Wireless sports view display and business method of use

• US 6,952,558 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hardacker, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/785,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20020115454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 4554141-4143, 455/414.4, 455/3.06, 455/517, 348/553, 348/559, 340/825.36, 725/36, 725/45, 725/51, 725/64, 705/26, 705/67, 705/75, 705/76
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/05 Mobile studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration

Abstract

An on-location local multicast distribution system and business method therefor. Contemporaneous information is continuously provided to a local distribution unit on a particular event (e.g., a NASCAR race) from multiple input devices, such as video cameras and microphones. The distribution unit simultaneously transmits audio, video and event specific information to multiple uniquely identifiable output devices, each in the hands of a registered attendee. The input devices are in wireless Communication with the distribution unit and the distribution unit is in wireless Communication with the output devices. The uniquely identifiable output devices include a display such as a liquid crystal display and may be for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA). Registered attendees may selecting which of the multiple inputs are received. For an auto race the local distribution unit provides audio and video feeds from pit crews, race cars and individual driver and race car statistics to individual attendees as selected.

Claims

1. A method of doing businesses, comprising:

selectively registering fans at a sporting event;

selectively renting viewers to registered fans;

retrieving a unique viewer address from the viewers rented to registered fans;

providing multiple streams of multimedia data to registered viewers, at least one multimedia stream including live transmissions;

retrieving rented viewers from registered fans at the end of said sporting event;

wherein as each fan registers said registering fan pays a fee for receiving said multimedia streams; and

wherein registered fans order concessions from registered viewers, ordered concessions being charged to a provided credit card number.

2. A method of doing businesses as in claim 1, wherein said ordered concessions are delivered to corresponding ordering fans.