Terminal Group Discovery for Network-Based Ranging Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication technologies do not support ranging or positioning of a first terminal based on a second terminal within a designated terminal group.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving group discovery information to identify a second terminal belonging to a first terminal group for ranging or positioning purposes, involving network elements and location service clients to facilitate communication between terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing communication technologies are used, then terminal communication is supported, but ranging or positioning of a first terminal based on a second terminal within a designated terminal group is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging or positioning capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the terminal group into different types (first terminal group and second terminal group) with distinct ranging or positioning capabilities. The network element selectively provides group discovery information based on the terminal group type, enabling ranging or positioning functionality only where needed without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network element acts as an intermediary that receives ranging or positioning requests, determines the appropriate terminal group, and provides group discovery information to enable the first terminal to discover and use the second terminal for ranging or positioning. This mediator approach adds capability without requiring direct complexity increases between terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If group discovery information is transmitted to enable ranging or positioning, then ranging or positioning accuracy is improved, but information transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging or positioning accuracyVSAvoidinformation transmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network element performs preliminary action by pre-determining which terminals belong to which groups and preparing group discovery information in advance. This allows the first terminal to quickly discover the second terminal without requiring complex real-time information exchange, reducing overall information transmission overhead while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The group discovery information serves multiple functions: it identifies terminal group membership, enables the first terminal to discover the second terminal, and provides the basis for ranging or positioning calculations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate information transmissions, minimizing information loss while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4727228A1Ranging or positioning method and apparatus, communication device, communication system, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4727228A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4727228A1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3b
  • EP4727228A1 patent drawingFigure 3c~4b

AI summary

The present invention provides a ranging or positioning method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first network element may transmit group discovery information to a first terminal, wherein the group discovery information is used for indicating that a second terminal belongs to a first terminal group, and the second terminal is used for performing ranging or positioning on the first terminal. According to the method of the present invention, a first network element may timely indicate group discovery information to a first terminal, thereby implementing ranging or positioning on the first terminal on the basis of a second terminal in a first terminal group.