WO2002019206A1 - Management of real world sports organization via interactive media - Google Patents

Management of real world sports organization via interactive media Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002019206A1
WO2002019206A1 PCT/US2001/025784 US0125784W WO0219206A1 WO 2002019206 A1 WO2002019206 A1 WO 2002019206A1 US 0125784 W US0125784 W US 0125784W WO 0219206 A1 WO0219206 A1 WO 0219206A1
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real world
sports team
community
world sports
general
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PCT/US2001/025784
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French (fr)
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Michael S. Bailey
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Liveplanet, Inc.
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Priority to AU2001288288A priority Critical patent/AU2001288288A1/en
Publication of WO2002019206A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002019206A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

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  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
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Abstract

A method and system is provided for managing a real world sports organization. The method includes creating a community of general managers for a real world sports organization. The community of general managers may be comprised of people from the communities in the geographic location in which the real world sports organization is located. The method also includes receiving input regarding the management of the real world sports organization from the community of general managers, and causing the management of the real world sports organization according to the input from the community of general managers. The system includes a system database, presents a matter regarding the real world sports team to a community of general mangers associated with the real world sports team. The application server receives votes for the matter from the community of general mangers, and tallies the received votes to generate a voting result.

Description

MANAGEMENT OF REAL WORLD SPORTS ORGANIZATION VIA INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Background Field The present invention relates generally to interactive entertainment, and more particularly, to management of a real world sports organization via interactive media.
Description of the Related Art
A typical professional sports organization owns and operates an athletic team, such as a baseball team, a football team, a basketball team, a soccer team, and the like. The sports organization, usually established as a corporate entity, is controlled and managed by a small number of individuals. For example, an individual, generally referred to as a "general manager," may oversee the day-to-day operation of the sports organization. The duties or responsibilities of the general manager may include hiring, firing, and trading players, negotiating salaries, and hiring a head coach. In turn, the head coach (or manager in baseball) oversees and manages the coaching and performance of the athletic team owned by the sports organization. Both the general manager and head coach typically hire one or more assistants, respectively, to assist in performing his or her duties. This small group of select individuals controls and manages the sports organization, and furthermore, is intimately involved with the successes and failures of the sports organization.
The typical sports organization is situated in a particular geographic location having respective communities of people. For example, the Los Angeles Dodgers sports organization is associated with the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and the surrounding communities. In order to remain viable, the sports organization needs to draw support from these communities. Usually, only a small segment of each of the communities shows interest in the sports organization. These people, who are generally referred to as "fans," support the sports organization, for example, by attending the sporting events, watching media broadcasts of the sporting events, and purchasing merchandise associated with the sports organization.
Other than showing interest in the sports organization as consumers, the fans have no other involvement or connection with the sports organization. For example, the fans, and the communities in general, do not contribute to the control and management of the sports organization. The control and management remain the domain of the select group of individuals hired to perform the task - i.e., the general manager, the head coach, and their assistants. Because involvement of the communities, and the people in these communities, is limited primarily to a supporting role, it is easy for the people to disassociate themselves from, and lose interest in, the sports organization. The inability to provide input into the control and management of the sports organization contributes to the lack of community involvement and interest in the sports organization.
In recent years, much enthusiasm for professional sports organizations has been generated by the formation of various "fantasy" leagues. In a typical fantasy league, a number of fans create their own respective fantasy athletic team by picking and choosing players from various sports organizations. The success of each fantasy team is determined by the performances of the individual players, which are part of the team. To some degree, fans who have their own fantasy teams may act as general managers and/or head coaches for their respective teams, for example, by trading players, determining a starting line-up, etc. This enhances the experience of such fans. However, these roles of general managers and head coaches are imaginary only, and the fans who participate in fantasy leagues never have the benefit of seeing their decisions or judgments played out in reality.
Summary The present invention creates communities of general managers via interactive media. Each community of general managers may manage and coach a respective real world sports organization, thus facilitating the management and coaching of the organization while also enhancing the experience of the members in the community. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In one embodiment, a method for management of a real world sports organization includes: creating a community of general managers for a real world sports organization; receiving input regarding the management of the real world sports organization from the community of general managers; and managing the real world sports organization based on the input from the community of general managers.
In another embodiment, a method for a real world sports transaction includes: presenting a proposed real world sports transaction to a community of general managers associated with a real world sports team; receiving votes for the proposed real world sports transaction from the community of general managers; tallying the votes received from the community of general managers; and executing the proposed real world sports transaction pursuant to the tallied votes.
In still another embodiment, a method for a management of a real world sports team includes: presenting a strategy to a community of general managers associated with a real world sports team participating in a real world sporting event, where the strategy includes a tactic for the real world sports team in the real world sporting event; receiving votes for the strategy from the community of general managers; tallying the votes received from the community of general managers to generate a voting result; and notifying the real world sports team of the voting result so that the strategy is executed during the real world sporting event. In yet another embodiment, a real world sports team management system includes a system database operable to maintain data for a real world sports team. An application server, coupled to the system database, is operable to present a matter regarding the real world sports team to a community of general managers associated with the real world sports team. The application server is operable to receive votes for the matter from the community of general managers, and to tally the votes received from the community of general managers to generate a voting result.
A technical advantage of the present invention includes providing a system and method that enables a real world sports team to be managed by a community of general managers. The real world sports team is comprised of real athletes. The real world sports team competes against other real world sports teams. The general managers may comprise people from the communities in which the real world sports team is located. Because the general managers affect the management of the real world sports team, the present invention promotes community and civic pride in the real world sports team.
Another technical advantage of the present invention includes providing a system and method that enables a community of general managers to coach a real world sports team during an actual game in which the real world sports team participates. Because the community of managers may comprise people from the communities in which the real world sports team is located, the present invention promotes increased community interest in the games.
These and other embodiments and advantages of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which a system of the present invention may operate.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a sports team management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method by which a community of general managers manages a real world sports organization in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method by which general managers in a community vote on a real world sports transaction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method by which general managers in a community vote on a real world sporting event strategy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of a sporting event management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description A sports team management system and corresponding methods, according to an embodiment of the present invention, facilitates the management of a real world sports team by a community of general managers via interactive media. The sports team may comprise real-life athletes who play for the team. The sports team may belong to a real world sports league and may advantageously compete against one or more other real world sports teams. Each sports team may be situated or based in a particular geographic area or locality (e.g., town, city, municipality, county, district, region, state, and the like).
In one embodiment, the sports team management system provides an interactive media interface through which users can attain information regarding one or more real world sports leagues, each sports league being made up of one or more real world sports organizations, h particular, a user may utilize the sports team management system to affiliate with a particular real world sports organization, and its associated real world sports team, of interest. By affiliating with a particular real world sports team, the user becomes a member of a community of general managers for the real world sports team. As a member of the community of general managers for the real world sports team, the user may use the sports team management system to interact with other users in the community of general managers to manage and coach the real world sports team. For example, the community of general managers may collectively decide to hire players, trade players, organize starting line-ups, etc. In one embodiment, a sporting event management system and corresponding methods facilitate the coaching of the real world sports team during an actual sporting event (e.g., game). In particular, the community of general managers may utilize the sporting event management system to determine the strategy for its respective sports team during the sporting event. For example, the community of general managers uses the sporting event management system to provide input, in the form of votes, regarding one or more proposed strategies the sports team is to employ during the course of the game. The sporting event management system notifies the appropriate sports team of the results of the strategy decided on by its community of general managers. By enabling communities of general managers to actively participate in the management and strategic decision-making of respective real world sports organizations, the system and corresponding methods of the present invention enhance the experience of various users who are members of the communities. Even though the sports team management system, sporting event management system, and corresponding methods of the present invention are suitable for advantageously facilitating the management of a real world sports organization and enhancing user experience in any sport, the sports team management system, sporting event management system, and methods will be further disclosed in the context of facilitating the management and coaching of a real world baseball team. Throughout the drawings, components that correspond to components shown in previous figures are indicated using the same reference numbers.
Nomenclature
The detailed description that follows is presented largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations performed by conventional computers, including computer components. A computer may be any microprocessor or processor (hereinafter referred to as processor) control device such as, by way of example, personal computers, workstations, servers, chents, mini-computers, main-frame computers, laptop computers, a network of one or more computers, mobile computers, portable computers, handheld computers, palm top computers, set top box for a TV, an interactive television, an interactive kiosk, personal digital assistant, an interactive wireless device, a mobile browser, or any combination thereof The computers may possess input devices such as, by way of example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a microphone, or a touch screen, and output devices such as a computer screen, printer, or a speaker. Additionally, these computers include memory such as a memory storage device or an addressable storage medium.
These computers may be uniprocessor or multiprocessor machines. Additionally the computers, and the computer memory, may advantageously contain program logic or other substrate configuration representing data and instructions, which cause the computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner as, described herein. The program logic may advantageously be implemented as one or more modules. The modules may advantageously be configured to reside on the computer memory and execute on one or more processors. The modules include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components that perform certain tasks. Thus, a module may include, byway of example, components, such as, software components, processes, functions, subroutines, procedures, attributes, class components, task components, object-oriented software components, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro-code, circuitry, data, and the like.
The program logic includes the manipulation of data bits by the processor and the maintenance of these bits within data structures resident in one or more of the memory storage devices. Such data structures impose a physical organization upon the collection of data bits stored within computer memory and represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to effectively convey teachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art. The program logic is generally considered to be a sequence of computer- executed steps. These steps generally require manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, text, terms, numbers, records, files, or the like. It should be kept in mind, however, that these and some other terms should be associated with appropriate physical quantities for computer operations, and that these terms are merely conventional labels applied to physical quantities that exist within and during operation of the computer.
It should be understood that manipulations within the computer are often referred to in terms of adding, comparing, moving, searching, or the like, which are often associated with manual operations performed by a human operator. It is to be understood that no involvement of the human operator may be necessary, or even desirable, in the present invention. The operations described herein are machine operations performed in conjunction with the human operator or user that interacts with the computer or computers.
It should also be understood that the programs, modules, processes, methods, and the like, described herein are but an exemplary implementation of the present invention and are not related, or limited, to any particular computer, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various types of general purpose computing machines or devices may be used with programs constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to construct a specialized apparatus to perform the method steps described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with hard-wired logic or programs stored in non- volatile memory, such as, by way of example, read-only memory (ROM).
Real World Sports Organization Management Overview
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an environment in which a sports team management system 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention may operate. This environment includes the sports team management system 102 connected to a data network (e.g., the Internet) 104, a real world sporting event 106, and a communication (e.g., telecommunication) network 112. The environment also includes one or more users 110 attending the real world sporting event 106 or receiving a media broadcast 108 of the real world sporting event 106. The users 110 may be connected to the sports team management system 102 via the Internet 104 and/or the telecommunication network 112. As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.
The sports team management system 102 facilitates the management of one or more real world sports organizations by a respective community of general managers for each organization. In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 supports or provides a website that is accessible by users 110. A separate web page may be provided for each real world sports organization. The sports team management system 102 includes the necessary data and the program logic to facilitate the creation, maintenance, management, and control of the one or more real world sports organizations.
For example, the data may include information regarding a pool of athletes and coaches who can be assigned to or included in any of the real world sports organizations, a roster of the athletes and coaches actually belonging to each real world sports organization, the community of general managers associated with each real world sports organization, a list of strategies or management decisions for the real world sports organizations, performance statistics for each individual athlete and the real world sports organizations, and the like. The program logic enables the users 110 to view and/or utilize some or all of the data stored in the sports team management system 102. hi particular, the program logic enables each community of general managers to manage its respective real world sports organization by, for example, accessing and manipulating the data to propose, vote upon, and execute strategies and decisions for the organization. The sports team management system 102 is further discussed below.
The users 110 may comprise people in the localities in which the real world sports organizations are situated or based. The users 110 may also include people in other localities that have an interest in the one or more real world sports organizations maintained by the sports team management system 102. The users 110 connect to the sports team management system 102 to access the data and information regarding the one or more real world sports organizations maintained on the sports team management system 102. For example, the users 110 access information regarding a particular real world sports organization such as the team roster, player statistics, injury status, player availability for an upcoming game, game schedule, contract information, proposed player transactions, and the like. The users 110 may connect to the sports team management system 102 through the Internet 104 and/or the telecommunication network 112. The Internet 104 and the telecommunication network 112 are further discussed below.
Each user 110 may register to become a member of a community of general managers associated with a real world sports organization, h one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 assigns a unique identification for each registered user 110. Subsequently, the registered user 110 submits his or her identification in order to interact with the sports team management system 102 as a general manager.
In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 provides general information to any user 110, for example, accessing a website supported or provided by system 102. This general information may include, for example, league standings, team rosters, game schedules, and other information not sensitive to the management and control of a real world sports organization. For users 110 who are registered as general managers, the sports team management system 102 provides additional data and privileges. For example, the additional data and privileges enable each user 110 accessing the sports team management system 102 as a general manager to participate in the management of the respective real world sports organization and the coaching of the associated real world sports team. The terms "real world sports organization" and "real world sports team" are used interchangeably herein. The registered user 110 may elect to access the sports team management system 102 as a general manager or a non-general manager.
For example, by accessing the sports team management system 102 as a general manager, the user 110 may propose one or more of the following management and coaching strategies for his or her sports team: player transactions, game tactics, starting line-ups, player selections in a draft of players, assignment of a player to a minor league team, placement of a player on a disabled or injured list, release of a player from the team, claiming of a player released by another team, and the like. The proposed strategies are made available for discussion and voting by the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team. Each member of the associated community of general managers may advantageously be provided the opportunity to comment and vote on the management and coaching strategies proposed for his or her real world sports organization. In contrast, users 110 who are not members of a particular community of general managers, or who do not access the sports team management system 102 as general managers, may not participate in the management and coaching of the real world sports organization by, for example, proposing or voting on the management and coaching strategies.
In one embodiment, the users 110 who are members of a community of general managers have access to the proposed management and coaching strategies for the respective real world sports organization, hi another embodiment, all users 110, irrespective of membership in a community of general managers, may gain access to and view the proposed management and coaching strategies. In still another embodiment, certain strategies, for example, proposed player transactions and player movements, involving a real world sports organization are first voted on by the members of the community of general managers associated with the real world sports organization. Subsequently, the approved strategies may be made available for viewing by the other users 110, while the proposed strategies rejected by vote may not be made available for viewing by the users 110 who are not members of the respective community of general managers. To implement the differential access of users 110 to information, the sports team management system 102 may provide or support various levels of access for users 110. Each user 110 may be provided one level of access as a non-member to a community of general managers and another level of access as a member to a community of general managers.
The management and coaching strategies may generally be classified as either game-time, coaching strategies or non-game-time strategies. Game-time, coaching strategies are proposed and made during a contest or game between two or more real world sports teams, and include, for example, player substitutions, offensive play calling, defensive play calling, and the like. Non-game-time strategies are the management and coaching strategies that do not have to be made during the contest between two or more real world sports teams, and include, for example, player transactions, assignment of players, draft of players, selection of a starting line-up, and the like. The real world sporting event 106 is a game or contest between two or more real world sports teams. For example, the real world sporting event 106 may be a baseball game, a football game, a hockey game, a basketball game, or any other game or contest involving two or more real world sports teams.
In one embodiment, a user 110 acting as a general manager participates in the coaching of his or her real world sports team while watching the real world sporting event 106 involving the real world sports team as a participant. The general manager may watch the real world sporting event 106 in person or may watch or listen to the media broadcast 108 of the real world sporting event 106. The media broadcast 108 can be, for example, a television broadcast, a radio broadcast, a cable broadcast, a satellite broadcast, or any other suitable broadcast. While the general manager listens or watches the real world sporting event 106, the sports team management system 102 may present one or more game-time, coaching strategies for the general manager's real world sports team. The strategies may be proposed by the sports team management system 102 or by one or more members of the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team. The general manager, along with the other members of the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team, may then vote on the proposed strategies, or may propose other strategies. These votes by the members of the community of general managers are submitted to the sports team management system 102. A voting result is then generated for each proposed strategy by tallying the votes. The real world sports team is notified of the voting result, and based on the voting result, the real world sports team implements or discards the game-time strategy. Subsequently, for example, after the proposed strategy has been either implemented or discarded, the voting result may be displayed to other users 110 who are not members of the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team. For example, the voting result may be displayed on a display screen at the real world sporting event 106 to be viewed by the people present at the real world sporting event 106, or the voting result may be made generally available through the sports team management system 102, or the voting result may be presented via media broadcast 108.
The media broadcast 108 is a real world broadcast of the real world sporting event 106. The media broadcast 108 may be over conventional broadcast medium such as, by way of example, television, movies, radio, satellite, cable, wireless, and the like. The media broadcast 108 may also be over emerging broadcast medium such as, by way of example, the Internet 104 and other communication network media capable of transmitting the audio, video and/or digital images necessary to broadcast the real world sporting event 106.
Sports Team Management System
Figure 2 illustrates the sports team management system 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sports team management system 102 functions to maintain and provide information regarding one or more real world sports leagues. Each real world sports league may include one or more real world sports organizations. In particular, the sports team management system 102 functions to facilitate the management and coaching of the one or more real world sports organizations by each organization's community of general managers. As such, the sports team management system 102 enhances the experience of members in each community.
In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 includes one or more connected computers, program logic, and data to facilitate the management and coaching of a real world sports organization by its community of general managers. The sports team management system 102 can be administered and maintained by one or more system administrators appointed by the real world sports league. As shown in Figure 2, the sports team management system 102 includes an application server 202, a web server 204, an event interface 206, a telecommunication interface 208, and a system database 210.
As used herein, the terms "sports team management system," "application server," and "web server" are to be viewed as designations of one or more computers and are not to be otherwise limiting in any manner. The computers for sports team management system, application server, and web server may be the same or different. The sports team management system 102 may, for example, be comprised of one or more modules that execute on one or more computers. The application server 202 and the web server 204 need not be server based, but can comprise one or more modules that execute on one or more computers.
The application server 202 contains program logic to receive and process data from one or more data sources. The data sources may include the one or more system administrators of the sports team management system 102, members of one or more communities of general managers, as well as the users 110. The application server 202 processes the data to maintain the one or more real world sports organizations and to enable the management of the one or more sports organizations by the respective communities of general managers.
The data may include information relating to the athletes or players, the coaches, proposed management strategies, proposed coaching strategies, votes, player and team statistics, contract specifics, league schedules, and other information related to the maintenance and management of one or more real world sports leagues and real world sports organizations. The application server 202 generally functions to process the received data so that the data may be associated or identified with the relevant real world sports organization or organizations. The application server 202 may make the received and/or processed data available through, for example, web server 204, telecommunication interface 208, or event interface 206. Ultimately, the processed data may result in the execution of one or more game-time, coaching strategies or non-game-time strategies at the real world sports organizations.
The web server 204 is connected to the application server 202. The web server 204 generally functions to provide connectivity between the sports team management system 102 and the Internet 104. The web server 204 provides the users 110, and in particular, the community of general managers, access to the sports team management system 102 over the Internet 104. A general manager may use devices, such as, by way of example, a computer, a wireless Internet 104 communication device, a telephone with Internet 104 capability, and the like, to connect to and participate in the management of his or her real world sports organization over the Internet 104.
The Internet 104 is a global network connecting millions of computers, including the sports team management system 102. The structure of the Internet 104, which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, is a global network of computer networks and utilizes a simple, standard common addressing system and communications protocol known as Transmission Control Protocol/h temet Protocol (TCP/IP). The connections between different networks are called "gateways," and the gateways serve to transfer electronic data worldwide. One part of the Internet 104 is the World Wide Web (WWW or Web). The Web is generally used to refer to both (1) a distributed collection of inter-linked, user- viewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as "web documents" or "web pages" or "electronic pages" or "home pages") that are accessible via the Internet 104, and (2) the client and server components which provide user 110 access to such documents using standardized Internet 104 protocols. The web documents are encoded using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and the primary standard protocol for allowing the components to locate and acquire web documents is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). However, as used herein, the term Web is intended to encompass future languages and protocols which may be used in place of, or in addition to, HTML and HTTP.
The Web contains different computers that store and serve web pages, such as HTML documents, capable of displaying tactual and graphical information on a computer screen. These computers are generally referred to as "websites." The sports team management system 102 may include such a computer that supports a website with respective web pages, thus providing information on the Web. A website is accessed through a unique Internet address that corresponds to a web page within the website. The web page may advantageously organize the presentation of text, graphical images, video, and audio, as well as provide links to other web pages in the website or the Web. Furthermore, the web page may be implemented as a conduit for the dissemination of data and information from the website as well as the receipt of data and information into the website.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the Internet 104 may advantageously be comprised of one or a combination of other types of networks without detracting from the scope of the invention. The Internet 104 can include, byway of example, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), public internets, private intranets, a private computer network, a secure internet, a private network, a public network, a value-added network, interactive television networks, wireless data transmission networks, two-way cable networks, satellite networks, interactive kiosk networks, and/or any other suitable data network.
In one embodiment, the user 110 executes a client application, such as a browser, on his or her computer to access the sports team management system 102 through the Internet 104. The browser is a software program that allows the user 110 to access different computers, including the sports team management system 102, connected to the Internet 104. In one embodiment, the browser may be a standard browser such as the Netscape Navigator® developed by Netscape, Inc., the Microsoft Internet Explorer® developed by Microsoft Corporation, a WebTV, an embedded web browser on a handheld device, or the like. In another embodiment, other types of access software, such as, by way of example, other types of Internet browsers, custom network browsers, communication software, cable modem software, point-to-point software, multi-point software, custom emulation software, and the like, could be used to implement the browser.
In one embodiment, the web server 204 supports or provides a website for the sports team management system 102 on the Web. The users 110 may advantageously access the data and functionality provided by the sports team management system 102 over the Web by accessing the website. The web server 204 may support or maintain one or more web pages that provide access to the data maintained on the sports team management system 102. In one embodiment, the web server 204 interacts with the application server 202 in providing access to the data. For example, a usr 110 acting as a general manager may browse the website supported by the sports team management system 102 and request to view a list of matters regarding his or her real world sports organization that is currently being voted on by the community of general managers. The web server 204 may interact with the application server 202 to process the data necessary to generate and present the requested list of current matters to the general manager, for example, by delivering another web page for viewing by the general manager. The web server 204 may also receive data, for example, from a general manager. The web server 204 may include one or more web pages that enable input of data into the sports team management system 102. In one embodiment, the general manager may submit data as part of managing his or her real world sports organization. For example, through one or more web pages, a general manager may submit a strategy, such as a player transaction, a proposed starting line-up for an upcoming game, and the like, for consideration by the other general managers in the respective community. The web server 204 may interact with the application server 202 to process the received data as part of facilitating the management of the associated real world sports organization. As an example, the application server 202 may determine the list of general managers that need to be notified of the proposed strategy, and may further facilitate the notification of the general managers of the proposed strategy regarding their real world sports organization. The proposed strategies may then be accessed, for example, through the web server 204.
The event interface 206 is connected to the application server 202. The event interface 206 generally functions to provide connectivity between the sports team management system 102 and the real world sporting event 106. In particular, the event interface 206 enables one or more devices located at the real world sporting event 106 location or venue to connect to and transact with the sports team management system 102. The event interface 206 may provide connectivity over a network or a combination of networks capable of transporting electronic content representing the data. Examples of such networks include a dedicated network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, a wireless network, a satellite network, the Internet 104, the telecommunication network 112, and the like. The sports team management system 102, and in particular, the application server 202, may process data relevant to the real world sporting event 106 and transmit the data to one or more devices connected to the event interface 206. For example, the real world sporting event 106 may be a baseball game between two real world baseball teams Sean's Marauders and Ben's Giants. The application server 202 may process data relevant to the baseball game between Sean's Marauders and/or Ben's Giants and transmit the processed data over the event interface 206 for appropriate display at the real world sporting event 106. The data may include information such as, by way of example, statistics on the players participating in the game, proposed strategies and the voting results of the proposed strategies, as well as other information that may generate or increase fan interest and participation in the real world sporting event 106 and participation in the management of the two real world sports organizations. Through the event interface 206, for example, a real world sports organization may be notified or informed of a strategy that has been voted upon by the respective community of general managers. The real world sports organization may then execute or discard the strategy.
The telecommunication interface 208 is connected to the application server 202. The telecommunication interface 208 generally functions to provide connectivity between the sports team management system 102 and the telecommunication network 112. The telecommunication interface 208 provides the users 110, and in particular, the community of general managers, access to the sports team management system 102 over the telecommunication network 112. For example, the users 110 may use a telephone to call into the sports team management system 102 and access the features of the sports team management system 102 using the telephone.
The telecommunication network 112 may include networks capable of transporting voice communications. Examples of such networks include a telephone network, a wireless network, cellular networks, a satellite network, the Internet 104, and the like. The telecommunication interface 208 functions to provide the users 110 with a voice interface to the sports team management system 102. Utilizing software and technology known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the telecommunication interface 208 may interact with the application server 202 to provide a voice interface into the sports team management system 102. The telecommunication interface 208 may convert the data from the application server 202 to a format suitable for transmission over the telecommunication network 112. Furthermore, the telecommunication interface 208 may convert data received over the telecommunication network 112 into a format suitable for the application server 202. As such, the telecommunication interface 208 may comprise a suitable application program interface (API).
For example, the application server 202 may utilize the telecommunication interface 208 to notify one or more general managers of a proposed strategy for the real world sports team. The notification may be sent to devices accessible through the telecommunication interface 208 such as, by way of example, a pager, a telephone, or a wireless phone. The proposed strategy may even be displayed on the called device's display, if available. The notification may also be sent through the Internet 104. Subsequently, the general manager can call or log into the sports team management system 102 accessing the telecommunication interface 208 or web server 204. After the sports team management system 102 verifies the identity of the general manager, the telecommunication interface 208 may provide one or more voice prompts in notifying the general manager of the proposed strategy and receiving the general manager's input or vote. In one embodiment, the verification of the general manager and the content of the voice prompts are necessarily determined from the data received from the application server 202. The telecommunication interface 208 may transform the received input, for example, voice input or dial-pad input, into a format suitable for processing by the application server 202 and pass the transformed input to the application server 202 for further processing. The system database 210 is connected to the application server 202. The system database 210 generally fimctions to store the data and information for the plurality of real world sports organizations, the plurality of communities of general managers, as well as other data and information necessary to provide or support the sports team management system 102. For example, one or more records containing data (e.g., vital statistics, performance statistics, etc.) regarding the pool of players and general managers participating in a real world baseball league administered by the sports team management system 102 may be stored on the system database 210. One or more records identifying the roster of players and the general managers for each real world baseball team in the real world baseball league may also be stored on the system database 210.
The system database 210 may be implemented with one or more suitable addressable storage media, such as, by way of example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), disk drives, tape storage, or other suitable volatile or non- volatile data storage facility. The storage media may be on the same or different computers. In one embodiment, the system database 210 is implemented with Structured Query Language (SQL) code. SQL is a relational database language standard defined by the International Standards Organization (ISO). The system database 210 can be implemented utilizing any number of commercially available products such as Microsoft Access®, and the like. In another embodiment, the system database 210 may be, by way of example, a relational database, an object oriented database, a hierarchical database, a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory, an object oriented-relational database, and the like. In still another embodiment, the system database 210 may conform to any other database standard, or may even conform to a non-standard, private specification. In yet another embodiment, the system database 210 may be implemented using a file system provided with an operating system executing on the computer.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the functionality provided by the components, modules, and databases of the sports team management system 102 may be combined into fewer components, modules, or databases or further separated into additional components, modules, and databases. Additionally, the components, modules, and databases may be implemented on one or more computers.
Method For Management Of A Real World Sports Organization
Figure 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 300 by which a community of general managers manages a real world sports organization, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Beginning at a start step 302, a real world sports organization provides a real world sports team at a step 304. The real world sports organization and its real world sports team may advantageously be situated in a geographic location having a respective community of people, such as, by way of example, Hollywood, California. In one embodiment, the real world sports team, together with one or more other real world sports teams, comprises a league of real world sports teams. Each real worlds sports team includes real-life athletes or players, and the real world sports teams compete against each other in actual real-life games. Furthermore, each real world sports team is managed by a community of general managers comprising people having an interest in managing the sports team. These people may include one or more users 110. At step 306, a representation of the real world sports team is established and administered on a computer system, for example, the sports team management system 102, to facilitate the management of the real world sports team as disclosed herein. In particular, a website and/or a dial-in number may be created for the real world sports team on the computer system. For example, the web server 204 and the telecommunication interface 208 in the sports team management system 102 may implement a website and a dial-in number, respectively, for the real world sports team. The website and/or dial-in number may be used for accessing data and information regarding the real world sports team that is maintained and administered on the computer system. In another embodiment, other modes of accessing the computer system, for example, connectivity over other types of networks, may be provided.
In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may create a unique website and dial-in number for each real world sports team. In another embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may provide a single website and a single dial-in number, for example, for the real world sports league, through which the real world sports teams may be accessed. The sports team management system 102 may require the submission of an identifier (ID) before granting access to privileged information for a particular real world sports team, either directly through the sports team's interface (website or dial-in number) or through the general, sports league's interface (website or dial-in number).
At step 308, the people, or the users 110, interested in managing the real world sports team register to be included in the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team. As a member of the community of general managers, a user 110 may provide input as to the management, direction, and coaching of the associated real world sports team. For example, the user 110 may access the sports team management system 102, either through the website, dial-in number, or any other provided mode of access, and register to become a member of the community of general managers for the real world sports team of interest. Upon successful registration, the sports team management system 102, and in particular, the application server 202, may create a unique identification for the user 110. The identification identifies the user 110 as a general manager for a particular real world sports team. The user 110 may then provide the sports team management system 102 with his or her identification whenever the user 110 wants to access the sports team management system 102 as a member of the community of general managers to which he or she belongs.
In one embodiment, the community of general managers for a real world sports team comprises people residing in communities in the geographic location or locality in which the real world sports team is situated. Requiring the people to live within a certain locality may promote greater "civic" or "hometown" pride for the real world sports team in the local communities. In another embodiment, the community of general managers for a real world sports team may comprise people from all communities without regard to geographic location. In still another embodiment, other geographic boundaries or restrictions may be used to determine the criteria for inclusion as a member of the community of general managers for a real world sports team.
At step 310, the sports team management system 102 receives input from the community of general managers. The input may be a matter regarding the respective real world sports team or a vote regarding a particular matter. The matter may be proposed by one or more general mangers or proposed by the sports team management system 102. Furthermore, the sports team management system 102 may provide a forum or interface, for example, a web page accessible through the real world sports team's website, a dial-in number for providing input for the real world sports team, and the like, capable of receiving the input. The general managers may then use devices (e.g., computer, telephone, wireless telephone with Internet access, etc.) capable of connecting to and communicating with the website or dial-in number interface to provide their input. The matter may be a proposed strategy for the real world sports team, a proposed player transaction, a proposed game-time tactic, as well as any other issue regarding the management of the real world sports team.
In one example, the sports team management system 102 may solicit input from the community of general managers to determine a starting line-up for Ben's Giants for their upcoming baseball game against Sean's Marauders. The sports team management system 102 may provide a web page or a dial-in number for the general managers for Ben's Giants to submit their votes regarding the selection of the starting line-up. In another example, a general manager for Ben's Giants may want to propose that the team trade the first baseman on Ben's Giants for the first baseman on Sean's Marauders. The sports team management system 102 may provide a mechanism, such as, by way of example, a web page, a dial-in access number, and the like, that can be utilized by the general manager to input this matter into the sports team management system 102. The general manager can input the player transaction proposal into the sports team management system 102. Subsequently, the sports team management system 102 may solicit input from the community of general managers for Ben's Giants to determine if the proposed player trade should be presented to the community of general managers for Sean's Marauders.
In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may notify the appropriate community of general managers regarding the need for the community of general managers to provide input regarding a proposed matter relating to their real world sports team. The notification may be in forms such as, by way of example, a message or indication on the real world sports team's website, an email message to the community of general managers, a page to the general managers, a message displayed and/or announced at a real world sporting event involving the real world sports team, a message displayed and/or announced during a media broadcast 108 of a sporting event involving the real world sports team, and the like. The members of the community of general managers may individually specify their preference as to the method of notification they desire. For example, a general manager may specify that he or she prefers to receive an email notification and not a page.
At step 312, the sports team management system 102 validates the input submitted by a general manager. The sports team management system 102 may verify that the input received was from a general manager belonging to the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team to which the matter related. For example, the sports team management system 102 should not permit a general manager for Sean's Marauders to provide input regarding the determination of the starting line-up for Ben's Giants. Thus, for matters related to the management of Ben's Giants, the sports team management system 102 verifies the identity of each user 110 to ensure that the input was provided by a general manager for Ben's Giants. This can be accomplished, in one embodiment, by checking an identification for each user 110 attempting to submit input for a particular real world sports team.
The sports team management system 102 may validate the input to ensure no duplication. For example, the sports team management system 102 checks to ensure that each general manager submits one vote. For certain matters, the sports team management system 102 may permit a general manager to submit more than one vote, but only the most recently submitted vote is registered. Here, the general manager's subsequent vote supercedes or overrides his or her previous vote. For certain other matters, the sports team management system 102 may only allow a general matter to vote once on a particular matter. In another example, the sports team management system 102 may check to ensure that redundant matters are not repeatedly submitted for voting by the community of general managers.
At step 314, the sports team management system 102 triggers or brings about the change in the real world sports team in response to the input received from the sports team's community of general managers regarding a particular matter. The sports team management system 102 may process the input from the general managers to generate a voting result for the matter. The sports team management system 102 may then inform the real world sports team of the voting result so that the matter can be executed at the real world sports team. For example, the matter may be the aforementioned determination of the starting line-up for Ben's Giants. The sports team management system 102 can determine the proposed starting line-up that received the most votes, and inform, for example, by email, person-to-person, posting on the team's website, and the like, the Ben's Giants baseball team of the starting line-up to use in their upcoming baseball game against Sean's Marauders. The Ben's Giants baseball team may then execute or put into action the voting result by starting the players of the team pursuant to the starting line-up.
For certain matters, the sports team management system 102 may put into action the voting result. Continuing the aforementioned player transaction example between Ben's Giants and Sean's Marauders, The sports team management system 102 may determine that the general managers for Ben's Giants voted in favor of the proposed player trade. Here, the sports team management system 102 may post this matter — the proposed player transaction ~ on the Sean's Marauder's website for voting by the community of general managers for Sean's Marauders. The sports team management system 102 may additionally notify the general managers for Sean's Marauders of the proposed player transaction and request their input regarding the proposed player transaction. Having caused the voting results on the matter to be implemented or executed, the sports team management system 102 ends at step 316. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, for this and other methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the exemplary flow charts may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, steps outlined in the flow charts are only exemplary, and some of the steps maybe optional, combined into fewer steps, or expanded into additional steps without detracting from the essence of the invention.
Method For Noting On A Real World Sports Team Matter On The Internet
Figure 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 400 by which a community of general managers vote on a real world sports transaction, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Beginning at a start step 402, a real world transaction for a real world sports team is proposed on the Internet 104 at step 404. A general manager for the real world sports team may access the sports team management system 102, identify himself or herself as a general manager, and propose a transaction involving the real world sports team. For example, a general manager for Ben's Giants may propose that Matt Stud, a player on the Giants baseball team, be released from the team. In one embodiment, the general manager may enter this proposal on the Ben's Giants' website.
At step 406, the proposed real world transaction is presented for vote by the community of general managers associated with the particular real world sports team. For example, the sports team management system 102 may present the details of the proposed transaction on the real world sports team's website, and notify the community of general managers for the real world sports team of the proposed transaction. At step 408, the sports team management system 102 receives votes from the community of general managers qualified to vote on the proposed transaction. At step 410, the sports team management system 102 may validate the received votes to ensure, for example, that each general manager qualified to vote submits only one vote on the proposed transaction.
Continuing the previous example, the sports team management system 102 may post the necessary details regarding the proposal to release Matt Stud on the Giant's website. The sports team management system 102 may notify the community of general managers for Ben's Giants of the need to vote on this matter. The general managers for Ben's Giants may then submit their vote in regard to the proposal to release Matt Stud from the team. The proposal to release Matt Stud may be viewed and voted on by the community of general managers for the Giants through, for example, the website or the dial-in number of the sports team management system 102.
At step 412, the sports team management system 102 checks to determine if the voting period has expired. A proposed transaction may have an associated time period during which the community of general managers may vote. The time period may vary according to the particular transaction, and may be specified by the general manager proposing the transaction or the sports team management system 102. Continuing the above example, the general manager proposing the transaction relating to Matt Stud may specify a twenty-four hour voting period. In this instance, the sports team management system 102 considers any votes that are submitted during the twenty-four hour period to be valid. In one embodiment, this validity check may be performed at step 410.
If the voting period for the proposed transaction has not expired, as determined at step 412, the sports team management system 102 continues to receive votes on the proposed transaction at step 408. If the voting period has expired, the sports team management system 102 tallies the received votes for the proposed transaction at step 414. In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may periodically tally the votes and post the current status of the voting on the real world sports team's website. In another embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may tally the votes after the expiration of the voting period for the proposed transaction. In this instance, only the final voting result may be posted on the sports team's website.
At step 416, the sports team management system 102 determines if enough votes favoring the proposed transaction were received. In one embodiment, a favorable vote by a majority of the submitted votes may be required for the proposed transaction to be adopted and implemented. In another embodiment, a favorable vote by a majority of the number of general managers for the real world sports team, regardless of the number of general managers submitting a vote, may be required. In still another embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may require that a certain percentage of the general managers qualified to vote on the transaction submit votes, either for, against, or abstaining, in order for the vote to be valid. In yet another embodiment, the sports team management system 102 may permit the general manager proposing the transaction to specify a percentage requirement necessary for the vote on the proposed transaction to be declared successful. The sports team management system 102 may require that the specified percentage be at least a certain value, for example, at least fifty percent.
If it is determined that not enough votes favoring the proposed transaction were submitted, the sports team management system 102 ends at step 420.
Alternatively, if it is determined that enough votes favoring the proposed transaction were submitted at step 416, the sports team management system 102 executes the proposed transaction at step 418. Continuing with the example of Matt Stud, assuming that enough favorable votes were submitted for the release, Matt Stud will be released from the Giants baseball team. For example, the sports team management system 102 may notify the coach of the Giant's of the general managers' collective decision to release Matt Stud. Subsequently, the coach can inform Matt Stud that he has been released from the baseball team. In another example, the sports team management system 102 may post the decision to release Matt Stud on the team's website. Subsequently, the members of the team may be notified, for example, by email or by a team administrator, of the decision to release Matt Stud from the baseball team. After affecting the change on the real world sports team according to the results of the voting by its community of general managers, the sports team management system 102 ends at step 420.
Method For Noting On A Game-Time Strategy
Figure 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 500 by which a community of general managers vote on a real world sporting event strategy, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Beginning at a start step 502, a real world sporting event is provided for viewing by one or more spectators at step 504. The real world sporting event may be a contest or game between two or more real world sports teams. In one embodiment, the real world sporting event may be held at a venue, such as a stadium or field, that is capable of functioning as a sporting event management system 602. An exemplary block diagram of the sporting event management system 602 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6. The sporting event management system 602 may provide an athletic event venue suitable for implementing game-time strategy decisions made by a community of general managers in attendance or viewing via a media broadcast 108.
As depicted in Figure 6, the sporting event management system 602 may include a display device 604, one or more voting devices 606, and one or more team monitors 608. The display device 604, voting devices 606, and the team monitors 608 may advantageously be connected to the event interface 206 of the sports team management system 102. The display device 604 may also be connected to one or more control devices, for example, a display controller or computer, that control the operation of, and the contents displayed on, the display device 604. The display device 604 may comprise a giant screen monitor of the type typically found at stadiums and ball parks. The display device 604 functions to provide the spectators present at the sporting event management system 602 the ability to view, for example, information regarding the competing teams and athletes, promotional information, data and information from the sports team management system 102, and the like. The spectators may include one or more users 110 who can be general managers for either of the competing real world sports teams.
The voting devices 606 may provide the general managers with the ability to submit votes regarding a matter as disclosed herein. The voting devices 606 may provide a spectator the ability to submit a desired selection from a list of possible selections to the sports team management system 102 through, for example, the event interface 206. The voting devices 606 may also enable the spectator to enter and submit an identification that identifies the spectator as a general manager for one of the real world sports teams. In one embodiment, the voting devices 606 may advantageously be activated by a spectator entering a valid identification that identifies the spectator as a general manager. In one embodiment, the voting devices 606 may be the type of voting devices typically found in television studios. The voting devices 606 may be attached to the seats in the sporting event management system 602. In another embodiment, the voting devices 606 may comprise an input device such as, by way of example, a voting kiosk. The voting kiosks may be located at various locations within the sporting event management system 602 and enable one or more general managers to submit votes on a matter regarding his or her real world sports team.
The team monitors 608 function as a device on which one or more proposed game-time strategies and their respective voting results may be displayed for viewing by the applicable real world sports team. The sports team management system 102, for example, through the event interface 206, may display a proposed game-time strategy and its voting result for the sports team on the sports team's respective team monitor 608. The real world sports team may then execute the proposed game-time strategy based on the voting result. In one embodiment, the sporting event management system 602 provides a separate area for each real world sports team competing in the real world sporting event. One or more team monitors 608 may be located within each team area for viewing by the team members.
Referring again to Figure 5, the real world sporting event may, for example, be a baseball game between Ben's Giants and Sean's Marauders. Such a baseball game may take place at the sporting event management system 602 (Figure 6). Among the spectators attending the baseball game may be members of the community of general managers for Ben's Giants and members of the community of general managers for Sean's Marauders. Furthermore, one or more general managers for one or both teams may be receiving the media broadcast 108 of the baseball game.
In one embodiment, there may be one or more media broadcasts 108 of the baseball game. For example, there may be a general media broadcast 108, a Giant's media broadcast 108, and a Marauder's media broadcast 108. The general media broadcast 108 is intended for all users 110 without regard to team affiliation. The Giant's media broadcast 108 is intended for the general managers of the Ben's Giants baseball team. The Marauder's media broadcast 108 is intended for the general managers of the Sean's Marauders baseball team. In one embodiment, a general manager may be required to submit a specific identification code in order to receive the appropriate media broadcast 108, for example, through a set-top box, a de- scrambler, and the like. The general manager may obtain the specific identification code from his or her team's website by identifying himself or herself as a general manager. At step 506, one or more game-time strategies are presented to the respective community of general managers for voting. The sports team management system 102 may determine the appropriate game-time strategies to present by analyzing current game status and conditions. For example, one or more administrators may enter into the sports team management system 102 relevant game data as the game progresses. The application server 202 of the sports team management system 102 may process the input game data to determine one or more game-time strategies to propose for voting. In another embodiment, one general manager of a team participating in the game may propose a game-time strategy for voting by the community of general managers for the team. The general manager may input the proposed game-time strategy on the sports team management system 102.
The sports team management system 102 may then notify the appropriate community of general managers of the proposed game-time strategy. Notification of the proposed game-time strategy may be by, for example, displaying the proposed game-time strategy on the display device 604 at the sporting event management system 602, transmitting the proposed game-time strategy as part of the appropriate media broadcast 108 intended for the appropriate community of general managers, paging the appropriate community of general managers, calling the appropriate general managers, and the like. In one embodiment, any general manager of a real world sports team currently participating in a game may propose a game-time strategy involving his or her team. In another embodiment, only the general managers viewing or listening to the game, either by attending the sporting event management system 602 or by receiving the appropriate media broadcast 108 of the game, may propose a game-time strategy for his or her team. For example, a special identification code for the general managers of a participating real world sports team may be displayed at the sporting event management system 602 or transmitted as part of the media broadcast 108 intended for the general managers of a particular team. The special identification code may be necessary for a general manager to propose a game-time strategy for the particular team.
At step 508, the sports team management system 102 receives the votes from the general managers regarding a proposed game-time strategy. The general managers may submit votes using, for example, the voting devices 606 at the sporting event management system 602, a computer, a voice communication device, the set- top box, and the like. In one embodiment, each general manager is permitted to submit one vote for any proposed strategy. Here, subsequent votes submitted by the general manager on the same proposed strategy override previously submitted votes. In another embodiment, a general manager may earn vote coupons that allow the general manager to submit additional votes. The vote coupons may advantageously be administered by the sports team management system 102. For example, a general manager may earn additional vote coupons by attending the games in person.
At step 510, the sports team management system 102 validates the proposed game-time strategy and the voting. For example, a proposed game-time strategy is valid as long as the strategy can be executed or carried out. If a proposed game-time strategy is no longer applicable based on the current game condition and status, the proposed game-time strategy and the votes regarding the proposed strategy may be discarded. For example, a proposal for a player currently on first base to steal second base is only valid as long as the player is on first base. If the player is no longer on first base (e.g., player is picked off first base by the pitcher, the player advances to third base because of a base hit by a subsequent hitter, etc.), the proposal for the player to steal second base is no longer valid. The sports team management system 102 determines the validity of the proposed game-time strategy by analyzing the game condition and status provided to the sports team management system 102.
Continuing with the previous baseball game example, a general manager for Ben's Giants may be watching the game, either at the sporting event management system 602 or by receiving the media broadcast 108 of the game. The general manager may feel that Tricky Curveball, the current Giants pitcher, is starting to labor while pitching in the sixth inning. Furthermore, Roll Aids, a relief pitcher on the Giants, may currently be warming up in the bull pen. Thus, the general manager may propose that Roll Aids replace Tricky Curveball in the game. The general manager may propose this game-time strategy by accessing the sports team management system 102. Subsequently, the sports team management system 102 notifies the community of general managers for the Giants of the proposed game-time strategy, and receives votes regarding the game-time strategy from those general managers qualified to vote. Alternatively, the sports team management system 102 may propose the aforementioned game-time strategy by analyzing the game condition and status entered by one or more administrators.
At step 512, the sports team management system 102 tallies the votes received for the proposed game-time strategy. In one embodiment, the sports team management system 102 generates a voting result for the proposed game-time strategy. The voting result may be periodically updated to incorporate subsequent voting by the community of general managers. At step 514, the sports team management system 102 notifies the appropriate sports team of the voting result regarding the proposed game-time strategy in order that the game-time strategy may be executed. The sports team management system 102 may display the proposed game-time strategy and the voting result on the appropriate team's team monitor 608. The team monitor 608 may be periodically updated to display current voting results. The sports team management system 102 may also post the voting result on the applicable team's website. The sports team management system 102 then proceeds to end state 516.
Continuing with the previous baseball game example, the Giants general managers may have voted 55% to 45% in favor of replacing Tricky Curveball with Roll Aids. This voting result is displayed on the Giants' team monitor 608. Subsequently, the Giants baseball team executes the proposed game-time strategy and replaces Tricky Curveball with Roll Aids. For example, upon viewing the favorable vote by the community of general managers to replace the pitcher, the coach of the Giants removes Tricky Curveball from the game and calls upon Roll Aids to be the pitcher.
In one embodiment, the game-time strategies and their respective voting results are periodically updated to reflect the current vote of the general managers. Here, the real world sports team monitors the updated voting results to determine if and when to implement the proposed game-time strategy. In another embodiment, the voting result may not be updated to reflect the current vote of the general managers. Rather, the sports team management system 102 may tally the votes received regarding a proposed game-time strategy. After the expiration of a pre-determined time period, the sports team management system 102 determines, from the voting result, whether or not to implement the proposed strategy. If the proposed strategy is to be implemented, the proposed strategy and the voting result is displayed on the team monitor 608.
In one embodiment, the real world sports team is required to execute a proposed game-time strategy receiving a favorable vote by the community of general managers. In another embodiment, the real world sports team, and in particular, the coach, has discretion in deciding whether to implement a proposed game-time strategy receiving a favorable vote. In still another embodiment, the real world sports team executes a proposed game-time strategy receiving at least a pre-determined percentage of favorable votes, while a game-time strategy not receiving the pre- determined percentage of votes is to be considered for execution by the sports team.
This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. The following claims rather than the foregoing description indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
I . A method for management of a real world sports organization comprising: creating a community of general managers for a real world sports organization; receiving input regarding the management of the real world sports organization from the community of general managers; and managing the real world sports organization based on the input from the community of general managers.
2. The method of Claim 1 further comprising providing a website associated with the real world sports organization.
3. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers comprises one or more registered users.
4. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers provides input using the Internet.
5. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers provides input using a telecommunication network.
6. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers provides input using a computer.
7. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers provides input using a wireless device.
8. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the community of general managers provides input using a telephone.
9. The method of Claim 1 further comprising registering one or more users to form the community of general managers for the real world sports organization.
10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the one or more users are registered using a website.
I I. A method for a real world sports transaction comprising: presenting a proposed real world sports transaction to a community of general managers associated with a real world sports team; receiving votes for the proposed real world sports transaction from the community of general managers; tallying the votes received from the community of general managers; and executing the proposed real world sports transaction pursuant to the tallied votes.
12. The method of Claim 11 further comprising determining whether a sufficient number of votes have been submitted.
13. The method of Claim 11 further comprising presenting the proposed real world sports transaction to a second community of general managers associated with a second real world sports team.
14. The method of Claim 11 further comprising receiving the proposed real world sports transaction from a member of the community of general managers.
15. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the votes are tallied after expiration of a voting period.
16. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the proposed real world sports transaction comprises selecting one or more players for the real world sports team.
17. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the proposed real world sports transaction comprises selecting a coach for the real world sports team.
18. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the proposed real world sports transaction comprises trading a player on the real world sports team.
19. The method of Claim 11 , wherein the proposed real world sports transaction comprises selecting a starting line-up for the real world sports team.
20. The method of Claim 11, wherein the proposed real world sports transaction comprises releasing a player from the real world sports team.
21. The method of Claim 11 , wherein presenting the proposed real world sports transaction comprises posting the real world sports transaction on a website on the Internet.
22. A method for a management of a real world sports team, the method comprising: presenting a strategy to a community of general managers associated with a real world sports team participating in a real world sporting event, the strategy comprising a tactic for the real world sports team in the real world sporting event; receiving votes for the strategy from the community of general managers; tallying the votes received from the community of general managers to generate a voting result; and notifying the real world sports team of the voting result so that the strategy is executed during the real world sporting event.
23. The method of Claim 22, wherein the real world sporting event can be viewed by one or more spectators.
24. The method of Claim 23, wherein the one or more spectators comprises at least one member of the community of general managers.
25. The method of Claim 23, wherein the one or more spectators view the real world sporting event in person.
26. The method of Claim 25, wherein at least one of the votes is submitted in conjunction with viewing the real world sporting event in person.
27. The method of Claim 23, further comprising providing a media broadcast of the real world sporting event.
28. The method of Claim 27, wherein at least one of the votes is submitted in conjunction with viewing the media broadcast of the real world sporting event.
29. The method of Claim 22, wherein notifying the real world sports team of the voting result comprises displaying the voting result on a website associated with the real world sports team.
30. The method of Claim 22, wherein notifying the real world sports team of the voting result comprises displaying the voting result on a monitor viewable by the real world sports team.
31. The method of Claim 22, wherein presenting the strategy comprises presenting the strategy at the real world sporting event.
32. The method of Claim 22, wherein presenting the strategy comprises presenting the strategy over the Internet.
33. The method of Claim 22 further comprising posting the voting result on a website associated with the real world sports team.
34. The method of Claim 22 further comprising validating each vote to ensure submission by a member of the community of general managers associated with the real world sports team.
35. A real world sports team management system comprising: a system database operable to maintain data for a real world sports team; and an application server coupled to the system database, the application server operable to present a matter regarding the real world sports team to a community of general managers associated with the real world sports team, to receive votes for the matter from the community of general managers, and to tally the votes received from the community of general managers to generate a voting result.
36. The system of Claim 35 further comprising a web server coupled to the application server, the web server operable to provide comiectivity on the Internet.
37. The system of Claim 35 further comprising a telecommunication interface coupled to the application server, the telecommunication interface operable to provide connectivity on a telecommunications network.
38. The system of Claim 35 further comprising an event interface coupled to the application server, the event interface operable to provide connectivity to a real world sporting event in which the real world sports team participates.
39. The system of Claim 35, wherein the application server is operable to notify the real world sports team of the voting result.
40. The system of Claim 35, wherein the matter comprises a proposed real world sports transaction.
41. The system of Claim 35, wherein the matter comprises a strategy for the real world sports team.
42. The system of Claim 35, wherein the application server is operable to post the voting result on a website associated with the real world sports team.
43. The system of Claim 35, wherein the matter is proposed by a general manager of the real world sports team.
44. A real world sporting event management system comprising: a venue suitable for a real world sporting event between a first real world sports team and a second real world sports team; a first display device at the venue, the first display device operable to be viewed by one or more spectators attending the real world sporting event, the first display device operable to present a strategy for the first real world sports team, wherein the strategy comprises a tactic in the real world sporting event; and a voting device at the venue, the voting device operable to accept votes on the presented strategy.
45. The system of Claim 44 further comprising a second display device at the venue, the second display device operable to be viewed by a coach of the first real world sports team.
46. The system of Claim 44, wherein the venue comprises at least one seat, wherein the voting device is affixed to the seat.
47. The system of Claim 44, wherein the voting device comprises a voting kiosk.
PCT/US2001/025784 2000-08-28 2001-08-17 Management of real world sports organization via interactive media WO2002019206A1 (en)

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WO2006099188A2 (en) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-21 F2C Sports, Llc System and method for influencing an on-going event
WO2011090809A2 (en) * 2010-01-25 2011-07-28 Len Lapadula A computerized system and method for managing a fantasy sports team
US9619759B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2017-04-11 Infosys Limited Method and system for managing sports related information

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6240415B1 (en) * 1999-10-07 2001-05-29 J. Seth Blumberg Corporate and entertainment management interactive system using a computer network

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006099188A2 (en) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-21 F2C Sports, Llc System and method for influencing an on-going event
WO2006099188A3 (en) * 2005-03-10 2006-12-14 F2C Sports Llc System and method for influencing an on-going event
WO2011090809A2 (en) * 2010-01-25 2011-07-28 Len Lapadula A computerized system and method for managing a fantasy sports team
WO2011090809A3 (en) * 2010-01-25 2011-10-27 Len Lapadula A computerized system and method for managing a fantasy sports team
US9619759B2 (en) 2010-12-28 2017-04-11 Infosys Limited Method and system for managing sports related information

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