Audio/video programming and charging system and method

• US 7,210,160 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Mark A., Anderson, Tazwell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): NATNAEL, PAULOS M
• Application Number:
  US10/159,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20020152476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,790 Days
• Field of Search: 348/730, 348/552, 348/14.04, 455/556, 455/557, 455/550, 455/551
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/89 using three or more audio channels, e.g. triphonic or quadraphonic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/027 Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices such that the audio/video devices will be programmed and charged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated with an event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe the sights and sounds of the event. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cart with a docking port for each of a plurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured to charge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, and programming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/video devices.

Claims

1. A system for use with at least one personal audio/video device to be used at first and second events by users while watching each of the first and second events live where the first and second events occur at different points in time, the audio/video device configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the first event during the first event and later to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the second event during the second event, the audio/video device presenting select corresponding audio and video content to the users while at each of the first and second events, comprising:

a docking port, the docking port configured to receive at least one personal audio/video device;

a charger for the personal audio/video device, the charger configured to charge a power source of the personal audio/video device when the personal audio/video device is engaged in the docking port; and

logic circuit configured to transfer data related to the first event to the personal audio/video device when the personal audio/video device is engaged in the docking port, wherein the data is utilized by the audio/video device in connection with wirelessly receiving the audio and video content associated with the first event, wherein the data transferred by the logic circuit identifies first and second channels carrying first and second video content from first and second cameras, respectively, located at the first event, the first and second video content corresponding to different camera views of the first event.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a cart having a power source.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of carts, each of the plurality of carts including a tow bar system configured to allow connection of each of the plurality of carts to an adjacent of the plurality of cans.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking port further comprises at least one receiver pocket for at least one personal audio/video device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the receiver pocket is configured to hold one personal audio/video device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking port is further configured with a charge/program connector.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic circuit is further configured to transfer, as part of the data, channel data into the memory of at least one personal audio/video device, the channel data identifying at least one channel over which at least one of the audio and video content is conveyed.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic circuit is further configured to erase audio and video channels from the memory of at least one personal audio/video device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit is further configured to transfer:

into memory of at least one personal audio/video device, operating instructions for the audio/video device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for an operator to communicate with the logic circuit.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for the operator to communicate with the logic circuit comprises a control panel.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for the operator to communicate with the logic circuit comprises a wireless transmission.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the data transferred by the logic circuit identifies at least one frequency that conveys video content associated with the second event.

13. A method of receiving a variety of audio and video signals at an event, comprising:

collecting a plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices configured to be used by a first plurality of users at a first event;

storing the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices in docking ports;

while the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices are in docking ports;

(a) charging the batteries of the plurality of battery powered audio/video devices; and

(b) programming the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to at least one channel to be used to broadcast audio and video signals associated with a second event to allow the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to be used by a second plurality of users at the second event, wherein the programming further comprises erasing at least one channel from a memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, programming a memory of a first portion of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices with a first set of channels, and programming a memory of a second portion of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices with a second set of channels.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to the second plurality of users at the second event.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising vending the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to the second plurality of users at the second event.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transporting the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices from the first event at a first stadium to the second event at a second stadium.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of programming further comprises programming at least one video channel and at least one audio channel into a memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the video channel comprises a video channel available for use at the second event.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the audio channel comprises an audio channel available for use at the second event.

20. A system for charging and programming a plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices to be used at first and second events by users while the users watch each of the first and second events live where the first and second events occur at different points in time, the audio/video devices being configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the first event during the first event and later to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the second event during the second event, the video content being received from video cameras located at the first and second events, the audio/video device presenting select corresponding audio and video content while at each of the first and second events, the system comprising:

docking ports configured to receive the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices between the first and second events;

charger connectors configured to engage and charge batteries of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices when docked at the docking ports;

program connectors configured to engage and transfer program information into a memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices, the program information being utilized by the devices at one of the first and second events to obtain access to both audio and video content associated with the corresponding one of the first and second events, wherein the program information identifies first and second channels carrying first and second video content from first and second cameras, respectively, located at the first event, the first and second video content corresponding to different camera views of the first event; and

a control panel for an operator to enter the program information.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a logic circuit configured to program operating instructions into the memory of at least one of the plurality of battery powered personal audio/video devices.

22. A method of providing audio/video devices to users while at events for use while watching the events live, the method comprising:

programming at least one of the audio/video devices with programming information associated with at least one of first and second events;

providing battery powered audio/video devices to users while at a first event, the audio/video devices each being configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the first event and to present, to the users while at the first event, audio and video content selected by the user;

at a conclusion of the first event, collecting the audio/video devices from the users;

after the first event and before the second event, refilling power supplies of the audio/video devices; and

providing the audio/video devices to users while at the second, event, the audio/video devices being configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the second event, wherein the providing including vending common audio/video devices at the first and second events.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the refilling includes recharging the power supplies.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the programming includes programming frequencies over which the audio and video content are broadcast.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising loading the audio/video devices into corresponding docking ports, at which the refilling and programming operations are performed.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the programming operation includes, between the first and second events, adding a new channel to memory of at least one of the audio and video devices, the new channel carrying at least one of audio and video content associated with the second event to be presented to the user while at the second event and watching the second event live.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the programming operation includes, between the first and second events, deleting an old channel from memory of at least one of the audio/video devices, the old channel carrying at least one of audio and video content associated with the first event that was presented previously to the user while watching the first event live.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the programming includes at least one of upgrading, updating, altering and modifying at least one of software and hardware contained in at least one of the audio/video devices.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the programming includes changing operating instructions for at least one of the audio/video devices.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein one of the audio/video devices is reprogrammed with new information, while another one of the audio/video devices is not reprogrammed during the programming operation.

31. A method of providing audio/video devices to users while at events for use while watching the events live, the method comprising:

programming at least one of the audio/video devices with programming information associated with at least one of first and second events;

providing battery powered audio/video devices to users while at a first event, the audio/video devices each being configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the first event and to present, to the users while at the first event, audio and video content selected by the user;

at a conclusion of the first event, collecting the audio/video devices from the users;

after the first event and before the second event, refilling power supplies of the audio/video devices; and

providing the audio/video devices to users while at the second event, the audio/video devices being configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the second event, wherein the video content includes first and second video signals from first and second cameras located at the second event, the user selecting between the first and second video signals in order to view the second event from different views.

33. A system for use with at least one personal audio/video device to be used at first and second events by users while watching the first and second events live, where the first and second events occur at different points in time, the audio/video device configured to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the first event during the first event and later to wirelessly receive audio and video content associated with the second event during the second event the audio/video device presenting select corresponding audio and video content while at each of the first and second events, comprising:

a power source for the personal audio/video device; and

logic circuit configured to transfer data related to the first and second events to the personal audio/video device, wherein the data is utilized by the audio/video device in connection with wirelessly receiving the audio and video content associated with the first and second events, wherein the logic circuit transfers first and second sets of video channels to the audio/video device for use while at the first and second events, respectively, the first set of video channels including video content associated with the first event, the second set of video channels including video content associated with the second event.

34. A method for providing portable video devices to be used at events by users while attending events live, the method comprising:

providing portable video devices to users while at a first event, the video devices wirelessly receiving video content from a camera located at the first event, the video content being associated with the first event, the portable video device being configured to selectively display the video content while at the first event, thereby permitting the user to carry the portable video device about the first event and choose where to view the video content selected by the user while roaming at the first event during the first event;

collecting the video devices from the users after the first event;

refilling power supplies of the video devices; and

providing the portable video devices to users while at a second event, the video devices wirelessly receiving video content from a camera located at the second event, the video content being associated with the second event, the portable video device being configured to selectively display the video content while at the second event, thereby permitting the user to carry the portable video device about the second event and choose where to view the video content selected by the user while roaming at the second event during the second event.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the refilling includes recharging a rechargeable power supply.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising, after the first event and before the second event, programming the video device with programming information associated with the second event.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising programming at least one channel over which the portable video device receives the video content.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising programming first and second channels over which the portable video device receives the video content associated with the first and second events, respectively, the portable video device receiving the first and second channels over at least one frequency.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising transmitting the video content over video a plurality of channels that includes at least first and second channels conveying video signals associated with first and second views, respectively, of the first event.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising programming the portable video devices through a wireless connection.

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising connecting the portable video devices to a wired program connection and programming the portable video devices directly through the wired program connection.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the providing operations comprise providing the portable video devices at sporting events.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the providing operations comprise providing the portable video devices at non-sporting events.

44. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing the portable video devices with audio capability to form portable audio/video devices, and configuring the portable audio/video devices to wirelessly receive audio content associated with the first event while at the first event, thereby permitting the user to carry the portable audio/video device about the first event and choose where to listen to the audio content selected by the user while roaming at the first event during the first event.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising configuring the portable audio/video devices to wirelessly receive audio content associated with the second event while at the second event, thereby permitting the user to carry the portable audio/video device about the second event and choose where to listen to the audio content selected by the user while roaming at the second event during the second event.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising programming first and second channels over which the portable audio/video device receives the audio content associated with the first and second events, respectively.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising programming first and second channels over which the portable audio/video device receives the audio content associated with the first and second events, respectively.