Method and system for real-time audio broadcast

Number: 10025551
Published: 2018-07-17
Filed: 2013-03-07
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Plumb; Kevin A.
CPC: H04R27/00; G06F3/165
Verdict: Set aside real-time audio broadcast plumbing
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments relate to methods and systems for a real-time localized audio broadcast to attendants at live entertainment events. One embodiment relates to a method comprising receiving location data indicating a location of a device, determining a frequency based on the location data, wherein the frequency is assigned based on a venue location and an audio channel is broadcast on the frequency at the venue location, displaying a software button on a user interface of the device, wherein the software button corresponds corresponding to the audio channel, receiving a user selection of the software button via the user interface, and tuning a RF tuner contained within the device to the frequency to receive the audio channel.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) Attendants of some sporting events may want to enjoy audio commentary and entertainment related to the events unfolding in front of them. For an event that is being broadcast, fans have used simple radios to receive over the air terrestrial broadcast from local stations while attending the event at a venue. However, due to existing terrestrial technology, such as profanity delays, HD radio and other encoding systems, the broadcast is delayed. Specifically, the broadcast delay could be as long as ninety seconds. Therefore, this makes the idea of listening to the radio at the venue for real time entertainment an obsolete solution.(2) Furthermore, the idea of listening to audio streaming or webcast via a personal media device in a spectator's seat real time is also not practical due to both provider and various technology, transmission, hardware, software and computation time latencies. Possible ideas to mitigate this digital latency may be to use a local venue media encoder connected to Wireless Data Network at the venue. However, this solution is cost prohibitive based on limited scalability factors. Listening to an announcer (e.g., play-by-play commentary) as much as two hundred and forty seconds after the play you saw live is not compelling. More specifically, any delay between watching a live event and listening to an audio broadcast of that event would eliminate any added benefit to the overall fan experience at the venue.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: an audio interface to receive audio channels from a plurality of sources; a multiplexer to convert the audio channels into a multiplex channel; an exciter to generate a carrier signal for the multiplex channel within a radio frequency band; a positioning device to determine a venue location in which the system is located; a frequency assignment database to receive and store frequency assignment data, wherein a look up is performed on the frequency assignment database based on the venue location and each audio channel is dynamically assigned a specific frequency based on the frequency assignment database; and an antenna to broadcast the multiplex channel across the venue location, wherein the antenna is a customized antenna oriented to project signals to all users within the venue location, wherein variations to the customized antenna are based on the size, shape and type of venue location, wherein variations to the customized antenna further include the use of at least one of a phase array antenna, a polarized antenna, and a distributed network antenna, and wherein broadcasting the multiplex channel includes interrupting at least one of the audio channels, replacing content from the at least one interrupted audio channel with alternate content and broadcasting the alternate content on the frequency corresponding to the at least one interrupted audio channel across the venue location. 11. A method, comprising: receiving audio channels from a plurality of sources at a radio frequency engine; converting the audio channels into a multiplex channel; generating a carrier signal for the multiplex channel within a radio frequency band; determining a venue location in which the radio frequency engine is located; storing frequency assignment data in a frequency assignment database; performing a look up on the frequency assignment database based on the venue location; dynamically assigning each audio channel a specific frequency based on the frequency assignment database; broadcasting the multiplex channel across the venue location, and wherein the multiplex channel is broadcast with an antenna, wherein the antenna is a customized antenna oriented to project signals to all users within the venue location, wherein variations to the customized antenna are based on the size, shape and type of venue location, wherein variations to the customized antenna further include the use of at least one of a phase array antenna, a polarized antenna, and a distributed network antenna; interrupting at least one of the audio channels; replacing content from the at least one interrupted audio channel with alternate content; and broadcasting the alternate content on the frequency corresponding to the at least one interrupted audio channel across the venue location.