U.S. patent application number 13/609547 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for wireless video uplink system that includes a reservation system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.. Invention is credited to Jason R. Delker, John Michael Everson, Bradley Allen Kropf, Jarrod A. Nichols.
Application Number | 20130007829 13/609547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47017581 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130007829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Everson; John Michael ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
WIRELESS VIDEO UPLINK SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A RESERVATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A wireless video device operates in a video uplink system having
a plurality of wireless access systems. The wireless video device
displays a geographic map and receives user inputs indicating a
geographic location and a time period. The wireless video device
transfers a video uplink request that indicates a wireless video
device identifier, the geographic location, and the time period.
The wireless video device may receive a video uplink grant. The
wireless video device optically receives video and generates
corresponding video data. The wireless video device wirelessly
transfers the video data to one of the wireless access systems
serving the geographic location during the time period.
Inventors: |
Everson; John Michael;
(Parker, CO) ; Nichols; Jarrod A.; (Olathe,
KS) ; Delker; Jason R.; (Olathe, KS) ; Kropf;
Bradley Allen; (Overland Park, KS) |
Assignee: |
SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
L.P.
Overland Park
KS
|
Family ID: |
47017581 |
Appl. No.: |
13/609547 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12871502 |
Aug 30, 2010 |
8296810 |
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13609547 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/47202 20130101;
H04W 4/02 20130101; H04H 60/07 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101;
H04W 28/26 20130101; H04N 21/4524 20130101; H04L 41/0896 20130101;
H04W 4/029 20180201; H04N 21/41407 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/114 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/40 20110101
H04N021/40 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a wireless video device in a video uplink
system having a plurality of wireless access systems, the method
comprising: in the wireless video device, displaying a geographic
map and receiving user inputs indicating a geographic location and
a time period; in the wireless video device, transferring a video
uplink request that indicates a wireless video device identifier,
the geographic location, and the time period; in the wireless video
device, optically receiving video and generating corresponding
video data; and in the wireless video device, wirelessly
transferring the video data to one of the wireless access systems
serving the geographic location during the time period.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wireless video
device, scanning for a network identifier broadcast by the one
wireless access system.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wireless video
device, scanning for a pilot signal broadcast by the one wireless
access system.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wireless video
device, scanning a frequency band used by the one wireless access
system.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein wirelessly transferring the video
data to the one wireless access system comprises wirelessly
transferring the video data over a Long Term Evolution link.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein generating and wirelessly
transferring the video data comprises generating and wirelessly
transferring high-definition video data.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the wireless video
device, receiving and displaying a video uplink grant.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user inputs
comprises receiving a user identifier and wherein transferring the
video uplink request comprises transferring the user
identifier.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user inputs
comprises receiving a uniform resource locator for video
distribution and wherein transferring the video uplink request
comprises transferring the uniform resource locator for video
distribution.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user inputs
comprises receiving an access code for video distribution and
wherein transferring the video uplink request comprises
transferring the access code for video distribution.
11. A wireless video device for use in a video uplink system having
a plurality of wireless access systems, the wireless video device
comprising: an optical receiver configured to receive video and
generate corresponding video data; a user interface configured to
display graphics; a wireless transceiver; a processing system
configured to direct the user interface to display a geographic map
and receive user inputs indicating a geographic location and a time
period; the processing system configured to direct the wireless
transceiver to wirelessly transfer a video uplink request that
indicates a wireless video device identifier, the geographic
location, and the time period; and the processing system configured
to direct the wireless transceiver to wirelessly transfer the video
data to one of the wireless access systems serving the geographic
location during the time period.
12. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the processing
system is configured to direct the wireless transceiver to scan for
a network identifier broadcast by the one wireless access
system.
13. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the processing
system is configured to direct the wireless transceiver to scan for
a pilot signal broadcast by the one wireless access system.
14. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the processing
system is configured to direct the wireless transceiver to scan a
frequency band used by the one wireless access system.
15. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the wireless
transceiver is configured to transfer the video data to the one
wireless access system over a Long Term Evolution link.
16. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the video data
comprises high-definition video data.
17. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the wireless
transceiver is configured to wirelessly receive a video uplink
grant and the processing system is configured to direct the user
interface to display the video uplink grant.
18. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the user inputs
indicate a user identifier and wherein the video uplink request
indicates the user identifier.
19. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the user inputs
indicate a uniform resource locator for video distribution and
wherein the video uplink request indicates the uniform resource
locator for video distribution.
20. The wireless video device of claim 11 wherein the user inputs
indicate an access code for video distribution and wherein the
video uplink request indicates the access code for video
distribution.
Description
RELATED CASES
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/871,502 that was filed on Aug. 30, 2010 and
is entitled "WIRELESS VIDEO UPLINK SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A
RESERVATION SYSTEM." U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/871,502 is
hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Remote video feeds are routinely used by news organizations
and sporting events to share live, high quality video feeds with
their primary audiences. Due to the lack of high capacity wired
networks at most of these locations, these video feeds are commonly
performed over satellite uplinks and less commonly over terrestrial
3G wireless networks. Satellite uplinks require the content
organization to deploy a dedicated vehicle with a large antenna,
power supply, and high power transmitter. This broadcast truck and
associated communications hardware and systems are both cumbersome
and expensive. As a result, most broadcast organizations have
limited resources and have to deploy them sparingly and at great
expense. Terrestrial cellular uplink systems, while technically
feasible, often require complex and expensive uplink bonding
systems and despite efforts to achieve sufficient bandwidth, often
fail to deliver the quality and bandwidth required to transmit
broadcast-quality video. Further, if many companies congregate in a
news-making location and simultaneously attempt to transmit their
broadcast, the end result is a depletion of wireless resources,
reducing the ability of any organization to transmit broadcast
quality information and the devastation of the resource for all
other public users on the network. These terrestrial video uplink
systems lack an effective method and technology for reservation of
uplink resources, wireless access, user devices, and distribution
servers.
OVERVIEW
[0003] A wireless video device operates in a video uplink system
having a plurality of wireless access systems. The wireless video
device displays a geographic map and receives user inputs
indicating a geographic location and a time period. The wireless
video device transfers a video uplink request that indicates a
wireless video device identifier, the geographic location, and the
time period. The wireless video device may receive a video uplink
grant. The wireless video device optically receives video and
generates corresponding video data. The wireless video device
wirelessly transfers the video data to one of the wireless access
systems serving the geographic location during the time period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless video uplink system including
a wireless uplink reservation system.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the wireless uplink
reservation system.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless uplink reservation menu.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless video uplink system including
a wireless access system.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the wireless access
system.
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the wireless access
system.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the wireless access
system.
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates a wireless video device.
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the wireless video
device.
[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates a display provided by the wireless video
device.
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates a display provided by the wireless video
device.
[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates a video server system.
[0016] FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of the video server
system.
[0017] FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of the video server
system.
[0018] FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of the video server
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates wireless video uplink system 100.
Wireless video uplink system 100 comprises reservation system 101,
video server system 102, communication network 105, and user
systems 106-107. At geographic location 103, wireless video uplink
system 100 comprises wireless access system 111 and wireless video
devices 113-114. At geographic location 104, wireless video uplink
system 100 comprises wireless access system 112.
[0020] Reservation system 101 and communication network 105
communicate over communication link 121. Video server system 102
and communication network 105 communicate over communication link
122. User systems 106-107 and communication network 105 communicate
over respective communication links 125-126. Wireless access
systems 111-112 and communication network 105 communicate over
respective communication links 123-124. Wireless video device 113
and wireless access system 111 communicate over wireless link 131.
Wireless video device 114 and wireless access system 111
communicate over wireless link 132.
[0021] Reservation system 101 and video server system 102 comprise
computer and communication systems that include communication
transceivers, processing circuitry, memory devices, user
interfaces, software, and data. Reservation system 101 and video
server system 102 could be integrated together, be discrete
systems, or be distributed across various different computer and
communication systems.
[0022] Communication network 105 comprises communication equipment,
such as routers, servers, switches, fiber optic and metallic
cabling, and the like. Communication network 105 may be supported
by several different service providers and could utilize the public
Internet. Communication links 121-126 use metal, glass, air, space,
or some other material as the transport media. Communication links
121-126 may use various communication protocols, such as Time
Division Multiplex (TDM), Internet Protocol (IP), Ethernet, a
wireless protocol, or some other communication format--including
combinations thereof. Communication links 121-126 may comprise
direct links or may include intermediate networks, systems, or
devices.
[0023] User system 106 comprises an electronic device that can be
operated by a user to interact with reservation system 101 to make
wireless video uplink reservations. User system 107 comprises an
electronic device that can be operated by a user to request,
download, and view video. Examples of user systems 106-107 include
computers, phones, televisions, video cameras, game consoles,
Internet appliances, and the like.
[0024] Wireless access systems 111-112 each comprise communication
equipment, such as wireless base stations, gateways, routers,
servers, switches, fiber optic and metallic cabling, and the like.
The base stations comprise an antenna and RF communication
circuitry for wireless communication. The RF communication
circuitry typically includes an amplifier, filter, RF modulator,
software, and signal processing circuitry that implement a wireless
communication protocol. Wireless communication links 131-132 use
the air or space as the transport media. Wireless links 131-132 may
use various protocols, such as Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Evolution
Data Only (EVDO), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WIMAX), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution
(LTE), or some other wireless communication format--including
combinations thereof. Wireless links 131-132 could be direct links
or may include intermediate networks, systems, or devices.
[0025] Wireless video devices 113-114 include an optical receiver
to capture optical signals and generate corresponding video data.
Wireless video devices 113-114 include an antenna and RF
communication circuitry for wireless communication. The RF
communication circuitry typically includes an amplifier, filter, RF
modulator, software, and signal processing circuitry that implement
a wireless communication protocol. Wireless video devices 113-114
also include a processing system and user interface to execute
applications, control video operations, and direct wireless
access--in addition to other tasks. In some examples, wireless
video devices 113-114 are further configured to make reservations
and download video like user systems 106-107. Some examples of
wireless video devices 113-114 include high-definition video
cameras with wireless communication transceivers, smart phones with
cameras, netbooks, and the like.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of video uplink reservation
system 101. Reservation system 101 receives a video reservation
request from user system 106 (201). In response to the reservation
request, reservation system 101 transfers a reservation menu to
user system 106 (202). For example, user system 106 might log-in to
a reservation web-site hosted by reservation system 101 and
download the reservation menu.
[0027] User system 106 uses the menu to submit a video uplink
request that indicates the user, geographic location 103, and a
time period. The user could be indicated by a user ID, device ID,
group ID, pool ID or some other data associated with the user. The
geographic location 103 could be indicated through the selection of
a point on a geographic map. The menu and corresponding uplink
request may include other data, such as a Uniform Resource Locator
(URL) or access code to download the video, permission for public
access to the video, or a fee required to access the video.
[0028] Reservation system 101 processes the uplink request to
determine if a wireless access system serves the geographic
location (204). Since wireless access system 111 serves geographic
location 103 (205), reservation system 101 determines if wireless
access system 111 has available video uplink capacity during the
specified time period (206). If wireless access system 111 has
available video uplink capacity during the time period (207), then
reservation system 101 authorizes the user (208). If the user is
authorized (209), then reservation system 101 grants the
reservation and directs wireless access system 111 to provide a
wireless video uplink during the time period to wireless video
device 113--which is associated with the user (210). Reservation
system 101 may also transfer the reservation data to server system
102 for use in video distribution.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1, wireless access system 111
wirelessly receives video data from wireless video device 113 over
the reserved video uplink during the time period. Also during the
time period, wireless access system 111 inhibits another video
uplink attempt from wireless video device 114. The inhibition is
designed to maintain adequate uplink capacity for wireless video
device 113, and thus, the inhibition could be a complete block or
an uplink for device 114 with reduced capacity. Note that this
example is illustrative, and more than one video device may
simultaneously uplink to the same wireless access system before an
uplink inhibition is required to maintain adequate uplink
capacity.
[0030] Wireless access system 111 transfers the video data to video
server system 102 for storage and distribution. User system 107
requests the video data from video server system 102, and in
response, video server system 102 transfers the video data to user
system 107. For example, user system 107 may log-in to a video web
site hosted by video server system 102 to download the video.
[0031] Note that multiple wireless devices could be associated with
the user. Thus, the reservation could be for a single wireless
video device or for a set of wireless video devices--where the
first device in the set to use the reserved video uplink gets the
reservation and other devices in the set would be inhibited as
needed. For example, a news organization may have ten wireless
video cameras associated with their user ID. Someone at the news
organization could set up the reservation to cover an event, such
as a government news conference. The first wireless video camera
from the news organization to use the video uplink would get the
reservation, and the other nine wireless video cameras might be
inhibited if they attempt a wireless video uplink from the news
conference site.
[0032] In some embodiments, a pooling arrangement may be in effect.
In a pooling arrangement, several users agree to share the
resulting video from wireless video uplinks. When establishing the
reservation, the user would be notified that the pooling
arrangement applies, and that other members of the pool will be
able to obtain the resulting video from the uplink. In some cases,
the wireless video uplink would be awarded on a first-come,
first-serve basis, and then the video feed would be shared by all
members of the pool.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates wireless uplink reservation menu 300.
Menu 300 is an example of the reservation menu described above,
although that reservation menu may take various forms. Wireless
uplink reservation menu 300 contains various text boxes to enter
information indicating the user, reservation date, location, and
the reservation start and stop times. The location may specified by
a physical address, intersection, or other suitable description,
such as "West Side High School."
[0034] A text box is provided to indicate a Uniform Resource
Locator (URL) for subsequent distribution--including live
streaming. In some cases, the URL has a common hostname to access
the video server system, and then the user may specify a path name
that typically indicates characteristics of the video. For example,
the hostname for the video server system might be "wirelessvideo"
and the path name could be "westsidehighbasketball/1-15-15." Thus,
the URL might be:
www.wirelessvideo/westsidehighbasketball/1-15-15.com.
[0035] There is a text box to specify if public access is allowed.
Public access may be qualified with a fee, which can be specified
in the following boxes. Non-public access requires an access code
or the like and may also require a fee. Another text box allows the
user to indicate device identifiers, such as Media Access Control
(MAC) identifiers, for the wireless video device(s) that may
attempt to wirelessly upload video. The next text box allows the
user to indicate a pool identifier in the event that the user is
associated with a pool.
[0036] An additional box is provided for a description of the
video, such as a West Side high school basketball game. The
description may include significantly more data, and the data may
be used as metadata in a search interface for others who search for
videos to download. Note that some of this data may be pre-stored
for selection using the down arrows in the text boxes. In addition,
other interfaces, such as calendars and clocks, may be used to
collect user data.
[0037] Reservation menu 300 also has a map section that has been
simplified for clarity. The map section is typically larger and
includes buttons for zooming in and out, as well as, directional
movement. The map section also typically includes a search
interface, like a text box, to input search terms and focus the map
on a desired location. For example, the entry "national mall" might
focus the map on the national mall (near the Washington Monument)
in the District of Columbia.
[0038] Once the user navigates to the desired geographic area on
the map, they may then select a location for the wireless video
uplink. For example, the user may navigate to West Side high school
and then select the school for the uplink. This selection is
significant because the reservation system uses this location to
identify the serving wireless access system and to check for
available uplink capacity during the desired time frame.
[0039] A notification area is included to provide feedback to the
user. Various forms of feedback may be provided. For example, video
uplinks from schools or parks may require public access. In another
example, a suggested URL path may not be available. Other
information may be presented to the user in a like manner.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates wireless video uplink system 400.
Wireless video uplink system 400 comprises reservation system 401,
video server system 402, wireless access system 403, communication
network 405, and user systems 406-407. Wireless access system 403
comprises base station 415, control system 416, and wireless video
devices 413-414. Wireless access system 403 is an example of
wireless access systems 111-112, although systems 111-112 may use
alternative configurations.
[0041] Reservation system 401 and communication network 405
communicate over communication link 421. Video server system 402
and communication network 405 communicate over communication link
422. User systems 406-407 and communication network 405 communicate
over respective communication links 424-425. Control system 416 and
communication network 405 communicate over communication link 423.
Base station 415 and control system 416 communicate over
communication link 426. Wireless video devices 413-414 and base
station 415 communicate over wireless communication links 431-432
(where link 431 is represented by signals 441-444).
[0042] Reservation system 401 and video server system 402 comprise
computer and communication systems that include communication
transceivers, processing circuitry, memory devices, user
interfaces, software, and data. Reservation system 401 and video
server system 402 could be integrated together, be discrete
systems, or be distributed across various different computer and
communication systems. Communication network 405 comprises
communication equipment, such as routers, servers, switches, fiber
optic and metallic cabling, and the like. Communication network 405
may be supported by several different service providers and could
utilize the public Internet. User system 406 comprises an
electronic device that can be operated by a user to interact with
reservation system 401 to make wireless video uplink reservations.
User system 407 comprises an electronic device that can be operated
by a user to request, download, and view video. Examples of user
systems 406-407 include computers, phones, televisions, video
cameras, game consoles, Internet appliances, and the like.
[0043] Wireless video devices 413-414 each include an optical
receiver to capture optical signals and generate corresponding
video data. Wireless video devices 413-414 include an antenna and
RF communication circuitry for wireless communication. The RF
communication circuitry typically includes an amplifier, filter, RF
modulator, software, and signal processing circuitry that implement
a wireless communication protocol. Wireless video devices 413-414
also include a processing system and user interface to execute
applications, control video operations, and direct wireless
access--in addition to other tasks. In some examples, wireless
video devices 413-414 are further configured to make reservations
and download video like user systems 406-407. Some examples of
wireless video devices 413-414 include high-definition video
cameras with wireless communication transceivers, smart phones with
cameras, netbooks, and the like.
[0044] Base station 415 comprises communication equipment, such as
antennas, amplifiers, filters, RF modulators, software, and signal
processing circuitry, routers, servers, fiber optic and metallic
cabling, and the like. Control system 416 comprises a computer and
communication system that includes communication transceivers,
processing circuitry, memory devices, user interfaces, software,
and data. Control system 416 might include a base station
controller, packet network gateway, server, router, border
controller, and the like.
[0045] Communication links 421-426 use metal, glass, air, space, or
some other material as the transport media. Communication links
421-426 may use various communication protocols, such as TDM, IP,
Ethernet, a wireless protocol, or some other communication
format--including combinations thereof. Communication links 421-426
may comprise direct links or may include intermediate networks,
systems, or devices. Wireless communication links 431-432 use the
air or space as the transport media. Wireless links 431-432 may use
various protocols, such as CDMA, GSM, EVDO, WIMAX, HSPA, LTE, or
some other wireless communication format--including combinations
thereof. Wireless links 431-432 could be direct links or may
include intermediate networks, systems, or devices.
[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of wireless access system
403 to support a wireless video uplink service. Prior to the
operation on FIG. 5, user system 406 interacts with reservation
system 401 to make a video uplink reservation for wireless video
device 413 at a geographic location served by base station
415--perhaps as described above. As a result, reservation system
401 provides the associated reservation data to control system 416
in wireless access system 403.
[0047] Base station 415 wirelessly broadcasts a pilot signal 441
including a network access provider identifier that identifies the
wireless video service (501). Wireless video device 413 wirelessly
scans for pilot signal 441 having the network access provider for
the wireless video service. The wireless scan entails receiving
energy from the air through an antenna and processing the energy at
a specific frequency band to detect the network access provider
identifier. In response to detecting pilot signal 441, wireless
video device 413 wirelessly transfers wireless video uplink request
442. Base station 415 receives wireless video uplink request 442
(502). In response to wireless video uplink request 442, control
system 416 processes the reservation data to determine if wireless
video device 413 has a current wireless video uplink reservation
(503).
[0048] Since wireless video device 413 does have a reservation
(504), control system 416 directs base station 415 to transfer an
indication 443 that the reserved wireless video uplink is available
to wireless video device 413. In response, wireless video device
413 captures video and transfers wireless video data 444 to base
station 415. Base station 415 receives wireless video data 444
(506) and forwards the video data to control system 416. Control
system 416 transfers the video data to video server system 402 for
storage and distribution.
[0049] If wireless video device 413 did not have a reservation
(504), then control system 416 would process loading conditions to
determine if base station 415 had the capacity to provide the video
uplink to video device 413 (508). If base station 415 has the
capacity (509), then control system 416 would direct base station
415 to provide the requested wireless video uplink to video device
413 (505). If base station 415 does not have the capacity (509),
then control system 416 would direct base station 415 to deny the
video uplink request from video device 413 (510).
[0050] Contemporaneously with the video uplink for device 413,
wireless video device 414 also requests a wireless video uplink
through base station 415. In some examples, this request is placed
before the reservation time period for device 413, so the request
is temporarily granted. However, during the reservation time period
for wireless video device 413, base station 415 inhibits the video
uplink or other data transfers from video device 414 to preserve
service quality for wireless video device 413 (507).
[0051] Thus, wireless access system 403 supports both reserved and
non-reserved wireless video uplinks. Wireless access system 403 may
also support non-video data transfers, such as voice calls, emails,
web surfing, texting, and the like. Control system 416 gives top
priority to any reserved video uplinks, and control system 416
inhibits other video and data transfers as needed to provide
sufficient quality-of-service to the reserved video uplinks. When
capacity permits, control system 416 allows on-demand (not
reserved) wireless video uplinks, and control system 416 inhibits
other data transfers as needed to provide sufficient
quality-of-service to the non-reserved video uplinks. If capacity
permits, control system 416 allows other data transfers until
subsequent wireless video uplinks require the capacity. In some
examples, a predetermined amount of capacity is reserved for video
uplinks and the remaining capacity is allocated to data transfers.
If the predetermined amount is unused, the techniques described
herein may be used to re-allocate nay excess video capacity to
other uses.
[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of wireless access system
403 to support a wireless video service and a data transfer
service. The data transfer service could be voice calls, emails,
web surfing, texting, and the like. Base station 415 wirelessly
broadcasts pilot signal 441 including a network access provider
identifier that identifies the wireless video service (601). A
wireless data device (not shown) wirelessly scans for pilot signal
441 having the network access provider for the wireless video
service. In response to detecting pilot signal 441, the wireless
data device wirelessly transfers wireless data transfer request
(not a video uplink request). Base station 415 receives the
wireless data transfer request (602). In response to wireless data
transfer request 442, control system 416 processes loading data to
determine if base station 415 has the capacity to provide the
wireless data transfer to the wireless data device (603). This
processing could entail checking for any imminent reservations,
current video uplinks, and current data transfers. If base station
415 has the capacity (604), then control system 415 would direct
base station 415 to provide the requested wireless data transfer to
the wireless data device (605). Base station 415 and the wireless
data device would then wirelessly exchange the data (606). If base
station 415 does not have the capacity (604), then control system
416 would direct base station 415 to deny the wireless data
transfer request from the wireless data device (607).
[0053] FIG. 7 further illustrates the operation of wireless access
system 403 to support a wireless video service and a data transfer
service. Base station 415 wirelessly broadcasts pilot signal 441
including a network access provider identifier that identifies the
wireless video service and a base station identifier (701). Control
system 416 processes video uplink reservation data and current base
station loading to determine if base station 415 has enough excess
capacity to support data transfers (as opposed to video uplinks).
If base station 415 has excess capacity (703), then control system
416 transfers a message to add the network access provider and base
station identifier to the preferred roaming lists of wireless
devices in the geographic area (704). If base station 415 does not
have excess capacity (703), then control system 416 transfers a
message to remove the network access provider and base station
identifier from the preferred roaming lists of devices in the
geographic area (705).
[0054] Thus, wireless access system 403 supports the wireless video
uplink service by broadcasting a dedicated network access provider
identifier that can be used by wireless video devices to acquire
the video uplink service. Wireless video uplink reservations are
accepted and given top priority, even if non-reserved video uplinks
or other data transfers must be inhibited (although some system
capacity may be reserved for the other data transfers as a top
priority). On-demand wireless video uplinks are provided through
acquisition of the pilot signal as capacity permits. If excess
video uplink capacity exists, then the corresponding base station
is added to preferred roaming lists to attract other wireless data
users on a temporary or overflow basis.
[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates wireless video device 800. Wireless video
device 800 is an example of wireless video devices 113-114 and
413-414, although devices 113-114 and 413-414 may use alternative
configurations. In addition, wireless video device 800 is an
example of user systems 106-107 and 406-407, although systems
106-107 and 406-407 may use alternative configurations.
[0056] Wireless video device 800 comprises user interface 801,
wireless transceiver 802, processing system 803, and optical
receiver 807. Processing system 803 comprises processing circuitry
804 and memory system 805 that stores operating software 806.
Processing system 803 is linked to user interface 801, wireless
transceiver 802, and optical receiver 807. Wireless video device
800 may include other well-known components that are not shown for
clarity, such as an additional communication interface, enclosure,
device, power supply, and the like.
[0057] User interface 801 includes video uplink button 808 and a
video playback button 809. Video uplink and playback buttons
808-809 could be discrete physical keys on the surface of wireless
video device 800 or could be selections on a touch-screen display.
In some examples, a single activation of video uplink button 808
contemporaneously initiates both the video reception/processing and
the video uplink. Thus, the typical "record" button may be omitted
from user interface 801 altogether.
[0058] User interface 801 also comprises other components that
interact with the user, such as graphic displays, keys, buttons,
touch-pads, speaker, microphone, and the like. The user operates
user interface 801 to capture video, interact with a wireless
communication network to upload the video, playback video, and
interact with a video server system to store and distribute the
video. In some examples, the user may operate user interface 801 to
make wireless video uplink reservations.
[0059] Wireless transceiver 802 comprises an antenna, filter,
amplifier, signal processing circuitry, software, and/or some other
communication components. Wireless transceiver 802 may use various
wireless communication formats, such as CDMA, GSM, EVDO, WIMAX,
HSPA, LTE, or some other wireless communication format--including
combinations thereof. Wireless transceiver 802 transmits and
receives wireless signals to upload video, interact with the video
server system to store and distribute the video, and possibly to
make wireless video uplink reservations.
[0060] Optical receiver 807 comprises an optical sensor and signal
processing circuitry that collects optical signals and generates
corresponding digital data (video data). Optical receiver 807 could
be a high-definition video camera or some other video collection
device. In some example, optical receiver 807 operates in response
to the activation of video uplink button 808.
[0061] Processing circuitry 804 comprises microprocessor and other
circuitry that retrieves and executes operating software 806 from
memory system 805. Memory system 805 comprises a computer-readable
storage medium, such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storage
circuitry, or some other memory apparatus. Memory system 805 could
be a single device or be distributed across multiple devices.
Processing circuitry 804 is typically mounted on one or more
circuit boards that may also hold memory system 805 and portions of
user interface 801, wireless transceiver 802, and optical receiver
807.
[0062] Operating software 806 comprises computer programs,
firmware, or some other form of computer-readable processing
instructions. Operating software 806 includes applications as
described herein, and may also include an operating system,
utilities, drivers, network interfaces, or some other type of
software. For example, operating software 806 might include: 1) an
operating system module to interface with a user interface,
processing circuitry and memory; 2) a video collection module to
control an optical receiver; 3) a wireless module to direct
wireless communications with a wireless access system, an Internet
module to communicate with networked systems, and 4) a video module
to interact with video reservation and server systems. Thus, when
executed by processing circuitry 804, operating software 806
directs processing system 803 to operate wireless video device 800
to collect and upload video data, and to interact with video
reservation and server systems as described herein.
[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of wireless video device
800. The user operates video uplink button 808 on device 800 to
request a wireless video uplink (901). In response to the user
request, wireless video device 800 identifies a wireless video
uplink system (902). For example, wireless video device 800 may
wirelessly scan for a pilot signal from a communication network
able to supply the wireless video uplink. In some cases, the pilot
signal carries a network access provider identification for a video
uplink service. Wireless video device 800 wirelessly transfers a
video uplink request to the identified communication system (903).
For example, wireless video device 800 may wirelessly communicate
with the identified system to complete system acquisition, perform
authentication and authorization with the system, and request a
wireless video uplink from the system.
[0064] Although not required in all examples, wireless video device
800 may begin to receive and process optical signals to generate
video data in response to the activation of uplink button 808. In
these examples, video reception could start immediately when button
808 is activated, and the video data would be stored for subsequent
transfer over the uplink when it becomes available.
[0065] Wireless video device 800 wirelessly receives a system
response, and although not required for all such responses, the
received system response indicates at least one condition that must
be accepted by the user before the wireless video uplink is
provided. Wireless video device 800 displays the condition to the
user and prompts for user acceptance of the condition (905). The
condition could be displayed on a touch screen with corresponding
"ACCEPT" and "REJECT" selection buttons. For example, the condition
could require public access to the video--typically based on the
location of device 800 or a pool to which device 800 belongs. In
other cases, the condition might be a time frame when the uplink
will be available--such as a length of time before another
reservation begins.
[0066] If the user rejects the condition (906), wireless video
device 800 wirelessly transfers a rejection of the condition and
the video uplink is not provided (907). If the user accepts the
condition (906), then wireless video device 800 wirelessly
transfers an acceptance of the condition (908). Wireless video
device 800 then displays prompts for video producer data (909). The
video producer data and corresponding display may be similar to
that of FIG. 3. Thus, the user may specify a user name,
distribution URL, public availability, access code, access fee
amount, MAC ID, pool ID, and a description of the video. Note that
this video producer data may be used as metadata in a search
interface for others who search for videos to download. Also note
that wireless communication device 800 may pre-store or supply some
of the data including user name, URL, geographic location, date and
time, MAC ID, pool ID, and the base station ID for the base station
that provides the uplink.
[0067] Wireless video device 800 receives video producer data from
the user and wirelessly transfers the data to the video server
system (910). Wireless video device 800 then captures optical
signals, generates corresponding video data, and wirelessly
transfers the video data over the video uplink for delivery to the
video server system (911), where the video server system
distributes the video per the video producer data, reservation
data, and any accepted conditions.
[0068] During the video upload, wireless video device 800 may
receive a request from the video system to share the video data
(912) with a second user. For example, the second user at the
location may have their video uplink request denied due to uplink
capacity restrictions. Based on a site requirement, user
instruction, or other parameter, the video system may automatically
request video sharing. If the share request is received (912), then
wireless video device 800 displays the share request to the user
(913). The share request could be displayed on a touch screen with
corresponding "ACCEPT" and "REJECT" selection buttons. If the user
does not accept the share request (914), then the video upload
proceeds as before (911). If the user does accept the share request
(914), then wireless video device 800 wirelessly transfers the
acceptance to the video system, and the video upload proceeds (911)
with the second user sharing the video. In some cases, the shared
video data is copied to the second users video distribution server
account for distribution in accord with the second user's
specifications for public access, fees, and the like.
[0069] Note that in the above example, wireless video device 800
uses the on-demand approach to obtain the wireless video uplink.
Alternatively, wireless video device 800 could also be operated to
invoke a prior video uplink reservation. In this case, the
acceptance of conditions (if any) and the provision of user
instructions could occur during the reservation process, when
invoking the wireless video uplink, or during both activities.
[0070] FIG. 10 illustrates display 1000 that is provided by user
interface 801 of wireless video device 800 as described above. Note
the displayed uplink condition, "feed sharing with pool #23" along
side accept and reject selection boxes. The user has accepted the
condition by selecting the accept box. Also note the other user
instructions and data that is displayed. The user has input a user
name, URL to access the video, public access rejection, pool ID,
and video description. Wireless video device 800 has added a video
date, start time, base station ID for the serving base station,
current GPS coordinates where the video is being captured, and the
orientation of the video shot by compass direction. Wireless video
device 800 transfers these instructions and data to the video
control system.
[0071] FIG. 11 illustrates display 1100 that is provided by user
interface 801 of wireless video device 800 as described above. Note
the displayed uplink condition, "wireless video uplink will
terminate at 5:00 PM" along side accept and reject selection boxes.
The user has accepted the condition by selecting the accept box.
Also note the video producer data that is displayed. The user has
input a user name, URL to access the video, public access
acceptance, access code, access fee, and video description.
Wireless video device 800 has added a video date, start time, base
station ID for the serving base station, current GPS coordinates
where the video is being captured, and the orientation of the video
shot by compass direction. Wireless video device 800 transfers the
video producer data to the video control system.
[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates video server system 1200. Video server
system 1200 provides an example of video server systems 102 and
402, although systems 102 and 402 may use alternative
configurations. Video server system 1200 could be a discrete
system, a distributed system, and/or could be integrated into other
systems. In some examples, video server system 1200 includes a
wireless video uplink reservation system as described herein.
[0073] Video server system 1200 comprises network transceivers
1201, user interface 1202, and processing system 1203. Processing
system 1203 comprises processing circuitry 1204 and memory system
1205 that stores operating software 1206. Processing system 1203 is
linked to transceiver 1201 and user interface 1202. Video server
system 1200 may include other well-known components that are not
shown for clarity, such as an additional communication interface,
routers, servers, processors, power supply, and the like.
[0074] Network transceiver 1201 is coupled to network communication
links that may access the Internet or some other communication
network. Network transceivers 1201 comprise communication ports,
signal processing circuitry, software, and/or some other
communication components. Network transceiver 1201 may include an
antenna and Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry if wireless
communication is used. Network transceiver 1201 may use various
communication protocols, such as time division multiplex, internet,
Ethernet, CDMA, wireless, or some other communication
format--including combinations thereof. Network transceiver 1201
receives videos, video producer data, video reservation data, and
video requests. Network transceiver 1201 also transfers the videos
for delivery to requesting users.
[0075] User interface 1202 comprises other components that interact
with operational personnel, such as graphic displays, keys,
buttons, touch-pads, and the like.
[0076] Processing circuitry 1204 comprises microprocessor and other
circuitry that retrieves and executes operating software 1206 from
memory system 1205. Memory system 1205 comprises a
computer-readable storage medium, such as a disk drive, flash
drive, data storage circuitry, or some other memory apparatus.
Memory system 1205 could be a single device or be distributed
across multiple devices. Processing circuitry 1204 is typically
mounted on one or more circuit boards that may also hold memory
system 1205 and portions of transceiver 1201 and user interface
1202.
[0077] Operating software 1206 comprises computer programs,
firmware, or some other form of computer-readable processing
instructions. Operating software 1206 may include an operating
system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, or
some other type of software. For example, operating software 1206
might include: 1) an operating system module to interface with the
user interface, processing circuitry, and memory; 2) a networking
module to direct communications, such as Internet sessions; 3) a
video reception module to receive, process, and store videos and
associated data; 4) a video distribution module to receive video
requests and transfer videos, and 5) a reservation module to handle
uplink reservations. Thus, when executed by processing circuitry
1204, operating software 1206 directs processing system 1203 to
operate video server system 1200 as described herein.
[0078] FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of video server system
1200 to process incoming videos. Video server system 1200 receives
a video and its corresponding data (1301). The video was uploaded
to a base station over a wireless video uplink. The corresponding
data includes video producer data that was uploaded along with the
video. The corresponding data may also include reservation data for
the video from a wireless video uplink reservation system. Video
server system 1200 associates the reservation data with its
corresponding video by matching the reservation data with the video
producer data (1302). For example, the reservation data and the
video producer data share the same producer (user name), location,
time and date, uplink base station, and typically other data. In
addition, video server system 1200 associates the incoming video
with other user accounts that may distribute the video through
pooling or sharing conditions.
[0079] Video server system 1200 processes the video and its
corresponding data to develop a video icon and associated video
information (1303). Typically, the icon will be placed on a map
where hovering over the icon reveals the video information and
selecting the icon begins the video download process. The video
information includes information regarding the video title,
description, producer, time/date, location, public access, access
codes, access fees, pools, and the like. Video server system 1200
processes the video information to determine if the video is
available to the public (1304). If public distribution is available
(1304), then video server system 1200 processes the video
information to determine if GPS coordinates for the public video
are available (1305). The GPS coordinates may be available from the
reservation data or the producer data. If GPS coordinates are
available (1305), then video server system 1200 loads the video
icon onto a public-access geographic map at the GPS coordinates
(1306).
[0080] If GPS coordinates are not available (1305), then video
server system 1200 loads the video icon onto the public-access
geographic map at the location of the base station that provides
the uplink (1307). The base station ID may be available from the
reservation data or the producer data, and video server system 1200
translates the base station ID into GPS coordinates for the base
station. In some examples, a base station sector is identified, and
the GPS coordinates are for the base station sector. After loading
the icon (1306, 1307), video server system 1200 stores the public
video for distribution using the URL listed in the video data
(1308).
[0081] If the video is not publicly available (1304), then video
server system 1200 determines if restricted access to the video is
available (1309). Typically, restricted access requires the video
requester to provide an access code, biometrics, or some other
private key to access the video. If restricted access to the video
is available (1309), then video server system 1200 processes the
video information to determine if GPS coordinates for the
restricted video are available (1310). If GPS coordinates are
available (1310), then video server system 1200 loads the video
icon onto a restricted-access geographic map at the GPS coordinates
(1311). If GPS coordinates are not available (1310), then video
server system 1200 loads the video icon onto the restricted-access
geographic map near the location of the base station that provided
the uplink (1311). After loading the icon (1311, 1312), video
server system 1200 stores the video for restricted distribution at
the URL listed in the video data (1308).
[0082] Note that there would typically be several restricted-access
geographic maps that are each customized with the set of video
icons for a given producer, URL, user, access code, pool, and the
like. If neither public access (1304) nor restricted access (1309)
access to the video is available, then video server system 1200
stores the video at a default location for the user (1313).
[0083] Note that various types of additional data may be collected.
For example, the downloading of public videos may require the
requester to provide an email address or other data.
[0084] Also note that an entire video server system may be
restricted and require the receipt of proper credentials before
access is provided. For example, a video server system may be
configured to operate as described herein, except that the system
would require a registration and authorization procedure to be
performed through a front-end portion of the system before any
access to the video server is allowed.
[0085] FIG. 14 illustrates the operation of video server system
1200 to serve video requests. Video server system 1200 receives a
video request in the form of a URL request. Video server system
1200 determines if the URL from the request is restricted (1402).
If the URL is restricted (1402), then video server system 1200
prompts the requester for an access code, pool ID, and the
like--including combinations thereof. Video server system 1200
processes the requester's response to determine if the requester is
authorized (1404). If the requester is authorized (1404), then
video server system 1200 transfers the associated restricted
geographic map with video icons and video data (1405). If the URL
is not restricted (1402), then video server system 1200 transfers
the public geographic map with video icons and video data
(1407).
[0086] Video server system 1200 receives an icon selection for a
video (1406) and determines if any access fee is required for the
video (1408). If a fee is required, video server system 1200
prompts the video requester for the fee (1409). If the fee is
received (1410), video server system 1200 transfers the video to
the video requester (1411). If no fee is required (1408), video
server system 1200, transfers the video to the video requester
(1411) responsive to the icon selection (1406).
[0087] FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of video server system
1200 to serve video requests. Video server system 1200 receives a
video search request and responds by transferring a video search
interface (1501). The search request could be represented by a
special URL request or could be a menu option or selection button
provided on another URL page. The search interface may include text
boxes, maps, calendars, clocks, suggestions, and the like for the
video requester to input search criteria. Video server system 1200
performs the search, transfers search results, and receives a user
selection of a search result (1502). The search results could be a
set of video icons and video data that relate to the search
criteria. For example, if the search criteria is "Westside
basketball" then the top three search results might be entitled:
Westside High School 2015 Varsity Girls Basketball, Westside High
School 2015 Varsity Boys Basketball, and Westside High School
Varsity Basketball Archive.
[0088] Video server system 1200 determines if the selected search
result is restricted (1502). If the selected search result is
restricted (1503), then video server system 1200 prompts the
requester for an access code, pool ID, and the like--including
combinations thereof (1504). For example, if the selected search
result is "John Doe Family Vacations", then restricted access may
be implemented. Video server system 1200 processes the requester's
authorization response (access code) to determine if the requester
is authorized (1505). If the requester is authorized (1505), then
video server system 1200 transfers the associated restricted
geographic map with video icons and video data (1506). For example,
server system 1200 may return a restricted map with icons at
various vacation locales for the John Doe family. If the search
result is not restricted (1503), then video server system 1200
transfers the public geographic map with video icons and video data
(1508) identified by the selected result. For example, server
system 1200 may return a public map with icons at various game
locales for the Westside high school basketball teams.
[0089] Video server system 1200 receives an icon selection for a
video (1507) and determines if any access fee is required for the
video (1509). If a fee is required, video server system 1200
prompts the video requester for the fee (1510). If the fee is
received (1511), video server system 1200 transfers the video to
the video requester (1512). If no fee is required (1509), video
server system 1200 transfers the video to the video requester
(1512) responsive to the icon selection (1507).
[0090] The above description and associated figures teach the best
mode of the invention. The following claims specify the scope of
the invention. Note that some aspects of the best mode may not fall
within the scope of the invention as specified by the claims. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described
above can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations
of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the
specific embodiments described above, but only by the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *
References