Abstract:
An interactive video platform device which is configured to aggregate any type of content received from one or more sources into a common format, and distributes the aggregate content to a network for interactive communication among one or more remote video devices. The platform has particular applicability to on-line, interactive contest management.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/836,682 filed on Aug. 10, 2006, entitled “Interactive System,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an interactive video device platform, more particularly to a platform that can aggregate any type of content received from one or a plurality of sources into a standardized format and distribute this aggregated content to a network for interactive communication among one or more remote video devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The popularity of interactive contests such as, for example, fantasy sports contests, has brought about great interest in obtaining current information on a real time basis. In fantasy sports contests, a contestant selects real athletes as team members based on recent performance and/or anticipated performance of these athletes as the participate in games, tournaments, contests, etc. The future performances of the selected players determines the contestant&#39;s score, in accordance with an algorithm based on preset performance criteria, i.e., a selected scoring system. A contestant can attempt to upgrade the makeup of the “fantasy team” or lineup by replacing one or more poorly performing players with other available players. 
         [0004]    To be successful, it is incumbent upon a contestant to be able to access current information, not only about the players representing the current makeup of the team but also other players who may be available for selection or as trade objectives. Information beneficial for these purposes may include, but is not limited to, players&#39; individual performances, players&#39; reported or actual physical condition, the performance and schedule of the teams of which the players are members, locations where games are held, weather forecasts, and/or any other information that contestants may find important. Contestants, of course, also want to know their current score and scores of other contestants. 
         [0005]    Various sports Internet sites and news networks are available as information sources as well as the leagues themselves, individual team&#39;s websites, broadcast or print news services, Internet services, weather services, and, in some instances, fantasy sports providers. Information may be available via any number of sources, including but not limited to broadcast and telecast, the Internet, or by conventional newspaper/magazine text. 
         [0006]    With the expansion of the capability of video devices to interact via media such as cable, satellite, telephone and mobile networks, Internet and other wireless providers, the need exists for an interactive video device platform that can receive informational content received in different source formats and convert the information into a compatible format to be distributed to any interactive device, such as may be included, for example, in video systems. Provision of such content, whether on a real-time or delayed basis, with the ability to correlate the content with other information, would be of substantial benefit for interactive communication among remote devices. Additionally, it would provide the opportunity for an individual users to access the information of their choosing on any interactive devices of their choosing. 
       SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The present disclosure fulfills the needs described above. An interactive system allows for content, such as statistical data, video data or other data, to be received by one or more suppliers and then aggregated into a standardized format. The aggregated content can be repackaged and redistributed to any interactive devices. Any available communication media may be accommodated for interactive video communication among users. The redistributed content can be individualized for each receiving device such as, for example, information relevant to a contestant of a fantasy sports contest using, for example, a PC a PDA or mobile phone. The contestant may interactively communicate with either the database of available information or one or more of the other contestants using a standardized interactive video device platform of the system. The redistributed content may also include both real time information, such as current scores or video replays, as well as delayed information such as the outcomes of games already completed, that are of common interest to one or multiple end users. 
         [0008]    The system allows end users who receive the aggregated content the opportunity to participate with one or more other such users in whatever offering that is provided them on a standardized interactive platform. In a fantasy sports contest example, contestants using different devices might negotiate trades via the standardized platform. 
         [0009]    In addition, the content aggregated by the standardized platform may include a multitude of offerings, received from the information providers, or provided by another entity through the standardized platform, that can be forwarded to the end users. For example, offerings may include sales promotions, subscription enhancements, advertisements, sponsorships, free or pay-for-play games, premium services, prize pool and other fees, T-commerce, personalized video highlights and many other features. The aggregated output may include a message from any sponsor, promoter, advertiser, or other information provider. 
         [0010]    The aggregated content can be sent by the platform to any interactive device to be linked with transmissions from other interactive media such as cable, satellite, telephone and mobile wireless networks, Internet sites, and other providers. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0011]    The drawing FIGURE is a schematic block diagram of an interactive video display system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    An interactive video display system is illustrated in the schematic block diagram of the drawing FIGURE. The FIGURE exemplifies operation in the context of a real-time interactive contest. User sessions are indicated to facilitate explanation of operation. It is to be understood that the system may be used for any interactive communication application, the illustrated interactive contest being merely one example. 
         [0013]    Interactive video device platform  20  is coupled to network  12  for communication with information providers, which may include contest providers in the present example, and also coupled to network  10  for communication with end user interactive video display devices capable of sending commands back through the communication network. Such devices may include, for example, personal computers or television receivers at contestant premises, mobile phones, PDAs or any other communications device. 
         [0014]    Networks  10  and  12 , although represented as separate networks to facilitate description of operation, both collectively represent a wide range of communication media, including cable, satellite, telephone and mobile networks, Internet, and wireless communication. The same or different communication providers may be active as networks  10  and  12  in any particular interchange among remote sites. 
         [0015]    Interactive video device platform  20  comprises input translator coupled to network  12  and provisioning engine  24  coupled to network  10 . Input translator  22  and provisioning engine  24  are each coupled to a processor  26  that, in this example, maintains a real-time contest database. The processor  26  is coupled to correlation engine  28 . 
         [0016]    The input translator  22  can receive one to an unlimited number of simultaneous sessions that may comprise feeds of real-time stats and/or real-time fantasy contest scores. Each input set of input data may be processed via a single thread and correlated by correlation engine  28  with any sponsorship or advertisement by an embedded software engine. Other content, such as ads, promotions, notices, messages, or other items of interest can be added. The input translator determines the communications protocol of the input data and collects other pertinent information about the input data source. The input translator aggregates all feeds into a standard format and assigns a unique ID Container Tag and constructs a confidence level for a potential predicted response. For example, the confidence level assigned by the ID Container Tag enables the input translator to act as an agent to position the data within a contest database for correlation and a quick response or feed directly to the provisioning engine for a more immediate response. 
         [0017]    The contest database  26  stores contextual user information, associated content, and real-time contest information. It develops a profile of each unique contest requester and associates pertinent information from one or more contests. It issues requests to the correlation engine  28  and identifies any promotions specific to the contest and contest requestor profile. The output is generated through the provisioning engine  24  for delivery over multiple communication network protocols 
         [0018]    The correlation engine  28  serves as an intelligent marketing, sales and advertising engine. It processes requests from the contest database  26  and correlates any sponsorship, advertisement or sales promotion by an embedded software engine. For instance, the correlation engine may combine the appropriate local, regional or national promotion by associating the contest with the contest requestor&#39;s database profile. Correlation engine  28  aggregates content for a session and converts the content to a standardized format. The output is generated through provisioning engine  24  for delivery over multiple communication network protocols. 
         [0019]    The input translator determines the communications protocol of the input data and collects other pertinent information about the input data source. The input translator assigns a unique ID Container Tag to the input data and constructs a confidence level for a potential predicted response. Based on the confidence level assigned by the ID Container Tag, the input translator either positions the data within the Contest Database for correlation and a quick response or feeds directly to the Correlation Engine for a more immediate response. 
         [0020]    The term “contest service request” illustrated in the drawing FIGURE indicates any type of request or instruction sent from a communication device to another device via the network. Similarly, the term “contest service response” indicates any type of information provided in response to the contest service request. Thus, the terms contest service request and contest service response may be associated with both networks  10  and  12 . 
         [0021]    The provisioning engine  24  receives information from the Contest Database or Correlation Engine and issues a contest service response in a format acceptable by the communications network and Interactive Video Display. Thus, from the perspective of the Contest Requestor, connections with, for example, a Cable Operator are established in the sense that the Contest Requestor receives the appropriate login requests and content as needed. 
         [0022]    As an example, a contest service request can be a request to a web site based on http protocol. In this example, the content fetched from the web site based on the contest service request is the contest service response. Alternatively, a contest service request can be, for example, an instruction to a software application. In the latter example, the contest service request can be an instruction to conduct a fantasy sports line-up change, which will change the contest data in one or more contests to the communication device based on the instruction. In this example, the revised contest data is the contest service response.