VIDEO/AUDIO SYSTEM AND METHOD ENABLING A USER TO SELECT DIFFERENT VIEWS AND SOUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH AN EVENT

• US 20080287059A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Wood, Tazwell L. Anderson Jr
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Wood, Tazwell L. Anderson Jr
• Inventors: Wood, Mark A., Anderson, Tazwell L. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,239,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2383 Channel coding or modulation of digital bit-stream, e.g. QPSK modulation arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by adapting the channel coding H04L1/0009; analogue front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0806 the signals being two or more video signals H04N7/0803, H04N7/081 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/002 Non-adaptive circuits, e.g. manually adjustable or static, for enhancing the sound image or the spatial distribution control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field H04S7/30

Abstract

A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A content delivery network for delivering content to a portable handheld device used by a spectator while attending an event live, the portable device having a receiver, a display and a user interface, the network comprising:

a plurality of video cameras located at a live event, the video cameras being located at different locations around the event, the video cameras producing video signals containing live video content of the event from different viewing perspectives;

an interface receiving at least two video signals, wherein at least one of said video signals is from said at least one of said video cameras; and

a transmitter transmitting said video signals locally, in an area encompassing the live event, for reception by a handheld device at said live event in a manner that permits the spectator to select, through the user interface of the handheld device, the live video content from a single one of the video cameras located at the live event, and that permits the spectator to control a type of viewing perspective presented to the spectator on the display of the handheld device.

24. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said live event is a sporting event of one of a football game, a basketball game, a baseball game, a hockey game, golf, and an automobile race.

25. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein one of said cameras is located in a vehicle participating in an automobile race.

26. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said at least two signals include a video signal from one of said cameras and a television transmission signal.

27. The content delivery network of claim 23, further comprising a coaxial cable connected to said transmitter for continuously conveying said video signals.

28. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said transmitter transmits said video signals continuously over a wireless RF link.

29. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said interface receives a plurality of audio signals associated with said event, said transmitter locally transmitting, for reception by the handheld devices at said event, said plurality of video signals and said plurality of audio signals.

30. The content delivery network of claim 29, wherein said plurality of video and audio signals define different views and different sounds of said event and said event is an automobile race, with said different views including in-car views, said different sounds including audio between a driver of a car and a pit crew for said driver.

31. The content delivery network of claim 23, further comprising a handheld device including a portable receiver for receiving said video signals, the handheld device including a user interface that permits a user to select and view live video content from a single video camera uninterrupted until the user chooses to select another one of said video cameras.

32. The content delivery network of claim 31, wherein said portable receiver comprises a display for displaying video defined by a selected one of said plurality of video signals continuously under the control of the user through the user interface.

33. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said viewing perspectives are associated with locations of said plurality of video cameras.

34. The content delivery network of claim 23, further comprising a communication network for transmitting said plurality of video signals within a predetermined area adjacent said event.

35. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said interface comprises a plurality of audio combiners for combining a plurality of audio signals.

36. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said interface comprises a plurality of signal modulators for combining said combinations of audio signals with at least one of said plurality of video signals to produce a plurality of combinations of said received signals.

37. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said interface comprises a signal combiner for combining said plurality of video signals to form at least one combined signal for transmission.

38. The content delivery network of claim 23, wherein said transmitter transmits a plurality of multiplexed video signals carried over a carrier frequency.

39. A system providing video and audio for an event, comprising:

at least one video recording device at an event;

at least one audio recording device at said event;

an interface for receiving a plurality of video signals, at least one from said at least one video recording device, and at least one audio signal from said at least one audio recording device, said interface configured to transmit said received video and audio signals continuously at said event; and

a portable receiver for receiving said signals, the portable receiver having a user interface to allow for selection of any one of said video and audio signals, said receiver displaying to the user a selected video signal continuously until the user chooses to select another video signal.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said portable receiver is provided in combination with a seat for a spectator of said event.

41. The system of claim 39, further comprising a wireless transmitter and wherein said portable receiver is configured for wireless operation, with said wireless transmitter transmitting wirelessly said video and audio signals to said receiver.

42. The system of claim 39, further comprising a plurality of video and audio recording devices and wherein said video recording devices provide a plurality of views of different locations within said event and said audio devices provide a plurality of sounds from different locations within said event, and said portable receiver is configured to display at least one of said plurality of views and produce audio of at least one of said plurality of sounds.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein said portable receiver comprises a user interface to select any one of said received video and audio signals based upon a user input.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein said interface comprises at least one signal conditioner configured to condition at least one of said received signals.

45. The system of claim 39, wherein said at least one signal conditioner comprises at least one signal demodulator.

46. A content delivery network for delivering content to portable wireless handheld devices used by spectators while attending an event live, the network comprising:

at least one video camera located at a live event, the video camera producing a first event-related video signal of continuous video content associated with the live event;

an interface receiving at least two video signals, wherein at least one of said video signals constitutes said first event-related video signal, said interface outputting at least said first event-related video signal continuously; and

a transmitter transmitting said at least two video signals output by said interface locally for reception by the handheld devices at said live event.

47. The content delivery network of claim 46, wherein at least one of said two video signals constitutes a television transmission signal.