System and method for providing event spectators with audio/video signals pertaining to remote events

• US RE46,360 E1
• Filed: 01/09/2015
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Anderson, Jr., Tazwell L., Anderson, Geoffrey L., Wood, Mark A., Kniskern, Robert J., Steele, Todd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MINH DIEU T
• Application Number:
  US14/593,895
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 29/06027 Protocols for multimedia communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4076 Multicast or broadcast data switching systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; analog television systems in general H04N7/00; creating video channels for a dedicated end-user group H04N21/2668; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage of broadcast information H04H60/00; arrangements for push based network services H04L67/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/605 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2223 being a public access point, e.g. for downloading to or uploading from clients arrangements specially adapted to plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2365 Multiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/4347 Demultiplexing of several video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6137 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A system and method for providing content for access by a portable device at an event are provided. The system includes an interface to receive signals from a plurality of sources. The plurality of sources are located at an event and remote from the event. The signals define event content and non-event content. The system further includes a processor for processing the received signals to generate combined signals based upon the received signals from the plurality of sources. The system also includes a transmitter for transmitting to a plurality of portable devices at the event the combined signals. The combined signals are configured to allow a user to select content using the portable device receiving the combined signals.

Claims

1. A system for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the system configured to communicate with at least one facility that receives video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type, the system comprising:

multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

a control unit configured to receive an input indicative of a viewing preference of a first user, the first user located in a first coverage area of a first antenna from the multiple antenna, the viewing preference indicating that the user desires to access a remote entertainment event, the remote entertainment event being remote from the first user and the first coverage area;

the control unit configured to designate the first antenna to receive the video signal associated with the remote entertainment event indicated by the viewing preference; and

a router capable of routing a first video signal, associated with the remote entertainment event, to the first antenna;

the first antenna configured to wirelessly transmit first video signal to at least a first portable device within a corresponding first coverage area, the first video signal configured to allow the user to view the event content on the first portable device; and

an access control unit configured to provide conditional access to the video signals such that only authorized portable devices are permitted to display the video event content.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the router routes first video event content to at least a first antenna and second video event content to at least a second antenna, the first and second antenna defining WiFi nodes at a first entertainment event.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the corresponding coverage areas include a stadium where a first entertainment event occurs.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is located proximate to a stadium where a local entertainment event is occurring and a second antenna is located remote from the local entertainment event, the first and second antenna transmitting local event content.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein sources comprise at least one of over air television, event cameras, AM/FM radio, satellite, VCR/DVD, cable television, satellite television, and Internet.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to designate antenna of a cellular network to receive the video signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to designate a plurality of the antenna to receive the video signal.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a modulator configured to modulate multiple video signals on different channels.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portable device represents a cellular phone and the first antenna communicates with the cellular phone.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit designates that each of multiple antenna are to receive the video signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a type of communication link to be used to transmit the video signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein a first antenna is located proximate to a stadium where a local entertainment event is occurring and a second antenna is located remote from the local entertainment event, the first and second antenna transmitting local event content.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit receives a request from the first portable device regarding which event content the user desires to watch.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a type of communication link to be used to transmit the video signal.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the antenna are configured to service coverage areas remote from the entertainment event and are configured to wirelessly transmit the video signal to cellular telephones while at locations other than at the entertainment event.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the at least one antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the video signal includes real-time video event content from a live entertainment event and recorded video event content from a prior entertainment event, where the live and prior entertainment events are a same type of event.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna and first portable device communicate through WiFi communications.

19. The system of claim 1, where the first antenna defines a WiFi node with the corresponding coverage area at a first entertainment event, the video signal including the event content associated with the first entertainment event.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a user request for user specified event content, the router routing the video signal to the user in response to the user specified event content.

69. The system of claim 1, wherein the first video signal represents real-time video event content from the remote entertainment event.

21. A method for routing entertainment event content to a portable device from a system that receives video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type, the method comprising:

connecting to multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

receiving an input indicative of a viewing preference of a first user located in a first coverage area of a first antenna from the multiple antenna, the viewing preference indicating that the user desires to access a remote entertainment event, the remote entertainment event occurring at a location that is remote from the first user and the first coverage area;

designating the first antenna to receive the video signal associated with the remote entertainment event indicated by the viewing preference; and

routing a first video signal, associated with the remote entertainment event, to the first antenna;

providing conditional access to the video signal such that only authorized portable devices are permitted to display the event content;

wirelessly transmitting, from the first antenna, the video signal to at least a first portable device within the coverage area of the first antenna; and

configuring the video signal to allow a user of the first portable device to view the event content on the first portable device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the routing includes routing first video event content to at least the first antenna and routing second video event content to at least a second antenna.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the antenna are located to service corresponding coverage areas within a stadium where a first entertainment event occurs.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising wirelessly transmitting a first video signal to a first portable device in response to a user request.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the antenna are configured to service coverage areas remote from the entertainment event and are configured to wirelessly transmit the video signal to cellular telephones while at locations other than at the entertainment event.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the at least one antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the video signal includes video event content from a first video source at a live entertainment event and audio event content from a first audio source at the live entertainment event.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the antenna and first portable device communicate through WiFi communications.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the first antenna defines a WiFi node with the corresponding coverage area at a first entertainment event, the video signal including the event content associated with the first entertainment event.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving a user request for user specified event content and routing the video signal to the user in responses to the user specified event content.

70. The method of claim 21, wherein the first video signal represents real-time video event content from the remote entertainment event.

31. A system for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the system comprising:

inputs configured to receive video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type;

a processor configured to receive inputs indicative of viewing preferences of users indicating which of the remote entertainments the users desire to view;

multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another, the multiple antenna including at least a first antenna configured to wirelessly transmit a first video signal to at least a first portable device within a corresponding coverage area for a first user to view the corresponding event content on the first portable device;

an access control unit configured to provide conditional access to the video signal such that only authorized portable devices are permitted to display the video event content;

a control unit configured to designate which of the multiple antenna represents the first antenna to receive the first video signal; and

a router capable of routing the first video signal to the first antenna that was designated to receive the first video signal.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the antenna are configured to wirelessly transmit the video signal to cellular telephones while at locations other than at an entertainment event.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the antenna are configured to wirelessly transmit the video signal to portable devices while at home.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the antenna wirelessly transmit real-time video event content from a live entertainment event and recorded event content from a prerecorded prior entertainment event.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the control unit receives a request from the first portable device regarding which event content the user desires to watch.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the inputs receive the event content associated with a plurality of entertainment events.

37. The system of claim 31, further comprising logic configured to generate first and second video signals, the first video signal including video event content from a live entertainment event, the second channel and second video signal including stored video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the first antenna is located proximate to a stadium where a local entertainment event is occurring and a second antenna is located remote from the local entertainment event, the first and second antenna transmitting local event content.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the video event content is from at least one of over air television, event cameras, AM/FM radio, satellite, VCR/DVD, cable television, satellite television, and Internet.

40. The system of claim 31, further comprising a mixer configured to select signals to combine based on signal selection criteria, the signal selection criteria based on at least one of (i) spectator or regional preferences, (ii) a geographic location of a source of the signals, (iii) predetermined criteria, (iv) time of day, (v) type of event and (vi) content variety.

41. The system of claim 31, further comprising content insertion control logic configured to insert, into the video signal, non-event content including at least one of advertisements and commercials.

42. The system of claim 31, wherein the first portable device represents a cellular phone and antenna represent a cellular telecommunications network.

43. The system of claim 31, wherein the video signal includes scores and statistics.

44. The system of claim 31, further comprising logic configured to include, in the video signal, video event content from a live entertainment event and stored video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

45. The system of claim 31, wherein the mixer is configured to include, in the video signal, video event content from a live entertainment event and stored video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

71. The system of claim 31, wherein the first video signal represents real-time video event content from the remote entertainment event.

46. A method for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the method comprising:

receiving video signals defining video event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type;

receiving inputs indicative of viewing preferences of users indicating which of the remote entertainments the users desire to view;

connecting to a system having multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

providing conditional access to the video signal such that only authorized portable devices are permitted to display the video event content;

designating which of the antenna are to receive the video signals based on the viewing preferences;

routing the video signals to one or more of the corresponding antenna that are designated to receive the video signals; and

wirelessly transmitting, from the designated antenna, a first video signal to at least a first portable device.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of the antenna are configured to service coverage areas remote from the entertainment event and are configured to wirelessly transmit the combined signal to cellular telephones while at locations other than at the entertainment event.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein at least one antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the at least one antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the video signal includes real-time video event content from a live entertainment event and recorded video event content from a prior entertainment event, where the live and prior entertainment events are a same type of event.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the antenna and first portable device communicate through WIFi communications.

51. The method of claim 46, further comprising categorizing the video event content based upon one of a geographic location of the corresponding entertainment event and a type of the entertainment event.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein one of the coverage areas includes a stadium where a first entertainment event occurs.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein the processing operation to generate the video signal comprises:

generating a first channel, carrying video event content from a live entertainment event; and

generating a second channel, carrying video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

54. The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving the video event content from a plurality of entertainment events.

55. The method of claim 46, further comprising selecting recorded video event content from a prerecorded prior entertainment event to include in the video signal.

56. The method of claim 46, wherein the processing comprises selecting video signals based on signal selection criteria including at least one of (i) spectator or regional preferences, (ii) a geographic location of a source of the signals, (iii) predetermined criteria, (iv) time of day, (v) type of event and (vi) content variety.

57. The method of claim 46, wherein the connecting includes utilizing a high speed communications link to convey the at least one video signal to the antenna.

58. The method of claim 46, wherein the portable devices represent cellular phones and the antenna represent a cellular or telecommunications network.

59. The method of claim 46, wherein the portable devices represent cellular phones and the antenna communicate with the cellular phones.

60. The method of claim 46, wherein a control logic designates that each of multiple antenna are to receive the video signal.

61. The method of claim 46, further comprising determining a type of communication link to be used to transmit the video signal.

62. The method of claim 46, wherein the video signal includes scores and statistics.

63. The method of claim 46, further comprising logic configured to include, in the video signal, video event content from a live entertainment event and stored video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

64. The method of claim 46, wherein a mixer is configured to include, in the video signal, video event content from a live entertainment event and stored video event content from at least one prerecorded entertainment event.

72. The method of claim 46, wherein the first video signal represents real-time video event content from the remote entertainment event.

65. A system for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the system configured to communicate with at least one facility that receives video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type, the system comprising:

multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

a control unit configured to receive an input indicative of a viewing preference of a first user, the first user located in a first coverage area of a first antenna from the multiple antenna, the viewing preference indicating that the user desires to access a remote entertainment event, the remote entertainment event being remote from the first user and the first coverage area;

the control unit configured to designate the first antenna to receive the video signal associated with the remote entertainment event indicated by the viewing preference; and

a router capable of routing a first video signal, associated with the remote entertainment event, to the first antenna; and

the first antenna configured to wirelessly transmit first video signal to at least a first portable device within a corresponding first coverage area, the first video signal configured to allow the user to view the event content on the first portable device;

wherein the first antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the first antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

66. A method for routing entertainment event content to a portable device from a system that receives video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type, the method comprising:

connecting to multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

receiving an input indicative of a viewing preference of a first user located in a first coverage area of a first antenna from the multiple antenna, the viewing preference indicating that the user desires a remote entertainment event, the remote entertainment event occurring at a location that is remote from the user and the first coverage area;

designating the first antenna to receive the video signal associated with the remote entertainment event indicated by the viewing preference;

routing a first video signal, associated with the remote entertainment event, to the first antenna;

wirelessly transmitting, from the first antenna, the video signal to at least a first portable device within the coverage area of the first antenna; and

configuring the video signal to allow a user of the first portable device to view the event content on the first portable device;

wherein the first antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the first antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

67. A system for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the system comprising:

inputs configured to receive video signals defining event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type;

a processor configured to receive inputs indicative of viewing preferences of users indicating which of the remote entertainments the users desire to view;

multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another, the multiple antenna including at least a first antenna configured to wirelessly transmit a first video signal to at least a first portable device within a corresponding coverage area for a first user to view the corresponding event content on the first portable device;

a control unit configured to designate which of the multiple antenna represents the first antenna to receive the first video signal; and

a router capable of routing the first video signal to the first antenna that was designated to receive the first video signal,

wherein the first antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the first antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.

68. A method for providing entertainment event content to a portable device, the method comprising:

receiving video signals defining video event content associated with multiple entertainment events of a similar type;

receiving inputs indicative of viewing preferences of users indicating which of the remote entertainments the users desire to view;

connecting to a system having multiple antenna located to service different coverage areas that are located remotely from one another;

designating which of the antenna are to receive the video signals based on the viewing preferences;

routing the video signals to one or more of the corresponding antenna that are designated to receive the video signals; and

wirelessly transmitting, from the designated antenna, a first video signal to at least a first portable device,

wherein the designated antenna is configured to service a coverage area at a first entertainment event and the designated antenna is configured to support active two-way communication with the first portable device through which the user actively makes a request for the video signal from the system.