System and Methods for Enhancing the Experience of Spectators Attending a Live Sporting Event, with Contextual Information Distribution Capability

• US 20070058041A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FanVision Entertainment, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kangaroo Media Incorporated (Game Day Entertainment LLC)
• Inventors: Charette, Alain, Arseneau, Marc, Arseneau, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 8,051,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/04 from field pickup units [FPU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 : characterised by processes or methods for the generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/15 : on receiving information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/16 : on playing information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/22 : per use
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 : using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 : Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/48 : for recognising items expressed in broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/70 : using geographical information, e.g. maps, charts or atlases
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/71 : using meteorological information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 : located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 : enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 : Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 : by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234354 : by altering signal-to-noise ratio parameters, e.g. requantization
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 : involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 : Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 : PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 : involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 : environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• 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 21/44016 : involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 : Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4623 : Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4728 : for selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• 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 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 : for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 : involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 : specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8455 : involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A handheld electronic device for use at a venue hosting a live sporting event, having a receiver for receiving a wireless RF transmission conveying a plurality of video streams derived from video cameras filming the live sporting event, a display and a user interface for selecting a video stream among the plurality of video streams to be displayed on the display. The handheld electronic device is capable to acquire a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation, in the locked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being precluded from displaying the video streams to a spectator, in the unlocked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being enabled to display the video streams to the spectator, the handheld electronic device capable to acquire the unlocked mode of operation in response to reception of authentication data wirelessly transmitted to the handheld electronic device.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device for use at a venue hosting a live sporting event, comprising:

a) a receiver for receiving a wireless RF transmission containing a plurality of video streams conveying live sporting event content, the live sporting event content including moving images of action occurring at the live sporting event held at the venue;

b) a display;

c) a user interface for selecting a video stream among said plurality of video streams to be displayed on said display;

d) the wireless RF transmission conveying venue or live sporting event contextual information, said handheld electronic device capable of communicating the venue or live sporting event contextual information to the spectator.

2. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two of the video streams are derived from cameras filming the live sporting event and convey different views of the action.

3. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 2, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information is viewed on said display.

4. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of the venue.

5. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of a race track.

6. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of washrooms at the venue.

7. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a vending stand at the venue.

8. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a medical facility at the venue.

9. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of an exit.

10. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a history of the venue and/or history of the track.

11. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a schedule of future events to be held at the venue.

12. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on cost of products or services a spectator may acquire at the venue.

13. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a list of racing teams.

14. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 13, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a description of one or more of the racing teams.

15. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a profile of one or more drivers participating in the car race.

16. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 15, wherein the profile of a driver includes a picture of the driver.

17. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including championship current standings.

18. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about settings of one or more cars participating in the car race.

19. A handheld electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about the regulations governing the car race.

20. A data structure embedded in a wireless RF signal, the wireless RF signal being intended for reception by a plurality of handheld electronic devices at a venue hosting a live sporting event, said data structure comprising:

a) a plurality of video streams conveying live sporting event content, the live sporting event content including moving images of action occurring at the live sporting event held at the venue, the video streams intended for display at the handheld electronic devices;

b) venue or live sporting event contextual information for delivery to spectators via the handheld electronic devices.

21. A data structure as defined in claim 20 wherein at least two of the video streams are derived from cameras filming the live sporting event and convey different views of the action.

22. A data structure as defined in claim 21, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information is intended to be communicated visually to the spectators on the displays of the handheld electronic devices.

23. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of the venue.

24. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of a race track.

25. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of washrooms at the venue.

26. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a vending stand at the venue.

27. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a medical facility at the venue.

28. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of an exit.

29. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a history of the venue and/or history of the track.

30. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a schedule of future events to be held at the venue.

31. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on cost of products or services a spectator may acquire at the venue.

32. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a list of racing teams.

33. A data structure as defined in claim 32, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a description of one or more of the racing teams.

34. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a profile of one or more drivers participating in the car race.

35. A data structure as defined in claim 34, wherein the profile of a driver includes a picture of the driver.

36. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including championship current standings.

37. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about settings of one or more cars participating in the car race.

38. A data structure as defined in claim 22, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about the regulations governing the car race.

39. A method comprising:

a) providing at a venue hosting a live sporting event a transmitter for generating a wireless RF transmission containing a plurality of video streams conveying live sporting event content, the live sporting event content including moving images of action occurring at the live sporting event held at the venue, the wireless RF transmission being directed at a plurality of handheld electronic devices, each handheld electronic device including;

i) a display;

ii) a user interface for selecting a video stream among said plurality of video streams to be displayed on said display;

b) including in the wireless RF transmission venue or live sporting event contextual information such that the venue or live sporting event contextual information can be delivered to spectators via respective handheld electronic devices.

40. A method as defined in claim 39 wherein at least two of the video streams are derived from cameras filming the live sporting event and convey different views of the action.

41. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information is displayed on the display of the handheld electronic devices.

42. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of the venue.

43. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a map of a race track.

44. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of washrooms at the venue.

45. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a vending stand at the venue.

46. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of a medical facility at the venue.

47. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a location of an exit.

48. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a history of the venue and/or history of the track.

49. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on a schedule of future events to be held at the venue.

50. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes information on cost of products or services a spectator may acquire at the venue.

51. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a list of racing teams.

52. A method as defined in claim 51, wherein the venue or live sporting event contextual information includes a description of one or more of the racing teams.

53. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including a profile of one or more drivers participating in the car race.

54. A method as defined in claim 53, wherein the profile of a driver includes a picture of the driver.

55. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including championship current standings.

56. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about settings of one or more cars participating in the car race.

57. A method as defined in claim 41, wherein the live sporting event is a car race, the venue or live sporting event contextual information including information about the regulations governing the car race.