Light Field Display System for Sporting Events

Abstract

A light field (LF) display system for displaying holographic content (e.g., a holographic sporting event or holographic content to augment a holographic sporting event) to viewers in an arena. The LF display system in the arena includes LF display modules tiled together to form an array of LF modules. The array of LF modules create a holographic object volume for displaying the holographic content in the arena. The array of LF modules displays the holographic content to viewers in the viewing volumes. The LF display system can be included in a LF sporting event network. The LF sporting event network allows holographic content to be created at one location and presented at another location. The LF sporting event network includes a network system to manage the digital rights of the holographic sporting event content.

1 . A light field (LF) sports content network system comprising:
 a light field recording assembly configured to record one or more types of energy representing a sporting event at a sporting arena;   a processing engine configured to convert the recorded energy into a holographic content livestream representing the sporting event; and   a network interface configured to transmit the holographic content livestream to one or more LF display systems via a network.   
     
     
         2 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 1 , wherein the network is any of:
 a cable system network;   an IP-based network; and   a satellite network.   
     
     
         3 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing engine is configured to add additional content to the holographic content livestream. 
     
     
         4 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 3 , wherein the additional content is audio content, the audio content presented simultaneously to the holographic content livestream by a LF display system. 
     
     
         5 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 4 , wherein the audio content is any of:
 an announcer;   a music track;   a jingle;   a sound effect; or   a translation.   
     
     
         6 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 3 , wherein the additional content is presented simultaneously to the holographic content livestream by a LF display system. 
     
     
         7 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 6 , wherein the additional holographic content is any of:
 an overlay for a sporting area in the sporting area;   an informational overlay; and   an augmentation of holographic content included in the holographic content livestream.   
     
     
         8 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 3 , wherein the additional content is an advertisement, the advertisement presented simultaneously to the holographic content livestream. 
     
     
         9 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 8 , wherein the advertisement includes any of:
 holographic content;   video content;   tactile content.   
     
     
         10 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 8 , wherein the advertisement presented by the LF display system is based on any of:
 a location of the LF display system;   the sporting arena;   a sponsor of the sporting event;   a configuration of the LF display system;   a transaction fee provided by the LF display system to the LF sports content network system for the holographic content live stream;   a type of the sporting event represented the holographic content livestream;   a time of day that the holographic content livestream is presented; and   a player, a team, a participant, a contestant, a contender, or a coach participating in the sporting event.   
     
     
         11 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 6 , wherein the additional content is tactile content. 
     
     
         12 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing engine comprises an encoder to encode the holographic content livestream to an encoded holographic content livestream, and the encoded holographic content livestream is transmitted via the network interface. 
     
     
         13 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 12 , wherein the encoded holographic content livestream is configured to be decoded by a decoder of a LF display system. 
     
     
         14 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 12 , wherein the encoder encodes the encoded holographic livestream in approximately real time. 
     
     
         15 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the encoder employs a proprietary codec to encode the holographic content livestream, and   a decoder employing the proprietary codec decodes the encoded holographic content livestream.   
     
     
         16 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 12 , wherein the holographic content livestream is a first data format, and the encoded holographic content livestream is a second data format. 
     
     
         17 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first data format is a rasterized data format, and   the second data format is a vectorized data format.   
     
     
         18 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the network interface transmits the holographic content livestream to a local holographic content distribution hub, and   the local holographic content distribution hub transmits the holographic content livestream to at least one LF display system of the one or more LF display systems.   
     
     
         19 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 18 , wherein
 the local holographic content distribution hub adds additional content to holographic content livestream.   
     
     
         20 . The LF sports content network system of  claim 19 , wherein the additional content includes any of:
 local content;   local advertisements;   holographic content;   audio content;   video content; and   tactile content.   
     
     
         21 .- 97 . (canceled)