Interactive Television System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for simulating a user's participation at an event. The system and method including providing a virtual queue or line for meeting and obtaining an autograph of a celebrity, attending a live event and / or for purchasing an item. The system and method include providing video and audio content to a remote user device, such as a television or a computer, for display on the monitor. A plurality of video cameras positioned in and around a line for obtaining an autograph provide a respective plurality of video and audio feeds that are broadcast to users of the system. An interface selectively changes the feed shown on the user's device to simulate movement in the line toward the celebrity until the user is able to view the celebrity autograph an item specifically designated for the user. The item can be merchandise, such as a CD, DVD, photograph or poster, selected by the user. The system mails the autographed item to the viewer and can also provide a recording of the autograph session.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority on U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11 / 098,772 filed Apr. 4, 2005, currently pending, which is herein incorporated by reference.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]The present invention generally relates to an interactive environment wherein a remote user can participate or otherwise interact with a live event via the user's television and / or other similar communication devices, and more particularly to an interactive event broadcasting system wherein a user interacts with the system during a live event via a television to purchase an item.[0004]In one form, the present invention relates to an interactive television or computer environment to allow a remote user of the system to meet and obtain an autograph from a celebrity, and more particularly to a television or computer system that utilizes multiple camera signals to simulate or provide a virtual...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The system and apparatus described by this invention sends signals in the form of data encapsulated events, or messages, to specific viewers' receivers to switch (or “tune”) to alternatively available video / audio streams. The viewer or user of the system does not control this tuning behavior, nor does the viewer know that tuning to an alternative stream has been performed (other than realizing the video being displayed shows a different scene than the previous one). From the viewer's perspective, the serialized, sequential concatenation of the multiple streams provides a seamless viewing experience. The system and apparatus uses well established broadcast structure to implement the unique viewing experience.

[0012]According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method utilizing an interactive television or computer environment to allow a user of the system to virtually meet and obtain an autograph from another, such as a celebrity. The system simulates the experience of a real autograph session while allowing the user to have this experience from a remote location (e.g., the user's home). In this regard, the system creates a “virtual line” or “virtual queue” for the user to stand. The system allows the user to select a celebrity from a list of celebrities signing autographs. The system also allows the user to select merchandise to purchase and have autographed while waiting in line and provides instructions or other data while in use.

[0014]In one embodiment of the invention, a system for simulating a queue for meeting and obtaining an autograph from a celebrity viewable from a remote device is disclosed. The system comprises a first camera positioned at a first point of a line providing a first video signal of the line from the first point; a second camera positioned at a second point of the line and providing a second video signal of the line from the second point; and a third camera positioned at a third point of the line and providing a third video signal of the line from a third point. The third signal includes a direct view of the celebrity providing an autograph of an item. The system also includes an interface for broadcasting the first, second and third signals to a remote user device. The interface controls switching between the first, second and third signals to simulate movement in the line toward the celebrity on the user's device. The video signals are preferably sent in real time. This allows the user to interact in the process, such as by identifying an item to be autographed and requesting who the autograph should be made out to while viewing the celebrity.

[0020]According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for providing a virtual queue for an experiential event such as meeting and obtaining an autograph of a celebrity is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a first video feed of a first position in a line for obtaining an autograph of a celebrity for viewing on a remote user device, and providing a second video feed of a second position of the line for obtaining an autograph of a celebrity for viewing on the remote user device. The method further includes enabling viewing of the first video feed on the remote viewer device, and, disabling viewing of the first video feed and enabling viewing of the second video feed on the remote user device to simulate movement in the line on the remote user device.

[0021]Additional video feeds can be provided to further create the illusion of moving in the line. In this instance, for example, the method can include providing an intermediate video feed of an intermediate position of the line for obtaining an autograph between the first position and the second position, and, enabling viewing of the intermediate video feed after the step of disabling viewing of the first video feed and prior to the step of enabling viewing of the second video feed. Further intermediate feeds can be added in a like manner.

Problems solved by technology

Utilizing this paradigm, it is difficult to create program content where the users feel as if they were an active part of the process.

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