video system for individually selecting and viewing events at a venue

Abstract

A digital video system for individually selecting and viewing an event at a venue, comprising: a plurality of video cameras positioned at various locations at a venue, each video camera configured to transmit video therefrom; a plurality of wireless mobile viewing devices at the venue, each configured to, receive input from a user of the wireless mobile viewing device, the input representing a selection of a video camera from the plurality of the video cameras for viewing of video transmitted therefrom, receive video transmitted from the selected video camera, and display to the user of the wireless mobile viewing device the received video taken from the selected video camera. A transmitter is located at the venue and broadcasts the video taken from each video camera for transmission to each of the wireless mobile viewing devices. A communications hub receives and communicates the video to the transmitter at the venue.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a digital video system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the digital video system is utilized at a motor speedway;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary racecar having wireless cameras mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless network utilized in the digital video system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a website provide in association with the digital video system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a digital video system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the digital video system is utilized at a football game.

Claims

1. A digital video system for individually selecting and viewing events at a venue, comprising: (a) a plurality of video cameras positioned at various locations at a venue, each video camera configured to transmit video therefrom; and(b) a plurality of wireless mobile viewing devices at the venue, each configured to, (i) receive input from a user of the wireless mobile viewing device, the input representing a selection of a video camera from the plurality of the video cameras for viewing of video transmitted therefrom,(ii) receive video transmitted from the selected video camera, and(iii) display to the user of the wireless mobile viewing device the received video taken from the selected video camera.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of video cameras include a plurality of wireless video cameras.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the wireless mobile viewing devices comprises a handheld portable device for carrying by an observer located in seating area of the venue for viewing a main event of the venue.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the venue comprises a speedway, a sports stadium, a sports arena, a concert hall or theater, or a circus.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a local transmitter located at the venue and configured to broadcast the video taken from each video camera for wireless transmission to each of the plurality of the wireless mobile viewing devices.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the broadcasts to each of the wireless mobile viewing devices is encrypted, and wherein each wireless mobile viewing device is configured to decrypt the encrypted broadcast.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the video taken from each video camera is transmitted by the local transmitter in separate respective broadcasts.

8. The system of claim 5, further comprising a communications hub configured to, (a) receive the video wirelessly transmitted from each of the video cameras, and(b) communicate the received video to the local transmitter for broadcast to the wireless mobile viewing devices.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications hub and the local transmitter are disposed in electrical communication via the Internet.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications hub and the local transmitter are disposed in electrical communication via wireless communications.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications hub and the local transmitter are disposed in electrical communication via wired communications.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein each wireless mobile viewing device includes a wireless receiver and does not include a wireless transmitter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein a wireless mobile viewing device comprises a mobile phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or pocket personal computer.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein a wireless mobile viewing device comprises a handheld consumer electronic device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein each wireless mobile viewing device includes a transceiver, and wherein each wireless mobile viewing device is configured to register with a wireless network before receiving the video transmitted from the selected video camera.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless network comprises a cellular network.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless network comprises a WiFi, WiMax, 802.11(b) compatible, or Bluetooth network.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of wireless cameras are located on a racecar.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of wireless cameras are located on the helmet of a football player.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of wireless cameras are mounted on a physical structure of the venue itself.