- Number
- 11133876
- Published
- 2021-09-28
- Filed
- 2018-06-08
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Nocon; Nathan D.
- CPC
- H01Q25/04; H04B17/23
- Verdict
- Low Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Multi-antenna RF hardware for an interactive device.
Abstract
A method and related system and apparatus are described, in which the method comprises detecting a predefined event using an omnidirectional antenna of a first interactive device, and responsive to detecting the predefined event, enabling a directional antenna of the first interactive device. The method further comprises transmitting a first signal using the directional antenna, and responsive to receiving the first signal at a second interactive device, performing an audiovisual effect.
Background
BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure (1) Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to interactive user experiences, and more specifically techniques for communication between interactive devices using multiple antennas. Description of the Related Art (2) One prevailing goal of interactive user experiences is providing a “seamless” interconnection of users, interactive devices, and/or computing devices. To provide the appearance of a seamless interactive experience, the interactive devices and/or computing devices may be communicatively coupled using wireless technologies, which may include directional and/or non-directional wireless technologies. In some cases, however, the directional and non-directional wireless technologies are unable to communicate directly. Thus, implementations of an interactive device may require independent hardware components to support the directional and non-directional wireless technologies, which tends to add cost and complexity when implementing the interactive device. SUMMARY (3) In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting a predefined event using an omnidirectional antenna of a first interactive device, and responsive to detecting the predefined event, enabling a directional antenna of the first interactive device. The method further comprises transmitting a first signal using the directional antenna, and responsive to receiving the first signal at a second interactive device, performing an audiovisual effect. (4) In another
Claims
1. A method for use with a first interactive device, the method comprising: obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors of the first interactive device, wherein the one or more sensors comprise an inertial measurement unit, an absolute position sensor, or a relative position sensor; transmitting, based on the sensor data, a first signal to a mobile computing device using an omnidirectional antenna of the first interactive device; receiving, from the mobile computing device, a control signal indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using the first interactive device; enabling, responsive to the control signal, a directional antenna of the first interactive device; and transmitting, responsive to performing a second predefined gesture with the first interactive device, a second signal to a second interactive device using the directional antenna, wherein the second interactive device is communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, wherein an audiovisual effect is performed when the second signal is received at the second interactive device. ||
12. A system comprising: a first interactive device comprising: one or more sensors comprising an inertial measurement unit, an absolute position sensor, or a relative position sensor; an omnidirectional antenna; a directional antenna; and controller circuitry configured to: obtain sensor data from the one or more sensors; transmit, based on the sensor data, a first signal to a mobile computing device using the omnidirectional antenna; receive, from the mobile computing device, a control signal indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using the first interactive device; enable the directional antenna responsive to the control signal; and transmit, responsive to performing a second predefined gesture with the first interactive device, a second signal using the directional antenna; and a second interactive device configured to: communicatively couple with the mobile computing device; and perform an audiovisual effect responsive to receiving the second signal. ||
18. An apparatus comprising: an omnidirectional antenna; a directional antenna; one or more sensors comprising an inertial measurement unit, an absolute position sensor, or a relative position sensor; and controller circuitry configured to: obtain sensor data from the one or more sensors; transmit, based on the sensor data, a first signal to a mobile computing device using the omnidirectional antenna; receive, from the mobile computing device, a control signal indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using an interactive device; enable the directional antenna responsive to the control signal; and transmit, responsive to a second predefined gesture, a second signal to the interactive device using the directional antenna, wherein an audiovisual effect is performed responsive to receiving the second signal at the interactive device.