GEOFENCED EVENT-BASED FAN NETWORKING: SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a) a portable smart device (PSD), which includes(i) a processing system, which includes a processor,(ii) a wireless communication interface, implemented at least partially in hardware, through which the processing system communicates externally, and(iii) computer-accessible tangible storage, including data and software instructions used by the processing system;
b) a fan software application (FSA), which is saved in the storage and is executed by the processing system, that(i) manages a user interface (UI) on the PSD, the UI implemented at least in part by hardware, whereby a user can interact with the fan software application,(ii) tracks geolocations of the PSD as it moves, and transmits such geolocations through the wireless communication interface, directed to a first fan network management system (FNMS), wherein the tracking determines(A) whether the PSD is outside an outer boundary, inside the outer boundary, or inside an inner boundary, wherein the outer boundary and the inner boundary are defined within the storage and are specific to a first venue, and(B) whether the PSD has qualified as a first fan device at the first event in the first venue by remaining within the inner boundary for a qualified time interval, wherein the qualifying time interval is defined in the storage;
(iii) offers an event networking service (ENS) to a plurality of PSDs that have qualified as attending the first event, in the first venue, which is not offered to a plurality of PSDs that have not so qualified,(iv) receives ENSs through the wireless communication interface from the first FNMS during the first event while in the first venue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a fan networking system (FNS), available through a software application, executing on fans'"'"' portable smart devices for an event to be held in a venue. A FNS may offer event-customized services to fans, such as messaging, fan groups, mementos, coupons, “friends”, and contests. The level of services might depend on whether a fan is attending; timing (pre-, during, post-performance); for a competitive event, whether the fan affiliates with the home or away team; and the category of fan (e.g., audience, management, performer). Determination of whether a fan is attending may be done with geolocation services, e.g., through GPS. A fan might need to remain within the venue for some period of time to qualify as attending. Services to attending fans may extend for a period beyond the event itself.
18 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a) a portable smart device (PSD), which includes (i) a processing system, which includes a processor, (ii) a wireless communication interface, implemented at least partially in hardware, through which the processing system communicates externally, and (iii) computer-accessible tangible storage, including data and software instructions used by the processing system; b) a fan software application (FSA), which is saved in the storage and is executed by the processing system, that (i) manages a user interface (UI) on the PSD, the UI implemented at least in part by hardware, whereby a user can interact with the fan software application, (ii) tracks geolocations of the PSD as it moves, and transmits such geolocations through the wireless communication interface, directed to a first fan network management system (FNMS), wherein the tracking determines (A) whether the PSD is outside an outer boundary, inside the outer boundary, or inside an inner boundary, wherein the outer boundary and the inner boundary are defined within the storage and are specific to a first venue, and (B) whether the PSD has qualified as a first fan device at the first event in the first venue by remaining within the inner boundary for a qualified time interval, wherein the qualifying time interval is defined in the storage; (iii) offers an event networking service (ENS) to a plurality of PSDs that have qualified as attending the first event, in the first venue, which is not offered to a plurality of PSDs that have not so qualified, (iv) receives ENSs through the wireless communication interface from the first FNMS during the first event while in the first venue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29)
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28. A fan networking management system (FNMS), comprising:
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a) a processing system, which includes a processor; b) computer-accessible tangible storage that contains data and software instructions accessible to the processing system, the data including (i) a list of PSDs that have been registered with the FNMS, (ii) a list of venues, each associated with at least one event to which the FNMS will provide event networking services (ENSs), (iii) a list of events, each to occur at one of the venues, and to which the FNMS will provide event networking services (ENSs), and (iv) a set of geolocation and time constraints that will be required for a given registered PSD to qualify as a fan device to receive event networking services (ENSs) from the first FNMS at a first event, in a first venue; c) a wireless communication system, through which the FNMS receives, from each of a plurality of the registered PSDs, geolocation tracking data; d) processing logic, executed by the processing system and which, during the first event, (i) determines which of the PSDs currently satisfy the geolocation and time constraints, (ii) maintains in storage a list of PSDs that are qualified as fan devices, and so receive ENSs (iii) provides a plurality of types of ENSs to the fan devices.
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Specification