Distributed immersive entertainment system

• US 20050024488A1
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew S. Borg
• Original Assignee: Andrew S. Borg
• Inventors: Borg, Andrew S.
• Application Number:
  US10/741,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024488A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A multi-camera high-definition or standard-definition switched video signal is distributed from the Point of Capture (POC) using industry standard technology for broadband distribution such as fiber optic or satellite, to a Point Of Display (POD) where multiple video projectors or displays integrated with a digital light show and high-end audio are utilized to provide a totally immersive entertainment environment. That environment is controlled using a graphically based tool called the LightPiano™, and is then extended through the festival atmosphere in the Club Annex, where licensed merchandise, auctions, and swap meets are located. Online Instant Messaging, Short Message System (SMS) text messaging, Chat, and Fan Clubs generate additional content, which is sent back to the POD. There is extensive use of the Worldwide Web for both local and remote access to the chat, fan clubs, SMS and instant messaging systems, as well as for online access for customers to view scheduling, and purchase ticketing, webcasts and archive access. The Web is also used by the venue owner to manage the entire system for booking, data mining, scheduling, ticketing, webcasting, and facilities management. The Web interface combined with the power of the LightPiano makes this complex interrelated system relatively easy and intuitive to operate. It significantly lowers the cost of operation and makes the system scalable to a large network of POCs and PODs. It allows one POC to feed many PODs, enabling a truly global distributed, immersive entertainment environment.

Claims

1. An immersive entertainment system comprising:

a point of capture system adapted for creating an audio and video signal representative of at least a portion of a performance having audio and video portions;

a transmission system adapted for transmitting said audio and video signal to a predetermined destination; and

a point of display system at said predetermined destination adapted for presenting at least a portion of said audio and video signal, said point of display system including a lightpiano adapted for controlling, in substantially real time, the presentation of said portion of said audio and video signal.

2. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 1 wherein said lightpiano further comprises:

at least one video processor for processing at least one of said video sources to control the presentation of said at least one video source;

at least one audio processor for processing said at least one audio source to control the presentation of said at least one audio source;

at least one video display controller adapted for controlling the display of said at least one video source on at least one video display system; and

at least one audio control system adapted for controlling the presentation of said at least one audio source on at least one audio system.

3. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one of a remote video input, a local video input and a computer graphics input.

4. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one of a remote audio input, a local audio input and a synthesized audio input.

5. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one of an online media input, a multi-media messaging input and an SMS text input.

6. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one video display system.

7. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one audio system.

8. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano controls at least one lighting and effects system.

9. An immersive entertainment system according to claim 2 wherein said lightpiano includes a graphical user interface adapted for enabling a user to control said at least one video processor, said at least one audio processor, said at least video display controller, and said at least audio system controller.

10. A lightpiano system for controlling the presentation of a performance having a plurality of video sources and at least one audio source, said lightpiano system comprising:

at least one video processor for processing at least one of said video sources to control the presentation of said at least one video source;

at least one audio processor for processing said at least one audio source to control the presentation of said at least one audio source;

at least one video display controller adapted for controlling the display of said at least one video source on at least one video display system; and

at least one audio control system adapted for controlling the presentation of said at least one audio source on at least one audio system.

11. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one of a remote video input, a local video input and a computer graphics input.

12. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one of a remote audio input, a local audio input and a synthesized audio input.

13. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one of an online media input, a multi-media messaging input and an SMS text input.

14. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one video display system operatively coupled to said lightpiano system.

15. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one audio system operatively coupled to said lightpiano system.

16. A lightpiano system according to claim 10 further comprising at least one lighting and effects system operatively coupled to said lightpiano system.