Patent ID: 8861310
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of determining a relative position between electronic devices, comprising: under control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions, determining an orientation of an electronic device; activating a surface mode on the electronic device when at least one ultrasonic emitter and an array of ultrasonic detectors are substantially adjacent a surface; while the surface mode is active, listening for audio signals generated in response to vibrations in the surface using the array of ultrasonic detectors; upon detecting audio signals where the vibrations correspond substantially to an ultrasonic beacon transmitted by a first remote device and including a signature, determining a relative position of the first remote device based at least in part upon a time difference of arrival determination for at least the portion of the array of ultrasonic detectors capturing the audio signals; correlating, using the signature contained in the ultrasonic beacon from the first remote device, an identity of a user associated with the first remote device with the determined relative position, the identity of the user including at least one of a name, a title, or an occupation of the user; and displaying, by the electronic device, information indicating a relative position and identity of the user associated with the first remote device.