System and methods for venue based wireless communication

A plurality of directional antennas are arranged between an inner barrier (e.g., ring, wall, fence, glass, etc encircling a field, court, rink, stage, etc) and an outer barrier (e.g., guardrail, wall, etc encircling a seating region, etc) of the venue. Each directional antenna produces a beam pattern that is oriented such that the beam pattern is directed at an angle off-normal from the inner or outer barrier. Further, at least some of the directional antennas are placed at the openings of pedestrian tunnels leading into the seating region of the venue, near the inner barrier of the venue seating region, or placed near a midpoint between the inner and outer barriers so as to provide wireless communication services to users in the seating region of the venue.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is wireless communication.

BACKGROUND

As wireless communication devices continue to proliferate, wireless communication providers develop improved methods and systems to efficiently provide wireless communication services to a growing user base. While adding communication towers or radios may improve wireless service in rural or even urban regions, other solutions are required for the complications presented by high concentrations of wireless users densely packed into relatively small regions with limited space, such as venues, arenas, or venues.

For example, U.S. Publication No. 2012/0112983 to Mathews (“Mathews”) proposes using a portable antenna structure with a multiple antenna modules to collectively cover a venue and provide telecommunications services to customers in the venue. While the teachings of Mathews may improve wireless communication services at a venue, it still suffers limitations in that only a single antenna array is used to avoid interference between multiple arrays, as is taught to be the advancement of Mathews. Mathews also fails to provide a permanent wireless communication system that is integrated with the venue.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,761,957 to Kwiatkowski (“Kwiatkowski”) further attempts to improve wireless communication services in a venue by installing multiple horn antennas throughout the venue to provide increased wireless coverage to specific sections of the venue. However, the teachings of Kwiatkowski suffer signal interference between horn antenna directed toward each other. Further, as the Kwiatkowski antennas are static, neither the beams nor the antennas themselves can be redirected to avoid interference or service high concentrations of users. While antennas with directional or shapeable beams are known (e.g., U.S. Publication No. 2016/0359237 to Quan et al.), the problems faced when applying and coordinating antennas in high numbers, in a relatively small region, to service a high concentration of densely packed users have not been solved.

Thus, there is still a need for systems and methods for providing high quality wireless communication services to high concentrations of densely packed users in a small region with limited space, such as a venue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which wireless communication services are provided to users in a stadium, arena, or other venue.

Methods of providing a venue with wireless communication systems include placing directional antennas within venue or about the venue. For example, antennas can be placed under seats, above an opening to a pedestrian tunnel, or on an inner or outer barrier (e.g., ring, wall, fence, glass, etc encircling a field. Antennas in a given venue can be placed in any combination of locations.

As used herein, the term “ring” means a curved boundary about a region. As applied to venues, a ring could be any of the known venue shapes, including substantially round, oval, “U” shaped, or conical. As one of ordinary skill would understand with respect to a “U” shaped venue, the outer boundary120of the venue can be discontinuous, and need not subtend an entire 360°.

Preferably each directional antenna is oriented such that the midpoint of its beam pattern is directed at an angle α at least 20° off-normal from the inner or outer barrier. In more preferred embodiments, α is at least 45°. Each directional antenna is preferably oriented at approximately the same angle α. It is further contemplated that one or more of the directional antennas can have steerable beams.

Methods of the inventive subject matter further contemplate placing additional, oppositely oriented directional antennas at the same location of some (or each) of the directional antennas. Viewed from another perspective, if a first antenna is oriented at θ degrees from normal, a second antenna placed at the same location is oriented at θ−180° (θ minus 180°) degrees.

In some embodiments directional antennas are placed at the same location and oriented such that the beams do not overlap substantially (e.g., at least 60% non-overlapping). While it is contemplated that beam patterns of different antennas can overlap each other, in some embodiments a beam pattern of at least one additional directional antenna merely abuts a beam pattern of an adjacent directional antenna.

It is contemplated that one or more of the directional antennas can have more than one beam pattern, and in preferred embodiments at least some antennas are lens based multi-beam antennas with both a high band beam and a low band beam.

It is contemplated that directional antennas will be placed in venues to optimize one or more of operational cost, equipment efficiency, performance of wireless communication, and adaptability of the system. For example, it is generally favorable to place the directional antennas to maximize aesthetic appeal and viewing experience of users at the venue. Thus, at least some of the directional antennas can be placed (1) at the openings of pedestrian tunnels leading into the seating region of the venue, (2) near the inner barrier of the venue seating region, (3) placed near a midpoint between the inner and outer barriers with α ˜90°, (4) oriented such that each directional antenna can provide wireless communication services to 3,000 seats in the seating region of the venue. In some embodiments, directional antennas are spaced evenly apart from adjacent antennas.

Methods also contemplate providing wireless communication service to a dynamic user density in a venue. User density across the seating region can be monitored, and at least one overlapping beam of a directional antenna can be redirected from a region of the venue with a low user density to a region with a high user density. Preferably at least some of the directional antennas used in accommodating dynamic user density are lens based multi-beam antennas because the RF elements disposed about the lenses can be easily moved along a track, or electronically phase shifted.

Lens based multi-beam antennas are also thought to be advantageous because the use of multiple beams with a single lens makes it fairly straightforward to provide overlapping beams.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-9depict various wireless systems of the inventive subject matter applied to venues.

FIG. 1depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas (101,102,103,104) in the seating region of a venue. The venue includes an outer boundary120and an inner boundary110that together define a seating region of the venue. The inner boundary110of the venue surrounds an event region130for live performances (e.g., concerts, sports competitions, etc). During events, a large number of users are expected to sit in the seating region and use wireless communication devices.

Each directional antenna emits a beam pattern, illustrated by directional arrows inFIG. 1and the following figures, unless otherwise noted. In preferred embodiments, each beam in the beam pattern is steerable. However, directional antennas with both steerable and static beams are contemplated. For example, the antenna can comprise steerable high band beams and static low band beams, vice versa, or a mixed combination of static and steerable, high band and low band beams. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, directional antennas are generally positioned inward from the inner boundary110near a midpoint between the inner boundary110and the outer boundary120of the seating region. In preferred embodiments, the location of each antenna corresponds with a physical feature of the venue that is advantageous for mounting the antenna, such as the opening of pedestrian tunnel141into the seating. In this embodiment, physical features include hand rail143, a wall, a speaker pole142, and a catwalk140. Also of note, the directional antenna beams ofFIG. 1are generally oriented in a counter-clockwise fashion around the seating region of the venue, though it is contemplated here, and in all other embodiments unless otherwise noted, that the various antenna beams could be oriented in a clockwise fashion. Counter-clockwise or clockwise orientation of adjacent antenna beams is considered favorable as it tends to avoid the interference experienced when two antennas are directed toward each other.

Additionally or alternatively, an antenna with relatively low user activity within its beam pattern, such as antenna142, can redirect a beam to an overburdened region of an adjacent antenna's beam pattern, such antenna143, thus improving wireless communication services.

As mentioned above, the plurality of directional antennas101,102,103, and104can be configured to be redirected from a lower density region to a higher density region. User density can be calculated by one or both of the number of persons and utilized bandwidth. Beam direction can also be controlled based upon expected future user density. It is contemplated that user density can be predicted based upon any relevant factors, including tickets sales and expected age of the attendees.

FIG. 2depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas201-214are again oriented generally in a counter-clockwise fashion in relation to the venue. Of particular note, the antennas are generally located midway between the inner boundary110and the outer boundary120. This placement is advantageous as it generally facilitates mounting the antennas to hand rail143, a staircase, or the opening of pedestrian tunnel141near the inner boundary110of the venue, as well as providing a location that is more serviceable for repairs or maintenance during a live event than a midpoint of the seating region. Such an arrangement also favorably minimizes the cabling or other informational coupling between the antennas and a centralized or decentralized communication hub.

Lastly, an arrangement where antennas are configured to direct beams generally upward or downward from midpoint of the seating region of the venue, provides a wireless environment with less interference compared to antennas directing beams downward and into the venue from the upper boundary.

FIG. 3depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas301-314are oriented generally off-normal from the inner boundary110in a counter-clockwise fashion. Of particular note, the antennas are generally located near the inner boundary110. This placement is advantageous as it generally facilitates mounting the antennas to physical features such as handrail143, a staircase, or the opening of pedestrian tunnel141near the inner boundary110of the venue, as well as providing a location that is more serviceable for repairs or maintenance during a live event than a midpoint of the seating region. Such an arrangement also favorably minimizes the cabling or other informational coupling between the antennas and a centralized or decentralized communication hub.

Lastly, an arrangement where antennas are directing beams generally upward and outward from the inner boundary110of the venue provides a wireless environment with less interference compared to antennas directing beams downward and into the venue from the upper boundary.

FIG. 4depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas401-414in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas are oriented generally off-normal from the outer boundary120in a counter-clockwise fashion. Of note, the antennas are generally located near the outer boundary120of the venue seating region. This placement is advantageous as it facilitates mounting the antennas in a high location, such as flag poles, walls, hand rails, staircases, or openings of pedestrian tunnels near the outer boundary120of the venue. It also provides a location that is more serviceable for repairs or maintenance during a live event than a midpoint of the seating region, as workers are unlikely to block spectators' views from the top of the venue. Such an arrangement also favorably allows for beams of antennas to be redirected toward the event region130of the venue. This is ideal if the event participants (e.g., coaching staff, ground crew, production staff, athletes, musicians, etc) require wireless communication services.

For example, if a concert is presented in the left half of the event field, with spectator seating in the left half of the venue seating region, beams in antennas on the right half of the seating region can be redirected to provide wireless service for ground crew in the “back stage” region in the right half of the event region.

FIG. 5depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas501-518in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas are generally located and oriented off-normal in an alternating pattern near the inner and outer boundaries of the venue. Of note, arranging the antennas in an alternating, substantially overlapping manner near the inner boundary110and outer boundary120provides benefits of overlapping antenna systems, as well as inner and outer boundary mounted systems.

For example, the substantially overlapping manner of beam patterns of a first antenna with the beam pattern of a counter-clockwise adjacent antenna allows the first antenna to provide additional beam coverage (and communication bandwidth) to dense regions of users in the adjacent antenna's beam pattern. Further, as adjacent antennas are not oriented directly toward each other, there is reduced interference between antennas while still providing the benefits of overlapping beam coverage. In addition, alternating antennas located near the outer boundary120provide high mounting points (e.g., flag poles, light arrays, etc), and minimal disturbance to spectators during live-performance maintenance or repairs. Inner boundary110positioned antennas also provide reduced disturbance to spectators during maintenance and repairs, as well as reducing the cabling required to network the antennas with a communication hub.

FIG. 6depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas601-616in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas are generally located and oriented off-normal in an alternating pattern near the inner boundary110and outer boundary120of the venue. Arranging the antennas in an alternating, substantially non-overlapping manner near the inner and outer boundaries is thought to provide some of the benefits of systems with all outer boundary120positioned antenna or all inner boundary110positioned antenna.

For example, alternating antennas located near the outer boundary120provides high mounting points (e.g., flag poles, light arrays, catwalk140, etc), minimal disturbance to spectators during live-performance maintenance or repairs. Further, orienting the outer boundary120antennas substantially toward the event region130allows providing wireless communication service to event ground crew or participants (e.g., staff, athletes, etc.). Inner boundary110positioned antennas also provide reduced disturbance to spectators during maintenance and repairs, as well as reducing the cabling required to network the antennas with a communication hub.

FIG. 7depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas701-728in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, the directional antennas are generally located and oriented off-normal in an alternating pattern near the midpoint of the venue seating region. Advantageously, these dual-directional antennas with non-overlapping beam patterns are positioned at or near a single location. Such an arrangement advantageously optimizes repairs and maintenance, as two antennas are located generally at a single location. Further, as generally more antennas are directed at narrower regions of the venue, communication throughput and signal quality are favorably increased.

Yet further, as there are now two bands of antennas, the first generally oriented in a counter-clockwise fashion, and the second oriented in a clockwise fashion, similarly oriented antennas retain the ability to redirect beams to regions of high user density in the overlapping beam patterns of adjacent antennas. Lastly, the beam patterns of a first antenna oriented in a counter-clockwise fashion and an adjacent antenna oriented in a clockwise fashion abut each other, but generally do not overlap, thereby providing increased wireless communication performance while minimizing interference between adjacent antennas.

As generally more antennas are directed at narrower regions of the venue, communication throughput and signal quality are favorably increased. Further, placing each antenna near the midpoint of the seating region advantageously allows the antenna to be mounted on preexisting features in the venue (e.g., hand rail143, wall, speaker, etc), preferably at the opening of pedestrian tunnel (e.g. tunnel opening141) into the seating region. Such an arrangement also favorably allows for beams of antennas oriented generally toward the event region130to be redirected to provide wireless communication services in the event region. This is ideal if the event participants (e.g., coaching staff, ground crew, production staff, athletes, musicians, etc) require wireless communication services to coordinate or conduct the event. This arrangement also reduces interference between antennas in the venue, as half of the antennas are directed toward the outer boundary120of the venue, thus out-of and away-from other antennas in the venue.

FIG. 8adepicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas801-803suspended above the event region130of the venue via catwalk140. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas are generally located on an elevated platform (e.g. a catwalk, building scaffolding, building support structures, etc) above the venue event region, oriented outward from the event region130toward the outer boundary. The antennas are advantageously located above the event region130to provide a wider range of signal coverage, and overcome possible interference from equipment within the event region. In preferred embodiments, catwalk140extends over a substantial portion of event region130of the venue, with multiple attachment points for the coupling of antennas to the catwalk140.

FIG. 8bdepicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas801-806coupled to catwalk140. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas801-806are generally evenly distributed on catwalk140so as to provide an even coverage region for the users in the venue seating region. In preferred embodiments, this configuration of physical separation of directional antennas801-806from each other provides a simpler installation process, due to the lessened number of antennas, and wider coverage region due to the antennas not being installed at or near ground level where the possibility of signal interference is greater.

FIG. 8cdepicts a top down view of the plurality of directional antennas801-806suspended above the event region130of the venue via catwalk140. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas801-806are generally located on an elevated platform above the venue event region, oriented outward from the event region130toward the outer boundary. The antennas are advantageously located above the event region130to provide a wider range of signal coverage, and the antenna beam patterns are directed in a non-overlapping configuration to overcome possible interference from equipment within the event region (e.g. stadium or event staff communication systems).

FIG. 9depicts an arrangement and orientation of a plurality of directional antennas901-928in the seating region of a venue. The venue is as described forFIG. 1. Here, directional antennas are generally located at a midpoint of the seating region and oriented off-normal from the inner or outer boundary. Of note, each antenna in the venue having first orientation is collocated with an antenna having a generally opposite orientation (e.g., about 180° from the first orientation), with one antenna generally oriented toward the outer boundary120and the other antenna generally oriented toward the inner boundary110. Such an arrangement again advantageously optimizes repairs and maintenance, as two antennas are located generally at a single location.

As generally more antennas are directed at narrower regions of the venue, communication throughput and signal quality are favorably increased. Further, placing each antenna near the midpoint of the seating region advantageously allows the antenna to be mounted on preexisting features in the venue (e.g., hand rail143, wall, speaker, etc), preferably at the opening of pedestrian tunnels (e.g. tunnel opening141) into the seating region. Such an arrangement also favorably allows for beams of antennas oriented generally toward the event region130to be redirected to provide wireless communication services in the event region. This is ideal if the event participants (e.g., coaching staff, ground crew, production staff, athletes, musicians, etc) require wireless communication services to coordinate or conduct the event. This arrangement also reduces interference between antennas in the venue, as half of the antennas are directed toward the outer boundary120of the venue, thus out-of and away-from other antennas in the venue.