Method and apparatus for participating in a virtual community for viewing a remote event over a wireless network

• US 8,643,736 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Chu, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Henn, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRABHAKHER, PRITHAM DAVID
• Application Number:
  US11/771,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20080163355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,412 Days
• Field of Search: 34821199-21114, 4555561-560
• US Class Current: 348/211.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0807 using tickets, e.g. Kerberos cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using tickets or tokens H04L9/3213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561

Abstract

An approach is provided for remotely participating over a wireless network in an event. Certification information corresponding to a ticket purchased for an event is received at a proxy server. The ticket permits control, via a mobile device over a wireless network, of a remote camera to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives. The proxy server maintains a plurality of communication sessions with the mobile devices over the wireless network, wherein the communication sessions correspond to the event and provide participation in a virtual community to experience the event.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a mobile proxy server, certification information corresponding to a ticket purchased for an event, wherein the mobile proxy server interfaces with a virtual community hub and a wireless network, and the ticket permits control, via a mobile device over the wireless network, of a remote camera to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives;

using the proxy server to maintain a plurality of communication sessions with the mobile device over the wireless network, wherein the communication sessions correspond to the event and provide participation in a virtual community to experience the event;

receiving, at the mobile proxy server, a video stream of the event, the video stream including video data generated by the remote camera; and

receiving, at the mobile proxy server, control signals from the mobile device to transmit a fragment of the video stream to one or more other mobile devices.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an application to the mobile device for supporting the plurality of communication sessions,

wherein, the mobile proxy server is configured to alter display formats for the mobile device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the application includes an applet that is configured to provide a communication session that simulates multiple simultaneous sessions.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a security association with the mobile device via an authentication server for duration of the participation in the virtual community,

wherein the authentication server resides in an unshared secured network.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing display parameters associated with the mobile device in a profile of the mobile device; and

converting, at the mobile proxy server, the video stream to output a formatted stream according to the profile of the mobile device, the formatted stream being transmitted over one of the communication sessions, another one of the communication sessions includes an instant messaging session or an electronic mail message,

wherein the profile specifies display size and display resolution.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

converting, at the mobile proxy server, the fragment of the video stream to output a formatted stream according to one or more profiles of the one or more other mobile devices,

wherein the wireless network is a cellular network.

7. A method according to claim 1,

wherein the mobile proxy server includes a media format converter and device profile database, the device profile database is configured to store device profiles for the mobile device and the one or more other mobile devices, and

wherein the mobile proxy server resides in a shared customer network.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the remote camera is among a plurality of cameras installed within an arena hosting the event, and the remote camera is controlled indirectly.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store instructions to execute the method of claim 1.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive certification information corresponding to a ticket purchased for an event, a video stream corresponding to the event, and control signals from a mobile device to transmit a fragment of the video stream to one or more other mobile devices, the communication interface further configured to interface with a virtual community hub and a wireless network, wherein the ticket permits control, via the mobile device over the wireless network, of a remote camera to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives, and wherein the video stream includes video data generated by the remote camera; and

a session controller coupled to the communication interface and configured to maintain a plurality of communication sessions with the mobile device over the wireless network, wherein the communication sessions correspond to the event and provide participation in a virtual community to experience the event.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an application is transmitted to the mobile device for supporting the plurality of communication sessions.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the application includes an applet that is configured to provide a communication session that simulates multiple simultaneous sessions.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a security association is established with the mobile device via an authentication server for duration of the participation in the virtual community, and wherein the authentication server resides in an unshared secured network.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a profile database configured to store a profile of the mobile device, wherein the profile specifies display size and display resolution; and

a media format converter configured to receive a video stream corresponding to the event and to convert the video stream to output a formatted stream according to the profile,

wherein the formatted stream is transmitted over one of the communication sessions, and another one of the communication sessions includes an instant messaging session or an electronic mail message.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the remote camera is among a plurality of cameras installed within an arena hosting the event.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the remote camera is controlled indirectly.

18. A method comprising:

communicating with a proxy server, over a wireless network, to participate in a virtual community for experiencing an event;

downloading, from the proxy server, an application for establishing a plurality of communication sessions with the proxy server, the plurality of communication sessions corresponding to the event, and wherein the proxy server is configured to receive a video stream corresponding to the event and to convert the video stream to output a formatted stream according to a profile of a mobile device, and the video stream includes video data generated by the remote camera;

executing the application for controlling via the proxy server a remote camera to view the event from a plurality of viewing perspectives,

receiving, at a mobile device, the formatted stream; and

transmitting, to the proxy server, control signals to transmit a fragment of the video stream to one or more other devices.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:

transmitting, to the proxy server, certification information corresponding to a ticket purchased for the event, wherein the certification information includes a digital certificate.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the formatted stream is transmitted over one of the communication sessions, another one of the communication sessions includes an instant messaging session or an electronic mail message, and the profile specifies display size and display resolution.