Patent ID: 7856242

Claim:
A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine to allow the machine to interface with a system for enabling interactive participation by audience members viewing a live entertainment event at a venue, the machine having capability (i) to receive and transmit messages, (ii) accept input via a user interface, and (iii) display messages on an electronic display, the system comprising: a wireless communication system adapted to transmit and receive messages with the interactive device; a means for querying the audience members to respond to at least one query with answers entered through the user interface and transmitted by the interactive device; a means for receiving the answers at a central processing station or distributed processing stations; a means for storing the received answers as audience data; a central processor adapted to receive and process the audience data into results, wherein one or more of the audience members are physically located at a place that is outside of a direct, in-person view of the live entertainment event at the venue.