Interactive system for conducting contest

• US 20070250878A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Studio One Entertainment, Inc. (Aftermaster, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Studio One Entertainment, Inc. (Aftermaster, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ryckman, Lawrence G., Fisher, Paul D.
• Application Number:
  US11/526,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/91
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/53 for automatically delivering a finished picture after a signal causing exposure has been given, e.g. by pushing a button, by inserting a coin
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/365 the accompaniment information being stored on a host computer and transmitted to a reproducing terminal by means of a network, e.g. public telephone lines
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/368 displaying animated or moving pictures synchronized with the music or audio part
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/135 Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces game background music G10H2210/026; musical game scoring or performance evaluation G10H2210/091
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00286 with studio circuitry, devices or equipment, e.g. television cameras television studio circuitry, devices or equipment per se H04N5/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/272 Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An apparatus and method to enable video communication through a studio that is placed in a public location whereby a studio user records a performance, presentation, or an interview. In one embodiment, information seekers with special interest may view interviews or presentations recorded by studio users pertaining to subject matter relevant to that special interest. In another embodiment, a performance is recorded and uploaded to the Internet where the general public locates and views the performance. In an alternate embodiment, the performance is rated.

Claims

1. An interactive personal service provider for video communication having a studio comprising:

an audio and video recorder to record at least one performance thereby making a recorded performance;

at least one computer server for storing said recorded performance further comprising;

an audio and video player to preview the recorded performance; and

a database to receiver input information from a studio user that relates to the recorded performance; and

a communication connection to transmit the recorded performance to a studio site maintained by a studio operator wherein said recorded performance is categorized and wherein said site enables a plurality of viewers to view said recorded performance.

5. The interactive service provider in claim 1 wherein an information seeker can query said input information.

6. The interactive service provider in claim 1 wherein said recorded performance comprises a Karaoke-style performance performed in said studio.

7. The interactive service provider in claim 1 wherein said studio site comprises a website.

8. The interactive service provider in claim 1 wherein a menu on said studio site lists subject matter and predetermined main categories and sub-categories.

9. The interactive service provider in claim 1 further comprising a video conferencing capability.

10. The interactive service provide in claim 1 wherein said site further comprises a ratings means for enabling said viewer to rate said recorded performance.

2. A method for placing a performance of a studio user on a studio site, said method comprising the steps of

a. providing a studio in a public location wherein said studio comprises an audio and video recording capability;

b. recording a performance of a studio user in said studio onto a studio server thereby creating a recorded performance;

c. categorizing said recorded performance by subject matter in a database; and

,

d. making said recorded performance accessible from a studio site maintained by a studio operator.

11. The method in claim 2 wherein said studio is substantially soundproof.

12. The method in claim 2 wherein said studio user agrees to an exclusive agency contract with a studio operator prior to step b.

13. The method in claim 2 wherein said recorded performance comprises at least two studio users in at least two separate locations.

3. A method of recruiting talent comprising:

a. providing a studio in a public place for at least one studio user to record a performance;

b. recording said performance in said studio on a studio server thereby making a recorded performance;

c. transmitting said recorded performance to an information seeker.

14. The method in claim 3 wherein said studio user further provides demographic information.

15. The method in claim 14 wherein a talent seeker may access said demographic information.

16. The method in claim 14 wherein said demographic information is transmitted to a talent seeker.

17. The method in claim 3 wherein said video is rated.

4. An apparatus for distributing information to at least one information seeker said apparatus comprising:

at least two studio booths wherein each studio booth is equipped with an audio and video recording device and is located in a publicly accessible location; and

a studio site connected to each said studio booth wherein a plurality of studio users can access one of the plurality of said studio booths to upload a performance.

18. The apparatus in claim 4 wherein each booth further comprises at least one server.

19. The apparatus in claim 4 wherein the studio site comprises a website.

20. The apparatus in claim 4 wherein at least two studio booths are located in different geographical locations.