Movie mode and content awarding system and method
First Claim
1. A method of transforming device settings of a portable device comprising:
- a) providing an application program for download to a non-transitory memory on the portable device, the application program containing programming to;
i) await receipt of an audible signal,ii) upon receipt of the audible signal, altering device settings stored in the non-transitory memory to at least prevent a ringer from sounding on the portable device,iii) upon receipt of the audible signal, starting a timer, andiv) upon the timer reaching a predetermined time, triggering presentation of portable device content to a user through a user interface on the portable device; and
b) presenting audiovisual content with the audible signal prerecorded into the audiovisual content, such that the triggering of presentation of the portable device content is synchronized to be displayed at the same time as related material in the audiovisual content.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is presented for awarding content to users of mobile devices for attending events, appearing at locations, or viewing audiovisual content. One embodiment also automatically alters the configuration of mobile devices, which is particularly useful in movie theaters. An application on the device recognizes an audible signal provided at the location or in the audiovisual content. The signal can also be used to unlock content. In this way, desired content is available only when the user has attended an event such as an event sponsored by the content creator. The content can relate to the event, and can be synchronized to the event. The signal can also trigger an application or unlock content at a store location. For example, a scavenger hunt can be guided by an application on the mobile device.
18 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of transforming device settings of a portable device comprising:
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a) providing an application program for download to a non-transitory memory on the portable device, the application program containing programming to; i) await receipt of an audible signal, ii) upon receipt of the audible signal, altering device settings stored in the non-transitory memory to at least prevent a ringer from sounding on the portable device, iii) upon receipt of the audible signal, starting a timer, and iv) upon the timer reaching a predetermined time, triggering presentation of portable device content to a user through a user interface on the portable device; and b) presenting audiovisual content with the audible signal prerecorded into the audiovisual content, such that the triggering of presentation of the portable device content is synchronized to be displayed at the same time as related material in the audiovisual content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of transforming device settings of a portable device comprising:
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a) providing an application program for download to a non-transitory memory on the portable device, the application program containing programming to; i) monitor a receiver on the portable device for receipt of a signal detected by the receiver, and ii) upon receipt of the signal, altering the device settings stored in the non-transitory memory to at least prevent a ringer from sounding on the portable device; and iii) upon receipt of the signal, starting a timer; and iv) upon the timer reaching a predetermined time, altering the device settings stored in the non-transitory memory to at least allow the ringer to sound on the portable device; b) presenting audiovisual content; c) transmitting the signal in coordination with the presentation of the audiovisual content, such that the predetermined time is approximately equal to the time between the transmitting of the signal and the end of the audiovisual content.
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12. A method of providing access to desired content on a portable device comprising:
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a) providing an application program for download to a non-transitory memory on the portable device, the application program containing programming to; i) await receipt of an audible signal, and ii) upon receipt of the audible signal, providing access through the portable device to desired content; and embedding the audible signal in a soundtrack of a recorded audiovisual program, wherein when the portable device, the audible signal embedded in the soundtrack will be received by the programming operating on the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of responding to a signal on a portable electronic device comprising:
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a) monitoring a microphone on the portable electronic device for a unique audio signal comprising a sequence of successive tones, wherein the unique audio signal is prerecorded into audiovisual content and is detected by the microphone during playback of the audiovisual content; b) detecting the unique audio signal, c) upon detection of the unique audio signal, providing access to desired content on the portable electronic device by; i) upon detection of the unique audio signal, starting a timer on the device; ii) when the timer reaches a first predetermined time, initiating presentation of the desired content on a display of the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a) a processor; b) a non-transitory memory; c) a receiver capable of receiving a signal from outside the portable electronic device; d) device settings residing the non-transitory memory; and e) an application program residing in the non-transitory memory and operating on the processor, the application program causing the portable electronic device to; i) monitor the receiver for a unique signal wherein the unique signal is prerecorded into audiovisual content; ii) detect the unique signal, iii) upon detection of the unique signal, alter the device settings to at least prevent a ringer from sounding on the portable electronic device, and iv) upon detection of the unique signal, start a timer on the device and, when the timer reaches a first predetermined time, alter the device settings for the portable electronic device to at least allow the ringer to sound on the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method of responding to a signal on a portable electronic device comprising:
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a) monitoring a microphone on the portable electronic device for a unique audio signal wherein the unique audio signal is prerecorded into audiovisual content and is detected by the microphone during playback of the audiovisual content; b) detecting the unique audio signal; c) upon detection of the unique audio signal, altering device settings for the portable electronic device to prevent a ringer from sounding on the portable electronic device; d) upon detection of the unique audio signal, starting a timer on the portable electronic device; and e) when the timer reaches a predetermined time, altering device settings for the portable electronic device to allow the ringer to sound on the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification