WO2009118735A2

WO2009118735A2 - Virtual touring via an electronic network

Info

Publication number: WO2009118735A2
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Boaz Golany; Oded Shmueli
Original assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-03-27
Filing date: 2009-03-25
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: WO2009118735A3

Abstract

A system for managing a plurality of media streams from a plurality of sources, to provide content from said sources to a plurality of media consumers in such a way as to fulfill preferences of said media consumers regarding said media. The system comprises a consumer preference unit for obtaining consumer preferences regarding media consumption, and a matching unit to match media consumers to sources according to said consumer preferences. The consumers may be virtual tourists and the sources may be media-equipped actual tourists, whose media streams are to distributed to those consumers for which the tour is of interest.

Description

VIRTUAL TOURING VIA AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for virtual touring via an electronic network and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a system for allowing networked users the ability to visit remote locations.

One finds young backpacker from many countries roaming around the world. These young travelers have established a reputation for reaching even the most remote, and sometimes dangerous, locations around the world. Many of these millions of young travelers have only limited budgets (a few dollars per day) and therefore they are likely to be willing to serve as tour guides for virtual tourists if the necessary networking equipment can easily be carried by them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for managing a plurality of media streams from a plurality of sources, said sources having respective characteristics, to provide content from said sources to a plurality of media consumers in such a way as to fulfill preferences of said media consumers regarding said media contents, the system comprising: a consumer preference unit for obtaining consumer preferences regarding media consumption, and a matching unit to match media consumers to sources according to said consumer preferences and respective source characteristics.

In an embodiment, said sources are mobile sources, said matching unit comprising a tracking unit for tracking said sources, said preferences including preferred locations, thereby allowing matching of said consumers with said sources according to temporal locations of said sources.

In an embodiment, each source may have an activation cost, and the system may further comprise a campaign unit associated with said matching unit, and configured to find a group of sources that substantially provides an optimal solution between said fulfilling consumer preferences and minimizing said activation cost, the campaign unit further configured to activate said group.

In an embodiment, said campaign unit provides said substantially optimal solution by inserting said activation costs and said consumer preferences into a goal program and optimizing said goal program

Alternatively, said campaign unit provides said substantially optimal solution by inserting said activation costs and said consumer preferences into a program and solving using an appropriate heuristic method. An embodiment may comprise a feedback unit for providing at least one feedback communication channel for feedback by individual media consumers to a respective media source.

In an embodiment, said feedback unit is configured to allow an individual media consumer to control media gathering equipment at said source. An embodiment may comprise a feedback unit for providing at least one two- way communication channel for two-way communication between individual media consumers and a respective media source.

An embodiment may comprise a web site through which said media sources are tracked and through which said media consumers are enabled to connect to said media sources.

In an embodiment, said web site is configured to use a geographic information system (GIS) application to present the tracking of said media sources.

In an embodiment, said web site is configured to provide current and pre-stored output per respective media source. In an embodiment, said web site is configured with functionality to allow said media consumers to rate respective media sources.

In an embodiment, said tracking is via a satellite positioning system. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for managing a plurality of media streams from a plurality of sources, said sources having respective characteristics, to stream content from said sources to a plurality of media consumers in such a way as to fulfill preferences of said media consumers regarding said media contents, the system comprising: obtaining consumer preferences regarding media consumption; matching media consumers to sources according to said consumer preferences and source characteristics; and streaming content from respectively matched sources to said consumers. In an embodiment, each source having an activation cost, the method further comprising: finding a group of sources that substantially provides an optimal solution between said fulfilling consumer preferences and minimizing said activation cost; and activating said group. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments". Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. This refers in particular to tasks involving the control of the spectral equipment.

Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system. For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non- volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in greater detail; FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the control system for the device of FIGs. 1 and 2; and FIG. 4 is an overall block diagram of an operational device for virtual tourism based on the embodiments of FIGs. 1 - 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments may comprise a service that allows a customer, hereinafter a virtual tourist, abbreviated as v-tourist, to virtually join an actual tourist, hereinafter an a-tourist on a tour. Joining usually means that the v-tourist sees and hears what the a-tourist sees and hears in real time, although this is not essential and a delayed mode is possible as well. The v-tourist may follow a particular a-tourist on his or her tour, the one-on-one mode; many v-tourists may join the same a-tourist in a many-on- one mode; a single v-tourist may join several a-tourists based on a variety of criteria to provide a one-on-many mode. The service may include different levels of interaction between the v-tourist and the a-tourist.

A simple version is a web-based system that allows (1) a-tourists to enter video clips and photos annotated with geographic location, date and time, sender identification and possibly subject or content keyword-based description; (2) v-tourists to select clips or photos for viewing based on (a) a simple map-like interface, and/or (b) a combination of conditions on location, date, time, sender, keywords etc. Here v-tourists and a- tourists may act without any associated financial transactions and the site may be sponsored by advertisers, including ads that are content based (e.g., an ocean scene and swimsuit advertising).

The website may additionally include blogging and networking features, as well as provide articles and news on travel and sell travel books or allow users to list and comment on their favorite travel books.

The principles and operation of an apparatus and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention In detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates a system 10 for managing a number of media streams 12.1...12.n from various sources, each source having an activation cost, to provide the sources to media consumers 14.1.. 14.n in such a way as to fulfill preferences of the media consumers regarding the media. That is to say, each consumer gets a media source in accordance with preferences which the consumer has previously submitted to the system.

A matching unit 16 matches media consumers to sources according to the consumer preferences. The matching unit may take into account the location of the media sources, and the preferences, held in preference database 18, may indicate consumer's preferred locations, as will be explained in greater detail below.

A campaign unit 20 may in one embodiment be associated with the matching unit 16. The campaign unit calculates a minimized group of sources that needs to be activated and still fulfill the users' preferences adequately so that at a given time the system activates a group of sources that provides an optimum between fulfilling consumer preferences and minimizing the activation cost.

The sources may be mobile sources. The matching unit 16 may include a tracking unit 22 which tracks the sources. As long as the preferences include preferred locations, it becomes possible to match consumers with the sources according to current or temporal locations of the sources. The system may thus, in one example, enable a series of actual tourists to be activated according to the preferences of virtual tourists who wish to make virtual visits to particular places or take virtual part in particular tours. The system finds the minimal and thus most cost effective way of satisfying the most virtual tourists at minimal cost.

The campaign unit may provide an optimum by inserting activation costs and consumer preferences, or remuneration into a goal program, as will be shown mathematically below.

A feedback unit 24 may be included for providing a feedback communication channel for feedback by individual media consumers to the respective media source.

The feedback unit may allow an individual media consumer to control media gathering equipment at said source, say direct the camera.

The feedback unit may provide a two-way communication channel for two-way communication between individual media consumers and the respective media source. Feedback may be audio, text, video or any other convenient medium. The feedback may work directly over the website using a web connection and IP protocol or in any other convenient way, for example over the regular or cellular telephone networks. The system may be provided through a web site. The web site may show tracking of the media sources, say through a Geographical Information System (GIS). The website may further allow media consumers to subscribe to the site, set their preferences, plan virtual trips, subscribe to individual media sources, pay for services, provide feedback etc. The web site may provide current or pre-stored output for particular media sources. Thus the consumer can see what kind of material a given source provides before subscribing, or can re-experience a tour that was previously enjoyed or follow up a friend's recommendation.

The website may include functionality to allow the media consumers to rate respective media sources, part of the above-mentioned feedback.

The sources may conveniently be tracked via a satellite-based location system such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). Data about the sources, say their future touring routes and dates and times, may conveniently be stored in source database 26.

The technical field of the present embodiments may involve one or more of the following: web technology, including preparing a site for managing the service, communicating with v-tourists, communication technology for example for two-way communication with a-tourists, GPS technology, typically for tracking the a-tourist's whereabouts, or such tracking could be cellular-based, audio and video technology, for example it may be necessary to stabilize cameras to provide professional output from non-professional cameramen, masking "white noise", etc.. Matching between different users, say the right virtual and actual tourists may be based on operational research and game-theoretic technologies, including linear, integer, goal and non-linear programming as well as auctioning technologies.

The present embodiments provide a service which allows a person (the v-tourist) to join an actual tourist on tour in real time, or for that matter view past experiences. Using GPS and GIS systems the service can track and display the whereabouts of a- tourists. When such information is not available, a-tourists can report their whereabouts. So, the v-tourist may track the current and past movements of the a-tourist on a map and then join or leave his/her tour at any time. The a-tourist may be anywhere in the world. The technology can also be used in non-real-time mode.

This service fulfils the needs of various populations:

• Old or disabled people who cannot travel on their own and would like to enjoy an uncensored real tour.

• The general audience that enjoys reality shows.

• Elementary, high school and college students studying a particular subject area. • Advertisers and political campaigners. These may like an opportunity to send a message to the surroundings of the a-tourists by providing them instructions as to what to do and how to behave.

• News organizations interested in footage of a certain area or event.

• Security agencies and law enforcement agencies interested in preventing criminal or terrorist activities.

• Organizers of special events (for example birthdays, concerts).

• Tourists who would like to fund part of their trip.

• Tourists interested in joining the trip of another tourist.

• Family members wishing to track along with a traveling family member. • Insurance companies that would like to track insured clients.

• Rescue operators.

• Relief organizations .

• Anthropologists or other researchers who would like to carry out research on human behavior. • Anyone who needs to track a 'moving person' or an 'unfolding event'.

The technical components comprising this service may include:

1. A web site W that allows potential v-tourists to register for the service.

2. A database D containing all current and past a-tourists. For each a-tourist the database may maintain basic data: identification (perhaps a nickname), age, sex, hobbies, rating (from past tours) and more. 3. The database D may also contain clips, photos and recorded related information

I of tours carried out by a-tourists, the recorded information may also include conversations with v-tourists. These clips may be viewable under predetermined conditions, say for a fee or only to a certain class of members of the web site. 4. For each a-tourist AT the database D may contain information related to past and present tours.

5. An a-tourist is considered active by the system if s/he is currently on a tour. For each active a-tourist the database may maintain information including: a. Geographical region and time zone. b. Type of tour for the coming day: mountain climbing, gliding, sailing, city touring, historical sites, and other attractions. c. Tour mode: self, a small group of friends, tour group, d. Number of allowed v-tourists. e. Number of v-tourists that have joined the current a-tourist's tour. f. Rate or other conditions for joining for various time periods. g. Preferences and possibility of interactions between the v-tourist and the a-tourist. h. The a-tourist's willingness and availability to participate in a sponsored tour and the kinds of acceptable sponsorships. In some cases sponsorship may provide compensation on a results-driven basis or on the basis of performance of certain activities. A sponsored tour may require the a-tourist to wear certain outfits or behave in certain ways so as, for example, to advertise a product. Another possibility is to promote a cause such as donating to the campaign to fight a disease or promoting a social or political cause.

6. A GPS-based tracking sub-system (which may be cellular-based) G, comprised of a GPS device carried by the a-tourist and a GIS component (including a web- based digital map) that allows v-tourists to track the whereabouts of the a-tourist in real time (as well as to find out where this a-tourist has been in the past). 7. An algorithm A for matching a v-tourist to appropriate a-tourists. This matching may be based on the v-tourist' s expressed preferences, by viewing short clips of current or past trips, or based on preferences of 'similar' v-tourists. Matching may also employ auctioning techniques.

8. The algorithm A may also be capable of allocating a group of a-tourists to a v- tourist. This feature is particularly useful when running an advertising campaign using v-tourists. In this case, the algorithm takes into account geographic distribution, age, sex, budget and other factors.

9. A pay-per-view and/or subscription fee billing mechanism B that computes and executes the charges paid by each v-tourist according to the a-tourist(s) s/he selected, the day of the year in which the tour took place, the time that day and the length of time of the virtual tour or any other suitable factor. It is quite likely that for some initial period following the launch of this service it will be offered for free and billing will start only later.

10. A payment/compensation mechanism P that computes and executes the compensation for the a-tourist for the service s/he renders by enabling the virtual tour. As with mechanism B above, the payment may depend on the day/time and length of the tour as well as on the number of v-tourists that joined or on other suitable factors, such as specific tasks to be performed. 11. An information system S that operates the various software modules, the interface with the databases, etc. 12. The system S may also provide analysis of campaigns by examining the public response to the a-tourists. A-tourists may also be rewarded based on the observed response. 13. The site W may also allow for potential a-tourist registration. Identities may for example be established via credit cards and passport numbers. 14. In various tour areas, a-tourists may be able to obtain/lease their tour equipment.

15. The tour equipment provided to the a-tourists may include the following possible components: a. An earphone, for receiving verbal communication. b. A voice-activated microphone. In an embodiment the microphone may be controlled, whether in terms of being enabled or being manipulated or both, remotely, say by a v-tourist, or by a presenter who presents the results to a group of v-tourists. c. A video camera for tracking the environment. The camera may be attached to the chest, belt or hat of the a-tourist. The camera may be controlled , whether in terms of being enabled or being manipulated or both, remotely say by a v-tourist, or by a presenter who presents the results to a group of v-tourists. d. A communication device for transmitting the footage. This device may be a cellular phone, a satellite phone or some other technology.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The scheme includes the following components:

100 is a web site W, which presents the system to outside users and allows connections via existing Internet clients. 102 is a control system S which coordinates and controls the virtual tourism. 104 is the databases subsystem DB.

106 and 108 are virtual tourists who intend to enjoy a tour vicariously. In general there may be any number of such v-tourists.110 and 1 12 are actual tourists. In general there may be any number of such a-tourists.

114 and 116 are equipment distribution centers to provide equipment for media capture in network transmittable form which can be distributed to a-tourists. In general there may be any number of such centers, and they are preferably located at sites where people heading for tours of interest may be expected to be found.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is a simplified block diagram that illustrates the main software modules comprising the site management system 102. The site management system includes an A module 120 for carrying out the A-algorithm functions as discussed below, a P algorithm module 122 which carries out the P- algorithm functions as discussed below, an M algorithm module 124 which carries out the M-algorithm functions as discussed below and a G-subsystem module 126 for tracking a-tourists. The Algorithm A module 120 may perform the following functions:

1 - Match an a-tourist to a v-tourist 2- Match a v-tourist to an a-tourist. 3 - Campaign optimization.

The algorithm P module 122 may perform the following functions:

4 - Manage charging a v-tourist. 5 — Manage payment to/from a-tourist.

6 - Algorithm B, Pay per View.

The algorithm M module 124 may perform the following functions:

7 - Manage registration. 8 - Manage ratings.

9 - Manage + analyze history.

10 - Campaign analysis.

The Sub-system G module then tracks the a-tourists and may report the results to the system or to the v-tourists. GPS tracking may be used to locate the A-tourists and GIS may display the results to the v-tourists.

Returning to the A algorithm and matching of a and v tourists as per stage 1 of the algorithm may be carried out in many ways. One way comprises using the following v-tourist and a-tourist matching mathematical and programming formulation The algorithm may obtain as input the a-tourist travel plan, say which regions s/he intends to visit in the near future, as well as lists of regions for which there is some demand by v-tourists. The demand may be ordered according to preferences expressed by the v-tourists. A binary variable may be used to indicate a 4-way match (a-tourist -> v-tourist -> region -> time period). The model formulation is given below. This formulation may be solved exactly or more efficiently by heuristics. i^jt — 1 if a-tourist i is scheduled to be in region j at time t

^Jt = 1 if v-tourist k wishes to "tour" region j at time t i^Jt Cost to activate a-tourist i in region j at time t k^Jt Revenue from v-tourist k if s/he would "tour" region j at time t

X i^kJt - 1 if a-tourist i is matched with v-tourist k in region j at time t Max Σ I Σ k Σ J Σ^Al' -<v t/cjt s.t.

ΣΣΣ ^Xιkjt < 1

I k J

ZJ Z_J Z- I ^Xlkjt ≤ l Y/

Vf₅ Jt J

Item 3 in the Algorithm A module comprises campaign optimization. Campaign optimization as below assumes that that activating each a-tourist involves a fixed cost. Even if the a-tourist is not paid a percentage of the income from his virtual tourists there is still a fixed element in terms of the communications and provisioning costs etc, which sets a minimum income level below which it is not worth operating. The campaign optimization may be carried out as follows:

Input: A time interval DT for coverage List of regions T₁,... ,r_m to be covered within DT List of a-tourists a_1;...,a_n

For each a-tourist a; a list of regions an_t,...,a;i₍i_)t to be visited at time t For each a-tourist Ά_\ and region a_yt as above, a ready to cover cost Cy_t

Maximum total number of a-tourists T

Desired number of a-tourists per region and penalties Wj for deviations up or down from the desired numbers.

Method:

1. Construct a Goal Program GP representing the above data.

2. Obtain a fractional solution for GP in which each a-tourist is represented by an indicator variable 0 < x; < 1.

3. Round each x; to the closest integer (0 or 1). 4. If the solution is not feasible due to lack of region coverage, set

for some i such that if Xj is set to 1 the price of covering an uncovered regions is minimal. Repeat this step until region coverage is achieved. 5. If the solution is not feasible due to too many a-tourists, find a group of a- tourists that can be replaced by a smaller group of a-tourist, and among these apply a minimal overpayment over the previous solution. Repeat this step until a number of a- tourists that is feasible is achieved. 6. For each group of up to k a-tourists (where k is a parameter), see if there exists a group of up to k a-tourists such that if the new group replaces the old group, the solution is improved. Repeat as long as the rate of improvement is at least r for j (a parameter) consecutive steps.

Notation:

Rabc means a-tourist a covers region b at time slot c, it is 0 or 1. Cabc means cost of a-tourist a covering region b at time slot c. Xi means that a-tourist ai is chosen, ideally 0 or 1. Example; Suppose we have 3 a-tourists, 2 regions and DT covers two time slots, zero and one. Here is the Goal Program GP.

GP: Minimize //Wi' s are given weights expressing penalties

Wl*deltal + W2*delta2 + W3*delta3 + W4*delta4 + W5*delta5 + Wl'*deltal' + W2'*delta2' + W3'*delta3' + W4'*delta4'

Subject to Xl *R111 + X2*R211 + X3 *R311 ÷deltal -deltal ' = 2 // desired 2 a-tourists in region 1 at time 1

XPRl 12 + X2*R212 + X3*R312 +delta2 - delta2' = 1 // desired 1 a-tourists in region 1 at time 2

X1*R121 + X2*R221 + X3*R321 +delta3 -delta3' = 1 // desired la-tourists in region 2 at time 1 X1*R122 + X2*R222 + X3*R322 +delta4 -delta4' = 3 Il desired 3 a-tourists in region 2 at time 2

X1*C111 + X1*C121 + X1*C112 + X1*C122 + //cost from a-tourist 1 X2*C111 + X2*C121 + X2*C112 + X2*C122 + //cost from a-tourist 2

X3*C111 + X3*C121 + X3*C112 + X3*C122 + //cost from a-tourist 3

- delta5 = 0 // cost target is zero Xl + X2 + X3 < 2 Xl > 0 X2 > 0

An Alternative Formulation of Campaign Optimization

The following alternative goal programming model may be used in place of the above for campaign optimization. The above obtains as input the desired number of a- tourists in every region during the time of the campaign as well as the overall budget for the campaign. Using given cost estimates on the levels of compensation which should be given to each a-tourist who covers a specific region, the model minimizes the deviations from the stated goals.

P Set of regions to be covered during campaign

A Set of a-tourists available to cover regions in P during the campaign

W i c P

^J Number of a-tourists desired at region ^J during the campaign

C l^J Required compensation to a-tourist i if s/he spends the entire campaign in region j

B Budget allocated to campaign

X i^J Proportion of campaign duration in which a-tourist i will spend in region j s j , s _j , a , a _{Slack variables} a Relative importance of budget constraint vs. coverage constrains

X₁₁ ≥ O ,ViJ

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a simplified diagram showing the overall components of a system using the above embodiments. A housekeeping block 150 includes website management unit 152, database management unit 154, a registration unit 156 and a censorship unit 158.

A distribution subsystem 160 includes a tracking unit 162 for keeping track of individual a-tourists, and a hardware distribution network 164 for making the media and communications hardware available to the right people in the right places. Optimization engine 170 includes the matching 16 and campaign optimization

20 units referred to above.

Analysis unit 180 contains a ratings and evaluations sub-unit 182, a campaign analysis sub-unit 184 and a history unit 186 for maintaining and analyzing history of the a-tourists, v-tourists and campaigns. The analysis which will be carried out by Analysis unit 180 may employ various ranking technologies, statistical analysis technologies (e.g., test hypothesis, analysis of variance), data mining technologies, and more.

A finance and accounts sub-unit 190 includes a charging and paying sub-unit 192 which ensures that v-tourists are charged for website membership, subscription to particular v-tourists etc. A pay per view sub-unit 194 charges v-tourists for direct connection to a current media feed from a v-tourist and may be used as an alternative to the paying sub-unit 192. Alternatively it may be used in addition to the regular payment system to provide premium services, say tours that virtual tourists may be prepared to pay extra for. For example, special events occurring round the world may be provided as pay per view. A sub-unit 196 may be provided for billing advertisers. The present embodiments may provide a system capable of matching a virtual tourist (v-tourist) with an actual tourist (a-tourist), which may be capable of tracking a- tourists by linking GPS data with GIS software in real-time. The system may allow the registration of virtual and actual tourists, and may allow potential v-tourist to enter personal data and preferences. The system may allow a potential a-tourist to enter personal data and preferences, and allow a potential v-tourist to specify a campaign including a plurality of a-tourists. The system may utilize physical locations for making sure that a-tourist equipment is available for use in the kinds of remote regions that may be of interest, and the equipment may include one or more of video equipment, sound equipment, stabilization equipment, communication equipment, and tracking devices such as GPS devices. The physical locations may conveniently be key touring areas, airports, train stations in various continents and countries.

The system may be capable of matching a v-tourist with recorded tour information. Tour information may include digital map tracking, video, audio, still photos and textual information. Matching may be based on a-tourist data and v-tourist preferences and may involve viewing portions of past and/or present a-tourist tours.

Real time feeds from the a-tourist may be continuously displayed for popular tours, and such popular tours may be determined or designated via public voting.

A-tourists may be rated by past related v-tourists. By the same token v-tourists may be rated by past related a-tourists.

Communication between the system and a-tourists may be carried out using cellular phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) or by any other suitable method.

In the same way, communication between the system and v-tourists may be carried out using cellular phones and PDA's.

Some embodiments may allow v-tourists and a-tourists to communicate directly, whether via cellular phones, or by videophone, or by visual voicemail - currently associated with cellular devices, or a landline, or a computer (voice over IP) service such as Skype™ or by text messages or by any other suitable method. The v-tourist may or may not receive video from the a-tourist, say depending on variable settings. The same may apply to audio. Some a-tourists may provide only certain media, or some v-tourists may be given restricted rights depending on their level of subscription.

The a-tourists may be paid by the v-tourists, either directly or by a billing system associated with the web site. Payment may be in money equivalent such as points towards a plane ticket or housing or cellular calls.

V-tourists may set preferences that include sequences of regions and timings for regions to be visited.

The number of a-tourists may be limited to a maximum number.

As mentioned, the equipment, including audio and video devices, may be remotely operable by the v-tourist and/or by the system operator or a presenter.

Verbal communication between the a-tourist and the v-tourist may be monitored and possibly censored by the service operator.

The system may be web-based, or may be based on interactive television channels. The system may display advertisements, say according to a context set by displayed a-tourist footage characteristics.

The system may provide a free or subscription or pay per view web-based system that allows:

(1) a-tourists to enter video clips and photos annotated with geographic location, date and time, sender identification and possibly subject or content keyword-based descriptions; and

(T) v-tourists to select clips or photos for viewing based on (a) a simple map-like interface, and/or (b) a combination of conditions on location, date, time, sender, keywords etc. Here v-tourists and a-tourists may act without any associated financial transactions and the site may be sponsored by advertisers, including ads that are content based for example an ocean scene and swimsuit advertising.

In a variation, a-tourist cameras are mounted on vehicles as well as on the a- tourist himself, say for a safari-type expedition to see wild animals in the jungle.

In a further variation, a-tourist cameras can be mounted on vehicles and/or at main intersections to produce real-time traffic information that is managed through a website. The v-tourists are drivers, who may view trip related information either at home or in the car. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for managing a plurality of media streams from a plurality of sources, said sources having respective characteristics, to provide content from said sources to a plurality of media consumers in such a way as to fulfill preferences of said media consumers regarding said media contents, the system comprising: a consumer preference unit for obtaining consumer preferences regarding media consumption, and a matching unit to match media consumers to sources according to said consumer preferences and respective source characteristics.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sources are mobile sources, said matching unit comprising a tracking unit for tracking said sources, said preferences including preferred locations, thereby allowing matching of said consumers with said sources according to temporal locations of said sources.

3. The system of claim 1, each source having an activation cost, the system further comprising a campaign unit associated with said matching unit, and configured to find a group of sources that substantially provides an optimal solution between said fulfilling consumer preferences and minimizing said activation cost, the campaign unit further configured to activate said group.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said campaign unit provides said substantially optimal solution by inserting said activation costs and said consumer preferences into a goal program and optimizing said goal program.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said campaign unit provides said substantially optimal solution by inserting said activation costs and said consumer preferences into a program and solving using an appropriate heuristic method.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a feedback unit for providing at least one feedback communication channel for feedback by individual media consumers to a respective media source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said feedback unit is configured to allow an individual media consumer to control media gathering equipment at said source.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a feedback unit for providing at least one two-way communication channel for two-way communication between individual media consumers and a respective media source.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a web site through which said media sources are tracked and through which said media consumers are enabled to connect to said media sources.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said web site is configured to use a geographic information system (GIS) application to present the tracking of said media sources.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said web site is configured to provide current and pre-stored output per respective media source.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said web site is configured with functionality to allow said media consumers to rate respective media sources.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein said tracking is via a satellite positioning system.

14. A method for managing a plurality of media streams from a plurality of sources, said sources having respective characteristics, to stream content from said sources to a plurality of media consumers in such a way as to fulfill preferences of said media consumers regarding said media contents, the system comprising: obtaining consumer preferences regarding media consumption; matching media consumers to sources according to said consumer preferences and source characteristics; and streaming content from respectively matched sources to said consumers.

15. The method of claim 14, each source having an activation cost, the method further comprising: finding a group of sources that substantially provides an optimal solution between said fulfilling consumer preferences and minimizing said activation cost; and activating said group.