Patent ID: 8572498
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for enabling a spectator to influence the outcome of a broadcast sporting event, said method comprising: programing a digital processing device to perform the functions of: broadcasting, over a digital network, a live sporting event comprising a first player representing a first team and a second player representing a second team to at least one first team supporting spectator, wherein said at least one first team supporting spectator is pre-registered; determining, with the aid of input from a user, a menu of two or more possible choices relating to said first player's participation in said live sporting event; automatically sending said menu via said digital network to said at least one first team supporting spectator; automatically receiving one or more menu selections from said at least one first team supporting spectator and automatically ordering said received menu selections by a time they are received; automatically weighting the value of a menu selection by a time of receipt of said menu selection, wherein said step of weighting uses a function of the form W=Ae-|T-t| where W represents the weighting function, A is a predetermined constant, e is the base of the natural logarithms, T is a preferred time for receipt of the menu selection and t is an actual time of receipt of the menu selection; automatically determining a majority menu selection of said weighted received menu selections as an elected course of action; and implementing said elected course of action as part of said live sporting event, wherein said implementing step takes place during the actual play of the game and modifies the play of said first player or said first team in order to influence the outcome of said sporting event.