Proximity-based activation sequencing for show devices.
A system includes a host device having a hardware processor and a host wireless transceiver, and client devices having client wireless transceivers for wireless communications with the host device. The hardware processor receives wireless signals transmitted by the client wireless transceivers using the host wireless transceiver, and determines locations of the client devices relative to the host device based on angles of arrival of the of the wireless signals. The hardware processor further determines an activation sequence for activating the client devices based on the locations relative to the host device, and transmits control signals using the host wireless transceiver, according to the activation sequence, to activate the client devices.
BACKGROUND(1) Wireless interactive client devices, such as smartphones, audio/video devices, or internet-of-things devices, can be activated in sequences for various purposes, such as for entertainment, security, or education purposes. In one approach, the sequences assume that client devices are stationary, and information regarding their locations is manually programmed. In this approach, as mobile client devices change locations, the sequences may become unsuitable for their purposes, and require reprogramming.(2) In another approach, wireless positioning techniques are used to track the locations of interactive client devices. Some of those current wireless positioning techniques rely on satellites and/or base stations, which are commercially limited in accuracy to approximately a couple meters and susceptible to interference caused by material obstructions, such as walls, windows, and concrete floors, which can further limit the accuracy. Other current wireless positioning techniques rely on multiple indoor access points and/or tracking systems, which are expensive and inherently complex to setup, operate, and maintain, requiring specially trained engineers and/or technicians for service. And even other current wireless positioning techniques rely on received signal strength indication (RSSI), which has high error rates for indoor client devices. Moreover, indoor wireless positioning techniques relying on cameras, or other sensors that reveal information beyond just the
1. A host device for communications with a first client device having a first client wireless transceiver and a second client device having a second client wireless transceiver, the host device comprising: a host device including a hardware processor and a host wireless transceiver; the hardware processor of the host device configured to: receive, using the host wireless transceiver, a first wireless signal transmitted by the first client wireless transceiver; receive, using the host wireless transceiver, a second wireless signal transmitted by the second client wireless transceiver; determine a first location of the first client device relative to the host device based on a first angle of arrival of the first wireless signal; determine a second location of the second client device relative to the host device based on a second angle of arrival of the second wireless signal; and determine an activation sequence for activating the first client device and the second client device based on the first location of the first client device relative to the host device and the second location of the second client device relative to the host device.
8. A system comprising: a host device including a hardware processor and a host wireless transceiver; a media playback device communicatively coupled to the host device and configured to play a media content; a first client device having a first client wireless transceiver; a second client device having a second client wireless transceiver; the hardware processor of the host device configured to: receive, using the host wireless transceiver, a first wireless signal transmitted by the first client wireless transceiver; receive, using the host wireless transceiver, a second wireless signal transmitted by the second client wireless transceiver; determine a first location of the first client device relative to the host device based on a first angle of arrival of the first wireless signal; determine a second location of the second client device relative to the host device based on a second angle of arrival of the second wireless signal; and determine an activation sequence for activating each of the first client device and the second client device based on the first location of the first client device relative to the host device, the second location of the second client device relative to the host device, and the media content being played.
16. A method for use by a system including a host device having a hardware processor and a host wireless transceiver, a first client device having a first client wireless transceiver, and a second client device having a second client wireless transceiver, the method comprising: receiving, using the host wireless transceiver, a first wireless signal transmitted by the first client wireless transceiver; receiving, using the host wireless transceiver, a second wireless signal transmitted by the second client wireless transceiver; determining, using the hardware processor, a first location of the first client device relative to the host device based on a first angle of arrival of the first wireless signal; determining, using the hardware processor, a second location of the second client device relative to the host device based on a second angle of arrival of the second wireless signal; and determining, using the hardware processor, an activation sequence for activating the first client device and the second client device based on the first location of the first client device relative to the host device and the second location of the second client device relative to the host device.