CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/840,335 filed June 27, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of entertainment stations.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Competition for the entertainment dollar is increasingly fierce. Hosts of public events continually seek ways to optimize the experience of their attendees. For example, sporting venues and sports teams want to optimize the experience of their fans so that their fans continue to attend games and purchase goods and services.

SUMMARY

[0004] Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments are described herein for generating content using entertainment stations. In one example embodiment, a user interacts with an entertainment station to select a morph. Based on the selected morph, the entertainment station displays a plurality of customization options. The entertainment station determines one or more customization options of the plurality of customization options, for example based on a user selection of the customization options. The determined customization options correspond to the selected morph. The entertainment station identifies a face of a user of the entertainment station to capture a user image that includes the face of the user. The entertainment station captures the user image, and generates a morphed image by applying the determined

customization options to the user image.

[0005] In accordance with another embodiment, an entertainment station comprises one or more cameras, a display, and a processor that is in electrical communication with the one or more cameras and the display. The cameras are configured to capture a user image of a user of the entertainment system, wherein the user image may include the face of the user. The display is configured to render images and user options. The display is further configured to receive user selections of the user options. The processor is configured to determine one or more

customization options from a plurality of customization options. The one or more customization options correspond to a selected morph. The processor is configured to identify a face of a user of the entertainment station to capture a user image that includes the face of the user. The processor is further configured to generate a morphed image by applying the one or more customization options to the user image.

[0006] In accordance with yet another embodiment, an entertainment system includes one or more entertainment systems and a remote monitoring station that is in electrical communication with the entertainment stations. The remote monitoring station is configured to monitor a plurality of user interactions with the entertainment stations. For example, the remote monitoring station may include an analytics dashboard that is configured to, based on the monitored user interactions, render data for an operator of the remote monitoring station to consume. Further, based on the monitoring, at least one morphing option of a plurality of morphing options that are rendered by at least one of the entertainment stations may be altered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The summary, as well as the following detailed description, is further understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods, compositions, and devices disclosed. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0008] Fig. 1 depicts a block diagram of an entertainment system that includes an entertainment station according to an example embodiment;

[0009] Fig. 2 depicts a block diagram of the entertainment station shown in Fig. 1 (a morphing station) with example connections according to an example embodiment;

[0010] Fig. 3 depicts a flow diagram for a morphing method using the morphing station depicted in Fig. 2 according to an example embodiment;

[0011] Figs. 4A-C illustrate example screen shots that may be displayed by a display of the morphing station in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0012] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a monitor of the morphing station according to an example embodiment;

[0013] Fig. 6 illustrates an example output of the morphing station according to an example embodiment; [0014] Fig. 7 depicts a block diagram of an example analytics dashboard of the morphing station or a gaming wall;

[0015] Fig. 8 depicts a block diagram of the morphing station including various components according to an example embodiment;

[0016] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of the morphing station according to an example embodiment;

[0017] Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of a gaming wall according to an example embodiment;

[0018] Fig. 1 1 depicts a block diagram of another entertainment system that includes another entertainment station according to another example embodiment;

[0019] Fig. 12 depicts a block diagram of the entertainment station shown in Fig. 11 (a gaming wall) with example connections according to an example embodiment;

[0020] Fig. 13 depicts a flow diagram for a gaming method using the gaming wall depicted in Figure 12 according to an example embodiment;

[0021] Figs. 14 illustrates example user interfaces that may be displayed by a group of monitors of the gaming wall in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0022] Fig. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a display that includes the group of monitors of the gaming wall according to an example embodiment;

[0023] Fig. 16 illustrates an example output of the gaming wall according to an example embodiment; and

[0024] Fig. 17 depicts a block diagram of the gaming wall including various components according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figures and examples, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, applications, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] The term "plurality", as used herein, means more than one. When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable. Any documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for any and all purposes.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an entertainment system 100 is according to an example embodiment. The entertainment system 100 may include one or more entertainment stations 102. The entertainment stations 102 may be configured as a morphing station 102a or as a gaming wall 102b, as further described herein. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the entertainment system 100 includes a remote monitoring station that includes an analytics dashboard 1 10 that resides on a cloud 1 12. It will be understood that the analytics dashboard 1 10 may be implemented on other devices such as a network server or a workstation for example.

[0028] In operation, still referring to Fig. 1, one or more users, such as a user 104 for example, may interact with the entertainment station 102, as further described below with reference to Figs. 4A-C. For example, at 1, the user may make selections associated with a morphed image. Based on the user selections, a user image (photograph) is captured. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the entertainment station 102 includes cameras 108. In particular, the illustrated entertainment station 102 includes a first, a second, and a third camera 108a-c, respectively, and an analytics camera 108d. It will be understood that any number of cameras may be included in the entertainment station 102 as desired. At 2, the user image is captured by at least one of the cameras 108. The user image is processed by the processor 106 which is part of the entertainment station 102. For example, as further described below, the user image may be processed to generate a morphed image. Thus, after processing, the user image may be referred to as a processed image or a morphed image. The morphed image may be uploaded to a server, cloud, file transfer protocol (ftp) entity, or the like. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the morphed image is sent from the entertainment station 102 to a server 1 11 that resides on the cloud 1 12. The server 11 1 includes the analytics dashboard 1 10.

[0029] Still referring to Fig. 1, at 3, the morphed image is sent to the user 104. For example, the morphed image may be sent to an account of the user. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the user may access the morphed image via various personal digital devices 114, such as a laptop or mobile phone for example. In accordance with another embodiment, the morphed image is uploaded directly to an account of the user from the entertainment station 102. At 4, the user uploads the morphed image to a social media account 1 16, such as facebook, twitter, or instagram for example. At 5, an operator of the remote monitoring station may consume various data using an analytics dashboard access 1 18, as further described herein.

[0030] Fig. 2 depicts a block diagram of a morphing station 102a with example connections according to an example embodiment. The morphing station 102a is an example of the entertainment station 102. The morphing station 102a includes a display (e.g., touch screen 202), cameras 108, the processor 106, and speakers 204. The processor 106 may also be referred to as a master internal computer or media player, without limitation. The morphing station 102a may be controlled primarily by computer readable instructions, which may be in the form of software, wherever, or by whatever means such software is stored or accessed. Such computer readable instructions may be executed within the processor 106 to cause the morphing station 102a to do work. In example entertainment stations, processor 106 is implemented by a single- chip central processor unit (CPU) called a microprocessor. In other entertainment stations, the processor may comprise multiple processors.

[0031] In operation, the processor 106 fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, and transfers information to and from other resources via communication paths of the morphing station 102a. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the processor is electrically connected to the touch screen 202, the cameras 108, and the speakers 204. The morphing station 102a may include a system bus that connects the components in the morphing station 102a and defines the medium for data exchange. The system bus may include data lines for sending data, address lines for sending addresses, and control lines for sending interrupts and for operating the system bus. An example of such a system bus is the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. In addition, the morphing station 102a may contain a peripherals controller responsible for communicating instructions from the processor 106 to peripherals, such as the cameras 108, the touch screen 102, and the speakers 204.

[0032] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the display (touch screen 202) is used to display visual output generated by the morphing station 102a. Such visual output may include text, graphics, animated graphics, and video. The display may be implemented with a CRT -based video display, an LCD-based flat-panel display, gas plasma-based flat-panel display, or a touch-panel. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the display is implemented as the touch screen 202. Further, the morphing station 102a may comprise an output module, such as an Ethernet switch or a 3G/4G router for example, that can communicate with an internet connection 208. For example, the morphing station 102a may upload a digitally morphed image 210 to the cloud 112 via the internet connection 208. The morphed image 210 may refer to an image of the user 104 that has been altered based on user selections (e.g., parameters provided by the user), as further described herein.

[0033] Referring also to Fig. 8, in an example configuration, the morphing station 102a comprises a web power switch 800, a 3G/4G router 802, an Ethernet switch 804, a temperature switch 805, a motherboard 806, an amplifier 808, a cooling fan 810, a graphics card 812, a video card 814, a CPU 816, and one or more universal serial bus (USB) ports 818. Each component of the morphing station 102a comprises circuitry for performing functions associated with each respective component. Thus, each component can comprise hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, each component of the morphing station 102a is not to be construed as software per se. It is emphasized that the block diagram depictions of the morphing station 102a is exemplary and not intended to imply a specific implementation and/or configuration.

[0034] The CPU 816, the Ethernet switch 804, the video card 814, the USB ports 818, the graphics card 812, the Ethernet switch 804, the 3G/4G router 802 are coupled together to allow communications therebetween. In various embodiments, the internet connection 208 comprises a receiver of the morphing station 102a, a transmitter of the morphing station 102a, or a combination thereof. For example, the CPU 816 is capable of receiving and/or providing information pertaining to user images and morphed images as described herein. In various configurations, the morphing station 102a may receive and/or provide information via any appropriate means, such as, for example, optical means (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone, ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof.

[0035] Fig. 3 depicts a flow diagram for a morphing method 300 using the

entertainment station depicted in Fig. 2 (e.g., morphing station 102a) according to an example embodiment. Figs. 4A-C illustrate example screen shots that may be displayed by the display of the morphing station 102a as the method 300 is implemented. It will be understood that the gaming wall may also display the example screen shots shown in Figs. 4A-C. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4A-C, at 302, the morphing station 102a receives input parameters from a user of the morphing station. For example, the user may provide input via the touch screen 202. In the illustrated embodiment shown in Fig. 4A, the morphing station 102a displays a hook screen 402. The hook screen 402 may be configured to get the attention of potential users of the morphing station 102a, and thus may render any graphics as desired. At 404, the morphing station 102a, using one or more of the cameras 108 for example, recognizes that at least one person is present at the morphing station 102a. At this time, the morphing station 102a may render a user recognition screen 404. The user recognition screen 404 may engage the user 104 to use the station. For example, if the user 104 decides to use the morphing station 102a, a select morph screen 406 may be displayed. The select morph screen 406 may include one or more types of morphs. The user 104 may select a morph. A morph may refer to any alteration, enhancement, addition, or the like. For example and without limitation, types of morphs may include a hair morph, a body morph, an environment morph, a clothing morph, a uniform morph, a face morph, a facial hair morph, or an augmented reality morph. An augmented reality morph may refer to a morph that displays images that are not part of the user image background or user image. Based on the morph that is selected, the morphing station may display one or more customization options 408. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the one or more customization options include a gender option 408a, a skin tone option 408b, a uniform option 408c, and a head style 408d. Other example customization options include, without limitation, color options, team affiliation options, style options, environment options, or character trait options. The customization options may correspond to the selected morph. For example, if the user 104 selects a hair morph, the customization options may include a hair length option and a color option. By way of another example, if the user 104 selects a bobblehead morph, the

customization options that correspond to the selected morph may include a sport option (e.g., baseball, football, basketball, etc.), a team option, a position option (e.g., a baseball bobblehead may be in a batting position or a fielding position), or the like. As the user 104 selects the customization options, the morphing station may determine which options were selected, and thus which options to apply to the morph.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 4B, in accordance with one embodiment, a user may select a camera by selecting a camera option that is rendered on a select camera screen 410. Using the photo line-up screen 412, for example, the user 104 may align his or her body with an outline so that a photograph may be properly captured. In accordance with another embodiment, the morphing station may identity the face of the user 104 to capture a user image that includes the face of the user 104. For example, the one or more cameras 108 may recognize the face of the user 104, and the morphing station 102a may select the camera to capture an image of the user, wherein the selected camera is suitable for capturing the user image. The user image may include any portion up to all of the user as desired. For example, the camera may be selected based on the height of the user 104 of the morphing station 102a. The camera may also be selected based on a position of the user 104 of the morphing station 102a. In accordance with an example embodiment, a camera 108a may be moved (e.g., positioned) by the morphing station 102a to a location that is suitable for capturing the user image. The suitable location may be determined by the morphing station 102a using facial recognition or it may be determined by the morphing station 102a based on user interaction with the select camera screen 410 and/or the photo line-up screen 412. In an example embodiment, a height of the camera 108 is adjusted such that the height of the camera 108 is substantially equal to a height of the user 104.

[0037] With continuing reference to Fig. 3, at 304, a user image (e.g., photograph) of the user 104 is captured by at least one of the cameras 108. The user image may include the user's face or may include the user's entire body, for example. A photo approval screen 414 may display the captured user image. The photo approval screen 414 may be rendered by the morphing station 102a so that the user 104 can decide whether to approve the user image or take another photograph. Accordingly, the photo approval screen 414 may further include options that the user can select, wherein the options correspond to approving the user image or rejecting the user image.

[0038] At 306, the morphing station 102a generates a morphed image. For example, the morphed image may be generated by applying the one or more customization options selected by the user 104 to the user image. In an example embodiment, an animation transition screen may be rendered by the morphing station 102a while the morphed image generated. A morph reveal screen 418 may display the morphed image to the user 104. In accordance with an example embodiment, the morphed image comprises an image of a memorabilia article that is generated based upon the user image, as further described herein. At 308, the morphing station 102a generates analytical data (e.g., analytics) which is further described herein. At 310, the morphing station 102a may send the morphed image to a network entity and may send the analytics to the remote operating station via a network such as the internet for example. For example, the user 104 may interact with a share screen 420 to select how the morphed image will be shared. Based upon the user interactions, the morphing station 102a determines whether the morphed image should be distributed and how the morphed image should be distributed. For example, based on user interactions, the morphing station 102a may send the morphed image to the user's digital devices via the internet, at 312. The morphed image may be sent, for example, to one more email accounts that the user provides to the morphing station 102a using the touch screen 202. At 314, the analytics are sent to the analytics dashboard 1 10 via the internet. At 316, the user 104 may upload the morphed image to one more social networks. Alternatively, at 316, the morphed image may be uploaded to an social media account of the user directly from the morphing station 102a, for example via user interaction with the share screen 420. In yet another embodiment, the morphed image may be sent to a jumbotron or other screens for display. For example, the morphing station may be located within or near a stadium that includes a jumbotron, and the morphing station may be coupled to the jumbotron such that morphed images and data may be sent to the jumbotron and displayed by the jumbotron.

[0039] After the morphed image is generated, for example, the morphing station 102a may further render an offer to purchase the memorabilia article that is represented by the morphed image and based on the user image. The morphing station 102a may be configured to determine whether the offer to purchase the memorabilia article is accepted. For example, in response to determining that the offer to purchase the memorabilia article is accepted, the morphing station may send the morphed image to a suitable manufacturer. By way of example, and without limitation, example memorabilia articles include bobbleheads, clothing, flags, jerseys, balls, pictures, photographs, three-dimensional figurines, mugs, hats, or the like. Thus, the morphing station 102a may send an order to for a memorabilia article to a manufacturer that corresponds to the memorabilia article, and in particular, to a manufacturer that is capable of manufacturing the memorabilia article.

[0040] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a monitor 500, which also be referred to as a display 500, of an entertainment station 102 according to an example embodiment. The display 500 may include a touch screen, such as an infrared touch bezel 202a for example, that is configured to receive user data input 502 and display results 504. Results may be based on user interactions, for example user selections of operations, with the display 500. It will be appreciated that the morphing station 102a and the gaming wall 102b can include any number of the displays 500 as desired.

[0041] The display may be included as part of a user interface (UI) portion that allows a user to communicate with the entertainment station 102. In an example embodiment, the UI portion is capable of rendering any information utilized in conjunction with entertainment stations as described herein. The UI portion may provide the ability to control the entertainment station 102, via, for example, buttons, soft keys, voice actuated controls, the touch bezel 202a, visual cues (e.g., moving a hand in front of the cameras 108 on the entertainment station 102), or the like. The UI portion may provide visual information (e.g., via the display 500), audio information (e.g., via speakers 204), or a combination thereof. In various configurations, the UI portion may comprise the display 500, the touch screen 202 (e.g., infrared touch bezel 202a), a keyboard, a motion detector, speakers, 204 a microphone, cameras 108, or any combination thereof. The UI portion may comprise means for inputting biometric information, such as, for example, fingerprint information, retinal information, voice information, and/or facial characteristic information.

[0042] The display 500 may be configured to display multimedia such as, for example, application graphical user interfaces (GUIs), text, images, video, setup functions, menus, music, metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics, Internet content, device status, preferences settings, map and location data, routes and other directions, points of interest (POI), and the like.

[0043] Fig. 6 illustrates an example output 600 of the entertainment stations 102 according to an example embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, the output 600 may be automatically generated after the morphed image is generated. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the output 600 includes a generated email 602 that is sent to at least one email account that is provided by the user. The output further includes a user photograph 604, which may be a user image or a morphed image that is printed by a printer that is included as part of the entertainment station 604. Alternatively, the user image or morphed image may be provided to the user electronically, such as via a USB drive or email for example. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the output 600 includes commands 606. By actuating the commands 106, for example, a user can automatically upload a morphed image to one or more social networks or can download the morphed image to one or more personal digital devices. The output 600 may also include third party promotional information 608. For example, the third party promotional information 608 may include an offer to purchase a souvenir that is based on the morphed image, as described above. The third party promotional information 608 may further include links to third party websites. Example third parties include, without limitation, retailers, manufacturers, souvenir vendors, photograph vendors, or the like. As illustrated, the output 600 may further include legal and disclaimer information 610.

[0044] Fig. 7 depicts a block diagram of the analytics dashboard 1 10 according to an example embodiment. As described herein, the analytics dashboard may be configured to, based on user interactions that are monitored by a remote monitoring station in an entertainment system, render data for an operator of the remote monitoring station to consume. Example rendered data includes, without limitation, user photographs, user emails, user demographics, order totals, morph statistics, memorabilia article statistics, time of use data, social media feeds, a view count, an opportunity to see, a conversion ratio, a dwell time, an attention time, a glance number, a distance from the one or more cameras, or the like. The view count refers to the number of people that have actually looked at a particular entertainment station. The Opportunity To See (OTS) refers to the number of potential viewers of a particular entertainment station. The conversion ration refers to the viewer count divided by the OTS, which globally captures the effectiveness of an entertainment station. The dwell time refers to the duration between the first detection and the exit from the final screen that rendered by the entertainment station. The attention time refers to the portion of the dwell time during which the viewer actually looked at the media rendered by the display. The glance number refers to the number of looks during a viewing session. The user demographics may refer to any property of the user such as gender, age group, or the like. The distance from the cameras refers to the last measured distance from the camera.

[0045] Such data may be collected and analyzed to improve entertainment systems. For example, the analysis of the data may result in an entertainment station being relocated or screens that are rendered by an entertainment station being changed. Thus, the processor 106 of the entertainment station 102 can be configured to, based on the monitored user interactions, alter at least one morphing option of a plurality of morphing options rendered by the

entertainment station. Morphing options may include screens that are rendered by the display 500, sounds that are rendered by the speakers 204, or the like.

[0046] With continuing reference to Fig. 7, the analytics dashboard 110 may include a client login 702. Thus, a remote operator can access the analytics dashboard 1 10 remotely. For example, the dashboard 110 can located on the cloud 112 and can be accessed via an internet connection. Various tabs 704 enable the remote operator to view the rendered data. For example, a graphs tab 704a enables the remote operator to view the rendered data in graphs. A social feed tab 704b enables the remote operator to view data corresponding to users' use of social media (e.g., are user's uploading outputs to social media, what social media sites are being used). A calendar tab 704c enables the remote operator to view timing information associated with an entertainment station. For example, by viewing the calendar tab, an operator can determine what days an entertainment station was active and what days and times corresponding to different levels of usage. A user compilation tab 704d enables the operator to view user images and morphed images that have been captured by the entertainment station. A collected user email address tab 704e enables the operator to view email address that users have provided to an entertainment station. A user demographic tab 704 enables a remote operator to view information associated with the characteristics of users, such as age, gender, of ethnicity for example. A client profile tab 704g enables the remote operator to view profile data of the owner or operator of the entertainment station. For example, entertainment stations may be implemented in various environments such as, for example, sporting venues, concert venues, music festivals, public gatherings, or the like. It will be understood that other tabs associated with other data may be presented in the analytics dashboard 1 10 as desired. As illustrated, the analytics dashboard may include other options for the user to view data in various forms such as pie graphs, bar graphs, timelines, illustrations, and text. The analytics dashboard 1 10 may be further configured to filter data and/or combine data such that an operator can analyze and correlate different data categories.

[0047] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of an entertainment station that is embodied as the morphing station 102a. As shown, the morphing station 102a may include one or more speakers, for instance two speakers 202. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the morphing station 102a includes a display 500 and apertures 900 which are located at a front 902 of the morphing station. The morphing station 102a is configured to capture images of users who are located at the front 902 of the morphing station. For example, each aperture 900 may correspond to a camera 108. Although the illustrated morphing station includes five apertures, it will be understood that the morphing station can be constructed with any number of apertures as desired. Further, although the illustrated apertures 900 are substantially rectangular, it will be understood that the apertures can be alternatively shaped as desired. For example, a morphing station can include only one aperture 900 that is shaped so as to allow a camera to move in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the morphing station 102a may include a top 904 and a base 906 that is spaced from the top 904 along the vertical direction.

[0048] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the morphing station 102a further includes wheels 908 that enable the morphing station to be moved between locations. The wheels 908 are attached to the base 906. In one embodiment, an analytics camera 108d captures images and data through the aperture 908 that is located proximate to the top of the morphing station along the vertical direction and proximate to the center of the morphing station along the horizontal direction, although it will be understood that the number of analytics cameras and the placement of the analytics camera may vary as desired. The analytics camera 108d may be configured monitor an area in front of the morphing station to collect data. For example, the analytics camera may collect data related to number of people in the area, identity of people in the area, or the like. The analytics camera 108d can monitor the area while a user is interacting with the morphing station 102a, or alternatively, may monitor the area while no users are interacting with the morphing station.

[0049] As described above, the entertainment station 102 may be embodied as the gaming wall 102b. Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of an entertainment station that is embodied as the gaming wall 102b. Embodiments of the gaming wall are depicted in Figs 10-18. Many of the reference numbers in Figs. 10-18 are repeated from Figs 1-10 because features are common to the morphing station embodiment of the entertainment station 102 and the gaming wall embodiment of the entertainment station 102. Thus, it will be understood that the reference numbers in Figs. 10-18 may be described above.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 10, as shown, the gaming wall 102b may include one or more speakers, for instance two speakers 202. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the gaming wall 102b includes a display 500, which may be configured as a group of monitors 1104, and apertures 1000 which are located at a front 1002 of the gaming wall. The gaming wall 102b is configured to capture images and video of users who are located at the front 1002 of the gaming wall. For example, the each aperture 1000 may correspond to a camera 108. Although the illustrated gaming wall includes five apertures, it will be understood that the gaming wall can be constructed with any number of apertures as desired. Further, although the illustrated apertures are substantially rectangular, it will be understood that the apertures can be

alternatively shaped as desired. For example, a gaming wall can include only one aperture that is shaped so as to allow one or more cameras to move in a vertical and a horizontal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the illustrated gaming wall 102b defines a top 1004 and a base 1006 that is spaced from the top 1004 along the vertical direction.

[0051] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the gaming wall 102b further includes wheels 1008 that enable the gaming wall 102b to be moved between locations. The wheels 1008 are attached to the base 1006. In one embodiment, an analytics camera 108d captures images and data through the aperture 1008 that is located proximate to the top of the gaming wall 102b along the vertical direction and proximate to the center of the gaming wall along the horizontal direction, although it will be understood that the number of analytics cameras and the placement of the analytics camera may vary as desired. The analytics camera may be configured monitor an area in front of the gaming wall 102b to collect data. For example, the analytics camera 108d may collect data related to number of people in the area, identity of people in the area, or the like. The analytics camera can monitor the area while a user is interacting with the gaming wall 102b, or alternatively, may monitor the area while no users are interacting with the gaming wall 102b. Referring also to Fig. 1 1, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, a motion camera 108e may be configured to collect user gestures. User gestures may include any physical movement of users. For example, gestures may also be referred to as gaming content. Gaming content may include, without limitation, simulated sporting activities, simulated dance, simulated music performances, or the like. Thus, the motion camera 108e may enable the users to compete or perform by moving, and their movements may be viewed on the display 500.

[0052] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of an entertainment system 1100 according to an example embodiment. The entertainment system 1 100 may include one or more entertainment stations 102. The illustrated entertainment station 1100 includes the gaming wall 102b. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the entertainment system 1100 includes a remote monitoring station that includes an analytics dashboard 110 as described above.

[0053] In operation, still referring to Fig. 11, one or more users, such as the user 104 for example, may interact with the gaming wall 102b, as further described herein with reference to Fig 4. For example, at 1, the user 104 may interact with the gaming wall 102b by gesturing or moving. Based on the user movements, a user video is processed by a video wall controller 1 102 and output to a group of monitors 1 104. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the gaming wall includes cameras 108. In particular, the illustrated gaming wall includes the first, the second, and the third camera 108a-c, respectively, the analytics camera 108d, and the motion camera 108e. It will be understood that any number and type of cameras may be included in the gaming wall 102b as desired. At 2, the user image is captured by at least one of the cameras 108 and the process may proceed as described above.

[0054] Fig. 12 depicts a block diagram of the gaming wall 102b with example connections according to an example embodiment. As described above, the gaming wall 102b is an example of the entertainment station 102. The gaming wall 102b includes the display 500 (see Fig. 10) which includes the touch screen 202 and the group of monitors 1 104. The gaming wall 102b may be controlled primarily by computer readable instructions, which may be in the form of software, wherever, or by whatever means such software is stored or accessed. Such computer readable instructions may be executed within the processor 106 to cause the gaming wall 102b to do work.

[0055] In operation, the processor 106 fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, and transfers information to and from other resources via communication paths of gaming wall 102b. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the processor is electrically connected to the touch screen 202, the cameras 108, the speakers 204, and the video wall controller 1 102. The video wall controller is also electrically connected to the group of monitors 1104 such that it can deliver instructions to the group of monitors 1 104 and control the group of monitors 1 104. The gaming wall 102b may include a system bus that connects the components in the morphing station 102a and defines the medium for data exchange. The system bus may include data lines for sending data, address lines for sending addresses, and control lines for sending interrupts and for operating the system bus. An example of such a system bus is the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. In addition, the gaming wall 102b may contain a peripherals controller responsible for communicating instructions from the processor 106 to peripherals, such as the cameras 108, the touch screen 202, the video wall controller 1 102, and the speakers 204.

[0056] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the group of monitors is used to display visual output generated by the gaming wall 102b via the video controller 1102. Such visual output may include text, graphics, animated graphics, and video which is based on user movement or gestures. The display 500, and thus the group of monitors 1 104, may be implemented with a CRT -based video display, an LCD-based flat-panel display, gas plasma- based flat-panel display, or a touch-panel. It will be understood that the group of monitors 1104 can consist of any number of monitors as desired. Further, the gaming wall 102b may comprise an output module, such as an Ethernet switch or a 3G/4G router for example, that can communicate with an internet connection 208. For example, the gaming wall 102b may upload digitally captured content 1200 to the cloud 1 12 via the internet connection 208.

[0057] Referring also to Fig. 17, in an example configuration, the gaming wall 102b comprises a web power switch 800, a 3G/4G router 802, an Ethernet switch 804, a temperature switch 805, a motherboard 806, an amplifier 808, a cooling fan 810, a graphics card 812, a video card 814, a CPU 816, and one or more universal serial bus (USB) ports 818. Each component of the gaming wall 102b comprises circuitry for performing functions associated with each respective component. Thus, each component can comprise hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, each component of the gaming wall 102b is not to be construed as software per se. It is emphasized that the block diagram depictions of the gaming wall 102b is exemplary and not intended to imply a specific implementation and/or

configuration. The CPU 816, the Ethernet switch 804, the video card 814, the USB ports 818, the graphics card 812, the Ethernet switch 804, the 3G/4G router 802, and the video wall controller 1102 are coupled together to allow communications therebetween.

[0058] Fig. 13 depicts a flow diagram for a gaming method 1300 using the

entertainment station depicted in Fig. 12 (e.g., gaming wall 102b) according to an example embodiment. Figs. 14 illustrates example user interfaces 1400 that may be displayed by the monitors 1104 of the gaming wall 102b in accordance with an example embodiment as the method 1300 is implemented. Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, at 1302, the gaming wall 102b receives input parameters from a user of the gaming wall 102b. For example, the user may provide input via the touch screen 202 or via the motion camera 108e. In the illustrated embodiment shown in Fig. 14, the gaming wall 102b displays a hook screen 1402. The hook screen 1402 may be configured to get the attention of potential users of the gaming wall 102b, and thus may render any graphics as desired. At 1404, the gaming wall 102b, using one or more of the cameras 108 for example, recognizes that at least one person is present at the gaming wall 102b. At this time, the gaming wall 102b may render a user recognition screen. The user recognition screen may engage the user 104 to use the station, such as by asking the user 104 (e.g., with audio or text) if the user wants to play a game. A game may refer to any activity that is provided by the gaming wall. For example, if the user 104 decides to use the gaming wall 102b, a select game screen 1404 may be displayed in which various games (e.g., activities) are displayed. The select game screen 1404 may include one or more types of games. Example types of games include, without limitation, a home run contest, a soccer shoot out, a dance contest, a music performance, or the like. The user 104 may select a game. Based on the game that is selected, the morphing station may display one or more customization options 1406. The one or more customization options may include options for customizing a player such as a gender option, a skin tone option, a uniform option, and a head style. Other example customization options include, without limitation, color options, team affiliation options, style options, environment options, or character trait options. The customization options may correspond to the selected game.

[0059] In accordance with one embodiment, gaming video 1408 is displayed after gaming begins at 1304. For example, the gaming wall 102b may identity the face of the user 104 to recognize the position of the user. The cameras 108, for example the motion camera 108e, may recognize the user's position and may capture the motions and gestures of the user 104. The captured gestures (e.g., gaming content) may be displayed to the user at 1304 so that the user can decide whether to approve the content or reset the content. If the user accepts the content, the final content is captured in captured screens 1410. The captured screens 1410 may display final images from the game and/or scores and statistics from the game.

[0060] At 1306, the gaming wall 102b generates the gaming content which may include a morphed image, gaming video, gaming statistics, or the like. At 1308, the gaming wall 102b generates analytical data (e.g., analytics) which is further described herein. At 1310, the gaming wall 102b may send the gaming content to a network entity and may send the analytics to the remote operating station via a network such as the internet for example. For example, the user 104 may interact with the share screen 920 (see Fig. 9) to select how the gaming content will be shared. Based upon the user interactions, the gaming wall 102b determines whether the gaming content should be distributed and how the gaming content should be distributed. For example, based on user interactions, the gaming wall 102b may send the gaming content to the user's digital devices via the internet, at 1312. At 1314, the analytics are sent to the analytics dashboard 1 10 via the internet. At 1316, the user 104 may upload the gaming content to one more social networks. Alternatively, at 1316, the gaming content may be uploaded to an social media account of the user directly from the gaming wall 102b, for example via user interaction with the share screen 920.

[0061] Fig. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a group of gaming wall monitors 1104, which also be referred to as the display 500, of an gaming wall 102b according to an example embodiment. The group of gaming wall monitors 1 104 may include a touch screen, such as the infrared touch bezel 202a for example, that is configured to receive user data input 502 and display results 504. Results may be based on user interactions, for example user selections of operations, with the display 500. Such interactions may include gestures. It will be appreciated the group of monitors 1 104 can include any number of monitors as desired.

[0062] Fig. 16 illustrates an example output 1600 of the gaming wall 102b according to an example embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, the output 600 may be automatically generated after the gaming content is generated. For example, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the output 1600 includes a generated email 1602 that is sent to at least one email account that is provided by the user. The email 1602 may include the gaming content and the score from the game that the user played. The output further includes a user photograph 604, which may be a user image or a morphed image that is printed by a printer that is included as part of the entertainment station 604. Alternatively, the user image or morphed image may be provided to the user electronically, such as via a USB drive or email for example. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the output 600 includes commands 606. By actuating the commands 106, for example, a user can automatically upload a morphed image to one or more social networks or can download the morphed image to one or more personal digital devices. The output 600 may also include third party promotional information 608. For example, the third party promotional information 608 may include an offer to purchase a souvenir that is based on the morphed image, as described above. The third party promotional information 608 may further include links to third party websites. Example third parties include, without limitation, retailers, manufacturers, souvenir vendors, photograph vendors, or the like. As illustrated, the output 600 may further include legal and disclaimer information 610.

[0063] The various techniques described herein can be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatuses of using and implementing the described functions may be implemented, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible storage media having a tangible physical structure. Examples of tangible storage media include floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any other tangible machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storage medium). Thus, a computer-readable storage medium is not a transient signal per se. A computer-readable storage medium is not a propagating signal per se. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing enhanced location based services. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device will generally include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

[0064] While the entertainment systems and stations have been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for implementing enhanced location based services without deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the entertainment stations as described in the present application may apply to any environment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any number of such devices connected via a communications network and interacting across the network. Therefore, entertainment systems and stations should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.