Method and apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracer network

Abstract

Techniques are provided for contact tracing with Wi-Fi based positioning. An example method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network includes activating a contact tracing application on a user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network, receiving one or more measurement signals from a station in the contact tracing network, and reporting the signal measurements and station identification to a network entity.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Contact tracing is a technology used to identify and monitor individuals who may have had contact with an infected person, and it can be implemented as a means of controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Wireless communication systems have been used to assist governments and private organizations in conducting large-scale contact tracing. For example, mobile devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other such user equipment) can be used to determine a user's location history and notify them that they may have been exposed to an infectious disease, allowing them to monitor their health to detect signs and symptoms of the disease. However, such location-based contact tracing technologies may raise privacy concerns among some users, which could inhibit the adoption of the technology. Furthermore, the correlation between location data and the probability of infection can vary substantially due to environmental and other factors. There is a need to improve the effectiveness of mobile devices for contact tracing applications.

[0002] Overview

[0003] An example method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network according to this disclosure includes: activating a contact tracing application on a user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network, receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network, and reporting the signal measurements and station identification to the network entity.

[0004] Implementation of such a method may include one or more of the following features: The association process between the user equipment and the station may be performed within the contact tracing network. The user equipment may be a low-power user equipment. The one or more measurement signals may include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted between the station and the user equipment. The one or more RTT messages may be Wi-Fi ranging frames including at least one of the following: fine-timing measurement frames, ranging spatial data packet (NDP) frames, and trigger-based (TB) ranging NDP frames. The one or more measurement signals may include probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network. The one or more measurement signals may be received via a first radio access technology, and reporting the signal measurement and station identification may utilize a second radio access technology. The first radio access technology may be a Wi-Fi network, and the second radio access technology may be a cellular network, Bluetooth®, or may utilize an RFID band. When the contact tracing application is activated, a contact tracing verification screen may be displayed. The method may include: determining a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measurement signals and reporting the received signal strength indication to the network entity, and / or receiving an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measurement signals and reporting the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

[0005] An example method for displaying a contact history map on a user equipment according to this disclosure includes: activating a contact tracing application on the user equipment; providing one or more contact tracing configuration options to a contact tracing network; receiving contact history information at least in part based on the one or more contact tracing configuration options; and displaying the contact history map at least in part based on the contact history information.

[0006] Implementation of such methods may include one or more of the following features: Providing the one or more contact tracing configuration options may include performing an association process with a station in the contact tracing network and providing the one or more contact tracing configuration options to the station. The contact history information may be received from the station. The one or more contact tracing configuration options may be provided to the contact tracing network via a cellular network, and the contact history information may be received via the cellular network. The one or more contact tracing configuration options may include one or more of the following: a social distancing threshold, a contact time threshold, a cluster spacing value, and a cluster time value. The contact history information may include location information associated with a user device currently detected by the contact tracing network. The contact history information may include location information associated with a user device previously detected by the contact tracing network. The contact history information may include one or more social distancing violations indicating areas covered by the contact tracing network where contact tracing events have occurred. The one or more social distancing violations may include a count value indicating the number of contact tracing events that occurred in that area. The one or more contact tracing configuration options may include a verification code associated with the contact tracing network and required to receive the contact history information.

[0007] An apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a memory, at least one receiver, at least one transmitter, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one receiver, and the at least one transmitter and configured to: activate a contact tracing application based on proximity to a contact tracing network, receive one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network, and report signal measurements and station identifiers to network entities.

[0008] Implementations of such a device may include one or more of the following features. The at least one processor may be further configured to perform the association process between the device and a station within the contact tracing network. The device may be a low-power user equipment. The one or more measurement signals may include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted to and received from the station. The one or more RTT messages may be Wi-Fi ranging frames including at least one of the following: fine-timing measurement frames, ranging NDP frames, and TB ranging NDP frames. The one or more measurement signals may include probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network. The one or more measurement signals may be received via a first radio access technology, and the signal measurement and station identification may be reported using a second radio access technology. The first radio access technology may be a Wi-Fi network, and the second radio access technology is a cellular network, Bluetooth, or may utilize a radio frequency identification band. The device may include a display communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and the memory, such that the at least one processor is configured to display a contact tracing verification screen when the contact tracing application is activated. The at least one processor may be further configured to determine a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and report the received signal strength indication to the network entity. The at least one processor may be further configured to receive an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and report the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

[0009] An example apparatus according to this disclosure includes a memory, a display device, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory, the display device, and the at least one transceiver and configured to: activate a contact tracing application; provide one or more contact tracing configuration options to a contact tracing network; receive contact history information at least in part based on the one or more contact tracing configuration options; and display a contact history map on the display device at least in part based on the contact history information.

[0010] Implementations of such devices may include one or more of the following features. The at least one processor may be further configured to perform an association process with a station in the contact tracing network and to provide the station with the one or more contact tracing configuration options. The at least one processor may be configured to receive contact history information from the station. The at least one processor may be further configured to provide the one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network via a cellular network and to receive the contact history information via the cellular network. The one or more contact tracing configuration options may include one or more of the following: a social distancing threshold, a contact time threshold, a cluster spacing value, and a cluster time value. The contact history information may include location information associated with a user device currently detected by the contact tracing network. The contact history information may include location information associated with a user device previously detected by the contact tracing network. The contact history information may include one or more social distancing violations indicating areas covered by the contact tracing network where contact tracing events have occurred. The one or more social distancing violations may include a count value indicating the number of contact tracing events that occurred in that area. The one or more contact tracing configuration options may include a verification code associated with the contact tracing network and required to receive the contact history information.

[0011] An example device according to this disclosure for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network includes: means for activating a contact tracing application on a user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network; means for receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and means for reporting the signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0012] An example device for displaying a contact history map on a user equipment according to the present disclosure includes: means for activating a contact tracing application on the user equipment; means for providing one or more contact tracing configuration options to a contact tracing network; means for receiving contact history information at least in part based on the one or more contact tracing configuration options; and means for displaying the contact history map at least in part based on the contact history information.

[0013] According to this disclosure, an example non-transient processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to report signal measurements to a contact tracing network. The processor-readable instructions include: code for activating a contact tracing application on a user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network; code for receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and code for reporting the signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0014] According to an example non-transient processor-readable storage medium of the present disclosure, the processor-readable instructions are configured to cause one or more processors to display a contact history map on a user equipment. The processor-readable instructions include: code for activating a contact tracing application on the user equipment; code for providing one or more contact tracing configuration options to a contact tracing network; code for receiving contact history information based at least in part on the one or more contact tracing configuration options; and code for displaying the contact history map based at least in part on the contact history information.

[0015] The items and / or technologies described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned: User equipment can detect a contact tracing network. The contact tracing network may be based on Wi-Fi radio access technology. The relative location of the user equipment within the contact tracing network can be determined. Active or passive positioning technologies may be used. Contact tracing events with other user equipment can be determined based on relative location information. The contact tracing network can be configured to generate contact event reports and alerts. Contact tracing maps may be provided to the user. The spread of infectious diseases can be identified based on contact tracing event data. Users may be able to avoid high-risk areas based on contact tracing maps. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the capabilities discussed. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0017] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the components of an example user equipment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the components of an example send / receive point.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the components of the sample server.

[0021] Figure 5A This is a sample message stream used for a round-trip time measurement session.

[0022] Figure 5B This is an example of a Wi-Fi wireless communication system.

[0023] Figure 6 This is an example message stream used for passive positioning with user equipment.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram of an example contact tracing proximity measurement.

[0025] Figure 8A This is a conceptual diagram of the first example use case for Wi-Fi contact tracing using active location measurement.

[0026] Figure 8B This is a concept diagram of a second example use case for Wi-Fi contact tracing using passive location measurements.

[0027] Figure 8C This is a conceptual diagram of the third example use case for contact tracing using low-power user equipment.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a concept diagram of the first example contact tracing application.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a concept diagram of the second example contact tracing application.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a line diagram of a sample user interface for receiving contact tracing configuration options.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a line drawing of a sample user interface for joining a contact tracing network.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a line graph of an example contact tracing verification screen.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a sample data structure for contact tracing applications.

[0034] Figure 15 This is a process flow for an example method of reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network.

[0035] Figure 16 This is the process flow for displaying example methods of the contact history map.

[0036] Figure 17 This is a process flow for an example method of providing contact tracing information using low-power user equipment.

[0037] Figure 18 This is a process flow for an example method used to determine contact tracing events.

[0038] Figure 19 This is a process flow for providing users with access history information.

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] This article discusses technologies for contact tracing using Wi-Fi-based location. Contact tracing is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing individuals exposed to a disease to prevent further spread. When systematically applied, contact tracing can be used to break the chain of transmission. Some organizations are using Bluetooth (BT)-based solutions for contact tracing. However, such BT solutions may have limited location accuracy due to multipath reflections and other factors in indoor spaces. These inefficiencies can lead to false positives or missed detections in wireless-based contact tracing. There is a need to improve the accuracy of contact tracing. In many use cases, such as in crowded public places like hospitals, shopping areas, parks, and airports, Wi-Fi connectivity is available between access points (APs) and clients in a network. (When an AP-to-client Wi-Fi connection is available) AP-based network contact tracing solutions using technologies like RTT and / or AoA can be used to improve contact tracing. These technologies and configurations are examples, and other technologies and configurations can be used.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, radio access network (RAN) 135 (here, fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN)), and 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 can be, for example, an IoT device, a location tracker device, a cellular phone, or other device. The 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as a 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as an NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Accordingly, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can comply with current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. NG-RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. Communication system 100 may utilize information from constellation 185 of spacecraft (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 of a satellite positioning system (SPS) such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS (such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or replacement components.

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR B-nodes (gNB) 110a, 110b and Next Generation Evolution B-node (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobility Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to conduct bidirectional wireless communication with UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to and configured to conduct bidirectional communication with AMF 115. AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120 and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can be used as the initial contact point for Service Control Functions (SCF) (not shown) to create, control and delete media sessions.

[0043] Figure 1 A general explanation of each component is provided, wherein any or all of the components may be used appropriately, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is explained, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be used in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The explained connections connecting the various components in communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0044] Although Figure 1While 5G-based networks have been described, similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (for 5G technologies and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device (such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurement parameters of such directional transmissions received at UE 105. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (evolved B-node) 114, and gNB (g B-node) 110a, 110b are examples and may be replaced with or include various other location server functions and / or base station functions in various embodiments.

[0045] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Positioning Enabled (SUPL) terminal (SET), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop device, tablet device, PDA, tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, asset tracker, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not mandatory, UE 105 may support wireless communication using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), Bluetooth® (BT), WiMAX, 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE 105 can support wireless communication using a wireless local area network (WLAN), which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, digital subscriber line (DSL) or packet cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 (e.g., via elements of 5GC 140) Figure 1(not shown in the image) or possibly via GMLC 125, communicate with external client 130 and / or allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to receive location information about UE 105.

[0046] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network, where the user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices, and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. An estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimation, location locking, lock, positioning, location estimation, or location locking, and may be geographic, providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) of UE 105, which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level; height above ground level, floor level, or basement level, or depth below). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a municipal location (e.g., expressed as a postal address or a designation of a point or smaller area within a building (such as a specific room or floor)). The location of UE 105 may be expressed as an area or volume (geographically or municipally defined) within which UE 105 is expected to reside with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be expressed as a relative location, which includes, for example, distance and direction from a known location. A relative location can be expressed as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be, for example, geographically, municipally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the term "location" may include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of the UE, local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved, and then (if necessary) these local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., with respect to latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0047] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P links can be supported using any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, 5G CV2X sidelink, 5G ProSe, etc. One or more UEs in a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a transmit / receive point (TRP) such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. Other UEs in the group may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. TRP facilitates the scheduling of resources used for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without involving TRP.

[0048] Figure 1 The base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NRB nodes (referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b). Each pair of gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication with one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b. gNBs 110a and 110b can use 5G to provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of UE 105. Figure 1 In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 110a, but another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) may act as the serving gNB or as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105 if UE 105 moves to another location.

[0049] Figure 1The base station (BS) in NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114 (also referred to as a next-generation evolved B node). ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135 (possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs). ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as a location-only beacon, transmitting signals to aid in determining the location of UE 105, but may not be able to receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0050] A Base Station (BS) (such as gNB 110a, gNB 110b, ng-eNB 114) may each include one or more Terminal Portfolios (TRPs). For example, each sector within a BS cell may include a TRP, but multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have separate antennas). Communication system 100 may include only macro TRPs, or communication system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro TRPs, pico TRPs, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and allow restricted access by terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., a user's terminal in a residence).

[0051] As mentioned, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts nodes configured to communicate according to 5G communication protocols, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (such as, for example, LTE or IEEE 802.11x protocols) can also be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations containing evolved B-nodes (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include the E-UTRAN plus the EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to... Figure 1 NG-RAN 135 and EPC corresponds to Figure 1 5GC 140.

[0052] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115; for positioning functionality, AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120. AMF 115 supports the mobility of UE 105 (including radio cell changes and handover) and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105 and, possibly, data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, wirelessly. LMF 120 can support the positioning of UE 105 when UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135 and can support various positioning protocols / methods, such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cellular ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105, for example, received from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be connected to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 may be referred to by other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). Nodes / systems implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least some of the location functionality (including the derivation of the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114), and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120).

[0053] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130 and can forward such requests to AMF 115 for forwarding to LMF 120, or can forward them directly to LMF 120. Location responses from LMF 120 (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, but in some implementations, 5GC 140 may support only one of these connections.

[0054] like Figure 1 Further explanation is provided: the LMF 120 can use the new Radio Positioning Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa) to communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. This new Radio Positioning Protocol A is defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120. Figure 1 Further explanation is provided: LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and UE 105's serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., in conjunction with measurements obtained by gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters for directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114.

[0055] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating the location estimate of UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP. Location measurements may additionally or alternatively include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0056] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to location measurements for a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., by means of auxiliary data received from a location server (such as LMF 120) or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0057] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs may obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (TOA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or receive measurements obtained by UE 105. These base stations or APs may then transmit these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105.

[0058] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information as supplementary data to the UE 105 in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0059] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 may instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of tasks, depending on the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements for GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message may instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurement parameters (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station, such as eNB or WiFi AP). UE 105 can send these measurement parameters back to LMF 120 via service gNB110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0060] As mentioned, while a communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, the communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies (such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) used to support and interact with mobile devices (such as UE 105) (e.g., to enable voice, data, location, and other functionalities). In some such embodiments, the 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) in the 5GC 150 can be used. Figure 1(Not shown) Connect 5GC 140 to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC 140 may be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) instead of AMF 115, an E-SMLC instead of LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support UE 105's positioning. In these other embodiments, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, the difference being that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF120 can be alternatively applied to other network elements, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC, in some cases.

[0061] As mentioned, in some embodiments, positioning functionality may be achieved at least in part using directional SS beams transmitted by base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) to determine the location of the UE (e.g., Figure 1 Within the range of UE 105. In some instances, the UE can use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0062] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of UE 105 and includes a computing platform containing processor 210, a memory 211 containing software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceiver 215, a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning (motion) device 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensors 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning (motion) device 219 are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., camera 218, positioning (motion) device 219, and / or one or more of the sensors 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for radar, ultrasonic, and / or lidar, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by an end user of UE 200 to obtain connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 210 to perform various functions. This specification may refer only to processor 210 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as implementations of processor 210 performing software and / or firmware. This specification may refer to processor 210 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more of processors 230-234 performing such functions. This specification may refer to UE 200 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more appropriate components of UE 200 performing such functions. Processor 210 may include memory with the stored instructions as a supplement to and / or replacement of memory 211.The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed more comprehensively below.

[0063] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 in processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 in processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of the following: (a) sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PMD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0064] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232, which may be capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively or concurrently, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0065] UE 200 may include sensors 213, which may include, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 270, one or more magnetometers 271, and / or one or more environmental sensors 272. IMU 270 may include one or more inertial sensors, such as one or more accelerometers (A) 273 (e.g., those collectively responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes 274. The magnetometers may provide measurements to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north) that can be used for any of a variety of purposes (e.g., to support one or more compass applications). Environmental sensors 272 may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. Sensors 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, indications of which may be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications (such as, for example, applications involving positioning and / or navigation operations). The sensor processing subsystem can be embedded in a low-power core that helps to continuously record and derive the sensor parameters required for advanced functions such as temperature sensing, positioning assistance, or dead reckoning.

[0066] Sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. Sensors 213 can be used to determine whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether to report certain useful information related to the mobility of the UE 200 to the LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by sensors 213, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning implemented by sensors 213, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination). In another example, for relative positioning information, sensors / IMUs can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of another device relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0067] IMU 270 can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers 273 and / or one or more gyroscopes 274 of IMU 270 can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the position of UE 200. For example, a reference position of UE 200 at a given moment can be determined, for example, using SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements acquired from (the) accelerometers 273 and (the) gyroscopes 274 after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of UE 200 based on the movement (direction and distance) of UE 200 relative to that reference position.

[0068] Magnetometers (M) 271 can determine the intensity of magnetic fields in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, this orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. Magnetometers 271 may include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field intensity in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively or alternatively, magnetometers 271 may include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field intensity in three orthogonal dimensions. Magnetometers 271 may provide means for sensing magnetic fields and, for example, providing a magnetic field indication to processor 210.

[0069] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a transmitter 242 and a receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 248 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) and converting signals from wireless signals 248 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 248. Thus, transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 244 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), V2C (Uu), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, 5G CV2X (Side Link), 5G ProSe, etc., to (e.g., with TRP and / or one or more other devices). The New Radio can use millimeter-wave frequencies and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies. Wired transceiver 250 may include a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 configured for wired communication (e.g., with NG-RAN 135) to, for example, send and receive communications to and from gNB 110a. Transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214 (e.g., via optical and / or electrical connections). Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0070] User interface 216 may include one or more of a number of devices, such as, for example, speakers, microphones, display devices, vibration devices, keyboards, touchscreens, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications stored in the main memory of UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 in response to actions from the user, for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230. Similarly, applications in the main memory of UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry systems, analog-to-digital circuitry systems, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry systems (any device including more than one of these). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively or concurrently, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0071] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) can receive and acquire SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless signal 260 into a wired signal (e.g., an electrical signal or an optical signal) and can be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 can be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260 fully or partially to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 by performing trilateration using SPS signal 260. SPS receiver 217 can be combined with general-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231 and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) to process the acquired SPS signal fully or partially and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) for use during positioning operations. General-purpose processor 230, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors, and / or memory 211 may provide or support a position engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of UE 200.

[0072] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, an analog-to-digital circuitry system, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of the signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Alternatively or additionally, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), for example, a user interface 216.

[0073] A positioning (motion) device (PMD) 219 may be configured to determine the location and possible motion of the UE 200. For example, the PMD 219 may communicate with, and / or include some or all of, the SPS receiver 217. The PMD 219 may additionally or alternatively be configured to: use trilateration with ground-based signals (e.g., at least some signals 248), assist in obtaining and using SPS signals 260, or both, to determine the location of the UE 200. The PMD 219 may be configured to: use one or more other techniques (e.g., those that rely on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's positioning beacon)) to determine the location of the UE 200, and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and ground positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. PMD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc.) that sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide an indication of such orientation and / or motion. Processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) may be configured to use the indication to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PMD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of uncertainty and / or error in the determined positioning and / or motion.

[0074] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 for gNB 110a, gNB 110b, and ng-eNB 114 include a computing platform containing processor 310, memory 311 including software (SW) 312, transceiver 315, and (optionally) SPS receiver 317. Processor 310, memory 311, transceiver 315, and SPS receiver 317 are communicatively coupled to each other via bus 320 (which may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., wireless interface and / or SPS receiver 317) may be omitted from TRP 300. SPS receiver 317 may be configured similarly to SPS receiver 217 to receive and acquire SPS signal 360 via SPS antenna 362. Processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). Processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such processors) Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 311 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executable by processor 310, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 310 to perform various functions. This specification may refer only to processor 310 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 310 performing software and / or firmware implementations. This specification may refer to processor 310 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 310 performing that function. This specification may refer to the TRP 300 execution function as a shorthand for the TRP 300 (and thereby one or more appropriate components of gNB 110a, gNB 110b, ng-eNB 114) performing this function. Processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions as a supplement and / or replacement for memory 311. The functionality of processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0075] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a transmitter 342 and a receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 348 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and converting signals from wireless signals 348 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 348. Thus, transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 344 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, etc. (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 350 may include transmitter 352 and receiver 354 configured for wired communication (e.g., with network 140) to send and receive communications, for example, to LMF 120 or other network servers. Transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0076] Figure 3 The configuration of TRP 300 shown is illustrative and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform several functions or TRP 300 performing several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0077] Also refer to Figure 4Example servers (such as LMF 120) include a computing platform containing processor 410, a memory 411 containing software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. Processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 are communicatively coupled to each other via bus 420 (which may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., a wireless interface) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such...). Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 411 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be directly executable by processor 410, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 410 to perform various functions. This specification may refer only to processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 410 performing software and / or firmware implementations. This specification may refer to processor 410 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 410 performing that function. This specification may refer to server 400 (or LMF 200) performing functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of server 400 performing that function. Processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions as a supplement to and / or replacement of memory 411. The functionality of processor 410 is discussed more fully below.

[0078] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a transmitter 442 and a receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 448 and converting signals from wireless signals 448 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 448. Thus, transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 444 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wireless transceiver 440 may be configured to transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, Zigbee, etc., to (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 450 may include transmitter 452 and receiver 454 configured for wired communication (e.g., with NG-RAN 135) to, for example, send and receive communications to TRP 300. Transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0079] Figure 4 The configuration of server 400 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Additionally or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform several functions or server 400 performing several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0080] Reference Figure 5AThe diagram illustrates an example of a conceptual diagram of a round-trip time (RTT) measurement session 500. A typical approach includes a responding station 502 and an initiating station 504. Responding station 502 and initiating station 504 can be UEs (such as UE 200) or other wireless mobile devices configured to participate in time-of-flight (RTT) positioning. In one example, and not a limitation, the RTT measurement session 500 can be based on fine-timing measurement messages exchanged between responding station 502 and initiating station 504. Other messages and signals (such as Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Detection Reference Signal (SRS), infrared camera signals, or other reference signals) can be used to determine the time-of-flight information between the two UEs. The RTT session 500 can utilize FTM protocols (e.g., 802.11MC D 4.3, Section 10.24.6) to enable the two stations to exchange round-trip measurement frames (e.g., FTM frames). The initiating station 504 can calculate the round-trip time (RTT) by recording the TOA (t2) of the FTM frame received from the responding station 502 and the TOD (t3) of the acknowledgment (ACK) frame of that FTM frame. The responding station 502 can record the TOD (t1) of the FTM frame and the TOA (t4) of the ACK received from the initiating station 504. Changes in the message format allow timing values ​​to be transmitted between the responding station 502 and the initiating station 504. The RTT is thus calculated as:

[0081] RTT = [(t4-t1) – (t3-t2)] (1)

[0082] RTT session 500 allows the initiating station 504 to obtain its distance from the responding station 502. FTM session is an example of a ranging technique between the responding station 502 and the initiating station 504. Other ranging techniques (such as TDOA, TOA / TOF) can also be used to determine the relative positions of the two stations. Other signaling can also be used to implement negotiation procedures, measurement exchanges, and termination procedures. For example, Wi-Fi 802.11az ranging NDP and TB ranging NDP sessions can also be used.

[0083] Reference Figure 5B An example Wi-Fi wireless communication network 550 according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 5BIn the example, location server 552 (which may correspond to any server described herein) is attempting to calculate a location estimate for UE 554, or assisting another entity (e.g., AP, UE 554, another UE, location server, third-party application, etc.) in calculating a location estimate for UE 554. UE 554 can wirelessly communicate with multiple Wi-Fi access points 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3 (which may correspond to any TRP300 described herein) using RF signals and standardized protocols for modulating RF signals and exchanging information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the Wi-Fi wireless network 550 (i.e., AP location, geometry, etc.), location server 552 can determine the location of UE 554 in a predefined reference coordinate system, or assist in determining the location. In one aspect, location server 552 can use a two-dimensional coordinate system to specify this location; however, the aspects disclosed herein are not limited to this, and it is also applicable to using a three-dimensional coordinate system to determine the location when additional dimensions are desired. Furthermore, although Figure 5B The explanation covered one UE 554 and three APs 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3, but it will be understood that there may be more UE 554s and more base stations.

[0084] To support location estimation, APs 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3 can be configured to broadcast reference RF signals to UEs within their coverage areas, enabling UE 554 to measure the characteristics of such reference RF signals. For example, UE 554 can measure the ToA and / or RSSI of a specific reference RF signal transmitted by at least three different APs, and can use RTT location methods to report these ToAs (and additional information) back to location server 552 (e.g., via the serving AP). To determine the location (x, y) of UE 554, the entity determining the location of UE 554 needs to know the locations of APs 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3, which are located in... Figure 5B In the example, it can be represented in the reference coordinate system as (x k , y k ), where k=1, 2, 3. When one of APs 556-2 (e.g., the serving AP) or UE 554 determines the location of UE 554, the locations of the relevant APs 556-1 and 556-3 can be provided to the serving AP 556-2 or UE 554 via location server 552 (which has information about the network geometry). Alternatively, location server 552 can use known network geometry to determine the location of UE 554.

[0085] UE 554 or corresponding APs 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3 can determine the distance (d) between UE 554 and corresponding APs 556-1, 556-2, and 556-3. k Where k=1, 2, 3). On one hand, determining the RTT 558-1, 558-2, 558-3 of the signals exchanged between UE 554 and any AP 556-1, 556-2, 556-3 can be performed and converted into distance (d). k RTT technology measures the time between sending a signaling message (e.g., a reference RF signal) and receiving a response. Figure 5A The FTM procedure in the example is an example of RTT technology. These methods can utilize calibration to remove any processing and hardware latency. In some environments, it can be assumed that the processing latency of UE 554 and AP556-1, 556-2, and 556-3 is the same.

[0086] Once each distance d is determined k UE 554, AP 556-1, 556-2, 556-3, or location server 552 can solve for the location (x, y) of UE 554 using a variety of known geometry techniques, such as, for example, trilateration. As shown in Figure 5, the location of UE 554 is ideally situated at the common intersection of three semicircles, each with a radius d. k and center (x) k , y k Let k be defined as k = 1, 2, 3.

[0087] In some instances, additional information in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD) is available, which defines a straight-line direction (e.g., it can be in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a range of possible directions (e.g., from the positions of APs 556-1, 556-2, 556-3 to UE 554). The intersection of two directions at or near a point (x, y) can provide another estimate of the position of UE 554. In one example, a single distance to one of the APs and the AoA can be used to determine the estimated location of UE 554.

[0088] Location estimates (e.g., for UE 554) may be referred to by other names, such as location estimation, location, positioning, location lock, lock, etc. Location estimates can be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible elevation), or they can be municipal and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of location. Location estimates can be further defined relative to some other known location (such as a building floor plan or floor plan) or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible elevation). Location estimates may include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including the area or volume to which the expected location will be included with a specified or default confidence level).

[0089] Reference Figure 6 Further reference Figure 5B Example message flow 600 for passive location using multiple APs is shown. Message flow 600 includes a first AP 556-1, a second AP 556-2, and a UE 554. In message flow 600, the AP network 550 provides passive location services by exchanging NDP probe packets between the APs, while the client UE listens for these packets. The UE's location can be estimated based on the received probe packets. For example, the AP network 550 can utilize the passive location techniques described in 802.11az. In one example, the AP location can be broadcast to the UE. In a contact tracing application, the UE 554 can be configured to feed back the location estimate to a location server 552 (…). Figure 6(Not shown in the image) for contact tracing. In one example, message flow 600 includes transmitting an I2R NDP message 602 using a first AP 556-1 at time T1, which is received by a second AP 556-2 at time T2. UE 554 is positioned to receive I2R NDP 602 at time T5. The second AP 556-2 may send a confirmation message (such as NDPA message 604). The second AP 556-2 is configured to transmit an R2I NDP message 606 at time T3, which is received by the first AP 556-1 at time T4. UE 554 is positioned to receive R2I NDP 606 at time T6. The first AP 556-1 and / or the second AP 556-2 may be configured (e.g., via broadcast or other signaling) to indicate turnaround time (i.e., T3-T2), flight time (i.e., T2-T1), and other ancillary data (e.g., the location of APs 556-1, 556-2). In one example, the first AP 556-1 may indicate flight time, and the second AP 556-2 may indicate turnaround time. In one embodiment, the UE 554 is configured to perform RSTD measurements based on arrival times T5 and T6. In one embodiment, the UE 554 may be configured to store the corresponding ToA (T5, T6) along with station ID information (e.g., the MAC IDs of the corresponding first and second APs 556-1, 556-2) in a local data structure and then provide this data to the location server 552. For example, the location server 552 may be configured to post-process the measurements by receiving batch downloads of the measurements and estimate the location of the UE 554 for potential contact tracing events.

[0090] Reference Figure 7The diagram illustrates a concept diagram 700 for an example contact tracing proximity measurement. Concept diagram 700 includes a first mobile device 702 and an associated first user 702a, and a second mobile device 704 and an associated second user 704a. Mobile devices 702 and 704 may correspond to user equipment such as cellular phones, smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, PDAs, tracking devices, navigation devices, IoT devices, asset trackers, health monitors, wearable trackers, RFID devices, or some other portable or mobile device configured for wireless communication. Contact tracing applications may establish a contact distance 706 (e.g., social distance, physical distance) based on a modeled transmission distance of an infectious disease 708. For example, a government entity (such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) may establish a target contact distance of 6 feet. Mobile devices 702 and 704 may exchange RF signals 710 with a Wi-Fi network (e.g., a second AP 556-2) to determine the distance between users 702a and 704a. The RF signal can be based on existing wireless technologies, such as, for example, IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), 5G NR, sidelink protocols, and other wireless interfaces. In one example, the RF signal 710 between mobile devices 702, 704 and network AP 556-2 may include messages for ranging techniques (e.g., RTT, TDOA, TOA) and / or for determining signal strength measurements (e.g., RSSI). The RF signal 710 can be used to perform distance measurements to determine the corresponding distance between AP 556-2 and the first and second mobile devices 702, 704. Mobile devices 702, 704 can be configured to receive indications of each other's presence from the network (e.g., AP network 550) and / or notify the respective users 702a, 704a via a user interface. In an example use case, the second user 704a may be infected with an infectious disease 708 and may be using a contact tracing application configured to alert other users of the condition via a Wi-Fi network. First user 702a may have a pre-existing condition that increases the severity of infectious disease 708, and thus can also utilize the contact tracing application. If the RF signal indicates a distance smaller than the established contact distance 706 over a period of time (e.g., duration), users 702a and 704a can receive an alarm indicating proximity to each other via RF signal 710. The contact tracing application can also be configured to report proximity information to a web server as part of a larger contact tracing effort. Compared to the established contact distance 706, the distance determined by the application based on RF signal 710 can help identify and monitor individuals who may have been in contact with an infected person, and can help control the spread of infectious disease 708.

[0091] Reference Figure 8AA conceptual diagram of a first example use case 800 for Wi-Fi contact tracing using active location measurement is shown. Use case 800 includes a first UE 802 associated with a first user 802a and a second UE 804 associated with a second user 804a. UEs 802 and 804 may be associated with a wireless network including a first AP 806-1, a second AP 806-2, and a third AP 806-3 operatively coupled to a location server 808. UEs 802 and 804 are examples of UE 200, APs 806-1, 806-2, and 806-3 are examples of TRP 300, and the location server 808 is an example of server 400 and may be a local network server or a server in communication system 100 (e.g., LMF 120, external client 130). In one example, applications on UEs 802 and 804 may be configured to execute when UEs 802 and 804 are within range 810 of the wireless network. Range 810 may be based on a geofence associated with the network. In one example, range detection may be based on location estimation (e.g., via satellite, terrestrial, or inertial navigation technology) or when the UE detects a signal from one of the network APs. In operation, when an AP (e.g., first AP 806-1) and a client UE (e.g., first UE 802) are associated, AP 806-1 is configured to determine when UE 802 is awake and may be configured to initiate one or more ranging sessions 812 with UE 802. Similarly, a third AP 806-3 is associated with a second UE 804, and the third AP 806-3 may initiate a ranging session 814 with the second UE 804. For example, ranging sessions 812, 814 may include AP-based location estimation using RTT and / or AoA technologies. Generally, APs 806-1, 806-2, and 806-3 may utilize 80 MHz and / or 160 MHz Wi-Fi signals for contact tracing. In one example, APs 806-1 and 806-3 do not need to estimate the absolute positions of their respective UEs 802 and 804, because their relative positions to the corresponding APs may be sufficient for contact tracing. If a single AP measures the positions of multiple client UEs, their relative positions to the same AP may be sufficient for contact tracing. (See reference...) Figure 8AWhen measuring UEs 802 and 804 using different APs (e.g., first and third APs 806-1, 806-3), these APs can report which AP received the RTT and / or AoA measurement. For example, location server 808 can receive RTT and / or AoA measurements and determine the contact distance 816 between users 802a and 804a based on the relative positions of UEs 802 and 804 relative to the corresponding first and third APs 806-1, 806-3. Location server 808 is configured to receive relative positions from APs in the network and calculate contact tracing results, such as... Figure 5B As described in [the document]. Location server 808 can be configured to collect information from these APs and calculate contact tracing results by taking into account the location of each AP. In one example, the relative location estimates (e.g., p1, p2) of the UEs (e.g., UE 1, UE 2) may include timestamps (e.g., t1, t2) to determine that the contact distance 816 is time-related. In one embodiment, these APs can be configured to provide measurements based on UE signals (e.g., UL signals transmitted from these UEs) and provide AoA and / or distance measurement information to location server 808 without providing identification information about these UEs. That is, the APs can be configured to provide anonymous relative location information, and location server 808 can be configured to determine the location of anonymous UEs.

[0092] In one embodiment, the UE (e.g., first UE 802) may be unaffiliated with the AP, and an application running on UE 802 may be configured to prompt user 802a to provide measurement data to location server 808 when a signal transmitted by the AP network (e.g., ranging session 812, or other broadcast signal) is detected. The application may have configuration settings to indicate the user's preference for responding to unaffiliated networks. For example, UE 802 may be configured to automatically respond to contact tracing signals from unaffiliated networks.

[0093] Reference Figure 8B This illustrates a conceptual diagram of a second example use case 830 for Wi-Fi contact tracing using passive location measurements. The AP network can be configured to exchange NDP probe packets, such as... Figure 6As described in [the document]. For example, the first AP 806-a may have a first NDP exchange 836 with the second AP 806-2, and the second AP 806-2 may have a second NDP exchange 838 with the third AP 806-3. The AP network may be configured to perform other NDP exchanges between other APs in the network. In operation, a contact tracing application executed on UEs 802, 804 may be configured to detect NDP exchanges 836, 838 when within range 810 of the AP network. For example, the application activation point 834 may be the location when the second UE 804 detects an RF signal 832 transmitted from one of the APs in the network (e.g., the third AP 806-3). APs may be configured to broadcast NDP auxiliary data (e.g., station location, timing, channel, turnaround time, time of flight information, etc.) so that UEs 802, 804 can determine a location estimate based on the NDP exchange and report the location information and timestamp information to the location server 808. In one example, UEs 802 and 804 can be configured to detect NDP messages and report the corresponding TOA information to location server 808, and location server 808 can be configured to determine the location of UEs 802 and 804 and the corresponding contact distance 816. UEs 802 and 804 can report other ranging information, such as RSSI measurements, channel state information (CSI), and station MAC ID, to enable location server 808 to determine the distance between the UEs. Contact tracing applications may include configuration options, including constraints or criteria for reporting measurement results to location server 808 and / or providing contact tracing information (e.g., maps, alerts, social distancing thresholds, etc.) to users. In one example, a UE can be configured to obtain location measurements based on transmission scheduling established by the network. The UE can also be configured to obtain measurements periodically (e.g., every 1, 5, 10, 20, 100 seconds, etc.) and / or based on other inputs (such as motion detection, e.g., via IMU 270 or other sensors 213). The passive positioning measurement in the second use case 830 may be more preferable for crowded locations (e.g., sports fields, theme parks, conference centers, etc.) where there may not be sufficient message overhead to support active positioning messages between the network and each UE in the network.

[0094] Reference Figure 8C This diagram illustrates a third example use case 850 for contact tracing using low-power user equipment. The AP network can be configured to exchange ranging messages between APs, such as... Figure 8BThe first and second NDP probe packets 836, 838 are described herein. Other ranging transmissions, such as FTM, may also be used. Generally, low-power user equipment may include NR lightweight UEs, tracking devices, RFID devices, industrial wireless sensors, or other user equipment that may lack the power or capability to transmit data to APs in the network. For example, a low-power UE may be a battery-assisted RFID card configured to be worn by a user (e.g., via a neck strap, wristband, adhesive badge, etc.) and receive NDP probe packets 836, 838, storing the received TOA measurement information (such as time of arrival, MAC ID, and other measurement data) in local memory. In one example, a low-power UE may include modulators, encoders, logic control circuitry, and memory components associated with RFID systems known in the art. In operation, in one example, a first low-power UE 854 may be associated with a first user 854a, and a second low-power UE 856 may be associated with a second user 856a. The first and second users 854a and 856a may be attendees at venue 851 (such as a restaurant, theme park, sporting event, or event in a crowded conference hall), and may be assigned corresponding UEs 854 and 856 as a request to enter venue 851. Low-power UEs 854 and 856 may be configured to receive NDP probe packets 836 and 838 transmitted by APs 806-1, 806-2, and 806-3 on a periodic basis (e.g., every 1, 5, 10, 20, 60, 120 seconds, etc.) and / or based on other sensor inputs (e.g., motion detection accelerometers), and store the corresponding measurement data in a local data structure. In one example, entry area 852a may be a designated location for providing low-power UEs to users (i.e., before entering venue 851). For example, a third user 858a may receive a third UE 858 upon arrival at entry area 852a. Exit area 852b may be a designated area for reading and / or collecting low-power UEs from users leaving location 851. For example, a fourth user 860a may provide a fourth low-power UE 860 to an RFID reader 862, which is configured to retrieve tracking measurement data acquired while the fourth low-power UE 860 is in location 851. The reader 862 may be configured to provide the tracking measurement information to a location server 808, and the location server 808 may be configured to determine locations and potential contact events within location 851.

[0095] In one embodiment, the low-power UEs 854, 856, 858, and 860 may have additional features to facilitate contact tracing and other applications. For example, the low-power UE may also be used to authenticate users (e.g., unlock doors, grant access to computers, activate time cards, etc.), and the transmission of location tracking information may occur during the authentication event. In restaurant applications, the low-power UE may also be used as a queue notification device for arriving guests. For example, the low-power UE may include visual, audio, and / or haptic components configured to alert the user when their assigned table is ready. The user may carry the low-power UE with them during their meal to collect location signals from a Wi-Fi network. The user may return the low-power UE for the location server to read (i.e., obtain location signal information) and process. The user may associate the low-power UE with reservation information, credit card information, or other contact information. If the location server determines that a relevant contact event has occurred based on the user's time and location in the restaurant, the user may then be notified. Figure 8C The passive positioning technology and low-power UE described herein can be used in other use cases to help obtain contact tracing information in other locations or potentially crowded locations.

[0096] Reference Figure 9 The diagram illustrates a concept of a first example contact tracing application 900. Application 900 can be configured to execute on UE 902 based on data obtained from location server 908 via AP 906. UE 902 may include one or more other components (such as...) Figure 2 Any of these components shown) so that UE 200 can be an example of UE 902. AP 906 may include one or more other components (such as Figure 3 Any of these components shown) so that TRP 300 can be an example of AP 906. Location server 908 may include one or more other components (such as Figure 4 Any of the components shown herein, such that server 400 may be an example of location server 908. User equipment 902 may be associated with a wireless network including AP 906 and configured to provide contact tracing configuration options to location server 908. Configuration options may include time thresholds for indicating the amount of contact history information desired by UE 902. Location server 908 and the corresponding contact history may be associated with locations (such as restaurants, offices, shops, etc.) served by a Wi-Fi network including AP 906. Location server 908 is configured to acquire and process UE location measurements, such as... Figures 8A-8CAs described in [the document]. In operation, AP 906 may provide UE 902 with contact history information and associated mapping information, and UE 902 is configured to display a graphical representation of the contact history information. For example, map display 910 may include contact history information that indicates the geographical reference of the relative positions of current and past users at the location. The map display may be configured to indicate the current occupant 912 in a first color, the most recently departed occupant 914 in a second color, and the previous occupant 916 in a third color. These colors are merely examples and not limitations, as other visual effects may be used to differentiate between different groups. In one example, the most recently departed occupant 914 may indicate a location occupied within the most recent two hours, and the previous occupant 916 may indicate a location occupied more than two hours ago. Contact history information and the corresponding map display 910 may be used to inform user 902a of the contact risk at the location. For example, an individual with a pre-existing condition that may increase their susceptibility to infectious diseases may prefer not to enter a location with a large number of current occupants 912. Similarly, they may also prefer to avoid tables or other locations corresponding to the most recently departed occupant 914 (e.g., to reduce the risk of encountering lingering pathogens). Generally, the map display 910 allows users 902a to determine whether to enter a location and / or where to sit there afterward. The map display 910 can be useful for restaurant management, for example, to ensure that seating is assigned in a way that minimizes the likelihood of contact events with current and previous guests (e.g., by placing guests in the same location 914 as the most recently departed occupant).

[0097] Reference Figure 10 The diagram illustrates a concept of a second example contact tracing application 1000. Application 1000 may utilize a combination of access points (APs) and cellular networks to provide contact tracing information to a user. User 1002a may wish to visit a location (such as a store, office, government building, etc.) and would preferably obtain current contact tracing information about that location before making the visit. For example, location 1020 may include a Wi-Fi network comprising one or more APs, such as a first AP 1022-1 and a second AP 1022-2. APs 1022-1 and 1022-2 may be communicatively coupled to a network 1012, such as a local area network (LAN) and / or the Internet. Network 1012 may include a server 1010 configured to acquire and process contact tracing information about location 1020. For example, server 1010 and APs 1022-1 and 1022-2 may be configured to perform active and / or passive technologies, such as... Figures 8A-8B As described herein, server 1010 may communicate with communication system 1008. For example, communication system 1008 may be... Figure 1The communication system 1008 may include a web server, such as an LMF 120 or an external client 130. The server 1010 may also be another data source, such as a web server or a cloud-based application (e.g., Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, etc.). The communication system 1008 may include one or more base stations 1004 configured to communicate with the UE 1002 associated with user 1002a. For example, the UE 1002 and base station 1004 may exchange messages via existing radio protocols (e.g., LPP / NPP, RRC, etc.) using a communication link 1006. Other communication protocols (such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)) may be used to exchange data with the server 1010 and the UE 1002.

[0098] In operation, UE 1002 may provide configuration information to server 1010 via communication system 1008 to obtain contact history information about location 1020. The configuration information may be based on previous associations between user 1002a and location 1020 (e.g., service subscriptions, registration processes, etc.). Server 1010 is configured to provide contact history information associated with location 1020 based on the configuration information received from UE 1002. In one example, the contact history information may include the number of UEs 1024 at or near location 1020 and an indication of geographically referenced locations. Location information may only include the relative location of the UEs, without any additional device or user information. The purpose of the contact information is to enable user 1002a to determine whether desired access to location 1020 is feasible, given the number of current occupants and any concerns about potential contact events. In one example, server 1010 may be configured to aggregate previous contact events in location 1020 and generate social distancing violation objects 1026 to indicate areas in location 1020 where contact events have occurred. Social distancing violation object 1026 can indicate area descriptions and count values ​​to notify user 1002a of the location and number of contact events over a time period. Social distancing violation object 1026 may enable user 1002a to make a personal determination regarding whether access to location 1020 represents a risk. Social distancing violation object 1026 can also provide location 1020 administrators with insights into traffic flow through location 1020, enabling them to adjust environmental and / or procedural measures to minimize contact events. UE 1002 can be configured to present contact history information, including the location of UE 1024 and social distancing violation object 1026, in a graphical display, such as... Figure 10 As depicted in the image. Other graphical objects can also be used to notify user 1002a of the contact tracing history of location 1020.

[0099] Reference Figure 11 Further reference Figure 8A-10The diagram shows a line drawing of an example user interface (UI) for receiving contact tracing configuration options. The UI can be displayed on a display 1102 in the UE 1100. The UE 1100 may include one or more other components (such as...). Figure 2These components (shown in the diagram) allow UE 200 to be an example of UE 1100. Contact tracing selection object 1104 may include options for configuring UE 1100 to participate in contact tracing networks. For example, an "On" option may be selected to participate in all contact tracing networks, an "Auto" option may be selected to participate only in contact tracing networks previously associated with UE 1100, and an "Off" option may be used to disable contact tracing. Social distancing threshold selection object 1106 may include a value for allowing a user to define the distance of a contact event. For example, 6 feet may be the default value, but higher or lower values ​​may be selected based on the likelihood of infectious diseases and / or the user's physical condition (e.g., susceptibility to infectious diseases). Contact time threshold portion object 1108 may be used to indicate the duration required to determine a contact event. That is, another device must reach a contact time within the social distancing threshold to be classified as a contact event. Social distancing alarm activation object 1110 may be used to enable alarms on UE 1100. In operation, configuration options can be provided to a location server, which can be configured to provide alerts based on the user's desired configuration options. Thus, when a social distancing alert is activated, the UE1100 can provide auditory, visual, and / or tactile outputs to notify the user that they are violating their desired social distancing threshold. An update criterion object 1112 can be used to indicate the basis on which the UE1100 will process Wi-Fi location measurement signals. For example, the criterion can be time-based, motion-based, or location-based. A sensitivity slider object 1114 can be used to input the relative value of the update criterion. For example, when a time-based criterion is selected, slider object 1114 allows the user to select a time period, for example, between 1 second and 5 minutes (other time durations may also be used). When a motion-based criterion is selected, slider object 1114 can indicate the motion level (e.g., motion detection time) to provide updates based on the detection of small or more significant movements (e.g., 0.1 seconds to 3 seconds). When a location-based criterion is selected, slider object 1114 can indicate the distance (e.g., 1' to 10') moved before UE 1100 processes the Wi-Fi location measurement signal. For example, UE 1100 can utilize IMU 270 to detect changes in location. Cluster spacing selection object 1116 can be used to indicate the spacing between two or more contact events that forms social distancing violation object 1026. That is, contact events occurring within each other's cluster spacing are plotted as a single social distancing violation object 1026, covering the area containing the contact events. Cluster time selection object 1118 can be used to define the time limit for two or more contact events to be considered within the same social distancing violation object 1026. The configuration objects and associated values ​​are merely examples and not limitations, as other objects and configuration values ​​can be used. In one example, these configuration options can be associated with a location and / or a specific Wi-Fi network.

[0100] Reference Figure 12 Further reference Figure 8A-11 The diagram shows a line drawing of an example user interface for joining a contact tracing network. Contact tracing configuration options for UE 1100 can include associations with specific entities and / or Wi-Fi networks. For example, entity list box object 1202 can indicate entities that have networks that will be associated with UE 1100 (i.e., via login criteria). This association can be used to associate UE 1100 with a user if an entity needs to notify the user of contact events based on network location measurements. In one example, Figure 9 and 10 The mapping application described herein may require association with UE 1100 to receive contact and map data as described. That is, mapping capabilities can incentivize users to participate in contact tracing networks. Entity information can be based on location information (such as entity name and address). Other network information may also be used. Search text box object 1204 can be used to search for contact tracing entities. For example, a network server may include an index of contact tracing networks, and UE 1100 can use search text box object 1204 to find networks and form associations with networks via the network server. In one example, UE 1100 can be configured to perform a local scan of nearby APs and display the scan results in scan entity list box object 1206. Users can create an association with a network by selecting one of the detected APs and providing appropriate credentials. New networks can be added to the entity list.

[0101] Reference Figure 13 Further reference Figure 8A-12The diagram illustrates a line graph of an example contact tracing verification screen. Contact tracing applications may include a verification screen object configured to demonstrate that a device is actively participating in a contact tracing network. In one use case, a venue may require each user to participate in a contact tracing application using a UE, and the verification screen can be used to confirm that the user is actively participating in the contact tracing network. For example, attendees at a sporting event may be required to prove they are participating in a contact tracing network upon entering the stadium. When UE 1100 joins the contact tracing network, display 1102 may be configured to present the verification screen. Users can present a UE with the verification screen on it to stadium staff (e.g., ticket collectors, ushers, security personnel, etc.) upon entering the stadium. In one example, the verification screen may have a configurable verification object 1302 to customize the verification screen for a specific event or time period. Verification object 1302 may be an icon, image, QR code, barcode, or other customized visual object that can be recognized by people and / or reading devices (e.g., barcode readers, QR code scanners, optical scanners). During operation, when the association process with the local Wi-Fi network is complete and the UE 1100 is providing location measurements to the location server, the contact tracing application on the UE 1100 may enable a verification screen. In one embodiment, if the UE 1100 disconnects from the local Wi-Fi network, additional screens and / or alarms may be displayed. Figure 13 The verification screen in UE 1100 can be associated with other networks and / or entities. For example, entities displayed in entity list box 1202 (e.g., large stores, restaurants, public buildings, etc.) may require occupants to present their mobile devices before gaining access to the respective facilities. Each of the different entities may have a different verification screen and a different verification object 1302. Other components in UE 1100 can also be used to prove that the device is participating in a contact tracing network. For example, visible light sequences, audio tones or clips (e.g., .wav files), tactile vibration signals, etc., can be used to prove that UE 1100 is associated with a contact tracing network. In one example, another RF signal (such as a Bluetooth or RFID transponder) can be used to query UE 1100 and determine whether UE 1100 is participating in a Wi-Fi network.

[0102] Reference Figure 14The diagram illustrates an example data structure 1400 for a contact tracing application. One or more objects of data structure 1400 may reside on a location server 808, another networking server 400 (such as an LMF 120), a UE 200, and / or a low-power UE 854. Data structure 1400 may be arranged on a storage device 1402 (such as a solid-state or mechanical hard disk drive) and may include multiple data records stored in a relational database application (e.g., Amazon Aurora, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, etc.) or in one or more flat files (e.g., JSON, XML, CSV, etc.). The table structures and fields in data structure 1400 are merely examples and not limitations, as other data fields, tables, stored procedures, and indexing schemas can be used to construct data structure 1400. In one example, contact tracing table 1404 may be configured to capture elements associated with Wi-Fi signals detected and measured by the UE. The NetworkID field can be used to identify a specific Wi-Fi network and other records and fields associated with that network (e.g., entity name, map data, station location, etc.). The APID field can be used to identify the AP providing the ranging measurement signal, such as in an active RTT exchange with the UE or another AP. The UEID field can be used to identify the UE that is receiving the ranging measurement signal. The UErelDist and UerelAngle fields can be used to indicate the relative distance and orientation between the AP and the UE (e.g., APID and UEID). The DateTime field can be used to indicate the timestamp of the received ranging measurement signal, and the Duration field can be used to indicate the time period during which the AP and UE maintain the same relative position. Other security fields that improve the assurance of the measurement can be included, such as trusted location, trusted time, device authentication token, and device ID derived from the hardware root of trust. Additionally, other privacy-preserving attributes can be added, such as the device ID encrypted using a derived privacy-preserving key stored in the hardware electronic fuse.

[0103] Configuration table 1406 can be used to capture user contact tracing configuration options, such as Figure 11As depicted in the document. In one example, these configuration options may be associated with a specific contact tracing network (e.g., via the Network ID field) and / or a specific UE (e.g., via the UEID field). The Application Status field may be used to indicate the current status of the contact tracing application on the UE (e.g., On, Auto, Off). The Social Distancing Threshold (SDThreshold) field may be used to define the distance threshold for a contact event. The Contact Time Threshold (CTThreshold) field may be used to indicate the duration required to determine a contact event. The Social Distancing Alerts (SDAlerts) field may be used to enable alerts on the UE. The Location Update Criteria (LocUpdateCriteria) field may be used to indicate the basis on which the UE will process Wi-Fi location measurement signals. The Location Update Sensitivity (LocUpdateSensitivity) field may be used to indicate the value of the location update criterion. The ClusterRange field may indicate the distance between two or more contact events that forms a social distancing violation object 1026. The ClusterTime field may be used to indicate the time limit within which two or more contact events are considered to be in the same social distancing violation object 1026. The ValidCode field can be used as a security feature to verify that the User Equipment ID (UEID) is authorized to participate in the contact tracing network (e.g., based on the network ID). Other configuration fields can be used to define the interaction between contact tracing applications running on the UE and the local contact tracing network.

[0104] Network table 1408 can be used to define the functionality and other operational aspects of a Wi-Fi-based contact tracing network. The EntityID field can be used to associate the network with entities such as businesses, locations, public buildings, etc. The EntityID can be a reference to an entity table (...). Figure 14(Not shown in the image) The LocationInfo field can be used to indicate the location of the network. The MapData field can be used to indicate one or more mapping references associated with the network. For example, these mapping references may include building and floor plans so that the location server 808 or UE can use the visual context of the location to draw and display contact tracing events. The VerifyIcon field can be used to generate a verification object 1302 associated with the network. The DefaultConfigLink field can be used to assign pre-configured or forced contact tracing application configuration settings to the network. Thus, the field values ​​in configuration table 1406 for a specific network record can be set to default values. The EventLink field can be used to associate a network with an event and / or customize the network and associated configuration options for a specific event. Other and / or alternative fields can be used to define the network. The AP configuration table 1410 can be used to define parameters associated with the Wi-Fi access point. For example, network association (i.e., the network ID field) defines which network the AP belongs to. Other identification, location, and configuration fields can also be used to define the AP's operating parameters.

[0105] Reference Figure 15 Further reference Figure 1-14 Method 1500 for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network includes the phases shown. However, method 1500 is merely an example and is not limiting. Method 1500 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing, and / or splitting a single phase into multiple phases.

[0106] At stage 1502, the method includes activating a contact tracing application based on proximity to a contact tracing network. UE 200 is an apparatus for activating the contact tracing application. The contact tracing application may be stored in memory 211 and may include one or more components within the operating system on UE 200. In one example, the application may utilize wireless transceiver 240 to detect the presence of an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi network and associate the detected AP with a networkID in contact tracing data structure 1400. The Wi-Fi network may also be associated with one or more contact tracing configuration options in contact tracing data structure 1400. In one embodiment, the Wi-Fi network may broadcast information indicating that it is a contact tracing network, and UE 200 may be configured to perform the contact tracing application based on information received from the Wi-Fi network. Proximity to the network may be based on the detection of RF signals (such as, for example, RF signal 832) and / or on the estimated location of the UE. That is, when UE 200 is within the geographic range 810 of one or more APs in the network. The estimated location of the UE can be determined using satellite and / or other terrestrial and inertial navigation technologies. In one embodiment, the UE 200 may be a low-power UE with de-empowerment capabilities, and activating the contact tracing application may include general activation of the low-power UE. For example, refer to Figure 8C Activating the contact tracing application may include assigning a low-power UE to a user at the entry area 852a. In one embodiment, the UE 200 may be configured to provide one or more contact tracing configuration options based on proximity to the contact tracing network. In one example, a user may activate the contact tracing application by performing an action on the UE 200 (e.g., clicking an icon, typing a command, etc.).

[0107] In phase 1504, the method includes receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network. The UE 200 is an apparatus for receiving the one or more measurement signals. In one example, the one or more measurement signals may be based on active positioning technologies, such as RTT exchange between the UE and the AP. (See reference...) Figure 8A The first UE 802 is configured to participate in a ranging session 812 with the first AP 806-1. Active positioning technology can be based on FTM switching, such as... Figure 5A The ranging message exchange described herein, or based on other methods such as side-link reference signals or other reference signals, may be used. In one example, one or more measurement signals may be based on passive positioning techniques, such as... Figure 6 , 8BAs described in 8C. For example, an AP in the network can be configured to exchange ranging messages (e.g., NDP, FTM, etc.), and UE 200 can be configured to determine the arrival time of the corresponding ranging message (e.g., T5, T6). In one example, UE 200 can be configured to determine the arrival time difference of different ranging messages. Other measurement signals can also be transmitted by the AP and received by UE 200.

[0108] In phase 1506, the method includes reporting the signal measurement and station identifier to a network entity. UE 200 is an apparatus for reporting the signal measurement. The network entity may be an access point, server, web server, or other element of a contact tracing application configured to receive measurement information. In one example, UE 200 may be associated with an AP in a contact tracing network and may be configured to provide the measurement information obtained in phase 1504 to a location server 808 in the contact tracing network. The measurement information may include AP ID information (e.g., MAC ID), timestamp information, RSSI measurements, or other parameters associated with the received measurement signal. In one example, UE 200 may not be associated with a station in a Wi-Fi network and may utilize another device or network to report the signal measurement. For example, UE 200 may be configured to utilize a cellular network (such as communication system 100) to provide the measurement information to location server 808. For example, location server 808 may be LMF 120 or external client 130. Location server 808 is configured to determine the location of UE 200 using reported measurement information, and subsequently determine contact events based on the locations of other UEs. In one embodiment, location server 808 may be configured to generate contact alarms based on contact events and the user's contact tracing configuration options. Alarms may be provided to UE 200 via (e.g., a Wi-Fi network of the associated UE) or via another network (e.g., communication system 100). For example, alarms may be in the form of text messages, alerts, notifications, or other objects based on the capabilities of UE 200.

[0109] Reference Figure 16 Further reference Figure 1-14 The method 1600 for displaying the contact history map includes the stages shown. However, method 1600 is merely an example and is not limiting. Method 1600 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0110] In phase 1602, the method includes activating a contact tracing application. UE 200 is an apparatus for activating the contact tracing application. The contact tracing application may be stored in memory 211 and may include one or more components within an operating system on the UE 200. In one example, a user may activate the contact tracing application by performing an action on the UE 200 (e.g., clicking an icon, typing a command, etc.).

[0111] In phase 1604, the method includes providing one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network. UE 200 is an apparatus for providing these one or more contact tracing configuration options. In one example, reference is made to... Figure 9 When UE 902 is associated (e.g., authenticated) with a Wi-Fi network including AP 906, UE 902 can be configured to provide contact configuration options to location server 908 via AP 906. In another example, refer to... Figure 10 UE 1002 can use communication system 1008 to provide configuration options to server 1010. These configuration options can be used by the location server to provide contact history information to the UE based on user preferences. For example, refer to Figure 11 Configuration options enable the location server to evaluate social distancing thresholds, contact time thresholds, cluster parameters, etc., to generate and / or filter contact tracing records for output to users.

[0112] In phase 1606, the method includes receiving contact history information based at least in part on these contact tracing configuration options. UE 200 is an apparatus for receiving contact history information. In one example, location server 908 may provide contact history information to UE 902 via AP 906. This contact history information is based on contact information obtained on the local network. For example, contact history may include location and time information associated with other UEs within the network's range, such as current occupant 912, most recently departed occupant 914, and previous occupant 916. Contact history may also include transformations of contact event data, such as social distancing violation object 1026. Contact history information may also be received via communication system 1008.

[0113] In stage 1608, the method includes displaying a contact history map based at least in part on the contact history information. UE 200 is an apparatus for displaying the contact history map. In one example, a contact tracing application may include map data associated with a contact tracing network (e.g., NetwokID, MapData in data structure 1400). Contact history information, including the relative location of the UE, the location of the contact event, and objects derived from those locations (e.g., objects violating social distancing), may be geographically referenced to the map data. (See reference...) Figure 9 and 10 For example, a contact history map could be a map display 910 or location 1020, allowing users to make decisions about when and where to occupy an area with other individuals.

[0114] Reference Figure 17 Further reference Figure 1-14 Method 1700 for providing contact tracing information to low-power user equipment includes the phases shown. However, method 1700 is merely an example and is not limiting. Method 1700 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing, and / or splitting a single phase into multiple phases.

[0115] In phase 1702, the method includes using a first radio access technology to receive one or more wireless ranging signals. The low-power UE 854 is an apparatus for receiving one or more ranging signals. The low-power UE 854 may, for example, be an RFID device or a battery-assisted RFID device configured to receive and store Wi-Fi signals transmitted by a network access point. (See reference...) Figure 8C APs 806-1, 806-2, and 806-3 are configured to exchange ranging messages, such as first and second NDP probe packets 836 and 838. Low-power UE 854 can be configured to receive NDP probe data packets 836 and 838. The low-power UE provides an efficient solution for contact tracing by reducing the message transmission overhead of multiple UEs that can actively join the Wi-Fi network.

[0116] At stage 1704, the method includes storing timestamp information and signal identification information for each of the received one or more wireless ranging signals in a local data structure. A low-power UE 854 is an apparatus for storing the timestamp information and signal identification information. The low-power UE 854 can be configured to receive NDP probe packets 836, 838 and store the received TOA measurement information (such as time of arrival, MAC ID, and other measurement data) in local memory. Depending on the capabilities of the low-power UE, other measurements can also be stored in the low-power UE 854. In one example, UE 200 can be configured as a low-power UE 854. For example, UE 200 can enter a partial sleep mode such that the wireless transceiver 240 is configured to a reduced-power reception mode to store information from received NDP data packets.

[0117] In phase 1706, the method includes transmitting timestamp information and signal identification information stored in the local data structure to a remote data structure via a second radio access technology. The low-power UE 854 is an apparatus for transmitting the timestamp information and signal identification information. In one example, when the low-power UE 854 is within the detectable area of ​​the reader 862, the low-power UE 854 can utilize the reader 862 to capture data stored in the low-power UE 854. The reader 862 can utilize the second radio access technology to obtain the timestamp information and signal identification information. The second radio access technology can be a non-Wi-Fi radio, such as amplitude modulation (AM) at a lower frequency (e.g., less than 125 kHz). Other radio access technologies can be used to transmit data from the low-power UE. For example, the low-power UE can utilize Bluetooth or other sidelink connections to transmit data to the data structure.

[0118] Reference Figure 18 Further reference Figure 1-14 Method 1800 for determining contact tracing events includes the phases shown. However, method 1800 is merely an example and is not limiting. Method 1800 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing concurrently, and / or splitting a single phase into multiple phases.

[0119] In phase 1802, the method includes receiving relative location information of multiple client devices from one or more stations. Server 400 is an apparatus for receiving the relative location information. In one example, network stations (such as APs 806-1, 806-2, 806-3) are configured to perform ranging sessions 812, 814 and may provide AP-based location estimation information based on RTT and / or AoA technologies. (See reference...) Figure 8AUEs 802 and 804 use different APs (e.g., first and third APs 806-1 and 806-3) to perform measurements, and the APs report their respective RTT and / or AoA measurements. For example, location server 808 may receive RTT and / or AoA measurements associated with UEs 802 and 804, where the measurements are obtained within a narrow time window (e.g., 1, 5, 10, or 30 seconds). In one embodiment, passive positioning techniques may be used to allow UEs to operate independently of APs, but may be configured to detect ranging measurements (e.g., NDP packets) exchanged between APs. UEs 802 and 804 may be configured to provide TOA and station information (e.g., MAC ID) to location server 808 via another radio access technology. For example, UEs 802 and 804 may be configured to utilize a cellular communication network (e.g., communication system 100) to provide passive positioning measurements. In another example, UEs 802 and 804 may use reader 862 or other booths to transmit passive location measurements (e.g., via Bluetooth, sidelink or other radio access technologies).

[0120] In stage 1804, the method includes determining the distance between the plurality of client devices based at least in part on the relative location information and the location of each of the one or more stations. Location server 808 is an apparatus for determining the distance between the client devices. The relative location information may be based on active and / or passive measurements (e.g., TOA, AoA, TDOA, RTT, RSSI, etc.) obtained in stage 1802. In one example, location server 808 may utilize positioning formulas known in the art for active and / or passive positioning to determine the location between users 802a, 804a based on the received measurements.

[0121] At stage 1806, the method includes detecting contact tracing events based at least in part on the distance between the plurality of client devices. Location server 808 is an apparatus for detecting contact tracing events. In one example, social distancing guidelines may establish a contact gap 706, and location server 808 may utilize contact gap 706 to determine whether two client devices can be classified as a contact tracing event. Contact gap 706 may be based on user-configured options (e.g., a social distancing threshold field). A contact time threshold may also be applied to further constrain the data based on the minimum amount of time that the clients are simultaneously within a social distancing threshold distance. In one example, location server 808 may include a data structure for capturing client location information, and detecting contact tracing events may include querying the data structure based on a social distancing threshold and optionally a contact time duration value. Other parameters (such as the presence of barriers, location context (e.g., indoor, outdoor), environmental conditions (e.g., wind)) may be used to determine contact tracing events. For example, barriers may invalidate contact events, and outdoor locations may extend social distancing requirements.

[0122] At stage 1808, the method includes providing an indication of the contact tracing event to one or more of the plurality of client devices. Location server 808 is an apparatus for providing the indication of the contact tracing event. In one example, location server 808 may utilize a Wi-Fi network or communication system 100 to provide near real-time alerts to two or more client devices that triggered the contact tracing event. The alert may be in the form of a text message, notification, or other alert object based on the capabilities of the client devices. In one example, the indication may be in the form of a summary report at the end of the event or other time period to notify users of potential contact events during that time period. The indication may be based on infectious disease cases reported by users, such that location server 808 may be configured to alert only users involved in contact tracing events with infected users.

[0123] Reference Figure 19 Further reference Figure 1-14 Method 1900 for providing users with contact history information includes the stages shown. However, method 1900 is merely an example and is not limiting. Method 1900 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0124] In phase 1902, the method includes receiving one or more contact tracing configuration options associated with the client device. Location server 908 and / or AP 906 are means for receiving contact tracing information. In one example, UE 902 may be associated with a Wi-Fi network and may be configured to provide contact tracing configuration options, such as fields in configuration table 1406, to the location server. In one example, UE 1002 may utilize communication system 1008 (e.g., a cellular network such as communication system 100) to provide contact tracing configuration options. These configuration options may be associated with a specific location, such as a restaurant, shopping area, public building, or other entity.

[0125] In phase 1904, the method includes determining contact history information based at least in part on the one or more contact tracing configuration options. Location server 908 and / or AP 906 are means for determining contact history information. In one example, location server 908 is configured to acquire and process UE location measurements, such as... Figures 8A-8C This is described in relation to one or more Wi-Fi networks. Contact history information may include location information about the UE currently in a location associated with (the) Wi-Fi network(s). In one example, contact history information may be records in contact tracing table 1404 stored on a location server or AP. Records in the contact tracing table can be obtained and analyzed based on values ​​in configuration table 1406. For example, social distancing thresholds and contact time thresholds, as well as cluster parameters, can be used to query and / or filter contact tracing records to generate contact tracing history information. Other operations and functions can also be used to select records from contact tracing table 1404.

[0126] In stage 1906, the method includes providing the contact history information to the client device. Location server 908 and / or AP 906 are means for providing contact history information. In one example, refer to Figure 9 AP 906 can provide contact history information to UE 902 via a Wi-Fi network. In one example, refer to... Figure 10 Server 1010 can be configured to provide contact history information to UE 1002 via communication system 1008. Other radio access technologies, such as Bluetooth and sidelink interfaces, can also be used to provide contact history information to clients.

[0127] Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. Unless otherwise stated, the interconnected or communicating components (functional or otherwise) shown in the figures and / or discussed herein are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be connected directly or indirectly to enable communication between them. Features implementing the functionality can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented at different physical locations. For example, one or more functions or portions thereof discussed above, such as those occurring in a location server, can be performed outside that location server (e.g., by an AP).

[0128] As used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “some,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “processor” can include one or more processors. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and / or “containing” indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0129] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a description of a function or operation “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the described item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than the described item or condition.

[0130] Similarly, as used herein, the "or" used in a list of items followed by "at least one of" or "one or more of" indicates a disjunctive list such that a list of, for example, "at least one of A, B or C" or "one or more of A, B or C" represents A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.).

[0131] Substantial modifications can be made to suit specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific elements can be implemented in the hardware, in processor-executed software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices (such as network input / output devices) can be employed.

[0132] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components. For example, features described with reference to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology evolves, and thus many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0133] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, that is, through the atmospheric space via electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not necessarily transmit all communications wirelessly, but may be configured to transmit at least some communications wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's functionality be exclusively or uniformly primarily used for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) for wireless communication.

[0134] Specific details are provided in this specification to provide a thorough understanding of the example configurations, including their implementations. However, these configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring these configurations. This specification provides only example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations provides a description for implementing the described techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0135] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may involve providing instructions / code to (such as) processors for execution, and / or being used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0136] A statement whose value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement whose value meets or exceeds a second threshold slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement whose value is less than the first threshold (or within or below the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement whose value is less than or equal to a second threshold slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

[0137] Examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0138] 1. A method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network, comprising:

[0139] Activate contact tracing applications on user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network;

[0140] Receive one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and

[0141] Report signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0142] 2. The method of Clause 1 further includes: performing an association process between the user equipment and a station in the contact tracing network.

[0143] 3. The method of Clause 1, wherein the user equipment is low-power user equipment.

[0144] 4. The method of Clause 1, wherein the one or more measurement signals include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted between the station and the user equipment.

[0145] 5. The method of Clause 4, wherein the one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages are Wi-Fi ranging frames that include at least one of the following: fine timing measurement frames, NDP ranging frames, and TB ranging NDP frames.

[0146] 6. The method of Clause 1, wherein the one or more measurement signals comprise probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network.

[0147] 7. The method of Clause 1, wherein the one or more measurement signals are received via a first radio access technology, and the signal measurement and station identification are reported using a second radio access technology.

[0148] 8. The method of Clause 7, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is a cellular network.

[0149] 9. The method of Clause 7, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is Bluetooth.

[0150] 10. The method of Clause 7, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology utilizes a radio frequency identification band.

[0151] 11. The method of Clause 1 further includes: displaying a contact tracing verification screen when the contact tracing application is activated.

[0152] 12. The method of Clause 1 further includes: determining a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and reporting the received signal strength indication to the network entity.

[0153] 13. The method of Clause 1 further includes: receiving an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and reporting the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

[0154] 14. A method for displaying a contact history map on user equipment, comprising:

[0155] Activate the contact tracing application on the user's equipment;

[0156] Provide one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network;

[0157] Contact history information is received at least in part based on one or more of the contact tracing configuration options; and

[0158] The contact history map is displayed based at least in part on this contact history information.

[0159] 15. The method of Clause 14, wherein providing the one or more contact tracing configuration options includes: performing an association process with a station in the contact tracing network and providing the one or more contact tracing configuration options to the station.

[0160] 16. The method of Clause 15, wherein the contact history information is received from the site.

[0161] 17. The method of Clause 14, wherein the one or more contact tracing configuration options are provided to the contact tracing network via a cellular network, and the contact history information is received via the cellular network.

[0162] 18. The method of Clause 14, wherein the one or more contact tracing configuration options include one or more of the following: social distancing threshold, contact time threshold, cluster spacing value, and cluster time value.

[0163] 19. The method of Clause 14, wherein the contact history information includes location information associated with the user equipment currently detected by the contact tracking network.

[0164] 20. The method of Clause 14, wherein the contact history information includes location information associated with user equipment previously detected by the contact tracing network.

[0165] 21. The method of Clause 14, wherein the contact history information includes one or more social distancing violations in areas covered by the contact tracing network in which contact tracing events have occurred.

[0166] 22. The method of Clause 21, wherein the one or more social distancing violations include a count indicating the number of contact tracing events occurring in the area.

[0167] 23. The method of Clause 14, wherein the one or more contact tracing configuration options include a verification code associated with the contact tracing network and required to receive the contact history information.

[0168] 24. An apparatus comprising:

[0169] Memory;

[0170] At least one receiver;

[0171] At least one transmitter;

[0172] At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one receiver, the at least one transmitter, and configured to:

[0173] Activate contact tracing applications based on proximity to the contact tracing network;

[0174] Receive one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and

[0175] Report signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0176] 25. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform the association process between the apparatus and the station in the contact tracing network.

[0177] 26. The device as described in Clause 24, wherein the device is a low-power user equipment.

[0178] 27. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the one or more measurement signals include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted to and received from the station.

[0179] 28. The apparatus of Clause 27, wherein the one or more Round-Trip Time (RTT) messages are Wi-Fi ranging frames that include at least one of the following: fine timing measurement frames, NDP ranging frames, and TB ranging NDP frames.

[0180] 29. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the one or more measurement signals comprise probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network.

[0181] 30. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the one or more measurement signals are received via a first radio access technology and the signal measurement and station identification are reported using a second radio access technology.

[0182] 31. The apparatus of Clause 30, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is a cellular network.

[0183] 32. The apparatus of Clause 30, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is Bluetooth.

[0184] 33. The apparatus of Clause 30, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology utilizes a radio frequency identification band.

[0185] 34. The device of Clause 24 further includes a display communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display a contact tracing verification screen when the contact tracing application is activated.

[0186] 35. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and report the received signal strength indication to the network entity.

[0187] 36. The apparatus of Clause 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measurement signals, and report the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

[0188] 37. An apparatus comprising:

[0189] Memory;

[0190] Display devices;

[0191] At least one transceiver;

[0192] At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the display device, and the at least one transceiver, and configured to:

[0193] Activate contact tracing applications;

[0194] Provide one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network;

[0195] Contact history information is received at least in part based on one or more of the contact tracing configuration options; and

[0196] The touch history map is displayed on the display device based at least in part on this touch history information.

[0197] 38. The apparatus of Clause 37, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform an association process with a station in the contact tracing network and to provide the station with the one or more contact tracing configuration options.

[0198] 39. The apparatus of Clause 38, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive contact history information from the station.

[0199] 40. The apparatus of Clause 37, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: provide the one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network via a cellular network, and to receive the contact history information via the cellular network.

[0200] 41. The device as described in Clause 37, wherein the one or more contact tracing configuration options include one or more of the following: social distancing threshold, contact time threshold, cluster spacing value, and cluster time value.

[0201] 42. The device as described in Clause 37, wherein the contact history information includes location information associated with the user equipment currently detected by the contact tracking network.

[0202] 43. The device as described in Clause 37, wherein the contact history information includes location information associated with user equipment previously detected by the contact tracking network.

[0203] 44. The device as described in Clause 37, wherein the contact history information includes one or more social distancing violations that have occurred in areas covered by the contact tracing network.

[0204] 45. The device as described in Clause 44, wherein the one or more social distancing violations include a count value indicating the number of contact tracing events occurring in the area.

[0205] 46. ​​The device as described in Clause 37, wherein the one or more contact tracing configuration options include a verification code associated with the contact tracing network and required to receive the contact history information.

[0206] 47. An apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network, comprising:

[0207] Device for activating a contact tracing application on a user device based on proximity to the contact tracing network;

[0208] A means for receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and

[0209] A device for reporting signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0210] 48. A device for displaying a contact history map on user equipment, comprising:

[0211] Device for activating the contact tracing application on the user equipment;

[0212] A means for providing one or more contact tracing configuration options to a contact tracing network;

[0213] A means for receiving contact history information based at least in part on one or more contact tracing configuration options; and

[0214] A device for displaying a contact history map based at least in part on the contact history information.

[0215] 49. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to report signal measurements to a contact tracing network, the processor-readable instructions including:

[0216] Code for activating contact tracing applications on user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network;

[0217] Code for receiving one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; and

[0218] Codes used to report signal measurements and station identification to network entities.

[0219] 50. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to display a contact history map on a user equipment, the processor-readable instructions including:

[0220] Code used to activate the contact tracing application on the user's equipment;

[0221] Code used to provide one or more contact tracing configuration options to the contact tracing network;

[0222] Code for receiving contact history information based at least in part on one or more of the contact tracing configuration options; and

[0223] Code used to display the contact history map based at least in part on the contact history information.

[0224] 51. A method for providing contact tracing information for low-power user equipment, comprising:

[0225] Use a first radio access technology to receive one or more wireless ranging signals;

[0226] Store the timestamp and signal identification information for each of the one or more received wireless ranging signals in a local data structure; and

[0227] The timestamp information and signal identification information stored in the local data structure are transmitted to the remote data structure via a second radio access technology.

[0228] 52. A method for identifying contact tracing events, comprising:

[0229] Receive relative location information of multiple client devices from one or more stations;

[0230] The distance between the plurality of client devices is determined at least in part based on the relative location information and the location of each of the one or more stations;

[0231] Contact tracing events are detected at least in part based on the distance between the multiple client devices; and

[0232] Provide instructions on the contact tracing event to one or more of the multiple client devices.

[0233] 53. A method for providing contact history information to a client device, comprising:

[0234] Receive one or more contact tracing configuration options associated with the client device;

[0235] Contact history information is determined at least in part based on one or more of the contact tracing configuration options; and

[0236] Provide the contact history information to the client device.

Claims

1. A method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network, comprising: Activate contact tracing applications on user equipment based on proximity to the contact tracing network; Receive one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; as well as Report signal measurements and station identification to network entities. The one or more measurement signals include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted between the station and the user equipment, the one or more RTT messages being one or more Wi-Fi ranging frames including at least one of the following: one or more fine timing measurement frames, one or more ranging space data packet (NDP) ranging frames, and one or more trigger-based (TB) ranging NDP frames.

2. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, further comprising performing an association process between the user equipment and the station in the contact tracing network.

3. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user equipment is low-power user equipment.

4. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more measurement signals include probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network.

5. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more measurement signals are received via a first radio access technology, and the reporting of the signal measurements and station identification utilizes a second radio access technology.

6. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as described in claim 5, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is a cellular network.

7. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as described in claim 5, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is Bluetooth.

8. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as described in claim 5, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network, and the second radio access technology utilizes a radio frequency identification band.

9. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying a contact tracing verification screen when the contact tracing application is activated.

10. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measured signals, and reporting the received signal strength indication to the network entity.

11. The method for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 1, further comprising receiving an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measured signals, and reporting the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

12. An apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network, comprising: Memory; At least one receiver; At least one transmitter; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one receiver, the at least one transmitter, and configured to: Activate contact tracing applications based on proximity to the contact tracing network; Receive one or more measurement signals from stations in the contact tracing network; as well as Report signal measurements and station identification to network entities. The one or more measurement signals include one or more round-trip time (RTT) messages transmitted to and received from the station, the one or more RTT messages being one or more Wi-Fi ranging frames including at least one of the following: one or more fine timing measurement frames, one or more ranging space data packet (NDP) ranging frames, and one or more trigger-based (TB) ranging NDP frames.

13. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform an association process between the apparatus and the station in the contact tracing network.

14. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a low-power user equipment.

15. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more measurement signals include probe packets transmitted between two or more stations in the contact tracing network.

16. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more measurement signals are received via a first radio access technology, and the reporting of the signal measurements and station identification utilizes a second radio access technology.

17. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is a cellular network.

18. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network and the second radio access technology is Bluetooth.

19. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first radio access technology is a Wi-Fi network, and the second radio access technology utilizes a radio frequency identification band.

20. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: A display communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display a contact tracing verification screen when the contact tracing application is activated.

21. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a received signal strength indication based on the one or more measured signals and to report the received signal strength indication to the network entity.

22. The apparatus for reporting signal measurements to a contact tracing network as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive an angle of arrival indication based on the one or more measurement signals and report the angle of arrival indication to the network entity.

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