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

• US 20050210512A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Mark A., Anderson, Geoffrey L., Anderson, Tazwell L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 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 content for access by a portable device at an event, the system comprising:

an interface to receive signals from a plurality of sources, the plurality of sources located at an event and remote from the event, the signals defining event content and non-event content;

a processor for processing the received signals to generate combined signals based upon the received signals from the plurality of sources; and

a transmitter for transmitting to a plurality of portable devices at the event the combined signals, the combined signals configured to allow a user to select content using the portable device receiving the combined signals.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a monitoring system configured to view content from the plurality of sources.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the monitoring system comprises at least one display for viewing the content.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a quality control system configured to determine a quality level for the received signals.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the quality control system comprises at least one signal analyzer configured to determine a level of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for the received signals.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one multiplexer configured to combine the received signals.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of sources comprises at least one of over air television, event cameras, AM/FM radio, satellite, VCR/DVD, cable television, satellite television, and Internet.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to select signals to combine based on signal selection criteria.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the signal selection criteria is based on one of (i) spectator or regional preferences, (ii) a geographic location of a source of the signals, and (iii) predetermined criteria.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the signal selection criteria is based on at least one of time of day, type of event and content variety.

11. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the signal comprises at least one audio signal and one video signal.

12. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of frequency modulators configured to modulate the received signals on different frequencies.

13. A method for providing content for access by a portable device at an event, the method comprising:

receiving at an event a plurality of signals from a plurality of sources, the plurality of signals defining event content and non-event content;

determining received signals to combine to define at least one combined signal; and

broadcasting the at least one combined signal at the event, the at least one combined signal configured to be received by at least one portable device.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the signals comprise at least one of audio and video signals.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the broadcast signals are configured to allow selection of content by the at least one portable device.

16. A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising selecting additional content to include in the at least one combined signal.

17. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the determining comprises selecting signals to combine 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, and (iii) predetermined criteria.

18. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the plurality of sources are located at the event and remote from the event.

19. A method for providing content for access by a user at an event, the method comprising:

receiving via a portable device event content and non-event content defined by at least one signal combined from a plurality of signals from a plurality of sources; and

outputting at least one of video and audio content based upon at the at least one signal.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the event content and non-event content are selected based on user defined selection criteria.