System and Method For Wagering in a Live Sports Social Media Environment

The present invention discloses a system and method for wagering in a live sports social media environment. The system includes a device having a user interface, the device is in communication with a network. At least one server, in operable communication with a processor, has operable instructions to provide a wagering interface to a plurality of users, stream an event, and provide a means for wagering on the event.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments presented provide a system and method for providing communications, media, and wagering interface for users over a network.

BACKGROUND

The development and widespread use of the internet has resulted in a change in the way humans interact. This change can be seen in sports as fans receive updates and even watch sporting events via a live feed on their mobile devices. Some platforms even provide a collection of sports media all in one interface which enable the user to monitor a variety of sporting events simultaneously.

Traditionally, sporting events and sports betting have been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years in one form or another. It is widely known that sports provide the fans an outlet for their competitive desires without directly competing in the sporting event itself. While the wagering industry has advanced along with current streaming technology, no single platform exists where users can engage with a variety of sports-related media, socialize with other fans, and place wagers on live sporting events streamed directly to their device in real-time.

It can be seen that advances in the arts related to real-time wagering within a social media sports environment is needed. One such advance is presented by the variety of embodiments provided herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, embodiments provided herein relates to a system for wagering in a live sports social media environment. The system is comprised of a device having a processor providing a user interface thereon. The device, along with at least one server, is in communication with a network. The wagering system, which provides a wagering interface, further includes a credit manager. The processor includes operable instructions to provide a wagering interface to a plurality of users while streaming an event. The processor further permits wagering between the group of users within the wagering interface.

In further aspects, the user interface can include a fantasy sports interface, a podcast interface, a marketplace interface, and/or a communications interface.

In one aspect, the communications interface includes a chat feature wherein users can publish communications within an ecosystem of users in addition to a wall feature, wherein published communications are aggregated in a pre-selected collaborative space or ecosystem.

In another aspect, a financial institution is in communication with the network, such that the financial institution includes a payment processing system to facilitate the transfer of wagers.

A method for providing a wagering interface in a social media environment includes the steps of providing, via a processor, a wagering interface and at least one of the following: a communications interface, a fantasy sports interface, a podcast interface, and a marketplace interface. The processor facilitates streaming, via third-party providers, an event to a group of users interacting with the wagering interface while facilitating wagers between the group of users. A means for payment, via a financial institution is provided using a payment processing system.

In one aspect, the marketplace interface provides goods and services from the plurality of third-party providers.

In another aspect, the event is a live sporting event streamed in real-time via the at least one third-party provider. Each user can wager on the live sporting event in real-time.

Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described system and methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and not unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantage's” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

The present invention can be embodied as a method, data processing system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining both software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized, including hard disks, USB Flash Drives, DVDs, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object-oriented programming language e.g., Java, C++, etc.). The computer program code, however, for carrying out operations of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or in a visually oriented programming environment. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or mobile computing device.

A remote computer may be connected to a user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), wireless data network e.g., WiFi or and cellular network or the connection may be made to an external computer via most third party supported networks (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). A user's computer can include a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, that can communicate wirelessly over data communications networks.

Computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture, including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the block or blocks. The computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus. This causes a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or blocks.

In general, and in reference toFIG. 1, the embodiments presented herein relate to a system100for providing a user interface related to sports content and wagering. The system100can be utilized by an ecosystem or community of users5to consume and interact with sports-related content, social media, media streams, wagering systems, and various other forms of content from any number of parties. A network1is in communication with any number of users5via at least one device10in communication with each user. The device can include a smartphone, tablet, computer, PDA, or similar computing device. A wagering system30permits each user to place a wager (e.g., a bet) on a sporting event. A credit manager34is in communication with the wagering system30to store and interpret credits owned by the user5. A financial institution20provides a payment processing system24to the user5and facilitates monetary transactions throughout the network1. Any number of third-party providers40are in communication with the network1. Each third-party provider40can include a provider database44to store and transmit data.

Third-party providers can include media outlets, internet providers, social media interfaces, online marketplaces, podcast interfaces, communication interfaces, and other web-based information and interaction interfaces.

A server system60and database64store, transmit, and receive information related to system100. Computer readable instructions can be processed by a processor which can include any commercially available or custom microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor or the like. The database64may include any memory devices containing the software and data used to implement the functionality circuits or modules used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The database64can include but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAM, DRAM and magnetic disk. In some embodiments of the present invention, the database64may be, for example, a content addressable memory (CAM).

Now referring toFIG. 2, a wagering interface200is illustrated. The wagering interface200provides a video chat202which permits two or more users5within the wagering group206to communicate with one another using video and/or audio transmission of data. The wagering group206consists of a list of users5(shown as user's1-7) which are engaged in a live sports wagering ecosystem. Each user5can engage with a media stream208of an event. Each user5has a total204corresponding to their amount of available credits with which they can wager. A total wager can be displayed to the group206. Each user5can independently select to place a wager using the place wager icon212. The user can then enter an amount to wager as well as parameters associated with the wager. Following the event, the user can select the pay icon210to pay their wager(s) which is/are due.

Events that can be streamed include sporting events such as a horse race, an auto race, a boxing match, a kickboxing match, an ultimate fight match, a wrestling match, a basketball game, a soccer game, a rugby game, a football game, a baseball game, a hockey game, a lacrosse match, a dog race, golf tournament, and other skill-based games and common wagering events.

The streamed event may be broadcast in real-time along with audio commentary and audio media provided by the stream.

FIG. 3illustrates a home screen graphical user interface (GUI)300for the system100having a plurality of selectable icons thereon. In the exemplary embodiment provided, the GUI300includes a marketplace icon305, wall icon310, news icon315, terms icon320, account icon325, podcast icon330, chat icon335, about icon340, FAQ's icon345, fantasy icon350, notification icon355, contact icon360, and report user icon365. Functions and processes of each icon presented on the GUI300are readily apparent to those skilled in the arts unless otherwise indicated in the description provided herein.

The marketplace icon305can transmit data to the user5to a native interface or external system wherein the user5can interact with a marketplace305. A marketplace305can include an online retailer, online service provider, an online wagering system, or other interface wherein commerce between the user5and a third-party can be performed.

The wall icon310can include a query of communications cultivated within the ecosystem of users5. The user5can have the preference of determining which users5within the ecosystem appear on the wall interface. The wall icon310can be in communication with the chat icon335to facilitate the communication and publishing of user interactions throughout the ecosystem of users.

The news icon315can include news data transmitted by the third-party provider40, or data aggregated from the ecosystem of users5.

The fantasy icon350can include an interface for interacting in fantasy sports interfaces (illustrated inFIG. 5andFIG. 6). The fantasy icon350can transmit data from third-party providers40which are involved in fantasy sports systems as commonly known in the arts.

FIG. 4illustrates a podcast interface410presented on the user interface of the device10. The podcast interface410can be transmitted from the system database64or a third-party provider database44. Data can include podcast content420provided within the podcast interface410permitting each user to select from a list of podcasts and stream content to the device10.

FIG. 5andFIG. 6illustrate fantasy sports interfaces500,600which provide the user5means for interacting with a community of fantasy sports users. Each user5can select from a variety of fantasy sports settings and preferences known in the arts. This can include entry fee amounts510, sport, league, dates and times, contest type, among other parameters.

The system enables users5to create a password-protected user account that grants access to the various features of the system100. One aspect of the system100enables a registered user to set preferences for their interaction with the system100. Interactions can include those with the wagering interface200, or fantasy interfaces500,600. The preferences can include those to selectively create and define a targeted user community whereby each user within the community will be a player in a respective league or a member of a wagering group. The community design feature of the game advantageously enables the user5to selectively determine the rules applied to the community and the particular interaction or games being played by the community. The interaction may be a fantasy sports betting game whereby the users in the community compete against one another in monetary wagering contests without actually wagering or paying legal tender using the rules selected by the user5.

In one embodiment, the user5may also selectively determine the type of sporting events that will be available to each player for purposes of betting. For example, the user5may determine that a particular league should only bet on the outcome of football games played in the National Football League. The system enables the user5to select from a plurality of different types of sporting contests that are available during the gaming period thus allowing users5to bet on various sporting events in different sports leagues during the betting periods and the gaming periods. A user5may also determine a subset of contests selected from a plurality of different type of sporting contests for use during a particular betting period.

In another embodiment, the user5may also selectively determine the type and nature of bets able to be placed by the user during the betting period. There are many known types of bets including but not limited to parlays, teasers, run line bets, over/under, progressive parlays, and head-to-head bets. The respective type of bets available and associated with a particular sporting contest are displayed to a player in the game, and the player can select the type of bet they want to place from the group of bet types presented. The parameters of each of the types of bets presented to the user may be selectively determined by the system operator in a known manner. The parameters include but are not limited to the spread, the over/under, number of teams able to be used in at least one of a parlay and a teaser, etc. Alternatively, the server implementing the game may connect, via a communication network to a remote source whereby these parameters can be acquired for presentation to the user5.

In another embodiment, the system100enables the creation and definition of rules for a game period during which the players in the community have opportunities to make bets on actual sporting contests and events within individual sporting contests. In creating a game, the user5may select from a predetermined set of rules stored in a rules repository on a server or other storage device. Alternatively, the user5may create rules different from the predetermined set of rules. The rules available to the user5advantageously enable the user5to determine every aspect of the game to be played. The user5may choose a minimum or a maximum value that is available for each user5.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary content interface700wherein users can submit posts, comments, or other content for publication to the ecosystem of users. The content interface700can include input fields for a variety of media including text, video, images, audio, and other content delivery means known in the arts.

FIG. 8illustrates a server system800including a messaging server804, application server808, web server812, marketplace server816, and mapping server820. The server engine830, having computer readable instructions provided by the processor includes a wagering module834, content module838, search module842, and purchasing module846. While each module is illustrated in a single data processing system, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, such functionality may be distributed across one or more data processing systems. Thus, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 8but may be provided by other arrangements and/or divisions of functions between data processing systems. For example, althoughFIG. 8is illustrated as having various modules, one or more of these modules may be combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the wagering module834permits each user5to place a wager on an event as known in the arts. This can include a variety of sports wagering schemes depending on community settings or user5preferences. The wagering module834is in communication with the wagering interface200wherein each of the plurality of users5can place a wager on the live event. The wagering module834tracks and updates the total204for each user5while new wagers are submitted.

The content module838permits communication between the ecosystem of users5including the video chat202interfaces within the wagering interface200.

The search module842permits the user to search for content within the system100. Content can include user-generated content, media, wagers, sports leagues and information thereof, fantasy leagues and information thereof, or any other commonly searchable data within the system100.

The purchasing module846can include is in communication with third-party and native providers to facilitate the exchange of good and services. The purchasing module846may be in communication with any number of users5, financial institutions20, payment processing systems22, and third-party providers40.

It can be appreciated that modules834,838,842, and846can communicate with one another to perform particular instructions and may be instituted as separate application programs (e.g., a mobile application) or as a single application or program.

In one embodiment, the system100can further include a GPS module to track and store information related to the location of each user5within the environment. The GPS module can facilitate processes for sending and receiving location data between users5.

FIG. 9illustrates a method for providing a wagering interface to a group of users5. In step900a wagering interface is provided via operable instructions of the processor while an event is streamed in step910. Users have the option to enter the wagering interface in step920. If they elect not to enter the wagering interface, the user(s) is/are returned to the home screen interface or another interface within the system. In step930the system facilitates wagers. If a wager is placed (step940) a payment processor is provided in step950. Alternative interfaces as described hereinabove may be provided while the wagering interface is engaged with.