Patent Publication Number: US-2020302838-A1

Title: Sports paraphernalia devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/821,103. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The Internet of Things (IoT) is the concept of connecting a wide variety of objects to the Internet. For example, a typical household may have a thermostat, an appliance, a doorbell or other “IoT devices” that are connected to the internet via a wireless access point. Such objects are typically designed as IoT devices to enable the user to control the objects remotely such as via a smart phone. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention extend to sports paraphernalia devices, sports paraphernalia systems and related methods and computer program products. A sports paraphernalia device may be provided as a physical object that is configured to resemble a particular sports entity and that is configured to receive sports entity updates from a sports entity server. A sports entity can employ the sports entity server to send sports entity updates to sports paraphernalia devices to thereby interact directly with fans. Such interactions can include causing the sports paraphernalia devices to provide visual, audio or mechanical output. 
     In some embodiments, a sports paraphernalia device may include a physical object that is structured to represent a particular sports entity, a controller, a network interface by which the controller receives sports entity updates from a sports entity server and one or more output devices to which the controller sends output control signals in response to receiving the sports entity updates. The network interface may be a wired or wireless network interface. The one or more output devices may include one or more visual output devices, one or more audio output devices or one or more mechanical output devices. The sports paraphernalia device may also include one or more user input devices. 
     In some embodiments, a sports paraphernalia system may include a sports entity server and one or more sports paraphernalia devices. Each sports paraphernalia device may include a physical object that is structured to represent a particular sports entity, a controller, a network interface by which the controller receives sports entity updates from a sports entity server and one or more output devices to which the controller sends output control signals in response to receiving the sports entity updates. 
     In some embodiments, a sports paraphernalia device may include a physical object that is structured to represent a particular sports entity, a controller, a network interface by which the controller receives sports entity updates from a sports entity server where the sports entity updates define sports entity game events and one or more output devices to which the controller sends output control signals in response to receiving the sports entity updates to thereby cause the sports paraphernalia device to notify a fan of the sports entity game events. The one or more output devices may include one or more visual output devices and the output control signals may include visual output control signals that cause the one or more visual output devices to output one or more visual indications of the sports entity game events. The one or more output devices may additionally or alternately include one or more audio output devices and the output control signals may additionally or alternately include audio output control signals that cause the one or more audio output devices to output one or more audio indications of the sports entity game events. The one or more output devices may additionally or alternately include one or more mechanical output devices and the output control signals may additionally or alternately include mechanical output control signals that cause the one or more mechanical output devices to output one or more motion indications of the sports entity game events. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Understanding that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the present invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  each illustrate an example of a sports paraphernalia device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  each illustrate examples of how the sports paraphernalia devices of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may communicate with a sports entity server and interact with an end user; 
         FIG. 3  provides an example of a sports paraphernalia device; 
         FIG. 4  provides another example of a sports paraphernalia device; 
         FIG. 5  provides another example of a sports paraphernalia device; 
         FIG. 6  provides another example of a sports paraphernalia device; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of how a sports paraphernalia device may be configured; and 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates an example user interface by which an end user may configure a sports paraphernalia device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this specification and the claims, the term “sports paraphernalia device” shall be construed as a physical object that is structured to represent a particular sports entity and that is configured to connect to the internet to communicate with the particular sports entity. The term “sports entity” should encompass leagues, sports, sporting events, teams and individuals and extends to traditional sports, fantasy sports and e-sports. A sports paraphernalia device may include one or more output devices that provide visual, audio, mechanical or other output in response to communications received from the particular sports entity. In some embodiments, a sports paraphernalia device may include one or more input devices that enable an end user to provide input. In some embodiments, such output and input devices may be integrated into and function in conjunction with the physical object to represent the particular sports entity. Examples of physical objects that are structured to represent a particular sports entity include a bobble-head, a flag, a pennant, clothing, stadium replicas, scoreboard replicas, statues, mugs, cell phone cases, picture frames, other objects having a color scheme, logo, letter, etc. of a sports entity, etc. 
       FIG. 1A  provides a block diagram representing a sports paraphernalia device  100  that is configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Sports paraphernalia device  100  includes a physical object  110  that can be structured in a variety of ways to represent a particular sports entity. Various examples are provided below. Sports paraphernalia device  100  also includes a controller  120 , one or more network interfaces  130 , one or more visual output devices  140 , one or more mechanical output devices  150  and one or more audio output devices  160 . Although sports paraphernalia device  100  is shown as including visual output device(s)  140 , mechanical output device(s)  150  and audio output device(s)  160 , a sports paraphernalia device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention need not include each of these types of output devices and may include a single type of output device or any possible combination of output devices. 
     Controller  120  can represent any of the various types of circuitry that are capable of being configured, programmed or otherwise designed to perform the functionality described herein. For example, controller  120  could be a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programming gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, a system on a chip, etc. Network interface(s)  130  can represent circuitry that enables controller  120  to send and receive communications over a network. For example, network interface  130  may include a Wi-Fi-compliant controller, a Bluetooth-compliant controller, an Ethernet-compliant controller, etc. 
     Visual output device(s)  140  can represent any type of hardware that can provide visual output in response to control signals received from controller  120 . For example, visual output device(s)  140  may include digital displays such as LCD, OLED or LED displays, discrete LEDs, light bulbs, etc. Mechanical output device(s)  150  can represent any moveable portion of physical object  110  and any underlying components that controller  120  may drive, actuate or otherwise control to move the portion of physical object  110 . For example, mechanical output device(s)  150  may include a motor, a gear, a linear actuator, a shaft, a coupling, a joint, a bearing, a belt, a linkage, etc. Audio output device(s)  160  can represent any type of hardware that can provide audible output in response to control signals received from controller  120 . For example, audio output device(s)  160  may include a speaker, a horn, a siren, etc. 
       FIG. 1B  provides a block diagram representing sports paraphernalia device  100  when it includes one or more user input devices  170 . User input device(s)  170  can represent any component that enables a user to provide input to controller  120 . For example, user input device(s)  170  may include a button, a switch, a touch screen, a microphone, a camera, a sensor, a scanner, etc. 
     Although not shown, sports paraphernalia device  100  can include firmware that controls/defines the functionality of the various components of the device. In some embodiments, controller  120  can be configured to allow this firmware to be updated over-the-air. For example, such over-the-air updates could be employed to customize the functionality of the various input and output devices that a sports paraphernalia device may include. 
       FIG. 2A  provides an example of how a sports entity, via a sports entity server  200 , can communicate with sports paraphernalia device  100 . More particularly,  FIG. 2A  represents how a sports entity may control the functionality of sports paraphernalia device  100  to thereby interact with fans. The combination of sports entity server  200  and one or more sports paraphernalia devices  100  can be considered a sports paraphernalia system. In typical embodiments, a sports paraphernalia system may include a large number of sports paraphernalia devices. 
     As shown, sports entity server  200  can send sports entity updates  210  to controller  120  via network interface(s)  130 . Sports entity updates  210  can represent a wide variety of communications, examples of which are provided below. In some embodiments, sports entity updates  210  can define “sports entity game events.” For purposes of this specification and the claims, a “sports entity game event” should be construed as an occurrence before, during, between and/or after a game or other competition in which the sports entity is participating. Examples of a sports entity game event include the start or end of a game, a quarter, a half or other period, a score, a significant play, a win, a loss or any other occurrence of which the sports entity desires to notify a fan. 
     Whether sports entity updates  210  define a sports entity game event or some other occurrence or content, in response to receiving sports entity updates  210 , controller  120  can generate and send visual output control signals to visual output device(s)  140 , mechanical output control signals to mechanical output device(s)  150  and/or audio output control signals to audio output device(s)  160 .  FIG. 2B  is similar to  FIG. 2A  but represents how controller  120  can send user input communications  220  to sports entity server  200  in response to receiving user input from user input device(s)  170 . Accordingly,  FIG. 2A  represents embodiments where sports paraphernalia device  100  is configured for one-way communication, while  FIG. 2B  represents embodiments where sports paraphernalia device  100  is configured for two-way communication. 
       FIG. 3  provides an example where sports paraphernalia device  100  has a physical object  110  that is structured with a base  111 , a top  112  and letters  113  that extend between base  111  and top  112 . In some embodiments, letters  113  may represent the first letter of a team name. For example, in the depicted embodiment, there are four letter As  113  which may represent the Aggies. Each of letters  113  may be positioned on a top surface  111   a  of base  111  and angled inwardly with top  112  positioned on top of letters  113 . Letters  113  may be spaced to create an open interior between base  111  and top  112 . Top surface  111   a  of base  111  includes openings in which visual output devices  140  are positioned. In such embodiments, visual output devices  140  may be LEDs that illuminate the open interior between base  111  and top  112 . In some embodiments, letters  113  may be translucent or transparent such that, when visual output devices  140  are illuminated, letters  113  may light up. In some embodiments, base  111  and top  112  may also be translucent or transparent. In some embodiments, base  111 , top  112  and letters  113  may match a team&#39;s colors. 
     Controller  120  and network interface(s)  130  may be integrated into some portion of physical object  110  such as base  111 . In response to receiving sports entity updates  210 , controller  120  may generate visual output control signals to visual output devices  140  (e.g., LEDs) to cause visual output devices  140  to light up thereby illuminating letters  113 , base  111  and/or top  112 . In some embodiments, sports entity server  200  may send sports entity updates  210  in response to the sports entity winning a game, scoring or obtaining some other positive outcome to thereby cause controller  120  to light up sports paraphernalia device  100 . In this way, the sports entity can directly control sports paraphernalia device  100 . 
     Although not shown, the embodiment of sports paraphernalia device  100  depicted in  FIG. 3  may also include audio output device(s)  160  (e.g., a speaker). In such embodiments, sports entity updates  210  can cause controller  120  to output audio output control signals to audio output device(s)  160  in addition to or separate from the visual output control signals. For example, sports entity updates  210  could cause controller  120  to play the sports entity&#39;s fight song, crowd noises, or other audio content when the sports entity wins a game, scores or obtains some other positive outcome. In some embodiments, such audio content could be stored locally by controller  120  or could be delivered as part of sports entity updates  210 . As another example, sports entity updates  210  could include advertising content, team updates or other information about the sports entity that controller  120  may cause to be played. 
     The embodiment of sports paraphernalia device  100  depicted in  FIG. 3  may also include mechanical output device(s)  150 . For example, in response to receiving sports entity updates  210 , controller  120  could provide mechanical output controls signals to actuate a mechanical output device  150  in the form of a vibration component to cause sports paraphernalia device  100  to vibrate when the sports entity wins, scores or obtains some other positive outcome. In short, a sports entity may employ sports entity server  200  to send sports entity updates  210  for causing controller  120  to generate visual output control signals, mechanical output control signals and/or audio output control signals during, after, before and/or between a game or other competition to thereby enhance the fan experience. 
       FIG. 4  provides another example where sports paraphernalia device  100  has a physical object  110  structured to resemble the Green Monster scoreboard at Fenway Park. As indicated, physical object  110  integrates a number of visual output devices  140  to which controller  120  can provide visual output control signals in response to sports entity updates  120 . In particular, during a baseball game, a sports entity (e.g., the Boston Red Sox) may employ sports entity server  200  to send sports entity updates  210  that define values that controller  120  should cause to be displayed by each of visual output devices  140 . In this way, the sports entity can implement a physical replica of the Green Monster scoreboard within the fan&#39;s home or any other location where the fan may employ sports paraphernalia device  100 . Such embodiments of sports paraphernalia device  100  may equally include mechanical output device(s)  150  and/or audio output device(s)  160  in any of the manners described herein. 
       FIG. 5  provides another example where sports paraphernalia device  100  has a physical object  110  structured to resemble a football stadium. In such embodiments, in response to sports entity updates  210 , controller  120  could generate and send visual update control signals to cause visual output devices  140  in the form of scoreboards to replicate what is currently being displayed on the corresponding scoreboard in the actual stadium (e.g., the score, the clock, replays, etc.). As other examples, the field, court or other game surface could be an output device  140  that shows formations, play success, shot selection, advertisements, etc. Audio output device(s)  160  could also be integrated into physical object  110 . In such cases, the sports entity updates  210  could include/define crowd noise, the public address announcer, a broadcast, a fight song or other audio content, and controller  120  could generate and send audio output control signals to cause the audio content to be played via audio output device(s)  160 . Mechanical output device(s)  150  could also be integrated into physical object  110 . For example, a flag could be integrated into the field portion of the stadium. In such cases, sports entity updates  210  could cause controller  120  to generate and send mechanical output control signals to cause the flag to be waved when the team scores. 
       FIG. 6  provides another example where sports paraphernalia device  100  has a physical object  110  in the form of a shirt. In such embodiments, visual output devices  140  could be integrated into the shirt to represent a scoreboard. An audio output device  150  could also be integrated into the shirt and could be employed in a similar manner as described above. 
       FIGS. 3-6  represent only a few of many different types of physical objects  110  that sports paraphernalia device  100  may employ. Other examples include: a bobble head or statue that resembles a particular sports entity, player, mascot, etc. and includes visual output device(s)  140  on which the score, the players stats, team news, standings, or other information provided in sports entity updates  210  may be displayed; a wristband that includes visual output device(s)  140  that cause the wristband to glow gold, silver or bronze when sports entity updates  210  indicate that a sports entity won a medal or that cause the wristband to display a medal count and/or that includes mechanical output device(s)  150  that cause the wristband to vibrate when a medal is won; a soccer wristband or other wearable device or clothing that includes visual output device(s)  140  that flash a team flag, display a score, a team record, stats, etc. in response to sports entity updates  210 , mechanical output device(s) that vibrate in response to sports entity updates  210  and/or audio output device(s)  160  that output an announcer yelling gooooaaaal in response to sports entity updates  210 ; a mug, cell phone case, stuffed animal or other object that includes visual output device(s)  140  that represent a scoreboard and audio output device(s)  160  for playing audio from a live event, among many other variations. 
     With each of the above-described examples and with any other variation of sports paraphernalia device  100 , user input device(s)  170  may enable the fan to respond to sports entity updates  210  or otherwise interact with the sports entity via sports paraphernalia device  100 . For example, sports entity updates  210  could include audio and/or visual advertising or promotional content that is output via audio output device(s)  160  and/or visual output device(s)  140 . In response to such advertising or promotional content, the fan may provide input via user input device(s)  170  to cause controller  120  to send user input communications  220  to sports entity server  200 . User input communications  220  could define a fan&#39;s vote in a poll, request to enter a contest, audio content (e.g., a cheer), request to purchase an item (e.g., tickets), etc. In some embodiments, controller  120  may be configured to provide a user interface on a separate computing device in response to receiving input via user input device(s)  170 . In such embodiments, the user interface may allow the fan to provide additional input that can be sent directly to sports entity server  200 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of how sports paraphernalia device  100  can be registered to receive sports entity updates  210  from sports entity server  200 . In some embodiments, controller  120  can provide a configuration user interface  710  (e.g., a webpage) that a fan can access via a user computing device  700 .  FIG. 7A  provides an example of how configuration user interface  710  could be structured. As shown, configuration user interface  710  can provide options for selecting one or more sports of interest, one or more teams of interest, one or more players of interest, one or more statistics of interest, one or more graphical displays of interest, etc. In response to the fan&#39;s input to configuration user interface  710 , user computing device  700  can send configuration settings  720  back to controller  120 . Configuration settings  720  can identify which sport(s), team(s) and/or player(s) the fan selected. Next, controller  120  can generate and send registration communications  730  to sports entity server  200  which cause sports paraphernalia device  100  to be registered to receive sports entity updates  210  from sports entity server  200 . 
     In some embodiments, registration communications  730  could include information about the fan including, for example, the fan&#39;s name, address, contact information and credit card or other payment information that sports entity server  200  can employ to complete a transaction in response to user input communications  220 . In such embodiments, configuration user interface  710  could be configured to obtain such information. Alternately, sports entity server  200  could provide a website where the fan can directly register and provide such information. In some embodiments, firmware updates could be created and applied over-the-air on sports paraphernalia device  100  based on configuration settings  720 . For example, a firmware update may be applied to cause one or more output devices to provide output specific to a selected team of interest. 
     Once sports paraphernalia device  100  is registered with sports entity server  200 , sports entity server  200  can employ the content of registration communications  730  to identify how to deliver sports entity updates  210 . For example, a particular sports entity may desire to distribute an advertisement to each sports paraphernalia device  100  that is registered to receive sports entity updates  210  pertaining to the particular sports entity. Similarly, the particular sports entity may desire to distribute advertisements to a subset of the sports paraphernalia devices  100  that are registered to receive sports entity updates  210  pertaining to the particular sports entity where the subset is defined by criteria specified in registration communications  730  (e.g., an age, gender, location, interest level, etc. of the respective fans). For example, a sports entity may employ sports entity server  200  to send sports entity updates  210  in the form of a game day ticket offer to each sports paraphernalia device  100  that was registered with an address within a specified distance of the game&#39;s location. As another example, a sports entity may employ sports entity server  200  to send sports entity updates  210  in the form of a promotion of a business partner&#39;s product to each sports paraphernalia device  100  that was registered by a fan within a particular age range or of a particular gender. 
     In response to receiving such sports entity updates in the form of advertisements, controller  120  of the respective sports paraphernalia devices  100  can cause the advertisements to be presented to the fans via visual output device(s)  140 , mechanical output device(s)  150  and/or audio output device(s)  160 . In some embodiments, the respective fans may then employ user input device(s)  170  to provide user input to accept an offer, make a purchase, or supply some other information that controller  120  can transmit back to sports entity server  200  as a response to the advertisement. Accordingly, sports entity server  200  can enable a sports entity to distribute targeted advertising directly to the sports paraphernalia devices of its fans, while sports paraphernalia devices  100  can enable fans to interact directly with such targeted advertising. 
     In summary, embodiments of a sports paraphernalia device may include a physical object that is structured to represent a particular sports entity, a controller, a network interface by which the controller receives sports entity updates from a sports entity server and one or more output devices to which the controller sends output control signals in response to receiving the sports entity updates. A sports entity may employ the sports entity server to send sports entity updates containing or defining a variety of content or information to many different sports paraphernalia devices. In this way, the sports entity may interface directly with its fans. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize special purpose or general-purpose computers including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. 
     Computer-readable media are categorized into two disjoint categories: computer storage media and transmission media. Computer storage media (devices) include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”) (e.g., based on RAM), Flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), other types of memory, other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other similarly storage medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Transmission media include signals and carrier waves. Because computer storage media and transmission media are disjoint categories, computer storage media does not include signals or carrier waves. 
     Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed by a processor, cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language or P-Code, or even source code. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. 
     The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. An example of a distributed system environment is a cloud of networked servers or server resources. Accordingly, the present invention can be hosted in a cloud environment. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.