Method for configuring device for short-range positioning, device and location server

By introducing a configuration message mechanism into devices and anchor devices within IP-based networks, remotely controlling them to enter standard or proprietary short-range positioning modes, and adjusting the CTE signal interval, the problems of limited number of equipment and low positioning performance in the prior art are solved, and more efficient short-range positioning is achieved.

CN119893533APending Publication Date: 2025-04-25U-BLOX
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411483657.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-10-24
Filing Date
2024-10-23
Publication Date
2025-04-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing short-range positioning technology in IP-based networks has problems such as limited number of equipment and low positioning performance efficiency.

Method used

By introducing a configuration message mechanism in the equipment and anchor devices, the remote control device enters the standard short-range positioning mode or the proprietary short-range positioning mode, adjusting the interval of the CTE signal to improve anchor processing capabilities.

Benefits of technology

It realizes flexible configuration of equipment and anchor equipment, improves the performance and efficiency of short-range positioning, can handle more equipment at the same time, and improves positioning accuracy and processing capabilities.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A method, a device and a location server for configuring a device for short range positioning. In one embodiment, a method for configuring a device for short range positioning based on angle of arrival, AoA and / or angle of departure, AoD estimates within an Internet Protocol, IP, network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving (S1), by the device (10), a configuration message (CFG) from a location server (20), the configuration message enables the device to determine whether to enter a first mode of operation, in which standard short-range positioning is applied, or a second mode of operation, in which proprietary short-range positioning is applied; operating (S2) by the device in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation according to the configuration message; and sending (S3), by the device, an acknowledgement message indicating that the device is successfully configured.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of positioning or localization, and in particular to short-range positioning in an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method, device, anchor device, location server, computer program product, and computer-readable medium for configuring a device for short-range positioning based on angle-of-arrival (AoA) and / or angle-of-departure (AoD) estimation in an IP-based network. Background Art

[0002] Positioning or localization of mobile devices (i.e., determining the location or position of a mobile device) is widely implemented and used to implement, for example, various location-based services (LBS). To determine the location of a device, there are different methods or technologies that are adopted depending on the use case and device capabilities. For example, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is used for outdoor applications that require high accuracy, while short-range wireless technologies are used in indoor scenarios and / or on devices with reduced capabilities. Mobile radio cellular positioning is another possibility for locating a device.

[0003] Recently, hybrid solutions have emerged that rely on two or more of these technologies. For example, GNSS positioning and short-range wireless-based positioning are combined, or short-range wireless-based positioning and mobile radio cellular-based positioning are used in combination. Many of these solutions reuse mobile communication networks such as 2G, 3G, Long Term Evolution, LTE, 4G or 5G as a framework for implementing LBS. In order to exchange relevant information, protocols are adopted or reused. According to the well-known all-IP approach, these protocols are IP-based and implement a bearer-agnostic implementation.

[0004] Such a generic IP-based protocol may need to be adapted for different positioning technologies in order to properly support the specific features of each technology.It has been found that known solutions impose limitations, for example, on the number of devices that can be simultaneously addressed or positioned by one reference source (eg, anchor point).

[0005] Thus, it can be seen that an object is to provide methods, devices and location servers that overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. In particular, a solution that improves positioning performance and efficiency should be provided.

[0006] Unless stated otherwise, the definitions provided above also apply to the following description. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for configuring a device for short-range positioning based on AoA and / or AoD estimation within an IP-based network comprises the following steps:

[0008] receiving, by the device from a location server, a configuration message enabling the device to determine whether to enter a first operating mode or a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein in the second operating mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied,

[0009] The device operates in the first operating mode or the second operating mode according to the configuration message, and

[0010] A confirmation message is sent by the device indicating that the configuration of the device is successful.

[0011] By means of the proposed method, the device can be remotely controlled by configuring the device to operate in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the device implements standard short-range positioning, which represents the least common denominator for interoperation between different manufacturers. In the second operating mode, the device uses a proprietary short-range positioning technology or method as indicated by the configuration message. In the second mode, the limitations of standard-based short-range positioning do not necessarily have to apply. Therefore, the proposed method provides an improvement compared to known solutions.

[0012] The method is adopted in a scenario where the location server and the device are each implemented as a node in an IP-based network, i.e., a network that relies on the Internet Protocol in its network layer, as defined in the OSI model. In such an IP-based network, different technologies can be used for the physical layer and the data link layer, such as a mobile communication network or a Wi-Fi network as defined above.

[0013] The confirmation message indicates the successful receipt of the configuration message and the successful configuration of the device according to the configuration message.

[0014] In development, the standard short-range positioning of the first mode includes one of Bluetooth (especially Bluetooth low energy BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (BT SIG) and ultra-wideband UWB defined by IEEE802.15.4x, where x represents any letter of the specification defined by the IEEE 802.15.4 task group. The proprietary short-range positioning of the second mode includes one of Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) and UWB, each of which is based on the corresponding standard short-range positioning and includes one or more proprietary extensions and / or restrictions.

[0015] As known to those skilled in the art, support for AoA / AoD-based positioning estimation is defined for Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1 ​​released in January 2019). In addition, this support is defined in UWB. For the purpose of this description of the case of Bluetooth, the second mode of proprietary short-range positioning is based on Bluetooth, especially BLE 5.1 ​​or higher, as defined by the BT SIG, and includes one or more proprietary restrictions and / or extensions with respect to the standard. This deviation from the standard may also be referred to as a manufacturer-specific feature and may result in modifications, additions, supplements or restrictions to a set of features defined in the standard. Similarly, proprietary UWB is based on UWB defined by IEEE 802.15.4x and includes one or more proprietary extensions and / or restrictions with respect to the feature set defined in the standard. In each case, the proprietary short-range positioning is partially compatible with the corresponding standard.

[0016] According to the development, during operation by the device in a first mode of standard short-range positioning according to Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) and / or according to UWB, the primary channel and the secondary channel are used. During operation by the device in a second mode of proprietary short-range positioning according to Bluetooth and / or according to UWB, only the primary channel is used.

[0017] Support for AoA / AoD in Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1) is based on a signal extension called Continuous Tone Extension (CTE), which can be configured. Similarly, periodic advertisements can be configured. For positioning using AoA, the anchor point can perform direction finding by evaluating the CTE signal sent from the tag, that is, the CTE message is decoded and evaluated by the anchor point, which provides the angle. For direction finding based on AoD, the device (respectively the tag) evaluates the CTE sent from the anchor. According to the standard, the interval between two subsequent CTE messages can be configured from 10 milliseconds to about 10 seconds. The configuration of the interval between CTE transmissions and the configuration of the frequency of periodic advertising messages result in a certain number of tags that can be processed simultaneously by one anchor point.

[0018] In addition, the Bluetooth SIG defines the use of primary and secondary advertising channels for AoA / AoD estimation in its short-range positioning. The primary channels are channels 37, 38, and 39. Therefore, in the first operating mode, the primary and secondary advertising channels are adopted as defined by the Bluetooth SIG in the standard. In the second operating mode, only the primary advertising channel is used. Compared with the BT SIG standard implementation, this achieves a reduction in periodic advertising in the second mode. Therefore, the anchor point can handle more tags per time unit. This may be advantageous in use cases where multiple tags enter the area where they need to be located.

[0019] In a development, during operation by the device in the second mode of proprietary short range positioning, at least two CTE messages are sent, wherein an interval between the at least two CTE messages is adjusted according to a configuration message, in particular the interval is adjusted to be larger than a value defined in the standard.

[0020] This means that the interval between at least two CTE messages can be adjusted to be greater than 10 seconds. This results in the ability of the anchor point to handle even more tags or devices per time unit, which achieves higher efficiency and improves the performance of positioning. Processing tags refers to the ability of the anchor point to have tags in the so-called synchronization list so that the anchor point can decode the CTE messages received from these tags and estimate the corresponding AoA accordingly. It should be understood that more than two CTE messages can be sent during the positioning of the device. In the second mode, the time interval between each two consecutive CTE messages is adjusted as indicated by the configuration message. In other words, in the second mode, the positioning in the location server or positioning engine is based on at least two CTE messages sent at an interval adjusted according to the configuration message.

[0021] In development, the configuration message is received via the Long-term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP).

[0022] For example, LPP is defined in 3GPP Release 18 to support CTE configuration and periodic advertisement according to BT SIG. With the proposed method, LPP is extended and reused to configure devices (respectively tags) to operate in the second mode (which utilizes a proprietary implementation), resulting in improved performance and efficiency.

[0023] In a development, the configuration message is characterized by comprising an information element identifying the first operating mode or the second operating mode.

[0024] The information element may be represented, for example, by a bit, which may be an existing bit or an additional bit of the adopted IP-based protocol (e.g., LPP). The information element of the configuration message is evaluated by the device for determining whether to enter the first operation mode or the second operation mode. In the case where an existing bit is reused for the proposed purpose, the meaning of the bit is redefined.

[0025] In an exemplary implementation, the information element is implemented in the LPP message as one or more bits in one of the BT-ProvideLocationInformation fields, such as btAddr, advInterval, cteLength, cteCount, tx-PHY-r18.

[0026] In one embodiment, a method for configuring an anchor device for short-range positioning based on angle of arrival AoA and / or angle of departure AoD estimation within an Internet Protocol (IP) based network comprises the following steps:

[0027] receiving, by the anchor device from the location server, a second configuration message that enables the anchor device to determine whether to enter a first operating mode, a second operating mode, or both the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein in the second operating mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied,

[0028] The anchor device operates in the first mode, the second mode, or both the first mode and the second mode according to the second configuration message, and

[0029] The anchor device sends a second confirmation message indicating that the anchor device configuration is successful.

[0030] By means of the proposed method, an anchor device can be remotely controlled by configuring the anchor device to operate in a first mode, a second mode, or both modes. The anchor device is able to support the lowest common denominator of interoperability between different manufacturers and to support proprietary operation of a specific manufacturer. Thus, the proposed method provides an improvement over known solutions.

[0031] In development, the standard short-range positioning of the first mode includes one of Bluetooth (especially Bluetooth low energy BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) defined by the Bluetooth Technology Alliance BT SIG and ultra-wideband UWB defined by IEEE 802.15.4x, where x represents any letter of the specification defined by the IEEE 802.15.4 task group. The proprietary short-range positioning of the second mode includes one of Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) and UWB, each of which is based on the corresponding standard short-range positioning and includes one or more proprietary extensions and / or restrictions.

[0032] According to the development, during operation by the anchor device in both modes or in standard short-range positioning according to Bluetooth (especially BLE 5.1 ​​or higher) and / or according to UWB in the first mode, the primary channel and the secondary channel are used. During operation by the anchor device in the second mode of proprietary short-range positioning according to Bluetooth and / or according to UWB, only the primary channel is used.

[0033] In a development, during operation by the anchor device in the dedicated short-range positioning in the second mode, at least two CTE messages are sent, wherein the interval between the at least two CTE messages is adjusted according to the configuration message, in particular the interval is adjusted to be greater than a value defined in the standard. During operation by the anchor device in both modes, the interval between the at least two CTE messages is adjusted according to the configuration message, in particular the interval used in the first mode and the second mode is applied.

[0034] In development, the configuration message is received via an IP-based network, such as an Ethernet, wireless network, or a cellular network that provides IP connectivity.

[0035] In a development, the configuration message is characterized by including an information element identifying the first operating mode, the second operating mode, or both operating modes.

[0036] The information element may be represented, for example, by two bits, which may be existing bits or additional bits of the adopted IP-based protocol. The information element of the configuration message is evaluated by the anchor device to determine whether to enter the first operation mode, the second operation mode, or both operation modes. In the case of reusing existing bits for the proposed purpose, the meaning of the bits is redefined.

[0037] In one embodiment, a device is provided, the device being configured to execute a method according to any embodiment or development described above. In particular, the device is configured to execute the above first method for configuring a device.

[0038] The device may be implemented as a user equipment UE according to the terminology used within 3GPP, or as a tag according to the definition of Bluetooth, or as a UWB device, or as an IoT (Internet of things) device, or as a combination of the listed devices. In order to be able to perform the above method, the device includes processing means, storage means and means for communication.

[0039] According to the proposed concept, a device is enabled to be remotely configured for short-range positioning using AoA and / or AoD estimates via an Internet protocol, in particular via LPP. The configuration enables the device to operate in a first operating mode using a standard-compliant short-range positioning technology, or in a second operating mode using a proprietary version of a short-range positioning technology or method. In the second mode, for example in the case of Bluetooth, the device is configured to use only the primary advertising channel and the CTE interval corresponding to the AoA / AoD anchor configuration. This enables the anchor to process more tags per time unit.

[0040] In one embodiment, a device is provided, which is configured as an anchor device to perform the above second method for configuring an anchor device. In order to be able to perform the method, the device includes a processing device, a storage device and a device for communication.

[0041] In one embodiment, a location server is provided that is prepared to configure a device for short-range positioning based on AoA and / or AoD estimation within an IP-based network by generating and sending a configuration message to the device. The message enables the device to determine whether to enter a first operating mode or a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and in the second operating mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied. The location server is also prepared to receive a confirmation message from the device. The message indicates that the device configuration was successful.

[0042] The location server may also be referred to as a positioning engine. In order to remotely configure the device for short-range positioning in a manner beyond the capabilities defined in the relevant standards (such as Bluetooth or UWB), the location server generates and sends configuration messages. Therefore, when the device is configured to the second operating mode, subsequent AoA / AoD-based positioning can be achieved with better performance and higher efficiency by utilizing the detailed features of the proprietary extensions when compared to the pure standards-based lowest common denominator features of the first mode.

[0043] As described above, in some developments, in a first operating mode, standard-compliant short-range positioning is used, such as according to Bluetooth SIG or IEEE802.15.4x. In a second operating mode, a proprietary short-range positioning technology is used, such as Bluetooth or UWB based on the corresponding standards and including one or more proprietary restrictions and / or extensions.

[0044] In the exemplary case of Bluetooth, in a first operating mode, the device is configured to use the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel defined by the BT SIG. In a second operating mode, the device is configured to use only the primary advertising channel. Thus, in the second mode, the complexity of the advertisement is reduced, allowing the access point to handle more devices concurrently.

[0045] In development, the location server prepares to send configuration messages via LPP.

[0046] Thereby, the location server is able to control and change the CTE configuration and firmware in the tag between, for example, a BT 5.1 compatible mode (ie, a first operating mode) and a proprietary mode (ie, a second operating mode).

[0047] In development, the location server is also prepared to configure the anchor device for short-range positioning by generating a second configuration message and sending it to the anchor device, wherein the message enables the anchor device to determine whether to enter a first operating mode, a second operating mode, or both operating modes, wherein in the first operating mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein, in the second operating mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied.

[0048] The location server is also prepared to receive a second confirmation message from the anchor device indicating that the anchor device is successfully configured.

[0049] Thereby, the location server can control and change, for example, the CTE configuration and firmware in the anchor device in the BT 5.1 compatible mode (ie, the first operation mode), the proprietary mode (ie, the second operation mode), and between the two modes.

[0050] In one embodiment, a computer program product includes instructions for causing the above-defined device to perform the corresponding method according to the above embodiment. For a device configured to perform a first method, the computer program product includes instructions for causing the device to perform the first method; for a device configured as an anchor device, the computer program product includes instructions for causing the device to perform a second method.

[0051] Depending on implementation options, the method may be implemented as firmware.

[0052] In one embodiment, the computer program is stored on a computer readable medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The text below explains the proposed solution in detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components and elements with the same function or having the same effect have the same reference numerals. In case the functions of the components or assemblies correspond to each other, their description will not be repeated in each of the following drawings.

[0054] Figure 1 shows an implementation example of a device and a location server as proposed in an exemplary scenario of the proposed method,

[0055] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the proposed method is shown, and

[0056] Figure 3 Implementation examples of devices, anchor points and location servers in exemplary scenarios of the proposed method are shown, each as proposed.

[0057] Reference numerals

[0058] 10. Equipment

[0059] 11, 12, 13 Devices

[0060] 20 Servers

[0061] 30, 40 Reference source

[0062] 50 IP-based Network

[0063] Steps S1, S2, S3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Figure 1 An implementation example of a device and a location server in an exemplary scenario of the proposed method for configuring a device for short-range positioning based on AoA and / or AoD estimation within an IP-based network is shown, each example as proposed. In the depicted scenario, a device 10 and a location server 20 (each of which is implemented as proposed and described above) are connected to an IP-based network 50. The device 10 can be implemented as a UE according to 3GPP terminology and / or a tag according to Bluetooth or UWB terminology. In essence, the device 10 is a target device in short-range positioning. The location server 20 can be implemented as a 3GPP-compatible location server, or alternatively or additionally as a Bluetooth positioning engine. In each case, the location server 20 can be implemented as a separate physical entity or as a software module executed on a server in the IP-based network 50.

[0065] The device 10 comprises processing means 11 , storage means 12 and means 13 for communicating.

[0066] According to the proposed method, the device 10 is configured for short-range positioning using AoA and / or AoD estimates within an IP-based network 50 because the location server 20 sends a configuration message CFG to the device 10 using, for example, an LTE or 5G or 5G NR network; the configuration message enables the device 10 to determine whether to enter a first operating mode in which standard-compatible short-range positioning is used, or to enter a second operating mode in which proprietary short-range positioning is applied; the device 10 then operates in the first operating mode or the second operating mode according to the configuration message CFG; the device 10 also sends a confirmation message CFM back to the server 20 to confirm that the configuration is successful using, for example, an LTE or 5G or 5G NR network.

[0067] Thus, remote configuration of the device 10 is achieved, which enables greater flexibility in implementation, as the device 10 can be configured to operate in either a standards-compliant or proprietary mode for short-range positioning. Furthermore, in the proprietary mode, optimizations may be utilized as described above.

[0068] For the subsequent actual short-range positioning, different reference sources are adopted, here are exemplary first reference sources 30 and second reference sources 40. Among them, the first reference source 30 can be implemented as a Bluetooth anchor point, and the second reference source 40 can be implemented as a base station or an eNodeB of a 3GPP network. The two reference sources 30 and 40 are also connected to an IP-based network 50. For the short-range positioning of the device 10 supporting the Bluetooth anchor point 30, radio signals are exchanged between these entities to estimate AoA or AoD according to the use case and application. The anchor point 30 can thus operate in Bluetooth SIG mode, in Bluetooth proprietary mode, or in both modes. For example, when one or more devices 10 communicating with the anchor point 30 are all in Bluetooth SIG mode, the anchor point 30 can operate only in Bluetooth SIG mode; when one or more devices 10 communicating with the anchor point 30 are all in Bluetooth proprietary mode, the anchor point 30 can operate only in Bluetooth proprietary mode; or when one or more devices 10 communicating with the anchor point 30 are in either Bluetooth SIG mode and Bluetooth proprietary mode, the anchor point 30 can operate in both modes.

[0069] The device 10 is also prepared to operate in a Bluetooth SIG compatible mode or a Bluetooth proprietary mode. With the help of the proposed method, the location server 20 is able to configure the device 10, i.e., operate in a standard compatible Bluetooth mode (i.e., a first operating mode) or a proprietary mode (i.e., a second operating mode). In subsequent positioning, if the proprietary mode is configured in the device 10 according to the second operating mode, only the primary advertising channel as defined in Bluetooth is used. Moreover, the interval between any two subsequent CTE messages is configured to be greater than the value defined in the standard. By applying these two measures, the anchor point 30 can handle more target devices 10 in one time unit, thereby achieving high efficiency.

[0070] The IP-based network 50 may be based on OSI layers 1 and 2 defined in 3GPP or based on Wi-Fi. In any case, the Internet Protocol is used for communication. In a 3GPP-compatible implementation, LPP is used to exchange messages between the location server 20 and the device 10. To this end, the configuration message CFG (which is an LPP message) has an information element indicating the first operating mode or the second operating mode, so that the device 10 is enabled to determine which mode it will enter. In this case, the confirmation message CFM is also an LPP message.

[0071] In other cases of IP-based networks that are not 3GPP-compliant, another IP-based protocol (eg, the Transmission Control Protocol TCP or the User Datagram Protocol UDP) is employed to transmit the configuration message CFG and the confirmation message CFM.

[0072] According to the proposed solution, a standards-based protocol (eg, LPP) is used to configure the device 10 to operate according to the Bluetooth SIG standard or in a proprietary mode that is only partially SIG-compliant.

[0073] The second reference source 40 enabling mobile radio cellular positioning may additionally be used for positioning of the device 10 to enhance short range positioning, and vice versa.

[0074] Figure 3 An example of implementation of a device, an anchor point and a location server in an exemplary scenario of the proposed method is shown, each as proposed. Figure 1 In addition to the described configuration, the anchor point 30 is also configured to operate in a standard compatible mode or a proprietary mode for short range positioning. The location server 20 can configure the anchor point 30 to operate in a standard compatible Bluetooth mode (ie, the first operating mode) or in a proprietary mode (ie, the second operating mode).

[0075] The anchor point 30 and the location server 20 communicate via an IP network, which may be an Ethernet network, a wireless network, or a cellular network providing IP connectivity. The IP network may be the same IP-based network 50 or a different network. The location server 20 sends a second configuration message CFG2 to the anchor point 30 using the IP network; the second configuration message enables the anchor point 30 to determine whether to enter a first operating mode using standard-compatible short-range positioning, or to enter a second operating mode using application-specific short-range positioning, or to operate in both the first mode and the second mode; the anchor point 30 then operates in the mode according to the second configuration message CFG2; the anchor point 30 also sends a second confirmation message CFM2 back to the server 20 to confirm that the configuration is successful using the local network.

[0076] The second configuration message CFG2 contains corresponding configuration information as a configuration message CFG, which is sent to one or more devices 10 communicating with the anchor point 30. For example, in subsequent positioning, if the proprietary mode is configured, the anchor point 30 only uses the primary advertising channel defined in Bluetooth. In addition, the interval between any two subsequent CTE messages between the anchor point 30 and the corresponding device is configured according to the corresponding one or more devices 10.

[0077] In development, the second configuration message CFG2 is characterized by including an information element identifying the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation, or both modes of operation. The information element may be represented, for example, by two bits, which may be existing bits or additional bits of the adopted IP-based protocol for communication between the anchor point 30 and the location server 20. The information element of the second configuration message CFG2 is evaluated by the anchor point 30 for determining which mode to enter for operation. In the case where an existing bit is reused for the proposed purpose, the meaning of the bit is redefined.

[0078] This configuration from the location server 20 ensures that positioning signaling, such as CTE signals, can be properly transmitted between the anchor point 30 and one or more devices 10 in either mode.

[0079] Figure 2 An exemplary implementation of the proposed method is shown. A method for configuring a device for short-range positioning based on AoA and / or AoD estimation within an IP-based network comprises the following steps:

[0080] S1: receiving, by a device, a configuration message from a location server, the configuration message enabling the device to determine whether to enter a first operation mode or a second operation mode, wherein in the first operation mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein in the second operation mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied,

[0081] S2: the device operates in the first operation mode or the second operation mode according to the configuration message, and

[0082] S3: A confirmation message is sent by the device indicating successful configuration of the device.

[0083] The method enables remote configuration of a device to operate in either a standards-compliant or proprietary mode.

[0084] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the contents specifically shown and described above. On the contrary, the features described in the separate dependent claims or the description may be advantageously combined. In addition, the scope of the present invention includes those changes and modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the appended claims. The exemplary names used above should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. The term "comprising" used in the claims or description does not exclude other elements or steps of the corresponding features or processes. Where the terms "one" or "an" are used in conjunction with features, they do not exclude a plurality of such features. In addition, any figure marks in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a device for short-range positioning based on angle of arrival AoA and / or angle of departure AoD estimation within an Internet Protocol (IP) based network, the method comprising the following steps: Receiving (S1) a configuration message (CFG) by the device (10) from a location server (20), the configuration message enabling the device to determine whether to enter a first operating mode or a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein in the second operating mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied, The device operates in the first operation mode or the second operation mode according to the configuration message (S2), and A confirmation message indicating that the configuration of the device is successful is sent (S3) by the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The standard short-range positioning of the first operation mode includes one of: Bluetooth, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy BLE 5.1 ​​or higher as defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group BT SIG; and Ultra Wideband UWB as defined by IEEE802.15.4x, and The proprietary short-range positioning of the second operation mode includes one of the following: Bluetooth, in particular BLE5.1 or higher; and UWB, each of which is based on corresponding standard short-range positioning and includes one or more proprietary extensions and / or limitations.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, during operation (S2) by the device in said standard short range positioning according to Bluetooth, in particular BLE 5.1 ​​or higher, and / or according to UWB in said first operating mode, using a primary advertising channel and a secondary advertising channel as defined in Bluetooth and / or UWB, and Therein, during operation (S2) by the device in proprietary short-range positioning according to Bluetooth and / or according to UWB in the second operation mode, only the primary advertising channel as defined in Bluetooth and / or UWB is used.

4. The method according to claim 3, in, During operation (S2) by the device in the dedicated short-range positioning in the second operating mode, at least two consecutive tone extension CTE messages are sent, wherein the interval between the at least two CTE messages is adjusted according to the configuration message (CFG), in particular, the interval is adjusted to be greater than the value defined in the standard.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The configuration message (CFG) is received via the Long Term Evolution LTE Positioning Protocol LPP.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The configuration message is characterized by comprising an information element identifying the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

7. A method for configuring an anchor device for short-range positioning based on angle of arrival AoA and / or angle of departure AoD estimation within an Internet Protocol (IP) based network, the method comprising the following steps: receiving, by the anchor device (30) from a location server (20), a second configuration message (CFG2), the second configuration message enabling the anchor device to determine whether to enter a first operation mode, a second operation mode, or both the first operation mode and the second operation mode, wherein in the first operation mode, standard short-range positioning is applied, and wherein in the second operation mode, proprietary short-range positioning is applied, operating, by the anchor device, in the first operation mode, the second operation mode, or both the first operation mode and the second operation mode according to the second configuration message, and The anchor device sends a second confirmation message indicating that the anchor device configuration is successful.

8. An apparatus configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A location server, said location server being prepared to configure a device (10) for short-range positioning based on angle of arrival AoA and / or angle of departure AoD estimates within an Internet Protocol (IP) based network by generating a configuration message (CFG) and sending said configuration message (CFG) to the device (10), said message enabling said device to determine whether to enter a first operation mode or a second operation mode, wherein: In said first operating mode, standard short range positioning is applied, and wherein, in said second operating mode, proprietary short range positioning is applied, The location server (20) is also prepared to receive a confirmation message (CFM) from the device indicating that the device configuration is successful.

10. The location server according to claim 9, in, The standard short-range positioning of the first operation mode includes one of: Bluetooth, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 or higher defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group BT SIG; and Ultra Wideband UWB, as defined in IEEE 802.15.4x, and Wherein, the proprietary short-range positioning of the second operation mode includes one of the following: Bluetooth, in particular Bluetooth low energy 5.1 or higher; and ultra-wideband UWB, each of which is based on corresponding standard short-range positioning and includes one or more proprietary limitations and / or extensions.

11. The location server according to claim 9 or 10, in, during operation of the device in standard short range positioning in the first operating mode, using primary and secondary advertising channels as defined in Bluetooth and / or UWB, and Wherein, during operation of the device in dedicated short-range positioning in the second operation mode, only the primary advertising channel as defined in Bluetooth and / or UWB is used.

12. A location server according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in, The configuration message (CFG) is sent via the Long Term Evolution LTE Positioning Protocol LPP.

13. A location server according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in, The configuration message (CFG) is characterized by comprising an information element identifying the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

14. A location server according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the location server is further prepared to configure the anchor device (30) for the short-range positioning by generating a second configuration message (CFG2) and sending the second configuration message to the anchor device (30), the message enabling the anchor device to determine whether to enter a first operation mode, a second operation mode, or both the first operation mode and the second operation mode, wherein In said first operating mode, standard short range positioning is applied, and wherein, in said second operating mode, proprietary short range positioning is applied, The location server (20) is also prepared to receive a second confirmation message (CFM2) from the anchor device indicating that the anchor device is successfully configured.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing the apparatus according to claim 8 to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. A computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program according to claim 15.