KR20030029968A - Method and system for location based recordal of user activity - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for location-based recording of user activity comprising a portable device 20 for distribution to a user, wherein the device 20 has an associated unique identifier and a plurality of detectors 30 are connected to the device 20. ) And obtain a unique identifier of the device 20, each detector 30 is configured to record the user's location at a predetermined location upon detection of the device 20, the system being Further comprising a plurality of activity sensors 50, 60, 70, 80 facing one or more locations, each activity sensor 50, 60, 70, 80 upon detection of the device 20 at each location. To record the activity.

Description

Method and system for location based recordal of user activity

The use of user tracking and video surveillance technology is typically limited to office and security environments. Various systems, such as the Hewlett Packard "Cool Town" system, have been tested in a research environment. Such systems allow users to (a) locate users using a central tracking system, or vice versa (b) identify their location from the installed infrastructure.

The privacy concerns of "Big Brother" have limited the success of centralized tracking systems, even though they have associated advantages in terms of usefulness and simplicity, cost, and unobtrusiveness of user devices.

When visiting theme parks, ski resorts, and other activity centers, the user's sole purpose is to get as much pleasure and recreation as possible. Many users want to get moments of their visit, and if they want to make these moments of personal nature as attached to the usual gifts and postcards being sold in other ways, users often have expensive cameras and video recordings. Forced to carry the device A special problem is that in many cases the environment of a theme park or ski resort may become inconvenient to lose, damage or have cameras and video recording devices,

Although theme parks and the like provide photographic systems to the passengers on the ride, the user must wait for the picture to be printed and identify, pay and collect his own photo (s) from all the pictures taken on the particular vehicle. You must have a photo for the rest of the day. This disrupts the flow of the visitor's day. Acoustic records are rarely captured on lively vehicles.

The system developed by Lo-Q was used to identify users' whereabouts. Lo-Q systems rely on small wireless devices (called Q-Bots) that are leased to each visit group. Through the network of base stations, devices are updated with the times they can visit each vehicle. The information is shown on a small screen, and users can reserve a seat on the vehicle by keeping their Q-Bot close to a kiosk next to the vehicle. The system uses information about the size of the queue (supplied to the system by vehicle operators) and detailed information of the vehicle available to the group (e.g., based on height or age restrictions). Allocates time slots. When returning later, the visitors join a shorter priority queue. The receiver near the entrance of the vehicle communicates with the visitor's Q-Bot. If visitors are allowed to ride, the green light flashes for the boarding operator. Additionally, alarms may sound when the Q-Bot leaves the park. Child finder service is available with simple display-less tags.

The present invention relates to a method and system for recording a user's activity based on location. The invention is particularly applicable to use in theme parks, recreational resorts, and other active resorts.

1 is a schematic diagram of a scheme of a theme park incorporating detection zones for use in the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of a structure for capturing and using location-based user data for use in accordance with the present invention;

3-8 are illustrations of examples describing the operation of a system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for location-based recording of user activity is provided that includes a portable device for distribution to a user, the device having an associated unique identifier, the plurality of detectors detecting the device and Configured to obtain a unique identifier of the device, each detector configured to log a user's location at a given location upon detection of the device, the system further comprising a plurality of activity sensors directed to one or more locations Each activity sensor is configured to record the activity upon detection of the device at each location.

The system may further comprise a computer system in communication with detectors and activity sensors, each detector configured to communicate a record of user locations to the computer system, the activity sensors configured to communicate the recorded activity to the computer system. It is composed.

The computer system may be arranged to compile the recorded activity of the user from the communicated and recorded activity depending on the recording of the user locations communicated by the detectors. Preferably, the computer system is arranged to submit the accumulation to the user for later review. The accumulation can be submitted in a format selected from a set comprising video, email, DVD, paper print outputs, or data on a computer readable medium. Accumulations may be submitted in exchange for fees.

Roaming detectors that include a positioning system can be used, the roaming detector is configured to detect the device and obtain a unique identifier of the device, and the roaming detector is arranged to record the user's location at the determined location from the positioning system.

Activity sensors may be selected from a set that includes a video camera, a still picture camera, a microphone, biosensors, and sensory capture devices.

The communication can be performed via a wireless communication network. The communication network may be Bluetooth.

Preferably, the detectors and sensors relate to vehicles and / or popularity in the theme park.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of location-based recording of user activity is provided, comprising the following steps.

Distributing the portable device to a user with an associated unique identifier;

Monitoring the device with a detector arranged to detect the device when in a predetermined position;

Obtaining unique identifiers of the devices detected at the detector;

Triggering an activity sensor directed to the location upon detection of the device at the location;

Recording the output from the activity sensor with a link to a unique identifier for accumulation of user activity.

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a scheme of a theme park incorporating detection zones in accordance with the present invention.

When visiting the theme park 10, the user is distributed with a number of unique identification devices 20 (a number of such devices each illustrated as examples of individual entities 20a-20g). Each device 20 carries on or attaches to the body. When distributing the device 20, the detailed information of the user is stored in the database 45 on the central server 40. The detailed information of the user is associated with the unique identifier of the device 20. Through the theme park 10, a network of detectors 30a-30f is distributed that can sense the presence of a device carried by the visitor or attached to the body via RF technology.

The data obtained from device 20 allows detectors to recognize device 20 and correlate it with database 45 to obtain user data. Device 20 may simply transmit, for example, a one-way connectionless RF broadcast of a unique identifier associated with device 20 to detectors 30 in range. Alternatively, the devices 20 may employ passive RFid techniques in meter-range sensing devices. More advanced devices may provide user input / output, for example functions such as a PDA, and may have a local RF link as well as other options for network connections such as GSM, GPRS, and the like.

By identifying the user from the unique identifier of the device 20 and identifying the detector 30 that detects the device 20, the central server 40 can find the location of the user in the park 10.

Once found, monitoring the user's activity may be done through a range of sensory equipment 50-80 that is connected to the detector 30 and / or directed to the user's particular location. Perceptual equipment 50-80 is primarily directed to the recording of audio and video materials and may include video capture equipment 50, still picture capture equipment 60, and audio capture defense 7. The other device 80 may be integrated into the user's device 20 or, in other cases, heart rate, arousal, when triggered by the detector 30 due to proximity to the user device 20. And may be distributed to the user to capture user perceptual data, such as breathing rate. Sensor data captured by the equipment 50-80 may then be correlated with the user's location and activity records by the central server 40. Such devices allow the user's heart rate traces to be shown next to the video record, or highlight the highlighting of the user's most surprised experience at some point in the vehicle in subsequent social activities.

The data from the equipment 50-80 is relayed to the central server 40, which adds the data to the database 45. From the data, server 40 can infer the paths of users, or at least one sequence of 'RF sightings'. This information can then be used to accumulate personal montages of recorded material for specific user movements and activities.

Stored user-location data information can be of personal or commercial value. Therefore, it is expected that system operators adhere to published privacy policies and deploy reliable security systems for connected networks and applications and databases.

Various policies can be applied to expiration and deletion of both location records and correlated audio-video-perceptual data repositories, keeping them within limits that are easy to control and cost-effective. However, the value is shown in retaining data that enhances the experience of return visits to the environment or affiliated places. Such retention can be used to increase return visits and customer loyalty through accumulated personalization.

Enhancements to return visits are based on route / travel schedule suggestions based on previous visits, favorite rides identified, new rides, missed rides from previous visits, routes taken by family or friends, etc. Can be provided by

It is not necessary for the detectors 30 to cover the whole of the park 10. While full coverage would be best in providing each user's exact location and their paths, detectors 30 are only close to key areas of interest to capture the user's presence whenever something interesting is happening. Need to be located. The fixed network of detectors 30 may be augmented by a number of mobile detectors 35 carried by environmental employees, robots, park / vehicle attraction equipment, or transportation devices that move around the park. Such mobile detectors 35 may use wireless or satellite up-links to convey user discovery and location records or sensory data to the central server 40. Alternatively, mobile detectors 35 may periodically push data and records into the database. The mobile detectors 35 may employ an assisted positioning system that in turn fixes its own position and those of nearby users.

'Area of Interest' describes the environment in which the user wishes to be monitored, examples are theme parks, ski resorts, water parks. Although described herein with reference to smaller closed environments, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be readily extended to cover larger areas such as villages and cities.

2 is a schematic diagram of a structure for capturing and recording location-based user data for use in accordance with the present invention.

The central server 40 includes a database server 100 that manages databases including a sensory database 110 and a user location database 120. The databases 110, 120 managed by the database server 100 make up the database 45 mentioned above. User information is maintained in the user database 130 and environment, service, and event information is maintained in the park database 140. The network of detectors 30, 35 communicates with the central server 40 and provides data to found user devices 20.

When the user device 20 is found by the detector 30, the detector 30 transmits a unique identifier of the device 20 together with the unique identifier of the detector (although it is implicitly transmitted by some identifier in the transmission itself). Send a time stamp indicating when the device was found at the central server 40. The central server 40 submits the location data sent by the detector 30 to the data server 100 for recording in the user location database. The identity of the user can be obtained from the correlation of the unique identifier in the user database 130 when location data is received, or at a later point when required. Preferably, central server 40 is modified by detectors 30 when device 20 is in or out of range. If detector 30 can periodically transmit a list of all devices 20 in range, the detector can enumerate all devices 20 in range when required.

Perception data captured by the perception equipment 50 to 80 is recorded in the desired perception database 110.

The central server 40 includes an output interface 150 connected to the database server 110 to obtain user data and associated perceptual and location data from respective databases.

Based on such a system, we now describe a number of techniques for enabling the provision of new services, souvenir sales, and revenue streams.

The network of detectors 30 may, for example, be a network of Bluetooth sensing devices, also called "Beacons". These are distributed over the area of interest in detecting the presence of other Bluetooth devices. In such a scenario, the devices 20 will incorporate Bluetooth technology. This will allow the system to accurately locate within 10 meters of the device the user is holding or carried by the user. Alternatively, other wireless technologies may be used, such as RF light (Zigbee) or wireless LAN (802.11). Optionally, with some increase (eg timing calculation), the accuracy of the provided positioning information can be improved. The Bluetooth device 20 may be permanently "discovered" to release the Bluetooth device ID to a "split beacon" query radio (as described in commonly assigned UK Patent Application No. 0020101.2). May be in mode, but does not participate in piconet applications. If more secure user identification is required, then a more complex but quick-query / discovery may be employed, followed by a device authentication protocol.

Unidirectional discovery or mutual discovery of user devices and detectors is a regular RF emission from active devices with detector polling to adjacent discovery devices, for example, as done with 802.11 to save battery power. Can be made more efficient by synchronizing them.

Referring to FIG. 3, a visitor or group of visitors reaches a location, or an associated seat and rental is associated with one or more in-use handsets equipped with short range RF technology such as Bluetooth, RF Lite / Zigbee, RFiD tags, or 802.11. It is distributed free together. These devices 20 can be detected and located several meters in the infrastructure of the system by the detectors 30.

The visitor or group's identity and alternative characteristics (family size, gender, age, etc.) are registered in the central server 40. The previous visits are checked by party members on the central database 45 or authorized databases of other or associated environments.

Referring to FIG. 4, optionally, a planning step may be provided when the group's preferences are requested by the introductory system and given appropriate recommendations. These can be used to target offers or electronic coupons for the group to take guidance assistance or for example using the prediction of the route it wishes to offer.

Through the registration of visitors, any conventional, with experiences experienced by visitors, such as rides or social encounters recorded by the system in previous visits to these (or similar associated) resorts, Visits are recalled from the central database 45. Such data can be used to inform changes in the environment since the last visit and suggest new experiences or challenges, which are based on experiences or skill levels previously recorded by the system. This recommendation system can increase customer loyalty, regression visits, and changes to environmental owners. This may also help to target location-based offers or electronic coupons during a visit to the environment. At present, systems that record the detailed experiences and behaviors of individual visitors to such environments are too expensive or disturbing and cannot be deployed.

With reference to FIG. 5, the system optionally captures sound records (voice in the car, beeps, etc.) to determine which users are on a particular vehicle and to photograph or video what the user is on. It can be used to automatically detect whether to mark records with id and time stamps. The user does not have to wait after boarding to get a picture, but can instead have a picture that is delivered later. Alternatively, audio-video records may be collected at the exit or inside the affiliated hotel using a mobile device to verify identity. The user can see the video immediately after boarding when he can decide whether he wants to purchase the picture or postpone the decision. Alternatively, the user may download video and / or sound records from the theme park website after returning home.

Increased souvenir sales will result from automating this process and providing new types of materials.

With reference to FIG. 6, the system can recognize the presence of the user (s) at the photo-booth or photo spots and automatically take the appropriately preceded picture by an automatic countdown warning. The picture is then stored with the user's tag id in the central content database 45 so that the user (s) can access the picture at a later time. The user does not need to carry a camera or photograph.

The identities of the participants in the group photos or the identities of the participants riding together at some time may be recorded. Thus, the system can track social groupings and track proximity to other visitors who may be strangers. This may be used later in the design of social games, or may be used as an introduction service, for example, sharing close experiences (in time or place) and agreeing to share location tracking data for services. New revenue can be generated from such social services.

Referring to FIG. 7, roaming employees in an environment, such as photographs, interviewers, or video cameramen, may be referred to as mobile detectors that will automatically detect the presence and identity of nearby visitors carrying or wearing devices 20. 35) can be mounted. Directional RF antennas can be used to limit the detection cone and can be used to limit the sensitivity adjusted to a suitable range that should be more accurate in correlating records with visitors. Such employees can be celebrities and decorated as well-known characters. Employees may use other more disturbing or expensive positioning systems (eg, GPS) to set the position in park 10 at any time. Therefore, this location data can be added to the A / V record made, thus extending the visitor's tracking to cover locations outside the scope of a fixed detector infrastructure.

These employees can selectively record nearby visitors, and the resulting records are automatically tagged by the time, place, and identity of the visitors within the employee's RF detection range. These records are then passed to the central database 45 (immediately via a wireless uplink or at a special A / V delivery station) and stored along with the user's tag id so that the user can record audio, video at later times. Or photo records. Again, the user does not need to carry a camera or photo. Thus, new types of valuable experiences, abundant memories, and special encounters can be captured for future sales or to increase the likelihood and customer loyalty of repeat visits (regenerating increased change).

Since the system automatically maintains a visible record of the user's recent history, this can be used for security purposes. For example, if a user has been stolen some items, it is possible to trace back the user's movements, navigate back to the point where the theft occurred and identify the offender. The system can also be used to find a place where a user lost something that was in transit.

This is especially useful when a child is lost, and it will be possible to review the child's path and determine if others have approached the child. This will provide parents with peace of mind that the system will monitor them even when they cannot monitor their children. Similarly, if an accident occurs, it can be reproduced at a later time to establish the cause and distribute the blame.

Referring to FIG. 8, the system accumulates montages of the user's activities and presents them at the end of the day's visit or at a later date, so that users can share this experience with each other, friends, and family.

This 'afterglow' or 'after ski shot' reactivation of the day and the comparison of different experiences within the group can be very enjoyable and stimulate social interactions in affiliated resort accommodations, public or private meeting areas. The system can also automatically accumulate all the shots taken by roaming employees in a place or at any point of boarding in which the user participated. This allows for the running of automated competitions, for example the most enjoyable ride of the day, and allows comparisons with other user's skills or actions during an event or challenge in the environment. Such new 'afterglow' services can mandate new income for the owners of the environment.

Audio / video memorabilia can be automatically burned to a CD (after possible user editing) or made from a user's home videotape, easily e-mailed or emailed to friends or family and published on a secure website. In a theme park scenario, this may show the user riding the vehicle, allowing the user to go back and investigate his route. In a ski resort scenario, this allows the user to see the video length of his visit. Such materials can easily accumulate in contextual information and content provided by the environment owner related to the user's paths and experiences. For example, this information may be about a ride in a theme park, the current weather conditions when skiing, or people accompanying the user (if they agreed to share location data). The user can then purchase these personalized information materials and A / V souvenirs, thus providing a new revenue stream. This compares favorably with current solutions, where the user is left to capture images or video for later viewing.

Through the environment, vehicle tools or purchases can be centrally accumulated using the user's unique identifier provided by the device 20 for registration. Central billing systems are known to increase sales compared to individual payments for each offering.

Many other valuable applications than those given above are possible once the RF positioning system is installed, for example identifying the location of the missing children with their own user devices (eg tags in bracelets), group meetings, etc. To facilitate communication, establishing communication links between members of the same party on more advanced user devices, receiving special offers or coupons, and the like electronically.

As described herein, the present invention describes many new concepts and services based on a system that records a user's activity by monitoring location for a period of time. The services are based on a user spending a day in a theme park or similar environments-cities, skiing or activity resorts-where the user may want to plan or recall his activities later in time. The user carries a small device that can be located by the infrastructure of beacons distributed through the theme park. The system can detect the user's presence or movements and can use additional techniques to record the user's activity—video camera, audio—. These may be fixed or carried by roaming employees of the environment. The system can then accumulate a summary of the user's recent activity and present it to the user at a later time to provide the user with a record of the user's recent activity. Several new business methods are provided on the basis of knowing the user's route and the provision of services, in particular at the affiliation between the active resorts and their local accommodations or recreational sites. These include souvenirs, targeted electronic couponing, facilitating social games or introduction services, lots, competitions or social events (the best time of the day, the winner of the most interesting situation, the ride of the day) Selling the automatic accumulation of the vehicle).

Although primarily defined by software-based or controlled execution, the skilled reader will appreciate that many of the functional features described above may perform equally well in hardware or in a combination of software and hardware.

Upon reading this disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are known in the design, manufacture, and use of communication and monitoring systems and / or data network access devices and devices and their component parts, and in addition to or instead of the features already described herein. May include other features that may be utilized.

Claims (12)

A system for location-based recording of user activity comprising a portable device for distribution to a user, the device having an associated unique identifier, the plurality of detectors configured to detect the device and obtain a unique identifier of the device Each detector is configured to record a user's location at a predetermined location upon detection of the device, Further comprising a plurality of activity sensors directed to one or more locations, each activity sensor configured to record the activity upon detection of the device at each location. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a computer system in communication with the detectors and activity sensors, each detector configured to communicate a record of user locations to the computer system, the activity sensors configured to communicate recorded activity to the computer system. System for location-based recording of user activity. The method of claim 2, And the computer system is arranged to accumulate the recorded activity of the user from the communicated and recorded activity in dependence on the recording of the user locations communicated by the detectors. The method of claim 3, wherein And the computer system is arranged to submit a compilation to the user for later review. The method of claim 4, wherein Wherein the accumulation is submitted in a format selected from a set comprising video, email, DVD, paper print outputs, or data on a computer readable medium. The method according to claim 4 or 5, Wherein the accumulation is submitted in exchange for a fee. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, And a roaming detector comprising a position determination system, the roaming detector configured to detect the device and obtain a unique identifier of the device, the roaming detector to locate the user at a position determined from the position determination system. A system for location-based recording of user activity, arranged to record. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The activity sensors are selected from a set comprising a video camera, a still picture camera, a microphone, biosensors, and sensory capture devices. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The communication is performed via a wireless communication network, the location-based recording of user activity. The method of claim 9, The communication network is Bluetooth, the system for location-based recording of user activity. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The detectors and sensors point to vehicles and / or popularity distances in a theme park. As a method of location-based recording of user activity, Distributing the portable device to a user having an associated unique identifier; Monitoring the device with a detector arranged to detect the device when in a predetermined position; Obtaining the unique identifiers of the devices detected at the detector; Triggering an activity sensor directed to the location upon detection of the device at the location; Recording the output from the activity sensor with a link to a unique identifier for accumulation of user activity.