Patent Application
20240022874
Live sporting events such as golf tournaments and car racing events as well as art and music festivals have large numbers of spectators that are observing activity that occurs across a large geographic area. For example, golfers in the tournament may be spread out across several different hole sin an 18-hole course. Likewise, race car drivers may be navigating around a racetrack that may be four of five miles in length. And art and music festivals feature multiple stages and artists across extensive city parks and downtown venues Thus, spectators may need to track multiple event participants in many locations simultaneously to gain a true appreciation of the competition or entertainment at hand.
Furthermore, several different point of interest locations may be of note to spectators that may choose to not remain in a single location. Thus, for roaming spectators, knowledge about location of and distances to food facilities, restroom facilities, emergency aid stations, and exits can be desired. Between keeping track of the competition and performances at hand as well as the additional aspects of live event facilities, a spectator desires to be able to quickly and easily navigate this information using a geo-located device, such as a portable computer of mobile phone.
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
Note that the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features.
The subject matter of embodiments disclosed herein is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
Embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments by which the systems and methods described herein may be practiced. This systems and methods may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy the statutory requirements and convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.
By way of overview, the systems and methods discussed herein may be directed to computer systems and methods for improving the user experience at live events with regard to proximity-based information and data during a live event. In embodiments, a spectator may attend live sporting events (or other types of live events, such as concerts, artistic performances, rallies, parades, speaking events, and demonstrations). While attending these events, the spectator may have a smart phone or other mobile computing device having one or more application executing thereon. These applications may work in concert to provide an enhanced spectator experience for attendees via an augmented-reality (AR) application using local resources such as device cameras, GPS communication modules, and computer network connections. Using these resources, an attendee of various live events may access detailed data and information about the event such as leaderboards, changing rankings, locations of services, and location of participants. For example, as a golfer in a gold tournament comes into proximity with the user, an alert may be triggered on a display identifying where the golfer is and the golfer's current tournament score/ranking. Similarly, a specific race car may be tracked during a race when a field of competitors is outside of view of the user. Still further, different artists performing on different stages may be tracked and displayed according to actual start and stop times at a music festival. These and other aspects of this stem are discussed below and better understood in eth context of the
In this embodiment, a user device 103 such as a smart phone or mobile computer may be executing an application for collecting, assimilating, organizing and displaying different kinds of data and information on a display of the mobile computing device. In other embodiments, this device may be a more stationary computer device such as a desktop computer or computing kiosk designed to remain in one place during the duration of an event. Each of the user computers 103 may be coupled to the Internet 125 so as to communicate with several other computing devices. Other computing devices may also include other users' mobile computing devices 105 as well. Together, all of these computing systems may collect and disseminate information to any other computing device in the system about specific details and occurrences during the live event.
The information involved with collection and dissemination may include GPS data that may derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) so as to geolocate any connected device to the overall system 100 and regularly update respective locations. The GPS system includes a number of satellite systems 110 wherein several different additional computing devices 115 communicate with each other and the satellites 110 to determine specific global locations for specific connected devices. For example, a golfer in a golf tournament may have an associated placard or scorecard 116 carried by a caddy with the golfer's name. The placard may be GPS-equipped mobile computing device that regularly communicated with the Internet 125 and the GPS system to as to update the overall system as to geolocation. As another example, a race car may have a GPS-equipped mobile computing device placed in board the car during a race such that the system 100 may also be updated with specific geo-location of the race car in real time on served applications. In still further, examples, convention floor booths may have GPS-equipped mobile computing devices that communicate with the system 100 during a convention. In each of these examples (as well as other embodiments), the GPS-equipped mobile computing devices 116 may be turned off before the event begins and after the event ends so as to maintain the privacy of the GPS-equipped mobile computing device 116.
As various data points and information is collected and disseminated, the GPS data may be routed through one or more communications towers 117 that are communicatively coupled to a pair of redundant control center server computers 135. The redundant control center computers 135 may be executing the overall application for proximity-based information organization during a live event. Thus, as user devices 103 and 105 connect to the system, communication with the redundant control center server computers 135 may be established. In embodiments, each user device 103 or 105 may have an already installed application for interfacing the overall live event management system and each user device may have a pre-established user relationship (e.g., username and password credentials, and sometimes, payment credentials) with the server application from the redundant control center server computers 135.
In embodiments, the system 100 includes a main server computer 130 coupled to the Internet 125 that may be used to store legacy data and back-end functionality data for the redundant control center server computers 135. The main server computer 130 (sometimes called the back office server) may be the primary data source for all live event information. For example, for golf events, the main server computer 130 may store golfers current scores, tournament standings, and sponsor details. As another example, for race events the main server computer 130 may store drivers' current position, speed, and sponsor details. As yet another example, for festivals the main server computer 130 may store a schedule for each performer, locations of the performance, and data specific to the festival location and performers. For the remainder of this disclosure, only examples form a live golfing event may be used to describe functionality and capabilities of the overall system and method, though a skilled artisan understands that these example application and functions apply equally to any of the live events described above and other live events not described herein.
In further embodiments, additional system-enabled computing devices (not shown in
For example, in
In a similar manner, other user's device (105 of
In embodiments, the user's display screen may also show a local control panel 340 with filters for toggling one or more types of augmented-reality elements on and off. For example, one could turn off the facilities 341 locations until one desires to locate them. In other embodiments, a nested menu may be available for a user to turn off and on augmented-reality elements for specific locations, golfers, or friends. These filters may be color-coded for different types of data for display. As the camera is rotated additional items that are within the camera's field of view will become visible to the user with locations, distances, names, scores, and the like. The four primary filters can be selected individually to minimize information being shown on the screen. If preferred, additional filters can be added for other features such as hospitality or corporate sponsored tents and pro/souvenir shops. Micro filters for food venues and favorite golfers may also be added to focus on interests and reduce screen clutter.
Golfer tracking (e.g., mobile computing device on golfer placard, or the like) may primarily utilize the Optimus Real Time GPS Tracing Device or GPS Tracking Device with worldwide 5G/4G/LTE subscription per set of golfers per day. Each tracker may be assigned to the golfers playing together for reporting in the application and location services. Every day, each tracker may be assigned to the golfers together. Further, golfers may be tracked at three locations per hole—tee box, fairway, and the green. 30-60 second updates may be sufficient for accurate location services. Further, battery life should be sufficient for 1 day with updates every 30 seconds.
In other embodiments, friends tracking would be available as an option for anyone who downloads the application and shares their location with other friends via the application. The system may also integrate with Facebook and Instagram location sharing as well to generate further use and connections. Food and facilities locations may be located via waypoints prior to the event and could be added during the events if there are ad hoc changes. Additional filters that could be added may be hospitality tents, storm shelters, pro shops, and the like.
In other embodiments, real-time statistics may be assimilated and tracked that include mobile ticket requirements by event; rate of technology acceptance at events, number of global tour events, number of events by organization (PGA, and the like.), number of attendees per day of each event, and number of downloads of the application.
For example, in
In a similar manner, other user's device (105 of
In embodiments, the user's display screen may also show a local control panel 340 for toggling one or more types of augmented-reality elements on and off. For example, one could turn off the facilities 341 locations until one desires to locate them.
In other embodiments, a nested menu may be available for a user to turn off and on augmented-reality elements for specific locations, golfers, or friends.
For example, in
In a similar manner, other user's device (105 of
In embodiments, the user's display screen may also show a local control panel 340 for toggling one or more types of augmented-reality elements on and off. For example, one could turn off the facilities 341 locations until one desires to locate them.
In other embodiments, a nested menu may be available for a user to turn off and on augmented-reality elements for specific locations, golfers, or friends.
User computing devices 630a-630n may be associated with target audience members that typically include PGA tour attendees, LPGA tour attendees, Pro Am tour attendees, NASCAR event attendees, Formula One attendees, Indy Circuit attendees, and public event attendees. Each user device 630a-630n may be executing an event-information organization application having a pre-established relationship with the live-event data management server computer 610 that is executing a platform-based event information organization enterprise program. The cooperation of the live-event data management server computer 610 and each user device 630a-630n, as a pre-established credentialed relationship allows for certain private or proprietary information to be disseminated to each user device 630a-630n. Together with the third-party service computing devices 640, 642, 644, and 646, each user device 630a-630n may impart functionality to a user that greatly enhances enjoyment of a live event.
In a first example function, and as discussed previously each user device Each user device 630a-630n may enable use of respective camera functionality to create augmented-reality experience for users viewing a screen such that information is presented in real time on the screen in a relative location to reality. In a second example function, the use of GPS services and QR codes on score placards to track and locate golfers throughout the course may be enabled during a live golf event. Further, the use of information provided may also include users' current location, location of golfers, their current score, and the like. throughout entire course and throughout the entire duration of the live golf event. Additional functionality may include course maps and best route selection about the golf course during the live golf event as well as season statistics about the PGA tour and individual statistics of players.
Then, the method will enter a monitoring loop for any triggering event at step 715. Thus, in this embodiment, three simultaneous trigger monitoring loops are created with an update check every 30 seconds or so. The first loop monitors for the occurrence of an event at query step 720. The occurrence of an event may be that a specific golfer has scored well on a hole, a hospitality tent has opened, or that ordered food is ready for pickup as but three examples. The second loop monitors for a remote mobile device to be moved into proximity of the user device at query step 722. This may be that a specific golfer has come with 500 yards of the user, a friend has come with 500 yards of the user, or that a food cart has entered a proximate area as but three examples. The third loop monitors for the user device to move into proximity with a stationary location at query step 724. This may be that the user has come with 500 yards of facilities, a clubhouse, or one's parked car as but three examples.
In each of these looped monitoring cases above, when a triggering event is detected, the user device may change its augmented reality display to indicate this detection at step 730. This could be simply displaying another bubble on the screen or may trigger a blinking or color change to impart a more urgent notification to the user. The overall method may loop back around to continue monitors for triggering events or changing parameters or the method may end at step 735.
Once the parameters and augmented-reality elements have been set by the one or more user devices, the platform determines all matching augmented-reality elements that meet the parameters for then displaying on the augmented reality screen of each respective user device. Then, the method will enter a monitoring loop for any triggering event at step 815. Thus, in this embodiment, three simultaneous trigger monitoring loops are created with an update check every 30 seconds or so. The first loop monitors for the triggering of augmented-reality elements for user devices in a camera view mode at query step 820. The second loop monitors for the triggering of augmented-reality elements for user devices in a horizon view mode at query step 822. The third loop monitors for the triggering of augmented-reality elements for user devices in an aerial view mode at query step 824.
In each of these looped monitoring cases above, when a triggering event is detected, the user device may receive a pushed notification to change its augmented reality display to indicate this detection at step 830. This could be simply displaying another bubble on the screen or may trigger a blinking or color change to impart a more urgent notification to the user. The overall method may loop back around to continue monitoring for triggering events or changing parameters or the method may end at step 835. At the end step 835, this may involve turning off functionality at the live-event information management system platform by indicating to the server computer that the live event has ended thereby terminating communication with and stopping the tracking of GPS location of the plurality of GPS-enable computing devices associated with the live event.
In an embodiment, displaying the augmented-reality element further comprises displaying the augmented-reality element associated with one of the plurality of GPS-enabled computing devices if the respective GPS location of the respective GPS-enabled device is determined to be within 500 yards of the user computing device. IN another embodiment, indicating to the server computer that the live event has commenced further comprises indicating that a golf tournament has commenced, a race event has commenced, or a convention has commenced. In still further embodiments, each user device may also have waypoint functionality in receiving input from the user to determine waypoints on the user's display and then generating walking directions in response to establishing the waypoints.
It should be understood that the present disclosures as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present disclosure using hardware and a combination of hardware and software.
Any of the software components, processes or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Assembly language Java, JavaScript, C, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and/or were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely indented to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present disclosure.
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present subject matter is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/390,147, having a filing date of Jul. 18, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63390147 | Jul 2022 | US |
