Patent Publication Number: US-2015089539-A1

Title: System, apparatus, and process for providing spectator interface

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system, an apparatus, and a process for providing spectator interface. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system, an apparatus, and a process for providing individualized spectator interface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During events at various venues for housing large numbers of spectators, it is very difficult to provide any type of individualized experience. With a large number of spectators most advertisements and displays must be directed to a venue as a whole. There is also a lack of interaction between the individual spectators and the events occurring in the venue. 
     Additionally, it is difficult for spectators to purchase concessions without missing a portion of the event and/or distracting other spectators. Furthermore, during intermissions the concessions are often crowded, resulting in spectator frustration, employee stress, and lost sales. Known interface devices suffer from the drawbacks of an inability to provide individualized responses, spectator location, and/or formation of continuous displays within spectator portions of the venue. 
     A system, an apparatus, and a process for providing spectator interface that do not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks would be desirable in the art. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a plurality of spectator interface apparatuses, each spectator interface apparatus including at least one display device, the at least one display device forming a portion of a continuous image within a spectator region of a venue, and at least one interface device. The at least one display device and the at least one interface device are mounted on or in close proximity to a row of spectator seating, and each interface device corresponds to an individual spectator seat. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a process for providing a spectator interface apparatus includes mounting at least one interface device on or in close proximity to a first row of spectator seating within a spectator region of a venue, each interface device comprising a display component and an input component, positioning each interface device to correspond with an individual spectator seat in a second row of spectator seating, permitting a spectator in the individual spectator seat to provide a spectator input with the input component, and providing an individualized response to the spectator input. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a spectator interface apparatus includes at least one display device on a front side of the spectator interface apparatus, and at least one interface device on a rear side of the spectator interface apparatus. The interface device comprises an input component and a display component. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary display at a venue, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cutaway front view of an exemplary display, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective front view of an exemplary display device, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of an exemplary display device, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cutaway rear view of an exemplary display, according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of an exemplary display system, according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Provided is a display device, a system for creating a display, and a process of creating a display. Embodiments of the present disclosure create an illusion of a continuous image, create an illusion of three-dimensional objects or images, provide a graphic display with the desired level of brightness and resolution of an enlarged digital image, permit still or moving images to be displayed as an array within a spectator region of a venue, and permit spectator interaction with the system. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment, a display  100  within a spectator region  102  of a venue  104  is shown. The spectator region  102  is located in any suitable venue  104  and is an area capable of arranging people in a configuration desirable for viewing an event, such as a sporting or entertainment event. Examples include a sports stadium, concert, or other performance. The spectator region  102  is located in any suitable environment, such as outdoors, exposed to ambient conditions, indoors, underwater, or partially exposed, for example, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, rows  108  including at least one individual spectator seat  112  are arranged and disposed within the spectator region  102 . The rows  108  are positioned in any suitable arrangement, such as multi-level, staggered, tiered, curved, or single-level, for example, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the display  100  is arranged and disposed within a non-spectator region  103 . The non-spectator region  103  includes any suitable non-spectator region, such as, a playing field, performance stage, dugouts or other player area, band or orchestra area, media/announcer area, concessions, ticket or merchandizing area, or parking lots, for example. 
     In one embodiment, a plurality of spectator interface apparatuses  200  are positioned within the spectator region  102 . In another embodiment, each spectator interface apparatus  200  is positioned on or in close proximity to a single row  108  of the individual spectator seats  112 . The spectator interface apparatuses  200  include at least one display device  107 , at least one interface device  110  ( FIG. 5 ), and a support  106  for mounting the at least one display device  107  and the at least one interface device  110 . The support  106  may be any suitable support, such as, but not limited to, handrails, pipes, bars, tubes, ledges, walls, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the support  106  includes a suitable resilient or elastomeric material to provide improved gripping and/or shock absorption. 
     In one embodiment, the spectator interface apparatuses  200  are powered from a local power source, such as one or more batteries arranged and disposed therein. In one embodiment, the spectator interface apparatuses  200  are powered by an external power source provided by power wirings such as a power cord, for example. In one embodiment, the power source and/or power wiring is run inside of a cable housing. In another embodiment, the cable housing may be positioned on or within the support  106 . In a further embodiment, the support  106  may include an opening therein to serve as the cable housing. 
     The display device  107  includes a housing mounted to a front side  300  of the spectator interface apparatus  200 , the housing fabricated of a durable, moldable polymeric material, or any other suitable durable material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load and resisting impact fractures. In one embodiment, at least one display device  107  corresponds to each individual spectator seat  112 . Each display device  107  is arranged and disposed on the front side  300  of the spectator interface apparatus  200  to face the same, or generally the same, direction as the individual spectator seats  112 . Each display device  107  further includes one or more light emitting elements  109 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the display devices  107  are positioned between individual spectator seats  112  situated adjacent to each other. In another embodiment, the display devices  107  are arranged and disposed to be spaced apart some predetermined distance from adjacent display devices  107 . A suitable predetermined spacing distance includes, but is not limited to, from about 20 inches to about 4 feet, from about 20 inches to about 3 feet, from about 20 inches to about 30 inches, from about 2 feet to about 3 feet, from about 3 feet to about 4 feet, or any suitable range therein. In one embodiment, the predetermined spacing distance between the display devices  107  is approximately the same distance as the center-to-center spacing of the individual spectator seats  112  situated adjacent to each other. 
     The one or more light emitting elements  109  may include light emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, or any suitable light emitting elements  109 , such as, video strips, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), fiber optic lights, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, neon lights, polymer light emitting diodes, electroluminescent lights, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the light emitting elements  109  include a grouping of red, green and blue LEDs, although in other embodiments, different numbers and colors of light emitting elements  109  are used. The display devices  107  are a single unitary construction capable of providing a range of colored light and/or a range of intensity of light or a combined construction capable of providing the range of colored light and/or the range of intensity of light. In one embodiment, the light emitting elements  109  are configured for a modular grouping connected to a suitable board, such as a pluggable printed circuit board, for example, and are capable of quick disconnection from the display device  107  for changing in or out. 
     In one embodiment, display coordinates corresponding to a row  108  and seat number for one or more individual spectator seat  112 , such as 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, 9C, for example, create a two-dimensional array map. The individual spectator seats  112  correspond with the display coordinates within the array map. An example of such display coordinates that are used to create the display  100  include display coordinates corresponding to seat numbers 18CC, 19BB, 19CC, 20BB, 20CC, 21AA, 21BB, 22AA, 22BB, 23AA, 23BB, 24Z, 24AA, 24BB, 25Z, 25AA, 25BB, 26Y, 26Z, 26AA, 27Y, 27Z, 27AA, 28Y, 28Z, 28AA, 29X, 29Y, 29Z, 29AA, 30X, 30Y, 30Z, 30AA, 31W, 31X, 31Y, 31Z, 32W, 32X, 32Y, 32Z, 33V, 33W, 33X, 33Y, 33Z, 34V, 34W, 34X, 34Y, 34Z, 35U, 35V, 35W, 35X, 35Y, 36U, 36V, 36W, 36X, 36Y, 37U, 37V, 37W, 37X, 37Y, 37T, 38U, 38V, 38W, 38X, 39T, 39U, 39V, 39W, 39X, 40T, 40U, 40V, 40W, 40X, 41T, 41U, 41V, 41W, 41X, 42T, 42U, 42V, 42W, 42X, 43T, 43U, 43V, 43W, 43X, 44T, 44U, 44V, 44W, 44X, 45T, 45U, 45V, 45W, 45X, 460, 46P, 46Q, 46R, 46S, 46T, 46U, 46V, 46W, 46X, 46Y, 46Z, 46AA, 46BB, 46CC, 470, 47P, 47Q, 47R, 47S, 47T, 47U, 47V, 47W, 47X, 47Y, 47Z, 47AA, 47BB, 47CC, 480, 48P, 48Q, 48R, 48S, 48T, 48U, 48V, 48W, 48X, 48Y, 48Z, 48AA, 48BB, 48CC, 490, 49P, 49Q, 49R, 49S, 49T, 49U, 49V, 49W, 49X, 49Y, 49Z, 49AA, 49BB, 49CC, 50T, 50U, 50V, 50W, 50X, 51T, 51U, 51V, 51W, 51X, 52T, 52U, 52V, 52W, 52X, 53T, 53U, 53V, 53W, 53X, 54T, 54U, 54V, 54W, 54X, 55T, 55U, 55V, 55W, 55X, 56T, 56U, 56V, 56W, 56X, 57S, 57T, 57U, 57V, 57W, 57X, 58S, 58T, 59U, 59V, 59W, 59X, 59S, 59T, 59U, 59V, 59W, 59X, and 60U, 60V. In another embodiment, each of the display devices  107  is electronically assigned the corresponding individual spectator seat  112  display coordinates within the array map. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the light emitting elements  109  in the at least one display device  107  is activated to form the display  100 . In another embodiment, the light emitting elements  109  in the display devices  107  of the display  100  create the illusion of a continuous image when viewed from a suitable distance within or beyond the venue  104 . In one embodiment, the display  100  represents suitable three-dimensional objects or images, or landscapes, for example. In one embodiment, the image graphic represents text, or forms a text string creating a message. In one embodiment, the number and positioning of the light emitting elements  109  is suitable to provide the desired visual, video or combined image effect. 
     In one embodiment, the activation of one or more of the light emitting elements  109  includes various control functions, such as independently turning the display capability of the display devices  107  on or off, for example. In one embodiment, the activation further includes independently controlling a level of intensity of the light emitting elements  109  to vary the brightness of light displayed, and/or independently controlling the light emitting elements  109  to vary the color displayed by each of the light emitting elements  109 . In another embodiment, the light emitting elements  109  emit multiple colors of light simultaneously or at different times. In one embodiment, the activation includes various control sequences of operation such as independently controlling the light emitting elements  109  to vary the duration and sequences of light displayed, for example. In one embodiment, activation includes controlling all of the one or more light emitting elements  109  simultaneously. In one embodiment, activation includes controlling only a portion of the one or more light emitting elements  109 . In another embodiment, activation includes any combination of the above controls, or control of any suitable other features and properties of the display device  107  affecting the formation of the display  100  and/or a pixel image  130  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     In one embodiment, for example, the activation of one or more of the light emitting elements  109  within the display device  107  to form the pixel image  130  is controlled to include at least one of the light emitting elements  109  emitting red light at 50 percent intensity while the remaining light emitting elements  109  emit white light at 100 percent intensity, both simultaneously, for a duration of one minute. In one embodiment, the range of light intensity simultaneously displayed on one display device  107  is from about 30 percent to about 100 percent, from about 30 percent to about 50 percent, or from about 60 percent to about 80 percent, or any suitable range therein. 
     In one embodiment, each spectator interface apparatus  200  includes one or more display controllers. In another embodiment, the one or more display controllers are configured to control at least one of the plurality of light emitting elements  109  in the display device  107 . In a further embodiment, each display device  107  includes at least one display controller. In one embodiment, the display controller is an independently controlled addressable controller. 
     In one embodiment, the display device  107  includes an element controller configured for control of each individual light emitting elements  109 . In another embodiment, each display device  107  includes one or more independently controlled light emitting elements  109 . In one embodiment, the element controller is an independently controlled addressable controller. In one embodiment, the display controller controls one or more of the element controllers. The light emitting elements  109  are controlled by any suitable single controller or series of controllers, such as a microprocessor, for example, which coordinate display of images and/or video. In one embodiment, the element controllers are programmable controllers. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the spectator interface apparatus  200  includes a front side having at least one display device  107 , and one or more light emitting elements  109  within each display device  107 . In another embodiment, a cover panel  114  is positioned over the at least one light emitting element  109 . The cover panel  114  is configured to allow light transmission while providing protection to the light emitting elements  109 . In one embodiment, the cover panel  114  is fabricated of a transparent polycarbonate with a scratch and UV resistant, antireflective coating, or any other suitable durable transparent or semi-transparent or semi-translucent material capable of supporting a predetermined structural load (as if sat or stepped upon, for example), and resisting cracking if subjected to an impact force. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, one or more of the interface devices  110  are mounted to a rear side  400  of the spectator interface apparatus  200 . In another embodiment, the rear side  400  includes one or more cup holders  111  or other receptacle for spectator comfort. In another embodiment, the one or more interface devices  110  and/or one or more cup holders  111  correspond to one or more of the individual spectator seats  112 . In a further embodiment, each individual spectator seat  112  has a corresponding interface device  110 . The interface device  110  corresponding to each individual spectator seat  112  permits identification of the corresponding individual spectator seat  112  and provides individualized visual output and/or individualized responses to spectator input with the interface device  110 . 
     The interface device  110  includes an input component and/or a display component. The input component is any suitable input component for permitting the spectator in the individual spectator seat  112  to provide spectator input. A suitable input component includes, but is not limited to, a key pad, a digital input, a push button, or a combination thereof. When the spectator provides any suitable spectator input to the input component, the interface device  110  provides a corresponding individualized response. Suitable spectator inputs include, but are not limited to, placing an order with a concession stand, interacting with an event in the venue  104 , interacting with the display  100 , controlling the display device  107  corresponding with the individual spectator seat  112 , placing a vote, answering a question, or a combination thereof 
     In another embodiment, the display component of the interface device  110  provides visual and/or audio output to the spectator. For example, in a further embodiment, the display component provides visual output on a screen, such as, but not limited to, a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED), or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The visual output includes any suitable video, image, and/or text, such as, but not limited to, advertisements, menus, highlights, live feed, questions, any other individualized visual output, or a combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the display component is coupled to the input component to solicit input from the spectator through the input component, and/or to modify the visual output in response to the spectator input. For example, the visual output from the display component may include a menu having a plurality of items, when the spectator makes a selection using the spectator input, the visual output is modified to reflect the spectator selection. In another embodiment, the interface device  110  provides the display component and the input component in a single combined input/output component. For example, in one embodiment, the single combined input/output component includes, but is not limited to, a touch screen that both permits spectator input and provides visual output. 
     In one embodiment, the interface device  110  provides information to, and receives information from the display device  107 . For example, in one embodiment, when the spectator provides input to the interface device  110 , such as responding to a question on the display component, at least one of the light emitting elements  109  in the corresponding display device  107  is activated in response to the spectator&#39;s input. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, a system  500  for creating the display  100 , is shown. In one embodiment, the system  500  includes a plurality of the spectator interface apparatuses  200 . One or more of the display devices  107  are mounted to each of the spectator interface apparatuses  200  and provided with image data  120 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the system  500  includes a first support  106   a , a second support  106   b , and a third support  106   c , each support corresponding to one of the spectator interface apparatuses  200 . Each of the spectator interface apparatuses  200  includes a plurality of the display devices  107 . In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first support  106   a  is positioned within the spectator region  102  of the venue  104 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the display devices  107  is configured to receive the image data  120  and activate the light emitting elements  109  in response to the image data  120 . In another embodiment, each of the display devices  107  having more than one of the light emitting elements  109  is configured to selectively activate each of the light emitting elements  109  in response to the image data  120 . The selective activation of each of the light emitting elements  109  forms the pixel image  130  or a sequence of pixel images  130  corresponding to the image data  120 . Activating the one or more light emitting elements  109  in one or more of the display devices  107  in the plurality of the spectator interface apparatuses  200  forms the display  100  corresponding to the image data  120 . 
     In one embodiment, the image data  120  provided is real-time data from a live feed. In one embodiment, the display controller is preprogrammed with image data  120 . In one embodiment, the image that forms the display  100  is selected by input from one or more of the interface devices  110 . For example, in another embodiment, a plurality of images are displayed on the display component for the spectators to choose from, and each spectator is able to make a selection using the input component of the interface device  110  corresponding to their individual spectator seat  112 . The spectator selections are recorded, and the image data  120  corresponding to the image receiving the most selections is communicated to at least one of the plurality of display devices  107 . 
     In one embodiment, the display device  107  is configured to activate the light emitting elements  109  in real-time or substantially real-time from a live feed, for example, with little or no image data manipulation, such as by interpolation, morphing, and/or dissolving. In one embodiment, the display devices  107  are driven by any suitable image, such as, still image, live image, predefined video, animated image, or interactive image, for example. The plurality of display devices  107  are arranged and disposed in the array map whereby the activated light emitting elements  109  forming the pixel images  130  and/or the solid lights are configured to form or create a substantially continuous image on the display  100 , providing an illusion of a continuous image. 
     In one embodiment, a process of creating the display  100  having an illusion of a continuous image includes providing image data  120  to a plurality of display devices  107  and, as shown in  FIG. 6 , either activating or not activating each of the light emitting elements  109  in the plurality of display devices  107  to form the display  100  corresponding to the image data  120 . In another embodiment, the process includes converting a composite image  122  into the image data  120 . 
     In one embodiment, the composite image  122  is converted into the image data  120  through use of an interpolation rendering algorithm. In this embodiment, the composite image  122  (a three-dimensional model in a vector graphics format, for example), is converted into a raster image of pixels in a two-dimensional plane for output or for storage. In one embodiment, the rendering algorithm includes a perspective projection transformation utilizing a regenerated frustum as the intermediated form factor. In one embodiment, the interpolation rendering algorithm includes an interpolation scaling algorithm. The scaling algorithm is utilized to enlarge or scale up the image to create the display  100  in the desired venue  104 , such as in a sports stadium, or concert, for example. 
     In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image  122  into the image data  120  includes creating a full screen digital pixelated image having a plurality of digital pixels. In one embodiment, each digital pixel includes digital pixel image data. The digital pixel image data includes corresponding electronic properties, such as, position coordinates in a digital array grid, a predetermined color, and a predetermined intensity, for example. In one embodiment, the process further includes assigning all or a portion of the digital pixel image data to corresponding all or a portion of the corresponding individual spectator seat  112  display coordinates within the array map of the venue  104 . In one embodiment, the image data  120  corresponds with a portion of the display  100 . In one embodiment, the process further includes wherein the image data  120  includes the digital pixel image data. 
     In one embodiment, the image data  120  used to form the pixel image  130  takes into account the predetermined viewing angle of display  100  with respect to a surface or object, such as, a stage, a performer, or an overhead blimp, for example. In one embodiment, the conversion of the composite image  122  into the image data  120  includes utilizing the coordinates of a focal object at the venue, such as a stage performer, for example, as the focal point for determining one or more viewing angles for the pixel image  130 . 
     In one embodiment, the image data  120  is communicated by a remote controller  140 . In another embodiment, the remote controller  140  is capable of providing image data  120  to the display devices  107 . In one embodiment, the remote controller  140  independently controls the display devices  107 . In one embodiment, the control of the display devices  107  is provided by one or more controllers and includes any suitable programmable controller for coordinating video or image displays, such as, a computer, computing device, or processor, for example, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the remote controller  140  is operated by a predetermined suitable operator, such as, a performer, a player, an announcer, a producer, or a designated spectator (i.e., a winner of a privileged operator lottery or contest), for example. 
     In one embodiment, the display devices  107  are connected to each other and/or the remote controller  140  by any suitable connection, including, but not limited to, a wired connection, or other communication and/or power transmitting device. In one embodiment, control of the display devices  107  includes communication via a serial wired connection. In another embodiment, the wired connection is provided by wiring run inside the same cable housing as the power wiring. In one embodiment, the wired connection includes power and/or signal capability. For example, the wired connection includes one or more suitable electrical communication and/or power providing cables, such as fiber optic, coaxial cable, RCA cable, Ethernet cables, or copper-based wires or cables. 
     In one embodiment, control of the display devices  107  includes communication via a wireless connection, such as, through an infrared (IR), radiofrequency (RF), other suitable wavelengths, or any other electromagnetic signal, for example. In one embodiment, the stream of image data  120  is transmitted to all the display devices  107  to provide the desired visual display  100 . The addressable capability of the display controller allows the individual display devices  107  to receive and process the specific image data  120  transmitted for that corresponding device. The system  500  utilizes suitable software, hardware, video signals, image signals, controllers, media servers, control devices and electronics, and combinations thereof, to generate, transmit, and process video and/or images and activate the light emitting elements  109  in the display devices  107  to form the display  100 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.