Abstract:
A multimedia reproduction system comprises a computing subsystem operably connected to and controlling one or more of video, audio, and olfactory subsystems. The system accepts user input and adapts a multimedia presentation in response thereto. The subsystems are easily separable and configured in carrying cases that protect them during transport. The subsystems easily connect (physically and electronically) to each other upon delivery to form a system that presents 3-D, high definition video, surround-sound audio, and even scents from local and/or remote sources.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/823,739 filed Aug. 28, 2006, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/953,063 filed Jul. 31, 2007, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The disclosed technology relates generally to systems and methods for sending, receiving, and displaying multimedia information.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The following description is not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection. In general terms, the disclosed technology relates to a transportable system for reading/receiving, controlling, and projecting high definition and/or stereoscopic multimedia educational content. Another embodiment displays multiple video and audio streams onto a unified display.  
         [0004]     Further objects, embodiments, forms, benefits, aspects, features and advantages of the disclosed technology may be obtained from the description, drawings, and claims provided herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multimedia presentation system according to one embodiment.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as configured for transport.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a polarizing filter in position in front of one of the projectors in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a multimedia presentation system according to another embodiment.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a multimedia presentation according to still another embodiment.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a multimedia presentation according to yet another embodiment.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosed technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosed technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the disclosed technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosed technology relates.  
         [0012]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment provides a system  10  comprising a computing subsystem  20 , an audio subsystem  40 , and a projection or display subsystem  60 , with a controller, viewer feedback devices, and wireless headphones. In this embodiment, the computing subsystem  20  includes a GVS90004U 4-CPU G5 Quad-Core computer with 4 GB of RAM, a Quadra FX-4500 512 MB video card, a GeForce 6600 video card, four SATA II hard drives, a RAID controller, and a power strip to serve as a hub for power distribution into the system. The audio subsystem  40  in this embodiment includes an Anchor AN1000X powered 50 W speaker, an Anchor AN1001X companion speaker, and a power strip for distribution of electrical power to the audio subsystem. Optional additional components include a surround-sound amplifier and corresponding additional speakers, as well as a transmitter for sending one or more audio tracks wirelessly to appropriately tuned headphones so that listeners with headphones can receive audio that is different from the primary track played by the speakers (if any).  
         [0013]     In this exemplary embodiment, the display subsystem  60  includes two Mitsubishi WD2000 3000-lumen DLP projectors  64 , an extruded aluminum framework holding two 5-inch square polarizing filters  65 , and a Xenarc 1020TSV 10.2″ touch screen controller. An optional transmitter for keypad interaction (as will be discussed below) may be housed in the display unit as well. One suitable screen for receiving the projected image is a 4.5′×8′ Silverglo screen.  
         [0014]     In some embodiments, the computing subsystem  20  and/or other subsystems also includes optical media readers (for CD audio, CD-ROMs, DVDs and the like). In some of these and other embodiments, the computing subsystem  20  (or other subsystem) includes one or more network adapters for transmitting and receiving data to and from network-based resources.  
         [0015]     Regardless of the source, the system can play preloaded or network-accessible multimedia content and run traditional computer software applications. An auxiliary display (not shown) in various embodiments and situations displays either the video content from one or both projectors or separate material, such as a control user interface. Content is displayed in monophonic, stereophonic, or “surround sound” audio with mono- or stereoscopic (3D) video. In another embodiment, the system also produces scents according to a scents track (either stored locally or retrieved via a data network) as is known in various forms in the art.  
         [0016]     Some variations of the system include wireless remote input units. Some of these embodiments are adapted for use in educational settings, so that answers to comprehension questions, preference information, and the like can be collected by the system from each participant accurately, precisely, and in real time. In other examples, multimedia presentations are programmed automatically to adapt to input from multiple users via the keypads, such as for choosing a path or action in a simulated adventure or exploration, reviewing or re-presenting content that was not comprehended by a certain proportion or number of participants based on their feedback or quiz results, accelerating presentation of content that a group has apparently mastered, and the like.  
         [0017]     Other embodiments include wireless headsets for delivery of different audio tracks to one or more particular participants. For example, DVD video content might be accompanied by a soundtrack in one particular language that is played over the system&#39;s main speakers, while a corresponding soundtrack in a different language is broadcast on a particular frequency to other listeners. In fact, many parallel soundtracks may be received or retrieved by the system as part of the same presentation stream (or collection of streams), then be delivered on different frequencies to wireless headset users, either independently or in connection with a visual presentation.  
         [0018]     It should be noted that three-dimensional presentation and stereoscopic video can be generated by the system  10  using any of a variety of known techniques for such delivery. In one example embodiment, polarization of light emitted by projectors using filters, coupled with glasses having polarized lenses, delivers relatively inexpensive stereoscopic imagery to participants. In other embodiments, shuttered display and viewing yield an experience that does not depend on the tilt of the viewers&#39; head, but relies on more expensive shuttering eyewear being worn by each viewer. Any other projection and viewing technologies may be used with this system as would occur to one skilled in the art.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment, one or more high-bandwidth data network adapters are included with the system for receiving streaming data for display from remote sites. In one example of this embodiment, an Internet 2 connection provides available bandwidth of up to 100 megabits per second or more. Two (2) high-definition video streams and stereophonic audio can be carried over such connections with only modest compression (using, for example, H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 video compression and AAC, MP3, DTS, or WMA audio compression, just to name a few examples). These streams, depending on the system&#39;s specifications, might use DVD, MMS, DTS, DVB, MPEG, AVI, OGM, MP4, UDP, or RTP transport protocols. Other codecs and transport formats will occur to those skilled in the art.  
         [0020]     The physical form factor for the product preferably includes housing in readily transportable cases, such as are known for audio amplification components, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the computing subsystem  20  is housed in one such case  22  equipped with casters on its bottom surface, while the audio subsystem  40  and display subsystem  60  each are housed in their own cases  42  and  62  respectively, for stacking on top of the computing subsystem case. The display subsystem case  62 , when it contains projectors, may be fitted with an extruded aluminum framework that holds filters  65  for polarizing the output of projectors as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as well as one or more motors (not shown) for moving the filters into and out of place in front of the projectors so that the system can automatically switch from mono- to stereoscopic presentation and back without manual user intervention.  
         [0021]     In an alternative form factor, the system is installed in a single location, on one or more racks either of standard form or adapted for this use. The system&#39;s touchpad controller in these embodiments may be portable or fixed in location, and communicates with the other subsystems using wired or wireless techniques as will be understood in the art. Fixed installations might have fixed or removable screens, as well as distributed scent systems and transponders for multiple-screen output.  
         [0022]     In other embodiments projectors are replaced by or supplemented by wired display technologies as will occur to those skilled in the art.  
         [0023]     In yet other embodiments, audio/video capture technology is used to acquire mono- or stereoscopic video and polyphonic audio at a multimedia delivery site or in a network of such sites. One or more media streams are then sent through the computing subsystem&#39;s network interface to another site, which uses a system as described herein to decode and present the captured media to participants or viewers there.  
         [0024]     In still other embodiments, a business provides a service of transporting one or more multimedia capture and/or display systems as described herein, establishing network connectivity, and operating the equipment for particular events, then disassembling the equipment for transport to another location or return to a main control location.  
         [0025]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the block diagram illustrates system  70  in functional terms according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the system  70  includes computing means  75 , audio means  80 , and video means  90 . Network interface  71  operatively connects computing means  75  to other computing subsystems and other devices in a network that includes system  70 . Audio output from computing means  75  passes through audio means  80  to wired headphones  81 , speakers  83 , and/or transceiver  85 , which transmits audio to wireless headphones  87  via antenna  89  as described herein. Video output of system  70  passes through video means  90  to display means  91  and  93 , which may provide one or more mono- or stereoscopic displays. Computing means  75  also generates the display for touch-screen controller  73 , for which display data passes through the video means  90  as well.  
         [0026]     In other embodiments (not shown), the display on control unit  73  is sent directly from computing means  75  to controller  73  using methods known in the art. User input to controller  73  is passed to computing means  75  using one or more wired or wireless connections as will be understood in the art. In still others, wireless handheld participant input/output pads communicate with computing means  75  via antenna  89  and audio means  80 , while in yet others, wireless handheld participant input/output pads communicate with computing means  75  via an antenna that forms an integral part of computing means  75 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  illustrates a multimedia presentation system according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, system  100  includes a computing subsystem  120 , an audio subsystem  140 , and a display subsystem  160 . Display subsystem  160  includes two projectors  164  for stereoscopic display of video in a variety of environments. In variations of this embodiment, regions  165  include fixed or (manually or automatically) movable filters to enhance the projection as discussed above in relation to filters  65 . Frame  102  supports system  100 , which includes portions  122 ,  142 , and  162  that are adapted to support and protect computing subsystem  120 , audio subsystem  140 , and display subsystem  160 , respectively. Frame portions  122 ,  142 , and  162  in some embodiments are rigidly connected to each other, while in other embodiments they are easily detachable. In some embodiments, one or more of the frame portions are fitted with carrying handles and/or castors, and in some embodiments outer panels or cases fit the frame portions to protect the equipment during movement of the subsystem(s) or the entire system.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of yet another embodiment of a multimedia presentation system  200 . In this particular embodiment, system  200  includes a computing means  210 , an audio means  214 , a video means  222 , and an olfactory means  230 . Computing means  210  can be monitored by a user through a control unit  208  such as a monitor or other display device. Optionally, control unit  208  may include input capabilities such as a touch screen or similar device in order to provide input for computing means  210 . An input device  202  such a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB port, or similar device is also included to provide input to computing means  210 . Further, input device  202  may be accessible wirelessly through a wireless access device  204  such as an antenna, infrared sensor, or other suitable device, allowing one or more wireless control devices  206  to provide input to computing means  210 . Optionally, computing means  210  may also include wireless access  212  allowing computing means  210  to access local wireless computer networks. Information input to computer means  210  may include data relating to audio, video, olfactory stimulation, and/or any combination thereof, as well as programming information concerning the timing and coordination or such data during a presentation. In alternative embodiments, computing means  210  further includes one or more removable data storage devices such as a hard drive or similar device.  
         [0029]     An audio output signal from computing means  210  is directed towards audio unit  214 . The audio signal is processed, amplified, and/or conditioned by audio unit  214  before being delivered to an output device  220  and/or to a wireless output  216 . Output device  220  or  216  may include one or more speakers, a transceiver, or the like. Wireless output  216  may be configured so as to transmit an audio signal to one or more wireless headphone units  218 , to an existing in-house sound system (not shown), or the like.  
         [0030]     A video output signal from computing means  210  is directed towards video unit  222 . The video signal is processed, modified, and or conditioned by video unit  222  before being delivered to output device  224  and/or to wireless output  226 . Output device  224  may comprise one or more traditional or stereoscopic projectors that may include filters, polarizers, lenses, and the like, as desired. Wireless output  226  may be configured so as to transmit a video signal to one or more wireless video units  228  such as individual glasses, monitors, or display screens, or to an existing in-house video system or projector (not shown).  
         [0031]     Information concerning scents is transmitted to an olfactory unit  230  by the computing means  210 . The information concerning scents is processed, and essential oils, extracts, and the like are optionally combined to produce the desired odor and delivered to olfactory output device  232 . Output device  232  may include fans, blowers, atomizers, and the like so as to deliver the desired scent at the appropriate time during a presentation. Optionally, olfactory unit  230  also includes a wireless output  226  which is capable of transmitting a signal to one or more remote olfactory devices  236 .  
         [0032]     In various embodiments, the systems described herein are transported as a collection of easily transportable subsystems/units, then are assembled at a venue in which the content is to be delivered. In some variations, connections between components are made using industry-standard cables, while in others the electrical connections between subsystems are achieved via a small number (one or two, for example) of easily identified, easily connected, ganged cables.  
         [0033]     In some embodiments, the systems described herein are programmed with software to import presentations in standard document formats such as MS Word and MS PowerPoint, then replay them via the audio/video output system. In other embodiments, the system is sold as a kit, or even as a precalibrated system. In these embodiments, users are able to avoid compatibility issues between components, and in some situations might be able to achieve final, professional calibration of the system output without much of the extreme expense often associated with calibration of high-definition and/or stereoscopic video presentation systems.  
         [0034]     In alternative embodiments, computing subsystem  20  includes a microcontroller or general purpose microprocessor that reads its program from a memory. Such a processor may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, when of a multi-component form, the processor may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of the processor may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, the processor is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more CORE 2 DUO processors from INTEL Corporation of 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, Calif., 95052, USA, or ATHLON or OPTERON processors from Advanced Micro Devices, One AMD Place, Sunnyvale, Calif., 94088, USA.  
         [0035]     Various embodiments use different audio, video, and olfactory output devices such as LEDs, LCDs, plasma screens, front- or rear-projection displays, loudspeakers, amplifiers, or a combination of such devices, and other output devices and techniques could be used as would occur to one skilled in the art. Likewise, one or more input devices may include push-buttons, UARTs, IR and/or RF transmitters, receivers, transceivers, and/or decoders, or other devices, as well as traditional keyboard and mouse devices. In alternative embodiments, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), general-purpose microprocessors, programmable logic arrays, or other devices may be used alone or in combination as would occur to one skilled in the art.  
         [0036]     Likewise, in various embodiments, one or more memories used in or with the system include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. By way of non-limiting example, the memory can include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a recordable, rewritable, or read-only DVD or CD); a magnetically encoded hard disk, floppy disk, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types. Also, the memory can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties.  
         [0037]     While the disclosed technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosed technology are desired to be protected.