- Number
- 9743421
- Published
- 2017-08-22
- Filed
- 2014-12-03
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Konopacki, Jr.; Daniel Michael et al.
- CPC
- H04W72/0446; H04W48/16; H04W72/1215
- Verdict
- Set aside simultaneous multi-protocol comms operation - wireless plumbing
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
Abstract
A method, network communication device, and computer program product are disclosed to perform simultaneous operation of at least a first and second communications protocol. The method includes determining a first frame period for communicating with a first processing device using the first communications protocol, selecting, based on the first frame period, a second frame period for communicating with a second processing device usingthe second communications protocol, and allocating a portion of the second frame period for communicating with the first processing device using the first communications protocol.
Background
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a playtime environment in which a controller is instructing interactivedevices to perform an effect, according to one embodiment described herein.(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an action disc device, according to one embodiment described herein.(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a networked coordinator device operating a plurality of communications protocols simultaneously, according to one embodiment.(5) FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various network topologies including a coordinator device, according to embodiments described herein.(6) FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate timing aspects for simultaneous operation of a plurality of communications protocols, according to embodiments described herein.(7) FIGS. 6Aand 6B illustrate timing configurations for simultaneously operating multiple communications protocols, according to embodiments described herein.(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a method of simultaneous operation of a plurality of communications protocols, according
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method of operation of a first communication protocol within a network of a plurality of networked devices communicating using a second communication protocol, the method comprising: establishing a communicative connection between afirst processing device and a coordinator device of the plurality of networked devices using the first communication protocol; determining a first frame period associated with thefirst communication protocol; selecting, based on the first frame period, a ratio of predefined communication events of the first communication protocol to data frames of the second communication protocol, wherein data frames of the second communication protocol are each defined by successive beacon signals; selecting, using the coordinator device and basedon the selected ratio, a second frame period for a plurality of data frames to be communicated using a second processing device of the plurality of networked devices using the second communication protocol, wherein selecting the second frame period comprises delaying abeacon signal for at least one of the plurality of data frames; and allocating, for each data frame of the plurality of data frames, a portion of the second frame period for communicating with the first processing device using the first communications protocol.
11. A network communication device for operating a first communication protocol within a network of a plurality of networked devices communicating using a second communication protocol, the network communication device comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program code which, when executed by the processor, operates to: establish a communicative connection with a first processing device using the first communication protocol; determine a first frame period associated with the first communicationprotocol; select, based on the first frame period, a ratio of predefined communication events of the first communication protocol to data frames of the second communication protocol, wherein data frames of the second communication protocol are each defined by successive beacon signals; select, based on the selected ratio, a second frame period for a plurality of data frames to be communicated using a second processing device of the plurality of networked devices using the second communication protocol, wherein selecting the second frame period comprises delaying a beacon signal for at least one of the plurality of data frames; and allocate, for each data frame of the plurality of data frames, a portion of the second frame period for communicating with the first processing device using the first communications protocol.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program code which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation for operation of a first communication protocol within a network of a plurality of network devices communicating using a second communications protocol, the operation comprising: establishing a communicative connection with a first processing device using the first communication protocol; determining a first frame period associated with the first communication protocol; selecting, basedon the first frame period, a ratio of predefined communication events of the first communication protocol to data frames of the second communication protocol, wherein data frames of the second communication protocol are each defined by successive beacon signals; selecting, based on the selected ratio, a second frame period for a plurality of data frames to be communicated using a second processing device of the plurality of networked devices using the second communications protocol, wherein selecting the second frame period comprisesdelaying a beacon signal for at least one of the plurality of data frames; and allocating, for each data frame of the plurality of data frames, a portion of the second frame period for communicating with the first processing device using the first communications protocol.