Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live spectator event

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/378,582, filed Mar. 5, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,595 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/854,267, filed May 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,903, issued Aug. 18, 2003, which, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/656,096, filed Sep. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,398, issued Aug. 13, 2002. Each of application Ser. Nos. 10/378,582, 09/854,267, and 09/656,096 is incorporated herein in the entirety by reference thereto.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for interactive audience participation at a live spectator event; and more particularly, to a system and method by which spectators answer queries using wireless interactive devices, the answers are correlated and results are announced, thereby enhancing the spectators' experience and enjoyment.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Spectator events and, in particular, spectator sporting events have become a multibillion dollar a year business throughout the world. Millions of people attend their favorite sporting events, choosing among baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, football, tennis, golf, auto racing, horse racing, boxing, and many others. Rather than merely watching sporting events on television, fans are willing to pay for the privilege of attending such events live in order to enjoy the spontaneity and excitement.

[0006] Audience reaction at live spectator events is generally gauged informally on crowd volume. At certain events, limited amounts of information are shared with audience members using large screen displays such as those available from Sony Corporation under the trademark JUMBOTRON®. However, the opportunities for audience participation and useful or meaningful audience feedback are limited.

[0007] Marketing research has shown that audience members desire both an opportunity to participate in the spectator event and enjoy interactivity with other audience members. Informed audience members desire an opportunity to share their opinions with others. Heretofore, there has been no practical means to solicit the aggregate positions and the opinions of audience members at large venues (e.g., stadiums, arenas, race tracks, golf courses, theme parks, and other expansive outdoor/indoor venues).

[0008] Fans at live spectator events have come to expect background information and detailed analysis from viewing televised sporting events at home and/or readily obtaining such information over the Internet. Further, audience members are becoming more and more accustomed to interactivity from their use of computer games, such as fantasy sports league games, that allow them to organize teams, determine game strategies and test their skill at managing a sports team. Accordingly, in order to continue attracting live audiences to attend these large venues, promoters have an incentive to provide audience members with an enhanced experience.

[0009] One example of a venue that would benefit from enhanced audience participation is major league baseball. The games last several hours, and audience members ordinarily spend most of their time in and around a reserved seat. When going to the concession stand or restrooms, the fan misses part of the game. Further, opportunities for interaction and expressing one's opinion are typically limited to cheering or jeering. Occasionally, a single fan or a few fans are selected to participate in a contest, such as a trivia contest, but these opportunities are extremely limited. Nearly every fan has an opinion about how the game should be played, and would like an opportunity to express his or her opinion. Ideally, fans would like to be recognized for their skill and knowledge concerning individual teams and/or winning strategies. Fans also desire to express opinions concerning facilities, sponsors, players, management and concessions. Being able to voice an opinion, and comparing the opinion to that of other fans, would enhance the overall experience. Also, this kind of information can be useful to management by helping it determine the kind of services that fans desire.

[0010] Additionally, an often-heard complaint from fans is that they missed some of the action because they could not see or did not know precisely what was happening. For example, any particular seat location affords its occupant only a single view of a playing field. In addition, some locations fail to offer an unobstructed view of the entire field. On other occasions a technical ruling made by a game official is not fully explained to those in attendance but is extensively analyzed by television and/or radio announcers, often with one or more instant replays of the event in question. Fans commonly resort to carrying conventional portable radio and TV receivers to games, whereby they obtain game commentary, instant replays, and the like to complement what they directly observe or obtain from the stadium's own announcers, scoreboards, and video displays.

[0011] It is also noted that spectators commuting to and/or from events do not have ready access to desirable information such as sports related information and other information such as traffic and weather reports.

[0012] Accordingly, there remains a need for a method and system that provides interaction that heightens the enjoyment experienced by participants at a live spectator event.

[0013] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the experience of audience members at live spectator events by more fully involving the audience. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for enabling interactive participation at a live spectator event held at a live event venue and attended by a plurality of persons, at least a portion of whom are participating spectators. Each participating spectator employs a wireless interactive device having capability (i) to receive and transmit messages, (ii) accept input via a user input interface, and (iii) output messages to a user output interface. The method comprises communicating information and queries to participants at the event, such as a sporting event, using a wireless interactive device in conjunction with a wireless communications system. By having and using such a wireless interactive device, participating spectators are permitted to respond to displayed messages or to participate in contests and interactive activities of various sorts. Individual fan feedback is received and transferred to a central processor for storage and processing (e.g., tabulation or statistical analysis). Thereafter, the results are optionally announced to the individual fan or to the audience as a whole. The interactive device is preferably a wireless, hand held device, having user input and output interfaces. The user input interface preferably comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a keypad, selection buttons, a touch screen, a rotatable dial, cursor keys, a pointing device (e.g. a mouse or trackball), and a voice recognition system. The user output interface preferably comprises a visible display for alphanumeric, textual, or graphic images and audio output means such as a speaker or earphone. Preferably the device is a cellular telephone, two-way pager, or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) or pocket PC. It is further preferred that the device be Internet enabled, and that the wireless communication system employ the Internet in the bidirectional communication of data. Alternatively, the interactive device may be a special-purpose device incorporating at least the features needed for the practice of the present method. Communication protocols other than the Internet may alternatively be employed to provide the desired interactive communication.

[0014] The device is easily transported, permitting the spectator to carry it to other locations in the event venue, e.g. on trips to the concession stands or to the restrooms. Further, the method presents audio or video promotional messages of sponsors and advertisers to each user of the interactive device. The promotional message may be permanently affixed to the device and/or transmitted to each device via any available communication modality.

[0015] In an aspect of the invention, contests may be conducted wherein a fan is asked to predict the next event or events to take place (e.g. the outcome of the next at bat in a baseball game or the next play or plays to be called in a football game on a real time basis, all star balloting, pitching changes, etc.). Using simple input devices, such as arrow keys and an enter key, a touch screen display or a numeric keypad, the fan selects from a list of promptings and/or possible answers. Prizes may be offered. The degree of attention and receptivity accorded to promotional messages and advertisements received by patrons using an interactive device at a live spectator event in accordance with the present method is beneficially increased. The combination of the atmosphere of the live venue with the interactive content; and the stimulus of active participation and interaction with other fans frequently heightens the degree of interest of spectators at a live event for proffered advertisements over that accorded by those who passively view or hear broadcast coverage at home or another remote location. The spontaneity and excitement engendered at the actual event enhance the likelihood that a fan will perceive advertised items favorably. A fan at the live event is also more likely to respond positively by purchasing food and beverage items, souvenirs, team promotional merchandise, and the like.

[0016] In a further aspect the method makes it possible to receive instantaneous and correlated feedback from a large number of motivated patrons. Their comments, directed both to advertised products and services and to the entertainment itself, are valuable information for sponsors, teams, leagues, and providers of goods and services, for example.

[0017] In yet another aspect of the invention, event-related audio or video content are optionally transmitted wirelessly to the interactive device during the live event for output to the user. The transmitted content optionally includes other desirable informational items such as news, traffic, weather conditions and forecasts, news and scores of other sporting events. The availability of such material increases spectators' enjoyment and the perceived value of attending a live sporting event. The method and system of the invention are advantageously practiced at a live spectator event, by which is meant an organized event wherein a large number of patrons are gathered to witness and enjoy in real time any form of entertainment, including an event such as an artistic or athletic performance or an important business, civic or religious event. Ordinarily, such live events are scheduled in advance and involve programmatic content or entertainment, e.g. comprising an athletic contest, concert, speaker, performer, exhibition, or the like. Events frequently, but not always, require the payment of an entry fee by an attendee. Live spectator events in most cases are open to any member of the public who purchases the requisite ticket or otherwise pays the entry fee; alternatively, participation may be restricted to persons invited by organizers of the event.

[0018] Such live spectator events may be conducted at permanent facilities, such as indoor and outdoor stadiums and arenas for sporting events and other public gatherings; amphitheaters; auditoriums; concert halls and theaters; race tracks for animals or vehicles; theme parks; convention centers; casinos; exhibition halls; shopping centers; museums; or other similar venues associated with organized gatherings of large numbers of people. Live spectator events can also be held at facilities that are temporary and not ordinarily appointed for large gatherings, such as golf courses or temporary urban road racing courses. It is contemplated that the present method may be carried out at events of the aforementioned or similar types.

[0019] Often the location of the live spectator event is a building with defined entrances or an indoor or outdoor area demarcated by fences or other barriers with defined points of entry that may comprise gates, turnstiles, or the like. Many live events take place in a stadium, arena, or auditorium having defined spectator seat locations, e.g. seats uniquely denoted by section, row, and seat numbers or the like. In addition to the actual performance area (such as a playing field or concert stage) and the appointed spectator area, event facilities ordinarily have auxiliary public areas associated therewith. Such areas provide facilities and services that are desirably or essentially associated with the live spectator event. The auxiliary areas are generally adjacent or in close proximity, and may include non-exclusively: ticket windows; passageways; rest rooms; clubs; restaurants; concession stands selling food and beverages; lounges; overflow areas with audio and/or video links to the principal event area; shops selling souvenirs, promotional merchandise, novelties, or related items; and service facilities such as parking lots and stations for public transportation; and the like. For example, patrons at an athletic event frequently engage in social activity in a venue's parking lot before or after the event, often including the consumption of food and beverage, a practice commonly known as “tailgating.” Such activity bears a clear thematic relationship to the athletic event itself, since there is ordinarily extensive conversation about the event, the competing teams or players, or the like. Similar activity is common in connection with concerts and other life spectator events as well. All of these and related activities that are within the penumbra of the programmatic content of the live spectator event and occurring in the environs of the corresponding live event venue are to be understood as falling within the bounds of the live spectator event. Therefore, it will be understood that the term “live event venue” as used herein and in the subjoined claims, refers collectively to the primary performance area at which the live event is conducted, the appointed spectator area, and auxiliary areas associated with the location, including areas such as those enumerated above.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown one form of a hand held, interactive device 10 adapted for use in connection with the interactive audience participation system of the present invention. In one embodiment, device 10 is employed by audience members at a live event as shown in FIG. 2. The device is adapted to communicate bi-directionally with a wireless communications system operative at a live spectator event, to provide information to a user, and to accept entry of information through a user input interface for transmission to the wireless communications system. In a preferred embodiment the device 10 includes a housing 12 with an electronic display opening. An electronic display (visual display) 20 providing one form of user output interface is preferably mounted within the housing and is visible through the electronic display opening therein. The electronic display may be of many types, e.g. employing liquid crystal or electroluminescent displays. The electronic display is in electrical communication with a local microprocessor mounted within the housing. A transceiver in electrical communication with the local microprocessor allows for the transmission and receipt of data from a wireless communications system connected to a central processor (not shown) in a manner known in the art. The electronic display is adapted to output information received from the local microprocessor, such as graphic or textual messages that ask the audience member to answer a question, provide an opinion, or convey other important information. It is contemplated that data in the form of audio messages could be sent to the user in lieu of or in addition to the visual display. The visual display may be limited to presenting alphanumeric messages, but more preferably is capable of displaying graphical, pictorial, or slow-scan or fast-scan video input, preferably in real time. Keypad 50 accepts user input for transmission to the central processor.

[0026] In another aspect of the invention, the interactive device is optionally used by spectators to receive audible or video programming, which may be transmitted in the commercial AM or FM broadcast band or at any of a number of predetermined frequencies in the RF, VHF, UHF, or microwave frequency bands. The transmission may be analog or digital. Programming may also be transmitted optically, such as by modulation of an infrared emitting source located in the venue and received by a complementary photoreceptive element in the wireless interactive device and suitably processed for intelligible output. Optionally, the device also comprises means for receiving and displaying video signals such as from ordinary broadcast television stations. Transmission of such program content may be done via conventional commercial broadcast stations or with low power transmitters intended only to cover the immediate live event venue. Transmitters are optionally located either within the venue, in its environs, or in any other location that permits a sufficiently intense signal to be present in the venue. In a preferred embodiment device 10 incorporates circuitry to receive the aforementioned audio or video program content. The circuitry is adapted to receive the content and present it to the user. An earpiece 15 is preferably included to allow the user to listen to the audio content associated with the device without annoying neighboring fans. It is noted that other listening means could be employed such as earphones, speakers, or the like.

[0027] In other embodiments the aforesaid audio or video programming may be transmitted via any computer network to which the interactive device is connected, such as by streaming audio or video transmitted via the Internet, in accordance with presently employed protocols or other suitable protocols.

[0028] Such audio or video programming preferably comprises information or program content that is thematically related to the live spectator event or that provides content useful to the spectators at the event. The content may include descriptions of the action at the event, related expert commentary, or instant replays. The content optionally includes other information of interest to participants, such as news and traffic reports and weather conditions and forecasts desired by the patrons. Furthermore, the audio or video programming may include dissemination of questions or other matter incident to contests and polls conducted in accordance with the invention.

[0029] It is contemplated that special purpose devices such as the aforementioned interactive device 10 optionally be made available to those patrons who do not carry a conventional wireless device such as a cellular telephone, two-way pager, personal PC, or PDA. Units possessing the required wireless communications capability, electronic display, and user input and output interfaces are easily assembled using off the shelf components, such as transceivers, displays, keypads, and microprocessors, and other miscellaneous electronic components. These special devices would preferably be prepared for each event at one or more locations, having battery charging and menu programming capability, and transported to kiosks or otherwise made available near patron entry points in the venue. The kiosks would each be either sales locations or rental contract stations to secure deposit and payment terms (cash, credit/debit card, etc.), and patron seat location information for rental of the special devices to patrons prior to start of the event, and collection of the special devices after conclusion of the event. Optionally, such a device is provided to at least selected audience members as part of the price of admission or, alternatively, as an optional item rented or purchased by the audience member, and subsidized by the promotional messages.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, wireless devices such as those routinely possessed and used by members of the public, are used for the aforementioned interactive communication. Preferably the wireless devices are selected from the group consisting of wireless personal digital assistants (PDA) and Pocket PC's; two-way pagers; and cellular telephones. Such devices normally incorporate input means such as keypads, selection buttons, and touch screens, and video and audio output means such as display screens, speakers, and earphones. The devices typically include circuitry, such as a local microprocessor, adapted to convert wireless input into forms presented by the output means and to accept user-entered input that is converted for wireless output in a manner known in the art. Many of these devices are also Internet-enabled, that is to say, able to send and receive textual or graphic data in protocols which are commonly associated with Internet technology and able to be processed suitably by routers, servers, and other ancillary equipment used in Internet communication. Additionally, such devices frequently have the capability of sending and receiving electronic mail and Internet-based instant messages which may be transmitted worldwide over the Internet. Suitable PDA's include wireless units sold under the PALM™ tradename by Palm Computing and under the BLACKBERRY™ tradename by Research in Motion. Wireless Pocket PC's sold, e.g. by Hewlett Packard, Compaq, and Dell are also suitable.

[0031] Known user-supplied wireless interactive devices are ordinarily equipped with either software or hardware features that provide a unique signature or identification of each device, e.g. the telephone number of a cellular telephone or the IP address of an Internet enabled device. The aforementioned special-purpose devices are also provided with unique identification. Both the special-purpose devices and the user-supplied general-purpose devices are adapted to transmit the unique signature for identification purposes. The present method preferably employs at least one unique signature of each wireless interactive device, whereby a given participating spectator's entries and responses may be individually attributed and tracked and the various interactive features described herein may be individually or collectively implemented. In addition, there is generally an electronic account associated with each user-supplied device for charges and credits. In some of the embodiments of the present invention, charges are levied for goods and services provided and transferred to the account associated with each device. Likewise, monetary credits, coupons, and the like can be disseminated either electronically to the account or by mail to an address associated with the account. In addition, it is preferred that information establishing each participating spectator's location within the live event venue also be associated with that user's device. The association can be effected in many ways. Preferably, a given user is provided with one or more identifying indicia that can be entered using the user input interface of the device and included in the unique signature transmitted by the device. For example, patrons may be provided with indicia distributed beforehand or upon request entered through the wireless device, e.g. through wireless connectivity to the Internet. Indicia may be provided by regular mail, e-mail, telephone text messaging, by connecting with an appointed Internet site, or any other suitable means. More preferably, each entrant's ticket bears unique identifying indicia and an attendee desiring to be a participating spectator enters the indicia using the user input interface of his/her wireless interactive device. In an even more preferred embodiment, each entry ticket bears both seat location information denoted in ordinary ways, such as by section, row, and seat numbers, and additional and unique predetermined confirmatory indicia, both of which are entered through the user input interface of the wireless device. The unique signature of each wireless interactive device contains coding corresponding to the seat location and/or the indicia. The entry of both codes provides an improved security feature, since unique signatures corresponding to entries with seat and confirmatory codes which do not match may be excluded as being invalid or possibly fraudulent. The foregoing features by which users are individually identifiable also permit the various services offered selectively to qualified, appropriate, or interested patrons or groups of patrons. Some wireless interactive devices further incorporate localization circuitry, whereby the device can be physically located.

[0032] As there are many suitable alternatives on which to base an embodiment of the current invention which are known to those skilled in the art, the specific interactive device and wireless communications technology used, the specific multiple access communication protocol used, and the specific client/server hardware interface and protocol are not important to the method of the invention so long as they support the required functions. What is important is the method of this invention by which the customer is provided better service.

[0033] A number of currently used communications protocols suitably provide connectivity between several of the aforementioned user devices and a wireless communications system. One presently preferred protocol is provided by the commercial cellular telephone network. Many wireless or cellular telephones currently operative with these networks incorporate provisions for sending and receiving textual messages and graphic images, and for exchanging electronic mail through the Internet. Improved capabilities for wirelessly transmitting slow and fast scan video are rapidly being developed and are useful in the practice of the present method. Current cellular telephone systems provide various forms of instant messaging capability also useful in transmitting and receiving the queries, advertisements, and the like used in the present method. Messaging in accordance with the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol is presently preferred, but other forms of messaging are also contemplated within the present invention.

[0034] The bilateral wireless communications used in the practice of the present method and system are preferably implemented using at least one transmission form selected from the group consisting of radio transmissions, microwave transmissions, broadband wireless data transmissions, and satellite transmissions. Ultra-wide band and spread-spectrum transmission are especially promising technologies for the broadcasting of messages and transmission of spectators' responses. The multiplexing and frequency shifting inherently available in such technologies improve immunity to noise and interference and the security of data in transmission. For example, suitable techniques which may be used in the implementation of the present system are practiced in connection with cellular telephone systems, including such currently preferred methods as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), and global system for mobile communications (GSM) protocols, as well as other protocols including those defined by the International Telecommunications Union. Especially preferred are implementations of the present method compliant with interoperability standards promulgated by the Open Mobile Alliance and made available at the website www.openmobile.com and by the WAP Forum at the website www.wapforum.com. It is also preferred that access to the interactive features of the present invention be provided to customers of more than one provider of wireless services, including providers of cellular telephone service or of wireless access for PDAs and Pocket PCs. In some embodiments, such access for participating spectators employing wireless interactive devices served by a plurality of providers is provided by a wireless communications system wherein network connection of plural providers permits needed exchange of information, e.g. via the Internet. In other embodiments, the wireless communication system comprises one or more authorized providers of wireless service. Participating spectators employing wireless interactive devices served by another wireless service provider are furnished an access code, such as a telephone number and optionally further codes, or the like, permitting them to connect to one of said authorized providers, whereby they are enabled to participate in the present method, being afforded access to the various features described herein.

[0035] Another preferred communications protocol is specified by IEEE Standard No. 802.11, published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and incorporated herein in the entirety by reference thereto. Standards in the IEEE 802.11 class (which are also known commonly as “Wi-Fi”) specify a local area network system for wirelessly connecting individual devices such as PDA's and Pocket PC's to a local server through which the devices may communicate wirelessly, e.g. through a local intranet or the global Internet. Other wireless protocols that may be used to establish connectivity are also known, such as the Bluetooth Standard, published by the Bluetooth SIG and available through the website www.bluetooth.com, and incorporated herein in the entirety by reference thereto.

[0036] It will be understood by one skilled in the relevant art that different transmission modes and frequencies may be used by the wireless communications system for the transmissions to and from the wireless interactive device and that multiple transmission modes and frequencies may be used to accommodate interactive devices of different types simultaneously operated in the present system.

[0037] One representative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of enabling interactive participation by a plurality of spectators at a live event employing a wireless interactive device. The interactive participation enhances the enjoyment of such spectators at a live event transpiring at any form of entertainment venue.

[0038] The number of spectators constituting the plurality of spectator participants can vary depending on factors such as the size and nature of the live event, the prevalence of user-supplied wireless interactive devices, the availability of devices for sale or rent on-location, and the characteristics of the venue. At events with a very large number of spectators, e.g. the 50,000 to 100,000 or more fans that attend many major collegiate and professional sports games, a very small fraction of the participants suffices to provide statistically significant information characteristic of the entire crowd if the individuals are representative of the whole. For example, public opinion polls often rely on a sample as small as 500–1000 respondents to infer the views of the entire population of the United States. Accordingly, the term “plurality of spectators” as used herein, means a number of spectator participants varying from about 50 to as many as 100,000 or more. Preferably the number of spectator participants is at least about 1 percent of those persons present at the live event. Most preferably, the plurality of spectators ranges from about 25 percent to substantially all the spectators present at the live event. In some embodiments, the opportunity for spectators to participate in activities contemplated herein is extended to all those in attendance at the live spectator event who either provide a suitable wireless interactive device or purchase, rent, or are furnished a device at the event.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the method and system of the present invention are advantageously practiced in connection with live events that entail simultaneously-occurring but thematically-related activities in different, sometimes non-contiguous locations within an overall event venue, such as golf and tennis tournaments and the like. For example, a golf tournament ordinarily comprises staged play, wherein the competing golfers begin play at individually appointed times over an extended period, so that play is occurring simultaneously at each hole through most of the duration of the event. Important tennis tournaments such as the U.S. Open or Wimbledon are ordinarily played in a venue comprising plural courts on which matches occur simultaneously. During the Winter and Summer Olympics, competition occurs simultaneously in many sports, sometimes in widely scattered and sometimes non-contiguous locations. In such instances, it will be understood that the live event venue may comprise such non-contiguous locations. In each of these situations, the interactivity afforded by the present method provides a marked enhancement of the fan experience. The wireless interactive device of the invention allows spectators present at a location in which one of the activities is occurring to remain apprised of the progress of other activities, even those occurring in disparate locations.

[0040] In a step of the method, there is provided a wireless communication system adapted to transmit and receive messages with the wireless interactive devices used by the spectators. The wireless system is used to disseminate promotional messages to the spectators through the user output interface of the wireless device.

[0041] The wireless device employed in the present method preferably presents promotional messages or advertising from sponsors and/or advertisers. Monetary compensation for the presentation of such advertising material is optionally used to defray or underwrite the costs associated with practice of the present invention. Messages can be in the form of indicia 30 located (e.g., physically imprinted) on devices loaned, rented, or sold to spectators. Additionally, the messages can be visually displayed by the device or can be aurally communicated through the same. The messages can be in the form of preprogrammed or stored visual messages or recordings, but preferably are transmitted by the wireless communication system and presented live during the spectator event via open band lines. Visual advertising may be presented in discrete segments interspersed with program content or it may be incorporated substantially continuously into the overall image being presented at a given time, such as a banner ad.

[0042] In still another aspect of the present method, demographic information or characteristics of the users of wireless interactive devices are gathered and used in various ways. Users may be asked to enter information, such as their age or gender. Alternatively, such information may already be extant and available in databases, such as records of cellular telephone customers. Such information may be used to select which of a plurality of advertisements are most appropriate and likely to be of interest to a given user. The individual addressability of devices such as cellular telephones and wireless PDA's permits individually selected commercials to be presented to particular individuals or groups. Demographic information may also be used to tailor questions and limit contest participation to selected users. For example, in some embodiments participation in all or part of a survey or competition may be offered only to a restricted group, such as preferred corporate customers, patrons in selected classes of seats, season ticket holders, youths, or other defined groups. In addition, customer survey information is considered more useful by advertisers if the answers are categorized by the demographics of the respondents. All of these functions are easily implemented in the practice of the present method.

[0043] In an aspect of the invention, the present method may be used to conduct contests, games, and opinion polls of many types. Generally stated, such activities comprise the steps of: posing one or more questions to participating spectators; eliciting the participating spectators to enter an answer to the question using their wireless interactive devices; and processing the results. The questions may be posed using any communication form by which they can be effectively conveyed to participants. Preferably the questions are in a form that may be answered by selection of one of a relatively limited number of alternatives, such as a multiple-choice question or a rating scale. Answers may be entered using the user input interface. Preferably, the results are reported to at least the participating spectators, but they may also be furnished to sponsors, advertisers, or other interested parties.

[0044] Contests and games may include many different types of questions. At sporting events, questions may likely entail game strategy; evaluations of performance; predicted outcomes of upcoming plays or games; trivia questions about past or present players, teams, championships, and performance statistics; or the like. For example, at an athletic event such as a football game, the questions may relate to selection of a most valuable player or to game strategy, such as whether a running or passing play is preferred in a given field situation. At a golf tournament, participants might be asked to indicate which club a player ought to select to accomplish a given shot. Concertgoers might be asked to select a favorite song or artist from a number of choices presented or to choose songs to be performed during the concert. Civic events and political rallies might evoke questions about preferences of candidates for public office, opinions about civic issues, legislation, and public policies of many sorts. Participants may also be asked to rate goods or services, e.g. for quality, popularity, ease of use, or other desired characteristics. Other types of questions of more general nature and interest may also be used. Answers may be accepted for an extended period up to the full duration of the live event, but preferably are accepted during a limited, preselected time interval. Preferably, participants in the contests, games, or polls conducted in accordance with the invention are awarded prizes or other forms of consideration as inducement to participate. For example, one or more participating spectators who correctly answer contest questions or participate in games or opinion polls may be awarded a cash prize or credit. One preferred form for the delivery of such a credit is an electronic coupon that can be redeemed for any form of consideration, including concessions, merchandise, and/or other prizes available at the live event venue. For example, a message may be transmitted to a user's wireless device bearing a unique authentication code that could be verified by a vendor, such as through a cash register electronically linked to the central processor or order processing server, or by a telephone call to a preselected verification number. Alternatively, a printed coupon can be physically delivered to the participant based on the location of the user's interactive device by means of communication with the transceiver located therein or by other indication means, or delivered to a remote location by actual physical delivery by mail or the like, or by any form of electronic delivery. In still another alternative, either points or direct monetary credits are entered electronically into an account associated with a user, such as a user's credit or debit card, an account for the user's wireless device or Internet service provider, or by other like means known in ordinary commerce. For example, a user collecting sufficient points may redeem them for goods, services, or money.

[0045] In an implementation, the present method also comprises querying the spectators to respond with answers entered through the user input interface of the wireless device and transmitted therefrom using the wireless communication system. The answers received are transferred to a central processor for processing into results. It will be recognized that the accumulation of results may be done in the central processor or in one or more distributed receiving servers networked in data communication with the central processor by techniques well known in the computer art, such as by use of a local area network communicating over wire, wireless, or fiber optic communication links. Preferably, a stored computer program operative in either form of server accumulates and stores the incoming answers, at least temporarily, as spectator data. The results of processing the spectator data are also preferably stored, at least temporarily. At a suitable time, such as after the expiration of an announced deadline for participants to enter and transmit their responses to queries, the processed results are then announced to the spectators. Optionally prizes are awarded to participants who have entered an answer.

[0046] It will be understood that all of the aforementioned computing functions can be carried out by one or more general-purpose computer processors located either within the event venue or its environs, or at a remote location liked by any suitable data communications link using cable, fiber-optic, wireless, or other comparable transmission. The computing functions may be carried out by a single central processor, by linked distributed processors, or a combination thereof.

[0047] Queries can be promulgated to the spectators in many ways, including notice given by public address system announcements, visual displays on scoreboards, video monitors, or the like visible to the spectators, or by messages such as aural, textual, or graphic messages transmitted to the interactive units and then output to the spectator using the user output interface. In some implementations questions may be printed in event programs, flyers, newspapers, or the like. Optionally the queries are included in content provided by Internet portal sites to which the fans are connected. Questions may also be included in audio or video play-by-play descriptions, commentary, or announcements, or in other program content broadcast to the interactive units. Preferably, the questions are promulgated using at least one display visible to the participating spectators. More preferably, the visible display comprises large-scale displays, scoreboards, and/or monitors provided in the venue. After assimilation and processing of spectator responses, announcement of results may be given to the spectators by similar means.

[0048] Displaying the results of the processing of the spectator data is a step that generally follows the processing of the spectator data. This provides feedback to the spectators, for example showing them how their answers compared to those of other spectators.

[0049] In one embodiment, a display visible to a sizable number of spectators, such as large scoreboard or screen display 40, as depicted in FIG. 2, is used both for promulgating queries to participants and for announcing results. Any one or more large display devices capable of displaying a video, graphic, or alphanumeric image to a large number of spectators may be used, a JUMBOTRON® display being one suitable and preferred type. Alternatively, the display visible to the spectators comprises plural video monitors, preferably dispersed throughout the venue. For example, such monitors in the form of CRT displays, plasma screens, or other forms of video display devices may be provided in auxiliary areas of the live event venue or in private luxury box seating areas, such as those now commonly found at sports stadiums. Although FIG. 2 depicts the practice of the present method a football stadium, it will be understood that the present invention may also be practiced at any other type of live event venue.

[0050] The questions and results are optionally displayed on these monitors. A user input interface, such as keypad 50 on device 10, allows an audience member to enter a response to queries. Examples of simple user input interfaces include a keypad, selection buttons, a touch screen, a rotatable dial, a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball, and a voice recognition system, but any other user interface by which the required input can be effected could be incorporated in the practice of the invention. A voice recognition system advantageously facilitates the use of the present system by visually impaired persons. Many easy to use interfaces are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention is not limited to any particular user interface.

[0051] In FIG. 2 there is depicted the practice of an embodiment of the invention. At least some of the spectators at an athletic event occurring in a large, outdoor stadium are provided with an interactive device 10 and 10′. It will be understood that the interactive device may be an item provided by the spectator such as a cellular phone, or a wireless PDA or Pocket PC. Alternatively, suitable general- or special-purpose devices are made available at the spectator venue for purchase or rent or are given away without charge. In still other embodiments, the present system is operative both with user-provided devices and devices made available at the live event. The present inventor contemplates that only a portion of the spectators in attendance at an event may choose to participate, either by using a suitable interactive device they furnish or by obtaining a unit at the venue. In other embodiments of the invention up to substantially all of the patrons at a live event participate in accordance with the present method. FIG. 2 further depicts the users entering answers to a query using keypads available on their respective interactive devices and the display of answers on a large display board 40. In addition to displaying results of the audience querying or contest, the material displayed on board 40 or dispersed video monitors optionally also includes promotional messages or advertising. For example, a given contest question might be sponsored by a business entity in return for including advertising for the entity's products or services during the querying and announcing associated with that contest.

[0052] The offering of prizes to one or more selected spectators who have responded to the querying, participated in the interactive games, or correctly answered quiz questions may be utilized to enhance the enjoyment of spectators, to encourage further participation in the querying and contest aspects of the present method, and to promote the sale of goods and services. Such prizes include goods and services of any form or discounts toward the purchase thereof. Items may be delivered directly to a winning patron either at the live event location or another preselected location. Alternatively, coupons redeemable for items or services at no cost or at a reduced cost may be delivered to the winning patron in person; by mail or similar delivery service; or transmitted electronically using a message to the patron's wireless interactive device or as an entry in an account of the patron, such as a credit or debit card account, a wireless service provider account, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, credits or coupons are transmitted to the winning patron in conjunction with billings for such an account of the patron.

[0053] The responses of the audience members are sent to a central processor (not shown) having a computer program stored and operative therein that is adapted to tabulate the responses. Then, the processed information is stored and displayed to the audience member, either on the device 10 or a large screen display 40 remotely located from the fan. FIGS. 1 and 2. The processed information could be a compilation or tabulation of similar responses, as either a number or a percentage of total responses, a graphical representation in a bar chart, pie chart or the like, or a combined graphical and numerical representation of the data. The processing further may include categorization of participants' responses according to demographic characteristics, which might include the age or gender of the participant or his/her preferred team loyalty.

[0054] In addition to prizes that can be won by participating in the contests and polls described above, a number of other incentives are optionally offered to spectators to induce them to participate in the interactive aspects of the present invention. In one aspect, access to a chat room and instant messaging are provided to select persons, who are preferably all live spectator event attendees. Participants may be enrolled by any suitable process. Preferably, a participating spectator enrolls by entering a predefined participant access code using the wireless interactive device. In some embodiments, the location indicia discussed hereinabove or similar, related indicia printed on a patron's entry ticket are used as the participant access code. Alternatively, prospective patrons may be provided with an access code beforehand, e.g. by regular mail, e-mail, or through an Internet site. Messages may be exchanged interactively among the participants using any suitable protocol, such as cellular telephone text messaging and known systems used for instant messaging between Internet enabled personal computers and Internet-enabled wireless telephones, PCs, and PDAs. Optionally, enrolled participants are offered the chance to receive one or more newsworthy instant messages from a message sponsor, such as one of the participating teams in an athletic event, during the course of the live event. For example, at a sporting event such messages might provide condition reports on injured players or information on game strategy from expert commentators or coaches. In some embodiments, the chat room and instant message features are provided at no cost, while in others, a fee might be charged by the offering entity for the services. Other services optionally provided to enrolled participants might include user-selectable, on-demand instant replays and commentary concerning the live event; and cellular telephone ring tones associated with a sports team or other identifiable entity.

[0055] Other incentives optionally offered to induce spectators to participate include monetary considerations, discounts, or coupons redeemable for at least part of the cost of goods or services. Such forms of consideration may be physically delivered to a participating spectator at the event venue or another location. Preferably, consideration is provided by electronic transfer using systems known in the art or as described elsewhere in this specification.

[0056] Still another incentive to participate is provided in implementations wherein food, beverages, goods, services, or the like can be ordered directly using the wireless interactive device. At virtually every live spectator event, food and beverages intended for consumption during the event and merchandise thematically associated in some manner with the event are sold at various locations of the live event venue and by roving vendors. For example at a sporting event, the items offered may include wearing apparel bearing team logos, trademarks, or other indicia associated with a team or its players; related memorabilia such as souvenirs, posters, photographs, and recordings; and sporting equipment. Items sold at a concert or dramatic performance might include wearing apparel bearing indicia associated with the show or particular performers, programs, recordings, photographs, posters, or the like. The term “promotional merchandise” is often used generically for items marked with such logos; trademarks; images of players, performers, and event venues, especially those considered historically significant; and similar indicia. Other general interest items, novelties, tickets for future events, and the like are also sold.

[0057] In an implementation, participating spectators use the wireless interactive device to place orders for the aforementioned goods and services. Advantageously, the interactive querying and contest aspects of the present method provide an impetus for users also to give attention to advertising that urges the purchase of goods and services. For example, such advertisements may interspersed with questions and contests, enhancing the likelihood that a patron will be motivated to make a purchase. In an embodiment, advertisements promoting the items are stored in a transaction server or recording system in data communication with the wireless communication system. Advertisements are selectively or generally transmitted by the wireless system for output by the user output interface of each interactive device.

[0058] The user enters an order for desired items or services using the user input interface, such as the keypad of a cellular telephone or PDA. In an implementation, the order is transmitted to the wireless communication system and routed to an order fulfillment server system. A computer program stored and operative therein receives the orders and communicates them to a provider of goods and services for order fulfillment. Physical goods, such as food and beverage, promotional merchandise items, and souvenirs may be delivered to the patron's seat, made available for pickup at a predetermined location within the live event venue, or shipped to another appointed location. In some embodiments, the wireless interactive device incorporates circuitry, such as global positioning system (GPS) technology, whereby the device may be localized sufficiently to allow the provider to determine a patron's physical location and thereby effect direct delivery of items to the patron. Alternatively, the user may enter a seat location either as part of the order entry process or at an earlier time, e.g. during enrollment in the aforementioned chat room and instant messaging services. Intangible items or services, such as tickets to future events or coupons redeemable for other items or for reduced prices, may be provided by similar forms of delivery or communicated electronically using known techniques. Optionally, a text message or other message confirming the order is returned to the purchaser for output using the wireless interactive device. Preferably, monetary consideration for purchased goods or services is provided by electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts or by charges billed to a user, such as to a user's conventional debit or credit card or wireless service provider account. Consummation of transactions using other forms of payment known for electronic processing may also be used and are to be considered within the scope of the method of the invention. In one embodiment, the present system is connected to an electronic financial network of a type known in the art. Transfer of funds from the network provides monetary consideration to the provider for the goods and services received by the ordering spectator.

[0059] In one embodiment, a menu of items available for purchase is transmitted upon the user's request to the interactive device. A hierarchical arrangement of a known sort including submenus may be used in situations wherein more items are available than can be accommodated within the confines of output displays of extant interactive devices. Preferably the items offered include at least food, drink, souvenir merchandise, and tickets for future events. In order to place an order, a user navigates using the input interface through the menus to select one or more items for purchase. The user may further enter location or other identifying indicia, such as a unique seat number or other reference number by which correct delivery may be effected. A credit card, bank account number, prepaid account number, or other similar reference by which money is electronically credited to the vendor in payment for the items ordered is also entered. Alternatively, any mechanism for effecting electronic payment known in the relevant art is used. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, even the limited hardware display and processing capacity of present cellular telephones, PDA's, and pagers is sufficient to accommodate the aforementioned menu and ordering method. However, as time moves on, much higher text densities, graphics, and even color will likely become commonplace in such devices and allow ever-increasing functionality to be provided and used in the method of this invention. As hierarchical menu systems have become ubiquitous with the advent of automated teller machines and windowed graphical user interfaces on modern personal computer operating systems, the concept and the method of their use are familiar to many persons and will not be further described here.

[0060] The use of electronic ordering and payment facilitates sales made in accordance with the present method. Items can be ordered by patrons from their seats at any time and timely delivered, without the need to wait for the unpredictable arrival of a roving vendor who may not even be carrying the item desired. Food and beverage items carried by the roving vendor are often not maintained at a temperature that is pleasing to the patron, i.e. cold items have warmed up and hot items have cooled excessively. The confusion of having to communicate an order in the often-noisy environment of a sports stadium is eliminated, as is the inconvenience of passing money in payment and change, possibly across many patrons between the customer and the closest aisleway. In addition to use of common credit and debit cards as means of payment, corporate accounts and billing through third party accounts such as the customer's Internet service provider or cellular telephone service provider are readily effected in a transaction processed in accordance with the present method.

[0061] In addition, other services are optionally offered, such as restaurant, lodging and transportation reservations, biographical and recording data for athletes, concert artists, and other performers, future schedules of events, and myriad other information. This information can be conveyed visually, audibly, or via a combination of both media forms. The offerings presented through the wireless interactive device may be complemented by messages simultaneously displayed on scoreboards or the like to enhance their ability to garner the audience's attention.

[0062] Yet another aspect of the invention allows participating spectators to interactively participate in auctions, which may be of any type commonly known, including conventional auctions wherein items are sold to the lowest bidder; Dutch auctions, in which one or more items are offered at a fixed price to the first bidder or preselected maximum number of bidders; a reverse auction, in which the price of an item is lowered in response to a large number of bids received; and other forms. The goods or services offered in such auctions preferably are related thematically to the live spectator event but may also include any goods or services of interest to the participants. The auctions are conducted by disseminating a description of the goods or services offered to the participating spectators through one or more of the modes discussed hereinabove for the dissemination of the contest queries of the invention. Participating spectators enter their bids or related responses by using the user input interface of their wireless interactive devices. Such auctions conducted at a live spectator event in accordance with the invention beneficially evoke a high level of interest due to the level of enthusiasm and excitement typically evident at a live event.

[0063] Preferably, the opportunity to participate in the various interactive features of the present method and system, along with eligibility for the various prizes and other incentives, are offered to substantially all the persons at the live spectator event. However, participation in some or all features may be limited to some subset of the persons physically present at the event.

[0064] FIG. 3 depicts one implementation of the system 100 of the invention. A wireless communications system 105 provides service to cellular telephones, wireless PDA's, and Pocket PC's. Wireless interactive devices used with the system are a plurality of cellular telephones 110 and served by cellular telephone provider 112 through signals transmitted and received at antenna 114. Wireless PDA's 116 are served by wireless PDA service provider 118 through signals transmitted and received at antenna 120. A wireless local area network 122 transmitting signals in accordance with IEEE Standard 802.11 from antenna 124 serves wireless Pocket PC's 126. Each of cellular telephone provider 112, wireless PDA service provider 118, and wireless local area network 122 communicates through the Internet 128. Promotional message server 130 selects promotional messages which are transmitted via the Internet to wireless communications system 105, and broadcast to interactive devices 110, 116, and 126. Promotional messages are also transmitted to stadium display 132, which includes a controller operative to receive digital information, e.g. information received via the Internet, and convert it into corresponding textual, graphic, or video displays for presentation. Central processor 134 provides queries displayed on display 132. Answers to such queries are entered on the user input interfaces of interactive devices 110, 116, and 126 and received by distributed receiving servers (not shown) maintained by each of cellular telephone provider 112, wireless PDA service provider 118, and wireless local area network 122. The distributed receiving servers accumulate the answers and transfer them by Internet to central processor 134 for processing into results, which are then communicated and displayed by display 132. Order processing server 136 receives orders for goods and services entered by spectators using their wireless interactive devices and communicates those orders to one or more providers 138 of goods and services, such as food/beverage vendors. Connection 140 to electronic financial network 142 enables the electronic transmission to providers 138 of monetary consideration for the goods and services they furnish. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that the functions of the plural servers alternatively may be shared among a smaller number of servers or may be accomplished by central processor 134. The plural servers also may be in data communications via the Internet or a local network implemented using connections by wire, wireless, or optical data transmission, in any way conventional in the art. Other networking protocols suitable for the interchange of digital information may also be used.

[0065] Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.