Systems, devices and methods for reviewing selected signal segments

• US 6,681,398 B1
• Filed: 01/12/1999
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scanz Communications Inc. (Kleangas Energy Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scanz Communications Inc. (Kleangas Energy Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Verna, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US09/228,929
• Time in Patent Office: 1,834 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.716, H04/N.5445, G06/F.300, G06/F 1.300, G06/F 1.302, 725/141, 725/139, 725/37, 725/38, 725/88, 725/87, 725/105, 725/135, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 273/317--31
• US Class Current: 725/141
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• 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 21/4334 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 21/440263 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The present invention provides on-field sports officials and other similarly situated users with systems, methods and portable devices for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating sports, entertainment, news and other events and occurrences in nearly real time. These systems, methods and devices for example select and review images transmitted in a signal, such as a television signal of a football game or as another example from a security system camera. The system for selecting and reviewing signal segments comprises (i) a selection system including means for receiving at least one signal, means for identifying at least one segment of the signal, and means for transmitting the signal segment, and (ii) a reviewing system including means for receiving the signal segment, means for storing the signal segment, and means for reviewing information in the signal segment. The reviewing system may be a hand-held device, and may also include means for manipulating information in the signal segment, so that the user may, for example, rewind, fast-forward, freeze, enlarge or play in slow motion images from a sports or other event. In a preferred embodiment, a communications path is also established between the selection system and the receiving device, so that the user of the receiving device can obtain information about the selected signal segments and can transmit control signals to the selection system. On-field sports officials, for example, could use the present invention to operate an instant replay system independent from off-field personnel.

Claims

1. A system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments at a sporting event, comprising:

a selection system including

means for receiving at least one image signal,

means for identifying at least one segment of at least one image signal, and

means for transmitting at least one image signal segment; and

a plurality of portable handheld reviewing systems, each reviewing system including

means for receiving at least one image signal segment,

means for storing at least one image signal segment, and

means for reviewing information included in at least one image signal segment, and

means for automatically flagging an image signal in response to an official'"'"'s whistle at said sporting event for flagging a portion of at least one image signal segment,

wherein the reviewing system, in response to a user-rewind signal, reviews information to the point or location corresponding to the time when the flag was received.

2. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system is located in proximity to the sporting event.

3. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system is located a distance from the sporting event responsive to the characteristics of at least one of the image signal source, the selection system, and one or more of the reviewing systems.

4. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system is portable.

5. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system is stationary.

6. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system and the plurality of reviewing systems are at the same location.

7. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system and the plurality of reviewing systems are at different locations.

8. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal comprises a television signal.

9. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 8, wherein the television signal comprises a signal transmitted by a television broadcast van.

10. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 8, wherein the television signal comprises a signal essentially identical to a signal transmitted to viewers by a television broadcast station.

11. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal comprises a signal transmitted to viewers by a video signal source provider.

12. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 11, wherein the image signal comprises a signal essentially identical to a signal transmitted to viewers by a video signal source provider.

13. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal is derived from at least one image.

14. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 13, wherein the image depicts a sporting event.

15. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal is derived from at least one instant replay image.

16. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal comprises data information.

17. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 16, wherein the data information comprises a description of an event.

18. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 16, wherein the data information comprises statistical information.

19. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 16, wherein the data information comprises promotional information.

20. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal comprises an audio signal.

21. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal comprises a control signal.

22. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 21, wherein the control signal comprises a signal generated by a timing device.

23. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 21, wherein the control signal comprises a signal generated by a play clock at the sporting event.

24. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 21, wherein the control signal comprises a manually-generated signal.

25. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises means for receiving signals transmitted via wire technology.

26. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises means for receiving signals transmitted via wireless technology.

27. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises means for receiving signals in analog format.

28. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises means for receiving signals in digital format.

29. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises means for receiving signals in multiple formats.

30. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a demodulator, a tuner, an equalizing amplifier, a decoder, a compression unit, and a storage mechanism.

31. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of the selection system comprises a microprocessor for controlling the functions of the receiving means.

32. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the identifying means is inactive.

33. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the identifying means comprises a controller.

34. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 33, wherein the controller comprises a manual identification system.

35. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 34, wherein the manual identification system comprises at least one reviewing unit and at least one control unit.

36. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 35, wherein the reviewing unit comprises at least one device for reviewing information included in the image signal.

37. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 35, wherein the control unit comprises means for inputting information into the selection system.

38. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 34, further comprising means for manipulating the image signal.

39. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 34, further comprising means for manipulating information included in at least one image signal.

40. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 34, further comprising means for manipulating information included in at least one image signal segment.

41. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 33, wherein the controller comprises an automatic identification system.

42. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 41, wherein the automatic identification system operates in response to at least one control signal.

43. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises a tuner.

44. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means uses radio frequencies.

45. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means uses television broadcast frequencies.

46. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises a passive antenna.

47. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises an active antenna.

48. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises means for transmitting signals in an analog format.

49. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises means for transmitting signals in a digital format.

50. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of filters, decoders, compression units, and means for storing signals.

51. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the transmitting means comprises a microprocessor for controlling the functions of the transmitting means.

52. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means, the identifying means and the transmitting means of the selection system operate essentially simultaneously.

53. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal segment is essentially identical to a signal transmitted to viewers by a video signal source provider.

54. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal segment is derived from at least one image derived from at least one signal transmitted by a video signal source provider.

55. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the image signal segment is derived from at least one audio signal.

56. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means, the storing means, and the reviewing means of each reviewing system operate essentially simultaneously in response to at least one image signal segment.

57. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein each reviewing system further comprises means for manipulating at least one image signal segment.

58. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein each reviewing system further comprises means for manipulating information included in at least one image signal segment.

59. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the receiving means, the storing means, the reviewing means, and the manipulating means of each reviewing system operate essentially simultaneously in response to at least one image signal segment.

60. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the manipulating means comprises means for changing the speed of review of the information included in at least one image signal segment.

61. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the manipulating means comprises means for repeatedly reviewing information included in at least one image signal segment.

62. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the manipulating means comprises means for freezing information included in at least one image signal segment.

63. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the manipulating means comprises means for scaling information included in at least one image signal segment.

64. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 58, wherein the manipulating means comprises a microprocessor for controlling the functions of the manipulating means.

65. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein each reviewing system further comprises means for erasing or deleting a stored image signal segment.

66. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein each reviewing system further comprises means for transferring at least one image signal segment to a recording device.

67. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system uses radio frequencies.

68. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises a flexible antenna.

69. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises a non-flexible antenna.

70. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises an omni-directional antenna.

71. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises a directional antenna.

72. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises an external antenna.

73. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises a retractable antenna.

74. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the receiving means of each reviewing system comprises an internal antenna.

75. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the storing means comprises at least one memory storage unit.

76. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein the memory storage unit comprises digital recording devices.

77. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein the memory storage unit comprises analog recording devices.

78. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein at least one memory storage unit has capacity to store at least one image signal segment of at least 120-seconds in duration.

79. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein at least one memory storage unit has capacity to store at least one image signal segment of at least 115-seconds in duration.

80. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein at least one memory storage unit has capacity to store at least one image signal segment of at least 90-seconds in duration.

81. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 75, wherein at least one memory storage unit has the capacity to store at least one image signal segment of at least 45-seconds in duration.

82. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the reviewing means comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of a video screen, an audio speaker and a microprocessor.

83. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein each reviewing system further includes means for transmitting control signals, and the selection system further includes means for receiving the control signals.

84. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 83, wherein the identifying means comprises a controller.

85. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 84, wherein the controller is responsive to control signals transmitted by each reviewing system.

86. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 85, wherein the selection system further includes means for transmitting auxiliary signals to each reviewing system, and each reviewing system further includes means for receiving the auxiliary signals.

87. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 86, wherein each reviewing system further includes means for reviewing information included in the auxiliary signals.

88. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 87, wherein each reviewing system further includes means for generating control signals in response to information included in the auxiliary signals.

89. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 86, wherein the auxiliary signals include information concerning at least one image signal received by the selection system.

90. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 86, wherein the auxiliary signals include information concerning at least one image signal segment.

91. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 83, wherein the selection system further includes means for transmitting auxiliary signals to each reviewing system, and each reviewing system further includes means for receiving the auxiliary signals.

92. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 91, wherein each reviewing system further includes means for reviewing information included in the auxiliary signals.

93. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 92, wherein each reviewing system further includes means for generating control signals, for transmission to the selection system, in response to information included in the auxiliary signals.

94. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 91, wherein the auxiliary signals include information concerning at least one image signal received by the selection system.

95. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 91, wherein the auxiliary signals include information concerning at least one image signal segment.

96. The system for selecting and reviewing image signal segments of claim 1, wherein the selection system further includes means for encrypting the image signal segment transmitted to the reviewing systems, and each reviewing system further includes means for decrypting the encoded image signal segment.