Method and process for transmitting a live video stream, with a 360-degree view, from the perspective of a participant in an activity

Abstract

A method and process is described for transmitting a live video stream, from the perspective of a participant in an activity that is viewable in a 360-degree format by anyone receiving the video stream. The method comprises: taking of live video by multiple cameras situated around the circumference of either a helmet or article of headgear, or multiple cameras situated around the torso; transmitting the video images wirelessly to a receiver; combining, or stitching, the images together at a receiving terminal to form an output which is a live 360-degree video; making the video available for transmission in either recorded or live format to stream online for viewing via a suitably equipped headset.

Claims

1-42. (canceled)

43. A method of generating 360-degree images comprising: provisioning one or more cameras affixed to a person capable of capturing one or more images; sending the one or more images via a dedicated connection to a receiving terminal; generating, on the receiving terminal, a 360-degree view from the received images; combining the images into a single 360-degree image; and providing, by the receiving terminal, one or more combined images to a user.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the combined images are provided in real time.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the dedicated connection is a secure wireless network.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the one or more cameras are activated automatically.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the one or more cameras are affixed to a helmet.

48. A method of generating 360-degree images comprising: provisioning one or more cameras affixed to a person capable of capturing one or more images, wherein the one or more cameras communicate over a private wireless local area network; receiving the one or more images via a dedicated connection to a receiving terminal; generating, on the receiving terminal, a 360-degree view from the received images; combining the images into a single 360-degree image; and providing, by the receiving terminal, one or more combined images to a user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts the flow of live images between a camera, a receiving terminal and an end user in an exemplary embodiment of the invention where the end user device is not a wireless device.

[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the helmet-based camera or cameras.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the helmet-based camera or cameras.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the torso-based camera or cameras

[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the interior wiring of the camera or cameras and associated battery system or systems where the camera or cameras are situated within a helmet.

[0029] FIG. 6 depicts a view of the connected battery systems as seen from the bottom of the helmet looking towards the crown of the helmet.

[0030] FIG. 7 depicts a view of a single camera and associated battery systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which the present invention may be used. While this invention has many uses and applications, the most practical use and application used for the purposes of this invention is that of the sport of American Football. This sport contains potential uses and applications for the invention using either helmet 3-based or torso-based 6 camera systems 2. In addition, the sport uses helmets 3 which will provide the best possible viewing experience for the end user, given the spherical nature and shape of the helmets 3. Also, the position of the helmets 3 in particular throughout a game of football, will provide the optimum scenario through which this invention can be best exploited. With the majority of players, whether on the offensive or defensive team, running on most occasions in a vertically-aligned position/posture, the live images transmitted by the camera systems 2 will provide a user viewing experience that will be unique, innovative and ground-breaking. This invention is not limited to the sport above, other potential sports where the invention could be used for include ice hockey, motor racingincluding open-wheel racing, horse racing, cycling, mountain climbing, polo, motorcycling in addition to other activities. Other activities may include for example, any industrial or construction work which includes the wearing of hard hats or helmets 3 such as highway maintenance or construction for example.

[0032] In the example of the sport of football, part of the uniform for each player is a helmet 3 in addition to a variety of protection for the remainder of certain areas of the body, including the torso. This invention includes the placing of a number of cameras 2 around the circumference of the helmet 3. Each camera 2 will have a field of vision which will allow for forward and lateral views of a specific area around the player. Each camera 2 will be attached to a battery system 1 and will accept either a prior single charge or multiple/repetitive top-up charges during the course of an event. Due to the significant impact potential for a helmet 3, this invention places the cameras 2 and battery systems 1 within the interior of the helmet 3 without sacrificing any of the safety features of the helmet 3. The camera 2 lenses will be either standard or fish-eye lenses, depending on the greater views provided. Each camera 2 will be attached to a battery system 1 which will either be a single battery system 1 to supply all cameras 2 or an individual battery system 1 per camera 2. On the exterior of the helmet 3, the protection for the camera 2 lens will be a shatterproof, clear material, designed to withstand high pressure impacts and will not be dissimilar to the composition of the windows on an airplane.

[0033] The battery system 1 that powers the cameras 2 will either be a single power source and will be located within the helmet 3 in a position which is the least susceptible to impacts. This may be at the back of the helmet 3 but ultimately will be agreed upon with the helmet 3 manufacturer so as to not impact either the use and safety of the helmet 3. The camera 2 and the battery system 1 are connected via a short cable which will be located within the inner structure of the helmet 3.

[0034] Prior to the commencement of an event, individual IP addresses will be assigned to each camera 2 on each helmet 3/torso-based 6 system. This will require a block of IP addresses to be set aside by the provider of the secure, wireless network 8. If, for example, there are ten (10) cameras 2 required to provide the complete 360-degree view from each helmet 3 and ten (10) cameras 2 are required to provide the complete 360-degree view from each torso-based 6 cameras 2, and there are 53 players on each team competing, then a total of 2,120 IP addresses will need to be assigned. The IP addresses will be changed for each event and for each location for security purposes. The battery systems 1 on the helmets 3 will be charged prior the event using a standard USB connection to a power source. The battery systems 1 will be linked together using a looped or daisy-chain power cord, thus requiring only one standard USB connection for charging. In FIG. 1, along the sideline will be located charging stations 7. These are for topping up the power charge for the helmets 3. The charge from these charging stations 7 will be a high-strength charge, designed to provide power to the battery source at a rate of two-three times a normal power charge. There will also be charging stations 7 within the home training facilities of the teams.

[0035] The secure, dedicated wireless connection 9s will take advantage of a single, secure wireless network 8 within the arena/stadium where the event is taking place. To ensure there is no gap in the transmission of the images from the helmet 3/torso-based 6 cameras 2 to the receiving terminals, the secure wireless network 8 will use the latest model wireless access points 10 situated along all of the edges of the playing surface. These wireless access points 10 will be situated in close enough proximity to each other to ensure there is no gap in coverage. In addition, these wireless access points 10 will be situated so as not to interfere with any of the playing activities and also to not compromise the safety of the players/participants. To accomplish this, the wireless access points 10 may be positioned at ground level, above ground at a height so as not to interfere with the activities on the field or in another area which does not interfere with the activities. The complete secure wireless network 8 will be independent of any local (stadium/arena) wireless network 8s and will also be encrypted for security purposes. There will be further encryptionwhere possibleto ensure the only traffic that travels across this secure wireless network 8 will be the images being sent from the cameras 2 on either the helmet 3 or torso of the players/participants.

[0036] The images taken by each camera 2 will be transmitted via a secure, dedicated wireless connection 9 to a receiving terminal 4. There will be a secure, dedicated wireless connection 9 between each camera 2 and the receiving terminal 4. This allows for a clear, uninterrupted path for the images to be sent in real time from the camera 2 to the receiving terminal 4. In future technology may be available whereby a single set of images may be sent from the helmet 3 to the receiving terminal 4 but due to the nature of the size of the images and image files, it will be more efficient to use multiple secure, dedicated wireless connections 9 via which to send the images.

[0037] This invention calls for the images to be fed from the cameras 2 to the receiving terminals on a constant basis. This would mean there would be images moving between the cameras 2, over the secure, dedicated wireless connections 9, to the receiving terminals constantly while there are players/participants on the playing surface. The security of the secure, dedicated wireless network 8 will be ensured by encryption and also processes related to password management.

[0038] Due to the size of the image files and the technical content such as high pixel count, the receiving terminal 4 will need to be sufficiently capable of processing large volumes of image data on a constant basis. There may be a need to engage more than one receiving terminal 4 due to the size of these image files.

[0039] The receiving terminals will receive the images from the cameras 2 on the helmet 3, or article of headgear, or torso-based 6 cameras 2. Once received they will need to be combinedor stitchedtogether to form the 360-degree view. This will be done by software which will combine the images in real time to form the 360-degree view. FIG. 1 depicts the flow of these images.

[0040] Should there be a need to engage multiple receiving terminals, an additional combinationor stitchingstep will need to be completed. Due to the need for the images to be live, or in real time, this additional step will be completed seamlessly. The additional step will use the same software to combine the images from the additional receiving terminals 4 into a single image for transmission to the viewer 5, or end-user 5.

[0041] After the combined images are complete, they will go through an additional oversight step or stage gate prior to presentation to the viewer 5 or end-user 5. This will be mostly inactive thus allowing the images to be transmitted live and in real time. The only time this step will be activated will be if there are commercial reasons for not transmitting images. This could be related to specific advertisers or proprietary content which is not within the agreement between the provider and the viewer 5 or end-user 5.

[0042] The viewer 5, or end-user 5, will view the images via a headset that provides 360-degree capability. While the technology may soon exist for stand-alone headsets, this invention will currently work on a headset that typically contains a smartphone. The user will purchase the 360-degree video either as a one-off purchase or within a multi-event agreement with the provider. Once the event is available the user will log in and access the content. This is based upon the push-pull principle, where rather than push the 360-degree video to the viewer 5, or end-user 5, the provider will require the viewer 5, or end-user 5 to pull the 360-degree video, thus requiring the viewer 5, or end-user 5 to activate the data feed. Although the provider may choose to push the data to the market, they may choose to require activation by the viewing population so they can manage the usage of their infrastructure. This allows the provider to engage additional equipment as described above should there be a larger than expected demand for the service.