Abstract:
A novel entertainment system and method for multimedia presentation will be described hereinafter. The novel entertainment system generally comprises a display and sound system in connection with a server. The system allows clients users or patrons to configure the ambiance of the room through the use of a remote controller. The server may be integrated within a TV or a projector, such as, but not limited to a “Smart” TV wherein the TV has computing abilities. The TV may further be connected to a network. 
     Accordingly, the user will generally be able to control the content displayed on the screen in order to create an individualized user experience.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/636,847, entitled “Entertainment System and Method for Displaying Multimedia Content”, and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 23, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to entertainment systems and methods, more specifically to entertainment systems and methods comprising a room to display multimedia content typically located in a bar or a restaurant. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Nowadays, all kinds of restaurants and entertainment venues are available to the public, such as, sports bar, lounge, classic ambiance restaurant, pizzeria etc. The downturn of all such specialized restaurants is the targeted clientele which is inherently variable from a sport bar to a chic sushi restaurant. A restaurant will typically aim to attract a certain kind of people as clientele. The resulting attracted clientele will generally vary depending on the client&#39;s taste and mood on the specific day where this client chooses to visits such venue. Restaurants typically install video displays such as TVs and screen projector, wherein sport events and/or video clips may be displayed. However, the content displayed is most likely chosen by the employees and typically fits into the wider theme of the venue. Also, several entertainment venues or restaurants install comprehensive audio systems wherein music or sounds may be played. Such audio systems are typically controlled by employees who select music from a limited collection. Furthermore, the volume of such audio system is typically set at a level in order to be convenient for the majority of customers. 
         [0004]    This wide variety of venues and the associated specialized ambiance may not meet or suite the taste of every client. Furthermore, several newcomers may not be satisfied with the content played through the central audio system and/or with the video content visible from their position in the venue. There is thus a need for an entertainment venue, such as a restaurant, having the ability to meet the taste of every customer or guest, wherein every person may find the desired music and/or may choose the content to be displayed on a nearby screen. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a room for one or more guests, wherein the room is simulating the ambiance of a theatre, a venue or an arena or simulating the comfort of a living room while being a guest at a restaurant or bar. 
         [0006]    Within the present document, the terms guest, user, customer shall identifies a guest of a room comprising the disclosed entertainment system or a guest following the steps of the disclosed methods for displaying multimedia content. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to allow a patron or user to easily navigate or control multimedia content to be display within the room. One further object is to easily integrate and implement any new or existing audio-video technology to the benefit of patrons and/or guests. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to allow a patron or user to upload content to be watched or listened and to navigate or control multimedia content to be displayed within the room in order to create a personalized experience. 
         [0009]    A further object of the present invention is to provide to the customer or patron a rich and unique dining and/or entertainment experience without having to disburse large amount of money. 
         [0010]    The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing an entertainment system and interface for displaying multimedia content. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, one or more entertainment systems are installed within a room or suite located in a cinema and/or theatre theme restaurant and provides access to a plurality of interactive media and entertainment content or services. A user, typically a patron or customer of the restaurant, may interact with the entertainment system using an interface device having a computer program allowing the access to media. Additionally, the interface device may be programmed to act as an automated ordering system for food, beverages or any other service provided by the restaurant. 
         [0012]    According to an aspect of the present invention, an interactive entertainment system allowing at least one user to access a plurality of interactive media and entertainment content or services within a physical room of an establishment is disclosed. The interactive entertainment system comprises a physical room having at least two walls, a ceiling and at least one element of furniture wherein each element of furniture is located within the boundaries of the physical room. The interactive entertainment system may further comprises at least one interface device allowing the at least one user to control the entertainment system, wherein the interface device has one or more input/output communication port and an inputting device. Furthermore, the entertainment system comprises at least one visual display device allowing multimedia content to be displayed and installed in the physical room, at least one audio system installed in the physical room, a server configured to process multimedia content and to communicate the multimedia content to the visual display device and/or to the audio system on reception of an input from the interface device and a network configured to interconnect the interface device with the server. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method using an entertainment system, wherein the entertainment system comprises a physical room, at least one server, at least one interface device allowing the at least one user to control the entertainment system, a visual display device allowing multimedia content to be displayed, at least one audio system and a network configured to interconnect the at least one interface device with the at least one server is disclosed. The method comprises the steps to upload or use a personal device to receive, stream, communicate or transfer selected multimedia content through the at least one physical interface device, display the multimedia content to the visual display device, communicate the audio data to the at least one audio system and control the multimedia content playback using the at least one interface device. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a system allowing the user to configure a room in a venue or restaurant in order to fulfill the user&#39;s needs and preferences is disclosed. As such, the system allows to configure a room of a venue or restaurant in order to attract a wide range of clients. The disclosed system allows clients users or patrons to configure the ambiance of the room through the use of a remote controller and by using a display and sound system in connection with a server. The server may be located in various locations such as at elevated height in the room, near the ceiling The server could also be integrated within the TV or a projector, such as, but not limited to a “Smart” TV wherein the TV has computing abilities and wherein the TV may further be connected to the network. The user will be able to control the content displayed on the screen in order to create an individualized user experience. Such system allows the user to tune or customize the room to the specific tastes or needs of the client. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the present system could alternatively be controlled via a smart phone capable of executing an application, such as an application downloaded via the restaurant&#39;s web site or via one or more application store. As an example, a client reserving at the restaurant may be redirected to a website or an application store allowing the download and installation of an application for a smart phone or a tablet allowing the control or display of the digital content on the display system within a restaurant room. Accordingly, such embodiment may limit the usage of a standard remote controller. As such, the use of an application for smart phone or tablet would significantly reduce the cost associated with the procurement of an interface device such as remote controllers. In such an embodiment, the restaurant may limit the quantity of interface devices to be used by client no using a smart phone. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an application based interface device would improve the client learning curve and interaction with the system. As such, a client planning to visit the restaurant may download the application prior to the visit and get used to the functioning of the application interface thereby improving the dining and/or entertainment experience. Accordingly, the client familiarity with the application based interface would mitigate the needs to learn interfaces while in the restaurant. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the present system will allow a restaurant to customize the ambiance to a wide variety of audience. As such it will allow restaurants, to instantly personalize a specific room to a desired public or audience. In addition, the system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention will have the ability to allow the user to display any content of his choice. 
         [0018]    Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. 
         [0019]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a novel entertainment system for multimedia presentation in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top view configuration of a novel entertainment system for multimedia presentation in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a menu interface for an interface device used in with a novel entertainment system for multimedia presentation in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a scheme of the entertainment system in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the components and how they may interact. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a scheme of an entertainment system in accordance with the present invention illustrating how the user may interact with the said system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a remote controller capable of interacting with an entertainment system in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    A novel entertainment system and method for multimedia presentation will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, one or more entertainment system is embodied as a room or suite within a cinema and/or theatre theme restaurant and provides access to a plurality of interactive media and entertainment content or services. A user, typically patron of the restaurant, may interact with the entertainment system using an interface device  70  having a computer program allowing the access to media. Additionally, the interface device  70  may be programmed to act as an automated ordering system for food, beverages or any other service simultaneously provided to the room by one or more patron. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , in a preferred embodiment, an entertainment system for multimedia presentation may be configured within a room having at least two side walls  11  and  12 , preferably a top wall or ceiling  10 , a partial side wall  14  and a floor  13 , a plurality of furniture elements mainly used for sitting or eating  20  and shall comprise a visual display device  25  allowing the multimedia content to be displayed, such as a projecting device  30 , a projection screen  40 , a television or a monitor, at least one audio system  50  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a server computer  60  for processing the multimedia content, a computer network  80  and at least one interface device  70  allowing one or more user to control one or more elements of the room (not shown). In another embodiment, the wall comprises dimmable lights (not shown) which may be controlled by the patrons or may be automatically controlled by any automatic lighting system. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the dimensions of the room are identified by letters: A referring to the height of the room, B to the depth of the room and C to the width of the room. A projection screen  40  is affixed on or mounted in the side wall  12  and the projecting device  30  is downwardly affixed or attached to the ceiling  10  or one of the walls allowing the projecting device  30  to project an image or a video on the projection screen  40 . A side wall extension  15  may vertically extend the side wall  12  in order to position the projecting device higher. In another embodiment, the projection screen could be replaced by a television or monitor in order to optimize the configuration of the room. The room comprises a sound system having speakers. The said speakers are typically installed on the side walls  14  or  12  but may be installed at any other location within the room to optimize the configuration or to provide better sound quality to the users. Typically, the walls shall be made of acoustic insulating material in order to prevent sound from propagating to other rooms or suite or to enter the room comprising the entertainment system or/and to provide a higher level of privacy and comfort. The plurality of furniture elements  20  may comprise at least one table, at least one chair or stool, at least one bench or any other furniture element to allow one or more person to sit or eat within the room. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the at least one entertainment system computer shall be located within the bench, under any furniture elements and/or on an overhanging canopy  20  in order to optimize the room configuration and to provide a spacious environment. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, the dimensions and shape of the room may differ from the preferred embodiment as long at the room is configured to allow a user to interact with the entertainment system. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the interface device  70  communicating with the entertainment system may comprise a screen, a support, a power supply, a processing unit, a storage device, one or more input/output communication port and an inputting device allowing a person or user to control the entertainment system. The interface device  70  is typically connected to the entertainment system using any wired or wireless communication method such as internet protocols, microwave, IR, WiFi, or RF signals. In a preferred embodiment, the interface device  70  shall be embodied as a RF module remote control to communicate with the entertainment system. The at least one input/output communication port or graphical user interface may comprise a touch screen or a plurality of buttons for controlling the entertainment system. A typical menu or graphical user interface of the interface device  70  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the interface device  70  may be displayed on a computerized device, such as a computer, a tablet or a mobile phone, configured to execute a software application having an interface replicating the interface device. Such software application may be implemented as a mobile application, a web application or a desktop application. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the inputting device  70  and the visual display device  25  may be integrated in a single device having a touch screen for a person to enter the commands to the entertainment system. In a further embodiment, the interface device  70  may be embodied as an application executed on a computing device such as, but not limited to, a computer, a tablet or a smart device such as a smart phone, a pocket pc or a netbook. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, the entertainment system executed a server  60  allowing the sharing or inputting of media, such a digital music, videos or both. The server  60  may be compatible with standard sharing communication protocol such as, but not limited to AirPlay, AppleConnect, any standard defined by DLNA (http://www.dlna.org). 
         [0037]    A user wishing to stream, display, share, watch or listen to multimedia content may upload the said content through the interface device  70  or may request the streaming of dynamic or live multimedia content through the interface device  70 . The interface device  70  allows the communication with the server computer  60  for processing the multimedia content and for controlling the stream, display or playing of the multimedia content through the projecting device  30 , the audio system  50  or both. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the user may control the entertainment system using a motion detector system, such as Microsoft Kinect™, a voice recognition system or both. 
         [0039]    The server computer  60  comprises at least one central processing unit, physical memory, at least one storage medium and is connected to the network. Typically, the server computer  60  is configured as a server and the interface device  70  is configured as a client device. The server computer  60  comprises a computer program to be run for ordering, streaming and/or projection of the multimedia content based on the request placed through the interface device  70 . Furthermore, the server computer  60  may be configured to allow a patron to automatically order any type of food, beverage or any other service provided by the restaurant or venue. 
         [0040]    Now referring back to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the projecting device  30  or visual display device  25  may comprise any video, movie, image and slide projector, using any technology such as CRT, LCD or LED and may use digital or analog technology, thus allowing video content to be displayed on the projection screen  40 . The projection screen  40  may be a rigid wall-mounted screen, a pull-down or electric screen or even a switchable projection screen  40 . Typically, the projection screen  40  will be mounted within the side wall  12 . In another embodiment, the projection screen  40  may be downwardly pulled down from the ceiling  10  or may be mobile, thus being installed anywhere within the room of the entertainment system. 
         [0041]    In another further embodiment, the projecting device  30  and the visual display device  25  may be embodied as a television apparatus such as a flat screen television, a computer monitor or any apparatus allowing the display or projection of multimedia content. 
         [0042]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the network  80  is configured to allow the different devices, typically the server computer  60 , the interface device  70  and the visual display device  25 , to communicate together and to stream multimedia content. Typically, the network  80  is a local area network providing a link to a wide area network  81  such as the Internet or an aggregation of external computer networks. 
         [0043]    In a further embodiment, the server  60  or any other computer device connected to the network  80  may control the access to the wide area network  81 , such as the Internet, in order to provide a filter against unwanted content to be downloaded or uploaded from/to the wide area network  81 . Such filtering mechanism provides a control over undesirable or unsuitable content material such as pornographic content or over interface device  70  features allowing direct access to the wide area network  81 , such as Internet navigation toolbar. 
         [0044]    The entertainment system may comprise any multimedia content source  90  such as video game console system, CD/DVD or Blu-ray™ players, portable media player such as mp3 player, images, audio and video storage or streaming access, television digital or analog signals or any other internal or external source of multimedia content accessible using the network  80 . 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , in a preferred embodiment, at least one or more person enters the room and takes place or sits at the one of the plurality of furniture elements  101 . At any time, one or more person may upload  102  or use a personal device to stream, communicate or transfer multimedia content  103  through the interface device. On reception of the uploaded data or of the streaming device, the interface device allows the display of the video using the projecting device  30  and the projection screen  40  and  104  and, if the video comprises audio information, communicates the audio information or data to the audio device  50  and  105  in order to amplify the sound through the room. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that in the event of multimedia content comprising only audio information, the visual display device, projecting device  30  and/or projection screen  40  shall be turned off and only the at least one audio device shall be turned on. At any time, one or more person located within the entertainment system room may control the multimedia content  106 , such as skipping section, repeating content or stop the multimedia content. 
         [0046]    Furthermore, at any time, a user or patron may place an order for food, beverage or any other service  107  provided by the restaurant through the interface device. The interface device communicates the order to the server computer  108  which processes the order  109 . 
         [0047]    Such system is particularly useful for use in a room designed to serve a meal and/or drinks to a private group of individuals. 
         [0048]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, the novel entertainment system for multimedia presentation in accordance with the present invention may further comprise a remote controller  200 . The remote controller  200  is configured to interact with the present entertainment system and typically comprises a keyboard  202 , a number pad  204 , a plurality of navigation buttons  206 , a power button, a general menu option  208  and playback features  212 . As such, the remote controller may allow a user or a patron to fully exploit the functions of the system. Accordingly, the user or patron may, for instance, use the keyboard to navigate through the web, search music through the library or through online music provider. The remote controller  200  may interact with the entertainment system through any wired or wireless communication protocol. Typically, the remote controller  200  is configured to communicate using a radio frequencies (RF) protocol. 
         [0049]    While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.