Audio/video programming and charging system and method

• US 20020152476A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Mark A., Anderson, Tazwell L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,210,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/139
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/89 using three or more audio channels, e.g. triphonic or quadraphonic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/027 Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices such that the audio/video devices will be programmed and charged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated with an event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe the sights and sounds of the event. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cart with a docking port for each of a plurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured to charge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, and programming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/video devices.

Claims

1. A system for use with at least one personal audio/video device, comprising:

a docking port, the docking port configured to receive at least one personal audio/video device;

a charger for the personal audio/video device, the charger configured to charge a power source of the personal audio/video device when the personal audio/video device is engaged in the docking port;

logic configured to transfer data to the personal audio/video device when the personal audio/video device is engaged in the docking port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a cart, the cart configured with a power source.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the power source of the cart further comprises a battery.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the docking port further comprises at least one receiver pocket for at least one personal audio/video device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the receiver pocket is configured to hold one personal audio/video device.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the docking port is further configured with a charge/program connector.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the logic is further configured to transfer video and audio channels into the memory of at least one personal audio/video device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic is further configured to erase audio and video channels from the memory of at least one personal audio/video device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic is further configured to transfer a first set of video and audio channels to a first portion a plurality of personal audio/video devices, is and transfer a second set of video and audio channels to a second portion of the plurality of personal audio/video devices.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the logic is further configured to transfer into the memory of at least one personal audio/video device, operating instructions for the audio/video device.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the logic comprises a printed circuit board.

12. The system of claim 2, further comprising a means for an operator to communicate with the logic.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for the operator to communicate with the logic comprises a control panel on the cart.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for the operator to communicate with the logic comprises a wireless transmission.

15. The system of claim 2, further comprising a means to display a plurality of personal audio/video devices to users.

16. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of carts, each of the plurality of carts including a tow bar system configured to allow connection of each of the plurality of carts to an adjacent of the plurality of carts.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to the second plurality of users at the second event.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of vending the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to the second plurality of users at the second event.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of transporting the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices from the first event to the second event at a second stadium.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of programming further comprises programming at least one video channel and at least one audio channel into the memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the video channel comprises a video channel available for use at the second event at the stadium.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the audio channel comprises an audio channel available for use at the second event at the stadium.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of programming further comprises erasing at least one video channel and at least one audio channel from the memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of programming further comprises programming the memory of a first portion of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices with a first set of audio channels and video channels, and programming the memory of a second portion of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices with a second set of audio channels and video channels.

27. The cart of claim 26, wherein the logic further comprises logic configured to program operating instructions into the memory of at least of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices.

28. The cart of claim 27, wherein the logic further comprises a printed circuit board.

29. The cart of claim 27, wherein the logic further comprises software.

30. The cart of claim 27, wherein the means for communicating with the logic is a control panel affixed to the cart.

31. The cart of claim 27, wherein the means for communicating with the logic is a remote device.

17. A method of receiving a variety of audio and video signals at an event at a stadium, comprising the steps of:

collecting a plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, the plurality personal audio/video devices configured to be used by a first plurality of users at a first event at a stadium;

storing the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices in docking ports;

while the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices are in docking ports;

(a) charging the batteries of the plurality of battery powered audio/video devices; and

(b) programming the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to the frequencies to be used to broadcast audio and video of a second event at the stadium to allow the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to be used by a second plurality of users at the second event at the stadium.

26. A powered cart for storage of a plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, the personal audio/video devices configured to be operated by a user at an event at a stadium, the cart comprising:

a docking port for each of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices;

a charger for charging the batteries of each of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices docked at the docking station;

logic configured to program at least one audio channel and at least one video channel into a memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, the audio channel and video channel corresponding to an audio channel and video channel available for use at an event at a stadium; and

means for an operator to communicate with the logic.

32. A plurality of personal battery powered tunable receivers for receiving a plurality of audio and video frequencies that broadcast an event at a stadium,

each of said receivers having a battery for powering each said receiver,

said receivers each having receiver electrical plug elements for receiving power for charging said battery and for setting the frequencies to be received by each said receiver,

an audio and video programmer and battery charger for setting the program frequency for audio and video signals to be received by said receivers at a stadium and for charging the batteries of said receivers, said audio and video programmer and charger comprising:

a housing,

a plurality of docking ports in said housing each sized and shaped to accommodate a receiver,

docking port electrical plug elements at each docking station that register with said receiver electrical plug elements of the receivers at the docking ports,

a power source in said housing connected to said docking port electrical plug elements for charging the batteries of the receivers at each docking port, and

a programmer in said housing connected to said docking port electrical plug elements at each docking port for setting in the receivers at the docking ports the frequencies to be received by said receivers,

so that the receivers are docked at the docking ports and connected by the electrical plug elements to the power source for charging the battery of the receivers and to the programmer for tuning the receivers to the frequencies to be used at a stadium to broadcast an event at the stadium.