Methods, apparatus, and system for venue-cast

• US 9,538,228 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Gordon Kent, Raveendran, Vijayalakshmi Rajasundaram
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D
• Application Number:
  US14/569,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20150100990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 348/14.08
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• 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 21/41415 involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing

Abstract

A communications method for broadcasting an event is provided. This includes generating a plurality of media streams at an event and providing a service to receive the media streams. From the service, an interface can be generated to select a subset of the media streams. Media streams can include audio, video, or other formats that are selected from alternative broadcasting channels provided at the event.

Claims

1. A method for selectively receiving media streams broadcast at an event for viewing, comprising:

receiving a first plurality of media streams generated at an event;

enabling a wireless terminal to receive the first plurality of media streams broadcast over at least one media distribution system (MDS) on a wireless network in which a service provider operates a signal on a dedicated frequency inside a location of the event that is treated as a separate wireless network from a large area network, wherein the separate wireless network is substantially limited in range to the location of the event and the large area network provides a second plurality of media streams; and

interfacing to the first plurality of media streams in order for the wireless terminal to select a subset of the first plurality of media streams for viewing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of media streams include video data, audio data, or textual information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in the separate wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the subset of the first plurality of media streams from a program guide.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating multiple camera views at the wireless terminal.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a first plurality of media steams generated at an event;

enabling a wireless terminal to receive the first plurality of media streams broadcast over at least one media distribution system (MDS) on a wireless network in which a service provider operates a signal on a dedicated frequency inside a location of the event that is treated as a separate wireless network from a large area network, wherein the separate wireless network is substantially limited in range to the location of the event and the large area network provides a second plurality of media streams; and

interfacing to the first plurality of media streams in order for the wireless terminal to select a subset of the first plurality of media streams for viewing; and

a processor that executes the instructions to perform the operations.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a component to enable a device to receive the first plurality of media streams.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first plurality of media streams include video data, audio data, or textual information.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory retains instructions configured to perform operations further comprising monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in the separate wireless network.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory retains instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising selecting the first plurality of media streams from a program guide.

8. A communications apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a first plurality of media streams generated at an event;

means for enabling a wireless terminal to receive the first plurality of media streams broadcast over at least one media distribution system (MDS) on a wireless network in which a service provider operates a signal on a dedicated frequency inside a location of the event that is treated as a separate wireless network from a large area network, wherein the separate wireless network is substantially limited in range to the location of the event and the large area network provides a second plurality of media streams; and

means for interfacing to the first plurality of media streams in order for the wireless terminal to select a subset of the first plurality of media streams for viewing.

13. The communications apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first plurality of media streams include video data, audio data, or textual information.

14. The communications apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in the separate wireless network.

15. The communications apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for selecting the first plurality of media streams from a program guide.

9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon-computer-executable instructions configured to cause a computer to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first plurality of media streams generated at an event;

enabling a wireless terminal to receive the first plurality of media streams broadcast over at least one media distribution system (MDS) on a wireless network in which a service provider operates a signal on a dedicated frequency inside a location of the event that is treated as a separate wireless network from a large area network, wherein the separate wireless network is substantially limited in range to the location of the event and the large area network provides a second plurality of media streams; and

interfacing to the first plurality of media streams in order for the wireless terminal to select a subset of the first plurality of media streams for viewing.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first plurality of media streams include video data, audio data, or textual information.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the stored computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the computer to perform operations further comprising monitoring radio frequency (RF) allocation tables in the separate wireless network.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the stored computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the computer to perform operations further comprising selecting the first plurality of media streams from a program guide.