Abstract:
An interactive music concert method and apparatus provides interaction between a performer and concert attendees to communicate and actively participate in a concert. The performer enters concert information into a server by application, which is then accessed wirelessly by a concert attendee with an electronic device running interactive software. Animations from the server are dynamically displayed on the electronic device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending application Ser. No. 61/454,321, filed Mar. 18, 2011, entitled INTERACTIVE MUSIC CONCERT METHOD AND APPARATUS. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for interacting with a music concert and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus to manage the presentation of a music concert and receive input from and interact with concert attendees. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the past, individuals have attended music concerts to hear and see a musician or band perform live. The performer typically has a predetermined script of songs to play or sing within the time allotted for the concert. There may be little or no substantive interaction between the performer and the crowd. At the end of the performance, the performer may be encouraged to play an encore of one or more additional songs. These additional songs are typically preselected by the performer. At the end of the performance, the attendees may be left with a feeling of having been entertained but without a real connection with the performer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a performer to interact and communicate with concert attendees and for the attendees to interact and communicate with the performer, each other, and/or one or more third parties. The performance is initially set up on a central server where a schedule is input and stored. The schedule may include the date, time and location of the next concert as well as future concerts. Additionally, an ordered list of songs to perform may also be entered and stored for a particular concert. A list of encore songs may be entered and stored for later selection by the concert attendees. Each selected song may have a multimedia file and/or a link to purchase the song associated with it. 
         [0005]    At the concert, the performer initializes the server application to begin the performance. Attendees may link to the server wirelessly through a land area network, Wifi network, or cellular network, for example, using a portable electronic device with networking capability such as an mp3 player, iPod, Smartphone or iPhone, for example. As each song is performed, the multimedia file associated with the song may be broadcast to the portable electronic devices or activated if it was preinstalled. Graphics or animations associated with the music may be varied interactively by the user by moving the electronic device. The user may select to download the song or view the lyrics, for example. The user may select an encore screen to vote on the song to be played during an encore performance. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of the major components of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2-9  are flow charts illustrating the functions of the server application software. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 10-20  are flow charts illustrating the functions of the user application software. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0010]    Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description and in the claims are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this invention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for a given purpose in connection with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or more members of the group or class may be equally suitable or preferred. 
         [0011]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-9 , a system for providing an interactive interface between a performer and a concert attendee is generally indicated by reference numeral  20 . The interactive interface includes a server or central computer  22  and a local computer  24  connected to the server  22  directly  26 , wirelessly or wired  28  through a router or switch  30  which is connected directly or wirelessly  32  to the server  22 . Alternatively, the router  30  may be connected  34  to the internet  36  through an internet service provider and then connected  38  to the server  22 . The local computer  24  may be used by a performer (or someone associated with the performer) to access the server  22  or the server  22  may be accessed by the performer directly. As used herein, performer may include the performer him/herself or anyone associated with or authorized by the performer to access the server  22 . The local computer  24  may be a mobile device such as a smartphone, iPad, iPod, iPhone or other portable device used to access the server  22 , for example. 
         [0012]    The server application software (See  FIG. 2 ) is generally indicated by reference numeral  100 . An administrator logs into the server or central computer  22  by entering a name and password  102 , which are compared to the login information stored on the server  104 . If the name or password is not correct  106 , then the administrator is prompted to enter a name and password again  102 . If the name and password entered are correct  108 , then an Admin Menu  110  is displayed for selection  112 . The Admin menu  110  selection  112  may include New Show  114 , Manage Requests  116 , Manage Songs and Albums  118 , Run Show  120 , Manage Merchandise  143  and Exit  122 , for example. The interface between the local computer  24  and the server  22  may be protected by a secure socket layer (SSL) to encrypt and secure the connection, for example. 
         [0013]    If New Show  114  is selected, a check is made to determine if previous show data has been stored  124 . If this is the first show  126  then the administrator is prompted to enter background information  128  such as band or performer&#39;s name, address, contact information, web address. Next, concert-specific information may be entered  130  such as a concert code, date, time, location, hashtags and webtags for the show. If this isn&#39;t the first show  132 , then previously entered information may be retrieved from the server  134  and processing continued to enter concert-specific information  130 . The entered data may be saved  136  on the server  22  in a database  40  or other format. 
         [0014]    Next, the administrator is prompted to enter two or more encore songs  138 . The fields may be open text fields or present a pick list based on previous entries if this isn&#39;t the first show, or based on the band/performer&#39;s name entered previously, the names of songs may be retrieved from the web address entered or from a third part such as iTunes, for example. Next, one or more dates and locations for the next concert(s) is entered  140 . The information is then displayed for the administrator  142 . The administrator is given the opportunity to review the information to determine if it is correct  144 . If it is correct  146  then the information is stored  148  in the database  40  on the server  22 , and processing returns to the Display Admin Menu  110 . If the information is not correct  150 , processing returns to block  128  where the fields may be edited to correct any mis-entered information. 
         [0015]    From the Display Admin Menu  110  the administrator may select  112  the Manage Requests  116  menu option. The application allows third parties to select from a menu of the band&#39;s or performer&#39;s songs to be played at the next concert. In this way, the band/performer may tailor the play list for the concert according to the public&#39;s desires. Requests may be submitted anonymously, only by registered public users, or by any such combination. Requests may be submitted electronically through a website, email, text message or other electronic messaging service. From the Manage Requests  116  menu, the song request information is retrieved  152  from the server  22  and displayed  154  on the administrator&#39;s computer  24 . The song requests may be displayed individually in chronological order, may be sorted by song name or may be compiled with a running total, for example. After viewing the requests, the administrator may decide to reset the requests or not  156 . If the administrator decides to not reset the requests  158 , then processing returns to the Display Admin Menu  110 . If the administrator decides to reset the requests  160 , the administrator may be given the option to save the requests  162 . If the administrator decides not to save the requests  164 , a confirmation box may be presented  166  to confirm deletion of the requests before returning to the Display Admin Menu  110 . If the administrator decides to save the requests  168 , then the administrator may be prompted to enter a file name or the system may automatically generate a file name for the administrator  170 . Processing then returns to the Display Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0016]    From the Display Admin Menu  110  the administrator may select  112  the Manage Songs and Albums option  118 . Song and album information is requested  172  from the server  22  and displayed  174 . The administrator may be presented with five menu options, such as New Album  176 , Edit Album  178 , New Song  180 , Edit Song  182  and Exit  184 , for example. If New Album  176  is selected, then an Enter Album Information Menu is displayed  186 . The administrator may enter an album name  188 . The administrator may then decide to have the system search for the new album information or manually enter the album information  190 . If the administrator selects to have the system search for the new album information  192 , the search results, if any, are displayed  194  for verification  196 . If the album information, including names of the songs and album artwork, for example, is correct  198 , then the administrator may simply save the information  200  and return to the Display Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0017]    If the information is not correct, not complete, or no information has been located  202 , then the administrator may choose whether to edit the album  204 . If the administrator decides to not edit the album  206 , processing is returned to the Display Admin Menu  110 . If the administrator decides to edit the album  208  then processing continues to the Edit Album  178  menu selection. 
         [0018]    When the Edit Album menu option  178  is selected either manually or through the above process path, a list of albums may be displayed  210 , including the album name, if entered above. The administrator may then select the album to be edited  212 . An Edit Album Menu  214  is displayed for administrator selection  216  which may include Edit Album Name  218 , Change Album Artwork  220 , Add Songs  222 , Delete Album  224 , and Exit  226 , for example. 
         [0019]    If Edit Album Name  218  is selected, the administrator may change the album name  228  and save the entered text  230  to the server  22  and return to the Edit Album Menu  214 . 
         [0020]    If the administrator selects Change Album Artwork  220 , the administrator may enter a file name or browse for the desired file  232  to upload  234  to the server  22 , and processing returns to the Edit Album Menu  214 . 
         [0021]    If the administrator selects to Add Songs  222  to the selected album, the administrator may enter a song name  236  and iteratively add  238  additional songs  240  to the album until complete  242 . At this point the songs are saved  244  to the server  22  and then displayed  246  for confirmation  247 . If correct  248 , control returns to the Edit Album Menu  214 . If changes need to be made  250 , processing continues to the Edit Song menu selection  182 . 
         [0022]    If the administrator selects to Delete Album  224 , an album name is selected  225  and a confirmation is presented  227 . If the administrator decides to not delete the album  229 , processing returns to the Edit Album Menu  214 . If the administrator confirms deletion of the album  231  then the album is deleted from the server  233  and processing returns to the Edit Album Menu  214 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , if the Edit Song menu option  182  is selected, a list of songs associated with the currently selected album is displayed  252 . Typographical or other errors in the song name may be corrected as desired. With each song, other information may be displayed for edit  254 , such as a link to purchase and download the song, a link to the lyrics of the song, animation which may be associated with the song, and handset motion colors, for example. The animations and motion colors may be manually set or automatically set as desired. Once the desired changes are made, the administrator has the option to save or discard the changes  256 . If the administrator saves the changes  258 , the changes are saved to the server  260  and processing returns to the Admin Menu  110 . If the administrator discards the changes  262 , then the changes are discarded and processing returns to the Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0024]    If the administrator selects the New Song menu option  180 , an Add New Song screen is displayed  264 . The New Song screen may include text fields to enter the name of the song, an album name to which to associate the song, a link to purchase and download the song, a link to the lyrics of the song, animation which may be associated with the song, and handset motion colors  266 , for example. After the information is entered the administrator is given the option to save or discard the entered data  268 . If save is chosen  270 , the information is saved to the server  272  and processing returns to the Admin Menu  110 . If discard is chosen  274 , the information is not saved and processing returns to the Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0025]    From the Display Admin Menus  110 , if the administrator selects  112  Run Show  120 , a list of concerts is displayed for the administrator to select from  121  ( FIG. 6 ). Next the administrator may select a song  123  and then select run to start the concert  125 . The information related to the song and the associated animation is pushed out to the concert attendees  127 , or otherwise made available over the network. When the song is over the administrator may select end  129 . Next the administrator is presented with a question as to whether this was the last song  131 . If it is not the last song  133 , then processing returns to block  123  to select another song. If it is the last song  135 , then a check is made to determine if an encore song will be played  137 . If an encore song is to be played  139 , then processing returns to block  123  to select another song. If an encore song will not be played  141 , processing returns to the Display Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0026]    From the Display Admin Menus  110 , if the administrator selects  112  Manage Merchandise  143 , a list of categories and/or items is retrieved  600  from the server  22  ( FIG. 9 ). The categories and/or items are displayed  602  and the administrator is presented with an option to add additional categories and/or items or edit existing categories and/or items  604 . If no additional categories and/or items are to be added or edited  606 , then processing returns to the Admin Menu  110 . 
         [0027]    If a category and/or item is to be added or edited  608 , the category and/or item is edited  610  and displayed for the administrator to determine if it is correct  612 . If it was not entered/edited correctly  614 , the category and/or item is presented for editing again  610 . If it was correctly entered or edited  616 , the information is saved  618  on the server  22  and processing returns to display the categories and/or items  602 . 
         [0028]    From the Display Admin Menus  110 , the administrator may also select  112  Exit  122 , which exits the server application software. 
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS.  1  and  10 - 20 , a flow chart for an interactive application to be loaded and run on a portable electronic device  42  is generally indicated by reference numeral  400 . Once the application is loaded and installed on the user&#39;s portable electronic device  42 , such as an iPod with Wifi, Smartphone or iPhone, for example, the concert application may be launched  402 . An initial splash screen may be displayed  404 . The application is initialized  406  and a timer initialized  408 . The timer is set to an interval at which to query the server for song changes. 
         [0030]    Next, the application checks for network connectivity  410 . The electronic device  42  may connect  44  to a wireless portal or Wifi  30  or connect  46  through a cellular network  48 , which then connects  50  to the internet  36 . If the device is not connected to a network,  412 , preloaded default settings such as a countdown timer are initialized  414 , a default animation is loaded  416  and a message is displayed indicating that the device  42  is not connected to the network  418 . The countdown timer runs and is checked to determine if it has expired  420 . If it has not expired  422 , the system remains in an idle state until the timer expires. When the timer expires  424 , the electronic device  42  again attempts to connect to the network  410 . 
         [0031]    If the device  42  successfully connects to the network  426 , the defaults are initialized  428 , the location is determined from a GPS or other location information  430  based on the location, the relevant concert information is requested  432  and Selected  434 . 
         [0032]    Next, the server  22  may send concert/artist information  434  to the connected electronic device  42 . The concert information  434  may include a concert start time or a simple on/off concert start indicator, for example. The electronic device application determines if the concert has started  436 . While the concert has not started  438 , artist information is requested  440  and may be displayed  442  on the electronic device which periodically changes to display each album artwork. 
         [0033]    When the concert starts  443 , song information such as lyrics, album art, trivia, or history, for example, is retrieved  630  from the server  22 , and a control menu  632  is displayed. The control menu  632  may include selections such as Live Menu  634 , View Cart  636 , Merchandise  638 , and Main Menu  640 , for example. 
         [0034]    If the user selects Live Menu  634 , a live menu is displayed  466 , which may include selection for Artist  468 , Share  475 , Request  472 , Encore  474 . 
         [0035]    Although the sequences and process steps are described sequentially, it should be understood that various process steps may be running in parallel with other process steps or may be interrupt-driven with a watchdog timer set to check the status of any interrupt flags or other indicators to launch an appropriate process or otherwise respond to an interrupt. Additionally, it should be understood that if the hardware of an electronic device  42  does not support a particular feature, such as not having an accelerometer, then that portion of the processing may be bypassed, for example. 
         [0036]    If the user selects live menus  634  then a live menu is displayed  466 . The live menu  466  may include selections such as Artist  468 , Share  470 , Request  474 , Encore  474 , Animation Interaction  634 , Merchandise,  638  and Main Menu  480 , for example. 
         [0037]    If the user selects Share  470 , the electronic device  42  is connected to a third party website  52  online store and linked directly to the currently playing song  471 . Alternatively, the user may be linked to the album. 
         [0038]    If the user selects Request  472 , a list of songs may be displayed  481 . The user may select a song from a pull down menu  483  and enter information such as the user&#39;s name and/or email address, and at least one reason for picking the song, for example. A check is made for an entry in each of the required fields  485 . If all required fields have not been entered  487 , then the user is returned to block  483 . If all required fields have been entered  489 , then the information is sent to the server  491 , a disclaimer or message is displayed  493 , and processing returns to the control menu  466 . 
         [0039]    If the user selects Encore  474  from the control menu  466 , the previously entered encore choices are displayed  496 . The user may select from the list of encore songs  498 . The user&#39;s selection is sent to the server  500 , where the encore song votes are tallied  502 , the running vote tally is displayed  504 , and processing returns to the control menu  466 . 
         [0040]    If the user selects Share  470 , the user may select Twitter  476  or Facebook  478 , for example. If the user selects Twitter  476  ( FIG. 13 ), song name, location information and hash tag information is displayed  506 . The user may enter a message, his or her Twitter account user name and password  508 . The entered data is sent to Twitter  510  and the account information checked  512 . If the account information is not correct  514 , processing returns to block  508 . If the account information is correct  516 , then the song name, location information, hash tag and message is sent to Twitter  518 . Processing then returns to the control menu  466 . 
         [0041]    If the user selects Facebook  478  ( FIG. 14 ) then the currently playing song name and concert location are displayed  520 . The user is given an option to send tour information, or song and concert information to their Facebook page  522 . If the user selects Tour Info  524 , the tour information is retrieved from server  22  and sent to the user&#39;s Facebook page  526 , and processing returns to the control menu  466 . If the user selects Song and Location Info  528  to send song and location info  530 , then the song and concert location information is sent to the user&#39;s Facebook page  532 , and processing returns to the control menu  466 . 
         [0042]    From the control menu  466 , if the user selects Lyrics  636 , song information is requested  640  from the server  22  and the lyrics for the currently-playing song is displayed  642 , and processing returns to the control menu  466 . 
         [0043]    From the control menu  466 , if the user selects Back  480 , then processing returns to block  630  and the current animation for the currently playing song is loaded. 
         [0044]    From the control menu  466 , if the user selects Animation Interaction  634 , an animation is requested  644  from the server  22  corresponding to the currently-playing song. The animation is loaded along with a timer indicating the end of the song  646 . The animation may be based on concert sounds  648 . If based on sound  650 , the device&#39;s microphone is activated  652 , the received sound is analyzed  654 , and the selected animation is synched to the sound  656 . If the animation is not based on the sounds  658 , the timer is checked  660 . If it has not expired  662 , then the device checks for user inputs  664  via the touch screen or other device controls. If the user touches the screen  666 , for example, process returns to the control menu  466 . If there is no user input  668 , an accelerometer in the electronic device  42  is checked for an output indicating movement  456 . If no output is detected  670 , processing returns to block  660 . 
         [0045]    If the user is moving the electronic device  42  from side to side, for example, an accelerometer output is received  538 , then the sync setting is checked  540  ( FIG. 18 ). The sync setting utilizes Bluetooth® or other local area wireless communication technology to sense the presence of nearby devices and allow the devices to sync their displays and animations to create a similar or dissimilar effect. If the sync setting is on  542 , then an animation is loaded  544  based on information received  56  from nearby mobile client device(s)  54  (see  FIG. 1 ). Next, movement direction based on the accelerometer output is determined  546 . If movement of the electronic device  42  is to the left  548 , then a stage left animation variance is displayed  550 . If movement of the electronic device  42  is to the right  552 , then a stage right animation variance is displayed  554 . If the sync setting is off  556 , then the left and right movement display animations are based on predetermined displays and/or animations for the particular music or song being played  558 . A timer is periodically checked to determine if the song has ended or animation has changed  555 . If the timer has not expired  557 , processing continues at block  546 . If the timer has expired  559 , processing returns to block  456 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , if the user selects Merchandise  638 , a merchandise catalog is retrieved  672  from the server  22  ( FIG. 19 ). The user may select a category  674  such as apparel, CDs, or posters, for example. Items within the selected category are displayed  676  and the user may select an item to display the details  678 . An add to cart button is displayed  690  along with the item details. The user may add the item to the cart  682 , or not add the item to the cart  685 . If the user selects the add to cart button  682 , the item is placed in an electronic shopping cart  684 . At this point the user is given a choice of continuing to shop or to exit  686 . If the user decides to continue shopping  688 , processing continues at block  672 . If the user chooses to exit  690 , then processing returns to block  632  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , if the user chooses View Cart  636 , the cart information is retrieved  692 , and displayed  694 . A checkout button is displayed  696 . If the user selects checkout  698 , a checkout processing screen is presented  700  to enter payment information according to methods known in the art. After checkout, processing returns to block  632 . If the user decides to not checkout  702 , processing returns to block  632 . 
         [0048]    In use, the administration application  100  allows an artist to set up concert information, album information, song information, merchandise information, etc. as desired for users to enjoy a concert or other related offline activities related to the artist/band. 
         [0049]    Likewise, a user following an artist or band may use the concert application to follow an artist or band and participate in a live concert as desired. For example, the Animation Interaction selection  634  ( FIGS. 12 ,  17  and  18 ) allows the user to request and display animations coordinated with the songs being played at the concert, with animations displayed on stage, or with other surrounding devices, for example, creating a more intimate concert experience, or display a animation of a lighter to call for an encore performance. Additionally, a user may directly request  472  songs from a list of songs to be played ( FIGS. 12 and 15 ), or may request an encore song  474  to be played during an encore performance ( FIGS. 12 and 16 ), for example, further enhancing the concert experience. 
         [0050]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.