Corporate and entertainment management interactive system using a computer network

• US 6,240,415 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Constitutional Property LLC
• Original Assignee: Blumberg J. Seth
• Inventors: Blumberg, J. Seth
• Primary Examiner(s): Choules, Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US09/467,760
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 707/9, 707/104, 707/1, 707/10, 707/100, 709/204, 709/201, 709/207, 705/17, 705/39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of a method of corporate, business or sports management by a remote party comprising relating a current database of an entity. For instance, in sports management substantially real time management is possible. Data of a player together with a historical database related to that player and decisions can be transmitted. This is communicated between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party. A remote party is permitted to access the database and access designated data from the database, and input and output data. Voting and other management of the player, team, or business is possible in substantially real time or near real time by the remote party. A remote user can vote on financial compensation for a player, a coach or a team and/or for a bonus for a player, team or game. Similarly hiring and firing decisions can be made. Shareholders, fans or customers of an entertainment business such as sports can be more interactively involved in all aspects of management and ownership duties and thus be more thoroughly entertained.

Claims

1. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

relating a current database of a player together with a historical database related to that player;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the player with the current data related to that player being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a player together with the historical data related to that player;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the player to the remote party; and

including the steps of communicating between a remote party and the central database processing resource through a computer network, providing credit card information of the remote user prior to providing the data and transferring said data to the remote user after charging a credit card for said data.

2. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

relating a current database of a player together with a historical database related to that player;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the player with the current data related to that player being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a player together with the historical data related to that player;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the player to the remote party; and

transferring money electronically via a telecommunications line between respective financial entities related to the remote party and to an operator of the central database, and, after transfer of money electronically, providing data from the central database to the remote party.

3. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

relating a current database of a player together with a historical database related to that player;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the player with the current data related to that player being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a player together with the historical data related to that player;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the player to the remote party; and

including the step of the remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of a player, financial reward to a player, financial reward to a team related to the player, or financial reward in relation to a sports competition with regard to a sports team.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the communication to the remote user is through a communication link, and wherein the remote party sends a response to the database, the response being through a computer network, and being in substantially real or near real time in relation to the communication received by the remote user.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the remote party receives information about a sports event through television and responds through the computer network to the database, and the database transmits a message to the player or a team manager related to the player.

6. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

relating a current database of a player together with a historical database related to that player;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the player with the current data related to that player being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a player together with the historical data related to that player;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the player to the remote party; and

wherein there is a hierarchy of remote users, different levels in the hierarchy having different weight for their respective decision, which decisions can be transmitted to the central database.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein some of the remote users In the hierarchy are non-shareholders in relationship to ownership of the database for managing a sports entity, others if the hierarchy are shareholders, and others are board members for the entity owning the database.

8. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising the steps of:

the remote party viewing, using a computer, both current data for a player, and historical data about the player;

the remote party analyzing, using a computer, the historical data and the current data related to the player based on predetermined characteristics;

the remote party reporting the analysis of the combined data to a central database processing resource associated with the management of a sports team or player; and

wherein a remote party of a database pays for at least one of an analysis of the data, and for submission of money into a bonus pool associated with at least one player of a sports team.

9. A method of sports management by a remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising the steps of:

the remote party viewing, using a computer, both current data for a player, and historical data about the player;

the remote party analyzing, using a computer, the historical data and the current data related to the player based on predetermined characteristics;

the remote party reporting the analysis of the combined data to a central database processing resource associated with the management of a sports team or player; and

including the step of the remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of a player, financial reward to a player, financial reward to a team related to the player, or financial reward in relation to a sports competition with regard to a sports team.

10. Apparatus for sports management by a remote part of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

a program to relate historical data of a player together with current assessment data related to that player;

a computer communication for data communication being between a central database processing resource reactive with the program and at least one remote party;

means for receiving an access request message from a remote party via the communications link;

means for receiving an access request message from a remote party via the communications link;

means for transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including current data relating to the player and historical data related to the player being accessed;

means for compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current and historical data;

the communication network being for transmitting the compiled report of the assessment data of the player to the remote party; and

means of communicating between a remote party and the central database processing resource through a computer network, means for providing credit card information of the remote party prior to providing assessment data and/or historical data and transferring said data to the remote party after charging a credit card for said data.

11. Apparatus for sports management by remote party of an entity owning at least one sports player and having a database for the sports management comprising:

a program to relate historical data of a player together with current assessment data related to that player;

a computer communication network for data communication being between a central database processing resource reactive with the program and at least one remote party;

means for receiving an access request message from a remote party via the communications link;

means for transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including current data relating to the player and historical data related to the player being accessed;

means for compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current and historical data;

the communication network being for transmitting the compiled report of the assessment data of the player to the remote party; and

the means for remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of a player, financial reward to a player, financial reward to a team related to the player, or financial reward in relation to a sports competition with regard to a sports team.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising means for verifying that the access to the database is authorized.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, including means for analyzing the current assessment data of a player and the historical data related to the player, and means for providing the report to the remote party based on the analysis the assessment data of the player and the historical data.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising means for storing the report in the central database processing resource.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, including means for controlling access to tic central database processing resource to selected multiple remote parties.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, including means for combining data of players, and means to permit an analysis predicting probabilities of play of selected players.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the communication to the remote user is through a communication link, and wherein the remote party computer network, and being in substantially real or near real time in relation to the communication received by the remote user.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the remote party receives information about a sports event through television and the remote party responds through the computer network to the database, and the database transmits a message to the player or a team manager related to the player.

19. Apparatus for sports management by a remote party comprising:

a screen used by a remote part for monitoring, using a computer, both current data for a player, and historical data about the player, the data being retained on a central database;

the computer being for analyzing the current data and the historical data related to the player based on predetermined characteristics;

a communications network between a central database processing resource and the remote user for communicating the analysis of the combined data with the remote party; and

means for permitting a remote party of the database to pay for a communication with the central database through a computer network; and

including a computer communication network for submitting data to a remote user after receipt of the payment.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, including means for receiving in a database of the central database processing resource, data relating to the current assessment of a selected player and receiving in the database of the central database processing resource, and historical data relating to the player, other players, and the current and historical background of related players.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the communication to the remote user is through a communication link, and wherein the remote party computer network, and being in substantially real or near real time in relation to the communication received by the remote user.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the remote party receives information about a sports event through television and responds through the computer network to the database, and the database transmits a message to the player or a team manager related to the player.

23. Apparatus for sports management by a remote party comprising:

a screen used by a remote party for monitoring, using a computer, both current data for a player, and historical data about the player, the data being retained on a central database;

the compute being for analyzing the current data and the historical data related to the player based on predetermined characteristics; and

a communications network between a central database processing resource and the remote user for communicating the analysis of the combined data with the remote party; and

means for the remote party to transmit a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of a player, financial reward to a player, financial reward to a team related to the player, or financial reward in relation to a sports competition with regard to a sports team.

24. A system for managing sport comprising:

a computer based communications network;

a computer at a central database processing resource provider to receive through the network, current data for a player, the current data, and historical data about the player;

a screen for monitoring, using a computer, both the current data of the player, and the historical data about the player, the screen being used by a remote user;

a processor for analyzing the current data and the historical data based on predetermined characteristics;

a computer for receiving, through the network, the analysis;

the remote user being capable in substantiality real or near real time after receiving the analysis to respond to the analysis and submit a decision to a central database; and

including permitting a remote party of the network to pay for the analysis of the assessment and data through the computer network, and including permitting the computer communications network to communicate between the remote user and the central database after receipt of the payment.

25. The system of claim 24, including receiving in a database of a central database processing resource, data relating to a selected player and receiving in the database of the central data processing resource, historical data relating to the background about the player, and wherein the remote user selectively receives the data from a sport enterprise, event or player in real tine or near real time from a television or video monitor.

26. A method of corporate management by a remote participant a corporation, the corporation having a board of directors, shareholders, staff, and customers, comprising relating to a current database of a situation relating to the corporation through a data communication between a central database processing resource and at least one remote participant, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an access request message from a remote participant via a communications link the remote participant being selectively any one of director, shareholder, staff or customer;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote participant via the communications link wherein the remote participant is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote participant to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including selected data relating to an actor, event, player or participant with the current data related to the corporate situation;

comprising a report from the accessed database, the report including the data of the situation;

transmitting the report of the data to the remote participant; and

sending an access request message from the remote participant via a communications link, and the communications link is selectively a computer network, preferably including the Internet, and wherein the remote participant decides and communicates on at least one of management issues, financial issues, corporate issues, strategic planning, or employment issues.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising the steps of verifying that the access to the database is authorized, and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate a decision relating to the corporate event.

28. The method of claim 26, including periodically updating the database with at least one of the historical or current data about the situation and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate in a decision relating to the corporate event.

29. The method of claim 26, including analyzing the data of the situation, and providing the report to the remote participant based on the analysis the data of the situation, and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate in a decision relating to the corporate event.

30. The method of claim 26, including controlling access to the central database resource, and wherein data in the database is accessible to selected multiple remote participants, and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate in a decision relating to the corporate event.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein some of the remote users in the hierarchy are non-shareholders in relationship to ownership of the database for managing a sports entity, others if the hierarchy are shareholders, and others are board members for the entity owning the database.

32. The method of claim 26, including the step of verifying that selected remote participants are authorized to access the database or selected data in the database, and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate in a decision relating to the corporate event.

33. The method of claim 26, including combining historical data of the situation with current data of the situation thereby to permit an analysis predicting scenarios and probabilities of the situation, and permitting a remote participant to respond to the central database thereby to participate in a decision relating to the corporate event.

34. A method of corporate management by a remote participant a corporation, the corporation having a board of directors, shareholders, staff, and customers, comprising relating to a current database of a situation relating to the corporation through a data communication between a central database processing resource and at least one remote participant, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an access request message from a remote participant via a communications link the remote participant being selectively any of director, shareholder, staff or customer;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote participant via the communications link wherein the remote participant is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote participant to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including selected data relating to an actor, event, player or participant with the current data related to the corporate situation;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the data of the situation;

transmitting the report of the data to the remote participant; and

wherein there is a hierarchy of remote users, different levels in the hierarchy having different weight for their respective decision, which decisions can be transmitted to the central database.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the remote party receives at least one expert opinion, and wherein the remote transmits a response in relation at least in response to the expert opinion.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein a controller of a central database receives at least one expert opinion on an issue, and wherein the expert opinion is selectively made available to a remote user, such that the remote user can selectively make decisions based on the opinion, and selectively transmit the decision to the central database.

37. A method of entertainment management by a remote party of an entity comprising at least one entertainer and having a database for the entertainment management, the method comprising:

relating a current database of an entertainer together with a historical database related to that entertainer;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communication link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the entertainer with the current data related to that entertainer being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a entertainer together with the historical data related to that entertainer;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the entertainer to the remote party; and

including the steps of communicating between a remote party and the central database processing resource through a computer network, providing credit card information of the remote user prior to providing the data and transferring said data to the remote user after charging a credit card for said data.

38. A method of entertainment management by a remote party of an entity comprising at least one entertainer and having a database for the entertainment management, the method comprising:

relating a current database of an entertainer together with a historical database related to that entertainer;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communication link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the entertainer with the current data related to that entertainer being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a entertainer together with the historical data related to that entertainer;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the entertainer to the remote party; and

including the step of the remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of an entertainer, financial reward to an entertainer, financial reward to an entity related to the entertainer, or financial reward to an entertainment production with regard to an entertainment entity.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the communication to the remote user is through a communication link, and wherein the remote party sends a response to the database, the response being through a computer network, and being in substantially real or near real time in relation to the communication received by the remote user.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the remote party receives information about a entertainment event through television and responds through the computer network to the database, and the database transmits a message to the entertainer or a entertainment entity.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the entertainment is a movie.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the entertainment is a television show.

43. The method of claim 39 wherein the entertainment is a live theatrical production or concert.

44. A method of entertainment management by a remote party of an entity comprising at least one entertainer and having a database for the entertainment management, the method comprising:

relating a current database of an entertainer together with a historical database related to that entertainer;

communicating the data between a central database processing resource and at least one remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communication link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link wherein the remote party is authorized to access the database, the access enabling message permitting the remote party to access the database and access designated data from the database, the data in the database including historical data relating to the entertainer with the current data related to that entertainer being accessed;

compiling a report from the accessed database, the report including the current data of a entertainer together with the historical data related to that entertainer;

transmitting the compiled report of the data of the entertainer to the remote party; and

wherein there is a hierarchy of remote users, different levels in the hierarchy having different weight for their respective decision, which decisions can be transmitted to the central.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the communication to the remote user is through a communication link, and wherein the remote party sends a response to the database, the response being through a computer network, and being in substantially real or near real time in relation to the communication received by the remote user.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the entertainment is a movie.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein the entertainment is a television show.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein the entertainment is a live theatrical production or concert.

49. The method of claim 44 wherein the remote party receives information about a entertainment event through television and responds through the computer network to the database, and the database transmits a message to the entertainer or a entertainment entity.

50. A method of entertainment management by a remote party of an entity comprising at least one entertainer and having a database for the entertainment management comprising the steps of:

the remote party viewing, using a computer, both current data for an entertainer, and historical data about the entertainer;

the remote party analyzing, using a computer, the historical data and the current data related to the entertainer based on predetermined characteristics;

the remote party reporting the analysis of the combined data to a central database processing resource associated with the management of an production or entertainer; and

including the step of remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to the status of an entertainer, financial reward to an entertainer, financial reward to an entity related to the entertainer, or financial reward to an entertainment production with regard to an entertainment entity.

51. A method of substantially real time participation by a remote party in the production of an entertainment enterprise, the method comprising:

relating a plurality of tables or databases containing current and historical information regarding said entertainment enterprise and its members;

transmitting data regarding a decision or event relating to said entertainment enterprise to said remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link, granting the remote party access to said databases, and designated data from said databases;

performing queries on said databases in response to requests from said remote user for information relating to said decision or event;

transmitting query results to the remote party; and

said remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a communications link, the decision being at least one relating to the status of a member of the entertainment enterprise, financial reward to a member of the entertainment enterprise, financial reward to the entertainment entity, or financial reward in relation to a entertainment production with regard to an entertainment entity.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a movie.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a television show.

54. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a live theater production or concert.

55. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a movie.

56. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a television show.

57. The method of claim 51 wherein said entertainment enterprise is a live theater production or concert.

58. A method of substantially real time participation by a remote party in the production of an entertainment enterprise, the method comprising:

relating a plurality of tables or databases containing current and historical information regarding said entertainment enterprise and its members;

transmitting data regarding a decision or event relating to said entertainment enterprise to said remote party;

receiving an access request message from the remote party via a communications link;

transmitting an access enabling message to the remote party via the communications link, granting the remote party access to said databases, and designated data from said databases;

performing queries on said databases in response to requests from said remote user for information relating to said decision or event;

transmitting query results to the remote party; and

wherein there is a hierarchy of remote users, different levels in the hierarchy having different weight for their respective decision, which decisions can be transmitted to the central database.

59. A method of substantially real time participation by a remote party in the production of an entertainment enterprise, the method comprising the steps of:

the remote party viewing, using a computer, both current data for a member of the entertainment enterprise, and historical data about said member;

the remote party analyzing, using a computer, the historical data and the current data related to said member based on predetermined characteristics;

the remote party reporting the analysis of the combined data to a central database processing resource associated with the management of a sports team or player; and

including the step of the remote party transmitting a decision from a remote terminal to the database through a computer network, the decision being at least one relating to management of entertainment enterprise or its members, the status of a member of the entertainment enterprise, or financial rewards to said member or enterprise.