Proximity Beacon

摘要

A system and method are provided in which a radio-frequency channel is used in combination with a second validation channel to verify the proximity of two devices to each other. An RF channel is used to detect whether two devices are within a first, larger distance from one another and to enable communication between the two devices, whilst a second, validation channel is used to accurately verify that the two devices are within second, smaller distance from one another. In some embodiments, the second verification channel is a magnetic channel.

主权项

1. A device, comprising:
a radio-frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive an RF signal from a second device; a magnetometer configured to detect a magnetic field generated by the second device; a processor configured to:
a) determine a value of a property of the received RF signal, and
determine whether the value of the property of the RF signal satisfies at least a first criterion;b) determine a value of a property of the magnetic field at the first device, and
determine whether the value of the property of the magnetic field satisfies at least a second criterion;andc) register a touch event on determining that the value of the property of the received RF signal satisfies the first criterion and that the value of the property of the magnetic field satisfies the second criterion, wherein the processor is further configured to run processes a) and b) concurrently.