Drive-in movie theater

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive-in movie theater and/or events center preferably located on top of one or more parking garages located at a shopping mall or other similar complex. The drive-in theater preferably has a short range radio broadcast system that can send radio signals to cars on the parking garage, wherein movie-goers can listen to the movie sound tracks on their own car stereos/radios. When needed, the present system contemplates having more than one transmitter, each operating at a different frequency, so that the effective service range of each transmitter can be made within limited guidelines set by the FCC. The drive-in theater can be combined with an events center and connected to a shopping mall where access to restaurants and retail establishments can be provided.

In the claims  
     
         1 . A shopping mall or other complex comprising: 
 at least one multi-level parking garage having a top floor thereon, wherein said parking garage is connected to or otherwise located at or near said shopping mall or other complex;    a drive-in movie theater on said top floor, wherein said theater comprises a screen for projecting moving images thereon extending from said top floor; and    wherein a short range radio broadcast sound system is provided which enables movie-goers on said top floor to listen to movies on preselected channels on sound systems in their own cars.    
     
     
         2 . The mall or complex of  claim 1 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted to transmit an AM or FM broadcast on one or more preselected frequencies.  
     
     
         3 . The mall or complex of  claim 1 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted with one or more transmitters.  
     
     
         4 . The mall or complex of  claim 3 , wherein said top floor of said parking garage is divided up into a plurality of areas, wherein each area has at least one transmitter capable of operating at the same or different frequency.  
     
     
         5 . The mall or complex of  claim 1 , wherein multiple inclined spaces on which cars can be parked for viewing said screen are provided on said top floor.  
     
     
         6 . The mall or complex of  claim 5 , wherein said top floor has a first portion on which said screen is located, and a second portion on which a dwelling for housing a projector is located, wherein at least a portion of said multiple inclined spaces are positioned between said first and second portions.  
     
     
         7 . The mall or complex of  claim 6 , wherein food and drink services are provided within said dwelling on said top floor.  
     
     
         8 . The mall or complex of  claim 6 , wherein said first portion is located on one end of said parking garage, and said second portion is located on a second end.  
     
     
         9 . The mall or complex of  claim 1 , wherein a short range AM radio sound system is used and adapted to enable signals to be injected into one or more power lines located in the parking garage using a carrier current station.  
     
     
         10 . The mall or complex of  claim 1 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted so that only cars located on or substantially near said top floor of said parking garage are able to receive transmissions of said broadcast sound.  
     
     
         11 . A shopping mall or other complex comprising: 
 a first parking garage with a drive-in movie theater on a top floor thereof;    a second parking garage with an events center on a top floor thereof;    at least one structure in which said shopping mall or complex is located, wherein said one structure is connected to said first and second parking garages in a manner which allows persons attending said drive-in theater and/or said events center to easily access said shopping mall or other complex from said first and second parking garages.    
     
     
         12 . The mall or complex of  claim 11 , wherein a short range radio broadcast sound system is provided by said drive-in theater which enables movie-goers at said theater to listen to movies on sound systems in their own cars.  
     
     
         13 . The mall or complex of  claim 12 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted so that only cars located on or substantially near said top floor of said first parking garage are able to receive transmission of said broadcast.  
     
     
         14 . The mall or complex of  claim 11 , wherein said events center comprises an outdoor auditorium with stadium type seating.  
     
     
         15 . The mall or complex of  claim 14 , wherein a restaurant and/or other establishment is provided adjacent said events center, wherein persons in said restaurant and/or other establishment can view activities taking place in said events center.  
     
     
         16 . The mall or complex of  claim 11 , wherein said drive-in theater has a screen that is positioned in a manner which substantially prevents viewing from areas other than said top floor of said first parking garage.  
     
     
         17 . A drive-in movie theater comprising: 
 a screen for projecting moving images thereon;    multiple spaces on which cars can be parked for viewing said screen; and    a short range radio broadcast sound system adapted to broadcast the sound of movies being shown in said theater on one or more frequencies, wherein persons in said cars at said theater are able to listen to movies on their own car radios.    
     
     
         18 . The drive-in movie theater of  claim 17 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted to transmit an AM or FM broadcast on one or more preselected frequencies.  
     
     
         19 . The drive-in movie theater of  claim 17 , wherein said short range radio sound system is adapted with more than one transmitter, each transmitter being capable of operating at a different frequency, wherein said movie theater is divided into a plurality of areas, each area having at least one transmitter for sending short range signals to cars located therein.  
     
     
         20 . The drive-in movie theater of  claim 17 , wherein a short range AM radio sound system is used and adapted to enable signals to be injected into one or more power lines located in said theater using a carrier current station.  
     
     
         21 . A method of providing sound for movies in a drive-in movie theater comprising: 
 providing a screen for projecting moving images thereon and multiple spaces on which cars can be parked for viewing said screen;    providing a short range radio broadcast sound system capable of broadcasting movie sound on one or more preselected frequencies; and    broadcasting the movie sound wherein the signals are capable of being received by existing sound systems located in cars located at said theater.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing multiple transmitters and broadcasting said sound from said transmitters.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing multiple transmitters and broadcasting said sound from said transmitters, wherein each transmitter is capable of operating at a different frequency.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising dividing said drive-in movie theater into a plurality of areas, each area having at least one transmitter for sending said short range signals to cars located therein.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising broadcasting said sound using an AM transmission having an effective service range of no more than about 250 feet.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising dividing said drive-in movie theater into a predetermined number of areas, and providing at least one transmitter in each area, wherein the areas and transmitters are located in a manner sufficient to enable each car in said theater to receive signals from said short range radio broadcast system.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising transmitting signals at different frequencies from each transmitter and allowing each car to receive said signals at the appropriate frequency.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising broadcasting said sound using an FM transmission having an effective service range of no more than about 100 feet.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising dividing said drive-in movie theater into a predetermined number of areas, and providing at least one transmitter in each area, wherein the areas and transmitters are located in a manner sufficient to enable each car in said theater to receive signals from said short range radio broadcast system.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising transmitting signals at different frequencies from each transmitter and allowing each car to receive said signals at the appropriate frequency.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising injecting AM frequency signals into power lines located in said movie theater using a carrier current station.