Title: System and method for selectively providing information to a user device
Abstract: A system and method for selectively providing information to a user device includes an event server that provides restricted access to various types of event content information and services related to a particular event. A wireless portable user device may provide an access code to the event server at a particular event location through a wireless base station that is coupled to a local area network. A system user may thereby utilize the user device to access the event server for downloading appropriate event content information and related services until the foregoing access code expires.
Patent Number: 6,957,217 Issued on 10/18/2005 to Raverdy, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Raverdy; Pierre-Guillaume (Santa Clara, CA);
Davies; Nigel A. J. (Lancaster, GB);
Storz; Oliver D. (Sankt Georgen, GB);
Efstratiou; Christos (Lancaster, GB)
|
| Assignee:
|
Sony Corporation (Tokyo, JP);
Sony Electronics Inc. (Park Ridge, NJ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
899437 |
| Filed:
|
July 5, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
707/9 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06F 017/30 |
| Field of Search: |
707/9,104.1
455/414.1
715/700
709/201,232
725/86
463/1
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5602916 | Feb., 1997 | Grube et al.
| |
| 5642303 | Jun., 1997 | Small et al.
| |
| 5732214 | Mar., 1998 | Subrahmanyam.
| |
| 5785043 | Jul., 1998 | Cyrus et al.
| |
| 5929848 | Jul., 1999 | Albukerk et al.
| |
| 6300873 | Oct., 2001 | Kucharczyk et al.
| |
| 6311214 | Oct., 2001 | Rhoads.
| |
| 6493671 | Dec., 2002 | Ladd et al.
| |
| 6584095 | Jun., 2003 | Jacobi et al.
| |
| 6591315 | Jul., 2003 | Bhagat et al.
| |
| 6608549 | Aug., 2003 | Mynatt et al.
| |
| 6614350 | Sep., 2003 | Lunsford et al.
| |
| 6650761 | Nov., 2003 | Rodriguez et al.
| |
| 6659861 | Dec., 2003 | Faris et al.
| |
| 6782253 | Aug., 2004 | Shteyn et al.
| |
Other References
Chen et al, An RTP-based Synchronized Hypermedia Live Lecture System for Distance
Education, PROC. seventh ACM International Conference on Multimedia (Part 1), Oct.
1999, pp 91-99. ISBN: 1-58113-151-8.
|
Primary Examiner: Amsbury; Wayne
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Koerner; Gregory J., Redwood Patent Law
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application relates to, and claims priority in, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/250,944, entitled "Infrastructure To Enhance User Experience
At Live Events," filed on Dec. 1, 2000, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/250,947, entitled "Video Streaming To Personal Wireless Devices For
Live Event Enhancement," filed on Dec. 1, 2000. The foregoing related applications
are commonly assigned, and are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
1. A system for providing event content to a system user, comprising:
an event server configured to manage said event content, said event server providing
a restricted access to said event content over an electronic network; and
a user device configured to communicate with said event server over said electronic
network by performing a wireless communications procedure, said user device including
a processor, a display, a device memory, a sound module, one or more user interfaces,
and input/output interfaces, said input/output interfaces including a wireless
communications interface, a network interface, and a removable memory interface,
said device memory storing user data related to said system user for sending to
said event server to facilitate optimally providing said event content, said user
data including at least one of a user profile, event location information, and
access rights, said access rights including one or more time-stamped access capabilities
that each correspond to a different event service, said time-stamped access capabilities
being provided by said event server after receiving said access code from said
user device, said user device initially providing an access code to said event
server for accessing said event content, said event server responsively providing
said event content to said user device until said access code expires.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said event content includes restricted information
that is related to at least one of a specified event, an event location, and one
or more participants in said specified event.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said user device is implemented as at least
one of a personal digital assistant device, a cellular telephone device, a computer
device, and a portable wireless telecommunications device.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said user device communicates with said event
server through one or more wireless base station transceivers and one or more local
area networks, said user device communicating with said event server through at
least one of a first direct path from said one or more local area networks, an
indirect path from said one or more local area networks through an Internet network,
and a second direct path from said user device directly through said Internet network.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said device memory includes application software,
an operating system, device content information, user data, a login/configuration
module for providing said access code to said event server, a download module for
updating said application software, a profile module, an access rights module,
video streaming support services, and a metadata module for managing ancillary
data related to a particular event.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said event server includes a processor, a display,
a server memory, one or more user interfaces, and input/output interfaces, said
input/output interfaces including at least one of a wireless communications interface
and a network interface.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said server memory includes application software,
an operating system, server content information, users information, a login/configuration
manager, an upload module for updating device application software, a profile manager,
an access rights manager for managing said restricted access to said event content,
a video streaming manager, and a metadata manager for managing ancillary data related
to a particular event.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said users information includes one or more
sets of user data that each relates to a different one of a plurality of system
users for optimally selecting and providing said event content by said event manager,
said sets of user data each including at least event location information or access rights.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said server content information includes at
least one of restricted content, free content and public content, said access rights
manager of said event server allocating said server content information based on
said access code.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said system user initiates a login procedure
during which said user device contacts said event server and provides user data
to said event server, said user data including said access code.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said event server provides configuration information
to said user device after receiving said access code, said user device responsively
performing a configuration procedure.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein said event server provides application update
information to said user device after receiving said user data, said user device
responsively performing an application software update procedure.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein said user device obtains and utilizes said
restricted access to said event content and other event services from said event
server based upon said access code, said access rights manager of said event server
providing authorized restricted content and free content based upon unexpired time-stamped
access capabilities.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said system user performs a logoff procedure
to disconnect from said restricted access to said event server, said system user
performing a subsequent login procedure for reconnecting to said restricted access
of said event server.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein said access code expires when said access
rights manager detects that all time-stamped access capabilities related to said
event content have exceeded a time-stamp threshold value, said event server responsively
terminating said restricted access to said event content.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein multiple user devices access said event server
from multiple event locations by utilizing a plurality of access codes.
17. A method for providing event content to a system user, comprising:
managing said event content with an event server that provides a restricted access
to said event content over an electronic network; and
communicating with said event server over said electronic network with a user
device that performs a wireless communications procedure, said user device including
a processor, a display, a device memory, a sound module, one or more user interfaces,
and input/output interfaces, said input/output interfaces including a wireless
communications interface, a network interface, and a removable memory interface,
said device memory storing user data related to said system user for sending to
said event server to facilitate optimally providing said event content, said user
data including at least one of a user profile, event location information, and
access rights, said access rights including one or more time-stamped access capabilities
that each correspond to a different event service, said time-stamped access capabilities
being provided by said event server after receiving said access code from said
user device, said user device initially providing an access code to said event
server for accessing said event content, said event server responsively providing
said event content to said user device until said access code expires.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said event content includes restricted information
that is related to at least one of a specified event, an event location, and one
or more participants in said specified event.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein said user device is implemented as at least
one of a personal digital assistant device, a cellular telephone device, a computer
device, and a portable wireless telecommunications device.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein said user device communicates with said event
server through one or more wireless base station transceivers and one or more local
area networks, said user device communicating with said event server through at
least one of a first direct path from said one or more local area networks, an
indirect path from said one or more local area networks through an Internet network,
and a second direct path from said user device directly through said Internet network.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein said device memory includes application software,
an operating system, device content information, user data, a login/configuration
module for providing said access code to said event server, a download module for
updating said application software, a profile module, an access rights module,
video streaming support services, and a metadata module for managing ancillary
data related to a particular event.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein said device memory stores user data related
to said system user for sending to said event server to facilitate optimally providing
said event content, said user data including at least event location information
or access rights.
23. The method of claim 17 wherein said event server includes a processor, a
display, a server memory, one or more user interfaces, and input/output interfaces,
said input/output interfaces including at least one of a wireless communications
interface and a network interface.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said server memory includes application software,
an operating system, server content information, users information, a login/configuration
manager, an upload module for updating device application software, a profile manager,
an access rights manager for managing said restricted access to said event, content,
a video streaming manager, and a metadata manager for managing ancillary data related
to a particular event.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said users information includes one or more
sets of user data that each relates to a different one of a plurality of system
users for optimally selecting and providing said event content by said event manager,
said sets of user data each including at least event location information or access rights.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein said server content information includes at
least one of restricted content, free content and public content, said access rights
manager of said event server allocating said server content information based said
access code.
27. The method of claim 17 wherein said system user initiates a login procedure
during which said user device contacts said event server and provides user data
to said event server, said user data including said access code.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein said event server provides configuration information
to said user device after receiving said access code, said user device responsively
performing a configuration procedure.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said event server provides application update
information to said user device after receiving said user data, said user device
responsively performing an application software update procedure.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein said user device obtains and utilizes said
restricted access to said event content and other event services from said event
server based upon said access code, said access rights manager of said event server
providing authorized restricted content and free content based upon unexpired time-stamped
access capabilities.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said system user performs a logoff procedure
to disconnect from said restricted access to said event server, said system user
performing a subsequent login procedure for reconnecting to said restricted access
of said event server.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein said access code expires when said access
rights manager detects that all time-stamped access capabilities related to said
event content have exceeded a time-stamp threshold value, said event server responsively
terminating said restricted access to said event content.
33. The method of claim 17 wherein multiple user devices access said event server
from multiple event locations by utilizing a plurality of access codes.
34. The method of claim 17 wherein said system user utilizes said user device
to provide user feedback information to said event server.
35. The method of claim 17 wherein said system user utilizes said user device
to communicate with said event server for purchasing an admission to a future event.
36. A system for providing event content to a system user, comprising:
an event server configured to manage said event content, said event server providing
a restricted access to said event content over an electronic network; and
a user device configured to communicate with said event server over said electronic
network by performing a wireless communications procedure, said user device initially
providing an access code to said event server for accessing said event content,
said user device having one or more time-stamped access capabilities that are each
utilized to access a different event service, said time-stamped access capabilities
being provided by said event server after receiving said access code from said
user device.
Description
BACKGROUND SECTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to techniques for accessing information, and
relates more particularly to a system and method for selectively providing information
to a user device.
2. Description of the Background Art
Implementing effective methods for accessing information is a significant
consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary electronic devices.
However, effectively accessing information with electronic devices may create substantial
challenges for system designers. For example, enhanced demands for increased device
functionality and performance may require more system processing power and require
additional hardware resources. An increase in processing or hardware requirements
may also result in a corresponding detrimental economic impact due to increased
production costs and operational inefficiencies.
Furthermore, enhanced device capability to perform various advanced
operations may provide additional benefits to a system user, but may also place
increased demands on the control and management of various device components. For
example, an enhanced electronic device that effectively accesses, stores, displays,
and manipulates digital image data may benefit from an efficient implementation
because of the large amount and complexity of the digital data involved.
Due to growing demands on system resources and substantially increasing data
magnitudes, it is apparent that developing new techniques for accessing information
is a matter of concern for related electronic technologies. Therefore, for all
the foregoing reasons, developing effective systems for accessing information remains
a significant consideration for designers, manufacturers, and users of contemporary
electronic devices.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for
selectively providing information to a user device. In one embodiment, an electronic
system may preferably include, but is not limited to, a user device, a base station,
a local area network (LAN), an event server, and an Internet network. The user
device may preferably be implemented as any appropriate type of electronic device.
For example, the user device may be configured as a portable wireless telecommunications device.
In certain embodiments, the user device may preferably communicate bidirectionally
with the base station which may include a radio-frequency transceiver system to
transmit and receive wireless communications to and from the user device. The base
station may preferably be coupled to the LAN which may preferably be implemented
at a particular event location. For example, the LAN and the base station may be
located at a movie theater, a sporting venue, or a sports bar. In certain embodiments,
the electronic system may include multiple base stations coupled to one or more
different LANs.
In one embodiment, the LAN may preferably communicate directly with the event
server which may preferably include various types of event services or event information
related to a particular event or event location. In another embodiment, the LAN
may preferably include a computer device for connecting to the Internet which may
then responsively communicate with the event server. In accordance with the present
invention, the user device may thus access relevant event information from the
event server via the LAN and the base station. In certain circumstances, the user
device may also communicate directly with the Internet to access the event server.
During the utilization of the foregoing embodiment, a system user may initially
purchase an admission to a particular event or event location. The system user
may then preferably receive an access code corresponding to the particular event
or event location. Subsequently, the system user may preferably enter the event
location and there determine whether to perform a login procedure with the user
device to thereby gain access to the event server. During the login procedure,
the user device may preferably provide the foregoing access code to the event server.
In certain embodiments, the user device may also provide various other types of
user data to the event server.
The user device may then preferably perform a configuration procedure with configuration
information downloaded from the event server. In addition, when appropriate, the
user device may also update device application software to correspond to a latest
software version for the particular event or event location. The user device may
then preferably access and utilize various restricted services and restricted content
information relating to the particular event from the event server. In certain
embodiments, the event server may preferably regulate access to the various restricted
services and content information based upon time-stamped access capabilities corresponding
to the access code provided by the user device to the event server during the foregoing
login procedure.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the event server
may
periodically determine whether access rights for the user device have expired.
For example, an access rights manager of the event server may preferably monitor
corresponding time-stamped capabilities to determine whether various access rights
of the particular user device have expired. In one embodiment, when the event server
determines that the access rights of a user device have expired, then access to
the restricted event content and services may preferably be terminated. The present
invention thus provides an improved system and method for selectively providing
information to a user device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic system, in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the user device of FIG. 1, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the device memory of FIG. 2,
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the user data of FIG. 3, in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the event server of FIG. 1,
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the server memory of FIG. 5,
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the users information of FIG.
6, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the server content information
of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of method steps for selectively providing information
to a user device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in information management techniques.
The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art
to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application
and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein
may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended
to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The present invention comprises a system and method for selectively providing
information to a user device, and may preferably include an event server that provides
restricted access to various types of event content information and services related
to a particular event. A wireless portable user device may provide an access code
to the event server at a particular event location through a wireless base station
that is coupled to a local area network. A system user may thereby utilize the
user device to access the event server for downloading appropriate event content
information and related services until the foregoing access code expires.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an electronic system
110
is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the FIG.
1 embodiment, electronic system
110 may preferably include, but is not limited
to, a user device
114, a base station
122, a local area network (LAN)
130, an event server
138, an Internet network
150, and a cellular
network
166. In alternate embodiments, electronic system
110 may
readily be implemented using various components and configurations in addition
to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 1 embodiment. For
example, in certain embodiments, electronic system
110 may readily be configured
to include multiple base stations
122 and/or multiple event servers
138.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, user device
114 may preferably be implemented
as any appropriate type of electronic device. For example, user device
114
may be configured as a portable wireless telecommunications device. The configuration
and functionality of user device
114 is further discussed below in conjunction
with FIGS. 2 and 3.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, user device
114 may preferably communicate bidirectionally
with base station
122 via path
118. Base station
122 may preferably
be implemented in any appropriate manner. For example, base station
122
may include a radio-frequency transceiver system to transmit and receive wireless
communications to and from user device
114. Base station
122 may
preferably be coupled to LAN
130 via path
126.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, LAN
130 may preferably be implemented at a particular
event location. For example, LAN
130 and base station
122 may be
located at a movie theater, a sporting venue, or a sports bar. In certain embodiments,
electronic system
110 may include multiple base stations
122 coupled
to one or more different LANs
130. For example, a movie theater may include
an entrance LAN
130 outside the theater, a lobby LAN
130 in the theater
lobby, and a screening room LAN
130 for the area in which movies are displayed.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, LAN
130 may preferably communicate directly
with
event server
138 via path
134. Event server
138 may preferably
include various types of event services or event information related to a particular
event or event location. In certain embodiments, LAN
130 may preferably
include a computer device (not shown) for connecting to Internet
150 via
path
146. Internet
150 may then responsively communicate with event
server
138 via path
154. The implementation and functionality of
event server
138 is further discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 5
and 6.
In accordance with the present invention, user device
114 may thus access
relevant event information from event server via base station
122 and LAN
130. In certain circumstances, user device
114 may also communicate
directly with Internet
150 via path
158 to access event server
138.
For example, user device
114 may be utilized to access event server
138
before or after attending a particular event location. In addition, user device
114 may also communicate with cellular network
166 via path
162
to thereby access Internet
150 and event server
138 via path
170.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
1 user device
114 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In
the FIG. 2 embodiment, user device
114 preferably includes, but is not limited
to, a central processing unit (CPU)
212, a user interface
214, a
device memory
216, a display
218, one or more input/output interface(s)
(I/O interface(s))
220, and a sound module
224. The foregoing components
of user device
114 may preferably be coupled to, and communicate through,
a device bus
228.
In alternate embodiments, user device
114 may readily be implemented using
various components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, those discussed
in conjunction with the FIG. 2 embodiment. In addition, user device
114
may be implemented as any desired type of electronic device. For example, in certain
embodiments, user device
114 may include a personal digital assistant (PDA)
device, a cellular telephone device, a computer device, or any portable electronic
device that supports wireless electronic communications.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, CPU
212 may be implemented to include any appropriate
and compatible microprocessor device that preferably executes software instructions
to thereby control and manage the operation of user device
114. The FIG.
2 display
218 preferably may include any effective type of display technology
including a cathode-ray-tube monitor or a liquid-crystal display device.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, I/O interface(s)
220 preferably may include
one
or more input and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any required
types of information by user device
114. For example, in the FIG. 2 embodiment,
user device
114 may utilize I/O interface(s)
220 to bi-directionally
communicate with various types of wireless communications devices through a wireless
communications interface. The wireless communications interface may preferably
include any effective means to remotely communicate with an external entity such
as LAN
130 (FIG. 1) or Internet
150, to thereby exchange relevant
information for successful operation of user device
114.
In addition, user device
114 may utilize the wireless communications interface
to download various types of content information and other data from a wireless
source such as base station
122 (FIG.
1). The foregoing wireless
communications interface may be implemented using any appropriate wireless technology,
including radio-frequency transmission, infrared transmission, or microwave transmission.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, user device
114 may also utilize I/O interface(s)
220 to bi-directionally communicate with one or more distributed computer
networks. For example, user device
114 may advantageously communicate with
the Internet, a local area network, or other distributed computer networks to upload
or download various types of information.
User device
114 may also utilize I/O interface(s)
220 to bi-directionally
communicate with a host computer. For example, user device
114 may communicate
with a personal computer device over a Universal Ser. Bus (USB) to effectively
upload or download various types of information. Similarly, in the FIG. 2 embodiment,
user device
114 may utilize I/O interface(s)
220 to bi-directionally
communicate with a cellular telephone network to preferably transfer any desired information.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, one or more removable storage media interfaces may
preferably
be utilized to receive or send any desired data for user device
114. For
example, various types of removable storage media may provide means for bi-directional
transfers of content information and other data between user device
114
and other appropriate entities. In certain embodiments, the removable storage media
may include memory devices to support any desired type or combination of removable
storage media. For example, the removable storage media may support memory sticks,
flash memory devices, compact disks, mini-disks, or floppy disks.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, device memory
216 may be implemented to include
any combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only
memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and various types of non-volatile memory,
such as floppy disks or hard disks. The contents and functionality of device memory
216 are further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
3.
Sound module
224 preferably may include appropriate interfaces to support
audio functionality for user device
114. For example, in certain embodiments,
sound module
224 may include, but is not limited to, an audio processing
module, a power amplifier, one or more speaker devices, and a microphone device.
In the FIG. 2 embodiment, user interface
214 may preferably include any
effective means to allow a system user to communicate with user device
114.
For example, user interface
214 may support a keyboard device, a wireless
remote control device, a speech-recognition module with corresponding microphone,
a graphical user interface with touch-screen capability, or a selection button
array mounted externally on user device
114. The functionality and utilization
of user device
114 is further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
9.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
2 device memory
216 is shown, in accordance with the present invention.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, device memory
216 preferably includes, but is
not limited to, application software
312, an operating system
314,
device content information
316, user data
318, a login/configuration
module
320, a download module
322, a profile module
324, an
access rights module
326, streaming services
328, and a metadata
module
330. In alternate embodiments, device memory
216 may readily
include various other components in addition to, or instead of, those components
discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 3 embodiment.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, application software
312 may include program
instructions that are preferably executed by CPU
212 (FIG. 2) to perform
various functions and operations for user device
114. The particular nature
and functionality of application software
312 preferably varies depending
upon factors such as the specific type and particular use of the corresponding
user device
114. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, operating system
314 preferably
controls and coordinates low-level functionality of user device
114. Device
content information
316 preferably includes various types of data that is
preferably stored in device memory
216. Device content information
316
preferably may include various types of image data or other types of information.
User data
318 may preferably include any information pertaining to the utilization
of user device
114 by one or more system users. User data
318 is
further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
4.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, login/configuration module
320 may preferably
initiate bidirectional communications between user device
114 and another
entity in electronic system
110. For example, login/configuration module
320 may perform a login procedure to initially connect user device
114
to event server
138 via LAN
130 or via Internet
150. In the
FIG. 3 embodiment, login/configuration module
320 may preferably initially
provide an access code and other user data
318 to event server
138
which may responsively send appropriate configuration information to user device
114. Login/configuration module
320 may then perform a configuration
procedure by utilizing the downloaded configuration information from event server
138 to effectively configure user device
114 in an optimal manner
for accessing event server
138 in conjunction with a particular event at
a corresponding event location.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, download module
324 may preferably download
and
install appropriate application software
312 for use at a particular event
or event location. Download module
324 may also initially determine whether
a version of the application software
312 already exists on user device
114, and may then perform an update procedure if the current version of
application software
312 is outdated.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, profile module
324 may preferably create, edit,
and manage one or more user profiles that may be transmitted to event server
138
during a login procedure. Profile module
324 may also maintain a list of
profile recipients that have previously received one or more different user profiles
from profile module
324. User profiles are further discussed below in conjunction
with FIG.
4.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, access rights module
326 may preferably communicate
with event server
138 regarding access rights of user device
114.
For example, access rights module
326 may preferably receive one or more
time-stamped access capabilities for various services on event server
138.
Access rights module
326 may also receive an encryption key for decrypting
content information that has been encrypted by event server
138 prior to
transmission to user device
114. Access rights are further discussed below
in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 8.
In the FIG. 3 embodiment, streaming services
328 may preferably support
receiving, processing, and displaying various types of streaming video information
from event server
138. Similarly, metadata module
330 may preferably
support receiving, processing, and displaying various types of metadata information
from event server
138. For example, metadata module
330 may manage
and provide various types of ancillary information that is related to a particular
event, such as event participant statistics or other background information.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
3 user data
318 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In the
FIG. 4 embodiment, user data
318 may include, but is not limited to, one
or more user profiles
412, location information
416, and access rights
420. In alternate embodiments, user data
318 may readily include
various other components in addition to, or instead of, those components discussed
in conjunction with the FIG. 4 embodiment.
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, user profiles
412 may include any information
related to a system user of user device
114. In certain embodiments, user
profiles
412 may include a basic device profile that only describes basic
functionality of user device
114. The foregoing device profile may typically
be provided to event server
138 to gain access by a single user device
114
to basic services and content information.
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, user profiles
412 may also include one or more
authentic user profiles that selectively describe various personal characteristics
and usage traits of a particular system user of user device
114. In accordance
with the present invention, user profiles
412 may also include one or more
virtual user profiles that selectively describe various personal characteristics
and usage traits of a fictitious system user of user device
114. In the
FIG. 4 embodiment, user profiles
412 may also include one or more location
profiles that describe a system configuration of a particular location (such as
a system user's home network) to enable event server
138 to provide appropriate
services and content information based upon a particular location profile.
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, location information
416 may preferably include
any relevant information pertaining to one or more particular event locations.
Location information
416 may be obtained in any suitable manner. For example,
location information
416 may be provided by a system user by utilizing user
interface
214 (FIG.
2). In accordance with the present invention,
location information
416 may be provided to event server
138 in order
to facilitate access to appropriate services and content information related to
a corresponding event location.
In the FIG. 4 embodiment, access rights
420 may include one or more access
codes for logging onto event server
138. Access codes may be obtained in
any effective manner. For example, a system user may obtain an access code when
purchasing admission to a particular event, and may responsively enter the access
code using user interface
214. Alternately, an access code may be electronically
transferred to user device
114. For example, a wireless "beaming" technique
may utilize infrared or radio-frequency transmission to provide an access code
to user device
114. Each of the foregoing access codes may preferably be
associated with one or more time-stamped access capabilities for accessing corresponding
services and content information from event server
138. Access rights to
various types of server content information is further discussed below in conjunction
with FIG.
8.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
1 event server
138 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In
the FIG. 5 embodiment, event server
138 preferably includes, but is not
limited to, a central processing unit (CPU)
512, a user interface
514,
a server memory
516, a display
518, and one or more input/output
interface(s) (I/O interface(s))
520. The foregoing components of event server
138 may preferably be coupled to, and communicate through, a server bus
528.
In alternate embodiments, event server
138 may readily be implemented
using
various components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, those discussed
in conjunction with the FIG. 5 embodiment. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, CPU
512
may be implemented to include any appropriate and compatible microprocessor device
that preferably executes software instructions to thereby control and manage the
operation of event server
138. The FIG. 5 display
518 preferably
may include any effective type of display technology including a cathode-ray-tube
monitor or a liquid-crystal display device.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, I/O interface(s)
520 preferably may include
one
or more input and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any required
types of information by event server
138. For example, in the FIG. 5 embodiment,
event server
138 may utilize I/O interface(s)
520 to bi-directionally
communicate with various types of wireless communications devices through a wireless
communications interface. The wireless communications interface may preferably
include any effective means to remotely communicate with an external entity such
as LAN
130 (FIG. 1) or Internet
150, to thereby exchange relevant
information for successful operation of event server
138.
In addition, event server
138 may utilize the wireless communications
interface
to download various types of information and other data from a wireless source
such as user device
114 (FIG.
1). The foregoing wireless communications
interface may be implemented using any appropriate wireless technology, including
radio-frequency transmission, infra-red transmission, or micro-wave transmission.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, event server
138 may also utilize I/O interface(s)
520 to bi-directionally communicate with one or more distributed computer
networks. For example, event server
138 may advantageously communicate with
the Internet, a local area network such as LAN
130, or other distributed
computer networks to upload or download various types of information.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, server memory
516 may be implemented to include
any combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only
memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and various types of non-volatile memory,
such as floppy disks or hard disks. The contents and functionality of server memory
516 are further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
6.
In the FIG. 5 embodiment, user interface
514 may preferably include any
effective means to allow a system user to communicate with event server
138.
For example, user interface
514 may support a keyboard device, a display
device, and/or other devices. The functionality and utilization of event server
138 is further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
9.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
5 server memory
516 is shown, in accordance with the present invention.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, server memory
516 preferably includes, but is
not limited to, application software
612, an operating system
614,
server content information
616, users information
618, a login/configuration
manager
620, an upload module
622, a profile manager
624,
an access rights manager
626, a streaming manager
628, and a metadata
manager
630. In alternate embodiments, server memory
516 may readily
include various other components in addition to, or instead of, those components
discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 6 embodiment.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, application software
612 may include program
instructions that are preferably executed by CPU
512 (FIG. 5) to perform
various functions and operations for event server
138. The particular nature
and functionality of application software
612 preferably varies depending
upon factors such as the specific type and particular use of the corresponding
event server
138. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, operating system
614
preferably controls and coordinates low-level functionality of event server
138.
Server content information
616 preferably includes various types of data
and services that are preferably stored in server memory
516. The organization
of server content information is further discussed below in conjunction with FIG.
8. Users information
618 may preferably include information pertaining
to various systems users. Users information
618 is further discussed below
in conjunction with FIG.
7.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, login/configuration manager
620 may preferably
manage bi-directional communications between event server
138 and another
entity in electronic system
110. For example, login/configuration manager
620 may participate in a login procedure to initially connect a user device
114 to event server
138 via LAN
130 or via Internet
150
(see FIG.
1). In the FIG. 6 embodiment, login/configuration manager
620
may preferably initially receive an access code and other user data
318
from a user device
114. Login/configuration manager
620 may then
preferably participate in a configuration procedure by responsively providing appropriate
configuration information to the particular user device
114. The user device
114 may then utilize the configuration information to effectively configure
the user device
114 in an optimal manner for accessing event server
138
in conjunction with a particular event at a corresponding event location.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, upload module
624 may preferably provide appropriate
device application software
312 (FIG. 2) for use at a particular event or
event location to user device
114. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, profile manager
624 may preferably manage and utilize one or more user profiles
412
that may be transmitted to event server
138 during a login procedure. Profile
manager
624 may also maintain a list of one or more location profiles that
each correspond to a particular event location. Event server
138 may preferably
utilize the location profiles in conjunction with location information
416
(FIG. 4) from a user device
114 to provide appropriate server content information
to a user device
114.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, access rights manager
626 may preferably communicate
with user device
114 regarding access rights of a particular system user.
For example, access rights manager
626 may preferably provide one or more
time-stamped access capabilities to user device
114 for various services
on event server
138. Access rights manager
626 may also provide an
encryption key for decrypting content information that has been encrypted by event
server
138 prior to transmission to user device
114. Access rights
to server content information
616 are further discussed below in conjunction
with FIG.
8.
In the FIG. 6 embodiment, streaming manager
628 may preferably support
processing and transmitting various types of streaming video information from event
server
138. Similarly, metadata manager
630 may preferably support
processing and transmitting various types of metadata information from event server
138. For example, metadata manager
630 may manage and provide various
types of ancillary information that is related to a particular event, such as event
participant statistics or other background information.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
6 users information
618 is shown, in accordance with the present invention.
In alternate embodiments of the present invention, users information
618
may readily be implemented to include various other configurations, and may also
include various items and components that are different from those discussed in
conjunction with the FIG. 7 embodiment.
In the FIG. 7 embodiment, as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 6, event
server
138 may store various sets of users information
618 that preferably
may include individual sets of user data
1 (
714(
a)) through
user data N (
714(
c)) which each preferably corresponds with a specific
system user of a respective user device
114. In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the
various system users may be identified as a respective user
1 (
712(
a))
through user N (
712(
c)). In the FIG. 7 embodiment, users information
618 may preferably include any type of information or data that may be received
from any appropriate information source.
In certain embodiments, each user device
114 in electronic system
110
may provide event server
138 with various of types of user data
318
stored in the respective user devices
114 (see FIG.
4). For example,
users information
618 may preferably include user profiles
412, location
information
418, and access rights
420 from sets of user data
318
of the various user devices
114. Event server
138 may then advantageously
refer to users information
618 in order to provide appropriate services
and content information to the individual user devices
114.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram for one embodiment of the FIG.
6 server content information
616 is shown, in accordance with the present
invention. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, server content information
616 may
preferably include, but is not limited to, restricted content
812, free
content
816, and public content
820. In alternate embodiments, server
content information
616 may readily be implemented using various components
and configurations in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction
with the FIG. 8 embodiment.
In the FIG. 8 embodiment, restricted content
812 may preferably include
various types of enhanced content information and services that event server
138
may preferably only transmit to those user devices
114 that provide an appropriate
access code with unexpired access capabilities for accessing the enhanced restricted
content
812. Gaining access to restricted content
812 may typically
require additional monetary payment to a service provider.
In addition, free content
816 may preferably include various types of
content
information that event server
138 may transmit to any user devices
114
that provide an appropriate access code with unexpired access capabilities for
accessing the free content
816. Gaining access to free content
816
may potentially not require additional monetary payment to a service provider.
Server content information
616 may also include public content
820
that may be accessed by anyone via user device
114. In the FIG. 8 embodiment,
public content
820 is shown as part of server content information
616,
however, in other embodiments, public content
820 may be accessed from any
appropriate source. For example, public content
820 may be accessed directly
from Internet
150 (FIG. 1) by utilizing user device
114.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of method steps for selectively providing
information to a user device
114 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. The FIG. 9 example is presented for purposes of illustration,
and, in alternate embodiments, the present invention may readily utilize various
other steps and sequences than those discussed in conjunction with the FIG. 9 embodiment.
In the FIG. 9 embodiment, initially, in step
912, a system user may preferably
purchase an admission to a particular event or event location. Then, in step
916
the system user may preferably receive an access code corresponding to the particular
event or event location. In step
920, the system user may preferably enter
the event location.
Next, in step
924, the system user may preferably determine whether
to perform a login procedure with user device
114 to thereby gain access
to event server
138. During the login procedure, user device
114
may preferably provide the foregoing access code received in step
916 to
event server
138. In certain embodiments, user device
114 may also
provide other user data
318 to event server
138.
In step
928, user device
114 may preferably perform a configuration
procedure with configuration information downloaded from event server
138.
In addition, when appropriate, user device
114 may also update application
software
312 to correspond to a latest software version for the event or
event location. Then, in step
932, user device
114 may preferably
access and utilize various services and content information from event server
138.
In the FIG. 9 embodiment, event server
138 may preferably regulate access
to various services and content information based upon time-stamped access capabilities
corresponding to the access code provided by user device
114 to event server
138 during the foregoing login procedure. In certain embodiments, a system
user may utilize user device
114 to provide various types of user feedback
to event server
138 regarding a current event or event location. In addition,
a system user may also communicate with event server
138 to perform various
event-related activities such as ordering admission tickets or event notifications
for future events.
In step
936, the system user may preferably determine whether to perform
a logoff procedure with user device
114 to thereby terminate access to event
server
138. If the system user determines to perform a logoff procedure,
then the FIG. 9 process may preferably return to foregoing step
924 until
the system user initiates another login procedure. Alternately, in step
940,
event server
13
