Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02361659 2001-11-09
LOCAL BROADCAST SYSTEM
The present invention relates to broadcasting and more particularly, relates
to a
method for providing information at public events.
Large public events such as sporting events charge admission to the public for
attending such events. Examples of such sporting events are automobile racing,
golf
tournaments, horse racing, etc. One factor common to all such events is the
problem of
providing desired information to the attendees. For example, during an
automobile race,
many spectators are unable to see large parts of the race course. In order to
overcome
this, some events have used large screens in order to provide these fans with
views of the
parts of the course which normally cannot be seen from the stands. However,
even these
screens are sometimes difficult to see. Furthermore, the particular view which
the race
fan would want to see may not be available.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for permitting
attendees at an event to personalize their view of the event.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for
providing
information to attendees at an event and wherein the information can be
selected from
several different locations.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cross marketing
tool for
attendees at an event.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a local
broadcasting
system wherein the attendees are provided, on a portable device, the choice of
several
different views of the event.
Thus, for example, one can supply a portable receiving device to each of the
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CA 02361659 2001-11-09
attendees of the event. Such a device would include audio and visual
capabilities - i.e.
receiving a local audio or video broadcast within a limited range. These
broadcast may
include pictures available from a plurality of different locations - four or
more if so
desired, each being available on a different channel.
In addition to the above, one could use the broadcast as a cross marketing
tool
with the use of suitable advertisements and the like. The communication could,
in some
instances, be two way in order to provide an instant feedback.
Advantages of the system would include a capability of generating additional
revenues and as well, doing so with a very low cost infrastructure. A local
area broadcast
could be conducted on any suitable broadcast band such as 2.4 gHz band.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a card which
is
insertable into the receiving apparatus and which card can authorize the
receiver to
receive certain information. Thus, the possibility exists that when attending
an event, the
patron could either rent the apparatus or alternatively, the patron may
already own the
apparatus. In either instance, the card would be inserted which would provide
access to a
desired information. One could, for example, have different types of cards
providing
different authorizations, each card being priced differently.
As aforementioned, the information may include video information, audio
information, access to data bases, and the like.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a receiver which may be utilized in
the local
broadcast system of the present invention; and
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Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof as seen from the right hand side
of
Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, a
typical receiver which may be utilized with the local broadcasting system of
the present
invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
Receiver 10 has a housing 12 and on the front thereof, has a video screen 14.
Video screen 14 may be of any desired type such as are presently known in the
art.
Mounted on the front of receiver 10 is a channel selector button 16 to select
one of
the various channels being broadcast. LED's 18 indicate the particular channel
being
received.
There also may be provided an On/Off button 20 and a sound adjustment control
22 which the apertures 24 permit the sound to pass from a speaker (not shown).
As seen in Figure 2, a clip 26 may be provided on the rear while a antenna 28
is
pivotally mounted to extend between a storage and a receiving position.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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