Methods and apparatuses for determining a proximity relation

A proximity relation is determined in various example embodiments. A method can comprise: acquiring a proximity relation between devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the devices in at least one moment; and determining a proximity relation of the devices according to the proximity relation between the devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the devices in at least one moment. A solution is thus provided for determining a proximity relation without acquiring actual geographic locations of the devices, which improves security and protects user privacy.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of international patent cooperation treaty (PCT) application No. PCT/CN2015/080830, filed Jun. 5, 2015, and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETERMINING A PROXIMITY RELATION”, which claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410258323.0, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, which applications are hereby incorporated into the present application by reference herein in their respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to methods and apparatuses for determining a proximity relation.

BACKGROUND

At present, some popular social software provides a function of finding people nearby, and the function is implemented by acquiring geographic locations of a local device and other devices and judging whether distances between the local device and the other devices are within a certain range. The function is implemented provided that location services are turned on for the local device and the other devices, that is, acquisition of geographic locations of the devices is allowed.

SUMMARY

In view of this, one example, non-limiting objective of one or more embodiments of the present application is to provide a solution for determining a proximity relation.

To achieve the example objective, in one example aspect, one or more embodiments of the present application provide a method for determining a proximity relation, the method comprising:

acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment; and

determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

To achieve the example objective, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus for determining a proximity relation, the apparatus comprising:

an acquisition module, configured to acquire a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment; and

a determination module, configured to determine a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

At least one technical solution in one or more of the above technical solutions has the following beneficial effects:

one or more embodiments of the present application provide a solution for determining a proximity relation without acquiring actual geographic locations of devices by acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment and determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment, which improves security and protects user privacy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present application are described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are intended to describe the present application, but not to limit the scope of the present application.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms such as “first” and “second” in the present application are merely intended to distinguish different devices, modules or parameters, etc., which neither represent any particular technical meaning nor indicate a necessary logical sequence between them.

FIG. 1is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for determining a proximity relation according to the present application. As shown inFIG. 1, this embodiment comprises:

101. Acquire a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

For example, an apparatus for determining a proximity relation as described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment of an apparatus for determining a proximity relation according to the present application performs the method embodiment, that is, performs101-102. Specifically, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation may be integrated into any device in a form of software and/or hardware, or the apparatus for determining a proximity relation per se is a device. For example, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation may be integrated into one device in the plurality of devices or integrated into a device outside the plurality of devices; or the apparatus for determining a proximity relation may be one device in the plurality of devices or a device outside the plurality of devices.

In this embodiment, that any device is associated with at least one visible light source means that the device is within an irradiation range of each of the at least one visible light source associated with the device, that is, the device can receive information sent in a form of visible light by each of the at least one visible light source associated with the device. For example, if a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment, associated with visible light sources LSA and LSC in a second moment and associated with a visible light source LSD in a third moment and the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a fourth moment, the visible light sources associated with the device DA in the four moments comprise: LSA, LSB, LSC and LSD.

In this embodiment, each device of the plurality of devices may be any device that can receive information sent in a form of visible light.

Considering that the laying angle and/or location of a mobile device may change, the mobile device may be associated with different visible light sources along with the changes; therefore, a proximity relation between a mobile device and at least one visible light source associated with the mobile device in each of multiple moments may be taken into account. Optionally, the plurality of devices comprises at least one mobile device; and

the acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

acquiring a proximity relation between the at least one mobile device and at least one visible light source associated with each mobile device of the at least one mobile device in multiple moments.

In this embodiment, the proximity relation optionally comprises: sorting of proximity, and/or proximity meeting a precondition. For example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSA and LSC in a second moment, the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a third moment and the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a fourth moment, and a proximity relation between the device DA and the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC acquired in101may comprise: sorting of proximity between the device DA and the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, for example, proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is higher than proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA, and the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA is higher than proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSC, which can be expressed as: DA-LSB>DA-LSA>DA-LSC; alternatively, the precondition is one with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation acquired in101may comprise: the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is the highest; alternatively, the precondition is two with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation acquired in101may comprise: the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is the highest, and the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA is the second-highest.

It is noted that, the at least one moment may be the same or different for each device in the plurality of devices. For example, for a device DA, a proximity relation between DA and at least one visible light source associated with DA in two moments of t=0 s and t=15 s is acquired in101, and for a device DB, a proximity relation between DB and at least one visible light source associated with DB in a moment of t=5 s is acquired in101. Optionally, for each device in the plurality of devices, the at least one moment is within the same time range. The time length of the same time range may be set according to mobility of devices, for example, if mobility of the plurality of devices is better, a proximity relation between each device of the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment within the same time range of 30 s is acquired, and if the mobility of the plurality of devices is poorer, a proximity relation between each device of the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment within the same time range of 10 minutes is acquired.

In this embodiment, with respect to at least one device in the plurality of devices, whether the device is a mobile device or not, the at least one moment is optionally multiple moments.

Specifically, in101, the acquiring may be performed in many manners.

In one optional embodiment, the acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

acquiring light source association information of each device of at least one device in the plurality of devices in each moment of the at least one moment, the light source association information comprising an identifier of each of at least one visible light source associated with the device in the moment; and

with respect to each device of the at least one device, determining a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment according to the light source association information of the device in each moment of the at least one moment.

That is to say, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation can determine a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device according to the light source association information of the device.

Optionally, the identifier of each of at least one visible light source associated with the device in the moment is received by the device from the associated visible light source in a form of visible light within a certain time range corresponding to the moment. The time length of the certain time range can be determined according to at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier, and generally, the certain time range is not less than the at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier.

Optionally, the certain time range is a period of time that starts with the moment, or a period of time that ends with the moment, or a period of time that takes the moment as an intermediate point, which is not limited in this embodiment.

For example, the at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier is all 10 s, a device DA receives identifiers sent by visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC within a time range of [5 s,15 s], and it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=5 s, or it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=15 s, or it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=10 s.

Specifically, the proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment can be determined in many manners.

Optionally, the determining a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment according to the light source association information of the device in each moment of the at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between the device and at least one visible light source all associated with the device in more moments is higher than proximity between the device and at least one visible light source only associated with the device in fewer moments.

For example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSB and LSC in a second moment, and the device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a third moment; thus, DA is all associated with LSB in three moments, associated with LSA in two moments and only associated with LSC in one moment; correspondingly, it can be determined that proximity between DA and LSB is higher than proximity between the device DA and LSA, and the proximity between DA and LSA is higher than proximity between the device DA and LSC.

Optionally, the determining a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment according to the light source association information of the device in each moment of the at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between the device and at least one visible light source all associated with the device in moments whose number is not less than a first number is the highest.

For example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSB and LSC in a second moment, and the device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a third moment; thus, DA is all associated with LSB in three moments, associated with LSA in two moments and only associated with LSC in one moment; correspondingly, if the first number is 3, it can be determined that proximity between DA and LSB is the highest, and if the first number is 2, it can be determined that proximity between DA and LSB, LSA is the highest.

Optionally, if, for one device, only its light source association information in one moment is acquired, and if the device is associated with a plurality of visible light sources in the moment, it can be considered that proximity between the device and each of the plurality of visible light sources associated with the device in the moment is the same; if the device is only associated with one visible light source in the moment, it can be considered that proximity between the device and the one visible light source associated with the device in the moment is the highest.

In one possible scenario, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation is integrated into one device in the at least one device, or the apparatus for determining a proximity relation is one device in the at least one device. In the scenario, optionally, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation receives light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively sent by other devices in the at least one device, and optionally, receives, via a wireless network, light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively broadcast by other devices in the at least one device. In addition, optionally, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation receives an identifier of each of at least one visible light source respectively sent in a form of visible light by the at least one visible light source within at least one certain time range corresponding to at least one moment, to determine light source association information of a device in each moment of the at least one moment where the apparatus for determining a proximity relation belongs, and specifically, light source association information of the device in any moment comprises an identifier of each of at least one visible light source received by the apparatus for determining a proximity relation within a certain time range corresponding to the moment.

In another possible scenario, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation is integrated into a device outside the at least one device, or the apparatus for determining a proximity relation is a device outside the at least one device. In the scenario, optionally, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation receives light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively sent by the at least one device.

In another optional embodiment, the acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

receiving respectively from each device of at least one device of the plurality of devices, a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment.

That is to say, with respect to the at least one device, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation can receive the proximity relation without, as described in the previous embodiment, determining the proximity relation according to light source association information. Optionally, a proximity relation between each device of the at least one device in the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment broadcast by the device respectively is specifically received via a wireless network.

It can be known in combination with the embodiments that, during actual applications, with respect to any device in the plurality of devices, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation can determine a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device according to light source association information of the device if acquiring the light source association information of the device, and processing may not be implicated if the proximity relation between the device and the at least one visible light source associated with the device is directly acquired.

102. Determine a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

The proximity relation of the plurality of devices is similar to the proximity relation between the devices and at least one visible light source associated therewith, which optionally comprises: sorting of proximity, and/or proximity meeting a precondition. For example, the plurality of devices comprises a device DA, a device DB and a device DC, and the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined in102may comprise: sorting of proximity between each two of the devices DA, DB and DC, for example, proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC, and the proximity between DB and DC is higher than proximity between DA and DC, which can be expressed as: DA-DB>DB-DC>DC-DA; alternatively, the precondition is one with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined in102may comprise: the proximity between DA and DB is the highest; alternatively, the precondition is two with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined in102may comprise: the proximity between DA and DB is the highest, and the proximity between DB and DC is the second-highest.

Specifically, the manner of determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices may at least comprise any one of the following.

In one optional embodiment, the determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has more identical visible light sources, is higher than proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has fewer identical visible light sources.

For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and proximity between DA and LSA is the highest; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and proximity between DB and LSA is the highest; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, and proximity between DC and LSD is the highest; thus, in the at least one visible light source associated with each device, the visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB are identical, while the visible light source in the highest proximity with DC is different from the visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB; therefore, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC, and the proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC.

For another example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DA comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DB comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DC comprise: LSB and LSD; thus, the two visible light sources in the highest proximity respectively with DA and DB are identical, the two visible light sources in the highest proximity respectively with DA and DC have 1 identical one, and so it is with DB and DC; therefore, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC, and the proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC.

In another possible embodiment, the determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has identical visible light sources whose number is not less than a second number, is the highest.

For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DA comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DB comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DC comprise: LSB and LSD; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB has 2 identical ones, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and DC has 1 identical one, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DC has 1 identical one; therefore, if the second number is 2, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is the highest, and if the second number is 1, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB, proximity between DB and DC and proximity between DA and DC are all the highest.

It is noted that, the determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices in102is optionally determining a proximity relation of any at least two pairs of devices in the plurality of devices, or determining a proximity relation between one device and any other devices by using the device as a reference. For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC, and relation of proximity between DA and DB, proximity between DB and DC and proximity between DA and DC are determined in102, or relation of proximity between DA and DB and proximity between DA and DC are determined by using DA as a reference in102.

Optionally, the plurality of devices comprises a first device and a plurality of second devices; and the determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment comprises:

determining a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices according to a proximity relation of at least one visible light source associated with the first device and the plurality of second devices in at least one moment.

Specifically, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation determines a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices by using the first device as a reference, that is to say, it is unnecessary to take into account a proximity relation of the plurality of second devices.

Correspondingly, the manner of determining a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices may at least comprise any one of the following.

In one optional embodiment, the determining a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices according to a proximity relation of at least one visible light source associated with the first device and the plurality of second devices in at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have more identical visible light sources, is higher than proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have fewer identical visible light sources.

For example, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSA is in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSA is in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSC, LSD and LSE, and LSD is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB has 1 identical one, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DC has 0 identical one; therefore, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC.

In another optional embodiment, the determining a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices according to a proximity relation of at least one visible light source associated with the first device and the plurality of second devices in at least one moment comprises:

determining that proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than a third number, is the highest.

For example, if the third number is 1, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSB, LSD and LSE, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA both have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than 1, and so it is with DC; therefore, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB and proximity between DA and DC are both the highest.

For another example, if the third number is 2, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSA and LSB are in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSA and LSB are in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSB, LSD and LSE, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than 2, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DC and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA only have 1 identical visible light source; therefore, the proximity relation determined in102may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is the highest.

It is noted that, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined in this embodiment may have many uses, for example, used for sharing information, establishing social relation and the like within a certain proximity range, which is not limited in this embodiment.

This embodiment determines a solution for determining a proximity relation without acquiring actual geographic locations of devices by acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment and determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment, which improves security and protects user privacy.

FIG. 2ais a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of an apparatus for determining a proximity relation according to the present application. As shown inFIG. 2a, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation200(hereinafter referred to as apparatus200) comprises:

an acquisition module21, configured to acquire a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment; and

a determination module22, configured to determine a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

In this embodiment, the apparatus200may be integrated into any device in a form of software and/or hardware, or the apparatus for determining a proximity relation per se is a device. For example, the apparatus200may be integrated into one device in the plurality of devices or integrated into a device outside the plurality of devices; or the apparatus200may be one device in the plurality of devices or a device outside the plurality of devices.

In this embodiment, that any device is associated with at least one visible light source means that the device is within an irradiation range of each of the at least one visible light source associated with the device, that is, the device can receive information sent in a form of visible light by each of the at least one visible light source associated with the device. For example, if a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment, associated with visible light sources LSA and LSC in a second moment and associated with a visible light source LSD in a third moment and the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a fourth moment, the visible light sources associated with the device DA in the four moments comprise: LSA, LSB, LSC and LSD.

In this embodiment, each device of the plurality of devices may be any device that can receive information sent in a form of visible light.

Considering that the laying angle and/or location of a mobile device may change, the mobile device may be associated with different visible light sources along with the changes; therefore, a proximity relation between a mobile device and at least one visible light source associated with the mobile device respectively in each of multiple moments may be taken into account. Optionally, the plurality of devices comprises at least one mobile device; and the acquisition module21is configured to: acquire a proximity relation between the at least one mobile device and at least one visible light source associated with each mobile device of the at least one mobile device in multiple moments.

In this embodiment, the proximity relation optionally comprises: sorting of proximity, and/or proximity meeting a precondition. By taking a proximity relation between a device and visible light sources as an example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSA and LSC in a second moment, the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a third moment and the device DA is associated with the visible light source LSB in a fourth moment, and a proximity relation between the device DA and the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC acquired by the acquisition module21may comprise: sorting of proximity between the device DA and the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, for example, proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is higher than proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA, and the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA is higher than proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSC, which can be expressed as: DA-LSB>DA-LSA>DA-LSC; alternatively, the precondition is one with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation acquired in101may comprise: the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is the highest; alternatively, the precondition is two with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation acquired in101may comprise: the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSB is the highest, and the proximity between the device DA and the visible light source LSA is the second-highest.

It is noted that, the at least one moment may be the same or different for each device in the plurality of devices. For example, for a device DA, the acquisition module21acquires a proximity relation between DA and at least one visible light source associated with DA in two moments of t=0 s and t=15 s, and for a device DB, the acquisition module21acquires a proximity relation between DB and at least one visible light source associated with DB in a moment of t=5 s. Optionally, for each device in the plurality of devices, the at least one moment is within the same time range. The time length of the same time range may be set according to mobility of devices, for example, if mobility of the plurality of devices is better, the acquisition module21acquires a proximity relation between each device of the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment within the same time range of 30 s, and if the mobility of the plurality of devices is poorer, the acquisition module21acquires a proximity relation between each device of the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment within the same time range of 10 minutes.

In this embodiment, with respect to at least one device in the plurality of devices, whether the device is a mobile device or not, the at least one moment is optionally multiple moments.

Specifically, the acquisition module21may acquire the proximity relation in many manners.

In one optional embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2b, the acquisition module21comprises:

an acquisition unit211, configured to acquire light source association information of each device of at least one device in the plurality of devices in each moment of the at least one moment, the light source association information comprising an identifier of each of at least one visible light source associated with the device in the moment; and

a determination unit212, configured to, with respect to each device of the at least one device, determine a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment according to the light source association information of the device in each moment of the at least one moment.

That is to say, the acquisition module21can acquire a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device according to the light source association information of the device.

Optionally, the identifier of each of at least one visible light source associated with the device in the moment is received by the device from the associated visible light source in a form of visible light within a certain time range corresponding to the moment. The time length of the certain time range can be determined according to at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier, and generally, the certain time range is not less than the at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier.

Optionally, the certain time range is a period of time that starts with the moment, or a period of time that ends with the moment, or a period of time that takes the moment as an intermediate point, which is not limited in this embodiment.

For example, the at least one cycle during which each visible light source sends its identifier is all 10 s, a device DA receives identifiers sent by visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC within a time range of [5 s, 15 s], and it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=5 s, or it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=15 s, or it can be considered that the device DA is associated with the visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC in a moment of t=10 s.

Specifically, the determination unit212may determine the proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment in many manners.

Optionally, the determination unit212is configured to: determine that proximity between the device and at least one visible light source all associated with the device in more moments is higher than proximity between the device and at least one visible light source only associated with the device in fewer moments.

For example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSB and LSC in a second moment, and the device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a third moment; thus, DA is all associated with LSB in three moments, associated with LSA in two moments and only associated with LSC in one moment; correspondingly, the determination unit212can determine that proximity between DA and LSB is higher than proximity between the device DA and LSA, and the proximity between DA and LSA is higher than proximity between the device DA and LSC.

Optionally, the determination unit212is configured to: determine that proximity between the device and at least one visible light source all associated with the device in moments whose number is not less than a first number is the highest.

For example, a device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a first moment and associated with visible light sources LSB and LSC in a second moment, and the device DA is associated with visible light sources LSA and LSB in a third moment; thus, DA is all associated with LSB in three moments, associated with LSA in two moments and only associated with LSC in one moment; correspondingly, if the first number is 3, the determination unit212can determine that proximity between DA and LSB is the highest, and if the first number is 2, the determination unit212can determine that proximity between DA and LSB, LSA is the highest.

Optionally, if, for one device, only its light source association information in one moment is acquired, and if the device is associated with a plurality of visible light sources in the moment, the determination unit212can consider that proximity between the device and each of the plurality of visible light sources associated with the device in the moment is the same; if the device is only associated with one visible light source in the moment, the determination unit212can consider that proximity between the device and the one visible light source associated with the device in the moment is the highest.

In one possible scenario, the apparatus200is integrated into one device in the at least one device, or the apparatus200is one device in the at least one device. In the scenario, optionally, the acquisition unit211receives light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively sent by other devices in the at least one device, and optionally, receives, via a wireless network, light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively broadcast by other devices in the at least one device. In addition, optionally, the acquisition unit211receives an identifier of each of at least one visible light source respectively sent in a form of visible light by the at least one visible light source within at least one certain time range corresponding to at least one moment, to determine light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment of a device where the apparatus200belongs, and, light source association information in any moment of the device where the apparatus200belongs comprises an identifier of each of at least one visible light source received by the acquisition unit211within a certain time range corresponding to the moment.

In another possible scenario, the apparatus200is integrated into a device outside the at least one device, or the apparatus200is a device outside the at least one device. In the scenario, optionally, the acquisition unit211receives light source association information in each moment of the at least one moment respectively sent by the at least one device.

In another optional embodiment, the acquisition module21is configured to: receive respectively from each device of at least one device of the plurality of devices, a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment.

That is to say, with respect to the at least one device, the acquisition module21can receive the proximity relation, without, as described in the previous embodiment, determining the proximity relation according to light source association information. Optionally, the acquisition module21is configured to: receive a proximity relation between each device of the at least one device in the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with the device in at least one moment broadcast by the device respectively via a wireless network.

It can be known in combination with the embodiments that, during actual applications, with respect to any device in the plurality of devices, the acquisition module21can determine a proximity relation between the device and at least one visible light source associated with the device according to light source association information of the device if acquiring the light source association information of the device, and processing may not be implicated if the proximity relation between the device and the at least one visible light source associated with the device is directly acquired.

In this embodiment, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices is similar to the proximity relation between the devices and at least one visible light source associated therewith, which optionally comprises: sorting of proximity, and/or proximity meeting a precondition. For example, the plurality of devices comprises a device DA, a device DB and a device DC, and the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined by the determination module22may comprise: sorting of proximity between each two of the devices DA, DB and DC, for example, proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC, and the proximity between DB and DC is higher than proximity between DA and DC, which can be expressed as: DA-DB>DB-DC>DC-DA; alternatively, the precondition is one with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined by the determination module22may comprise: the proximity between DA and DB is the highest; alternatively, the precondition is two with the highest proximity, for example, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined by the determination module22may comprise: the proximity between DA and DB is the highest, and the proximity between DB and DC is the second-highest.

Specifically, the manner in which the determination module22determines the proximity relation of the plurality of devices may at least comprise any one of the following.

In one optional embodiment, the determination module22is configured to:

determine that proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has more identical visible light sources, is higher than proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has fewer identical visible light sources.

For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and proximity between DA and LSA is the highest; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and proximity between DB and LSA is the highest; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, proximity between DC and LSD is the highest; thus, in the at least one visible light source associated with each device, the visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB are identical, while the visible light source in the highest proximity with DC is different from the visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB; therefore, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC, and the proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC.

For another example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DA comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DB comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, and two visible light sources in the highest proximity with DC comprise: LSB and LSD; thus, the two visible light sources in the highest proximity respectively with DA and DB are identical, the two visible light sources in the highest proximity respectively with DA and DC have 1 identical one, and so it is with DB and DC; therefore, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC, and the proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DB and DC.

In another possible embodiment, the determination module22is configured to: determine that proximity between at least two devices, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of which has identical visible light sources whose number is not less than a second number, is the highest.

For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC; at least one visible light source associated with DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DA comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DB comprise: LSA and LSB; at least one visible light source associated with DC in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSB, LSD and LSE, and visible light sources in the highest proximity with DC comprise: LSB and LSD; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB has 2 identical ones, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and DC has 1 identical one, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DC has 1 identical one; therefore, if the second number is 2, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is the highest, and if the second number is 1, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB, proximity between DB and DC and proximity between DA and DC are all the highest.

It is noted that, the determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices by the determination module22is optionally determining a proximity relation of any at least two pairs of devices in the plurality of devices, or determining a proximity relation between one device and any other devices by using the device as a reference. For example, the plurality of devices comprises devices DA, DB and DC, and the determination module22determines relation of proximity between DA and DB, proximity between DB and DC and proximity between DA and DC, or the determination module22determines relation of proximity between DA and DB and proximity between DA and DC by using DA as a reference.

Optionally, the plurality of devices comprises a first device and a plurality of second devices; and the determination module22is configured to: determine a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices according to a proximity relation of at least one visible light source associated with of the first device and the plurality of second devices in at least one moment.

Specifically, the determination module22determines a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices by using the first device as a reference, that is to say, it is unnecessary to take into account a proximity relation of the plurality of second devices.

Correspondingly, the manner in which the determination module22determines a proximity relation between the first device and the plurality of second devices may at least comprise any one of the following.

In one optional embodiment, the determination module22is configured to: determine that proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have more identical visible light sources, is higher than proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have fewer identical visible light sources.

For example, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSA is in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSA is in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSC, LSD and LSE, and LSD is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DB has 1 identical one, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA and DC has 0 identical one; therefore, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is higher than proximity between DA and DC.

In another optional embodiment, the determination module22is configured to: determine that proximity between the first device and at least one second device where at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with each of the at least one second device and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with the first device have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than a third number, is the highest.

For example, if the third number is 1, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSB, LSD and LSE, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA both have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than 1, and so it is with DC; therefore, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB and proximity between DA and DC are both the highest.

For another example, if the third number is 2, at least one visible light source associated with a first device DA in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSC, and LSA and LSB are in the highest proximity with DA; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DB in at least one moment comprises: visible light sources LSA, LSB and LSD, and LSA and LSB are in the highest proximity with DB; at least one visible light source associated with a second device DC in at least one moment comprises: LSB, LSD and LSE, and LSB is in the highest proximity with DC; thus, at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DB and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA have identical visible light sources whose number is not less than 2, and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DC and at least one visible light source in the highest proximity with DA only have 1 identical visible light source; therefore, the proximity relation determined by the determination module22may comprise: proximity between DA and DB is the highest.

It is noted that, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined by the determination module22in this embodiment may have many uses, for example, used for sharing information, establishing social relation and the like within a certain proximity range, which is not limited in this embodiment.

This embodiment determines a solution for determining a proximity relation without acquiring actual geographic locations of the device by acquiring, by an acquisition module in an apparatus for determining a proximity relation, a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment and determining, by a determination module in the apparatus, a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment, which improves security and protects user privacy.

FIG. 3is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of an apparatus for determining a proximity relation according to the present application. As shown inFIG. 3, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation300comprises:

a processor31, a Communications Interface32, a memory33, and a communications bus34.

The processor31, the Communications Interface32, and the memory33accomplish mutual communications via the communications bus34.

The Communications Interface32is configured to communicate with external devices.

Optionally, the apparatus for determining a proximity relation300further comprises components configured to receive and identify visible light signals, for example, a photoelectric diode, an image sensor and so on.

The processor31is configured to execute a program332, and, can implement relevant steps in the method embodiments.

Specifically, the program332may comprise a program code, the program code comprising a computer operation instruction.

The processor31may be a central processing unit (CPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or be configured to be one or more integrated circuits which implement the method embodiments.

The memory33is configured to store the program332. The memory33may comprise a high-speed RAM memory, and may also comprise a non-volatile memory, for example, at least one magnetic disk memory. The program332may be configured to cause the apparatus for determining a proximity relation300to implement the following steps:

acquiring a proximity relation between a plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment; and

determining a proximity relation of the plurality of devices according to the proximity relation between the plurality of devices and at least one visible light source associated with each device of the plurality of devices in at least one moment.

FIG. 4is a schematic structural diagram of another example embodiment that, using devices and a visible light source, determines proximity relation(s), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject application. InFIG. 4, a first proximity relation401aand401bis acquired between a visible light source410and device420aand device420bof devices420. A second proximity relation402is determined according to the first proximity relation401aand/or first proximity relation401b.

Reference can be made to corresponding description in the corresponding steps and units in the method embodiments for implementation of the steps in the program332, which is not repeated herein. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, reference can be made to the corresponding process description in the method embodiments for the devices described above and the specific working procedures of the modules, and will not be repeated herein in order to make the description convenient and concise. It is noted that, the proximity relation of the plurality of devices determined in this embodiment may have many uses, for example, configured to share information, establish a social relation and the like within a certain proximity range, which is not limited in this embodiment.

It can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that each exemplary unit and method step described with reference to the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware mode or a software mode depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solution. The professional technicians can use different methods to implement the functions described with respect to each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of the present application.

If the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and is sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application essentially or the part which contributes to the prior art or a part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and comprises several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, and the like) to execute all or some steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium comprises, a USB disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, an optical disk or any other mediums that can be configured to store program codes.

The above embodiments are only intended to describe the present application rather than to limit the present application; various changes and variations can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, so all equivalent technical solutions also belong to the category of the present application, and the scope of patent protection of the present application should be defined by the claims.