Abstract:
Divergent storylines for media such as movies are selected using branching techniques. Enhancing the “replay value” of a movie may be accomplished by introducing many logical branches in the action and plot during the movie. Consequently, repeat viewing is encouraged by creating a dynamic viewing environment based on the preferences of the current audience. The audience may be polled prior to each logical branch. Votes are then tallied and the logical branch is selected. Viewers may also indicate preferences regarding the movie rating. Consequently, a movie may be rated for children at one viewing and adults at another. Votes or other viewer feedback may be collected by a variety of methods. The privilege of voting for particular storyline branches or other content choices may be provided for free or purchase. Each time a branch in the storyline appears the viewer may then vote to influence the direction taken by the storyline. Multiple opportunities for voting may appear during the movie. Votes may be weighted and purchased based on a variable or flexible cost structure. Purchase of a movie ticket may convey to the viewer the ability to not only view the movie but also influence the outcome of the movie. The ability to influence the outcome of the movie may be closely related to the price of the ticket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Entertainment events such as motion pictures are mostly presented in a static form. Once a motion picture is released, one version of that motion picture is presented in theaters across the nation and world. Occasionally, motion pictures generate a following among viewers that generates repeat viewings of the motion picture because of the popularity of the movie, the subject, the special effects, or other intangible aspects of the movie. Motion picture producers have no readily available means for generating repeat revenues on a released movie.  
         [0002]     Movie producers may wish to have available, some means of encouraging repeat viewing of the movie. One method for encouraging repeat viewing is to produce a movie that is different each time it is viewed in the theater.  
         [0003]     Currently, variations in a movie are introduced when the movie is released in DVD format for home viewing. These DVDs may have alternate endings, director&#39;s cuts, or some verbal documentary that plays along with the movie. However, these variations in the movie are still static and the movie on DVD is much the same as presented in the theater.  
         [0004]     Systems for providing dynamic movies have been proposed using logical branching in the movie storyline. These systems describe the technical aspects of creating a movie using branching techniques and audience interaction through noise and other means. However, no method is introduced by which repeat viewing of a movie is encouraged and voting on particular branches in the movie storyline is used as part of the revenue for the movie.  
         [0005]     What is therefore needed is a system, a service, a computer program product, and an associated method for encouraging repeat patronage, to increase the revenues of a movie or other media, by providing a method by which the viewer may influence the action and plot of the movie. The need for such a solution has heretofore remained unsatisfied.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention satisfies this need, and presents a system, a service, a computer program product, and an associated method (collectively referred to herein as “the system” or “the present system”) for showing and selecting divergent storylines using branching techniques in movies. Enhancing the “replay value” of a movie may be accomplished by introducing numerous logical branches in the action and plot, while the movie is being played (that is on a “real-time” basis). Such dynamic movies may be produced and presented using known or available digital technologies.  
         [0007]     The present system provides a method for encouraging repeat viewing of a movie, creating a viewing environment that is dynamic and based on the preferences of the current audience. Viewers receive high value for the price of the movie ticket because they are seeing a different version each time they view the movie. Movie producers are able to increase the revenue for the movie because more patrons may return to view it in the theaters.  
         [0008]     A storyline branching technique allows a movie to take multiple different paths through the plot. Storyline branching occurs when the movie is projected on the screen. If in DVD form, storyline branching occurs when the movie is displayed on the screen or the display device, such as computer LCD display, TV display, front projection, or rear projection.  
         [0009]     For the example of the movie with storyline branching, equipment in the projection booth selects and changes scenes in real time. At certain places in the movie, a choice or logical branch occurs. The movie projector may display, for example, either scene A or scene B, based on certain criteria. At any logical branch, multiple options may be presented. These logical branches may occur at many places in the movie, such that the odds of seeing the same version of the movie twice are remote. It should be understood that a branch could have more than 2 choices, such as scenes A, B, C, or D.  
         [0010]     The present system provides the criteria for logical branching in the form of feedback or votes from the viewers or voters. The audience may be polled prior to each logical branch regarding the preferred path for the storyline based on the portion of the movie previously seen.  
         [0011]     For example, a car traveling down a road may reach a fork in the road. The present system presents a choice to the audience, the left fork or right fork in the road. The present system then tallies the votes and instructs the movie projector which logical branch to select according to the feedback from the audience.  
         [0012]     The feedback from the audience may be in the form of specific actions taken in the storyline or general plot of the movie. For example, prior to the movie the present system may provide a method by which the viewer may select general plot preferences such as tragedy, comedy, drama, action, etc. In addition, viewers may select nuances within those genres such as indicating a preference whether the main character does or does not die.  
         [0013]     Viewers may also indicate preferences regarding the level of violence, bloodshed, language, or sexual content presented in the movie. Consequently, a movie may be rated for children at one viewing and adults at another. The theater owner may also select these preferences such that, for example, matinee movies are appropriate for younger audiences while late night showings are appropriate for adults. The present system also allows storyline variations within the context of different ratings.  
         [0014]     Feedback utilized by the present system in selecting storylines or other content of the visual entertainment media may be collected by a variety of methods. For example, a viewer may vote on-line for general or specific variations in the storyline when a movie ticket is purchased over the Internet. The viewer may also vote when buying a ticket at the theater ticket window. A voting kiosk may be available in the theater lobby for voting by viewers. Viewers may vote in the theater as the movie plays by using keypads, touch screens, or other interactive devices. Viewers may also call in a vote using their wireless device such as a cell phone or a PDA.  
         [0015]     The privilege of voting for particular storyline branches or other content choices may be provided by the theater for free or may be provided as an upgrade to a basic ticket. For example, the viewer may receive two votes with the movie ticket price; for an addition dollar, the viewer receives an additional ten votes. Each time a branch in the storyline appears the viewer may then use a vote to influence the direction taken by the storyline. Multiple opportunities for voting may appear during the movie. Votes may be weighted and purchased based on a variable or flexible cost structure. Purchase of a movie ticket may convey to the viewer the ability to not only view the movie but also influence the outcome of the movie. The ability to influence the outcome of the movie may be closely related to the price of the ticket.  
         [0016]     The logical branches selected in a movie screening may be represented as a series of numbers, or a movie matrix. This movie matrix represents the version of the movie as viewed. Using the movie matrix, the present system can exactly replicate the movie. The movie matrix may be used to specify a movie that a viewer wishes to see in the theater, on DVD, on television, etc. When referencing a specific screening of a movie, movie critics, viewers, and others may reference the movie matrix.  
         [0017]     While discussed in terms of motion pictures, the present system may also be applied to any visual media such as DVDs, media such as broadcast television, cable, etc. Viewers may select various plot branches for movies on DVD. Television dramas, news, etc. may be tailored to a viewer&#39;s preferences through the present system. For example, parents may specify allowable content ratings for television programs viewed by their children at one television set in the home. The television set in the parent&#39;s bedroom may have a specified content rating suitable for adults. The children viewing in the den and the parents viewing in the bedroom may then select variations in the storyline presented in the drama within the specified content rating.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The various features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will be described in greater detail with reference to the following description, claims, and drawings, wherein reference numerals are reused, where appropriate, to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items, and wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary operating environment in which a content selection system of the present invention can be used;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a high-level architecture of the content selection system of  FIG. 1 , as utilized in a movie theater; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a process flow chart illustrating a method of use of the content selection system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     The following definitions and explanations provide background information pertaining to the technical field of the present invention, and are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention without limiting its scope:  
         [0023]     Gateway: A device that connects two computer networks that use different protocols. It translates between protocols so that computers on the connected networks can exchange data. For example, commercial online services often have gateways for sending e-mail to Internet addresses.  
         [0024]     Internet: A collection of interconnected public and private computer networks that are linked together with routers by a set of standard protocols to form a global, distributed network.  
         [0025]     PBX (Private Branch Exchange): A telephone exchange used within an organization and located on the premises; an example would be the main switchboard in a hospital.  
         [0026]     PDA (Personal Digital Assistant): A handheld computer that serves as an organizer for personal information. PDAs are pen based and use a stylus to tap selections on menus and to enter printed characters. The unit may also comprise a small on-screen keyboard that is tapped with the pen. Data are synchronized between the PDA and desktop computer via cable or wireless transmission.  
         [0027]     Votes: Comprise votes, feedback, or the indicated preference of a voter for a desired action to take place.  
         [0028]     Voters: Comprise voters, audience, the individuals watching or participating in the direction or path the movie takes.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  portrays an exemplary overall environment in which a system, method, and service for showing and selecting diverging storylines using branching techniques according to the present invention may be used. System  10  includes a software programming code or computer program product that is typically embedded within, or installed on a server  15  at a media center  20 .  
         [0030]     Media center  20  may be any entity that presents recorded media such as a movie theater, a radio station, a broadcast, a satellite, or a cable television station, etc. The function performed by system  10  can also be implemented in a computer, PDA, or other wireless handheld device, cell phones, etc. as represented by remote voters  25 ,  30 . Alternatively, system  10  can be saved on a suitable storage medium such as a diskette, a CD, a hard drive, or like devices.  
         [0031]     Local voter  35  may communicate with the media center  20  directly through devices available at the media center. The remote voters  25 ,  30  may communicate with the media center  20  through various paths: the Internet  40 ; wireless communication as represented by voice transmission  45 ,  50  through antenna  55 , PBX  60 , and gateway  65 ; or data transmission  70 ,  75  through antenna  80  and the Internet  40  or Ethernet  85 . The remote voters  25 ,  30  can also communicate via satellites such as satellite  90 . The remote voters  25 ,  30  may also communicate with system  10  at media center  15  without a corresponding system  10  installed on the device used by remote voters  25 ,  30 .  
         [0032]     The media center  20  transmits audio or visual media for viewing or listening, for example, to a screen in a movie theater or to televisions. The visual or audio media comprises many different logical branches and many different possible scenes. Some scenes may be parallel branches; these scenes branch into multiple paths but rejoin the storyline at the end of the scene. Parallel branches provide variety in the media but do not change the overall storyline or outcome.  
         [0033]     Other scenes may be non-parallel branches. Following a non-parallel branch creates an alternate development in the media and creates an entirely different storyline and outcome. Logically, non-parallel branches follow paths that appear like the branches on a tree. Non-parallel and parallel branches can be combined with parallel branches for a hybrid branching approach to media presentation.  
         [0034]     For further details regarding storyline branching, reference is made, for example to the following publications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,591,248; 5,465,384; 5,841,741; 6,360,055; 5,676,551; 6,245,402; and 6,108,001; U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2003/0068161; 2002/0053089; and 2001/0014209; and Japanese patent references Nos. JP 08-147939A; JP 07-037118A; and JP 62-175983A.  
         [0035]     Local voters  35  and remote voters  25 ,  30  influence the storyline branches in the media presented by media center  20 . System  10  accumulates the votes from local voters  35  and remote voters  25 ,  30  and follows branch preferences as indicated by the voting patterns of local voters  35  and remote voters  25 ,  30 .  
         [0036]     Alternatively, the media center  20  may present media following specific branches in the storyline to meet rating or content specifications for specific audiences or other criteria such as, for example, promotional or advertising events. Storyline branches may be selected to feature product placement of a particular product as a promotional event. After the promotional event is over, scenes with that particular product may not be presented by the media center  20 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary use of system  10  in a movie theater  200  in which viewers vote to select branches in the storyline of a movie. System  10  comprises a viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  that accumulates votes from a plurality of voters (or viewers), such as voting viewer  1 ,  210 , voting viewer  2 ,  215 , voting viewer  3 ,  220 , and voting viewer  4 ,  225  (cumulatively referenced as voting viewers  230 ).  
         [0038]     Viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  counts the votes from the voting viewers  230 , to determine which storyline branch may be presented to the audience. In one embodiment, votes from some of the voting viewers  230  may be weighted more than votes from other voting viewers  230 , as determined by some criteria, such as purchase of a premium ticket, promotional event, etc.  
         [0039]     Results from accumulating votes by the viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  are transmitted to a content branching system  235 . The content branching system  235  then follows the selected storyline or content branch determined by the viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205 .  
         [0040]     A movie projector  240  projects the selected storyline or content branch on the screen of movie theater  200 . Voting may occur prior to showing the movie and during the movie presentation. The viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  counts votes from both sources to determine the appropriate storyline branch.  
         [0041]     System  10  comprises various methods for viewer voting interfaces such as, for example, an online ticket-office voting system  245 , a ticket booth voting system  250 , a lobby kiosk voting system  255 , and a theater seat voting system  260 . Voting viewer  4 ,  225 , may select preferences for viewing when purchasing tickets through the Internet at the online ticket-office voting system  245 . Voting viewer  4 ,  225 , accesses the online ticket-office voting system  245  through a network  265 . The online ticket-office voting system  245  transmits votes from voting viewer  4 ,  225  to the viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  through network  265 .  
         [0042]     Voting viewer  3 ,  220 , selects preferences for storyline variations when purchasing a movie ticket at the ticket booth of the movie theater  200 . The preferences of voting viewer  3 ,  220 , are entered in the ticket booth voting system  250  either directly by the voting viewer  3 ,  220 , or by the employee selling the ticket. Voting viewer  2 ,  215 , selects preferences for storyline variations at a voting kiosk in the lobby of the movie theater  200 . The preferences of voting viewer  2 ,  215  are entered in the lobby kiosk voting system  255 .  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, voting viewer  4 ,  225 , voting viewer  3 ,  220 , and voting viewer  2 ,  220 , obtain the right to vote for storyline variations in a movie by purchasing a ticket for the movie. In another embodiment, possible storyline variations for which the voting viewer  4 ,  225 , voting viewer  3 ,  220 , and voting viewer  2 ,  220 , may vote are general in terms of plot, genre, etc.  
         [0044]     In an alternative embodiment, voting viewer  4 ,  225 , voting viewer  3 ,  220 , and voting viewer  2 ,  220 , select a specific version of the movie recommended by a movie critic or a friend by entering a series of numbers, or movie matrix, that reference specific logical branches in the storyline.  
         [0045]     The audience in movie theater  200  may comprise voting viewers such as voting viewer  1 ,  210  and non-voting viewers such as viewers  270 . The privilege of voting for storyline branches may be obtained by purchasing a premium movie ticket, purchasing a number of votes in addition to a movie ticket, or any other criteria selected by the movie theater or movie producer. For example, a promotional event may provide a voting ticket to those viewers that purchase a specific product either at the movie theater or before attending the movie. In addition, promotional coupons may be provided to movie viewers that enable them to vote for storyline branches.  
         [0046]     Voting viewer  1 ,  210 , selects storyline preferences at a theater seat through the theater seat voting system  260 . Prior to the start of the movie, the preferences may be general, as those selected by voting viewer  4 ,  225 , voting viewer  3 ,  220 , and voting viewer  2 ,  220 . During the movie presentation, the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may vote on specific branches in the storyline as they are presented on the movie.  
         [0047]     Voting viewer  2 ,  210 , may vote using a variety of devices associated with the theater seat. Voting may be accomplished using a touch screen, for example, either in the arm of the theater seat or the back of the seat in front of voting viewer  2 ,  210 . Alternatively, a simple keypad may be used. Further, a wireless device may be used. Voting viewer  2 ,  210 , may also use a wireless device to vote for storyline branches.  
         [0048]     In one embodiment, appropriate intervals during the movie in which voting may take place may be signaled, for example, by a flashing light on the theater seat voting system  260 , a vibration, or a message on the movie screen. The movie theater  200  may optionally select to allow only a few voting viewers  1 ,  210 , to vote at any one time to minimize distractions during the movie, for example. In this case, the voting indication may only be activated for a few voting viewers  1 ,  210 . Other viewing voters  1 ,  210 , are not alerted that a voting opportunity was available.  
         [0049]     Within a group of voting viewers  1 ,  210 , votes may be weighted differently. In an embodiment, a move ticket may be priced to reflect a spectrum of voting privileges. For example, a basic movie price allows a viewer such as viewer  270  to attend the movie with no voting privileges. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may purchase a higher priced ticket that allows a certain number of votes during the movie. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may also purchase a premium ticket that provides, for example, an unlimited number of votes or votes that are weighted more than a standard vote. Additional tiers representing numbers and weights of votes may be provided by the movie theater  200 . A voting right ticket system could allow the individual rights to vote in pre-assigned slots or optionally give the user with limited votes to use them at any branch he/she chooses.  
         [0050]     The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may be viewing a movie they have previously seen. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may not place as much value on some branches in the movie but be very interested in other branches in the movie. Consequently, the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may choose to place votes only at the branches that are of most interest. For example, the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , particularly remembers three branches out of a total of thirty branches after viewing a movie. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , wishes to view the “other” version of the movie at those three branches. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may purchase a movie ticket with three votes and place those votes specifically at those three branches.  
         [0051]     Alternatively, the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may purchase a ticket that allows the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , to place a weighted vote at each of those three branches such that the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , has a greater chance of influencing the selected path at those three branches. For example, the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may purchase a triple-weighted ticket, weighting each vote by a factor of three. However, if the branches of interest to the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , are non-parallel, a selection of the first branch of interest may prevent the second and third branches from appearing. Each non-parallel branch in the movie may take the storyline in diverging directions.  
         [0052]     The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may establish a voting account with, for example, a credit or debit card. As voting viewer  1 ,  210 , places votes, a voting fee is added to the voting account that is later billed to the credit card of the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , or automatically debited from the debit card. The voting viewer  1 ,  210 , may also purchase a voting card with a certain number of votes that can be placed in any movie presented by the movie theater  200 . Votes are deducted from the voting card when the voting viewer  1 ,  210 , votes for specific storyline branches.  
         [0053]     Movie theater  200  may provide an “instant upgrade” option allowing voting viewers  230  the opportunity to upgrade a ticket. A voting viewer  230  may have purchased a limited voting ticket. During the movie, the voting viewer  230  may prefer to vote more often or have their vote weighted more heavily. Using an “instant upgrade” option, the voting viewer  230  may, for example, use a credit card, cash, or a debit card issued by movie theater  200  to purchase an upgrade to the theater ticket.  
         [0054]     Viewers  270  may decide, after a movie has begun, that they wish to vote on the storyline of the movie. Movie theater  200  may provide a method at the theater seat that allows viewers to purchase votes as the movie progresses. For example, viewers  270  may purchase a block of votes or just a few votes. Viewers  270  may purchase the votes by credit card, debit card, cash, etc.  
         [0055]     Movie theater  200  may encourage return visits by offering discounts on tickets or votes for frequent patronage of the theater. This “frequent voter program” may be based, for example, on number of votes purchased, number of movie tickets purchased, total value of purchases to date, etc. The “frequent voter program” may be offered in conjunction with promotional programs, targeted toward attendance of a specific movie, a specific movie theater  200 , or chain of theaters  200 , etc.  
         [0056]     The specific storyline of a movie presentation in movie theater  200  may be represented by a movie matrix, or series of numbers, indicating the storyline branches taken during the presentation of the movie. In an embodiment, viewers  65  and viewers  230  may receive a printed matrix representing the version of the movie that was presented as a result of audience voting. The movie theater  200  may also provide the matrix for a specific movie screening on a website; viewers  65  and viewers  230  may access the website to download the matrix for a movie seen by themselves, a friend, etc. Viewers  65  or viewers  230  may later request the same version by presenting the matrix for that movie. A movie critic can also specify the movie matrix in a movie review.  
         [0057]     Movie theater  200  can present various versions of the same movie on several screens. Using system  10  and storyline branching, each movie is a different viewing experience. One screen may present the movie as reviewed by a noted movie critic. Other screens may present the movie as the “director&#39;s version”, the version preferred by the movie director, a version preferred by one or more actors in the movie, a version preferred by the movie studio, etc. A third screen may present a version suitable for children, while a fourth screen may present a version suitable for adults. Additional screens may present versions in which voting viewers  230  may influence the direction of the storyline of the movie. A movie screening may be presented as a promotional version featuring product placements from various advertisers.  
         [0058]     Given the ability to specify a movie version with a matrix, groups of like-minded individuals may form “communities” of movie voting viewers  230 . These communities may form in a geographical area or a virtual area on the Internet. Members of these communities may view and then critique a movie version for others in the community; rankings for specific versions of the movie (specified by the movie matrix) may be posted for others in the community. A community may, as a group, request a specific version of a movie for screening at movie theater  200 .  
         [0059]     In an embodiment, movie theater  200  can “guarantee” a unique viewing experience for some presentations of a movie. For example, movie theater  200  may compare the current presentation of a movie to past presentations in movie theater  200  and ensure that duplicate runs are not allowed. Movie theater  200  may advertise that the viewer is guaranteed a new movie presentation each time the viewer attends that movie. In a further embodiment, movie theater  200  may specify a degree or percentage at which the movie presentation is unique or different from previous presentations of that movie. In yet another embodiment, viewers may present matrices for versions of the movie they have previously seen. Movie theater  200  may guarantee to some degree that the movie presentation does not repeat entirely any of those matrices.  
         [0060]     In one embodiment, movie releases may be tailored to specific geographic regions to reflect the values of those regions. For example, language, nudity, sexual content, etc. that is acceptable to viewers on the west coast may not be acceptable to viewers in the Midwest.  
         [0061]     In a further embodiment, system  10  may be used on DVDs viewed at home. Users may specify the movie version using a movie matrix or select general preferences in plot, language, nudity, sexual content, violence, etc. Users may also specify logical branches in the storyline as the movie progresses for a viewer experience similar to that in the movie theater  200 .  
         [0062]     In yet another embodiment, system  10  may be used for broadcast media including cable, satellite, or pay-per-view events. A community of viewers in a geographic region may vote for general preferences, ratings preferences, or a specific movie matrix. In an embodiment, system  10  may be applied to television shows, movies, special events, or other broadcast media. In a further embodiment, individuals may vote for general preferences, ratings preferences, or a specific movie matrix. Parents may specify criteria to which the programming watched by their children must adhere. The privilege of specifying content, ratings, storyline branches, etc. on broadcast media may or may not require a viewer surcharge. Broadcast media may use system  10 , for example, as method to increase viewing during the months that advertising rates are set, as a service to a community, or to increase revenue.  
         [0063]     A method  300  for accumulating votes in determining storyline branching is illustrated by the process flow chart of  FIG. 3 . The viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  accumulates votes at step  305 . If the votes are weighted at decision step  310 , the viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  multiplies the votes by the appropriate weight factor at step  325 .  
         [0064]     Vote totals are incremented at step  330 . If additional votes remain to be accumulated at decision step  325 , process  300  returns to step  305  and steps  305  through  325  are repeated until all votes have been incremented for a specific storyline branch.  
         [0065]     System  10  may not accept any additional votes for a specific storyline branch within a certain time before the specific storyline branch occurs to allow adequate processing of votes. At step  330 , the viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  adds votes from requested movie matrixes submitted by viewers prior to the movie screening.  
         [0066]     A winning tally is selected at step  335  based on all the accumulated votes. The viewer voting/feedback accumulator  205  then transfers the winning storyline branch to the content branching system  235  at step  340  and the appropriate storyline branch is displayed on the movie screen.  
         [0067]     It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention that have been described are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principle of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made to the system, method, and service for showing and selecting diverging storylines using branching techniques described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.