1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to video and audio device programming, charging, and vending and, in particular, to a system and method for programming and charging one or more personal audio/video devices.
2. Related Art
Audio and video signals are generated from a plurality of sources during many events. For example, at an auto race, television crews usually position cameras at various locations within view of a race track. These cameras generate video signals defining views of the race track from various perspectives. In addition, microphones positioned at various locations generate audio signals defining different sounds at the auto race. For example, microphones may be located close to the race track to receive sounds produced by the vehicles participating in the race, and microphones may be located close to television commentators to receive the comments of the commentators as they observe and comment on the race.
One of the video signals and one or more of the audio signals are usually selected and combined together at a television station to form a combined video/audio signal. This signal is then modulated and transmitted so that users having a television can receive the combined signal via the television. The television demodulates the combined signal and displays an image defined by the video signal on a display screen and reproduces the sounds defined by the audio signals via speakers. Therefore, the sights and sounds of the race can be viewed and heard via the television.
In addition, one or more of the audio signals, such as audio signals defining the comments of radio commentators, are usually selected and modulated at a radio station to form a radio signal. This radio signal is then transmitted as a wireless signal so that users having radios can receive the signal via a radio. The radio demodulates the signal and reproduces the sounds defined by the radio signal via speakers.
However, users viewing and/or hearing the sights and sounds of the race via televisions and/or radios are not usually given the opportunity to select which video and/or audio signals are modulated and transmitted to the television and/or radio. Therefore, the user is only able to receive the signals modulated and transmitted to the television and/or radio, even though the user may prefer to receive the other audio and/or video signals that are generated at the auto race.
Spectators who actually attend the auto race are usually given more options to view and/or hear the sights and/or sounds of the race from different perspectives. In this regard, a plurality of monitors are usually located at particular locations in the stadium. As used herein, “stadium” shall be defined to mean any non-movable structure having a large number (i.e., thousands) of seats, wherein an event occurs at (i.e., within a close proximity of) the seats such that spectators sitting in the seats can view the event. An “event” is any occurrence viewed by a spectator.
Each monitor within the stadium receives one of the aforementioned video signals and displays an image defined by the received video signal to many of the spectators. However, the monitor does not always display a desirable perspective with respect to each spectator in the stadium, and the monitor is often not located in an inconvenient location for many of the spectators. In this regard, many of the spectators often must leave their seats (or other locations) in the stadium and go to a location where the spectators, along with other spectators, can view the monitor displaying the desired perspective. The spectators viewing the monitor often do not have control over which image is displayed by the monitor.
A way to address this need is with personal audio/video devices for use by spectators at an event or for use in association with an event. However, stadiums have varying audio and video frequencies available for use in connection with various events. Different stadiums in different geographical locations will also have different audio and video frequencies available for transmission in connection with the events.
Accordingly, there exists a need to alter or program the audio and video frequencies used by audio/video devices to ensure that one or more audio/video devices are able to receive the proper audio and video frequencies at each stadium and event. Similarly, after each use, an audio/video device may need to be charged before its next use. Accordingly, a need exists for providing and system and method for charging one or more audio/video device between uses.
The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of the prior art as discussed hereinbefore. Generally, the present invention provides a system and method for programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices such that the audio/video device or devices will be properly programmed and charged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated with an event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe the sights and sounds of the event.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cart with a securing mechanism for each of a plurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured to charge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, and programming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/video devices.
In accordance with another feature of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cart includes a control panel to allow the appropriate audio and video frequencies to be selected for programming the personal audio/video devices.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention and protected by the claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereafter in the context of auto racing applications. However, the scope of the present invention should not be so limited, and it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the principles of the present invention may be employed in the context of other applications, particularly in the context of other sporting events (e.g., football games, basketball games, baseball games, hockey matches, etc.) and at various stadiums housing the sporting events.
In other embodiments, the storage bins 28 may be other shapes, including but not limited to circular, or triangular. In the preferred embodiment, the vertical walls 30 and horizontal walls 32 defining the openings do not run the entire length of the front panel 22 and back panel 20, with separate sets of storage bins 28 on the left side 24 of the base 18 and the right side 26 of the base 18, rather than continuous storage bins 28 running the entire length of the front panel 22 and back panel 20.
At the top of the base 18 in the preferred embodiment depicted in
In the preferred embodiment, the left top panel 12 and right top panel 14 are hingedly connected to each other, and to the front storage wall 36 and rear storage wall 38, such that the left top panel 12 in the down position (
In the preferred embodiment, there is also a lock 13 for securing and/or locking the left top panel 12 to the base 18 when the left top panel 12 is in the down position, ensuring that the left top panel 12 does not open, for safety and security purposes. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, there is also a lock for securing and/or locking the right top panel 14 to the base 18 when the right top panel 14 is in the down position.
The preferred embodiment of the cart 10 depicted in
The preferred embodiment of the cart 10 depicted in
As depicted in
In the preferred embodiment, the receiver pocket 54 includes a charge/program connector 58, the charge/program receiving power from the power source of the cart 10. The charge/program connector 58 is configured to engage the audio/video device 60 when the audio/video device 60 is seated in the receiver pocket 54, such that electrical current and/or information or digital data may be transmitted between the receiver pocket 54 and the audio/video device 60.
In the preferred embodiment, the base portion 56 also includes a charge indicator light 62. The charge indicator light 62 is configured to illuminate in a first color when the audio/video device 60 is connected to the charge/program connector 58, indicating that a proper connection has been made. The charge indicator light 62 is further configured to illuminate in a second color when a proper connection has been made, and after the power source of the audio/video device 60 is fully charged.
There are also a variety of ways contemplated to select the information to be input into the audio/video device 60. For example the cart 10, in
In the preferred embodiment, the control panel 48 also includes an add to memory activator 74 and an erase from memory activator 76. The add to memory activator 74 may be activated to add a frequency selected on the channel selector 70 to the memory of one or more audio/video devices 60 contained within the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10. In the preferred embodiment, the selector wheels 72 of the channel selector 70 are manipulated by the operator to display a desired frequency. Once the desired frequency is selected on the channel selector 70, the add to memory activator 74 is activated by the operator. Upon activation of the add to memory activator 74, the frequency selected on the channel selector 70 is programmed into the memory of each audio/video device 60 that is fitted into a docking port 52 when the add to memory activator 74 is activated. In different implementations, the memory of the audio/video devices 60 may include software, hardware, and or firmware, and the programming of the memory may take place in a variety of manners that would be known to one of skill in the art.
Similarly, the erase from memory activator 76 may be activated to erase the frequency selected on the channel selector 70 from the memory of one or more audio/video devices 60 contained within the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10. In the preferred embodiment, the selector wheels 72 of the channel selector 70 are manipulated by the operator to display a desired frequency. Once the desired frequency is selected on the channel selector 70, the erase from memory activator 76 is activated by the operator. Upon activation of the erase from memory activator 76, the frequency selected on the channel selector 70 is erased from the memory of each audio/video device 60 that is fitted into a docking port 52 when the erase from memory activator 76 is activated. In different implementations, the memory of the audio/video devices 60 may include software, hardware, and or firmware, and the erasing of the memory may take place in a variety of manners that would be known to one of skill in the art.
In different embodiments, the activators may be buttons, switches or other activation devices. Similarly, in other embodiments, the channel selector 70 may be a digital pad with a display, allowing manual entry of frequencies and other information by an operator through the digital pad. In yet other embodiments, the control panel 48 could include a receiving mechanism (not shown) allowing information to be transmitted to the system 10 from a remote device, including an infra-red or other wireless device, rather than manual entry of the information on the control panel 48 itself by the operator.
The system of the preferred embodiment is capable of storing, vending, programming and/or charging audio/video devices 60. In the preferred embodiment, the system is a cart 10 to program and/or charge personal audio/video devices 60 for use in association with events at a stadium as previously disclosed in copending non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/322,411, 09/386,613, and 09/837,128, which have been incorporated herein by reference.
In this preferred embodiment, the personal audio/video devices 60 may be stored in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10 when the personal audio/video devices 60 are not being used, with the left top panel 12 (
The steerable caster wheels 44 and tow bar 46 allow the cart 10 or a plurality of carts 10 to be easily transported to different stadiums, including stadiums in different geographic locations, or to different events at the same stadium. The hingedly connected top panels 12 and 14 allow the personal audio/video devices to be displayed and/or vended to potential users at a stadium or event, if desired, by unlocking and placing the left top panel 12 and/or right top panel 14 into the open position. Similarly, the personal audio/video devices 60 may be collected from users at the conclusion of an event and stored within the cart 10 until the personal audio/video devices 60 are vended or provided to users at the next stadium or event.
In the preferred embodiment, the cart 10 further allows programming the memory of and/or charging of the power source of one or more of a plurality of personal audio/video devices 60 when each personal audio/video device 60 is placed in a receiver pocket 54 in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10. As depicted in
When placed in the receiver pocket 54, the personal audio/video device 60 engages the charge/program connector 58 contained within the preferred docking port 52, establishing a connection. The charge/program connector 58 allows electric current to flow between cart 10 and the personal audio/video device 60, charging the power source of the personal audio/video device 60. Additionally, the charge/program connector 58 in the preferred embodiment is controlled by logic allowing communication of information and/or data between the cart 10 and the personal audio/video devices 60. In the preferred embodiment, the logic is contained on a charge/program printed circuit board (“PCB”) 64.
When one or more personal audio/video devices 60 are placed in the receiver pocket 54 and engage the charge/program connector 58, the power source of one or more personal audio/video device 60 may be charged through the charge/program connector 58 while the personal audio/video devices 60 are being stored in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10. In the preferred embodiment, each docking port 52 contains a charge indicator light 62 to indicate when the personal audio/video device 60 is properly seated in the docking port 52, such that the personal audio/video devices 60 is engaged with the charge/program connector 58.
The charge indicator light 62 in the preferred embodiment is an LED light which illuminates a first color when the personal audio/video device 60 is properly seated in the docking port 52, and the power source of the personal audio/video device 60 is being charged through the charge/program connector 58. In the preferred embodiment, the charge/program PCB 64 contains logic to detect when the power source of a personal audio/video device 60 is fully charged. When the power source of a personal audio/video device 60 is fully charged, the charge indicator light 62 for the docking port 52 containing the fully charged personal audio/video device 60 illuminates a second color indicating a proper connection, and that the personal audio/video device 60 is fully charged.
Further, in the preferred embodiment, the charge/program PCB 64 contains logic to enable only some of a plurality of personal audio/video devices 60 to be charged if desired. In this embodiment, less than all of the plurality of personal audio/video devices 60 contained in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10 may be charged, and any combination of the plurality of personal audio/video devices 60 may be selected for charging if desired, with the remaining unselected personal audio/video devices 60 not being charged through the charge/program connector 58.
Additionally, the logic, contained in the charge/program PCB 64 of the preferred embodiment, allows the memory of the personal audio/video devices 60 to be “programmed” with various information desired.
In one embodiment, the information “programmed” into the memory of the personal audio/video devices 60 will include assigning specific audio frequencies and video frequencies for each selectable channel of the personal audio/video devices 60, such as that discussed above in relation to the add to memory activator 74 and erase from memory activator 76. In this embodiment, the specific audio frequencies and video frequencies assigned to the selectable channels of the personal audio/video devices 60 will correspond to the audio frequencies and video frequencies available for use at the next stadium or event at which the personal audio/video devices 60 will be used. In this embodiment, the “programming” could further include erasing or deleting from the memory of the personal audio/video devices 60 the audio frequencies and video frequencies used by the personal audio/video devices 60 at the previous stadium or event.
In other embodiments, the “programming” may include upgrades, updates, alterations, or modifications to the software or firmware contained in one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60 and/or in the memory of one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60 placed in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10. As an example, and in no way intended to limit the present invention, the personal audio/video devices 60 may include instructions contained in software, firmware, and/or hardware of the audio/video devices 60 to enable the personal audio/video devices 60 to operate. These operating instructions may include software code stored in the memory of the audio/video devices 60. The “programming” of the present invention in this embodiment will include transferring new software code and/or new portions of software code into the memory of the audio/video devices 60 to upgrade the software code in the memory of the audio/video devices 60, enhancing performance. This upgrading may be performed in a variety of manners that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As with the charging, specific personal audio/video devices 60 placed or stored in the charging/programming area 50 of the cart 10 may be selected to receive “programming” information or data, while other personal audio/video devices 60 are not “programmed.” Similarly, one or any number of personal audio/video devices 60 may be selected to receive a first set of “programming” information or data, while a second number of personal audio/video devices 60 may be selected to receive a second and different set of “programming” information or data.
By way of example, and in no way intended to limit the present invention, a first desired number of the personal audio/video devices 60 contained in the charging/programming area 50 of a cart 10 may be selected to receive a first set of audio frequencies and video frequencies, while a second desired number of the personal audio/video devices 60 contained in the unit charging/programming area of the same cart 10 may be selected to receive a second and different set of audio frequencies and video frequencies, and a third desired number of the personal audio/video devices 60 contained in the charging/programming area 50 of the same cart 10 may have all audio frequencies and video frequencies erased from memory.
The information or data to be “programmed” into one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60 may be communicated to the cart 10 by the operator in a variety of ways, including manually on a control panel 48 located on the cart 10 (
In a preferred embodiment depicted in
In this embodiment, the control panel 48 further includes an add to memory activator 74 and an erase from memory activator 76, which may be buttons, switches or other activators. By selecting a value on the channel selector 74 and activating one of the activators 74 and 76, the value on the channel selector 74 may be “programmed” into, or erased from, the memory of one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60. Additionally, in other embodiments, the control panel 48 may include a channel selector 70, which includes a keypad with a display (not shown).
In other embodiments, the control panel may include a port, connector, or wireless receiver allowing an operator to use a remote device to communicate to the cart 10 the desired information or data to be “programmed” into one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60. Similarly, in some embodiments, the cart 10 may not have a control panel 48 at all, but instead just a port, connector, or wireless receiver allowing a remote device to communicate to the cart 10, the desired information or data to be “programmed” into one or more of the personal audio/video devices 60.
It should also be noted that the present invention has been described herein in the context of auto racing. However, the system may be useful in other applications as well. The system 10 would be useful in any application where it is desirable for the user to control the types of views and sounds of an event that are presented to the user via personal audio/video devices 60. For example, the present invention could be particularly useful in any type of sporting event or other type of event attended by a large number of people.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention and protected by the claims.
This document is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “Audio/Video Signal Distribution System For Head Mounted Displays,” assigned Ser. No. 09/322,411, and filed May 28, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,203, which is incorporated herein by reference. This document also claims priority to copending non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “Audio/Video System And Method Utilizing A Head Mounted Apparatus With Noise Attenuation,” assigned Ser. No. 09/386,613, and filed Aug. 31, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference. This document further claims priority to non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “Electronic Handheld Audio/Video Receiver And Listening/Viewing Device,” assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/837,128, and filed Apr. 18, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4504861 | Dougherty | Mar 1985 | A |
4866515 | Tagawa et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4887152 | Matsuzaki et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
4965825 | Harvey et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
5133081 | Mayo | Jul 1992 | A |
5138722 | Urella et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5243415 | Vance | Sep 1993 | A |
5289272 | Rabowsky et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5392158 | Tosaki | Feb 1995 | A |
5448291 | Wickline | Sep 1995 | A |
5481478 | Palmieri et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5485504 | Ohnsorge | Jan 1996 | A |
5510828 | Lutterbach | Apr 1996 | A |
5546099 | Quint et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5585850 | Schwaller | Dec 1996 | A |
5585858 | Harper et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5600368 | Matthews, III | Feb 1997 | A |
5613191 | Hylton et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5617331 | Wakai et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5627915 | Rosser et al. | May 1997 | A |
5631693 | Wunderlich et al. | May 1997 | A |
5663717 | DeLuca | Sep 1997 | A |
5696521 | Robinson et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5708961 | Hylton et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5729471 | Jain et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5742521 | Ellenby et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5760819 | Sklar et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5760824 | Hicks, III | Jun 1998 | A |
5767820 | Bassett et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5793416 | Rostoker et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5806005 | Hull et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5808695 | Rosser et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5841122 | Kirchhoff | Nov 1998 | A |
5847612 | Birleson | Dec 1998 | A |
5847762 | Canfield et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5867223 | Schindler et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5892554 | DiCicco et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5894320 | Vancelette | Apr 1999 | A |
5903395 | Rallison et al. | May 1999 | A |
5920827 | Baer et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5946635 | Dominguez | Aug 1999 | A |
D413881 | Ida et al. | Sep 1999 | S |
5953076 | Astle et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5982445 | Eyer et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5990958 | Bheda et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5999808 | LaDue | Dec 1999 | A |
6002720 | Yurt et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6002995 | Suzuki et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6009336 | Harris et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6016348 | Blatter et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6020851 | Busack | Feb 2000 | A |
6034716 | Whiting et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6035349 | Ha et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6043837 | Driscoll, Jr. et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6060995 | Wicks et al. | May 2000 | A |
6064860 | Ogden | May 2000 | A |
D426527 | Sakaguchi | Jun 2000 | S |
6078954 | Lakey et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6084584 | Nahi et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6095423 | Houdeau et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6100925 | Rosser et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6104414 | Odryna et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6121966 | Teodosio et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6124862 | Boyken et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6128143 | Nalwa | Oct 2000 | A |
6131025 | Riley et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6133946 | Cavallaro et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6137525 | Lee et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6166734 | Nahi et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6192257 | Ray | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6195090 | Riggins, III | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6215475 | Meyerson et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6327570 | Stevens | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6330021 | Devaux | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6347301 | Bearden, III et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6351252 | Atsumi et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6356905 | Gershman et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6380978 | Adams et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6401085 | Gershman et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6424369 | Adair et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6434403 | Ausems et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6434530 | Sloane et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6463299 | Macor | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6466202 | Suso et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6505055 | Kahn et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6522352 | Strandwitz et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6525762 | Mileski et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6526580 | Shimomura et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6532152 | White et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6535493 | Lee et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6549229 | Kirby et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6564070 | Nagamine et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6567079 | Smailagic et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6570889 | Stirling-gallacher et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6578203 | Anderson et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6624846 | Lassiter | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6669346 | Metcalf | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6681398 | Verna | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6781635 | Takeda | Aug 2004 | B1 |
6931290 | Forest | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6934510 | Katayama | Aug 2005 | B2 |
20020057365 | Brown | May 2002 | A1 |
20020090217 | Limor et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020115454 | Hardacker | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020130967 | Sweetser | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020138587 | Koehler | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20030004793 | Feuer et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030005052 | Feuer et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030005437 | Feuer et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030014275 | Bearden, III et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030023974 | Dagtas et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2237939 | Sep 1999 | CA |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20020152476 A1 | Oct 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 09322411 | May 1999 | US |
Child | 10159666 | US |