Title: Wireless sports view display and business method of use
Abstract: An on-location local multicast distribution system and business method therefor. Contemporaneous information is continuously provided to a local distribution unit on a particular event (e.g., a NASCAR race) from multiple input devices, such as video cameras and microphones. The distribution unit simultaneously transmits audio, video and event specific information to multiple uniquely identifiable output devices, each in the hands of a registered attendee. The input devices are in wireless Communication with the distribution unit and the distribution unit is in wireless Communication with the output devices. The uniquely identifiable output devices include a display such as a liquid crystal display and may be for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA). Registered attendees may selecting which of the multiple inputs are received. For an auto race the local distribution unit provides audio and video feeds from pit crews, race cars and individual driver and race car statistics to individual attendees as selected.
Patent Number: 6,952,558 Issued on 10/04/2005 to Hardacker
| Inventors:
|
Hardacker; Robert L. (Escondido, CA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Sony Corporation (Tokyo, JP);
Sony Electronics, Inc. (Park Ridge, NJ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
785205 |
| Filed:
|
February 20, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
455/3.06; 340/825.36; 348/553; 348/559; 455/414.1 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04H 007/00 |
| Field of Search: |
455/4141-4143,414.4,306,517
348/553,559
340/825.36
725/36,45,51,64
705/26,67,75,76
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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| |
| 5513384 | Apr., 1996 | Brennan et al.
| |
| 5663717 | Sep., 1997 | DeLuca.
| |
| 5729280 | Mar., 1998 | Inoue et al.
| |
| 5842010 | Nov., 1998 | Jain et al.
| |
| 5870030 | Feb., 1999 | DeLuca et al.
| |
| 5884262 | Mar., 1999 | Wise et al.
| |
| 5969715 | Oct., 1999 | Dougherty et al.
| |
| 5982520 | Nov., 1999 | Weiser et al.
| |
| 6073171 | Jun., 2000 | Gaughan et al.
| |
| 6085101 | Jul., 2000 | Jain et al.
| |
| 6434398 | Aug., 2002 | Inselberg.
| |
| 6728518 | Apr., 2004 | Scrivens et al.
| |
| 2002/0063799 | May., 2002 | Ortiz et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: D'Agosta; Stephen M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lebens; Thomas F., Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
Claims
1. A method of doing businesses, comprising:
selectively registering fans at a sporting event;
selectively renting viewers to registered fans;
retrieving a unique viewer address from the viewers rented to registered fans;
providing multiple streams of multimedia data to registered viewers, at least
one multimedia stream including live transmissions;
retrieving rented viewers from registered fans at the end of said sporting event;
wherein as each fan registers said registering fan pays a fee for receiving said
multimedia streams; and
wherein registered fans order concessions from registered viewers, ordered concessions
being charged to a provided credit card number.
2. A method of doing businesses as in claim 1, wherein said ordered concessions
are delivered to corresponding ordering fans.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to distributing event information to
attendees at the event and, more particularly, to distributing audio and video
to auto racing fans attending an auto race.
2. Background Description
Short range wireless is used, currently, for selective communication during
sporting events. NASCAR drivers use short range wireless to communicate with their
pit crews during races, for example. In addition, fans and spectators attending
races are allowed, for a small fee, to listen in on these conversations using specially-equipped
radio receiver headsets that are programmed to the same wireless frequencies used
by the drivers and their pit crews. Some fans may rent and others may own the headsets
and, their racing experience is enhanced by listening to ongoing live conversations.
This service allows fans to participate more fully in the event.
Often, at the same events, television broadcasters employ multiple cameras,
video feeds from each are selected, individually, by a director located in a local
broadcast van, for example. The selected video feed is uplinked to a home station
and subsequently broadcast. Some of these cameras may be strategically placed,
e.g., on board participating race cars. These on-board cameras have become ubiquitous
within the sports broadcast industry and especially for auto racing, adding still
another "in-car" perspective.
On-board, "seat-back" fixed cameras and in-car microphone installations,
by their nature, have higher initial installation costs and rely upon being used
at multiple events at the same fixed venue, e.g., the racetrack, to recover the
initial investments. Since initial costs are amortized over use, how quickly each
of these installations become profitable depends upon the frequency of events (races)
at the particular venue (track). Other closed-circuit monitors sometimes may be
installed in executive suites, lounges, etc. These monitors may offer a wide viewing
selection but, have limited sports facility viewership and, so, have a restricted
or limited return on investment.
Usually, attendees of typical live sporting events are limited to a single
perspective. As is evident from the success of sports business ventures, such as
baseball camp, many fans would willingly pay additional money to further enhance
their sporting event experience. Also, since fans attending an event clearly have
some interests in common, advertisers can benefit from getting ads to the fans'
attention, as can be seen from the abundance of brand names displayed around each
event, e.g., on race cars, on driver and crew apparel, etc.
Thus, there is a need for improving distribution of audio and video, as well
as, event related information to attendees at sporting events.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to improve the experience
of
attendees at sporting events;
It is another purpose of the present invention to enhance information that is
provided to fans at auto races;
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to provide auto race fans
with
selectable live audio, live video and data feeds at the race track during auto races.
The present invention is a local multicast entertainment system and business
method for entertainment events and in particular sporting events such as auto
races. Strategically placed cameras and microphones stream video and audio, which
is received by a system redistribution server. Wireless personal digital assistants
(PDA) or, semi-dumb "PDA-like" devices, each equipped with a display and 2-way
transmission capabilities, receive wireless feeds of selectable contemporaneously
available multimedia data from a local multicast system server. The multicast system
simutaneously provides downstream data, audio, video, and advertisements to the
viewer devices, while receiving devices send upstream data to the service provider.
Upstream data includes, for example, payment authorization as well as requests
for information to be displayed on the device. Downstream data may include statistics
on drivers, players, teams, cars, venue, record holders, etc., and may be extracted
from a database and provided upon request. The database may be located locally
at the multicast server or, located on a remotely connected server, for example,
connected over the Inernet. Also, on-screen advertising time can be sold to advertisers
for an additional revenue stream and/or to subsidize viewer rental. Participating
advertisers may include venue-specific concessionaires for food, drink, memorabilia,
etc., and also may include local/regional/national vendors with a targeted audience.
Advantageously, the portability of cameras and terminal devices of
the present invention allows these devices to be used almost anywhere, being passed
from venue to venue like other concessions at these types of events. Participating
users or fans are provided on-demand access to different camera angles, audio sources
and related information from the database. Thus, fans are provided with a substantially
enhanced (sporting) event experience. Significant additional revenue may be derived
from viewer rental, service participation (subscription) fees and on-screen advertising.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood
from the following detailed preferred embodiment description with reference to
the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment local multicast entertainment system;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method of doing business according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, FIG. 1 shows a preferred
embodiment local multicast entertainment system
100 according to the present
invention. The local multicast system
100 includes one or more transceivers/servers
which are distribution units
102 receiving and redistributing local audio
and video signals. Strategically placed video cameras
104,
106,
108
and microphones
110,
112,
114 stream local video and audio
to the distribution unit
102. Streaming video and audio are redistributed
by the distribution unit to authorized viewers or display devices
116,
118,
120,
122. Each uniquely identifiable display device
116,
118,
120,
122 receives selected audio and video streams from the distribution
unit
102. Preferably, video cameras
104,
106,
108,
microphones
110,
112,
114 and display devices
116,
118,
120,
122 are in wireless communication with the distribution
unit
102.
The system and method of the present invention may be used at large entertainment
events, especially sporting events such as, for example, NASCAR racing, motorcycle
racing, concerts, political conventions or any event where cameras and microphones
may be strategically located. When used at a NASCAR race, cameras
104,
106,
108 and microphones
110,
112,
114 may be placed for
example, in various race cars, in the pits, or anywhere else that may be appropriate,
i.e., where audio/video is collected and distributed over a closed circuit network
or otherwise rebroadcast. Also, on-screen advertising time can be sold to advertisers
for an additional revenue stream and/or to subsidize viewer rental. Participating
advertisers may include venue-specific concessionaires for food, drink, memorabilia,
etc., and also may include local/regional/national vendors with a targeted audience.
Each distribution unit
102 is a local multicast system server receiving
and transmitting wireless feeds of contemporaneously available multimedia data
that are selectively provided to authorized display devices
116,
118,
120 and
122. So, the distribution unit
102 provides downstream
data, audio, video, and advertisements to the display devices
116,
118,
120,
122, which return upstream data to the server. Downstream data
may include statistics on drivers, players, teams, cars, venue, record holders,
etc., and may be extracted from a database and provided upon request. The database
may be local at the multicast server
102 or, located on a remotely connected
(not shown) server, for example, connected over the Internet. Upstream data includes,
for example, payment authorization as well as requests for information to be displayed
on the device
116,
118,
120,
122.
Accordingly, each display device
116,
118,
120,
122 is 2-way wireless transmission capable, has audio capability and may
include a lightweight video display, such as a flat panel display or liquid crystal
diode (LCD) display. The display devices
116,
118,
120,
122
may include wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), e.g. operating in client
mode, and special purpose display devices, each of which is similar to a PDA, but
does not necessarily include all of the function of a PDA. The display devices
116,
118,
120,
122, each include a data or command
entry function to provide information selection and requests to the transceiver.
Data entry may be with a stylus applied to a touch screen, by pressing buttons
(not shown), through voice commands or, by any other appropriate data entry function.
Since less intelligence is required than is normally found in a PDA, a less
complex display unit
118,
120,
122 may be employed. Multicast
communication between the display devices
116,
118,
120,
122
and the distribution unit
102 may be based on the IEEE 802.11 wireless local
area network (LAN) specification. If desired, any other suitable similar communication
standard or proprietary implementation may be substituted such as, for example,
Bluetooth. However, the state-of-the-art IEEE 802.11a wireless LAN specification
has distinct performance advantages over Bluetooth, in particular its data rate,
the number of available simultaneous channels and currently available off the shelf
network hardware.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method of doing business
130 according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. First in step
132,
fans, interested in receiving streaming multimedia feeds during the event, e.g.,
the NASCAR race, register and, optionally, a registration fee may be collected.
In step
134, fans that do not own viewers or display devices
116,
118,
120,
122 are afforded an opportunity to rent one. Equipment
(display device) rentals may be secured in step
136 with a cash deposit
or, preferably, by credit card to cover the potential loss of display devices
116,
118,
120,
122 that may not be returned at the end of an event.
Additionally, where a credit card is used to secure the display device, on-site
purchases (e.g., memorabilia, concessions, etc.) can be made, interactively, without
requiring transmission of additional personal information.
Next, in step
138 a unique address is retrieved from registered fans
for each display device
116,
118,
120,
122, rented
or owned. For identification within the system, each display device
116,
118,
120,
122 has an unique Internet protocol (IP) like address
or identification tag, which is provided to the multicast service provider upon
registration. The distribution unit
102 passes data and multimedia feeds
only to registered users, typically, paying customers. For authentication, a typical
state-of-the art public/private key encryption system may be used with keys being
exchanged at registration, e.g. when a fan signs in or rents a display.
Once registered and identified, each fan may select audio, video and data source
and begin receiving a multimedia data stream. So, in step
140, the distribution
unit
102 begins streaming multiple streams of multimedia data to registered
display devices. For efficiency, transmitted data is compressed, where applicable,
prior to transmission and decompressed upon receipt. The distribution unit
102
may compress the streaming audio and video using the Motion Picture Experts Group
release 4 (MPEG4) technology standard and transmit the MPEG4 data using the video
H.263 Quarter Common Interface Format (QCIF) transmission standard to transfer
data at a rate suitable for a small screen size. Optionally, full Common Interface
Format (CIF) may be used at higher data transmission rates for display on larger
flat panel displays. As noted above, the multimedia data streams include live transmissions
from the cameras
104,
106,
108 and microphones
110,
112,
114 as well as event related data (e.g., event background information
such as car and driver statistics) and advertising, if included. Once the event
is concluded, in step
142 rented displays are returned.
The preferred distribution unit
102 is a wireless communication transceiver/server
or, multicast server, capable of providing multiple short range (<100 meters)
downstream feeds of user-selected streaming audio/video at data rates greater than
one megabits per second (>1 Mbps). Short range transmission is preferred to
limit reception to the general proximity of the particular event. A modern arena
or race track extends beyond the short range (<100 meters) limitations of
the preferred state of the art wireless LAN systems. Accordingly, analogous to
a mini-cellular phone system, if necessary, multiple antennas may be included to
ensure complete radio frequency (RF) signal coverage of the entire arena or race track.
Advantageously, fans are offered on-demand contemporaneous access
to different camera angles and audio sources in addition to event related information.
Further, because of the portable nature of the multicast entertainment system
100
of the present invention, both on the client and server side, the hardware may
be used continuously, thereby accelerating initial investment recovery without
having to rely solely upon additional events at the same fixed venue. The portability
of cameras
104,
106,
108 and microphones
110,
112,
114, as well as the uniquely identifiable display devices
116,
118,
120,
122 of the present invention allows shuttling these devices
from venue to venue as is done with other concessions available at these types
of events. Further, it should be noted that a feed from a broadcaster could be
provided to authorized devices (i.e., to those customers that have paid an additional
fee) independent of such an event, and, correspondingly, the requirement of local
cameras and microphones. Thus, the service provider's initial investment is lower
than traditional seat-back or fixed venue systems, eliminating the manpower/hardware
intensive costs limited use associated with a fixed installation.
Also, equipment, service and maintenance costs can be defrayed by selling onscreen
ads to advertisers. Income from such ads provide an additional revenue stream and
also may be used to subsidize viewer rental. Participating advertisers may be large
national corporations but, also can include venue-specific concessionaires for
food, drink, memorabilia, etc. Further, customers can order advertised concessions,
paid by credit card and delivered to their seat in the stands. Also, such ads provide
local/regional/national vendors with a narrowly targeted audience.
While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those
skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
*
