System and method for providing location-based entertainment

• US 7,741,978 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Becker, Emily
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/897,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 340988-99527, 34053911-53913, 701201-213
• US Class Current: 340/995.24
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for providing location-based entertainment. In one embodiment, a device capable of providing location-based entertainment comprises a navigational interface module configured to receive navigational data, an entertainment selection module configured to utilize the navigational data to generate location-based entertainment content for a user, and a presentation module configured to present the location-based content to the user. The system may also include a position finding module and a routing module. In one embodiment, a method for providing location-based entertainment comprises identifying a present location of a mobile user, identifying a destination of the mobile user, determining a travel route of the mobile user based on the present location and the destination of the mobile user, providing navigational data according to the travel route, generating a location-based entertainment content for a user utilizing the navigational data, and presenting the location-based content to the user.

Claims

1. An entertainment system for providing location-based entertainment to a mobile user traveling from a first location to a second location, the entertainment system comprising:

a navigational interface module configured to receive navigational data;

an entertainment selection module configured to utilize the navigational data to generate a location-based entertainment content for the mobile user, the location-based entertainment content including a story for narration based on information about points of interest encountered while moving from the first location to the second location; and

a presentation module configured to present the location-based entertainment content to the mobile user;

wherein the mobile user is travelling from the first location to the second location using a vehicle, and wherein the entertainment system further comprises a virtual steering accessory for a virtual navigation of the vehicle in response to the story being narrated.

2. An entertainment system for providing location-based entertainment, the entertainment system comprising:

a navigational interface module configured to receive navigational data;

an entertainment selection module configured to utilize the navigational data to generate a location-based entertainment content for a user;

a presentation module configured to present the location-based entertainment content to the user; and

a virtual steering accessory for an interactive use of the location-based entertainment content.

3. The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the entertainment selection module uses the navigational data as criteria for selecting the location-based entertainment content.

4. The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the location-based entertainment is based on at least one location including one or more of a present location of the user, a past location of the user, a future location of the user, and a virtual location of the user.

5. The entertainment system of claim 2 further comprising a position finding module configured to provide the navigational data.

6. The entertainment system of claim 5, wherein the position finding module comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

7. The entertainment system of claim 2 further comprising a routing module configured to determine a travel route.

8. The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the navigational data is provided by a vehicle navigation system.

9. The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the entertainment system is one of a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable gaming console, a digital media player, or a portable computer.

10. A method for use by an entertainment system for providing location-based entertainment to a mobile user traveling from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

identifying, using the entertainment system having a controller, a present location of the mobile user;

identifying, using the entertainment system having the controller, a destination of the mobile user;

determining, using the entertainment system having the controller, a travel route of the mobile user based on the present location and the destination of the mobile user;

providing, using the entertainment system having the controller, navigational data according to the travel route;

generating, using the entertainment system having the controller, a location-based entertainment content utilizing the navigational data for the mobile user, the location-based entertainment content including a story for narration based on information about points of interest encountered while moving from the first location to the second location; and

presenting, using the entertainment system having the controller, the location-based entertainment content to the mobile user, wherein the presenting includes narrating the story;

wherein the mobile user is travelling from the first location to the second location using a vehicle, and wherein the method further comprises supporting a virtual steering accessory for a virtual navigation of the vehicle in response to the story being narrated.

11. A method for use by an entertainment system for providing location-based entertainment, the method comprising:

identifying, using the entertainment system having a controller, a present location of a mobile user;

identifying, using the entertainment system having the controller, a destination of the mobile user;

determining, using the entertainment system having the controller, a travel route of the mobile user based on the present location and the destination of the mobile user;

providing, using the entertainment system having the controller, navigational data according to the travel route;

generating, using the entertainment system having the controller, a location-based entertainment content for a user utilizing the navigational data;

presenting, using the entertainment system having the controller, the location-based entertainment content to the user; and

receiving, using the entertainment system having the controller, a user interaction from the user using a virtual steering accessory in response to presenting the location-based entertainment content.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the location-based entertainment content is generated by using the navigational data as criteria for selecting the location-based entertainment content.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying comprises global positioning system (GPS) location finding.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining is performed utilizing a vehicle navigation system.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the location-based entertainment content includes an interactive presentation or game.