METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR VENUE-CAST

• US 20070204294A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Gordon Kent, Raveendran, Vijayalakshmi R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,929,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing

Abstract

A communications method for broadcasting an event is provided. This includes generating a plurality of media streams at an event and providing a service to receive the media streams. From the service, an interface can be generated to select a subset of the media streams. Media streams can include audio, video, or other formats that are selected from alternative broadcasting channels provided at the event.

Claims

1. A communications method for broadcasting an event, comprising:

generating a plurality of media streams at an event;

providing a service to receive the media streams; and

generating an interface to select a subset of the media streams.

2. The method of claim 1, the media streams include video data, metadata, audio data, or textual information.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising generating a notification in accordance with the media streams.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the media streams as part of a shared venue cast network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the media streams across at least two media distribution systems (MDS).

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising monitoring for at least a second network in a specified local operator infrastructure (LOI).

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring for venue cast signals at substantially all times.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in a network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the media streams from a program guide.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising broadcasting different event sites as different broadcast channels.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating multiple camera views at a terminal.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising decoding multiple data streams in a concurrent manner.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising decoding selected packets or layers of the multiple data streams.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating coded views that are associated with temporal or spatial predictions.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising a quarter video graphics array panel as a base layer of a spatially layered codec.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising employing the base layer to provide a primary view and employing an enhancement layer to provide one to many secondary views.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a view at a reduced frame rate.

18. The method of claim 1, generating the interface with a pop to cursor view.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing an enabling component to receive the media streams.

20. The method of claim 19, the enabling component generates a key for a device to receive the media streams.

21. The method of claim 19, the enabling component is associated with a positioning system.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a positioning system to determine availability of a venue cast network.

23. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for generating available media channels to be broadcast at an event, the media channels are provided as part of an interface component, the media channels are offered as a set of channels from which a subset can be selected at the event; and

a processor that executes the instructions.

24. The communications apparatus of claim 23, further comprising generating the media channels across one or more layers of a venue cast network.

25. The communications apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a component to determine if a device is enabled to receive the media channels.

26. The communications apparatus of claim 23, further comprising operating a codec associated with the media channels.

27. A communications apparatus, comprising:

means for broadcasting a plurality of media streams at an event;

means for enabling a service to receive the media streams; and

means for interfacing to the media streams in order to select a subset of the media streams for desired viewing.

28. A computer program product, comprising:

a machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions, comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to generate a plurality of media channels at an event, the media channels associated with one or more media streams;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to manage a service to process the media streams; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to provide a set of available media streams from which a subset of the media streams can be selected.

29. The machine-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to enable one or more devices to receive the media streams.

30. The machine-readable medium of claim 29, further comprising a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to employ an electronic key or a positioning system to enable the one or more devices.

31. A processor comrising:

a first module for generating a plurality of media streams at an event;

a second module for enabling one or more devices to receive the media streams; and

a third module for selecting a subset of the media streams at the event.

32. A communications method for receiving media data at an event, comprising:

receiving a plurality of media streams at an event;

enabling a service to receive the media streams; and

operating an interface to select a subset of the media streams at the event.

33. The method of claim 32, the media streams include video data, audio data, or textual information.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in a network.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising selecting the media streams from a program guide.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising generating multiple camera views at a terminal.

37. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for receiving a plurality of media channels at an event, the media channels are received as part of an interface, the media channels are offered as a set of channels from which a subset can be selected at the event; and

a processor that executes the instructions.

38. The communications apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a component to enable a device to receive the media channels.

39. A communications apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of media streams at an event;

means for enabling a service to receive the media streams; and

means for interfacing to the media streams in order to select a subset of the media streams for desired viewing.

40. A computer program product, comprising:

a machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions, comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a plurality of media channels at an event, the media channels associated with one or more media streams;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to enable a service to process the media streams; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to select a subset of the media streams from the plurality of media channels at the event.

41. A processor, comprising:

a first module for receiving a plurality of media streams at an event;

a second module for enabling at least one device to receive the media streams; and

a third module for selecting a subset of the media streams at the event.