Abstract:
A system and method for selling image-display time to customers of a public facility. The public facility includes an electronic ticket control system that communicates with customer virtual ticket devices that may hold electronic tickets to an event at the public facility. A camera in the public facility captures the image of a customer, which can be transmitted to the customer&#39;s virtual ticket device along with an offer to display the image, or an enhanced version of the image, for a fee. Alternatively, the customer requests the camera to take an image of his location which is then broadcast to home viewers. The public facility charges a fee and informs the customer when the image will be taken so the customer can be at his seat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention is related to those disclosed in the following U.S. patent applications:  
         [0002]    1. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010493], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “SELLING BEST AVAILABLE SEATS AT A PUBLIC FACILITY”;  
         [0003]    2. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010494], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING PERSONAL MESSAGES AT A PUBLIC FACILITY AND METHOD OF DOING BUSINESS”;  
         [0004]    3. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010495], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “SYSTEM AND BUSINESS FOR OFFERING SEAT UPGRADES TO PATRONS AT A PUBLIC FACILITY”;  
         [0005]    4. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010496), filed concurrently herewith, entitled “BUSINESS METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING PUBLIC-FACILITY STATUS INFORMATION THROUGH A VIRTUAL TICKET DEVICE”;  
         [0006]    5. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010497], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “TICKET EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION”;  
         [0007]    6. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010498], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “PUBLIC-VENUE AUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION”, and  
         [0008]    7. Ser. No. ______ [Docket No. US 010499], filed concurrently herewith, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELLING GOODS TO CUSTOMERS OF A PUBLIC FACILITY”.  
         [0009]    The above applications are commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The disclosures of these related patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.  
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is directed to electronic ticket control systems and, more specifically, to a system and method for selling image-display time to public-facility patrons using a virtual ticket devices.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Large public entertainment facilities, such as convention centers, concert halls, stadiums, sports arenas, and the like, are the civic centers of many communities and are important sources of revenue and employment. Quite often, public facilities are funded by taxpayers in order to attract or at least retain sports franchises, and to attract tourists and conventions. The large sums invested in public entertainment facilities make it essential to maximize the revenue derived from such facilities and to minimize their operating costs.  
           [0012]    However, large public facilities tend to be labor intensive operations. A typical sports facility requires a large number of gate attendants, ticket agents, ushers, concession stand operators, shop vendors, and security officers, and the like. Many new sports facilities also employ waiters and waitresses who take orders from, and serve food and drink to, customers at their seats. Facility operators use labor-saving technology wherever possible in order to offset the high labor costs associated with large public facilities.  
           [0013]    In addition to cutting costs, facility operators also try to increase revenue in different ways. The principle sources of revenue are ticket sales, concession stands, and vendor shops. Promotions are frequently offered in order to increase sales and many public facilities do not permit patrons to bring their own food and drink into the venues. And facility operators are increasingly seeking new technology to provide new and enjoyable services to customers and thereby increase attendance and revenue.  
           [0014]    There is therefore a need in the art for technical improvements that reduce the costs of operating large public entertainment facilities. In particular, there is a need for new technologies that help to reduce labor costs associated with a operating large public facilities. Additionally, there is a need for technical improvements that enhance the revenues of large public facilities. More particularly, there is a need for new technologies that provide useful and attractive services to the patrons of large public facilities.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a means of selling image display time to public-facility patrons through virtual ticket devices. A virtual ticket device is a portable computer system that delivers virtual tickets for sports events, theater, concerts, and the like, together with various services and methods of doing business which are linked to and implemented through the virtual ticket device.  
           [0016]    In its simplest form, the virtual ticket device is an existing smart telephone or cellular communication-enabled personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a PALM PILOTθ or a VISORθ electronic organizer. A dedicated virtual ticket device could also be used. A customer who wishes to attend an event purchases admission in any conventional manner (e.g., by telephone from a ticket service, in person at a box office, via the Internet). The ticket vendor sends an encrypted admission authorization record over a wireless channel or a wireline channel to the virtual ticket device, where it is stored as a virtual electronic ticket.  
           [0017]    It will be recognized that the virtual ticket device serves multiple functions to its user. There are clear synergies between many of these functions; for example the communications functions of the device may be enhanced when the customer&#39;s seat location and entry time are known and stored in the system. Nevertheless many aspects of the present invention remain new and useful even when the customer is admitted to the facility with a paper ticket or in another conventional manner and for this reason, the term “virtual ticket device” as used in this patent specification and the claims which follow, is not limited or restricted to a device which is actually used or even programmed to authorize a customer&#39;s admission to the facility.  
           [0018]    The encrypted admission authorization record may include, for example, information which identifies the date and location of the event, the seat number, price paid, and the like. The encrypted admission authorization record also may include uniquely encrypted information which may be used in a conventional manner to authenticate that the record is genuine. The same information is preferably stored in a central database which is accessible by the event operator and/or his service provider. The record in the database should preferably also include the telephone number or wireless address of the virtual ticket device so that contact with the virtual ticket device may be established at a later time.  
           [0019]    Entry point terminals are provided at the entrances of the public entertainment facility which read at least the encrypted authentication information from the virtual ticket device and authorize the customer to enter the event. The entry point terminals read the authentication information over a very short range wireless (RF) channel or infrared (IR) channel, or via a dedicated interface slot coupled to a wireline channel to prevent eavesdropping and spoofing of the process. For example, the virtual ticket device may be programmed to display the data either as a string of characters (e.g., serial number) or a bar code on its LCD display and the displayed information can be optically scanned in a chamber of the entry point terminal.  
           [0020]    Preferably both the virtual ticket device and the arena or theater is also equipped with hardware and software which can track the location of the virtual ticket device in and around the entertainment facility with a precision of perhaps a few meters. Once the customer has purchased a virtual ticket, the virtual ticket device can be used, in conjunction with information stored in the database to provide a number of distinct information and marketing services to the customer.  
           [0021]    According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the virtual ticket device comprises: 1) a memory capable of storing a virtual ticket operable to gain admission to a public facility; and 2) a communication controller capable of establishing a communication link to a terminal device associated with the public facility and transmitting the virtual ticket to the terminal device for authentication. The communication link may be used to send and receive messages through the terminal device to an electronic ticket control system to arrange for the capture and display of certain images, a service for which the operator of the facility may charge a fee. Note that as used herein, the terms “image” and “images” refer to all displayable images, both still and moving.  
           [0022]    In one embodiment, the present invention also includes at least one video camera for capturing and processing visual images within and about the public facility. The electronic ticket control system periodically sends out messages to a selected group of available virtual ticket devices reminding patrons that the image display service is available. The electronic ticket control system receives patron responses and sends instructions to the camera for recording the image display publicity shot at the appropriate time.  
           [0023]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
           [0024]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. In particular, a controller may comprise a data processor and an associated memory that stores instructions that may be executed by the data processor. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a plan diagram of an entertainment venue in which an electronic ticket control system according to the principles of the present invention may be deployed;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 illustrates a virtual ticket device which is capable of interacting with an electronic ticket control system according to the principles of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a virtual electronic ticket displayed on the virtual ticket device in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic ticket control system according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the electronic ticket control system and the virtual ticket device according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 illustrates selected portions of electronic ticket control system that offer image-display time to patrons of exemplary public facility according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of selling image-display time in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 1 through 7, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged hand-held electronic organizer, personal digital assistant, or advanced mobile telephone.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is a plan view of public facility  100  in which an electronic ticket control system according to the principles of the present invention may be deployed. Public facility  100  is representative of any public venue that is capable of holding a large audience. Thus, public facility  100  may include a football or baseball stadium, a basketball or hockey arena, a large concert hall, a convention center, and the like. As used herein and for the purpose of determining the scope of the claims of the present invention, the term “public facility” may include any controlled-access location to which people may be admitted by means of an electronic ticket control system and should not be construed to exclude facilities that are privately owned or that are open only to selected portions of the general public. In fact, public facility  100  may include controlled-access private clubs and private buildings, and even controlled-access forms of transportation, such as trains, planes, cruise ships, and the like. However, for the purpose of simplicity in explaining the principles of the present invention, it shall be assumed that public facility  100  is a sports facility. Public facility  100  comprises a plurality of seating areas, including exemplary seat sections  101 - 110 , that surround a playing area (e.g, hockey rink, basketball court, indoor track, or the like). Suspended over the playing area is multi-sided display (MSD)  120 , which has large display screens on four sides. The seating areas are surrounded by an exterior promenade area that contains a plurality of concession stands (CS), including four exemplary concession stands labeled CS 1 , CS 2 , CS 3  and CS 4 . The promenade area also includes a number of rest rooms (RR), including exemplary rest rooms labeled RR 1 , RR 2 , RR 3  and RR 4 , and numerous vendor shops (VS), including exemplary vendor shops labeled VS 1 , VS 2 , VS 3  and VS 4 . Finally, the promenade area contains ticket office  130 , security office  140 , and first aid station  150 .  
         [0035]    Electronic displays of various types are positioned throughout public facility  100 . In the promenade area, displays D 1 , D 2 , D 3  and D 4  enable patrons at the concession stands or vendor shops, or waiting in rest room lines, to view the sporting event that is ongoing in the playing area. In the seating area, patrons can view displays D 5 , D 6 , D 7  and D 8 , which typically display advertisements, scores of other sporting events, player statistics, audience greetings, and the like. As used herein and for the purpose of determining the scope of the claims of the present invention, displays D 1 -D 8  may be any type of conventional display devices, including electronic signs, conventional sized television sets, large screen television sets, and multisided television displays, that generally may be viewed by at least some of the customers of public facility  100  and do not include non-public displays which are viewed by employees of public facility  100 .  
         [0036]    For example, each one of displays D 1 , D 2 , D 3  and D 4  may be an elevated multisided display system having three or four sides, wherein each side contains a large screen video display. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, one or more of displays D 5 -D 8  in the seating area may be a conventional television set that is disposed in a luxury box of public facility  100 .  
         [0037]    Image capturing devices such as cameras are positioned throughout the public facility area. The term “area” includes locations inside the public facility proper as well as those that are outside but in the immediate vicinity, generally defined as the area surrounding the facility within communication range of the electronic ticket control system. Cameras C 1 -C 4  are within the seating area itself, cameras C 5 -C 8  are located in the promenade area, and cameras C 9 -C 10  are positioned just outside entry points EPT 1  and EPT 2 , respectively. Preferably, these cameras are under the remote control of, or in operable communication with, the electronic ticket control system  400  of public facility  100 . They are also preferably mounted on fully-adjustable (with respect to rotation and elevation) so as to be able to capture the image of any selected subject in the immediate area.  
         [0038]    Each of entry point terminals EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  is disposed next to one of four entrances to public facility  100 . EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  are capable of detecting and registering the virtual electronic tickets used by customers of public facility  100 . EPT 1 -EPT 4  read at least the encrypted authentication information from the virtual ticket device and authorize the customer to enter public facility  100 . Each one of EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  registers the admission of each virtual electronic ticket by any one of several conventional technologies. For example, one or more of EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  may comprise an optical scanner that scans a bar code or a serial number displayed on the display of a virtual ticket device that stores each virtual electronic ticket. Alternatively, one or more of EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  may comprise a radio frequency transceiver that establishes an RF link (such as a Bluetooth connection), or an infrared (IR) transceiver that establishes an IR link, that transfers the virtual electronic ticket information from the virtual ticket device used by the customer to the entry point terminal. In still another embodiment, one or more of EPT 1 , EPT 2 , EPT 3  and EPT 4  may contain a slot or a similar hardware interface into which a virtual ticket device may be inserted or engaged in order to transfer the virtual electronic ticket information via a wireline connection.  
         [0039]    Additionally, a number of wireless or wireline access points (APs) are distributed throughout the seating area and the promenade area of public facility  100 . Exemplary access points labeled AP 1 -AP 8  are shown in FIG. 1. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, EPT 1 -EPT 4  may function both as access points and as entry point terminals. AP 1 -AP 8  provide communication channels that permit the virtual ticket devices used by customers to communicate with the electronic ticket control system associated with public facility  100 . According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, AP 1 -AP 8  are radio frequency transceivers similar to the base stations of a cellular telephone system that provide two-way radio frequency (RF) communication links with virtual ticket devices within public facility  100 . Preferably, AP 1 -AP 8  have a hand-off capability that allows a customer to roam throughout public facility  100  without losing communication with the electronic ticket control system. Advantageously, this allows the electronic ticket control system to continually track the location of each virtual ticket device in public facility  100 .  
         [0040]    However, in alternate embodiment of the present invention, one or more of AP 1 -AP 8  may be physical interface slots into which virtual tickets devices may be inserted. For example, each seat in public facility  100  may be provided with an interface slot (similar to an electronic cradle) that may mate with a virtual ticket device. A wireline connection to each such interface slot enables each virtual ticket device to communicate with the electronic ticket control system. Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, exterior access points may be disposed in the areas outside of public facility  100  in order to communicate with customers as they are nearing, and before they enter public facility  100 .  
         [0041]    Access points, such as AP 1 -AP 8  and EPT 1 -EPT 4 , may be used to provide a variety of user-friendly services to the patrons of public facility  100 . When a customer is near, but not yet admitted to, public facility  100 , the access points may transmit useful information to the virtual ticket device used by the customer, including directions to the nearest entrance, advice as to which entrance has the shortest waiting line, promotional items available at vendor shops and concession stands, and the like. After the customer has been admitted to public facility  100 , the access points may provide the virtual ticket device real time directions from her present location to her assigned seat, to particular concession stands or vendor shops, to rest rooms, or to other service areas. Information on which concession and service has the shortest line can also be provided.  
         [0042]    Using the access points, the facility operator can know in real time how many admitted customers are at their seats and may schedule the start of programs on this basis. The customer can place orders for food and promotional items via the access points using the virtual ticket device and the vendors can deliver these goods to her present location. The access points and the virtual ticket device can also be used to authenticate the identity of the customer before the goods are turned over to her.  
         [0043]    The facility operator may use the access points to communicate image-display messages to virtual ticket devices and thereby to the patrons holding them. Image-display messages communicate information related to this service in order to encourage patrons to avail themselves of it and to make arrangements concerning when and where to capture the image, when and where to display it, and to make arrangements for payment.  
         [0044]    Customers can use their virtual ticket devices to signal their present location within public facility  100  to friends and to locate lost family members. A network of entry point terminals may be used within public facility  100  to authorize admission to various areas such as preferred seating sections, clubs, luxury boxes, reserved rest rooms, priority parking lots, and the like. Additionally, automated cameras in public facility  100  may be used to photograph the customers during an event and the photographs can later be identified with groups of virtual tickets and offered for sale to the customers. In the case of accidents or disruptions, the location information can be used to contact potential witnesses. Additionally, seating and purchase information can be used for directed post-event marketing, which can be communicated directly to the virtual ticket device.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2 illustrates virtual ticket device  200 , which is capable of interacting with an electronic ticket control system according to the principles of the present invention. Virtual ticket device  200  comprises processor  205 , memory  210 , display  220 , keypad  230 , and one or more communication interfaces, including infrared (IR) interface (IF)  260 , radio frequency (RF) interface (IF)  270 , and wireline interface (IF)  280 . Processor  205 , memory  210 , display  220 , and keypad  230  are coupled to, and communicate via, system bus  240 . Processor  205 , memory  210 , display  220 , and keypad  230  are coupled to, and communicate via, is input/output (I/O) bus  250 .  
         [0046]    Processor  205  controls the overall operation of virtual ticket device  200  by executing basic operating system (0/S) program  211  in memory  210 . Memory  210  also stores graphical user interface (GUI) application program  212 , a plurality of personal digital assistant (PDA) applications  213 , downloaded venue applications  214 , and downloaded venue data files  215 . PDA applications  213  may include, for example, an e-mail application, a browser application, a calendar application, and the like.  
         [0047]    In the illustrated embodiment, virtual ticket device  200  contains three external communication interfaces, namely, infrared interface  260 , radio frequency interface  270 , and wireline interface  280 . However, not all of these external communication interfaces are necessary to the operation of the invention. For example, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, virtual ticket device  200  may only contain wireline interface  280  and RF interface  270 . Virtual ticket device  200  may be adapted for insertion into a cradle device that plugs into wireline interface  280  and provides virtual ticket device  200  with electrical power for recharging a battery (not shown) in virtual ticket device  200 . When virtual ticket device  200  is plugged into a cradle device, applications and data may be downloaded or uploaded via wireline interface  280 .  
         [0048]    For example, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, virtual ticket device  200  may be a wireless enabled electronic organizer, such as a Palm VIIθ organizer. As those skilled in the art are aware, a Palm VIIθ organizer (or an equivalent appliance) is capable of communicating via a wireless interface (such as RF interface  270 ) and may be mounted in a cradle device that provides wireline communication and power supply voltages to the organizer.  
         [0049]    Processor  205  executes GUI application program  212  in order to interact with the operator of virtual ticket device  200  via keypad  230  and display  220 . Normally, GUI application program  212  enables processor  205  to execute PDA applications  213  stored in memory  210 . One of these applications may include a browser application that allows virtual ticket device  200  to access via RF interface  270  or wireline interface  280  a website for a ticket agency in order to purchase a virtual electronic ticket to an event at public facility  100 . When a virtual electronic ticket is purchased in this manner, the virtual electronic ticket and other useful applications and data files may be downloaded from the ticket agency website to virtual ticket device  200  and stored in downloaded venue applications  214  and downloaded venue data file  215 .  
         [0050]    Downloaded venue data file  215  may be used to store such information as the virtual electronic ticket, electronic maps of public facility  100 , text information related to concession stands and vendor shops, and text information related to security and first aid at public facility  100 . Downloaded venue applications  214  may include one or more applications executed by processor  205  when the customer is at public facility  100 . In particular, downloaded venue applications  214  may include a communication application that enables processor  205  to control the operation of RF interface  270  and wireline interface  280  such that virtual ticket device  200  is capable of communicating with access points AP 1 -AP 8  and entry point terminals EPT 1 -EPT 4  at public facility  100 . For example, the communication application may configure RF interface  270  in virtual ticket device  200  to use the operating frequency channels and medium access control (MAC) layer protocols used by AP 1 -AP 8  and EPT 1 -EPT 4 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 3 illustrates virtual electronic ticket  350  displayed on virtual ticket device  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Virtual ticket device  200  comprises display  220 , and keypad  230 . The lower portion of display  220  contains scratch pad  305  and a plurality of icons, namely icons  11 ,  12 ,  13 , and  14 . The upper portion of display  220  contains virtual electronic ticket  350 . Virtual electronic ticket  350  comprises event name field  352 , event date field  354 , venue name field  356 , seating information field  358 , ticket serial number field  360 , and bar code field  362 .  
         [0052]    The operator of virtual ticket device  200  may use a stylus or a similar device to select icons  11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  and thereby launch one or more of PDA applications  213  in memory  210 . Additionally, the operator may use the stylus to enter text or numbers in scratch pad area  305  when executing one of PDA applications  213  that permits the entry of text data. Additionally, the buttons in keypad  230  may be used to select icons or to perform functions such as scroll up, scroll down, scroll left, scroll right and the like.  
         [0053]    When the customer approaches or enters public facility  100 , the customer turns on virtual ticket device  200  and launches the communication application in downloaded venue applications  214  that allows virtual ticket device  200  to communicate with entry point terminals EPT 1 -EPT 4  and access points AP 1 -AP 8  in public facility  100 . The communication application may be launched automatically simply by selecting virtual electronic ticket  350  that has been downloaded and stored in downloaded venue data files  215 . Event name field  352  contains the name of the event occurring in public facility  100 , such as “Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons.” Event date field  354  contains the date on which the event is occurring, such as “Nov. 13, 2001.” Venue name field  356  contains the name of public facility  100 , such as “Palace at Auburn Hills.” Seating information field  358  contains the section, row and seat number information associated with virtual electronic ticket  350 .  
         [0054]    If the entry point terminal contains an optical scanner, the optical scanner may scan one or both of ticket serial number field  360  and bar code field  362 . An optical character recognition application may be used to read the serial number appearing in ticket serial number field  360 . A conventional bar code scanner device may read the bar code in bar code field  362 . In either event, when virtual electronic ticket  350  is identified, the entry point terminal accesses the data base associated with the electronic ticket control system associated with public facility  100  and, if virtual electronic ticket  350  is properly authenticated, permits the customer to enter public facility  100 . The entry point terminal may produce a visible or audible signal approving entry by the customer. Alternatively, if virtual electronic ticket  350  is not authenticated, the entry point terminal may generate an audible or visual alarm alerting a nearby gate attendant that the customer should not be admitted to public facility  100 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 4 illustrates electronic ticket control system  400  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Electronic ticket control system  400  comprises communication interface  405 , processor  410 , database (DB)  415 , and memory  430 . Processor  410 , database (DB)  415 , and memory  430  are coupled to, and communicate via system bus  420 . Communication interface  405  has an external network connection that interfaces with network bus  490 . Communication interface  405  enables processor  410  to communicate with exemplary access points AP 1 -AP 8  and exemplary entry point terminals EPT 1 -EPT 4 . Communication interface  405  also enables processor  410  to communicate with remote servers and other devices via the Internet.  
         [0056]    Memory  430  stores site map file  432 , communication application program  434 , virtual ticket records  440 , and active virtual ticket devices file  450 . Virtual ticket records  440  contains a plurality of virtual ticket data records  441 - 443 , which are arbitrarily labeled VT 1  DATA, VT 2  DATA and VT 3  DATA, respectively. Virtual ticket records  440  comprises a master list of all virtual tickets that were sold to the particular event occurring at public facility  100 . Each virtual ticket data record  441 - 443  contains the serial number or bar code of each virtual ticket, the section and seat number information associated with each virtual ticket, payment information (optionally), the privileges associated with each virtual ticket, and the like. The virtual tickets that are received from the virtual ticket devices are compared to the virtual ticket data in virtual ticket records  440  before admitting each customer to public facility  100 .  
         [0057]    Virtual ticket data records  441 - 443  may be downloaded via the Internet from a server associated with a ticketing agency that sells tickets to events held at public facility  100 . Alternatively, electronic ticket control system  400  itself also may function as a server that potential customers may access over the Internet in order to buy virtual tickets. As each virtual ticket is sold to a potential customer, electronic ticket control system  400  creates and stores a corresponding virtual ticket data record  441  and transmits the electronic virtual ticket over the Internet to the customer.  
         [0058]    Active virtual ticket devices file  450  contains virtual ticket device records  451 - 453  associated with virtual ticket devices that are in active communication with electronic ticket control system  400 . After each received virtual ticket is received and authenticated, a virtual ticket device record for the corresponding virtual ticket device that has been admitted is created in active virtual ticket device file  450 . Virtual ticket device records  451 - 453  are arbitrarily labeled VT DEVICE  1 , VT DEVICE  2 , and VT DEVICE  3 , respectively. Exemplary virtual ticket device record  451  comprises virtual ticket (VT) identification (ID) data field  461 , privileges field  462 , and location field  463 . Database  415  normally holds the master copies of all of the information stored in memory  430 . However, the information in database  415  is loaded into memory  430  for processing by processor  410 .  
         [0059]    Site map file  432  contains electronic map data that may be downloaded to virtual ticket device  200  in order to display the location of the seat corresponding to a particular virtual ticket. The electronic map data also may illustrate the locations of the rest rooms, concession stands, vendor shops, ticket office  130 , security office  140  and first aid station  150 . Virtual ticket identification field  461  identifies the virtual ticket associated with virtual ticket device record  451 . Privileges field  462  indicates the restricted areas in public facility  100  to which the virtual ticket gains admission. For example, privileges field  462  may indicate which restaurants and luxury boxes the user of a particular virtual ticket may enter. Finally, location field  463  indicates the current location of virtual ticket device  200 .  
         [0060]    Communication application program  434  comprises a communication protocol that may be transmitted to virtual ticket device  200  in order to permit virtual ticket device  200  to communicate with the access points and entry point terminals in public facility  100 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user of virtual ticket device  200  may download communication application program  434  from electronic ticket control system  400  via the Internet before going to public facility  200 . Alternatively, electronic ticket control system  400  may initially use a standard protocol to establish a simple connection with virtual ticket device  200  and then may download communication application  434  is order to establish a more advanced communication link.  
         [0061]    For example, if EPT 1  and virtual ticket device  200  are both Bluetooth-enabled systems, EPT 1  may establish an initial Bluetooth connection with virtual ticket device  200  as the user of virtual ticket device  200  approaches EPT 1 . After the Bluetooth connection is established, EPT 1  may download communication application program  434  to virtual ticket device  200 . Thereafter, virtual ticket device  200  may use communication application program  434  to establish wireless LAN (e.g., IEEE 802.11) connections with one or more of EPT 1 -EPT 4  and AP 1 -AP 8  as the user of virtual ticket device  200  roams around public facility  100 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 5 depicts flow diagram  500 , which illustrates the operation of electronic ticket control system  400  and portable virtual ticket device  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Initially, electronic ticket control system  400  receives a request for a virtual ticket from virtual ticket device  200 . This request may be received via the Internet or via a telephone connection. In response, electronic ticket control system  400  transmits a virtual ticket to virtual ticket device  200 . Alternatively, electronic ticket control system  400  may receive a virtual ticket data record for an already issued ticket from a remote ticket agency via the Internet (process step  505 ).  
         [0063]    When the user finally arrives at public facility  100  to attend the event, virtual ticket device  200  transmits the virtual ticket stored in the virtual ticket device  200  to electronic ticket control system  400  via an entry point terminal. Electronic ticket control system  400  then compares the virtual ticket to the virtual ticket data records  440  stored in memory  430  or database  415  (process step  510 ). If the virtual ticket is authenticated, electronic ticket control system  400  transmits an authorization message to the entry point terminal and the user is admitted. Otherwise, the user is rejected (process step  515 ).  
         [0064]    During the event, electronic ticket control system  400  may track the location of virtual ticket device  200  via the numerous access points and entry point terminals. If the user attempts to enter a restricted area, such as a private restaurant, a luxury box, or a premium seating area, the entry point terminal at the restricted area transmits the virtual ticket to electronic ticket control system  400 . Electronic ticket control system  400  determines from the privileges data whether or not the user is permitted to enter the restricted area (process step  520 ).  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 6 illustrates selected portions of electronic ticket control system  400  that offer image-display time to patrons of exemplary public facility  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the components illustrated and described above in FIG. 4, electronic ticket control system  400  also comprises a plurality of application programs and data files stored in memory  430  that enable electronic ticket control system  400  to communicate with virtual ticket devices in order to transmit image-display offers and to receive related responses. Memory  430  stores image-display control program  610 , downloadable image-display graphical user interface (GUI) program  620 , seating database (DB)  630 , seat view files  640 , and virtual ticket device locator program  650 .  
         [0066]    Processor  410  executes program instructions in image display control program  610  to enable electronic ticket control system  400  to communicate with virtual ticket devices in order to negotiate agreements for image display from the virtual ticket devices. It was noted in the above description of FIG. 2 that downloaded venue applications  214  in virtual ticket device  200  may include one or more applications executed by virtual ticket device  200  when the customer is at public facility  100 . These applications may be downloaded before the customer arrives at public facility  100  (e.g., via the Internet) or may be downloaded at public facility  100  via entry point terminals EPT 1 -EPT 4  or access points AP 1 -AP 8 . Downloadable image-display GUI program  620  is one such downloadable program; it provides a graphical user interface to virtual ticket device  200 , enabling the user to more easily interact with image-display control program  610 .  
         [0067]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the graphical user interface of image-display GUI program  620  may be similar to an e-mail application or to a two-way paging application. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the graphical user interface of image-display GUI program  620  may be similar to a browser application in that image-display offers including sample images may be transmitted as HTML data and displayed in a web page format on virtual ticket device  200 . Image-display GUI program  620  displays one or more captured images to the user of virtual ticket device  200  and prompts the user to enter an agreement for its public display or broadcast. Optionally, image-display GUI program  620  may display one or more views of the facility areas proximate to a proposed display sight.  
         [0068]    Image-display control program  610  uses virtual ticket device locator program  650  to determine the location of virtual ticket device  200 . Generally, the location of virtual ticket device  200  may be determined from the section and seat information associated with the virtual ticket of the user. However, assuming the user roams around, the location of virtual ticket device  200  may be determined by transmitting a message to virtual ticket device  200  prompting the user to enter his or her current location (i.e., nearby section and seat values). In still another embodiment of the present invention, virtual ticket device locator program  650  may determine the location of the access point that is in communication with the virtual ticket device. In particular, in more advanced RF systems, virtual ticket device locator program  650  may use triangulation information captured by two or more access points to determine the location of virtual ticket device  200  without requiring any user input.  
         [0069]    Seating database (DB)  630  is a master list of all seats in public facility  100 . Processor  410 , under control of image-display control program  610 , determines from seating database  630  wherein the facility a particular seat is located and which cameras or cameras have the best camera angle relative to this one. Once the seat location of virtual ticket device  200  is determined, image-display control program  610  may direct a camera close to the seating location to capture an image of the area surrounding the seat where the virtual ticket device is located. The image, either as a still or moving image, is stored in image files  640 .  
         [0070]    Image-display control program  610  may then generate and transmit to virtual ticket device  100  an image-display offer message related to one or more of the captured images, or of a real-time spot. Advantageously, the offer message may include at least one picture file showing a representative image from image files  640 . The offer message also may include pricing information and detailed instructions. In another embodiment (not shown) electronic ticket control system  400  also maintains an image-enhancement facility, which allows it to process a captured image to make alterations before display. For example, the displayed image may include a group or company logo, for example if image-display time is being used to promote a business. In more advanced systems, moving image where the patron actually at the facility appears to be seated next to a famous person such as Babe Ruth. Fireworks could be imposed over the image of a couple celebrating an anniversary, or candles surrounding a child having a birthday.  
         [0071]    Since many patrons are part of a group, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, image-display control program  610  may offer the display rights to a group of related seats. For example, virtual ticket device  200  may contain a plurality of virtual electronic tickets  350  that are used by a family or a group of friends that are sitting together. Alternatively, each member of a family or a group of friends may use individual virtual ticket devices  200  that each contain a virtual electronic ticket  350 . Image-display control program  610  may identify a group of related seats by identifying two or more virtual electronic tickets  350  that were paid for using the same credit card.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method  700  of selling image display time in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Initially (process step START), a public facility  100 , such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1, includes an electronic ticket control system (ETCS)  400  that communicates with virtual ticket devices (VTDs)  200  through, for example, access control points located throughout the facility. When an event takes place, patrons arrive at public facility  100  and gain admission using electronic tickets stored on virtual ticket devices. At some point, ECTF  400  determines that a VTD  200  has entered (or is approaching) public facility  100  (process step  705 ). This information is noted in, for example, seating database (DB)  630  (step not shown). Thereafter, immediately or at some predetermined time or on the occurrence of a predetermined event, image-display control program  610  directs processor  410  to generate an image-display message (process step  710 ). The image-display message contains information relating to the public facility&#39;s image-display service, which gives patrons the ability to arrange an image-display through their virtual ticket devices. The image display is ordinarily an image of the patron, or of a group of patrons, that is displayed on various display terminals throughout the public facility area, or transmitted to a network for broadcasting (or for a more limited display) elsewhere. It is expected that the public facility will charge a fee for performing this service, but it may also be done as a promotional device or charitable service. The image-display message generated at process step  710  may be transmitted to one or any number of patrons (process step  715 ). Not all patrons will respond to the image-display message. A patron wishing to take advantage of the service, however, may respond using their VTD  200 . ETCS  400  receives a response from VTD  200  relating to the image display service and determines the location of the VTD  200  from which the message originated (process step  720 ). This may be accomplished using VTD locator program  650 , by seat location associated with the VTD  200 &#39;s electronic ticket  350 , or simply by requesting that the patron confirm the location. ETCS  400  and VTD  200  then exchange one or more messages to confirm the details of the image-display event, such as seating location, camera angle, price and payment, display locations or broadcast information, etc. (process step  725 ). Optionally, ETCS  400  then sends to VTD  200  an exemplary still or moving image for display on VTD  200 , and receives approval from the patron (process step  730 ). Given the nature of the image-display service, receiving final patron approval is a preferred step. When ETCS  400  receives approval from VTD  200 , the captured image is displayed at the pre-determined locations (process step  735 ). ETCS  400  then preferably transmits an active image message to VTD  200  indicating that the display is being captured and shown (or sent for broadcast) (process step  740 ). Alternately, it may be preferred that the active-image message is sent prior to actual display or broadcast, especially if there is a true delay. The message may also contain suggestions or offers for additional services, such as purchase of a videotape of the event including images of the patron edited in, or even still photographs. At this point, the process  700  is concluded (FINISH), but may, of course, be repeated any number of times throughout the event.  
         [0073]    Note that the image displayed may be shown at any number of display terminals throughout (or outside) the facility. The image will often be of the patron ordering it, or of, for example, the patron&#39;s guests or travel group, but it may also be of other persons or events if requested by the patron. Note also that although the phrase “image-display time” is sometimes used herein, there is no requirement that the precise duration for which the image is displayed be specified or explicitly stated. In some instances, of course, a specific amount of time may be negotiated between the parties to any image-display agreement.  
         [0074]    Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.