Outer Rim Archives
Archives · 2020 · 20200246714

Application (pre-grant publication)

Entertainment System Including Performative Figurines

Number
20200246714
Published
2020-08-06
Filed
2019-02-04
Assignee
Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors
Rosenthal; Janice, Nocon; Nathan, Thornton; Stephen A., Goslin; Michael P., Panec; Timothy
CPC
A63H30/04; A63H33/22; A63H3/28; A63H3/006; A63H5/00; B25J11/003; B25J13/006
Verdict
High Hardware
Source
Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Animatronic/performative figurine entertainment system.

Abstract

An entertainment system includes multiple figurines configured for wireless communication, and a control device having a hardware processor, a system memory storing a control application, and a transceiver. The hardware processor executes the control application to detect each of the figurines via the transceiver and to identify a predetermined entertainment for performance by two or more of the figurines. The hardware processor further executes the control application to transmit control signals to the two or more figurines via the transceiver, wherein a first control signal instructs a first of the two or more figurines to perform a first portion of the predetermined entertainment, and a second control signal instructs a second of the two or more figurines to perform a second portion of the predetermined entertainment. The two or more of the figurines are configured to perform the predetermined entertainment according to the control signals.

Background

BACKGROUND

Lullabies and bedtime stories are time honored rituals for preparing children for bedtime and restful sleep. However, as social and technological trends result in ever younger children adopting and enjoying the use of modern electronic devices, depriving them of that use and enjoyment in favor of traditional modes of storytelling to and song at bedtime may be undesirably stressful. For example, requiring a child to turn off a cherished electronic toy with which the child is interacting at bedtime may make the child restless and less able to settle down for the night.

Unfortunately, the use of conventional electronics at bedtime can itself be overstimulating. In addition, the blue light emitted by many electronic device displays can undesirably interfere with healthy sleep patterns. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a modern alternative to traditional storytelling and song, capable of soothing a child into a state of restfulness without depriving the child of interaction with a favorite electronic toy or device.SUMMARY

There are provided entertainment systems including performative figurines and methods for their use, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

Claims

1. An entertainment system comprising: a plurality of figurines configured for wireless communication; a control device including a hardware processor, a system memory storing a control application, and a transceiver configured for wireless communication with one or more of the plurality of figurines; the hardware processor configured to execute the control application to: detect each of the plurality of figurines via the transceiver; identify a predetermined entertainment for performance by two or more of the plurality of figurines; and transmit control signals to the two or more of the plurality of figurines via the transceiver, wherein a first control signal of the control signals instructs a first figurine of the two or more of the plurality of figurines to perform a first portion of the predetermined entertainment, and a second control signal of the control signals instructs a second figurine of the two or more of the plurality of figurines to perform a second portion of the predetermined entertainment; wherein the two or more of the plurality of figurines are configured to perform the predetermined entertainment according to the control signals. 11. A method for use by an entertainment system including a plurality of figurines configured for wireless communication, and a control device having a hardware processor, a system memory storing a control application, and a transceiver configured for wireless communication with one or more of the plurality of figurines, the method comprising: detecting, using the hardware processor and the control application, each of the plurality of figurines via the transceiver; identifying, using the hardware processor and the control application, a predetermined entertainment for performance by two or more of the plurality of figurines; transmitting, using the hardware processor and the control application, control signals to the two or more of the plurality of figurines via the transceiver, wherein a first control signal of the control signals instructs a first figurine of the two or more of the plurality of figurines to perform a first portion of the predetermined entertainment, and a second control signal of the control signals instructs a second figurine of the two or more of the plurality of figurines to perform a second portion of the predetermined entertainment; and performing, by the two or more of the plurality of figurines, the predetermined entertainment according to the control signals. 21. A figurine configured to perform a predetermined entertainment, the figurine comprising: a hardware processor, a system memory storing a client application, and a wireless transceiver; the hardware processor configured to execute the client application to: broadcast a self-identification data using the wireless transceiver; receive control signals from a control device via the wireless transceiver, wherein a first control signal of the control signals instructs the figurine to perform a first portion of the predetermined entertainment; and cause the figurine to perform the first portion of the predetermined entertainment according to the first control signal.