Patent Application
20160212449
The present invention relates generally to a business method that provides for the distribution of live recorded content.
The excitement of watching live events (i.e., concerts, sports, speeches, etc.) can be heighted when surrounded by other people. This is evidenced by the sale of memorabilia sold at live performances. Further, due to the unique nature of live performances, each performance and interaction during each live performance can vary. As a result, there is an impulse buying opportunity for live recorded content.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a system and method for distributing live recorded content for sale for a limited period of time.
In addition, a need exists for a system and method for distributing live recorded content utilizing a network.
A further need exists for a system and method that utilizes crowd sourcing to generate live recorded content for sale.
Social media networks have also become a popular platform for concert attendees to share their experience at a performance in real-time. It is estimated that at least 32% of concert attendees are posting their experience on social networks, while an estimated 47% of concert attendees are communicating using texting or e-mail. However, such posts are viewed by either friends or family members that are following the concert attendee, or individuals that are aware of the performance. As a result, it can be difficult for concert attendees to share their experiences with other similarly excited concert attendees, unless they are aware of each other. In addition, there are various different social media providers with different login requirements.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a concert wall platform that allows audience members, content providers and the venue to interact with each other during a live recorded performance.
There is also a need for a common interface for concert attendees to post to various social media providers.
A further need exists to provide a learning algorithm that customizes a user experience over a period of time based upon their interaction with the concert wall platform.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, a business method of offering for sale and distributing the live recording of content at a venue is disclosed. The intellectual property rights to produce, copy, and distribute a live recording of content for sale is acquired from the content rights holder. The venue comprises a content distribution platform that is coupled to an audio/video recording system. Audience members with computing devices suitable for network communication will have access to a distribution network made available at the venue. The distribution network can be secured to limit access to audience members present during the live recording at the venue. The live recorded content from the event is distributed to the devices in the distribution network. Audience members may be presented with a limited time offer to purchase the live recorded content either during or after the attendance of the event. At the end of the time period, the live recorded content is removed from the devices that did not accept the limited offer for sale.
The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein:
Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination of parts, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, methods, processes, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure.
None of the terms used herein, including “terminal,” “platform,” “portion,” and “segment” are meant to limit the application of the invention. The terms are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the use of these terms is not meant to limit the scope or application of the invention, as the invention is versatile and can be utilized in many applications, as will be apparent in light of the disclosure set forth herein.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, electronic or otherwise, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. The following presents a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the figures.
Referring initially to
User terminals 100 communicate over network 300 with content distribution platform 200. In the preferred embodiment, content distribution platform 200 distributes live recorded content. User terminal 100 is preferably a smartphone, but can comprise any personal electronic device including, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, cellular telephone, smart watch, laptop computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet, or any other computing device suitable for network communication.
Network 300 can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, cellular networks, satellite networks or any other network that permits the transfer and/or reception of data to and/or from user terminals 100. The data transmitted to or from user terminals 100 and content distribution platform 200 through network 300 can be transmitted and/or received utilizing standard telecommunications protocol or standard networking protocol. In the preferred embodiment, the system utilizes Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and network 300 is a local network. Other examples of protocols for transmitting and/or receiving data include but are not limited to Voice Over IP (VOIP) protocol, Short Message Service (SMS), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Network 300 is capable of utilizing one or more protocols of user terminals 100. Furthermore network 300 can translate to or from other protocols to one or more protocols of user terminals 100.
Referring now to
In the preferred embodiment, the position of an audience member is tracked at venue 400 with an application running on a user terminal. As shown in
Turning next to
Content distribution platform 700 further comprises second storage 704. Second storage 704 includes a server comprising storage and network connection capabilities. In the preferred embodiment, second storage 704 is not directly coupled to live audio and/or video feed 800. First storage 702 transfers live recorded content 802 over a network to second storage 704. In addition, first storage 702 indicates that live recorded content 802 is available for purchase.
As shown in
In addition to allowing an audience member to purchase live recorded content, the present invention provides an interactive experience for audience members. Turning next to
Further, the present invention allows content providers and audience members to interact throughout the performance. Prior to the performance, an embodiment of the present invention can stream backstage video and/or audio footage of a content provider preparing to perform to the user terminals. This behind the scenes live recorded content is exclusive to the audience members at the venue. The content provider can interact with audience members by enabling polls on the user terminals that allow audience members to select the order of the setlist or costumes to wear. Also, the content provider can send exclusive messages (i.e. pictures, messages, and/or video) to the audience members. As the content provider performs, additional polls can allow audience members to dynamically change the setlist of the performance. Finally at the conclusion of the performance, audience members can select the encore song. As a result, audience members are engaged throughout the performance with content that is exclusive to the individuals at the venue.
In addition to connecting content providers with audience members, the embodiment of the present invention provides for a concert wall platform for audience members to share their experiences with other audience members. Generally, the concert wall platform requires audience members to register an account. An audience member can register utilizing either their credentials from known social network providers or directly sign up for a new account. The profile of the audience member can store the login information for the audience member's various social media provider accounts. As a result, the audience member can communicate through various social media profiles using a common interface. When an audience member enters a venue, they are prompted to join the concert wall for the current event. In the preferred embodiment, the concert wall platform allows audience members, content providers, and the venue to access all of the posts taken during the concert to the concert wall platform. As a result, an audience member at the rear of the stage can see posts from audience members near the front of the stage. As described above, the content provider can post a video, message, or photo to the concert wall that is exclusive to audience members in the venue.
The concert wall platform provides several advantages to venues. First, the concert wall platform allows venues to advertise upcoming performances and provide discounts to audience members. Second, the concert wall allows venues to track analytics based on the photos, videos, and comments posted by audience members to the concert wall platform during the performance. As a result, a venue can determine adjustments to make to increase the positive experience of audience members at the venue.
User terminal 1400 communicates over a network as described above with a content distribution platform. In this embodiment, the content distribution platform utilizes peer to peer networking to distribute live recorded content. For example, the content distribution platform can direct a first user terminal to communicate with a second user terminal to distribute a segment of the live recorded content stored on the second user terminal. Further, the content distribution platform can direct the first user terminal to communicate with a plurality of other user terminals and/or the content distribution platform to distribute additional segments of the live recorded content. In turn, the segments of the live recorded content stored on the first user terminal can be directed by the content distribution platform for distribution to other user terminals. As a result, the user terminal 1400 can utilize multiple sources to distribute the live recorded content. This design is advantageous to a centralized source that can comprise a limited number of concurrent connections. The user terminals are configured to concatenate the various distributed segments of the live recorded content and display the live recorded content on the user interface of the user terminal. In this embodiment, the live recorded content is deleted after a period of time to purchase the live recorded content expires.
Referring now to
Next, in step 1604, audience members arrive at the music venue. Audience members with devices suitable for network communication, for example a smartphone, are prompted to join a network at the venue. In this embodiment, an audience member enters a unique passcode that is generated by the venue on the date of the performance. The unique code limits the availability of the live recorded content to members within the venue space. In another embodiment, the venue can include transmitters at its entrances to automatically grant access to its network. In addition, the audience member's user terminal joins a peer-to-peer network for distributing the live recording of music at the venue. The audience members that join the distribution network are provided with a limited license to the intellectual property rights acquired in step 1602. The distribution network can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, cellular networks, satellite networks or any other network that permits the transfer and/or reception of data to and/or from the user terminals.
Next, in step 1606, the content provider performs a song. The soundboard at the venue directly records the devices, including the instruments and microphones that are connected to the soundboard.
In step 1608, the soundboard recording of the live music is distributed to the audience members' smartphones that joined the peer-to-peer network of the content distribution platform. In this embodiment, the content distribution platform is directly connected to the soundboard. In other embodiments, the content distribution platform can be located offsite from the venue. As a result, the content distribution platform communicates with the soundboard (or a device with network capabilities attached to the soundboard) and the smartphones to distribute the live recorded content from the venue.
Next in step 1610, the audience members are offered for sale the live recorded content for a limited period of time, for example 60 seconds. The revenue from a sale is preferably distributed 50% to the performing artist, 25% to the venue, and 25% to the content distribution platform. In step 1612, the offer for sale is terminated and the distributed live recorded content is removed from the audience members' smartphones that did not accept the offer for sale in step 1610.
In step 1614, another limited offer for sale is presented to the audience member for another live recorded content. Steps 1606 to 1612 are repeated until the performance is complete.
In addition to distributing live recorded content, this embodiment of the present invention can distribute instructions to coordinate audience members in a collaborated effect. For example, the content distribution platform can map the position of each smartphone that has joined the distribution network. Thereafter, the audience members at specific locations receive instructions to perform an act or to raise their phone in a complete light show. Furthermore, the audience members can be prompted to record audio using the microphone of their smartphone. Thereafter, the audio can be included in the live performance.
While the preferred embodiment is disclosed in the context of a music venue, the principles disclosed herein may be used in other environments as well. For example, the distribution of live recorded content may be adapted to video content at a football game. The content distribution platform can acquire the intellectual property rights to distribute for sale the live recording of football highlights that are typically shown to a television audience. Thereafter, spectators at the stadium can purchase these highlights using the content distribution platform. Further, the content distribution platform can allow spectators to anonymously distribute photos taken at the football game for other spectators to purchase for a limited period of time. The content distribution system can also notify spectators about deals and the condition of the lines at nearby food vendors. In one embodiment, the content distribution platform tracks the position of food vendors moving throughout the stadium and notifies spectators of the food vendors' locations and estimated time of arrival to the spectator's position.
Referring now to
Typically, signs are posted throughout a race, for example at Mile A, Mile B and Mile C, to indicate the mile marker of the race and to advertise the sponsors of the race. The content distribution platform of the present embodiment provides dynamic advertisement on a spectator's smartphone. This is advantageous from conventional signs that have limited space. Further, the advertisements can be targeted based on the location of the spectator and the sponsor. For example, a restaurant can advertise specials for nearby spectators on their smartphone.
At various locations of the race, spectators can record photos or videos of runners using their smartphones. In this embodiment, the content distribution platform allows spectators to distribute photos. The spectator is given a limited period of time after taking a photo to anonymously distribute the photo through the content distribution platform for other spectators to purchase. Information on the identity of the runners in the photo and the location is embedded in the photo. In this embodiment, a running tracking system, for example, one that utilizes passive or active transmitters is utilized to determine this information. In another embodiment, runners can carry an active transmitter that smartphones connected to the distribution network can track and share information location throughout the race. Spectators preferably configure the photos presented on their smartphone to runners that they are tracking Such photos are presented for a limited period of time. During the limited time, the spectator can purchase, comment, and/or pass on the photo. Purchasing or passing on a photo presents the next photo for the spectator to purchase for a limited time. In this embodiment, spectators are incentivized to submit high quality photos, because positive comments increase the number of concurrent images that they can submit for distribution. In addition, each photo sold provides a credit for the spectator's account to use for purchasing other live recordings at the event or other events utilizing the content distribution platform.
Further, in this embodiment a spectator can request that other spectators cheer or take photos of a runner that they are tracking Spectators can configure their smartphone to receive notices to cheer or take photos of a runner. The content distribution platform uses geolocation to determine the position of the spectators connected to the distribution network. The spectators are assigned to groups to optimize cheering and photos collected. For example, certain spectators at Mile A are notified to cheer for a runner while other spectators are notified to take photos. A runner tracking system notifies each spectator when a runner that they are assigned to cheer or take a photo is approaching. The spectators that utilize this notice system are charged a fee and given the opportunity to support their runner throughout the race instead of only a few locations. Although this embodiment has been described for spectators, a runner carrying a network device can also configure their device to receive photos and notifications.
While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, which has been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. Numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. The present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/105,187 filed Jan. 19, 2015, and entitled “System and Method for Distributing Experience Based Content,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62105187 | Jan 2015 | US |
