IP Library Granted Patent US 8,933,967
Granted Patent B2
US 8,933,967 · App. 13/182,930 · Granted Jan 13, 2015

System and method for creating and sharing an event using a social network

Inventors: Charles D. Huston (Austin, TX); Chris Coleman (Austin, TX)
H04L51/32G06Q30/0207H04W4/02H04W4/20H04W4/205H04L67/18G01S19/19
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,933,967
App. No.
13/182,930
Granted
Jan 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for creating and viewing artificial reality (AR) messages at an event, such as a sporting event, and sharing the event on a social network thereby enhancing and expanding the participant and spectator experience. The AR messages include geo-referenced artificial reality words or symbols to indicate distances, tips, targets or other information to the participant. The event is shared with spectators, such as friends or a subset of friends in the participant's social network. In addition to creating an active gallery for an event, messages can be exchanged among participants and spectators and virtual goods, money, and donations exchanged.

Claims (36)

1. A system of sharing an event having a time and venue with members of a social network, where the event is not a social network, comprising:

a communication link between a participant in the event at the event venue and a social network to announce to one or more members of a social network an opportunity to participate in said event;

a device comprising glasses worn by said participant during the time of the event to track positions of said participant in real time during the event at the event venue;

a server associated with said social network and operable to permit one or more members of said social network to elect to become spectators to said event;

a communication link between said venue and said server associated with said social network to communicate during the time of the event said participant positions at the event venue to said server associated with said social network; and

wherein said server being operable to permit said one or more members who have elected to become spectators to said event, either in real time or historically, by connecting to said social network server and viewing said event at the event venue, wherein at least one view is a perspective view from a position at the event venue and includes an augmented reality (AR) message displayed to said one or more spectators, said server being capable of communicating said AR message during said event to said participant device for display of said AR message to said participant.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing is done in real time by said one or more members from a participant position.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said server is operable to permit the one or more members to communicate messages to said participant during the event.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the background of the perspective view is a photographic image from a participant position.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the background of the perspective view is an artificial reality environment with the AR message layered on said background.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said server is operable to permit the members to award compensation to said participant based on participant activities during the event.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the compensation comprises one or more of virtual goods, virtual services, awards, trophies, money, or donations to a charity.

8. The system of claim 1 , the device including a GPS receiver for determining positions at the venue for the event, and said one view is from a participant position.

9. The system of claim 1 , at least one of said network links comprising a cellular network.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said server connection allows spectators to communicate with said participant in real time during the event time.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein said communication link and server permits speculators to award compensation to a participant.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the background to said one view is a photo image.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the background to said one view is an artificial reality background.

14. The system of claim 1 , including a mobile device accompanying one or more members attending the event, said mobile device being operably connected to said server enabling said one or more attending members to view said event on said device.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein said device comprises a smart phone tethered to said glasses.

16. A method of compensating a participant in an event, the event being located at an event venue, where the event includes an activity having an associated time, comprising:

tracking the positions of a participant at the event venue in real time as the participant traverses the venue of the event;

communicating the positions to members of a social network who have elected to become spectators of the event;

viewing the event at the event venue by said spectators in real time where at least some of the views are a perspective view of the event venue from a participant position and includes an AR message during said event;

compensating the participant by one or more of said spectators by rewarding compensation to said participant based on a participant activity during the event, where said compensation comprises one or more virtual goods, virtual services, awards, trophies, money, or donations to a charity; and

communicating in real time AR messages to members of a social network that elect to become spectators with the AR message overlaid a background.

17. The method of claim 16 , including communicating an AR message and other information from said participant to said social network.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the event includes multiple participants and participants and spectators communicate.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the AR message is overlaid a photo background.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the AR message is overlaid an artificial reality background.

21. A method of compensating a participant in an event the event being located at an event venue, where the event includes an activity having an associated time, comprising:

tracking the positions of a participant at the event venue in real time as the participant traverses the venue of the event;

communicating the positions to members of a social network who have elected to become spectators of the event;

viewing the event at the event venue by said spectators in real time where at least some of the views are a perspective view of the event venue from a participant position and includes an AR message during said event;

compensating the participant by one or more of said spectators by rewarding compensation to said participant based on a participant activity during the event, where said compensation comprises one or more virtual goods, virtual services, awards, trophies, money or donations to a charity; and

wherein said participant announces a select charity before the associated time of the event to spectators of the event.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2022
From: HUSTON, CHARLES D.; COLEMAN, CHRIS; HUSTON, DAVID; HUSTON, THOMAS; HUSTON FAMILY TRUST; HERB'S HOLDINGS LLC.
To: SPATIAL REALITY, LLC.
Reel/Frame 062167/0409 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2013
From: COLEMAN, CHRIS
To: HUSTON, CHARLES D.
Reel/Frame 030696/0591 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation In Part 12111688 · Apr 29, 2008
Continuation In Part 11875414 · Oct 19, 2007
Continuation In Part 11624998 · Jan 19, 2007
Continuation In Part 11456715 · Jul 11, 2006
Continuation In Part 11456723 · Jul 11, 2006
Continuation In Part 13182930
Continuation In Part 13182914 · Jul 14, 2011
Provisional Application 60699205 · Jul 14, 2005
Related Publication 20120004956A1 · Jan 5, 2012