TARGETED CONTENT FOR ULTIMATE FANS

Methods and systems for providing targeted content to a user, such as an ultimate fan, are described. A user is able to attend a current event and have behavior information associated with the current event collected. Based on the behavior information, the user can be identified as an ultimate fan. Once the user is identified as an ultimate fan, targeted content can be delivered to the user. Targeted content includes discounts, promotions, marketing offers, and advertisements.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to providing targeted content to fans in the sports, music, and entertainment industry.

2. Related Art

Fans at sports games, concerts, and other live entertainment events often wear clothes and perform actions that demonstrate loyalty and support for their favorite teams. For example, they will sing, dance, chant, and otherwise make noise during the event. Fanatics of sports teams wave towels, banners, and flags, applaud, cheer, and boo during a game. Ardent fans at a music concert clap, sing, and dance to show appreciation for the performer.

It would be beneficial to deliver targeted content, e.g., discounts, promotions, cash-backs, marketing offers, advertisements, etc. to reward fans and to promote loyalty in fans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking and analyzing information collected from a user device, e.g., location and associated activity, and providing targeted content to the user's device based on the information. For example, a user may be determined to be at a football game and cheering for a specific team. The information collected may include pictures that the user takes of himself or herself wearing the team's jersey, a specific chant or shout associated with the football team, previous ticket purchases or attendance for the same team, and the location of the game relative to a user's home location. All these details contribute to the determination that the user is at a football game and is a fan of a specific team. If the user is determined to be an ultimate fan, targeted content, e.g., promotional information and advertisements, can then be sent to the user's device. Such targeted content can include discounted tickets to the next football game or discounts on team merchandise at the event venue.

An “ultimate fan” is a person who is extreme in their enthusiastic devotion to something, such as a sports team, band, or entertainer. For example, a regular fan may watch a TV show (e.g., The Office) on a regular basis. An ultimate fan, on the other hand, may record all the episodes, watch them repeatedly, and memorize all the lines in the different episodes.

Beginning withFIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a computing system adapted for implementing one or more processes involving providing targeted content to fans is illustrated in block diagram format. As shown, computing system100may comprise or implement a plurality of servers and/or software components that operate to perform various methodologies in accordance with the described embodiments. Exemplary servers may include, for example, stand-alone and enterprise-class servers operating a server OS such as a MICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX® OS, or other suitable server-based OS. It can be appreciated that the servers illustrated inFIG. 1may be deployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or the services provided by such servers may be combined or separated for a given implementation and may be performed by a greater number or fewer number of servers. One or more servers may be operated and/or maintained by the same or different entities.

Computing system100can include, among various devices, servers, databases and other elements, a user102that may comprise or employ one or more user devices104, such as a mobile computing device, a wearable computing device such as a smartwatch, a PC, and/or any other computing device having computing and/or communications capabilities in accordance with the described embodiments. User devices104generally may provide one or more user programs106, such as system programs and application programs to perform various computing and/or communications operations. Exemplary system programs may include, without limitation, an operating system (e.g., MICROSOFT® OS, UNIX® OS, LINUX® OS, Symbian OS™, Embedix OS, Binary Run-time Environment for Wireless (BREW) OS, JavaOS, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) OS, and others), device drivers, programming tools, utility programs, software libraries, application programming interfaces (APIs), and so forth. Exemplary application programs may include, without limitation, a web browser application, messaging applications (e.g., e-mail, IM, SMS, MMS, telephone, voicemail, VoIP, video messaging), contacts application, calendar application, electronic document application, database application, media application (e.g., music, video, television), location-based services (LBS) application (e.g., GPS, mapping, directions, point-of-interest, locator), and so forth. One or more of user programs106may display various graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to present information to and/or receive information from one or more of user devices104.

User device104may include one or more of a motion sensor, an image sensor (e.g. camera), a voice sensor (e.g. microphone), an optical sensor, and any other kind of device suitable to collect information regarding a user. Motion sensors such as motion detectors, accelerometers and/or gyroscopes may monitor speed, acceleration, position, rotation, and other characteristics of body and appendage motion. The motion sensor captures movement of a user, such as a pose, position, or gesture. Example gestures include for instance, an “air quote” gesture, a bowing gesture, a curtsey, a cheek-kiss, a finger or hand motion, a head bobble or movement, a high-five, a nod, a raised fist, a salute, a swiping or wave motion, a thumbs-up motion, a hand-moving-in-circle or hand waving gesture, or a finger pointing gesture. An image sensor captures images of the user. A voice sensor captures the voice or sounds made by the user. An optical sensor captures and characterizes light. Information captured by the sensors may be collected, stored, and associated with a specific user.

User device104, in one embodiment, includes a geo-location component adapted to monitor and provide an instant geographical location (i.e., geo-location) of the user device104. In one implementation, the geo-location of the user device104may include global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, zip-code information, area-code information, street address information, and/or various other generally known types of geo-location information. In one example, the geo-location information may be directly entered into the user device104by a user via a user input component, such as a keyboard, touch display, and/or voice recognition microphone. In another example, the geo-location information may be automatically obtained and/or provided by the user device104via an internal or external GPS monitoring component. In other embodiments, the geo-location can be automatically obtained without the use of GPS. In some instances, cell signals or wireless signals are used. This helps to save battery life and to allow for better indoor location where GPS typically does not work.

In one aspect, when interfacing with the user device104, the user102may elect to provide or may be prompted to provide permission for the release of geo-location information. Accordingly, the user102may have exclusive authority to allow transmission of geo-location information from the user device104to the network-based system110. In any instance, the network-based system110may communicate with the user device104via the network108and request permission to acquire geo-location information from the user device104for geo-location based mobile commerce.

As shown, user102can be communicatively coupled via one or more networks108to a network-based system110managed by an online service provider, such as, for example, StubHub, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif. Network-based system110may be structured, arranged, and/or configured to allow user102to establish one or more communication sessions with network-based system110using various computing devices104and/or user programs106. Accordingly, a communication session between user102and network-based system110may involve the unidirectional and/or bidirectional exchange of information and may occur over one or more types of networks108depending on the mode of communication. While the embodiment ofFIG. 1illustrates a computing system100deployed in a user-server operating environment, it is to be understood that other suitable operating environments and/or architectures may be used in accordance with the described embodiments.

Data and/or voice communications between user102and the network-based system110may be sent and received over one or more networks108such as the Internet, a WAN, a WWAN, a WLAN, a mobile telephone network, a landline telephone network, a VoIP network, as well as other suitable networks. For example, user102may communicate with network-based system110over the Internet or other suitable WAN by sending and or receiving information via interaction with a web site, e-mail, IM session, and/or video messaging session. Any of a wide variety of suitable communication types between user102and system110can take place, as will be readily appreciated.

In various embodiments, computing system100can include, among other elements, a third party112, which may comprise or employ a third-party server114hosting a third-party application116. In various implementations, third-party server114and/or third-party application116may host a web site associated with or employed by a third party112. For example, third-party server114and/or third-party application116may enable network-based system110to provide user102with additional services and/or information, such as additional ticket inventory. In some embodiments, one or more of user programs106may be used to access network-based system110via third party112. For example, user102may use a web user to access and/or receive content from network-based system110after initially communicating with a web site of third-party112.

Network-based system110may comprise one or more communication servers120to provide suitable interfaces that enable communication using various modes of communication and/or via one or more networks108. Communication servers120can include a web server122, an API server124, and/or a messaging server126to provide interfaces to one or more application servers130. Application servers130of network-based system110may be structured, arranged, and/or configured to provide various online marketplace and/or ticket fulfillment services to users that access network-based system110. In various embodiments, user102may communicate with application servers130of network-based system110via one or more of a web interface provided by web server122, a programmatic interface provided by API server124, and/or a messaging interface provided by messaging server126. It can be appreciated that web server122, API server124, and messaging server126may be structured, arranged, and/or configured to communicate with various types of user devices104and/or user programs106and may interoperate with each other in some implementations.

Web server122may be arranged to communicate with web users and/or applications such as a web browser, web browser toolbar, desktop widget, mobile widget, web-based application, web-based interpreter, virtual machine, and so forth. API server124may be arranged to communicate with various user programs106and/or a third-party application116comprising an implementation of API for network-based system110. Messaging server126may be arranged to communicate with various messaging users and/or applications such as e-mail, IM, SMS, MMS, telephone, VoIP, video messaging, and so forth, and messaging server126may provide a messaging interface to enable access by user102and/or third party112to the various services and functions provided by application servers130.

When implemented as an online ticket marketplace, application servers130of network-based system110may provide various online marketplace and ticket fulfillment services including, for example, account services, buying services, selling services, listing catalog services, dynamic content management services, delivery services, payment services, and notification services. Application servers130may include an account server132, a buying server134, a selling server136, a listing catalog server138, a dynamic content management server140, a payment server142, a notification server144, and/or a delivery server146structured and arranged to provide such online marketplace and ticket fulfillment services. Application servers130are adapted to receive and collect information from a user at an event, identify the event, compare the received information with information with a known event, determine whether or not a user is an ultimate fan, and provide targeted content to the user based on the event. The targeted content can include advertisements, special promotional offers, discounted tickets, event information, etc. In various embodiments, when a user decides to avail of the targeted content, application servers130receive the user request and process any payment associated with the request.

Application servers130, in turn, may be coupled to and capable of accessing one or more databases150including a subscriber database152, an active events database154, and/or a transaction database156. Databases150generally may store and maintain various types of information for use by application servers130and may comprise or be implemented by various types of computer storage devices (e.g., servers, memory) and/or database structures (e.g., relational, object-oriented, hierarchical, dimensional, network) in accordance with the described embodiments.

Continuing withFIG. 2, an exemplary computer system200suitable for implementing one or more devices of the computing system inFIG. 1is depicted in block diagram format. In various implementations, a device that includes computer system200may comprise a personal computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a computing tablet, a personal computer, laptop, PDA, Bluetooth device, key FOB, badge, etc.) that is capable of communicating with a network. The service provider may utilize a network computing device (e.g., a network server) capable of communicating with the network. It should be appreciated that each of the devices utilized by users and service providers may be implemented as computer system200in a manner as follows.

Computer system200can include a bus202or other communication mechanism for communicating information data, signals, and information between various components of computer system200. Components include an input/output (I/O) component204that processes a user action, such as selecting keys from a keypad/keyboard, selecting one or more buttons or links, etc., and sends a corresponding signal to bus202. I/O component204may also include an output component, such as a display211and a cursor control213(such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse, etc.). An optional audio input/output component205may also be included to allow a user to use voice for inputting information by converting audio signals. Audio I/O component205may allow the user to hear audio. A transceiver or network interface206transmits and receives signals between computer system200and other devices, such as another user device, a merchant server, or a payment provider server via a network. In one embodiment, the transmission is wireless, although other transmission mediums and methods may also be suitable. A processor212, which can be a micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), or other processing component, processes these various signals, such as for display on computer system200or transmission to other devices over a network260via a communication link218. Processor212may also control transmission of information, such as cookies or IP addresses, to other devices.

Components of computer system200also include a system memory component214(e.g., RAM), a static storage component216(e.g., ROM), and/or a disk drive217. Computer system200performs specific operations by processor212and other components by executing one or more sequences of instructions contained in system memory component214. Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor212for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memory component214, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus202. In one embodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readable medium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, and infrared data communications.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be performed by computer system200. In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of computer systems200coupled by communication link218to the network (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may perform instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordination with one another.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a flowchart of a method300for providing targeted content to a user, such as a fan, is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the method illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 3may be implemented by the systems illustrated inFIGS. 1and/or2according to one or more embodiments.

The method300begins at step302, in which information associated with a known event is compiled or collected and stored. The information should be information that identifies the event. The information may include behavior information at sporting events, concerts, plays, festivals, shows, meetings, conferences, fairs, forums, etc. For example, typical fan behavior at a sporting event may include dressing in a costume, putting on face paint, chanting, shouting, jumping, hand motions (e.g., waving the Terrible Towel for the Pittsburgh Steelers, high-fiving adjacent fans when a team does something good, etc.), singing a certain song (e.g., the Tomahawk Chop Song for the Atlanta Braves, the Ohio State fight song, Sweet Caroline at a Boston Red Sox game, etc.), making noise when the opposing team tries to score, doing the wave, and taking and sharing pictures, videos, and comments on social media sites. Behavior at a music concert may include singing (e.g., singing the lyrics to Vogue at a Madonna concert), dancing, swaying, screaming, clapping, head bopping, and hand waving. The information may also include contextual information of the event. Contextual information includes location, date, time, weather, how many people are at the event, and any other information that can be used to determine the identity of an event. Step302may be done in any suitable manner, including by observing activities of fans at different events through a device of the fan, other fans, and/or the event venue, and inputting those activities into a database.

In step304, information associated with the user102at a current event is collected through the user device104. Behavior and context information can be obtained, for example, by receiving information output by a sensor or multiple sensors coupled to the user device104. The user device104is exposed to the ambient environment that user102is currently experiencing. In various embodiments, the user102can log in to an application, and information is collected only after the user102checks in. In other embodiments, the user102can configure the application to automatically start collecting information once the user102is at a certain location. The information regarding the user102may be collected in much the same way as described above in step202. Note that information may be collected through devices associated with others, such as other fans, television cameras, event venue cameras, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information is collected using a wearable computing device, such as a smartwatch. Using a smartwatch enhances the user experience since the user102does not need to physically hold on to a device, and has more freedom of movement. That is, his or her hands are free to clap and hold fan memorabilia.

Based on the information collected in step304, the current event is identified at step306. The event may be identified based on the details of the event, such as what the event is about (e.g., sports game, theater performance, musical) and who is present or performing (e.g., what team, what band, what actors/actresses). In one example, the user102provides information associated with the event by inputting the name of the performer or sports team, the location of the event, and other event details in the user device104.

In another example, the collected information in step304is compared to the known information in step302. In other words, the collected information is compared to data predetermined to match one or more events. Several predetermined data corresponding to different specific events (e.g., a concert, a musical, a sporting event) may be used to perform a comparison with collected information, thus determining whether or not the user is in the same situation. Different performers, venues, or sports teams may be recognized by comparing contexts and user behaviors.

Based on this comparison, similarities may be detected between the two events, and a determination made as to the current event. This comparison may be carried out in any suitable manner. For instance, information received from one sensor may be enough to determine that the user102is currently at a specific event. In another example, multiple sensors may be needed.

In one embodiment, a probability that the user102is at a specific event is determined. The probability may be a numerical value (e.g., 0.2 out of a range of values between 0 and 1) or may be a qualitative description (e.g., “low” or “high”). In some embodiments, a determination of whether the probability exceeds or crosses a certain threshold is made. The threshold may be associated with the level of certainty that the user102is at a specific event. If the probability exceeds the threshold, the user102may be determined to be within the specific event.

If the probability does not exceed the threshold, other information may be gathered from other sensors, e.g., sensors on the user device104. Other sensors may include local sensors, i.e., co-located within the user device104, such as a motion sensor to determine movement, an audio sensor to determine sound, an accelerometer to sense the direction of gravity and any other linear force experienced by the user, a temperature sensor to determine temperature, and a humidity sensor to determine humidity. The other sensors may also include non-local sensors, i.e., sensors not co-located on the user device104, such as sensors to determine calendar appointments or email messages. Based on the information output by the other sensors, another probability associated with the determination that the user is at a specific event may be calculated. The event the user is attending may also be determined by determining the location of the user (such as through location services from the user device) and matching that location to known events at that location for the specific day or time. For example, the user may be determined to be at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 17, 2013 and there are no games scheduled at Dodger Stadium that day, but there is an Eagles concert scheduled for that day, the user may be determined to be at an Eagles concert.

At step308, whether or not the user is an ultimate fan is determined based on the information collected. In various embodiments, the user102is provided better incentives and rewards if he or she exhibits fanatic behavior. For example, an ultimate sports fan may attend every single game their team plays, paint his or her face the team colors, be very active during the game such as yell, high five, hug, and/or jump often during the event as opposed to a fan that sits in the seat the whole time, perform specific gestures associated with the team (such as a chop, “Hook'em Horns” gesture, etc.), and buy tons of merchandise with their team logo. This ultimate fan may receive higher discounts and better rewards than an ordinary fan that does not show as much enthusiasm or loyalty to their team.

For example, an ultimate fan can be provided real-time incentives that are not available to an ordinary fan, e.g., free food or merchandise during a game, opportunities to meet and take pictures with their favorite player, a chance to visit the locker room, etc. An ultimate fan may be identified by the number of times or how long the user engages in a certain behavior (e.g., yelling, singing, dancing, jumping, clapping or high-fiving), the number of pictures and videos that he or she takes, or the number of tweets he or she posts during an event. The criteria for identifying an ultimate fan may be determined and set in a wide variety of ways. In some embodiments, the behavior of the fan during the event can be combined with information regarding purchases the fan has made, such as tickets, albums, t-shirts, and other relevant paraphernalia. In one embodiment, a checklist of behavior and items purchased may be prepared, and a fan recognized as an ultimate fan only if he or she can check off all the items on the list.

Once a fan is categorized as an ultimate fan for a specific sports team, music band, or theatrical play, content that is related to that event may be communicated to the fan during the event. A fan may demonstrate fanatic behavior during a Los Angeles Lakes game, determined to be an ultimate fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, and be provided discounts to the Lakers jersey, for tickets to Lakers game, or for food during the Lakers game. This same fan, however, may not show fanatic behavior during a concert for Taylor Swift. Thus, he or she does not receive any discounts or offers during the concert.

At step310, targeted content is provided to the user102based on the identified event. The targeted content may include incentives to the user102such as rewards, advertisements, discounts, prizes, promotional offers, coupons, loyalty points, early purchase opportunities, etc. The targeted content in one embodiment is content that, based on the identified event, the user102would be interested in. User interest may be based on previous purchases, identification of which team the user is a fan of, user home location relative to the event venue (user likely a fan of the “home” team), what the user is wearing, what the user says before or during the event, and/or how the user acts during certain times of the event.

For example, if the user102is determined to be at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, and user behavior demonstrates that the user102is at a San Jose Sharks game (e.g., wearing San Jose Sharks gear and screaming “Go Sharks!”), the targeted content may include a free hot dog, discounted concessions, discounted tickets, or early purchase opportunities to the next Sharks game. In contrast, if the user behavior demonstrates that the user102is at a Pearl Jam concert (e.g., wearing a Pearl Jam t-shirt and singing the lyrics to Better Man), the targeted content may include a promotion related to an upcoming Pearl Jam concert in the Bay Area, a free downloadable Pearl Jam track, free merchandise, and promotions for nearby locations (e.g., restaurants, sports facilities).

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Various changes and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the claims.