Synchronized light shows on cellular handsets of users at a gathering

• US 7,697,925 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Jones, Mark Loyd, Wilson, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer; Temica M
• Application Number:
  US11/656,724
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.2, 455/418, 455/419, 4554561-4563, 455/566, 455/567, 455/575.1
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

Light shows are produced by a plurality of individuals at a gathering using a plurality of personal wireless cellular devices wherein each device is carried by a respective individual and wherein each device has a programmable digital processor and a controllable light show illumination source. A light show application program resides on each personal wireless cellular device for providing coordinated control of the light show illumination sources. An event server stores at least one event sequence corresponding to a predetermined gathering and including at least one timed action. The event sequence is downloadable by the plurality of personal wireless cellular devices for activation of the controllable light show illumination sources in accordance with the event sequence. The system further includes a synchronizer in each device for initiating the timed action. The synchronizer may be a clock or a proximity detector (such as a Bluetooth connection with nearby users).

Claims

1. A light show system for use by a plurality of individuals at a gathering, comprising:

a plurality of personal wireless cellular devices, wherein each device is carried by a respective individual, and wherein each device has a programmable digital processor and a controllable light show illumination source;

a light show application program residing on each personal wireless cellular device for providing coordinated control of the light show illumination sources;

an event server storing at least one event sequence corresponding to a predetermined gathering and including at least one timed action, the event sequence being downloadable by the plurality of personal wireless cellular devices for activation of the controllable light show illumination sources in accordance with the event sequence; and

a synchronizer in each device for initiating the timed action in coordination with the other devices.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the synchronizer comprises a clock having a time reference maintained in each respective device, and wherein the light show application program compares the time reference with a moment specified in the event sequence for the timed action.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each cellular device is coupled to a respective wireless network and wherein the time reference is calibrated according to signals received from the respective network.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein each device further includes a location register for specifying a respective location of each respective device within the gathering, wherein the event sequence includes location-specific actions that vary between respective devices, and wherein each device performs location-specific actions corresponding to its specified location.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein at least one respective device includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for providing the specified location in the respective location register.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein at least one respective device includes a human interface to manually providing a respective specified location to the respective location register.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the gathering place is a venue with assigned seating and wherein the specified location that is manually provided by a respective individual is comprised of a respective seat assignment in the venue.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the location-specific actions generate a pixelized graphic for viewing by the individuals.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the location-specific actions generate a light show of predetermined patterns of colors for viewing by the individuals.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the predetermined patterns include a wave of a particular color.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein each illumination source includes a multicolor display and wherein the event sequence includes timed variations for selecting predetermined color changes on each respective device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined colors are generated with a predetermined intensity in response to the event sequence.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein each individual is assigned to a respective one of a plurality of subgroups, and wherein a corresponding version of the event sequence is stored on the event server and retrieved by each member of each respective subgroup so that each individual in a subgroup generates the same coordinated actions within the light show.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein each individual chooses a respective subgroup when downloading a respective version of the event sequence to their respective device.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the devices include a respective controllable audio source, and wherein the event sequence includes timed audio content for generating sound coordinated to the light show.

16. A method of operating a personal wireless cellular device as part of a light show, wherein the personal wireless cellular device includes a light show illumination source and is operable with a wireless network, comprising the steps of:

retrieving an event sequence for a predetermined event from an event server over the wireless network, wherein the event sequence defines timed actions to appear on the light show illumination source, wherein the predetermined event occurs at a particular gathering place, and wherein the timed actions within the event sequence are dependent upon a location of the personal wireless cellular device within the gathering place;

launching a light show application program residing on the personal wireless cellular device, wherein the light show application program provides coordinated control of the light show illumination source;

detecting a current location of the personal wireless cellular device during the light show;

selecting timed actions for display in response to the current location;

detecting a synchronization trigger corresponding to the selected timed actions while at the predetermined event; and

displaying the selected timed actions with the light show illumination source in response to the synchronization trigger.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the synchronization trigger is comprised of a predefined clock time, and wherein the step of detecting a synchronization trigger is comprised of comparing a time reference maintained by the personal wireless cellular device to the predefined clock time.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the personal wireless cellular device includes a GPS receiver, and wherein the

step of detecting the current location of the personal wireless cellular device during the light show is performed using the GPS receiver.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined event occurs at a particular venue having assigned seating, wherein the event server maintains a plurality of event sequences for the predetermined event according to assignments of the assigned seating, and wherein the step of retrieving an event sequence is comprised of:

selecting the predetermined event from a plurality of events stored on the event server;

selecting a particular assignment of the assigned seating; and

retrieving a particular one of the event sequences corresponding to the selected assignment.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the event server stores a plurality of versions of the event sequence corresponding to a plurality of subgroups of individuals attending the predetermined event, and wherein the step of retrieving an event sequence is comprised of:

selecting one of the subgroups; and

retrieving the version corresponding to the selected subgroup so that each individual in a subgroup generates the same coordinated actions within the light show.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the personal wireless cellular device includes a respective controllable audio source, and wherein the event sequence includes timed audio content for generating sound coordinated to the light show.

22. A method of providing a light show service for users of personal wireless cellular devices at events in respective venues, wherein the personal wireless cellular devices have respective light show illumination sources and are operable with a wireless network, the method comprising the steps of:

developing a light show based on details of the venue and visual display actions to be generated during the light show to define at least one event sequence for a predetermined event;

uploading the event sequence for the predetermined event to an event server in the wireless network, wherein the event sequence includes multiple versions if the light show includes different timed actions for different users;

determining authorizations for the users to the event sequence;

the event server receiving logon requests from the users;

authenticating the user and presenting available event sequences for the user in accordance with the determined authorizations;

receiving a selection from the user for the event sequence;

determining whether multiple versions of the event sequence have been developed for different users, and if so then determining a version corresponding to the user; and

downloading the event sequence to the personal wireless cellular device of the user.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the multiple versions are defined according to a location within the venue that corresponds to the user, and wherein the step of determining a version of the event sequence that corresponds to the user is comprised of the user transmitting the location to the event server.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the venue has assigned seating for participation in the event, and wherein the location is manually transmitted by the user according to a respective seating assignment.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the personal wireless cellular device of a user includes a GPS receiver for providing the location transmitted to the event server.