Wireless sports view display and business method of use

• US 20020115454A1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SONY CORPORATION AND SONY ELECTRONICS, INC.
• Inventors: Hardacker, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,952,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/457
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/05 Mobile studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration

Abstract

An on-location local multicast distribution system and business method therefor. Contemporaneous information is continuously provided to a local distribution unit on a particular event (e.g., a NASCAR race) from multiple input devices, such as video cameras and microphones. The distribution unit simultaneously transmits audio, video and event specific information to multiple uniquely identifiable output devices, each in the hands of a registered attendee. The input devices are in wireless Communication with the distribution unit and the distribution unit is in wireless Communication with the output devices. The uniquely identifiable output devices include a display such as a liquid crystal display and may be for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA). Registered attendees may selecting which of the multiple inputs are received. For an auto race the local distribution unit provides audio and video feeds from pit crews, race cars and individual driver and race car statistics to individual attendees as selected.

Claims

1. An on-location local multicast distribution system comprising:

a plurality of input devices receiving contemporaneous information on a particular event;

a plurality of uniquely identifiable output devices;

a local distribution unit, information from said plurality of input devices being provided to said local distribution unit during said event for selective distribution to authorized output devices; and

a registration terminal, event attendees registering to receive locally distributed information, each said registering attendee receiving authorization for one or more of said uniquely identifiable output devices upon registration.

2. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of input devices comprises:

at least one video camera receiving live video from said event; and

at least one microphone receiving audio information from said event.

3. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 2, wherein each said at least one video camera and said at least one microphone are in radio communication with said local distribution unit.

4. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 3, wherein said local distribution unit includes storage containing data related to said event.

5. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 3, wherein each of said uniquely identifiable output devices includes a display, said authorized output devices displaying video a selected from one of said at least one video cameras.

6. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 5, wherein said registration terminal includes a credit card input device, credit card information for registering users being provided to said registration terminal through said credit card input device.

7. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 5, wherein at least one of said displays is a liquid crystal display.

8. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 5, wherein at least one of said output devices is a personal digital assistant.

9. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 5, wherein said uniquely identifiable output devices are in radio communication with said local distribution unit.

10. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 9, wherein said local distribution unit is receiving event related data over the Internet.

11. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 9, wherein said event is a sporting event said local distribution unit providing audio and video feeds from teams participating in said sporting event and providing individual statistics about participants.

12. An on-location local multicast distribution system as in claim 11, wherein said sporting event is an auto race said local distribution unit providing audio and video feeds from pit crews, race cars and providing individual driver and race car statistics.

14. A method of doing businesses as in claim 13, wherein each registered fan renting a viewer provides a credit card number, said credit card number securing said viewer.

15. A method of doing businesses as in claim 13, wherein as each fan registers said registering fan pays a fee for receiving said multimedia streams.

16. A method of doing businesses as in claim 15, wherein a plurality of registering fans pay said fee by providing a credit card number.

17. A method of doing businesses as in claim 16, wherein registered fans order concessions from registered viewers, ordered concessions being charged to a provided credit card number.

18. A method of doing businesses as in claim 17, wherein said ordered concessions are delivered to corresponding ordering fans.

19. A method of doing businesses as in claim 15, wherein said multimedia streams include at least one audio stream, at least one video stream and at least one data steam, said data stream including event background information.

20. A method of doing businesses as in claim 15, wherein said multimedia streams includes at least one broadcast feed provided in exchange for a portion of said fee.

21. A method of doing businesses as in claim 13, further comprising the step of:

f) transporting retrieved viewers to a next event locale.

22. A method of doing businesses as in claim 20, wherein the step (f) of transporting retrieved viewers includes transporting audio/video equipment for providing live multimedia transmissions at said next event locale.

13. A method of doing business, said method comprising the steps of:

a) selectively registering fans at a sporting event;

b) selectively renting viewers to registered fans;

c) retrieving a unique viewer address from registered fans;

d) providing multiple streams of multimedia data to registered viewers, at least one multimedia stream including live transmissions; and

e) retrieving rented viewers from registered fans at the end of said sporting event.