US20110263342A1

US20110263342A1 - Real time card stunt method

Info

Publication number: US20110263342A1
Application number: US12/768,354
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E. Baldwin; Keith E. Baldwin
Original assignee: Arena Text and Graphics
Current assignee: Arena Text and Graphics
Priority date: 2010-04-27
Filing date: 2010-04-27
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: EP2387019A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel method for performing a stadium card stunt. By utilizing a digital notice method and audience participating real time card stunts can be performed.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to stadium card stunts. In particular, it relates to a novel method for performing stadium stunts that is more cost effective and allows for a shorter lead time or even real time to achieve the stunt.
2. Description of Related Art
A card stunt, which is usually performed in some form of a stadium, is a planned coordinated action wherein audience members each raise a card of a particular color such that when combined create a recognizable image when the entire audience holding the cards are viewed at a distance. While frequently associated with American football games, the stunts have been performed in both indoor and outdoor stadiums for most sports and any event where large audiences can collect. The stunts are not always limited to cards, but things such as tiles, umbrellas, flashlights, reflective surfaces, booklets, and the like, have been utilized for these stunts.
Typically, the process involves laying out a pattern based on the particular seating of a stadium. This can be done manually or as a bitmap on a computer. Next, the particular card, surface, tile, or the like is ordered in qualities for the individual image number of audience members. After receipt of the cards, the cards must be distributed to the individual seats, followed by section coordinators who give instructions to the audience and time the holding up of the cards. The process is not only labor intensive, but takes a great deal of time to accomplish with cueing problems, card placements, and the like. The process works fine with long lead times, but absent the proper lead time, card stunts cannot be done.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to creating a card stunt wherein the information as to what each location is to be in terms of a card stunt card by loading the information onto a computer or the internet, and allowing the audience member to contact or be contacted by the computer or internet, and being responsible for supplying the appropriate card for the card stunt. The current method allows for a lower cost card stunt and can be accomplished quickly and even accomplished in real time.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is a method of performing a card stunt to present a selected design with a plurality of audience members, each member having a selected location comprising:

- a) creating bitmap information of the selected design using the members location during the stunt;
- b) loading the bitmap information onto an internet location, computer or server;
- c) audience members receiving the bitmap information for their selected location from the internet, computer or server; and
- d) audience members collectively performing the card stunt at a selected time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a relational map of the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein, be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawing(s) featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein the term “card stunt” refers to gathering a number of audience members such as in a stadium, bleachers or the like and each member having a color card such that when the audience is viewed as a whole, the cards merge to present a selected message. As used herein the term “card” refers to an object of a particular color that is used in a card stunt. While cards are the typical card used in stunts, other colored objects, such as tee shirts, lights, lights on objects, caps, bibs, pieces of paper, body paint, poncho or any colored object or piece of clothing that serves the purposes of a card in a card stunt are within the definition of card herein. Cards can be reversible or multiple colors or people can utilize multiple cards. For example, a reversible bib with white on one side and red on another could be utilized.
As used herein a “selected design” refers to a pattern or words selected to create an image in the card stunt manner. Because the present invention shortens the time to prepare and deliver such a message, real time messages can be created. For example, the present game score, comment on a play, message to the opposing team, or the like could virtually instantly be viewed. For example, the audience members could all receive a cell phone call or text message, and put together a message during the game or event. Where each audience member has multiple cards then the selected card could be so indicated.
As used herein the audience member “selected location” means the seating/standing, etc. position in a stadium, bleacher, or the like, or just where a group of people are assigned to gather together where a card stunt could be accomplished. Each position must be known as in all card stunts and the assigned position becomes a “bit” in a bitmap of a particular selected design to be created. Once the location of each bit is known and the design selected, a bitmap information can be created. As used herein “bitmap information” relates to the color of each bit for the card stunt such that when performed, the colored bits create the desired design. The bitmap is created by loading the information onto a computer, server, or the like such that the bitmap information is loaded into memory in a means that it can be transferred to each audience member.
The bitmap information must be loaded to the internet, a computer, server, or the like. By providing the bitmap information on a digital source device, it is easy to create a means for the audience member to see information for their particular bit. The audience member receives the bitmap information from the particular digital machine via any convenient means. Examples include a web site, e-mails, text messaging, cell phone calls and the like. This system allows quick distribution of the bitmap information, even in real time during the audience sporting event or other event. Wireless methods of activation of the card are also contemplated.
Once all the audience members have either gotten their bitmap information or been sent their bitmap information, the audience members can perform the card stunt at a selected time. This is accomplished by putting on a shirt, a cap, holding up a card or cards, or any method for performing a card stunt. In the event a real time stunt or stunts are performed, the audience members can change their card out for a new card as necessary.
Now referring to the drawing for an embodiment of the present invention method, FIG. 1 is a relationship and flow chart. In this embodiment, coordinator 1 is the person, company, or the like, running the particular method of the invention. The coordinator 1 decides on the particular message 2 by any means. Thus, the coordinator could pick the message, the person utilizing the method, the audience, a school sports team or the like. In the particular message 2, there are two examples. First, “go Bears” could be a rally cry for a particular sports team. This type of message could be decided long before the game starts. The other message “2-1, we win” could represent a score in the middle or end of a game, and only be a practical message in real time. As one can see either type message as desired, could be utilized in the present invention. The coordinator 1 also gathers information about the location of each audience member 3 that will be participating in the stunt. As noted above, this could be stadium, bleacher seating, or just a location of a group standing in a field. The coordinator 1 then using a computer program combines the message with the audience member locations to create a bitmap information 4. The bitmap information 4 is created in a digital format and can then be stored on this computer, a server computer, the internet 6, or a combination thereof to make the information for each audience member available. The information can be the particular color of a shirt, card or other item defined above as a “card”.
The audience member then can get the bitmap information 7 from the computer, the server, or the internet via a digital transfer method, such as e-mail, cell phone, text message, accessing an internet site, or the like as necessary so that audience member 8 will know what time and what to utilize for the card stunt. The audience member 8 then collects or gathers one or more cards as necessary for the stunt 9 and notes the time, etc. for performing the stunt from the information 7. Then at the appointed time, the audience member 8 performs the stunt 10. The stunt or other stunt can be repeated in the same manner during the desired event either in real time or prepared as necessary.
Other items can be color coordinated with audience members with card stunt. For example, items received at the event, such as tickets, pennants, etc. One can be the same color as the audience member color(s).
The above embodiment is not intended to be limiting, but the applicant reserves the right to utilize the particular embodiment in a limiting fashion. One skilled in the art could understand substitutions and the like in view of the disclosure herein, and such substitutions are intended except where noted otherwise.

Claims

1. A method of performing a card stunt to present a selected design with a plurality of audience members, each member having a selected location comprising:

a) creating bitmap information of the selected design using the members location during the stunt;

b) loading the bitmap information onto an internet location or server;

c) audience members receiving the bitmap information for their selected location from the internet, computer or server via a digital transfer; and

d) audience members collectively performing the card stunt at a selected time.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the members search the internet to find the bitmap information for their selected location.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the members connect to a server to find the bitmap information for their selected location.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the members and server are connected for finding the bitmap information via a cell phone message, e-mail or text message sent to each member.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bitmap information is created on a computer.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the card stunt is created in real time.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the card is a piece of clothing.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the card is a tee shirt.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the audience member has multiple cards of different colors.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the audience member uses body paint as the color for the card stunt.