WO2006116081A2 - Determining scores, winners and prizes in a contest - Google Patents

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides a method including generating a graphic indicating a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators at a stadium. The method further includes displaying the graphic to the spectators on a large-scale television screen at the stadium. The method further includes providing a wireless data link to portable communication devices associated with the spectators, and using this link to receive data input from multiple spectators relating to the selection invitation.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING REAL-TIME SELECTIONS FROM SPECTATORS AT A STADIUM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to obtaining real-time, interactive selections from spectators at sporting events and the like, for example in a voting application.

Background of the Invention

A particularly popular form of betting relates to sporting events. One reason for this popularity is the intrinsic interest of a sporting event itself, such as a tennis match, a game of cricket, and so on. Fans read and discuss such events in advance of the actual event, and then watch the event as it occurs. In such circumstances, placing a bet relating to the sporting event becomes part of the overall experience and enjoyment of the event. Another attraction of betting on sporting events is that the outcome is not purely random in the sense say of a lottery draw. As a result, fans may feel that some particular knowledge or insight gives them an increased chance of winning. A further factor is that many aspects of sporting events are amenable to betting, for example there can be. bets on the winner of an event, the winning and/or losing scores, the margin of victory, the timing of certain occurrences during the event, e.g. of goals in a football match, and so on.

Many sports bets are placed at premises run by bookmakers. In recent years, the use of the Internet and the Worldwide Web has also provided a popular channel for sports betting. In addition, there are often opportunities for spectators actually present at a venue for an event to place bets on the event, typically by going to some booth or stall at the stadium venue. Note that such spectators represent an attractive market for bookmakers, since their presence at the live event suggests a strong interest in the occasion, which may well manifest itself in a desire to bet on the outcome.

However, in practical terms, it can often be somewhat awkward for a spectator at a sporting event to place a bet. Thus if the spectator has to attend a particular location in the stadium such as a booth in order to make a bet, the spectator has to leave their seat for this purpose. Moving around a busy and crowded stadium is often cumbersome, and may result in the spectator not seeing some of the sporting action while going to make the bet. In summary therefore, many spectators at a sporting venue do not make bets on the event because it is awkward and inconvenient for them to do so.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention provides a method that includes generating a graphic providing a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators attending a live sporting event at a stadium. The graphic is displayed to the spectators on a large-scale television screen at the stadium. A wireless data link is supported, which allows data input responding to the selection invitation to be received from portable communication devices associated with the spectators.

The selection invitation may take a range of formats. For example, it may provide the spectators with an opportunity to bet on various outcomes associated with sporting events, or to enter a competition whose result is dependent on such outcomes. Another possibility is that the selection invitation is used to canvas the opinion of spectators at the stadium regarding the event in progress.

The spectators attending a live sporting event at a stadium are already known to have a strong interest in the event, and hence represent a particularly attractive market for bookmakers and the organisers of other forms of competitions and surveys related to the sports event. Unlike existing solutions, the approach described herein allows these spectators to respond to a selection invitation without having to leave their seat or location within the stadium, thereby increasing the likelihood of a spectator participating in the selection invitation.

The approach described herein uses a large-scale television or video screen at the stadium to provide output to the spectators, and portable communications devices such as mobile (cell) telephones to receive input back from the spectators. Note that many sports stadia are already equipped with such large-scale television screens, and many spectators already take mobile telephones along to sporting events. Hence the underlying infrastructure to support the approach described herein is already in place.

In one embodiment at least some of said portable communication devices comprise mobile telephone, and the wireless data link supports SMS or text messaging to submit data input from the mobile telephones. A portable communication device may also comprise a handheld computing device, which may then use the Internet as the wireless data link.

In one embodiment, the data input is received in conjunction with information identifying the spectator who is providing the data input (this is especially useful if there is the potential for having to return prize money to the spectator). Such identifying information may comprise a seat number for the spectator. In another embodiment, the identifying information is derived from the portable communication device from which the data input was sent - for example, it represents the telephone number associated with a mobile telephone. In some embodiments, the identifying information may be used to link the spectator providing the data input to a registered account. The account information can also be useful in obtaining revenue from the spectator in respect of the data input, for example as a betting stake, as well as for ensuring that under-age spectators are only able to participate as appropriate (e.g. they are not able to place bets).

In some embodiments, the large-scale television screen may be used to display information relating to the winner of the selection invitation. Alternatively (or additionally) some other mechanism(s) may be used to send notifications to prize winners. For example, such notifications may be sent over the same wireless link as that originally used to receive the data input from the relevant spectator.

The approach described herein therefore provides a localised, closed-loop display system, whereby computer graphics can be presented for display at a stadium to provide spectators at the stadium with a selection invitation relating to the event currently in progress at the stadium. The spectators can then use mobile telephones or other similar devices to respond to the selection invitation, without interrupting their enjoyment of the event, and without disrupting other spectators by having to leave their seat or position in the stadium. The ability to perform local control of the selection invitation allows it to be tailored to the event in progress at the stadium and the action so far. This helps to maximise the interest for the spectators attending the event, who can therefore be directly targeted by the selection invitation

Another embodiment of the invention provides apparatus comprising: a graphic engine for generating a graphic representing a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators at a stadium; a large-scale television screen at the stadium for displaying the graphic; and a communications interface to at least one wireless data link. The interface enables data input relating to the selection invitation to be received from portable communication devices associated with spectators at the stadium.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a computer program and a computer program product comprising machine instructions for implementing a method such as described above. The computer program product may be provided as a set of instructions recorded onto a physical medium, such as a CD, a DVD, and so on, or encoded into a transmission medium on a wireless or wired network such as the Internet. In either case, such instructions can then be loaded into a computer system for execution. It will be appreciated that the computer program product, along with the apparatus embodiment, may utilise and benefit from the same particular features as described above in relation to the method embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates apparatus for providing a real-time selection opportunity for spectators at a stadium in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a real-time selection opportunity for spectators at a stadium in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates apparatus 100 for enabling spectators at a sports stadium to participate in a live, interactive selection process, for example for betting or voting, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system operates at a sports stadium 120, which can be any appropriate venue for a sporting event such as tennis, cricket, baseball, basketball, hockey and ice hockey, football (soccer) and American football, rugby, athletics, motor racing, swimming, and so on. The stadium may be an indoor or outdoor venue. The stadium may be arranged to provide formalised seating such as terraces for the spectators, designated standing areas, or to have any other appropriate configuration. It is assumed that a large number of spectators, perhaps hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands, are present at the stadium 120 for a particular sporting event.

The stadium is provided with one or more large-scale screens 122. Each of these screens is visible to a substantial number of spectators present at the stadium 120 while the spectators are in their seats or normal positions for viewing the event in progress at the stadium. Such screens are now commonplace at many sporting venues. They are often used for showing video programming comprising live coverage of the event, including replays of particular action, such as a goal in a football match. The screen can also be used to provide graphical information (including text and images) to the spectators. This information may relate to the event itself, such as the names of the players in a particular team, the current score and rankings, as well as sponsorship details, or any other suitable information.

In general the screen 122 is under the control of a screen management computer 190 which is on site at the stadium 120. The computer 190 includes a graphic control subsystem 195, which is used to provide graphical output 124 for screen 122. In addition, computer 190 may also receive a live video feed from one or more cameras (not shown) that are monitoring action at the stadium, and this can also be forwarded to screen 122. Computer 190 can therefore be used to select and control the video and/or graphical information that is displayed on screen 122. The skilled person will be aware of various alternative or additional methods and configurations for controlling the output of screen 122. For example, computer 190 may be remote from stadium 120, and therefore linked to screen 122 by an appropriate data connection (wired or unwired) in order to transmit content and control information to screen 122. In addition, computer 190 may have access to stored video programming, for example highlights of previous fixtures, and these might also be available for display on screen 122. Many other possibilities will be apparent to the skilled person.

In general, it is likely that a significant proportion of the spectators within stadium 120 are in possession of a portable client communications device 126. In many cases, communications device 126 will comprise a mobile telephone (cell phone) 126A, 126B, 126C, while other spectators may have some form of handheld computing device, such as handheld device 126D.

Each of the client devices 126 incorporates a mechanism for wireless communications with a central computer 170. The precise nature of this communication facility depends on the particular type and functionality of the relevant client device 126. For example, handheld device 126D may support a wireless link to the Internet 180, which can then be used to communicate with central computer 170, either directly or perhaps indirectly such as via some intermediate web server. Stadium 120 may provide a wireless local area network (LAN) facility (also known as "WiFi"), such as specified by IEEE standard 802.11, in order to support such network data communications.

If the client device comprises a mobile telephone 126A, 126B and 126C, then the simple message service (SMS) may be used to transmit a text message over the mobile telephone network to an SMS server 160, which can then forward the message to central computer 170 over any appropriate communications link (including potentially the Internet 180). Mobile telephones may also use other mechanisms, such as the wireless application protocol (WAP), for transmitting data to computer 170. The skilled person will be aware of many further possible mechanisms and configurations for transmitting data from client devices 126 to central computer 170. It will be appreciated that particular embodiments of system 100 may support only certain types of client device, and then only certain types of communication with those devices. In general, it is expected that system 100 will as a minimum support some form of input from mobile telephones, since this is the type of client device that a spectator is most likely to bring to a sporting event. For example, in one embodiment, system 100 may only support input from spectators in the form of text (SMS) messages from a mobile telephone. Note that the use of wireless communications for client device 126 allows spectators to submit responses without leaving their seats or positions in stadium 120, and generally requires only minimal interruption in their attention to the sporting event in progress at stadium 120 (it will be appreciated that many sporting events are subject to short breaks anyway, such as for a time-out or injury stoppage).

The central computer 170 is used as a server to collect and collate the input from the spectators at stadium 120. This input may then be stored if required in database 175. Database 175 may also be used to store other information to help identify the owners of mobile devices 126, such as seat allocations, registration details, and so on (as discussed in more detail below). It will be appreciated that although Figure 1 shows only a single database 175 attached to central computer 170, a different number and/or configuration of databases may be used in other embodiments as appropriate.

In one embodiment, the central computer 170 is linked to the screen management computer 190, for example via the Internet 180 or any other appropriate communications facility. This allows central computer 170 to send commands to the screen management computer 190 in order to display particular information on screen 122 within stadium 120. Such a facility allows the central computer to provide instructions to spectators on how they can make a particular bet or selection, as well as subsequently to provide information regarding the outcome of such selections.

The central computer 170 may be provided on-site at stadium 120, or may be off-site. One possibility is that a single central computer is used to support betting and selection facilities at multiple different stadia. In one embodiment, central computer 170 may be integrated into the same machine as screen management computer 190. The skilled person will be aware of many further possible server configurations and implementations for the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a simplified schematic flowchart representing a method for allowing spectators at stadium 120 to input selections using client devices 126 in response to information 124 provided on screen 122 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The method commences with generating a graphic 124 for display on screen 122 (205). Note that graphic 124 is depicted in Figure 1 as a single screen, but may comprise multiple different screens, video, and so on, as appropriate. The graphic invites the spectators to make a choice or selection - for example, as shown in the example of Figure 1, the graphic might ask which player will score the next goal. The graphic 124 is then submitted from the screen management computer 190 to the screen 122 for display to the spectators at the event (210), which in turn prompts the spectators to provide their responses via wireless client devices 126 (215).

The graphic 124 displayed on screen 122 generally includes two categories of information (in addition to the basic selection question or invitation). The first category of information 124A represents the available options. Thus in the example shown in Figure 1 four possible options are presented on screen 122. These are denoted as Player A, Player B, Player C and Player D and represent potential goal- scorers.

The other category of information contained in graphic 124 comprises instructions 124B on how a spectator can make his or her selection. The exact details provided are dependent upon the types of client devices and data communication mechanisms that are supported by system 100. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, most of the client devices 126 are mobile telephones 126A, 126B, 126C, and each player has been allocated a different telephone number in graphic 124. The spectators are therefore invited to dial the number corresponding to the player that they think will be the next to score (on making the call, the user may then hear a message confirming that the selection has been registered, and the identity of the player chosen). In another embodiment, the system 100 supports SMS text messages for spectator input. In this case, graphic 124 may be used to indicate where to send such a text message, and the format of the text message to be sent. For example, in response to the question shown in Figure 1, the spectators may be requested to send a text message comprising "Player XX", where "XX" represents the number of the selected player, It will be appreciated that the numbers of the various players involved in the event may be displayed on screen 122, and (or) may also be available from other sources, such as programmes, or by looking at the numbers on the shirts of the players on the pitch.

If the system 100 supports handheld computing devices 126D, then the displayed information may include an email address to which the spectators can send their selections (in this case the content of the email may be the same as described above in relation to text messaging). Alternatively (or additionally) the displayed information may include the URL of a web-site, into which a selection can be entered. It will be appreciated that the graphic 124 may contain information about multiple different mechanisms for spectators to enter their selections if system 100 supports more than one such mechanism.

The graphic displayed on screen 122 may include further information, for example about the cost of any spectator response, such as telephone call charges, and any available prize money (as discussed in more detail below). The graphic 124 may also be supplemented by other forms of communications with the spectators. Thus information and/or instructions may be provided in a programme for the event, via a public address system, via advertising hoardings, and so on.

There may be a time window or limitation associated with a selection invitation. For example, the selection invitation may be displayed upon screen 122 during a break in play, such as for a time-out or at half-time. In such a situation, spectator responses to the selection invitation might only be accepted by system 100 until the restart of play, whereupon any further spectator responses might then be refused or discarded. In such an embodiment, screen 122 may be used to indicate the status of the selection window. For example, graphic 124 may incorporate a clock that counts down the remaining time for spectators to respond to a given selection invitation.

The method of Figure 2 may be implemented in a variety of contexts. One possibility is that the spectators are invited to place a bet in relation to the available selections. In this case, the graphic 124 may include odds relating to the available selections, and the spectator inputs from client devices 126 may specify a stake (or this may be fixed).

In another format, the selection invitation may be a form of competition other than direct betting. For example, if the spectators are invited to select the next scorer, there may be a fixed cost associated with entering a user selection from client device 126. The winner, i.e. the spectator whose selection turns out to be correct, is then rewarded with some prize money. There might be a predetermined level of prize money, or the prize money might be dependent on the total amount staked by the set of spectators who participated in this particular selection invitation. If multiple spectators have made the same correct selection, then they may all receive a share of the winnings. Alternatively, the prize money may be limited to a subset of the spectators with correct selections (perhaps just one such spectator). In one implementation this limitation to a subset of spectators is done at random. In another implementation, the limitation is based on the speed of response, so that the earliest correct response to be received at cental computer 170 is identified as the winner.

In another format, the selection may be to canvas opinion about the event from the spectators. In this case, there would not normally be any form of prize or winnings available.

There is a very wide variety of possible questions that can be put to the spectators, although the suitability of certain questions may depend upon the particular format (whether a bet, a vote, or some other format). Examples of selection invitations that might be put to the spectators are: a) Which competitor will win the event? b) How many penalties will be awarded against this team during the match? c) Which player gave the best performance in the first half? (Note that question (c) is best suited to a vote rather than betting). It will be appreciated that these questions are provided by way of illustration only, and the skilled person will be able to think of many more examples.

The graphics 124 corresponding to the various selection invitations to be presented to spectators during an event may be prepared in advance and stored, for example in computer 170 or computer 190. Note that even if a range of questions is prepared in advance, the choice as to which particular question(s) to use during the event may be influenced by the progress of the sporting event prior to the selection invitation. For example, in a cricket match the spectators may be invited to predict a certain batsman will reach a score of 100. This question would not be meaningful if the relevant batsman was already out and had finished his innings. Likewise, if a particular player is seen to be injured or playing badly, the spectators may be invited to suggest whether the player concerned should be substituted. In addition, some embodiments may allow a selection invitation to be created or adjusted on the fly during the event in direct response to action that has occurred so far during the event. For example, if a particular soccer player is seen to be playing in defence rather than midfield, this may reduce his likelihood of being the next scorer, and the odds of any invitation to bet on this may be amended accordingly.

It will be appreciated that the ability to customise or generate selection invitations based on the current status of the event in progress helps to make such questions more relevant to the event. This in turn can stimulate greater interest and involvement by spectators, since it coincides with their own direct (personal) experience of the event.

Note that some potential formats associated with system 100 involve revenue collection from the spectators, and some involve (selected) payout to the spectators. For example, betting involves both revenue collection and payout. Voting or canvassing opinion generally does not involve any payout, but may or may not involve some revenue collection for the operator, depending on the particular business plan. Other formats may involve payout but no revenue collection (for example if prize money is donated via sponsorship). If the format of the event involves revenue collection, then one convenient mechanism for this is where the client devices 126 are mobile telephones 126A, 126B, 126C. In this case, revenue for the operator of system 100 can be derived from the call or message charge for submitting each spectator response, for example, by making the telephone number to call or text in order to register a selection a premium rate number.

Revenue collection from a computing device such as handheld device 126D may involve a registration system. For example, central computer 170 may be linked to a web-site that allows spectators to register in advance and to set up a secure account on the computer. During the sporting event, a spectator could then log into his or her account, and any payment associated with responses to selection invitations could then be charged to this account. System 100 may also allow a mobile telephone number to be associated with a given particular account. The use of accounts is particularly appropriate for spectators who regularly attend stadium 120, e.g. season ticket holders, since the initial registration would only have to be performed once, but this would then enable participation in selection invitations at all subsequent events. Note that many spectators may in fact already have registered with the operator of system 100 and therefore have a suitable associated account, for example to allow them buy tickets to the event in the first place.

If the format of the event involves some form of payout, then care is needed to ensure that the prize is received by the appropriate spectator. In some implementations, the prize may be available for physical collection by the spectator. In one particular embodiment, central computer 170 may collect the telephone numbers of the mobile telephones 126A, 126B, 126C that submit responses to the selection invitation. A spectator can then associate himself or herself with a winning input by demonstrating possession of the mobile telephone from which the input was made. Another possibility would be to require a spectator to include his or her seat number in the submitted response (this is straightforward if the input is by a text message or email). The spectator could then connect themselves with a particular response by presenting the ticket associated with the seat specified in the response. In other embodiments, any payout may be made directly to some form of account associated with a spectator (thereby avoiding the need for a spectator to physically collect his or her winnings). For example, if a spectator response is provided via a mobile telephone, and this wins, then any corresponding payout could be credited directly to the mobile telephone account from which the input was made. A similar approach could be made with accounts based on user registration, such as described above.

As well as displaying the selection invitations, screen 122 may also be used for providing spectators in stadium 120 with information about the results. For example, if the selection invitation is to identify the player most likely to score next, the overall results of the spectator selections may be displayed, e.g. in terms of the number of votes or selections for each player. The screen 122 may also be used to provide information about final prize money, some identification of winners (e.g. phone numbers), and/or any other relevant information. Note that system 100 may support additional or alternative methods of notifying any spectator who has won a prize. For example, the spectator may be notified via the same communication channel as was used by the spectator to provide the winning input - e.g. if the winning data input was submitted via text message, then computer 170 may send a text message response back to the originating client should the input from that spectator win.

In conclusion, although a variety of embodiments have been described herein, these are provided by way of example only, and many variations and modifications on such embodiments will be apparent to the skilled person and fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Claims

1. A method comprising: generating a graphic indicating a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators at a stadium; displaying said graphic to the spectators on a large-scale television screen at the stadium; supporting at least one wireless data link to portable communication devices associated with said spectators; and receiving data input from multiple spectators relating to the selection invitation over said at least one wireless data link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of said portable communication devices comprise mobile telephones.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one wireless data link supports SMS messaging.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said data input is received based on the number dialled by said mobile telephone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of said portable communication devices comprise handheld computing devices.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one wireless data link comprises the Internet.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein said data input is received in conjunction with identifying information for the spectator providing the data input.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said identifying information comprises a seat number for the spectator.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said identifying information comprises information derived from the portable communication device from which the data input was sent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said identifying information comprises a telephone number for the portable communication device from which the data input was sent.

11 ; The method of any of claims 7 to 10, further comprising storing account information for registered spectators, and wherein said identifying information links the spectator providing the data input to a registered account.

12. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising storing the received data input into a database.

13. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising generating and displaying on the large-scale television screen information relating to a winner of the selection invitation, based on the received data input.

14. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising sending. a notification to a spectator of a successful outcome for his or her data input in relation to the selection invitation, wherein said notification is sent over the same wireless link as the wireless link from which the data input from that spectator was received.

15. Apparatus comprising: a graphic engine for generating a graphic representing a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators at a stadium; a large-scale television screen at the stadium for displaying said graphic; and a communications interface to at least one wireless data link, said interface enabling data input relating to the selection invitation to be received from portable communication devices associated with multiple spectators at the stadium.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least some of said portable communication devices comprise mobile telephones.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one wireless data link supports SMS messaging.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said data input is received based on the number dialled by said mobile telephone.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least some of said portable communication devices comprise handheld computing devices.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said at least one wireless data link comprises the Internet.

21. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein said data input is received in conjunction with identifying information for the spectator providing the data input.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said identifying information comprises a seat number for the spectator.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said identifying information comprises information derived from the portable communication device from which the data input was sent.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said identifying information comprises a telephone number for the portable communication device from which the data input was sent.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 24, further comprising a database for storing account information for registered spectators, wherein said identifying information links the spectator providing the data input to a registered account.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 25, wherein information relating to the winner of the selection invitation is generated and displayed on said large-scale t television screen.

27. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 26, wherein said communications interface is operable to send a notification to a spectator of a successful outcome for his or her data input in relation to the selection invitation, wherein said notification is sent over the same wireless link as the wireless link from which the data input from that spectator was received.

28 A computer program product, said program product comprising program instructions encoded on a medium, said program instructions being executable, when loaded into a machine, to perform a method comprising: generating a graphic indicating a real-time interactive selection invitation for spectators at a stadium; displaying said graphic to the spectators on a large-scale television screen at the stadium; supporting at least one wireless data link to portable communication devices associated with said spectators; and receiving data input from multiple spectators relating to the selection invitation over said at least one wireless data link.