EP0979130A1

EP0979130A1 - Apparatus for entertaining a crowd

Info

Publication number: EP0979130A1
Application number: EP98919353A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Julian Goring Archdale Ellison; James William Handley
Original assignee: Red Fig Ltd
Current assignee: Red Fig Ltd
Priority date: 1997-05-01
Filing date: 1998-04-30
Publication date: 2000-02-16
Also published as: GB2325104A; GB9708929D0; WO1998050123A1; JP2001509719A; AU7222998A

Abstract

An apparatus for entertaining a crowd comprises a plurality of microphones (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) feeding into a microcomputer (1) and a large display (2) controlled by the microcomputer. The microcomputer (1) is programmed to control the large display (2) in dependence on values representing properties of signals from the microphones (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d). Elements of the displayed image may be controlled by the microcomputer (1) to represent the values of the properties of signals from different microphones or groups of microphones independently, or the difference between values for different microphones or groups of microphones. In another embodiment, screens are located at different locations and controlled to display the same image. This image is altered in dependence on the signals output by microphones at the two locations. Sensors other than microphones are also suggested. Also, the system may be used to control the direction of spotlights rather than images on a screen.

Description

Apparatus for Entertaining a Crowd

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for entertaining a crowd.

Background to the Invention

It is known to provided large video displays at sporting events and the like to enhance the entertainment provided by the sporting event or the like. However, there is no interaction between the crowd and the display.

Summary of the Invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus by means of which members of a crowd can act en masse to affect a displayed image or the direction of a light beam. Such apparatus can be used to enhance the entertainment provided by concerts, theatrical productions, pantomimes, sporting events and the like.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for entertaining a crowd comprising sensing means for sensing an activity of members of a crowd and outputting a signal indicative thereof, a video display means, and video signal generating means for generating video signals for driving the video display means, wherein the video signal generating means is configured for generating video signals in dependence on a value related to a property of the output signal of the sensing means.

In one embodiment, the video signal generating means includes memory means, storing image data for a plurality of images, and is configured to generate video signals for displaying said images sequentially on the video display means and to modify said video signals in dependence on said value. Such apparatus can be used to give a crowd the opportunity to signal its support for individual members of a sports team and have that support reflected in the display. Preferably, the video signal generating means is configured to record said value during the display of each image and, after each image in a sequence has been displayed, generate a video signal in dependence on mutual comparison of the recorded values. Thus, it is possible, for example, for the crowd's favourite team member to be identified.

Another embodiment of the present invention is arranged to allow different sections of the crowd to compete with each other. In such a system, it is preferred that the video signal generating means is configured to generate a video signal in dependence on values related to a plurality of properties of the sensing means output signal such that different aspects of the displayed image vary in dependence on said values. For the purpose of such competition, the crowd may be divided into blocks, in which case the sensing means comprises a plurality of sensing devices arranged such that activity in different areas can be sensed substantially independently. Alternatively, members of the crowd may be encouraged to undertake one of a selection of activities according to some criteria such as sex, age, or a preference for one of several options. These activities will be chosen such that they can be independently observed from the sensing means output signal. Preferably, in such an apparatus, the video signal generating means is configured to generate a video signal in dependence on values related to a property of the output signal of each of the sensing devices such that different aspects of the displayed image vary independently in dependence on said values.

The present invention extends to an apparatus for entertaining crowds which, for example, may be separated by tens, hundreds or even thousands of kilometres.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus for entertaining a plurality of crowds comprising a plurality of focus means each arranged to provide a focus for a respective discrete crowd, sensing means for sensing an activity of members of the crowds and outputting signals indicative thereof, a video display means associated with each focus means, and video signal generating means for generating video signals for driving the video display means, wherein the video signal generating means is configured for generating video signals in dependence on the values related to a property of respective output signals of the sensing means such that the same image is displayed concurrently by each video display means.

The apparatus may comprise a single video signal generator whose output is directed to each of the video displays. However, this requires the use of at least one high bandwidth transmission channel. It is preferred, therefore, that the video signal generating means comprise a respective video signal generator for each video display means. In such a system, the outputs of the sensing means can be routed to each of the video signal generators. However, it is preferred that the apparatus include means for distributing the property-related value for a crowd at one focus means to the video signal generator for the video display means associated each of the other focus means.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing means includes a central station and a remote station associated with each focus means, the remote stations being configured to transmit said property values to the central station and the central station being configured to forward property values to the video display generators. The method of communicating the property values is not of critical importance and may conveniently use a telephone network or the Internet.

If the present invention is embodied at an artistic entertainment venue, a focus means will typically comprise a stage or a platform. If the present invention is embodied at a sporting event, the focus means will typically comprise a pitch or a court for a sport. In either case, the apparatus will desirably include seating associated with the focus means for accommodating a crowd. It should be borne in mind, however, that the video displays themselves may provide the focus means.

According to the present invention, there is further provided an apparatus for entertaining a crowd comprising a plurality of sensing means for sensing an activity of members of different sections of a crowd and outputting a signal indicative thereof, a redirectable spotlight, and processing means for generating spotlight control signals, wherein the processing means is configured for generating spotlight control signals in dependence on the output signals of the sensing means to direct the spotlight at a section of the crowd according to a predetermined criterion.

Preferably, the sensing means is configured to sense an activity that can be performed in the absence of the sensing means. In other words, it is desirable that the members of the crowd do not need to be provided individually with an device required by the sensing means because the operator of the apparatus would feel the need to make available such devices for every crowd member, however large the crowd happens to be. Exemplary aαivities which may be sensed are vocalisation (cheering, booing and the like), clapping or feet stamping. Microphones can be used to sense any of the activities. Additionally, feet stamping can be detected by pressure sensors under the crowd's feet, for instance in a carpet. Nevertheless, if the sensing means is arranged to detect light levels, the crowd members may be issued with torches. The afore- mentioned property values may be, for example, signal voltage or current rms or peak values, or signal power. The property values may be any of these but for limited bandwidth.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus for first, second and third embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a block diagram of apparatus for a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a remote station for the fourth embodiment;

Figure 7 comprises flow chart illustrating the fourth embodiment; and

Figure 8 is a block diagram of apparatus for a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a microcomputer 1 including a 4-channel audio interface, a large video display screen 2 such as a Sony Jumbotron (RTM) and four microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The screen 2 is controlled by the microcomputer 1.

The application of the apparatus of Figure 1 to a first embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

The screen 2 is located in a football stadium so that it can be viewed from most or all of the spectator areas of the stadium. Additional screens can be provided to ensure that a screen can be viewed from all spectator areas of the stadium. The microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are directional and directed to the spectator areas on respective sides of the stadium's pitch.

The microcomputer 1 includes a disk drive storing images of each of the members of a football team. When a control program for the present embodiment is run, the microcomputer 1 displays an introductory image on the screen 2 (step si). This image includes an invitation to spectators to cheer for their favourite players. At step s2, the microcomputer 1 replaces the introductory image with a master image. The master image comprises an indicator bar element and a picture box. The indicato ιr bar element and the picture box are represented in software as objects whose properties can by changed to alter the displayed image in a manner familiar to thos ;e versed in object-oriented programming for GUI operating systems such as Microsoft (RTM) Windows.

At step s3, the microcomputer 1 fills the picture box with a first image of a player. Once the player's image has been displayed, the microcomputer 1 monitors the signals from the microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d for 5 seconds. During this 5-second period, the microcomputer 1 repeatedly calculates a value reflecting the sum of the powers of the signals from the microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d (steps s4) and adjusts the length of the indicator bar in dependence on the calculated value (step s5). At the end of the 5-second period (step s6), the microprocessor 1 determines and stores a value reflecting the total energy of the microphone signals during the 5-second period from the calculated values (step s7).

If, at step s8, all the images of players have not been displayed, the microcomputer 1 repeats steps s3 to s7 for the next player in the sequence. Otherwise, the microcomputer 1 determines which player's image was met with the largest noise energy from the stored energy values (step s9) and then displays a final image including the image of the player met with the largest noise energy (step slO).

The application of the apparatus of Figure 1 to a second embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 3.

The screen 2 is located in a football stadium so that it can be viewed from most of the spectator areas of the stadium. Additional screens can be provided to ensure that a screen can be viewed from all spectator areas of the stadium. The microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are directional and directed to different spectator areas. It is normal for the crowds at professional Association Football matches to be segregated with supporters of the two teams occupying predetermined areas. At league matches there are usually are far fewer away supporters than home supporters. At matches at neutral stadiums, for example in the later rounds of knockout competitions, the numbers of supporters of the rival teams tend to be more equal.

The microcomputer 1 is programmed such that the microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can be allocated to one of two groups (step sll). Each group will comprise one or more microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The present invention is not a measuring instrument and handicapping factors are allocated to each microphone group so that a real sense of competition can be ensured. After the allocation of microphone to groups, the microcomputer 1 displays a master image on the screen 2 (step sl2). The master image includes two animated bouncing footballs to the left of the screen 2 and a finish line to the right of the screen 2.

Once the master image has been displayed, the microcomputer 1 repeatedly determines values for the sum of each microphone's rms signal voltage for each microphone group at predetermined intervals (step si 3). The sum rms value for each microphone group is then multiplied by the respective handicapping factor to produce handicapped values (step sl4). The microcomputer 1 then smoothly repositions the bouncing ball animations to the right by distances representing respective handicapped values (step si 5).

Each time the balls are moved to the right, the microprocessor 1 determines whether one or other of them has crossed the finish line (step si 6). If neither ball has crossed the finish line, the microprocessor 1 continues looping through steps sl3, sl4 and sl5. If one of the balls has crossed the finish line, the microprocessor 1 displays an image on the screen 2 indicating which set of supporters has won the "race" (step sl7).

In one modified form of this embodiment, only the ball corresponding to the largest handicapped value is moved and the distance that the ball is moved is independent of magnitude of the corresponding handicapped value.

In another modified form of this embodiment, only the ball corresponding to the largest handicapped value is moved and the distance by which it is moved is proportional to the difference between the handicapped values.

The application of the apparatus of Figure 1 to a third embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 4. The screen 2 is located on the stage of a theatre where it can be viewed by the audience. The microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are directional and directed to different regions of the auditorium.

In this embodiment, the audio interface of the microcomputer 1 includes a digital signal processors for each microphone 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The digital signal processors are configured to perform fast fourier transforms on the signals from the microphone 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to produce signals representative of the frequency domain characteristics of the signals from the microphone 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

The present embodiment may be used during a pantomine when the audience is invited to indicate support for one of two options, for instance should Cinderella marry Prince Charming or Buttons. The audience may be asked to go "oooh" if they favour Prince Charming and "aaah" if they favour Buttons. Ooohs will generally contain more high frequency energy than aaahs.

Once the audience has been asked the question, the microcomputer 1 is caused to operate according to a control program. Initially, the microcomputer 1 displays a master image on the screen 2 (step s31). This image includes two indicia representing respectively Prince Charming and Buttons. Thereafter, the microcomputer 1 monitors the outputs of the digital signal processors and determines, for all of the microphones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d together, values for the power in first and second discrete frequency bands (step s32). The first frequency band being lower than the second. In this way, the relative level of ooohs and aaahs can be detected. At step s33, the microcomputer 1 varies the size of the indicia in dependence on the determined values by multiplying the dimensions of each indicium by the respective determined value and a respective scaling factor. Steps s32 and s33 are repeated until an operator cancels the process using the keyboard of the microcomputer (step s34).

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Referring to Figure 5, remote stations at respectively first and second football stadia 11, 12 are connected to a central station 13 via the Public Switched Telephone Network 14 or the Internet using TCP/IP. The central station 13 comprises a microcomputer with interfaces suitable for simultaneously communicating with the remote stations.

Referring to Figure 6, each remote station comprises a microcomputer 15 including a modem for communication via the Public Switched Telephone Network or the Internet using dial-up access. One or more microphones 16 are coupled to an audio interface in the microcomputer 15. The microcomputer 15 also controls a large video display screen 17.

Referring to Figure 7, when the apparatus is operating and the central station 13 has established communication with the remote stations, the central station 13 sends a start command to the remote stations (step s41). The microcomputers 15 of the remote stations respond to the start command by displaying an introductory image as used in the second embodiment described above on their screens 17 (step s51). Then the microcomputers 17 determine the rms voltage of the signals from the microphone 16 during a predetermined sensing period (step s52) and then transmit these values to the central station 13 (step s53). When the central station 13 has received an rms voltage value from each remote station, it multiplies the values by respective handicapping factors to produce handicapped values (step s42). The central station 13 accumulates the handicapped values for each remote station (step s43) and determines whether any of the accumulated values corresponds to a win (step s44). If win is not detected, the handicapped values are sent to all of the remote stations (step s45). If a win is indicated, the central station 13 sends a win message to the remote stations. The win message includes the identity of the winning crowd (step s46).

On receiving a message, the remote stations determine whether the message is a win message or handicapped values (step s54). The remote stations respond to reception of the handicapped values by moving the balls to the right as in the second embodiment described above (step s55). After the balls have been moved, the microcomputers 17 of the remote stations return to step s52. The remote stations respond to reception of a win message by displaying an indication of the winning crowd on their screens 17 (step s56).

This embodiment has been described with two remote stations. It will be appreciated that further remote stations may be added with corresponding alterations being made to the displayed images, for example the addition of further balls or other indicia.

The central station may be combined with one of the remote stations.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

Referring to Figure 8, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a microcomputer 31 including a 4-channel audio interface, a motorised spotlight 32 and four microphones 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d. The spotlight 32 is controlled by the microcomputer 31.

The spotlight 32 is located in a football stadium so that it can direct a beam of light onto any of the spectator areas of the stadium. The microphones 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d are directional and directed to the spectator areas of respective sides of the stadium's pitch.

The microcomputer 31 monitors the rms values of the signals from the microphone 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d and controls the spotlight 32 so that its beam is directed to the side of the stadium where most noise is being produced.

In the embodiments described above, the microcomputers monitor the rms value of the signals from the microphones. It will be appreciated that the power level of these signals could be monitored instead.

Claims

1. An apparatus for entertaining a crowd comprising sensing means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for sensing an activity of members of a crowd and outputting a signal indicative thereof, a video display means (2), and video signal generating means (1) for generating video signals for driving the video display means (2), wherein the video signal generating means (1) is configured for generating video signals in dependence on a value related to a property of the output signal of the sensing means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video signal generating means (1) includes memory means, storing image data for a plurality of images, and is configured to generate video signals for displaying said images sequentially on the video display means and to modify said video signals in dependence on said value.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the video signal generating means (1) is configured to record said value during the display of each image and, after each image in a sequence has been displayed, generate a video signal in dependence on mutual comparison of the recorded values.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video signal generating means (1) is configured to generate a video signal in dependence on values related to a plurality of properties of the sensing means output signal such that different aspects of the displayed image vary in dependence on said values.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) comprises a plurality of sensing devices (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) arranged such that activity in different areas can be sensed substantially independently.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the video signal generating means

(1) is configured to generate a video signal in dependence on values related to a property of the output signal of each of the sensing devices (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) such that different aspects of the displayed image vary in dependence on said values.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is configured to sense an activity that can be performed in the absence of the sensing means.

8. An apparatus for entertaining a plurality of crowds comprising a plurality of focus means (11, 12) each arranged to provide a focus for a respective crowd, sensing means (13, 15, 16) for sensing an activity of members of the crowds and outputting signals indicative thereof, a video display means (17) associated with each focus means, and video signal generating means (15) for generating video signals for driving the video display means, wherein the video signal generating means (15) is configured for generating video signals in dependence on values related to a property of respective output signals of the sensing means such that the same image is displayed concurrently by each video display means (17).

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the video signal generating means (15) comprises a respective video signal generator (15) for each video display means (17).

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, including means (14) for distributing said property value for a crowd at one focus means (11, 12) to the video signal generator (15) for the video display means associated each of the other focus means.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sensing means (13, 15, 16) includes a central station (13) and a remote station (15, 16) associated with each focus means, the remote stations (15, 16) being configured to transmit said property values to the central station (13) and the central station (13) being configured to forward property-related values to said video display generators (15).

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the property values are communicated between the remote stations (15, 16) and the central station (13) and between the central station (13) and the video display generators (15) via a telephone network (14) or the Internet.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a focus means (11, 12) comprises a stage or a platform.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a focus means (11, 12) comprises a pitch (11, 12) or a court for a sport.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, including seating associated with said focus means (11, 12) for accommodating a crowd.

16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the sensing means (15, 16) is configured to sense an activity that can be performed in the absence of the sensing means (15, 16).

17. An apparatus for entertaining a crowd comprising a plurality of sensing means (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) for sensing an activity of members of different sections of a crowd and outputting a signal indicative thereof, a redirectable spotlight (32), and processing means (31) for generating spotlight control signals, wherein the processing means (31) is configured for generating spotlight control signals in dependence on the output signals of the sensing means to direct the spotlight (32) at a section of the crowd according to a predetermined criterion.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sensing means (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) is configured to sense an activity that can be performed in the absence of the sensing means (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d).

19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the activity comprises vocalisation or clapping.