Distance measurement using the time-of-flight of signals

1. A system comprising a first device and a second device, the first device and the second device being configured to measure a distance between the first device and the second device;

wherein the first device and the second device are configured to:

obtain a distance measurement d using a first set of time-of-flight measurements;

estimate an uncertainty u in the distance measurement d;

evaluate

whether d+u<R is satisfied, and

whether d−u>R is satisfied

wherein R is a predetermined distance;

determine that a higher level of accuracy is required in the event that neither d+u<R nor d−u>R is satisfied and obtain a second set of one or more time-of-flight measurements;

determine whether the first device and the second device are within the predetermined distance R of each other using the distance measurement d in the event that one or both of d+u<R and d−u>R is satisfied;

wherein the first device and the second device are further configured such that, after obtaining the second set of one or more time-of-flight measurements, the first device and the second device:

determine another distance measurement d′ from the first set of one or more time-of-flight measurements and the second set of one or more time-of-flight measurements;

estimate an uncertainty u′ in the distance measurement d′;

evaluate

whether d′+u′<R is satisfied, and

whether d′−u′>R is satisfied;

determine that a higher level of accuracy is required in the event that neither d′+u′<R nor d′−u′>R is satisfied and obtain a third set of one or more time-of-flight measurements;

determine whether the first device and second device are within the predetermined distance R of each other using the distance measurement d′ in the event that one or both of d+u<R and d−u>R is satisfied.

2. A method of measuring the distance between a first device and a second device, the method comprising:

measuring a first received signal strength of a first signal transmitted between the first device and the second device;

comparing the first received signal strength to a threshold value;

determining that the first device and the second device are within a predetermined distance of each other if the first received signal strength is above the threshold value;

if the first received signal strength is less than the threshold value, performing a first time-of-flight-based distance measurement to measure the distance between the first device and the second device, wherein a number of time-of-flight measurements obtained during the first time-of-flight-based distance measurement is determined according to an accuracy level required for the time-of-flight-based distance measurement;

wherein if it is determined using the first time-of-flight-based distance measurement that the first device and the second device are within the predetermined distance of each other, the method further includes:

measuring a second received signal strength of a second signal transmitted between the first device and the second device;

comparing the second received signal strength to the first received signal strength;

performing a second time-of-flight-based distance measurement if the second received signal strength is less than the first received signal strength;

comparing the second received signal strength to the threshold value if the second received signal strength is greater than the first received signal strength;

determining that the first device and second device are within the predetermined distance of each other if the second received signal strength is greater than the threshold value; and

performing a third time-of-flight-based distance measurement if the second received signal strength is less than the threshold value.

3. A device, comprising:

transceiver circuitry for enabling communications with another device; and

a processing unit configured to:

measure a first received signal strength of a first signal transmitted between the device and said another device;

compare the first received signal strength to a threshold value;

determine that the device and said another device are within a predetermined distance of each other if the first received signal strength is above the threshold value;

if the first received signal strength is less than the threshold value, perform a first time-of-flight-based distance measurement to measure the distance between the device and said another device, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the number of time-of-flight measurements obtained during the first time-of-flight-based distance measurement according to an accuracy level required for the first time-of-flight-based distance measurement;

wherein if it is determined using the first time-of-flight-based distance measurement that the device and said another device are within the predetermined distance of each other, the processing unit is further configured to:

measure a second received signal strength of a second signal transmitted between the device and said another device;

compare the second received signal strength to the first received signal strength;

perform a second time-of-flight-based distance measurement if the second received signal strength is less than the first received signal strength;

compare the second received signal strength to the threshold value if the second received signal strength is greater than the first received signal strength;

determine that the device and said another device are within the predetermined distance of each other if the second received signal strength is greater than the threshold value; and

perform a third time-of-flight-based distance measurement if the second received signal strength is less than the threshold value.