Electronic handheld audio/video receiver and listening/viewing device

Abstract

A handheld device in an audio and video system including a system for receiving and processing video and/or audio signals, a system for displaying a virtual image to a user, and a system for producing sounds audible to a user. The handheld device also incorporates a shroud to block ambient light when the handheld unit is engaged with the user's face. As a result, the user may hear sounds produced from the received audio signals. Further the user may see the virtual images produced from the received video signals when the handheld device is engaged with the users face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a plurality of user selectable, different viewing perspectives associated with an event to a user of a portable handheld device while attending the event live, the handheld device having a receiver, signal processing logic, a display and a user interface, the method comprising:
 obtaining video signals from a plurality of cameras located at an event, at least two of the cameras being located at different locations around the event and producing video signals defining live video content of the event from different viewing perspectives;   selecting, through the user interface of the handheld device, a first video signal from said video signals;   wirelessly receiving the first video signal at the receiver of the handheld device;   displaying, on the display, the live video content from the first video signal selected at the user interface by the user;   wherein the live video content, that is selected, corresponds to one viewing perspective of the event associated with a single one of the cameras located at the event; and   wherein the receiving and displaying operations occur continuously a) only in response to selection by the first spectator of the first video signal for viewing while said live event occurs and b) until the first spectator chooses to select another live video content from said video signals.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising demodulating the first video signal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining audio signals from a plurality of audio sources located at the event, at least two of the audio sources being located at different locations around the event and producing audio signals defining live audio content of the event from different perspectives;   selecting, through the user interface of the handheld device, a first audio signal from said audio signals;   wirelessly receiving the first audio signal at the receiver of the portable handheld device;   playing the first audio signal; and   wherein the audio receiving and playing operations occur continuously a) only in response to selection by the first spectator of the first audio signal for viewing while said live event occurs and b) until the first spectator chooses to select another live audio content from the audio signals.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying further comprises holding the handheld device to the user's face. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying further comprises blocking ambient light when the handheld device is held to the user's face. 
     
     
         6 . A portable wireless handheld device to be used at an event by a user while watching the event live, the portable wireless handheld device comprising:
 a user interface for selecting first video content from a first source out of a plurality of sources located at the event for viewing by a user on said display;   a receiver configured to wirelessly receive the first video content transmitted wirelessly to said receiver, the first video content being produced at the first source;   signal processing logic configured for selectable operation by a user;   a display configured to display the first video content only from the first source of said plurality of sources; and   wherein the receiver and display receive and display the first video content continuously a) only in response to the first spectator's selection of the first video signal for viewing while said live event occurs and b) until the first spectator chooses to select another live video content from said video signals.   
     
     
         7 . The portable wireless handheld device of  claim 6 , further comprising logic to analyze information received by said receiver indicating whether the device is authorized to display a select image defined by said select video content. 
     
     
         8 . The portable wireless handheld device of  claim 6 , further comprising a handheld housing containing the receiver, signal processing logic, and display. 
     
     
         9 . The portable wireless handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein said receiver wirelessly receives a plurality of audio signals associated with the event and further comprising a portable user interface configured to allow said user to select at least one of said audio signals. 
     
     
         10 . The portable wireless handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein said receiver wirelessly receives a plurality of video signals defining said video content from said plurality of cameras at the event that the user is attending live and at another remote event.