Method and apparatus for multimedia presentations

• US 5,568,963 A
• Filed: 03/09/1994
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Del Mar Avionics
• Original Assignee: Del Mar Avionics
• Inventors: Schnabel, Marna B., Bennett, Allen C., Del Mar, Bruce E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C.
• Application Number:
  US08/208,535
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 353/119, 353/72, 348/836, 348/838, 348/839, 348/843, 312/7.2, 312/9.1, 312/10.1, 312/9.41, 312/9.42, 312/9.55, 312/9.56, 312/9.64, 108/95, 108/96, 108/101, 108/106
• US Class Current: 353/122
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A mobile audio visual presentation system contained within a telescoping tower platform that provides height adjustment means for video display devices. The telescoping tower provides stability, transportability, versatility and optimum sound/video projection angles for multimedia audio visual presentations. The system remotely programs and controls a plurality of multimedia projection devices by interfacing ambulatory hand-held controllers, via radio frequency, to select and control multimedia elements within the system. The radio frequency signals containing desired commands are transmitted and automatically switched to multimedia devices sensitive to either infrared signals or X.10 power line carrier signal (PLC). The remote controls interface the multimedia devices in real time and provide the ability to access chosen segments of recorded video, sound and data, thereby, providing multiple operators with the freedom to interact with an audience during a multimedia presentation and vary time and sequence of events without encountering signal dropout.

Claims

1. A portable, expandable, and remotely controlled audiovisual tower for multimedia presentations, comprising;

a cabinet rack, having mobile means and containing a plurality of shelves capable of holding at least one multimedia data recording and storage device;

an elevated rack containing a plurality of shelves capable of holding at least one multimedia display device;

telescoping means for connecting, expanding, and elevating said elevated rack to and from said cabinet rack;

radio frequency and infrared control means for remotely and operatively acting upon said multimedia devices.

2. The audio visual tower of claim 1, further possessing both manual and remote controlled height adjustment means for controlling elevation level of said elevated rack relative to said cabinet rack.

3. The audio visual tower of claim 2, wherein said remote controlled height adjustment means further consists of a vertical worm screw motorized means for elevating said elevated elevated rack and controlling movement of said telescoping means.

4. The audio visual tower of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of multimedia data storage and retrieval devices disposed in said cabinet rack; and

a plurality of multimedia display devices disposed in said elevated rack, each said multimedia display device being optically and electrically connected to its respective multimedia data storage and retrieval device can be displayed on said multimedia display device.

5. The audiovisual tower according to claim 4 wherein said multimedia devices are controlled by at least one hand held remote control device.

6. The audiovisual tower according to claim 5 wherein said remote control interfaces with said multimedia presentation devices via a radio frequency interface sending digital signals on radio waves to said tower where said RF signals are converted by an RF interface to infra red signals to directly control said multimedia devices.

7. The audiovisual tower according to claim 6 wherein said radio frequency interface further comprises:

at least one radio frequency receiver disposed on said tower;

at least one infrared repeater electrically connected to said radio frequency receiver and optically connected to at least one of said multimedia devices; and

at least one X.10 defacto standard signal transmitter electrically connected to said radio frequency receiver and electrically connected to at least one of said multimedia devices.

8. The portable audiovisual tower according to claim 6 wherein said remote control means further comprises a conventional infrared remote control device modified by an infrared to radio frequency convertor capable of converting operator entered commands into a radio frequency equivalent of those commands.

9. The portable audiovisual tower according to claim 1 wherein said mobile means consists of a set of casters with automatic braking means to enable self supported mobility and a fixed position support of said tower.

10. The portable audiovisual tower according to claim 4 wherein said remote control further comprises selection means for selecting predetermined segments of said multimedia storage devices.

11. The portable audiovisual tower according to claim 1 further comprising a brake that engages when said elevated rack is not in a lowered position.

12. A method of presenting audio visual displays comprising the steps of:

manufacturing a platform capable of containing at least one display device and at least one storage device;

placing within said platform communication means for receiving radio frequency signals and delivering a version of these signals to said devices; and

providing remote control means capable of transmitting radio frequency signals to said platform.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said step of placing communication means further comprises:

employing a radio frequency receiver;

placing at least one radio frequency to infrared convertor within said platform, said radio frequency to infrared convertor being electrically connected to said receiver; and

electrically extending signals converted by said radio frequency to infrared convertor to at least one of said devices.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of providing remote control means further comprises:

electrically attaching an infrared to X.10 defacto standard convertor to said radio frequency to infrared convertor; and

transmitting X.10 defacto signals to at least one of said devices.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of providing remote means further comprises the step of controlling power via said remote means in order to simultaneously actuate power of all of said devices.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of controlling power further comprises controlling power to said multimedia devices by operatively coupling at least one relay to at least one of multimedia devices, said relay being capable of being controlled via radio frequency signals.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of controlling power further comprises:

selecting which multimedia devices shall be operatively coupled to said remote control means to have their power controlled by an X.10 defacto standard and which multimedia devices shall be operatively coupled to said remote control means to have their power controlled by infrared;

receiving a set of radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals received into either a set of X.10 defacto standard signals or a set of infrared signals for further transmission to said multimedia devices; and

transmitting said infrared signals and said X.10 defacto signals to multimedia devices as selected.