DISTRIBUTED AND INTERACTIVE GLOBECASTING SYSTEM

• US 20090064246A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: B2 Networks LLC
• Original Assignee: B2 Networks LLC
• Inventors: Bell, Gregory P.
• Application Number:
  US11/848,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20090064246A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/05 Mobile studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Described is a distributed, interactive broadcast system having a plurality of robotic modules coupled to a broadcast control center and data center, the control center and data center capable of pulling and pushing audio and visual information from and to each individual robotic module within the distributed, interactive broadcast system. The system being ideal for broadcasting live events from venues equipped with audio and video devices. Interactive applications are also facilitated by the system allowing for real-time interactivity between global remote viewers and with spectators at the venue.

Claims

1. A robotic system for a venue comprising:

broadcast equipment disposed about the venue, said broadcast equipment operable to capture audio and video data relative to a live event;

at least one robotic module in communication with the broadcast equipment, the robotic module configured to receive said audio and video data from the broadcast equipment;

a control center wherein said control center is configured to pull audio and video data from the robotic module; and

means for transmitting said audio and video data to remote locations.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the robotic module is configured to send audio and video contents to the broadcast equipment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said robotic module is configured to send audio and video data to one or more visual displays disposed about the venue.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the robotic module is further configured to receive audio and video data from the one or more visual displays.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of data burners disposed about the venue, the burners configured to receive audio and video data from the robotic module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the broadcast equipment comprises at least microphones and cameras.

7. An integrated broadcast system comprising:

a plurality of robotic modules;

a control center in communication with the plurality of robotic modules, the control center configured to pull audio and video data from the plurality of robotic modules; and

means for transmitting said audio and video data to remote locations.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control center is configured to push audio and video contents to the plurality of robotic modules.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein each robotic module is associated with a unique venue.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the control center is configured to pull first audio and video data from a first robotic module at a first venue and push the first audio and video data to a second robotic module at a second venue.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of data burners disposed about the venue, the burners configured to receive audio and video data from the associated robotic module.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said robotic module is configured to send audio and video data to one or more visual displays disposed about the venue.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the robotic module is further configured to receive audio and video data from the one or more visual displays.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the broadcast equipment comprises at least microphones and cameras.

15. A method of providing audio and video content from a venue comprising:

utilizing broadcast equipment disposed about the venue to capture audio and video data relative to a live event;

configuring at least one robotic module in communication with the broadcast equipment to receive said audio and video data from the broadcast equipment;

configuring a control center to pull audio and video data from the robotic module; and

transmitting said audio and video data to remote locations.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the robotic module to send audio and video data to the broadcast equipment.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring said robotic module to transmit audio and video data to a plurality of visual displays disposed about the venue.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising configuring said robotic module to receive audio and video data from the plurality of visual displays.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring said robotic module to transmit audio and video data to a plurality of burners disposed about the venue.

20. A method of providing audio and video content across a broadcast network comprising:

disposing a plurality of robotic modules about the network;

configuring a control center in communication with said network to pull audio and video data from the plurality of robotic modules; and

transmitting said audio and video data to remote locations.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring the control center to push audio and video data to the plurality of robotic modules.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising wherein each venue is associated with each robotic module disposed about the network.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring the control center to pull first audio and video data from a first robotic module at a first venue and push the first audio and video content to a second robotic module at a second venue.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising disposing a plurality of burners about the venue, the burners configured to receive audio and video contents from the associated robotic module.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring the robotic modules to transmit audio and video data to a plurality of visual displays disposed about the venue.