- Number
- 20190379465
- Published
- 2019-12-12
- Filed
- 2018-06-08
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- NOCON; Nathan D.
- CPC
- H04B17/23; H01Q25/04
- Verdict
- Low Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Interactive device with multiple antennas.
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
BACKGROUNDField of the Disclosure
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
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
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.
In ano
Claims
1. A method comprising: detecting a predefined event using an omnidirectional antenna of a first interactive device; responsive to detecting the predefined event, enabling a directional antenna of the first interactive device; transmitting a first signal using the directional antenna; and responsive to receiving the first signal at a second interactive device, performing an audiovisual effect.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first interactive device is one of a body-worn or carried device, and wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: transmitting a second signal based on sensor data of one or more sensors of the first interactive device; and receiving a third signal from a mobile computing device indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using the first interactive device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: after receiving the third signal, indicating a direction to orient the first interactive device to thereby orient the directional antenna toward the second interactive device.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: transmitting a fourth signal from the second interactive device to the mobile computing device indicating that the first signal was received by the second interactive device, wherein the audiovisual effect is performed using at least one of the first interactive device, the second interactive device, and the mobile computing device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: receiving a second signal from a mobile computing device, wherein the second signal is based on a predefined sequence specified by an application executing on the mobile computing device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second interactive device is illuminated in a first color according to the predefined sequence, and wherein the audiovisual effect comprises illuminating the second interactive device in a second color different than the first color.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the directional antenna of the first interactive device comprises disabling the omnidirectional antenna.
8. A system comprising: a first interactive device comprising controller circuitry that is communicatively coupled with an omnidirectional antenna and a directional antenna, wherein the controller circuitry is configured to: detect a predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna; responsive to detecting the predefined event, enable the directional antenna; and transmit a first signal using the directional antenna; and a second interactive device configured to: perform an audiovisual effect responsive to receiving the first signal.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first interactive device is one of a body-worn or carried device, and wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: transmitting a second signal based on sensor data of one or more sensors of the first interactive device; and receiving a third signal from a mobile computing device indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using the first interactive device.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller circuitry is further configured to: after receiving the third signal, indicate a direction to orient the first interactive device to thereby orient the directional antenna toward the second interactive device.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the second interactive device is further configured to: transmit a fourth signal from the second interactive device to the mobile computing device indicating that the first signal was received by the second interactive device, wherein the audiovisual effect is performed using at least one of the first interactive device, the second interactive device, and the mobile computing device.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: receiving a second signal from a mobile computing device, wherein the second signal is based on a predefined sequence specified by an application executing on the mobile computing device.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second interactive device is illuminated in a first color according to the predefined sequence, and wherein the audiovisual effect comprises illuminating the second interactive device in a second color different than the first color.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein enabling the directional antenna of the first interactive device comprises disabling the omnidirectional antenna.
15. An apparatus comprising: an omnidirectional antenna; a directional antenna; and controller circuitry that is communicatively coupled with the omnidirectional antenna and the directional antenna, wherein the controller circuitry is configured to: detect a predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna; responsive to detecting the predefined event, enable the directional antenna; and transmit a first signal using the directional antenna, wherein an audiovisual effect is performed responsive to receiving the first signal at an interactive device.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: one or more sensors configured to produce sensor data, wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: transmitting a second signal based on the sensor data; and receiving a third signal from a mobile computing device indicating that the sensor data corresponds to a predefined gesture performed using the apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller circuitry is further configured to: after receiving the third signal, indicate a direction to orient the directional antenna toward the second interactive device.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein detecting the predefined event using the omnidirectional antenna comprises: receiving a second signal from a mobile computing device, wherein the second signal is based on a predefined sequence specified by an application executing on the mobile computing device.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein enabling the directional antenna of the first interactive device comprises disabling the omnidirectional antenna.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller circuitry comprises switching circuitry configured to enable, responsive to a received select signal, a selected one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directional antenna.