Peer Discovery in Mobile Apps via D2D Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In crowded cities, the reliance on location estimates for mobile applications like Uber and Lyft can lead to mistaken identities and miscommunications between passengers and drivers, especially in low-light conditions or with self-driving taxis, highlighting the need for more precise peer discovery methods in transactional mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving a meeting location and communication information from a server, determining if direct device-to-device positioning is necessary, and performing last-stretch direct device-to-device measurements to identify nearby devices based on pseudo addresses, communication capabilities, and authentication tokens, using technologies like LTE direct communication, WiFi Direct, or Bluetooth peer-to-peer communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If location estimates based on non-device-to-device positioning are used, then the system is simple to operate and communication is easy, but the measurement precision and reliability of peer identification deteriorate in crowded environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning process into two distinct phases: (1) initial coarse positioning using network-based methods for easy operation, and (2) fine-grained direct device-to-device positioning for high precision identification. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both approaches without compromising either ease of operation or measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary network-based positioning to establish approximate locations before initiating direct device-to-device measurements. This preliminary action enables the system to determine when devices are in proximity and triggers the more precise D2D positioning only when needed, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring accuracy when required.
2Measurement precision
If direct device-to-device positioning measurements are performed continuously, then the measurement precision and peer identification accuracy improve, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary network-based positioning to determine approximate device locations and only initiates direct D2D positioning measurements when devices are determined to be in proximity. This prevents continuous D2D measurements and significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining high identification accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing continuous D2D positioning, the system performs partial positioning actions only when and where needed (when devices are in proximity). This partial action approach optimizes energy usage by avoiding unnecessary measurements while maintaining sufficient precision for peer identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols (LTE Direct, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth) are supported for device pairing, then the adaptability and versatility of the system improve, but the device complexity and difficulty of managing interoperability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication framework that supports multiple protocols (LTE Direct, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth) through a common interface and standardized pairing mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different communication capabilities while managing complexity through unified protocol handling and abstraction layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for peer discovery in transactional mobile applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of peer discovery includes receiving from a server, at a first device, a meeting location and information for communication with a second device, obtaining a series of location data related to the second device, where the location data is based on a non-device-to-device positioning, determining whether to perform a direct device-to-device positioning with the second device using the meeting location and information for communication with the second device, performing a series of last-stretch direct device-to-device positioning measurements between the first device and the second device in response to a determination to perform the direct device-to-device positioning with the second device, and identifying the second device based on the series of last-stretch device-to-device positioning measurements between the first device and the second device.