Electronic handheld audio/video receiver and listening/viewing device

• US 20060174297A1
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Immersion Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Mark A., Anderson, Geoffrey L., Anderson, Tazwell L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/630,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20060174297A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• 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 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4394 involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A handheld device in connection with an audio/video system receives and processes video and/or audio signals and displays images to a user or produces sound audible to user. The handheld device may provide for capturing and storing images or continuous video. The handheld also may provide for enhanced viewing of the event using an optics system.

Claims

1. A portable device, comprising:

a receiver for receiving video signals relating to an event;

a viewing system configured to provide event content for viewing based upon at least one of the video signals selected by a user; and

a memory component configured to store event content.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive audio signals relating to the event, and further comprising an audio component configured to provide event content for listening based upon at least one of the audio signals selected by a user.

3. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the video and audio signals are transmitted for reception only at the event.

4. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the video and audio signals further comprise non-event related content.

5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the memory component is configured for access to view the stored event content on the display.

6. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the memory component is configured to allow for downloading of the stored event content to an external device.

7. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the memory component is configured for removable connection to the portable device.

8. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a processor for controlling operation in a plurality of modes.

9. The portable device of claim 2, further comprising a processor for controlling operation in a plurality of modes, wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least one of video or television viewer, radio, binocular viewer, digital camera and camcorder.

10. The portable device of claim 2, further comprising a housing having a user input for selecting one of a plurality of the modes of operation, wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least one of video or television viewer, radio, binocular viewer, digital camera and camcorder.

11. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising an optics system having first and second lens assemblies provided as part of a housing to capture images of the event.

12. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising an optics system having first and second lens assemblies provided as part of a housing to capture images of the event, the optics system configured to provide a plurality of magnified modes of operation.

13. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising an optics system having first and second lens assemblies provided as part of a housing to capture images of the event, the first and second lens assemblies comprising a charge coupled device and the optics system configured to provide a plurality of magnified modes of operation.

14. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power supply.

15. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a removable power supply.

16. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the video and audio signals on a plurality of frequencies.

17. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the video and audio signals using a plurality of transmission protocols.

18. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the video and audio signals only when authorized.

19. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the video and audio signals only when authorized, the authorization based upon a unique code associated with a portable device.

20. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the display is configured for viewing by a user when engaged with the user'"'"'s face.

21. A portable event entertainment device, comprising:

a receiver for receiving video and audio signals relating to an event, the video and audio signals defining images and sounds of the event and transmitted for reception at the event;

a display configured to allow viewing the images of the event based upon at least one received video signal selected by a user;

an audio system configured to allow listening to the sounds of the event based upon at least one received audio signal selected by a user;

an optics system configured to allow viewing of the event;

a processor for controlling operation in a plurality of modes, wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least one of video or television viewer, radio, binocular viewer, digital camera and camcorder; and

a memory component configured to store images and sounds of the event.

22. The portable event entertainment device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to provide conditional access to the event content based upon a unique access code.

23. The portable event entertainment device of claim 21, further comprising a user input selectably operable by a user to control the images and sounds provided to the display and audio system.

24. The portable event entertainment device of claim 21, wherein the optics system comprises a lens assembly configured to provide magnified modes of operation for viewing the event.

25. An image of an event configured for display on a portable device, the image comprising:

one of (i) one or more video signals transmitted at the event and (ii) captured images at the event, the video signals and captured images selectable by a user for display and provided using one of a plurality of modes of operation, the plurality of modes of operation including video or television viewer, radio, binocular viewer, digital camera and camcorder.