18/273,577
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method performed by a first communication device includes transmitting, to a second communication device, a request to assist in a ranging between the first communication device and a third communication device. The method also includes receiving, from the second communication device, a response to the request. The method further includes based on ranging information comprised in the response, wherein the ranging information is associated with the second communication device for assisting with the ranging between the first and third communication devices, providing a first ranging with the third communication device via the second communication device.

Claims (105)

1 . A method performed by a first communication device, the method comprising:

receiving, from a second communication device, information indicating that the second communication device has a capability to assist in a ranging between the first communication device and a third communication device;

transmitting, to the second communication device in response to receiving the information, a request to assist in the ranging between the first communication device and the third communication device;

receiving, from the second communication device, a response to the request; and

based on ranging information included in the response, the ranging information being associated with the second communication device for assisting with the ranging between the first and third communication devices, providing a first ranging with the third communication device via the second communication device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices comprises:

transmitting, to the second communication device, demand information concerning the ranging between the first and third communication devices;

receiving, from the second communication device, a positive feedback indicating the capability of the second communication device to assist in the ranging; and

in response to receiving the positive feedback, transmitting the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of multiple criteria is satisfied, the multiple criteria including:

the second communication device has the capability to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices,

the second communication device is in communication with the first communication device,

the second communication device is located within a ranging distance from the first communication device,

a strength of a signal received by the first communication device from the second communication device exceeds a threshold,

the second communication device is oriented in a potential direction range of the third communication device,

the first and second communication devices belong to a same device group, or

the first and second communication devices are associated with a same communication network.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices comprises at least one of:

an identity of the first communication device,

an identity of the third communication device,

an effective ranging distance of the first communication device,

a potential direction range of the third communication device,

an accuracy requirement for the ranging,

a reliability requirement for the ranging, or

a requirement for a movement speed of the second communication device assisting in the ranging.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ranging information included in the response is further associated with a fourth communication device for assisting in the ranging between the first and third communication devices.

6 . A first communication device for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first communication device to:

receive, from a second communication device, information indicating that the second communication device has a capability to assist in a ranging between the first communication device and a third communication device;

transmit, to the second communication device in response to receiving the information, a request to assist in the ranging between the first communication device and the third communication device;

receive, from the second communication device, a response to the request from the second communication device; and

based on ranging information included in the response, the ranging information being associated with the second communication device for assisting with the ranging between the first and third communication devices, provide a first ranging with the third communication device via the second communication device.

7 . A first communication device for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one memory; and

at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configured to cause the first communication device to:

transmit, to a second communication device, information indicating that the first communication device has a capability to assist in a ranging between the second communication device and a third communication device;

receive, from the second communication device in response to transmitting the information, a request to assist in the ranging between the second communication device and the third communication device; and

transmit, to the second communication device, a response to the request to assist in the ranging between the second and third communication devices, the response including ranging information associated with the first communication device, the ranging information being for assisting with a first ranging between the second and third communication devices via the first communication device.

8 . The first communication device of claim 7 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the first communication device to:

receive, from the second communication device, demand information concerning the ranging between the second and third communication devices; and

transmit, to the second communication device, a positive feedback indicating the capability of the first communication device to assist in the ranging.

9 . The first communication device of claim 7 , wherein the ranging information included in the response is further associated with a fourth communication device for assisting in the ranging between the second and third communication devices.

10 . The first communication device of claim 7 , wherein at least one of multiple criteria is satisfied, the multiple criteria including:

the first communication device has the capability to assist in the ranging between the second and third communication devices,

the first communication device is in communication with the second communication device,

the first communication device is located within a ranging distance from the second communication device,

a strength of a signal received at the second communication device from the first communication device exceeds a threshold,

the first communication device is oriented in a potential direction range of the third communication device,

the first and second communication devices belong to a same device group, or

the first and second communication devices are associated with a same communication network.

11 . The first communication device of claim 7 , wherein the request comprises at least one of:

an identity of the first communication device,

an identity of the second communication device,

an identity of the third communication device,

an effective ranging distance of the second communication device,

a potential direction range of the third communication device,

an accuracy requirement for the ranging,

a reliability requirement for the ranging, or

a requirement for a movement speed of the second communication device assisting in the ranging.

12 . The first communication device of claim 6 , wherein to transmit the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices is to:

transmit, to the second communication device, demand information concerning the ranging between the first and third communication devices;

receive, from the second communication device, a positive feedback indicating the capability of the second communication device to assist in the ranging; and

in response to receiving the positive feedback, transmit the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices.

13 . The first communication device of claim 6 , wherein at least one of multiple criteria is satisfied, the multiple criteria including:

the second communication device has the capability to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices,

the second communication device is in communication with the first communication device,

the second communication device is located within a ranging distance from the first communication device,

a strength of a signal received by the first communication device from the second communication device exceeds a threshold,

the second communication device is oriented in a potential direction range of the third communication device,

the first and second communication devices belong to a same device group, or

the first and second communication devices are associated with a same communication network.

14 . The first communication device of claim 6 , wherein the request to assist in the ranging between the first and third communication devices comprises at least one of:

an identity of the first communication device,

an identity of the third communication device,

an effective ranging distance of the first communication device,

a potential direction range of the third communication device,

an accuracy requirement for the ranging,

a reliability requirement for the ranging, or

a requirement for a movement speed of the second communication device assisting in the ranging.

15 . The first communication device of claim 6 , wherein the ranging information included in the response is further associated with a fourth communication device for assisting in the ranging between the first and third communication devices.

16 . The first communication device of claim 6 , wherein the response received from the second communication device further comprises at least one of:

an identity of the third communication device,

an identity of the second communication device assisting in the ranging,

an accuracy associated with the ranging information,

a reliability associated with the ranging information,

a time stamp associated with the ranging information,

a movement speed of the third communication device, or

a movement speed of the second communication device assisting in the ranging.

17 . A method performed by a first communication device, the method comprising:

transmitting, to a second communication device, information indicating that the first communication device has a capability to assist in a ranging between the second communication device and a third communication device;

receiving, from the second communication device in response to transmitting the information, a request to assist in the ranging between the first communication device and the third communication device; and

transmitting, to the second communication device, a response to the request to assist in the ranging between the second and third communication devices, the response including ranging information associated with the first communication device, the ranging information being for assisting with a first ranging between the second and third communication devices via the first communication device.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

receiving, from the second communication device, demand information concerning the ranging between the second and third communication devices; and

transmitting, to the second communication device, a positive feedback indicating the capability of the first communication device to assist in the ranging.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the ranging information included in the response is further associated with a fourth communication device for assisting in the ranging between the second and third communication devices.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one of multiple criteria is satisfied, the multiple criteria including:

the first communication device has the capability to assist in the ranging between the second and third communication devices,

the first communication device is in communication with the second communication device,

the first communication device is located within a ranging distance from the second communication device,

a strength of a signal received at the second communication device from the first communication device exceeds a threshold,

the first communication device is oriented in a potential direction range of the third communication device,

the first and second communication devices belong to a same device group, or

the first and second communication devices are associated with a same communication network.