USING MAGNETISM TO MOVE A PHYSICAL OBJECT PROXIMATE A BASE

Number: 20170200544
Published: 2017-07-13
Filed: 2016-01-11
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: BASSETT; Katherine M., GOSLIN; Michael Paul, OLSON; Blade Alexander
CPC: H04S7/304; H01F7/064; A63H3/28; H01F7/206; A63H33/26; A63H5/00; H01F7/0205; A63H13/00
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Uses a controllable electromagnet in a base device to move permanent magnets mounted in an entertainment/toy object, letting user actions dictate the toys physical movement.

Abstract

In an interactive environment, a user action may dictate what type of action a base device performs using an entertainment object. In one embodiment, the base device includes a controllable electromagnet that uses magnetism to move one or more permanent magnetics mounted in or on the entertainment object. For example, the entertainment object may be a doll or character that jumps, vibrates, slides, or sways in response to a changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet. Moreover, the user may wear headphones that determine the location of the base device (and the toy) relative to the user. Using this location, the headphones can output 3D positional audio that the user perceives as originating from the location of the entertainment object on the base device. The 3D positional audio can be outputted synchronously with the action performed by the entertainment object to further immerse the user in the interactive environment.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that themanner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, amore particular description of embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that theappended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a system for using magnetism to enable a user to interact with a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 1B is a system for using magnetism to cause a predefined action in a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a base for generating magnetic fields for moving a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a base for generating magnetic fields for moving a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a base usingmagnetism to move a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a base using magnetism to move a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a base using magnetism to move a physical object, according to one embodiment presented herein.

FIG. 7 is a system for generating ste

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a base comprising a support surface; an electromagnet disposed in the base and configured to generate a magnetic field at the support surface; and a controller disposed in thebase and configured to control the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet according to a predefined gameplay motion pattern configured to induce an entertainment object proximate to the support surface to perform a desired action. 9. A system comprising: a base comprising: an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field at a support surface,a controller configured to control the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet to induce an entertainment object proximate to the support surface to perform a desired action, and a wireless transmitter configured to emit a location signal; and an audio system comprising: a plurality of speakers, at least one receiver configured to receive the locationsignal, and a sound controller configured to: determine a location of the base relative to the audio system based on the location signal, and output 3D positional audio using the speakers that a user perceives as originating from the location of the base. 16. A method,comprising: activating an electromagnet on a base to affect a permanent magnetic fixedly disposed on an entertainment object to cause the entertainment object to perform a desiredaction when the entertainment object is proximate to a support surface of the base; receiving a location signal transmitted by the base device at an audio system; determining a location of the base relative to the audio system; and generating 3D positional audio using the audio system that a user perceives as originating from the location of the base, wherein the 3D positional audio is output synchronously with the desired action performed by the entertainment object.