Personal monitoring and information apparatus

The present invention relates to portable video decoder devices that are used by sporting enthusiasts to monitor and access real time information concerning a sporting event. The present invention comprises a receiver which includes a touch screen display, keypad, audio and other media input and output ports which allows the user to monitor the statistics of a live sporting event and further access up to date information related to the event. A transmitter scheme is also disclosed for transmitting a plurality of media feeds related to an event where such media feeds are derived from source media feeds.

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §365 of International Application PCT/US2005/03074 filed Jan. 31, 2005 which was published in accordance with PCT Article 21(2) on Aug. 17, 2006 in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to the field of video decoder devices, specifically portable video decoder devices capable of receiving multiple streams of video content.

BACKGROUND

Since the early years of televised organized sports, sports enthusiasts have been interested in the details and statistics of sporting events. These statistics may include those for an individual game, season totals and lifetime totals, history and records for both the teams and the individual players. With the increase of sports television and radio channels, sports publications and the Internet, more information is available to the sports enthusiast than ever before. However, there has been no reliable and efficient method to supply this data to the sports enthusiast who is at a sporting event.

Sports enthusiasts are not averse to bringing their own electronic equipment to sporting events to enhance their experience. For instance, sports enthusiasts bring personal radios and televisions to sporting events to view the event on the television set while hearing the professional sports commentary of the game via the radio. These sporting event enthusiasts however may not want to use multiple devices to access the various television and radio feeds that are used to describe a sporting event. In addition, multiple video feeds may exist for the same sporting event, but a user would have no way of simply accessing such feeds because either multiple video devices would be required to receive such feeds or stadiums may not have an infrastructure that makes the availability of such feeds readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a personal video monitoring and information apparatus for monitoring and accessing real time information concerning an event. Multiple keys are provided on the personal video-monitoring device; with keys being used to select media feeds corresponding to the event.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the described embodiments of the present invention, the personal monitoring and information device is a portable device that is generally meant to be under the control of a single user or shared by a small number of users. Through a keypad or a touch sensitive screen, a user may access information relating to an ongoing sporting event or historical information about a participant in the sporting event, a team in the sporting event, the venue of the sporting event, a sponsor of a sporting event, or a vendor at the sporting event. A user may also access information relating to sporting events occurring concurrently with the present event and may also access audio and video transmissions related to the ongoing or concurrent sporting events.

The information (data) and audio and video transmissions are transmitted via a wireless signal to the personal monitoring devices located at an event. As shown inFIG. 7, a central broadcast node1005coordinates the wireless transmission of audio, video, and data content to personal monitoring devices1050. Specifically, central broadcast node1005receives video information (such as television channels or streamed video as examples of video source media feeds) that are received from television receiver1025, where such video information are to be selected from formats such as ATSC, NTSC, SECAM, PAL, DVB-T, DVB-H, MPEG-2 encoded video, H.264 encoded video, WINDOWS MEDIA 9 encoded video, REAL PLAYER encoded video, and the like. Preferably, multiple video information sources (channels) are received by television receiver1025and are transferred via fiber channel to central broadcast node1005.

Radio receiver1030operates in a similar manner to television receiver1025where multiple RF and satellite radio based audio information (audio source media feeds) are capable of being received at the point of receiver1030. Preferably, a fiber channel or other type of network connection is used to couple radio receiver1030to central broadcast node1005. Network interface1010represents a broadband connection that is used for communicating with information resources (for data source media feeds) through the Internet such as web sites and searchable databases, with real time updates. Preferably, the Internet connection is TCP/IP based, although other transport mechanisms such as RTP may be used for large downloads of information. Network interface1010may optionally be used to receive video and audio content through the Internet in the form of streaming media. Such formats of video and audio information can be for example streamed MP3 files for audio and H.264 encoded video and the like.

Central broadcast node1005contains appropriate software to transcode received audio, video, and data into a format that is capable of being transmitted through wireless network interface1015to personal monitoring device1050. For instance, ATSC based video received through television receiver1025is not typically in a format that may be used by personal monitoring device1050. Hence, software is utilized in central broadcast node1005to transcode the received video signal into a format that is capable of being streamed such as WINDOWS MEDIA 9, VC-1, H.264. Similarly, software is used to transcode received RF and satellite audio information received from radio receiver1030to streaming media by central broadcast node1005. The transmitted video, audio, and data are known as media feeds.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the transcoding process retains auxiliary data that was transmitted as part of the original data stream. Such a device is helpful in the case where a broadcaster transmits video or audio with auxiliary information in the user data areas such as for ATSC, DVB-H, MPEG-2, and the like. Additionally, information in the headers of such packets or guide information such as PSIP data is retained in the transcoding process. Hence, if an ATSC television program is transmitted with sports score information, central broadcast node1005parses the received video signal for auxiliary information and transcodes such information into the physical and/or transport layer of the streaming media format selected to be broadcasted to personal monitoring device1050.

In a second optional embodiment of the present invention, the central broadcast node1005may do partial transcoding operation by converting the received video, audio and auxiliary signals to a format appropriate for the personal monitoring device1050. Personal monitoring device1050may itself do a further transcoding operation of the received media stream. For example, the personal monitoring device can perform scaling and cropping1050based on its own screen size. This allows personal monitoring device1050to be made available in several form factors without the burden of doing a per-device-type transcoding at the central broadcast node1005.

Once data is transcoded by central broadcast node1005, wireless network interface1015is used to transmit such data wirelessly to personal monitoring devices. One approach for broadcasting data makes use of having personal monitoring device1050retain a wireless receiver compatible with 802.11(b), 802.11(g), and the like. Wireless network interface1015transmits each video or audio feed on a different wireless channel, where personal monitoring device1050selects a unique channel is response to the desired video or audio feed to be received.

For example, if a user were watching a baseball game with associated video feeds corresponding to first, second, and third base, a first transmission channel would be used to select the video feed corresponding to first base and a second transmission channel would be used to select the video feed for second base.

The information indicating what transmission channel corresponds to what video feed may be transmitted to personal monitoring device1050via a dedicated control channel that is known to the personal monitoring device a-priori.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, personal monitoring device1050is equipped with a plurality of wireless network interfaces. In this case the personal monitoring device may receive multiple feeds simultaneously. For example, video, audio and auxiliary data may be sent on multiple radio channels. Personal monitoring device1050would simultaneously receive these multiple feeds and it may then choose to present the feeds in any combination, either after doing a local transcode or without it. For example, personal monitoring device1050may receive video feed on channel1(logical or physical), score data on channel2, and audio data corresponding to an audio feed from a radio station on channel3. Personal monitoring device1050would then integrate video, audio, and data together in a manner consistent with what is shown inFIGS. 2-8.

A second optional embodiment, personal monitoring device1050connects to an IP address associated with wireless network interface1015. Wireless network interface1015may have a single or multiple IP addresses. Once personal monitoring device1050connects to wireless network interface1015, the port address associated with each IP address is used to denote different feeds. For example, IP address 192.168.0.10 port6000would correspond to a video feed corresponding to first base and IP address 192.168.0.10 port6010would correspond to a video feed corresponding to the second base. Score data may be made available on 192.168.0.10 port6020. The synchronization of various feeds (audio, video and auxiliary data) may be done using protocols like Real Time Protocol (RTP).

In another embodiment, the personal monitoring device may receive the feeds from multiple central broadcast nodes1005. This may be beneficial for overcoming fading and other negative channel conditions.

The exemplary embodiment of the personal monitoring and information apparatus depicted inFIG. 1shows personal monitoring device10with display20that is optionally touch sensitive, and softkeys (keypads)30,40. Display20(as an example of an output interface) may be monochrome, a color LCD display, OLED based display, and the like. Display20may be configured with additional “soft keys”90that are configured to suit the particular application being displayed which may be accessed via the touch sensitive option or through the keypad.30,40. The hand held device may optionally include or integrate a stylus70to facilitate the use of the touch sensitive option.

As further shown inFIG. 1, personal monitoring device10has telephone connector50for receiving information via a telephone network, a computer interface connector60for receiving information via a computer network and at least one fixed, retractable, a RF receiver75for receiving information wirelessly via a radio frequency transmitter or wireless network. Personal monitoring device10is equipped with an audio headphone jack65(as an example of an output interface) which facilitates the attachment of headphones85to allow the user to listen to audio transmission made to the personal monitoring apparatus. Optionally the personal monitoring apparatus may be outfitted with an audio speaker of appropriate size (output interface).

Personal monitoring device10is equipped with a memory interface80where an external memory card may be attached, such as a COMPACTFLASH memory card. This card facilitates the storage of greater amounts of information that could then subsequently be accessed by the user of personal monitoring apparatus. A card in memory interface80permits a user store to information from the current event being viewed, import information not transmitted to the apparatus into the apparatus, information stored from previous events, information accessed from sources other than the above mentioned transmission mediums, such as the internet, or information provided by third party vendors. The user may tailor this information to further enhance the sporting event experience.

The operation of soft keys90and personal monitoring device1050is shown inFIG. 8, which describes a method1100for receiving programming representing several different video channels. In step1105, personal monitoring device1050receives program data from a wireless network interface1015, such data indicates which channels or IP addresses contain video, audio, and informational data that are related to a broadcast event. For example, this information may be a modified form of a program address table identification information that lists IP addresses and ports for different video feeds, audio feeds, and information fees. Preferably, these IP addresses accommodate IP multicasting feeds.

Step1105may also be done where a program address table identifies packet header information that corresponds to different program streams, where packets with one type of header information correspond to video data and packets with a second type of header correspond to audio data. Preferably, these IP addresses accommodate IP multicasting feeds.

In step1110, personal monitoring device1050assigns soft keys90to the received video feeds, audio fees, and information fees. For example, if personal monitoring device1050has three soft keys90, one soft key90is used for changing video feeds, one soft key90is used for changing audio feeds, and one soft key90is used for changing information feeds. Personal monitoring device1050may use a received PAT for this function where upon pressing any of the soft keys90, device1050would change from one IP address and port to a second IP address and port.

In step1115, device1050acquires a video feed from wireless network interface1015via a wireless network connection, in a manner consistent with the illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In step1120, the received video feed is rendered on device1050. In step1125, device1050receives an audio feed where such a feed is rendered in step1130. Similarly, in step1130, a data feed is received and in step1135, the data feed is rendered in a manner consistent with the illustrative embodiments of the present invention. It is noted that personal monitoring device1050may operate where either one or two of the described feeds above are used, at one time. This operation of turning on and off whether video, audio, or data feeds are rendered may be done with additional soft keys90, or any other type of control interface.

In step1140, in response to the activation of soft key90, device1050switches from a first received feed to a second received feed, the feed corresponding to the soft key90that is activated. For example, if soft key90corresponds to audio feeds, the activation of soft key90would cause device1050to switch from a first audio feed to change to a second audio feed. Other examples of this step are contemplated.

In optional step1145, a user maps a video feed, an audio feed, and a data feed to a single soft key90. This step permits a user to easily which from one combination of feeds to a second combination of feeds. This mapping may be accomplished by pressing down on soft key90for several seconds. Device1050therefore would associate a key press of this soft key90to this predetermined mapping. Other soft keys90may be used other feed combination, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary display format for showing auto racing information100as it could be displayed on a personal monitoring apparatus. Soft keys190are incorporated into the graphical user interface to increase the possibility of the number of single touch keys that can be accessed by the user. The number of keys and their location depends on the application and possibly the preference of the user. The display also comprises a race status section120which may provide information on the current race. This may include information such as lap count, flag status, time, race duration, leaders, lead changes, caution counts, caution laps, and time under caution. A third portion of the exemplary display format shows participants table130listing the participants in a race. Information that may be included for each participant are position number, car number, name, sponsor, time behind leader, current lap, number of laps led, etc. The top line of the spreadsheet would list the different information stored below it each column and would optionally allow the user to sort the information in the table with respect to that column. For example, if a user wished to know which participant had led the most laps, the user could activate the “laps led” column and the information would optionally be sorted in a descending order from most laps led to least laps led. Activating the “laps led” column again would cause the information to be sorted in an ascending order.

Optionally, one of the columns135in participants table130may select in car audio for each respective participant. This operation would then adjust the electronics of the personal monitoring apparatus such that the in car audio of the selected participant would be output to the headphone jack65. Optionally, if a user selects a participants name from participants table130, the screen may change to the exemplary display format for displaying real time and historical information on participants in sporting events as depicted inFIG. 6. If the length of entries in participants table130is less than the number of participants in the event, the table may either be compressed to allow all the participants to be displayed or the software of the personal monitoring apparatus may allow the user to scroll through participants table130while a set number of entries are displayed. Activating any of the other information provided in participants table130could subsequently have similar results to those described above, such as activating the drivers sponsor information would activate a display providing information about the sponsor.

FIG. 3illustrates a secondary exemplary display format for auto racing information200as it could be displayed on the personal monitoring apparatus. This display is similar to that depicted inFIG. 2except that a racetrack graphic230is displayed. If the participants in the race are equipped with a Global Positioning Systems or a similar system and the locations of the participants can be determined by the central transmitting station, the location of the participants with respect to the track and each other can be transmitted to the personal monitoring apparatus. This could then optionally provide the user with a graphical view of the track and the position of one or more participants. The user selects which participants and the number of participants displayed on the racetrack graphic230. To facilitate the space required for the racetrack graphic, the number of participants listed in participants table260would be reduced from that depicted inFIG. 2. The reduced version of participants table260would operate in a manner similar to that described inFIG. 2. Options such as soft keys,210track information240, sponsor or advertiser information250, race status220could also be included at the option of either the user or the system administrator. Soft keys290may be used to select between different modes.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary display format for football information300as it could be displayed on the personal monitoring apparatus. Apparatus300displays information that is toggled via soft keys390; such information being presented in areas such as game status section330and participants table340. The exemplary display format for football information300could optionally include a football field graphic320that operates in a manner similar to that described for the racetrack graphic230inFIG. 3. Other information, such as sponsor or advertising information may also be included for apparatus300.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary display format for baseball information400as it could be displayed on the personal monitoring apparatus. The display for baseball information400displays information that are toggled using soft keys490; such information being presented areas such as game status section430and a participants table440. The exemplary display format for baseball information400could optionally include a baseball field graphic420that operates in a manner similar to racetrack graphic230or football graphic320. Other information, such as sponsor or advertising information may also be included on the exemplary display format for baseball information.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the electronic circuitry800for a personal monitoring and information apparatus. Electronic circuitry800of the personal monitoring and information apparatus has a control microprocessor835that operates the various input sources and output interfaces that are used for a personal monitoring apparatus. For example, microprocessor825accepts input signals from RF tuners805,810and wireless network interface815. First RF tuner805is capable of receiving television signals broadcasted over the airwaves, such as NTSC, ATSC, DVB-H, and the like. Second RF tuner810may optionally be included for receiving additional transmission such as AM or FM radio broadcasts, additional television broadcasts, and the like. Wireless interface815operates wireless communications between a personal monitoring device and a wireless network interface1015(through the use of a wireless standard as 802.11b and 802.11g). Such transmissions may be video, audio, and data feeds, as described above.

Electronic circuitry800of personal monitoring apparatus further comprises keypad820for receiving commands from a user, and display screen825is used for displaying video and information. Display screen825also can display video information or video broadcasts received by or stored by the personal monitoring apparatus. If display screen825is equipped with touch sensitive features, display screen825may also be used to receive information in a manner similar to that of the keypad.820. Electronic circuitry may further comprise optionally headphone jack830and audio speaker831for playing audio information or audio broadcasts received by, or stored by, the personal monitoring apparatus. Electronic circuitry800may further comprise internal memory845and/or external memory840that can be used to store information broadcast to the personal monitoring apparatus. External memory840can further be used to introduce additional information to the personal monitoring apparatus supplied from a different source, such as the Internet, vendors, or other sports enthusiasts to further personalize and enhance the users experience.

Electronic circuitry800of the personal monitoring apparatus may further comprise a computer network interface850such as an Ethernet connection, I-1394 connection, fiber connection and a modem interface855. Such interfaces provide a user with the option of receiving or transmitting information from a telephone based or broadband-based source via the Internet. Electronic circuitry800may further comprise a microprocessor or similar device with other associated electronic circuitry to control the operations and features previously discussed.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in the related art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.