System and method for transmitting information to subscriber communication units at events

• US 7,751,810 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2006
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Bernoske, Daniel Thomas, Celentano, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; CongVan
• Application Number:
  US11/385,394
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420, 455/403, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/3.01, 455/414.1, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

A system and method of transmitting multimedia data related to an event to the wireless communication units of the event attendees. The multimedia data may be broadcasted on a plurality of channels. For example, multimedia data generated from different cameras across the event venue may be placed on multiple channels. Attendees using mobile communication units may tune to any channel in order to view the event performances from the perspective of the selected camera. Also disclosed is a method of provisioning a mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services at an event. In this regard, a user purchases or rents a mobile communication unit containing a unique identifier residing in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The user also purchases for receiving wireless communication services for a particular event. A provisioning device at the event venue reads the identifier from the RFID tag to provision the mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a network;

one or more content sources adapted to generate multimedia data, wherein said one or more content sources are coupled to said network;

one or more base stations adapted to wirelessly broadcast said multimedia data, wherein said one or more base stations are coupled to said network; and

a provisioning device comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader adapted to read an identifier from an RHD tag present in said mobile communication unit, wherein the provisioning device is adapted to compare said identifier to provisioning information to determine whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said provisioning information is stored in a local memory of said provisioning device.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1, further comprising a local provisioning server containing provisioning information, wherein said local provisioning server is coupled to said network.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 3, wherein said provisioning device is adapted to:

send a request to provision said mobile communication unit to said local provisioning server by way of said network, wherein said request includes said identifier; and

receive a response to said request from said local provisioning server by way of said network, wherein said response indicates whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1, further comprising an external network interface coupled to said network and an external network.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein said provisioning device is adapted to:

send a request to provision said mobile communication unit to an external provisioning server by way of said network, said external network interface, and said external network, wherein said request includes said identifier; and

receive a response to said request from said external provisioning server by way of said external network, external network interface and network, wherein said response indicates whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said provisioning device is adapted to enable said mobile communication unit to receive said broadcast multimedia data.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 1, further comprising a content server coupled to said network, wherein said content server is adapted to:

receive said multimedia data from said one or more content sources by way of said network;

configure said multimedia data for transmission by way of a plurality of channels; and

send said configured multimedia data to said one or more base stations by way of said network.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 1, further comprising an external network interface coupled to said network, wherein said external network interface is adapted to receive provisioning information from an external provisioning server by way of an external network.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein said external network interface is adapted to send said provisioning information to said provisioning device by way of said network.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein said external network interface is adapted to send said provisioning information to a local provisioning server by way of said network.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said system is located at or approximate an event venue.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said one or more content sources comprises a video camera, a still picture camera, a microphone, and/or a data storage device.

14. A method, comprising:

reading an identifier, by a provisioning device, from a mobile communication unit, wherein said identifier is read from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of said mobile communication unit;

determining whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive broadcast multimedia data by comparing said identifier to provisioning information; and

enabling said mobile communication unit to receive said multimedia data, by said provisioning device, if it is determined that said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein determining whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned comprises accessing said provisioning information stored in a local database.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein determining whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned comprises:

sending said identifier to a provisioning server; and

receiving information as to whether said mobile communication unit is provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data from said provisioning server.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising broadcasting said multimedia data.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said multimedia data is broadcasted on a plurality of channels.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving payment for a purchase or rental of said mobile communication unit.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving payment for said mobile communication unit (MU) to be provisioned to receive said broadcast multimedia data.