BACKGROUND The America's Cup is a yacht race which has benefited by the inclusion of real time 3- dimensional graphics in a live sports telecast based on differential GPS telemetry data.

This graphics package has since been used in the international television coverage of the 1995 and 2000 America's Cup regattas, two Whitbread round the world yacht races, and two world circumnavigation record attempts.

The underlying technology has also been used in television coverage of the Australian PGA Golf Tour, the World Gliding Championships and, for two years in succession, in China on the multidiscipline event, The Mild Seven Quest. The technology has also been used in television coverage of three motor sport rallies in New Zealand, including the Rally of New Zealand, which is part of the World Rally Championship.

In 1999, sports coverage of the Americas Cup was delivered to fans, via the internet, using 3-dimensional animation graphics previously only seen on television. This enabled the Americas Cup to be viewed in a new interactive environment with a user in control of how and when they view the action, live or continuously available on demand replays. It would be particularly advantageous to extend the features and interactivity of the technology.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In broad terms in one form the invention comprises an interactive display system comprising an event display component configured to display a representation of an event ; a participant display component configured to display representations of one or more participants in the event; and a participant selector enabling a user to select one or more participants to be displayed by the participant display component.

In another preferred form the invention comprises an interactive event display system comprising event geographic data representing the location of an event stored in a memory; an event display component configured to retrieve the event geographic data from the memory and to generate and display a graphical representation of the event, the event display configured to display a graphical representation of a globe having graphical representations of one or more events positioned on the globe based on the event geographic data; and an event selector enabling a user to select one or more events to be displayed by the event display component.

In yet a further preferred form the invention comprises an interactive display system comprising an event display component configured to display a representation of a spectator event; a participant display component configured to display representations of one or more participants in the event; a memory in which is stored participant geographic data associated with one or more of the participants; and a data transfer component configured to transmit the data representing the participant geographic data from the memory to the participant display component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Preferred forms of the interactive display system and method will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system in which one form of the invention may be implemented; Figure 2 shows the preferred system architecture of hardware on which the present invention may be implemented; Figure 3 shows the format of a typical user interface presented to a user; Figure 4 shows a preferred form user interface applied to a yachting event ; Figure 5 shows a drag select tool from the interface of Figure 4 ; Figure 6 shows a time travel tool from the interface of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a boat info tool from the interface'of Figure 4; Figure 8 shows a rotate camera tool from the interface of Figure 4; Figure 9 shows a rotate globe tool from the interface of Figure 4 and also shows a menu bar; Figure 10 shows an example of a display panel from the interface of Figure 4; Figure 12 shows a preferred form introduction to another interface applied to Rallye; Figure 13 shows an example of a registration screen from the introduction of Figure 12; Figure 14 shows an example of marketing information entered by a user from the introduction screen of Figure 12 ; Figure 15 shows an example of confirmation that registration has been completed; Figure 16 shows an example of news displayed on the introduction screen; Figure 17 shows an example of events shown on an introduction screen; Figure 18 shows information displayed about an event; Figure 19 shows information displayed about Virtual Spectator; Figure 20 shows information about sponsors; and displays free trial options for a user; Figure 21 shows a subscription option from Figure 20; Figure 22 shows payment options available to a user; Figure 23 shows confirmation of a purchase; Figure 24 shows an example of user choice for viewing an event; Figure 25 shows a preferred form display presented to a user; Figure 26 illustrates the user of a selector; Figure 27 shows a list of events shown in a display; Figure 28 illustrates weather data view options; Figure 29 shows temperature as one weather option from Figure 28; Figure 30 shows ico bars as another option from Figure 28; Figure 31 shows animated wind patterns as an option from Figure 28; Figure 32 shows a topographical view of an event; Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of the event from Figure 32 ; Figure 34 shows a more detailed view of the event from Figure 33; Figure 35 shows a graphic representation of a participant; Figure 36 shows another representation of a participant in a series of view panels; Figure 37 shows additional panels to those shown in Figure 36; Figure 38 shows a series of view panels presented to a user; Figure 39 shows user selectable options for one or more of the panels from Figure 38 ; Figure 40 shows user preferences for the panels of Figure 38; Figure 41 shows a user selectable list of participants; Figure 42 shows user selectable views of a participant; Figure 43 shows further user selectable views of a participant; Figure 44 shows a plurality of display options for a user; Figure 45 shows a series of display options available to a user; Figure 46 shows further options available to a user, particularly view options; Figure 47 shows the championship option available to a user; Figure 48 shows options available to a user from the menu bar; Figure 49 shows language options available to a user; Figure 50 shows members options available to a user; Figure 51 shows help options available to a user; Figure 52 shows a plurality of display buttons available to a user, particularly in information button; Figure 53 shows an example of a commentary button from Figure 52; Figure 54 shows a weather button from Figure 52; Figure 55 shows a highlight button from Figure 52; Figure 56 shows a leaderboard option from Figure 52; Figure 57 shows a results button; Figure 58 shows an options button; Figure 59 shows a commentary button; Figure 60 shows a drivers tab; Figure 61 shows options available to a user from the drivers tab; Figure 62 shows further options available to a user from the drivers tab of Figure 60; Figure 63 shows a teams tab; Figure 64 shows options available to a user from the teams tab; Figure 65 shows a news tab available to a user; Figure 66 shows a media tab; Figure 67 shows a links tab; Figure 68 shows a further preferred form interface applied to soccer; Figure 69 shows the menu bar and display buttons on the interface of Figure 68; Figure 70 shows additional display buttons from the interface of Figure 68; Figure 71 illustrates the tool palette from the interface of Figure 68; Figure 72 illustrates information presented to a user from the interface of Figure 68; Figure 73 shows a further preferred form interface applied to entertainment events; Figure 74 shows various features from the interface of Figure 73; Figure 75 shows further features from the interface of Figure 73; Figure 76 illustrates computer generated enhancements to a display in the field of cricket; Figure 77 illustrates further computer generated enhancements ; Figure 78 illustrates calculation of data for the enhancements of Figure 76 and 77; Figure 79 illustrates computer enhancements in the field of golf; Figure 80 shows a preferred data structure for transmitting data in accordance with the invention; Figure 81 illustrates one method for transmitting the data of Figure 80; and Figure 82 illustrates another preferred form method for transmitting the data structure of Figure 80.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the preferred system 10 in which one form of the present invention may be implemented. One or more participants 20, for example, 20A, 20B and 20C are engaged in an event. Examples could include one or more competitors in a yacht race, competitors in a golf tournament, players in a cricket match, participants in a rally car race, or skiers in a downhill ski tournament. A participant could also include a space shuttle or other object during a launch event or could include aircraft, watercraft or land craft travelling from one location to another.

In each case, each participant has a geographic position which may alter during the event.

It is envisaged that the system 10 includes suitable apparatus and employs suitable methods for capturing this geographic data. In a yacht race for example each yacht could include a GPS receiver arranged to transmit geographic coordinates over a network. In the case of a sports match, each player could be provided with an individual GPS unit to record position. In the case of a golf tournament, each golf ball in play could be provided with a GPS receiver and transmitter or alternatively the position of each ball could be recorded by a spectator using a hand held unit and the location transmitted over a network.

It is envisaged that any suitable method of data capture is within the scope of the invention.

The system 10 includes one or more database receivers indicated generally at 30 arranged to receive geographic data transmitted to it representing geographic positions of participants 20. This geographic data is preferably stored in data storage receiver (s) 32, in a suitable database as a series of data sets, each data set comprising at least a participant identifier, the geographic coordinates of the participant in question, and a time value representing a point in time at which the geographic coordinates are valid. The database receiver (s) 30 and data storage receiver (s) 32 collectively form a functional unit, component 40. Component 40 could be implemented as a single computer, or a series of distributed devices.

It is envisaged that the data collected from participants does not necessarily need to converge at a single point for example receiver (s) 30. The data could come from a plurality of sources, for example weather data which could be streamed through different methods and networks from each participant. It is envisaged that where practical the system will involve duplication for parallel processing and distribution of data, or parallel processing of separate functional sets of data.

The system 10 further comprises one or more clients 50, for example 50A, 50B and 50C, which each may comprise a personal computer or workstation described below. Each client 50 is interfaced to the component 40 through one or more networks 60 as shown in Figure 1. Each client 50 could be connected directly to the component 40, could be connected through a local area network or LAN, or could be connected through the internet. It is envisaged that such connections could be either wired or wireless. It will be appreciated that the system 10 could operate on any network infrastructure. It is envisaged that any general"interconnected network"is within the scope of the system 10. One preferred form of the invention comprises user interface software installed on a client 50, displaying to a user in an interactive fashion a remote view of a spectator event.

Alternatively, the invention could be installed on a server component such as component 40 and the client 50 access this software using suitable application service provision (ASP) techniques.

The component 40 is arranged to transmit data representing participants in a spectator event to the application software forming the invention to enable a user's view of the event to be updated. Data representing an entire event could be transmitted in one batch or alternatively small batches of data could be transmitted during the course of an event. In one preferred form, data representing an event is transmitted to the software of the invention in real time or near real time.

The preferred data representing an event includes at least geographic data comprising a series of data sets, each data set comprising at least a participant identifier, geographic coordinates of the participant in question and a time value. It is envisaged that the system could also transmit and display on client 50 data representing environmental conditions, both actual and forecasted, for example, wind, ocean depth, ocean currents, wave height and/or sea temperature in a yacht race. The data could also include biomedical data including sleep patterns of the participants. The data could also include telemetry data including the position, heading, boat speed, audio clips and audio transcripts. The system may also process and display forecasted participant models, given a particular weather pattern the expected path or decisions a participant will make as to their actions.

The data could be transmitted in the form of an electronic text message. One form could be an email in a format as set out below.

TO: mailbot@arl. co. nz CC: paul@virtualspectator. com, steve@virtualspectator. com, rod@virtualspectator. com, jude@virtualspectator. com SUBJECT: Vendee Positions BODY TEXT: BoatID Date Time (GMT) Lat Lon Heading BoatSpeed SkipperSurname 01 05/11/00 12: 34: 56 46 09.12 N 001 53. 00 W 210 12.3 Bianchetti 14 05/11/00 12: 35: 00 46 09.00 N 001 52. 89 W 231 13.5 De Radigues Figure 2 shows the preferred system architecture of a client 50 or component 40. The computer system 70 typically comprises a central processor 72, a main memory 74 for example RAM and an input/output controller 76. The computer system 70 also comprises peripherals such as a keyboard 78, a pointing device 80 for example a mouse, trackball or touch pad, a display or screen device 82, a mass storage memory 84, for example a hard disk, floppy disk or optical disk, and an output device 86, for example a printer. The system 100 could also include a network interface card or controller 88 and/or a modem 90. The system 70 could further include wireless data transmission apparatus.

The individual components of the system 70 could communicate through a system bus 92.

It is envisaged that some components could communicate directly with each other, for example, the input/output controller 76 could be connected directly to input/output devices such as the keyboard 78, pointing device 80 and/or display 82.

Alternatively, the component 40 could comprise a room full of raid arrays with a cluster of processing boxes and high RAM, or the component 40 could be a small RAM and PC card storage device on for example a car or boat that manages a small subset of server activities and distributes data to other nodes.

Figure 3 illustrates a preferred form user interface presented to a user on a client workstation. The user interface display typically comprises a view panel 100 which is configured to display to a user a combination of video, audio and text data. Positioned adjacent to the view panel 100 is a display panel 102. The display panel is configured to function as a selector, a leader board and is also configured to display video, audio and/or text data. The display panel 102 may include a series of display buttons 104 and/or a series of display tabs 106 enabling a user to alter the function of the display panel 102 easily.

The user interface may also include a viewer time display panel 108, a viewer controls panel 110 and a camera views panel 112. Panels 108,110 and 112 are all described below.

The panels are preferably positioned beneath the view panel 100 and adjacent the display panel 102.

The user interface may also include a status panel 114. The status panel 114 could provide the user, for example, with global volume controls, current time, and an online/offline indicator showing whether the user's application is currently online or offline. Internet activity could be indicated by an animated graphical representation.

The interface could also include a tool palette 116. The tool palette provides the user with tools enabling the user to interact with the view panel 100 in a plurality of ways. It is envisaged that the view panel 116 could be oriented vertically in the view panel 100 or alternatively could be positioned horizontally as shown at 118.

The user interface may also include a menu bar 120 providing a user with a plurality of drop-down options, and a sponsor panel 122 providing advertising and other sponsor related data.

Figures 4 to 11 illustrate one form of user interface presented to a user on execution of the software forming the invention. The preferred display 200 is provided with a viewer panel 202 in which is preferably displayed a three dimensional representation of an event. The user interface is described with reference to Vendee Globe, a yacht race in which competitors start and finish from Les Sables d'Olonne sailing around the world from West to East. In an event such as this, the interface could be configured to display to a user a world globe indicating the entire course, or could alternatively present to a user a topographical or overhead plan view of part of a course. In one preferred form, the system may be configured to enable a user to toggle between a global view and an overhead view using a zoom function. An introduction could be presented to a user in which the system automatically zooms from a global to an overhead view, known as a"fly in". The system may also be configured to enable a user to select the viewpoint from which the three dimensional representation of the event is generated. For example, the competitors could be viewed from the North, the South, the East, or the West, or any variation of these directions.

Geographic data representing the location of an event is preferably stored in a data memory, for example, a memory on client 50. An event display component is configured to retrieve geographic data from the memory in which it is stored and to generate and display a representation such as the representation shown in viewer panel 202.

The system is also arranged to store geographic data associated with one or more of the participants in the event, stored in a data memory. The system is provided with a participant display component arranged to retrieve this geographic data representing the geographic positions of each participant and to generate and display a representation of the participants. As will be described below, the representation in the case of the Vendee Globe could be a representation of a yacht. As will be described below, these representations could be displayed in the viewer panel 202 and preferably superimposed on the representation 204 of the event, which in one form could comprise a globe.

The display 200 further comprises a display panel 206, which in one form is configured as a selector, enabling a user to select one or more participants to be displayed in viewer panel 202. As will be described below, the selector could be arranged to present to a user information identifying each participant in the event and enabling the user to select whether or not each individual participant is displayed in the viewer panel 202.

The preferred selector in one form is implemented as a dynamic leaderboard displaying the names of each of the competitors 208, distance information, for example the distance to the finish line, the distance to the next waypoint and/or the distance to the leader indicated at 210 and a series of boat indicators shown at 212.

In one preferred form the boat indicators 212 comprise buttons which can be toggled between off and on states using a pointing device. Placing a boat indicator button in the off state has the effect of not displaying the corresponding participant in the viewer panel 202. Where the button is placed in the on state, the button is preferably shown in a particular colour distinct from other colours on the leaderboard 206 and corresponding to the colour in which a participant is displayed in the viewer panel 202. The path of a particular participant in a yacht, for example, could be presented in the same colour as the button on the leaderboard 206.

The display 200 could further comprise a partner or sponsor advertisement panel 220. The logo displayed in the partner/sponsor panel 220 could swap out at regular intervals and provide a link through to an advertisement screen or browser. The sponsor panel 220 could also include a Virtual Spectator brand and an event brand which could swap out at regular intervals. The sponsor brand 220 could also include a time display which could be configured to display either Greenwich mean time (GMT) or local time. It is envisaged that the time display could show the time at the client and/or the time of the event, to highlight differences in time due to delayed broadcast and/or time zones.

The display 200 could further include a viewer time display 230 and viewer controls panel 240. As described above, the geographic data for each participant preferably comprises a series of geographic data sets, each data set branded with a time value. Where a participant has been selected to be displayed in viewer panel 202, geographic data sets representing the geographic positions of that participant are retrieved from the memory and displayed consecutively in the viewer panel 202, producing an animated sequence.

The viewer time display 230 preferably displays to a user the time and date of the event shown in the viewer panel 202. In one form, the user could be provided with an option to swap between local and GMT time. The user could also be presented with a calendar from which a user can select a particular date and then the sequence commencing at that date is displayed in the viewer panel 202. The viewer time display 230 could also include race time and data such as elapsed, forecast and other race specific time as shown in the viewer panel 202.

The viewer controls panel 240 could enable a user to jump to the start of an event sequence, rewind an event sequence, stop, play, fast forward or jump to the latest data in an event sequence. The viewer controls could also display a pop-up list of weather display options and display a record holder from a previous event. In one form, the display 200 could superimpose on the representation 204 the position of a previous record holder and a corresponding time in an earlier event for the purposes of comparison.

As described above, the system could present to the user a representation of an event as a perspective view from a user viewpoint, with the user viewpoint alterable by a user.

Camera views 250 enables a user to view an event and participants in the event from several camera angles by clicking on one of the buttons in the panel 250. Clicking the global button displays a view of the entire globe whereas clicking the overhead button displays a close overhead view of the course and the boats. The user could also select an aerial view, and could further be provided with a sliding function (not shown) allowing a user to zoom between global, aerial and overhead views. The user could also be provided with the option of North, South, West and East buttons having the effect of displaying a view of the participants from the North, South, East or West.

In one preferred form, the camera views 250 could be provided with an auto button.

Activating this button would have the effect of automatically scrolling through all camera angles and is a useful feature when audience participation is not required or is not desirable, for example, in a public place such as a licensed entertainment venue.

The display 200 could also include a tool palette indicated generally at 260. Typical tools which could be included in the tool palette are described below. The tool palette 260 could include, for example, a close palette 262. The location tool 264 is described with reference to Figure 4. The user clicks on the tool to select the location tool and then moves the cursor using a pointing device to the area in which the user is interested. The location tool shows the latitude, longitude and current time at the position selected by the user anywhere in the world. It is envisaged that the system stores information on various points of interest which could be accessed using the location tool. Information could include geographic locations, area codes, important numbers and brief information about that location.

The tool palette 260 could also include a drag select tool 266 shown in Figure 4 which is described with reference to Figure 5. The user first clicks this tool which then snaps to the globe surface. The user is able to click and drag the tool over a selection of participants, for example, boats, cars, cyclists, players or other competitors. The surface area of the globe selected is highlighted and could be displayed numerically. Other competitors not included in the selected area are deselected. The system could be configured to display identifying details, for example names of competitors, and the display panel functioning as a leaderboard 206 is updated showing the competitors selected.

A time travel tool 268 as shown in Figure 4 which could be included in the tool palette 260 and is described with reference to Figure 6. By selecting the time travel tool, the tool snaps to a boat trail. The user can then drag the tool along a time line defined by a boat trail displayed in the viewer panel 202. The time and date is preferably displayed adjacent to the cursor and this time and date will change as the user moves the cursor along a path travelled by a competitor. The user may then click a tool to jump to the time in the event corresponding to the time displayed adjacent the cursor.

The tool palette 260 could also include a boat info tool 270 as shown in Figure 4 which is described with reference to Figure 7. By clicking the boat info tool 270 and passing the cursor over the representation of a competitor in the viewer panel 202, further data and information is displayed to a user about that competitor as shown at 280 in Figure 7.

Where the competitor is a boat, a boat instrument panel 280 could be displayed which shows for example a country flag, the skipper name or boat name and the current position.

The panel 280 could also display the statistics of the boat, for example, boat speed and direction, wind speed and direction, average speed, distance travelled, distance to finish, latitude and longitude, for example. In one preferred form the panel 280 could be displayed in an instrument panel format. The panel 280 could also be provided with scroll buttons shown at 282 enabling a user to page through the statistics of a particular participant, the range and nature of these statistics defined by the user in an options list.

The panel 280 could also include an instruments sponsor providing brand exposure for a sponsor and preferably a link to a web site or separate sponsor page. It is envisaged that the user be able to view data in the panel 280 relating to a user selected time interval.

The tool palette 260 could also include a rotate camera tool 272 as shown in Figure 4. The rotate camera tool is described more particularly with reference to Figure 8. The rotate camera tool, once selected, enables the user to grab the globe using a click and drag action with a pointing device, effectively spinning the camera or viewpoint around the participant or participants selected. Once the user releases the tool, this will leave the camera view at the last position.

As shown in Figure 4, the tool palette 260 could also include a zoom slider tool 274. This tool allows a user to change the zoom level on the participant or participants currently selected by clicking and dragging in the viewer panel 202. Dragging towards the top of the viewer panel zooms away from the participants, while dragging towards the bottom of the viewer panel moves closer to the selected competitors.

The tool palette 260 could also include a rotate globe tool 276 which is described with reference to Figure 9. By clicking the rotate globe tool 276, which comprises arrows in four directions, the user can click a particular arrow to rotate the representation or globe in that direction by a defined distance. The user may click and hold a particular arrow to keep the representation rotating and release the arrow to stop the rotation.

As shown also in Figure 9, the display 200 could include a menu bar 278 which could include options such as Home which takes the user back to an event screen, Event Info providing a pull-down list of event info screens, for example Course, History, Technical, Weather, Health and Odds, and a View option providing the user with a pull-down list of View options. As shown in Figure 9, these options could include Next Way Point, Way Point, Zoom, Location, Show/Hide, Save as Default, and Default View.

The menu bar 278 could include Options which opens up an options floating panel allowing a user to customise the system and view the results of the user's selection directly in the interface allowing for easy, intuitive configuration of the system, Email enabling a user to send an email to another person, Help which opens a help floating panel, Events providing a pull-down list of events, and Shop providing a pop up shop window encouraging a user to purchase further versions of the software and data from a vendor.

The Email function in particular is preferably configured to create an email with a template paragraph. This template would link to one or more screen captures on a server, providing information on the system. The user preferably is able to add the user's own personal message as well as the recipient's email address. This function could be implemented in a web browser or on a client.

Referring to Figure 10, the display 200 could be configured to enable a user to select various ways in which the leaderboard is displayed. As indicated at 284 for example the user can elect to display on the leaderboard the distance to the finish, the distance to the next waypoint, the distance to the leader, the skipper name, the boat name or any combination of these options. The system may also specify the status of boats displayed, examples of which are set out in the following Table: DNS Did not start DNF Did not finish DSQ Disqualified PNC Position not current RTD Retired RET Returned to start DSM Dismasted LKL Loss of keel RSC Under rescue MAN Manual position As shown at 286, the user could also be provided with the option of saving the current options and selection of competitors as a default. In this way, each user could maintain a user profile customised by the user.

A further preferred form user interface presented to a user is now described with reference to Figures 12 to 67. The user interface is described with reference to the World Rally Championship (WRC). In a spectator event such as this, the system could be configured to display to a user a world globe indicating different rally event locations during a particular season, or could alternatively present to a user a topographical or overhead plan view of part of a course, or a perspective view of part of a course.

Referring first to Figures 12 to 24, a display 300 could provide an introduction to a user.

The preferred display 300 could promote the World Rally Championship (WRC) and encourage users to purchase a subscription so that the system may be used to cover one or more events during the championship.

Referring to Figure 12, the display 300 could include a registration screen 302 requesting a user to enter an email address or a membership identifier and a password. As shown in Figure 13 at 304, the user is then asked for name and address details and also a preferred language. As shown in Figure 14, at 306 the user could be asked for marketing information, for example how the user found out about the system, other spectator events in which the user is interested, and the email format most preferred by the user. Referring to Figure 15, at 308 the user could be presented with confirmation that registration has been completed.

The display 300 may also include an event title 310 and content information 312. By manipulating a pointing device, the user could select content information such as latest news, events, and information about the world rally championship, information about Virtual Spectator, and sponsor information. Figure 16 illustrates the latest news 314 which is displayed in information panel 316 positioned beneath the content information 312.

Figure 17 illustrates events 318, for example a list of events and a graphical representation of locations, Figure 18 illustrates information about the world rally championship 320, Figure 19 illustrates information option 322 about Virtual Spectator, and Figure 20 illustrates sponsor information option 324.

Referring to Figure 20, the display could also display to a user a free trial in the form of a demo stage as shown at 326 and an inducement to purchase products to use the system during an event as shown at 328. Where there is a choice between rally championships, the display 300 could obtain from a user a selection as to which championship should be displayed. As shown in Figure 20, the display 300 could also offer a subscription option 330 which is described with reference to Figures 22 to 24. Referring to Figure 22, selecting the subscription option 330 from Figure 20 causes a window 332 to be displayed providing subscription options to a user and payment options as shown at 334 in Figure 23.

Referring to Figure 24, the user is provided with confirmation that a purchase has been approved, as shown at 336. It is envisaged that the system include a secure payment mechanism.

Referring to Figure 25, the display 300 could provide a user with a choice of events to view, for example the Rallye Catalunya shown at 338. Referring to Figure 26, once the user has selected the championship which the user wishes to view, a display 340 is presented to the user. The preferred display 340 includes a viewer panel 342 in which is displayed a 3-dimensional representation of the spectator event. 26 A graphical representation of the spectator event is shown at 344 in the form of a globe.

Representations of each spectator event are preferably superimposed on the globe, with the geographic location in which each event is held indicated on the globe.

A display panel functioning as a selector 346 enables a user to select one or more spectator events to be displayed in the viewer panel 342. It is also envisaged that a user select the event to be viewed by clicking on a representation of the event superimposed on the globe shown at 344. The selector 346 could display the name of each spectator event as shown at 348 and could also show for example the date of each event 350.

The display 340 could include a partner or sponsor advertisement panel 352. The logo displayed in the partner/sponsor panel 352 could swap out at regular intervals and provide a link through to an advertisement screen or browser. The sponsor panel could also display a virtual spectator brand, and an event brand which could swap out at regular intervals in the sponsor advertisement panel.

Referring to Figure 27, a user could select an event to view using the selector 346, for example the Rallye Catalunya Costa Brava. The display 340 could superimpose information on this event in the display panel 342 as shown at 356. Referring to Figure 28, a list of the events could additionally or alternatively be shown in display 342 in a list at 358. The user could select a particular section of an event as shown at 360 and 362 respectively.

Referring to Figure 29, the user could select weather data to be displayed in the display panel 342 by selecting a weather button 364. The user could select, for example, a weather forecast, isobars, static wind patterns, animated wind patterns, temperature and/or cloud cover. Figure 30 shows, for example, a temperature at the location of each event, Figure 31 shows isobars superimposed over the globe 344 and Figure 32 shows an example of animated wind patterns superimposed on the globe 344.

Once the user has selected a spectator event to view, as shown in Figure 33, the view panel 342 could display a topographical view of the event, in this case the Rallye Catalunya Costa Brava. The system could automatically zoom from a global to an overhead view, known as a"fly in".

As shown in Figures 32,33 and 34 in the view panel 342, a topographical overhead view graphical representation of the spectator event could be shown at varying scales. Referring to Figure 33, the event could be segmented into a series of legs, for example LEG 1 shown at 368, LEG 2 shown at 370 and LEG 3 shown at 372. A user could select one of the legs using a pointing device. Details of the selected leg could be displayed in the panel shown at 374 detailing information such as the start/finish location, the track surface and other information.

It is also envisaged, as shown in Figures 35 to 45, that the user be able to select a particular participant or group of participants to display in the view panel. As shown in Figure 35, the graphic representation of the participant could be a vehicle operated by the participant shown at 376.

A leader board 378 could be displayed adjacent the view panel 342. The leader board could display the ranking or position of each participant shown at 380, the name of the competitor shown at 382, the make of vehicle driven by the competitor shown at 384, the time difference between the leading participant and the remaining participants 386, and a vehicle indicator shown at 388. The time difference could be displayed as the stage time of the leader with the time of the remaining participants shown as the stage time plus time difference.

Similar to the boat indicators 212 of Figure 4 described above, the vehicle indicators 388 comprise buttons which can be toggled between off and on states using a pointing device.

Placing a vehicle indicator button in the off state has the effect of not displaying the corresponding participant in the view panel 342. Where the button is placed in the on state, the button is preferably shown in a particular colour distinct from other colours on the leader board 378 and corresponding to the colour in which a participant is displayed in the view panel 342.

Referring to Figure 34, the user has selected one participant from the leader board 378 as shown at 390. The view panel 342 could include further panels, for example, showing the approximate geographic position of the selected participant indicated at 392, speed, gear, revs and brake use indicated at 394, and/or an on-board video image shown at 396. As shown in Figure 35, the view panel 342 could also include biological data of the participants, for example heart rate shown at 398.

Where the user has selected more than one participant from the leader board 378, as shown in Figure 36, the view panel 342 could include a series of panels, for example, 400,402, 404,406 and 408, each panel representing a characteristic of a selected participant, for example the speed of the participant. Referring to Figure 39, each panel, for example, panel 402 could be provided with user selectable options such as Close Current Panel, Close Other Panels, Select Driver and Select Position. It is also envisaged, as shown in Figure 40, that the user be able to select the data presented in each of panels 400,402,404, 406 and 408. The user could select, for. example, data in the form of speed, revs, gear, brake/acceleration and/or distance.

As shown in Figure 41, the user could display a panel 410 showing the list of participants selected by the user, together with their relative positions in the event of each of those participants and the time difference between the leading participant and the remaining participants. As shown in Figure 42, the user could select one or more views of a participant, for example, front left, front right, rear left and rear right, and as shown in Figure 43, the user could select views of a participant such as cockpit, drivers side, foot well, windscreen, bumper front, bumper back, undercar, for example.

As shown in Figure 44 at 412, the user could be provided with a plurality of display options, for example display a participant vehicle, display participant vehicle data, display a vehicle trail, display a vehicle name, display a vehicle number, view driver profile and/or view team profile. Referring to Figure 45, the user could be presented with a series of display options indicated at 414.

The current preferred form display may further include a menu bar 416 providing a series of options to a user, as will be described with reference to Figures 46 to 51. Referring to Figure 46, two options available to a user could include Home shown at 418 taking a user back to a home page, and Events 420 enabling a user to view one or more spectator events.

The menu bar could also include a View option 422 providing a user with a dropdown list of options such as tool bar, window size, monitor size, presentation mode and a set of default options.

Referring to Figure 47, the menu bar could include a Championship option 424 enabling a user to view drivers'standings, constructors'standings, group n standings, teams'cup standings and super 1600 standings.

The user could also be provided with a series of Options as shown at 426 in Figure 48.

These options could include Online, enabling the user to toggle between online and offline, 3D viewer enabling a user to customise view options such as texturing and solar lighting, Connection enabling a user to set up Internet browser settings, and Advanced enabling a user with advanced options such as default camera views.

Language as shown at 428 in Figure 49 enables a user to select one of a plurality of languages in which to present the browser. A Shop option, a Members'option shown at 430 in Figure 50 and a Help option shown at 432 in Figure 51 also provide the user with various options. One such option under the Members'option is Unlock, which enables a user to enter member registration details to"unlock"a client workstation, enabling further enhanced features to be accessed from the unlocked client machine. Referring to Figures 52 to 59, the display panel 378 preferably includes a plurality of display buttons 434, each button configured to display a characteristic set of data in the remainder of the panel 378 thereby causing the display panel to function in one of a plurality of different ways. Referring to Figure 52, an information button 436 provides a user with event information, history and/or past winners. Referring to Figure 53, a commentary button 438 enables a user to view brief descriptions of sub-events associated with a particular event. The user is preferably provided with a plurality of options for viewing such alerts.

Referring to Figure 54, a weather button 440 enables a user to view a weather forecast and/or weather expert analysis.

Referring to Figure 55, a highlights button 440 enables a user to view highlights in the event and provides the user with options for viewing these highlights.

As shown in Figure 56, a leader board option 442 displays a leader board as described above. Referring to Figure 57, a results button 444 provides a series of options for a user to view results. As shown in Figure 58, an options button 446 enables a user to display retirements, display penalities, display exclusions, sort chronographically, sort alphabetically and/or sort by car number. A commentary button 448 shown in Figure 59 enables a user to view commentary on an event which in one form could include both audio and video commentary.

Referring to Figures 60 to 67, the display 378 could further include a plurality of display tabs 450, each tab causing the display panel to function in one of a plurality of different ways. Referring to Figure 60, a drivers tab 452 could cause a list of drivers to be displayed in the display panel 378. Referring to Figure 61, the user could be provided with a series of options indicated at 454 enabling a user to display driver name, display driver and co- driver, display team name, display car number, sort by team, sort by car number and/or sort by driver name. As shown in Figure 62, the user could view various types of information about a particular driver or event, for example information 456, commentary 458, digital images or photographs 460, audio 462 and/or video 464. Referring to Figure 63, a team's tab 466 could display to a user a list of teams, and as shown in Figure 64, could display data about each team, for example, information 468, commentary 470, digital images or photographs 472, audio 474, video 476,3-dimensional representations 478 and a specification button 480, the specification button enabling car specifications to be displayed such as length, weight and horsepower.

The display panel could also include a news tab 482 shown in Figure 65, a media tab 484 shown in Figure 66 and a links tab 486 shown in Figure 67.

Referring to Figure A57, the system could display beside each item a symbol representing that further information is available about that item, for example digital images or photographs 488, audio 490, video 492, weather 494, quotes 496 and/or 3D representations 498.

A further preferred form interface will now be described with reference to Figures 68 to S8. Referring to Figure 68, the user could select a spectator sport to view, for example a soccer or football event. A display 500 could be presented to a user. This display 500 includes a view panel 502 in which is displayed a 3-dimensional representation of the spectator event. A graphical representation of the spectator event is shown at 504 in the form of a globe. Representations of each spectator event are preferably superimposed on the globe, with the geographic location in which each event is held indicated on the globe.

A display panel 506 functioning as a selector enables the user to select one or more spectator events to be displayed in the view panel 502. The selector 506 could display the name of each spectator event and could also show, for example, the date of each event.

The user could also be presented with a match selection button 508 which could provide a pop-up list of available matches, enabling the user to quickly jump directly to a match from within the view panel 502.

It is envisaged that data be superimposed on the globe 504, as shown at 510. By manipulating a pointer device, the user could position a cursor over a particular location, resulting in the information being displayed at that location on the globe 504.

The display 500 could also include a partner or sponsor advertisement panel 512. The logo displayed in the sponsor panel 512 could swap out at regular intervals and provide a link through to an advertisement screen or browser.

The user could select a particular event to view from the view panel 502 or the selector 506. Referring to Figure 69, a perspective view of the spectator event could be displayed in the view panel 502 following an automatic zoom or"fly in". A menu bar 516 positioned above the view panel 502 could include menu items such as Home 518 taking a user back to a home page, Options 520 which opens a separate options panel enabling the user to configure the application to suit user preferences and set-up and View 522 providing a pull-down list of view options enabling the user to select from a range of pre-set views or save a user's own custom view.

The menu bar 516 could also include a Playlist 524 providing a user with a pull-down list of play list options. One option could be a play list manager enabling the user to create play lists out of available highlights data, selecting a playback sequence or sequences, defining camera angles, voiceovers and so on. A further option could be to select a play list to view, the viewer would then play through the selection of highlights.

A Results/Tables option 526 could enable a user to view up-to-date league and competition tables in which the club is involved.

A Fantasy option 528 could enable a user to sign up and participate in a fantasy league included in the system. Real world data could be used by a user to manage a fictitious team.

A Language option 530 could provide a pull-down list of available languages, enabling a user to select a language change for the entire interface and content.

A Shop option 532 could enable a user to open a separate shop window to purchase/upgrade subscriptions.

A Help option 534 could open a separate help window to enable a user to view text and engage in interactive help and tutorials.

The display 500 could also include camera views panel 536 providing a user with various camera controls. The camera views panel 536 could enable a user for example to change camera angles and/or views, to zoom from global view into a perspective view, to view an event from north, south, west, east or any combination of the foregoing, and also to provide an auto function for where user input is not required or not desirable.

The display 500 could also include a display option button 538 providing a pop-up list of information display options, enabling the user to determine what data is or is not displayed in the viewer window. The display 500 may also include a weather button 540 providing a user with weather display options, providing a pop-up list of weather information that can be displayed in a viewer window.

The display panel 506 in one form could include a plurality of display buttons 544, each button configured to display a characteristic set of data in the remainder of the panel 506.

A news items button 546 displays pre-match time stamp headlines in the remainder of the display panel. The user could click an article headline to view the full article.

A notification schdule button 548 could provide a user with the facility to be notified prior to kick off, when match data is available in the system, and so on. The user could elect to be notified by SMS text messaging, email, or an alert or alarm in a desktop system.

Radio button 550 could enable a user to view available affiliated radio station information and match coverage schdule.

An odds button 552 could optionally provide a user with sports betting facilities.

Figure 70 illustrates further buttons which could be presented to a user. In addition to the news items button 546, a match highlights button 554 could display match highlights, a club team listing button 556 could display a list of teams taking part in a selected event, and an opposition team listing button 558 could display a list of opposing teams taking part in the selected event. A match statistics button 560 could display statistics on various user selected events.

Referring to Figure 71, the display 500 could include a tool palette 562. Typical toolbar buttons could include a normal cursor button 564 enabling a user to return to a normal cursor, an information tool button 566 enabling the display of information on a selected object, a zoom tool button 568 enabling a user to zoom in/out of view, for example by left clicking to zoom in and right clicking to zoom out, and a camera tool button 570 enabling a user to manually control the camera around a current point of view.

The toolbar 562 could also include a highlight tool 572 enabling a user to drag-select players to highlight participants in the event. Participants which are not selected would be presented in a less visible manner, for example using less intensity. This tool enables a user to concentrate on selected players.

A synch tool 574 could enable synchronisation of view panel 502 with display panel 506.

This enables a user to quickly return to the information or content associated with the view panel 502 which may have been lost while browsing other events. It is envisaged that the tool palette 562 could be either visible or invisible in the view panel 502 at the selection of the user.

The display 500 could also include viewer controls panel 578. This panel could enable a user to play through data animation or enable a user to select play using the slider bar. The viewer controls panel 578 could also include rewind/forward controls enabling a user to click to rewind/forward in slow motion. The user could click and hold a control to fast rewind or fast-forward. The control could also enable a toggle between 3-dimensional and video data, enabling the user to switch between corresponding 3-D and video content in view panel 502.

Referring to Figure 72, each player appearing in the view panel 502 could be identified with a player name positioned adjacent each player. A team panel 580 could identify a team name, badge and link to a website, together with a team list displaying a starting line up, substitutes and management.

In a further preferred form, the system could be used to display a spectator event such as a musical or drama event, described with reference to Figures 73 to 75. A participant could include an artistic performer, for example a musician or comedian, or group of such musicians or comedians, performing a musical or other entertainment act to a live audience at a particular venue. In this case, each participant has a geographic position. Where the participant is"on tour"in which the participant performs at a series of different venues, the geographic position of each participant may alter during the event. In this case, the participant or supporting crew could be provided with an individual GPS unit to record position, although it is envisaged that any suitable method of data capture is within the scope of the invention.

Figure 73 illustrates a typical introduction presented to a user. The display 600 could include, for example, an event marketing window 602 which could in turn further comprise an animated introduction of an event 604. The display could also include product features associated with the event, banners linking through to different payment options for users to pay to view the event, banners selling a more advanced option to a user for viewing the event, and links to other commercial enterprises, as indicated at 606 and 608 for example.

The display 600 could also include features such as an event title 612, content information 614, latest news headlines 616 and latest news content 618.

Once the user has selected a particular event to view, Figure 74 illustrates a typical user interface presented to the user. The preferred form display 620 includes a viewer panel 622 in which is preferably displayed a 3-dimensional representation of an event or events.

The display 620 is described with reference to a plurality of musical events performed by different artists. In events such as these, the system could be configured to display to a user a world globe 624 indicating the locations of different events, or could alternatively present to a user a topographical or overhead plan view of an event.

In one preferred form, the display 620 could be configured to enable a user to toggle between a global view and an overhead view using a zoom function or an automatic zoom or"fly in"could be available. The system could also be arranged to enable a user to select the view point from which the 3-dimensional representation of the event is generated. For example, each event could be viewed from the north, the south, the east, or the west, or any variation of these directions by selecting different camera views.

The system is preferably configured to store geographic data associated with one or more of the participants in each event so that the presentation of each participant and/or event shown on globe 624 corresponds to the geographic position of the event. A representation in the case of musical events could be live audio, video or broadband feed.

The display 620 further comprises a display panel in one form functioning as a selector 626 enabling a user to select one or more participants to be displayed in viewer panel 622.

As will be described below, the selector could be configured to present to a user information identifying each participant in the event and enabling the user to select whether or not each individual participant is displayed in the viewer panel 622.

The preferred form selector is implemented as a dynamic music channel displaying the names of each of the artists indicated at 628 together with the event start date 630 and a series of participant indicators 632.

The participant indicators 632 typically comprise buttons which can be toggled between off and on states using a pointing device. Placing an event indicator button in the off state has the effect of not displaying the corresponding participant in the viewer panel 622.

Where the button is placed in the on state, the button is preferably shown in a particular colour distinct from other colours on the selector 626 and corresponding to the colour in which a participant is displayed in the viewer panel 622.

The display 620 could further comprise a partner or sponsor advertisement panel 634. The logo displayed in the partner/sponsor panel 634 could swap out at regular intervals and provide a link through to an advertisement screen or browser. The panel 634 could also display a virtual spectator brand and an event brand which could swap out at regular intervals, and a time display panel which could be configured to display either Greenwich mean time (GMT) or local time.

The display 620 could further include a viewer time display panel 636, a viewer controls panel 640, and a camera views panel 642. As described above, the geographic data for each participant preferably comprises a series of geographic data sets, each data set including a time value. Where a participant has been selected to be displayed in viewer panel 622, geographic data sets representing the geographic positions of that participant are retrieved from the memory and displayed consecutively in the viewer panel 622, producing an animated sequence.

A viewer time display preferably displays to a user the time and date of the event shown in the viewer panel 622. In one form, the user could be provided with an option to swap between local and GMT time. The user could also be presented with a calendar from which a user could select a particular date and then the sequence commencing at that date is displayed in the viewer panel 622. The viewer time display could also include data such as elapsed time.

The viewer controls panel 640 could enable a user to jump to the start of an event sequence, for example a tour, rewind an event sequence, stop, play, fast forward or jump to the latest data or current event in an event sequence.

As described above, the system could present to the user a representation of an event as a perspective view from a user view point, with the user view point selectable by a user.

Camera views panel 642 enables a user to view an event and participants in the event from several camera angles by clicking on one of the buttons in the panel 642. Clicking the global button displays a view of the entire globe, whereas clicking the overhead button displays a close overhead view of the event. The user could also select an aerial view, and could further be provided with a sliding function (not shown) enabling a user to zoom between global, aerial and overhead views. The user could also be provided with the option of north, south, west and east buttons, having the effect of displaying a view of the participants or performers from the north, south, east or west by selecting different camera views.

In one preferred form, the camera views panel 642 could be provided with an auto button.

Activating this button would have the effect of automatically scrolling through all camera angles and is a useful feature when audience participation is not required or is not desirable, for example in a public place such as a licensed entertainment venue.

The display 620 could also include a tool palette indicated generally at 644. Typical tools which could be included in the tool pallet are described below. The tool pallet 644 could include, for example, a Close tool (not shown) and a Location tool 646 which is described with reference to Figure 75.

The user clicks on the Location tool 646 to select the location tool and then moves the cursor using a pointing device to the area in which the user is interested. The location tool shows the latitude, longitude and current time at the position selected by the user at a particular position on the globe 624. It is envisaged that the system stores information on various points of interest which could be accessed using the location tool. Information could include geographic locations, area codes, important numbers and brief information about that location.

Referring to Figure 75, the user has selected a tour by the singer Michael Jackson and the position and current time is displayed beside the cursor as shown at 648. Selector 626 could display, for example, the artists'country flag 654, the name 656 and image 658 of the artist and event/tour name 660, and event schedule showing the country 662, city 664, dates 666, times, venues, and/or attendance. Each artist is preferably displayed in the same colour in the selector 626 as the view panel 622.

The selector 626 could also include a series of content icons enabling a user, by selecting each icon, to view for example an artists'biography, venue/date, photographs, audio and/or video.

Referring to Figure 74, the tool palette could also include a drag select tool (not shown).

The user first clicks this tool which then snaps to the globe surface. The user is able to click and drag the tool over a selection of participants and/or events. The surface area of the globe selected is highlighted and could be displayed numerically. Other participants and/or events not included in the selected area are deselected. The system could be configured to display identifying details, for example names of participants. The music channel could be updated showing the participants selected.

Referring to Figure 74, the tool palette 644 could also include an event info tool 648. By clicking the event info tool and passing the cursor over the representation of a participant in the viewer panel 622, further data and information is displayed to a user about that participant. Information such as the event name, location and time and date information could be displayed in the panel. The panel could be provided with scroll buttons enabling a user to page through the statistics of a particular participant or event, the range and nature of these statistics being defined by the user in an options list.

The tool palette 644 could also include a rotate camera tool 650. The rotate camera tool, once selected, enables the user to select the globe 624 with a"click and drag"action, effectively spinning the camera or view point around the participant (s) or event (s) selected.

Once the user releases the tool, the globe 622 and the camera view of the globe remains in the last position selected by the user.

The tool palette 644 could also include a zoom slider tool (not shown). This tool enables the user to change the zoom level on the participants or events currently selected by clicking and dragging in the viewer panel 622. Dragging towards the top of the viewer panel zooms away from the participants, making the graphical representations of the participants smaller in the panel, while dragging towards the bottom of the viewer panel moves the user viewpoint closer to the selected competitors, making the graphical representations appear larger.

The tool palette 644 could also include a rotate globe tool (not shown). By clicking the rotate globe tool, which comprises arrows in four directions, the user can click a particular arrow to rotate the representation or globe in that direction by a defined distance. The user may click and hold a particular arrow to keep the representation rotating and release the arrow to stop the rotation.

A menu bar 652 could include options such as Home, which takes a user back to a home page, Event info providing a pull down list of event info screens, Options which opens up a floating options panel allowing a user to customise the system and view the results of the user selection directly in the interface allowing for easy, intuitive configuration of the system, Artists providing a pull down list of artists, Events providing a pull down list of events, Calendar providing a list of event dates, Archive providing access to historical events, Language providing a pull down list of languages, Shop providing a pop up shop window encouraging a user to purchase further versions of the software and data from a vendor, and Help which opens a floating help panel. The menu bar 652 could also include View (not shown) providing the user with a pull down list of view options, and Email (not shown) enabling a user to send an email to another person.

The email option in particular is preferably configured to create an email with an initial template for use by a user. The template could link to one or more screen captures on a server, providing information on the system. The user could add a personal message, as well as the recipient's email address to the template. This function could be implemented in a web browser or on the client workstation.

A further preferred form system could be configured so that a small software program could be downloaded to a client workstation from a website. On execution of the program, the user is notified of updates and further events provided over the network. Preferably, the software enables a user to download upgrades to the software or download data representing further events while executing the existing software, thereby reducing the need of the user to revisit a particular website. Preferably the upgrade function is integrated into the invention running on the client.

It is envisaged that the initial download of an entertainment event could be free of charge but have certain features that are only available once a small payment has been made (known as"pay per view"). The user could unlock features not accessible in the initial free download simply by clicking the shop button in the menu bar 652. Preferably the system presents a form or window in which a user enters credit card details via a secure e- commerce transaction from within the software product. Once again, the need for a user to be redirected to a website is reduced.

The user could build up a collection of entertainment events in one software application.

Each user could have a unique application or profile having a different range of events based on personal interest, particularly the events which a user has purchased. It is also envisaged that the software will frequently display a window to users informing the users of further updates and events available.

The invention may further include keyboard shortcuts. Preferred keyboard shortcuts are set out below: 1 Global view 2 Wide Overhead View +/-Zoom Between Global and Overhead views 3 Close Overhead view 4 View from the North 5 View from the South 6 View from the East 7 View from the West 8 Scrolls through the camera angles automatically 9 Rewinds the animation all the way to the first available data Arrow left Rewinds the animation Arrow right Fast forwards the animation Arrow up Plays the animation Arrow down Pauses the animation L Fast forwards to most recent data available Turns isobars on/off W Turns wind on/off Shift W Turns wind animation on/off Reduces or enlarges the size of the 3D viewer Shift S Turns on/off solar lighting (Day and Night) Turns globe textures on/off It is preferable for the display of an event to be enhanced or supplemented with computer generated graphics to better describe the event to a user. Such enhancements are now described with reference to a cricket event and golf event in Figures 76,77,78 and 79.

Figure 76 illustrates representation 700 and alternative representation 702 which could be presented to a user in a view panel.

An operator or commentator could produce an animation of current or hypothetical arrangement of participants on the event grounds. For example, if a new batsman is about to take the crease in a cricket match, the commentator and/or operator could use a computer generated animation render component to place participants in hypothetical positions on the field for optimum field coverage. If the batsman has a tendency to hit the ball into one particular area of the grounds, the commentator and/or operator could use further participants in this area to provide good coverage on the animated grounds.

The operator and/or commentator could show participant arches, also known as player arcs or player domes. A typical player arc is illustrated at 704. The arc 704 illustrates the opportunity of participant 706 to cover the field. The curved shape of the arc 704 denotes the extremities of the reach of the participant, both in height and width. The extent of the participant's ability to jump, run and dive are also taken into account in generating the arc 704. The shape and size of the arc is determined by the position of the participant 706 and the relation of the participant to other participants in the field.

The player arc is generally implemented by the user selecting player arcs to illustrate fielding teams set up and gap/scoring opportunities created by the positions of each participant. The player arcs can also be turned on/off individually to show the influence of a player on the run scoring ability of the opposing team.

An alternative form of player arc is shown at 702, for example arc 708 which is presented as a form of"player fence", having a substantially linear rather than curved upper edge.

Figure 77 illustrates a player dome 710. The statistics of an individual player are preferably collected over an event season and displayed in text form as shown at 712. The statistics of a particular player are then used to generate player dome 710 for an individual participant 714. The player dome 710 illustrates the unique ability of the participant 714 to cover the field both on the ground and in the air, and therefore the ability of a participant to stop runs being scored. The player dome is also based on the position of the player on a field and the relative positions of a player's team mates at a given time. The player dome 710 is preferably transformed as the player moves around the field. It is envisaged that any combination of player dome could be switched on at any time by a user. A group of domes in close proximity could mould into one to illustrate overall cover provided by a group of selected players.

The player dome for an individual participant 714 could also be supplemented with text measurements as shown in Figure 77. As shown at 716, a commentator could"draw"directly on the view panel to indicate key plays to the viewing audience, for example as shown at 718. It is envisaged that the system could include drawing tools automatically correcting shaky drawings by straightening lines, arrow heads and correcting circles to maintain quality presentation. It is envisaged that such drawings could also be overlayed on live broadcast feed.

Figure 78 illustrates a preferred method for calculating the coverage of a participant in an event. As indicated at 720, a ball hit by a batsman 722 to a fielder 724 travels along path 726. Arc 728 shows the distance that the fielder 724 can travel in a certain amount of time.

For example, the time taken for the ball to travel D metres is the distance divided by the ball speed in metres per second. In the same time, the fielder can move a distance described as the product of time and player speed. When data describing the speed of the ball, direction of travel of the ball, relevant distances on the grounds and the player speed is known, the system can determine the point at which the fielder intersects with the ball.

This determination could include, for example, the average player speed without taking into account acceleration and deceleration of the fielder.

An alternative method is shown at 730. In this case, a batsman 732 has not hit the ball directly to a fielder 734 but instead has hit the ball toward point 736 along path 738.

Fielder 734 begins to chase the ball by running to point 736 on an intersect course with the ball. Point 736 is considered covered by the fielder if the fielder can get to the point before or at the same time as the ball. Mathematically, this can be calculated by considering a point covered if the distance from the fielder position to the point divided by the fielder speed is less than the distance from the batsman to the point divided by the ball speed.

The fielder speed varies for each fielder, and is determined by the speed at which the fielder is running. Additionally, some component of the fielder speed calculation could be determined by the history of the speed of the fielder during the match and possibly even from previous matches also. It is envisaged that a separate database could link and factor such as weather, where individual players are particularly affected by heat or cold, acclimatisation taking into account altitude changes and the amount of time allowed to acclimatise, and other factors which, upon analysis, have been historically shown to affect a player performance. In addition, the system, with optional human interpretation, could attempt to predict when a participant is performing well or not performing well on a given day.

Figure 79 illustrates a preferred form display interface 750 applied to golf. The view panel 752 could be supplemented with computer generated images such as the actual path of a ball shown at 754 and a straight line calculation 756.

The different forms of interface described above provides a new interactive environment with a user in control of how and when the user views the action, for example live, delayed or via continuously available on-demand replays. Providing coverage in this way via the Internet requires the transfer of many different types of files, including audio, still images, text and other data. The transfer of such files, particularly at peak periods, can place significant burdens on networks due to the number and size of the files involved, even if there is sufficient bandwidth to transfer the data. The system also provides a method of transferring data in an intelligent manner involving less bandwidth, thereby increasing the performance of the system.

It is envisaged that any data type could be transferred in accordance with the invention, for example image files, HTML documents, animated images, executable files, audio or text files and other data files. In the examples described above, participants are engaged in a spectator event. In each case, each participant has a geographic position which may alter during the event. It is envisaged that the system includes suitable apparatus and employs suitable methods for capturing this geographic data. In a yacht race, for example, each yacht could include a GPS receiver configured to transmit geographic co-ordinates over a network. In the case of a sports match, each player could be provided with an individual GPS unit to record positions. In the case of a golf tournament, each golf ball in play could be provided with a GPS receiver and transmitter or alternatively the position of each ball could be recorded by a spectator using a handheld unit and the location transmitted over a network. It is envisaged that any suitable method of data capture is within the scope of the invention.

Figure 80 shows a preferred data structure for transmitting the data. Where the data represents a spectator event, the preferred data includes at least a series of raw data sets, each raw data set including a data set identifier. One or more of the raw data sets could represent participants in an event and include at least geographic data comprising a participant identifier, geographic co-ordinates of the participant in question, and a time value. In a similar fashion, the raw data sets could alternatively or in addition comprise a participant identifier and the velocity and/or angular or linear acceleration of the participant, and a time value.

The raw data sets could also include environmental conditions, both actual and forecasted, for example wind, ocean depth, ocean currents, wave height and/or sea temperature. The data could also include biomedical data including sleep patterns of the participants where the event is scheduled for several consecutive days. The raw data sets could also represent telemetry data including the position, heading, boat speed, audio clips and audio transcripts. The raw data sets could further represent forecasted participant models, given a particular weather pattern, the expected path, or decisions a participant will make as to their actions.

Referring to Figure 80, the data storage receivers have stored in them a series of raw data sets indicated at 800, for example 800A, 800B and 800C. Each raw data set comprises a body, for example 810A and a header, for example 820A. Body 810A could include, for example, positional data, velocity, angular and linear acceleration, audio, video, still images, text commentary and other forms of data. The header 820A comprises a raw data set identifier, an identifier indicating the type of data in the body called the content type, and a time value. The header 820A preferably further comprises a series of attribute data values. Each attribute data value preferably comprises a link to a further raw data set, particularly where the first raw data set depends on one or more other raw data sets. For example, where a first raw data set comprises velocity or acceleration, that raw data set may include attributes linking that raw data set to other raw data sets representing position, as velocity and acceleration depend on changes in position.

The data preferably further comprises a series of abstract data sets, one of which is indicated at 830. An abstract data set preferably comprises one or more raw data set identifiers representing one or more raw data sets. For example, commentary of an event transmitted to a client could include a series of associated text, audio, images and video data sets, all ordered in space and time. The space and time information defines a navigation path within a client interface experience for a client.

The abstract data sets define a collection of different raw data sets. The abstract data sets do not contain the actual raw data, but merely identify that raw data. For this reason, abstract data sets are generally smaller in size than the raw data sets which they represent.

In one form, an expert commentator could record an audio commentary sequence about an event in an audio file. This audio file in the form of a raw data set includes attributes describing the space and time of the commentary, the audio sequence itself, and any other attributes that are related. If, for example, a comment is made about the weather, then the abstract data set could also include a reference to a raw data set representing space and time of a weather sequence.

One preferred form of data transmission has a series of raw data sets and a series of abstract data sets referring to or binding those raw data sets. A further preferred form of the invention optionally further comprises a series of high level data sets, one of which is shown at 840. Each high level data set preferably comprises identifiers representing one or more of the abstract data sets and/or one or more of the raw data sets. The high level data sets typically include data representing the availability, freshness or update of abstract data sets and raw data sets. Raw data sets and abstract data sets generally become available for access asynchronously by the very nature of how these data sets are created. The high level data sets link together the availability of abstract data sets and raw data sets and/or link abstract data sets to each other. These high level data sets are transmitted to the client rather than the actual raw data sets themselves.

Transmitting either abstract data sets or high level data sets over the network or networks rather than the raw data sets enhances the performance of the network (s). It is then up to software installed on the client to determine and initiate transfer of specified raw data sets over the networks. It is envisaged that the software installed on the client will operate in either a passive mode or an active mode.

Figure 81 illustrates a flow chart of a client operating in a passive mode, as indicated at 900. As shown at 910, notification of the existence of new or fresh data is transmitted from, for example, the component 40 from Figure 1 over the network (s) 60 to a client 50.

The notification preferably comprises either one or more high level data sets or one or more abstract data sets as described above. Sending high level data sets or abstract data sets rather than the raw data sets in the first instance increases the performance of the networks.

As shown at 920, the user could be alerted to the existence of the new data. This alert could comprise a commentary sign or other icon presented to a user indicating that new content or data has arrived.

One characteristic of the passive mode is that the user is able to select and play the new data while maintaining full control to move back and forth within the data, to freeze it at a certain point, as well as having full control over media features which are active. As shown at 930, a user could request the new data, for example by double clicking on a screen icon indicating new content. If the user requests new data, then as shown at 940 this data is transmitted to the client. The transmitted data could include a series of raw data sets as described above, each of the raw data sets identified in the high level data sets and/or the abstract data sets.

As shown at 950, the transmitted data is then displayed to a user. The nature of this display will naturally depend on the type of data. The display could include rendering and displaying any graphic images described in the data, playing a video sequence to a user, playing an audio sequence to a user, or displaying text or other images to a user.

Each of the high level data sets, abstract data sets or raw data sets could include attributes linking the data sets to further data sets. As shown at 960, each data set is examined to locate any further data packets which may be bound to the data packets under consideration. If there are further data sets, then these data sets are transferred over the network to the client.

Referring to Figure 82, the client could operate in an active commentary mode indicated at 1000. As shown at 1010, notification is transmitted to a client, generally in the form of a high level data set or an abstract data set as described with reference to Figure E. In an active commentary mode, the incoming data drives the software running on the client.

Data sets are transmitted to the client as indicated at 1020, data is displayed to the user as indicated at 1030 and data sets are examined to locate any related data sets as shown at 1040, all as described above with reference to Figure 81.

The key difference between an active mode and a passive mode is that in an active mode the user does not require control to move back and forth within the data. For example, the viewer interface operating on the client could be activated to turn on audio, rewind animation to a particular point, select, display or highlight relevant participants in an event, display other relevant information such as weather and text, and then play through a commentary sequence. This would provide to a user a live commentator experience, where a commentator may use a version of the interface to manipulate elements or views of the data while presenting a commentary.

In a further preferred form, the system may be configured to allow a user on a client to participate live in a particular commentary and participate actively as well.

The data transfer system described above enables a rich media experience to be created for a user on a client without needing to create a single stream of combined data. Data becomes available to a client asynchronously and is bound and linked through more abstract data sets. The invention enables the creation of very rich paths of navigation and experience through potentially very many layers of data and information within predefined bandwidth requirements.

It is envisaged that the system could be arranged to further enhance performance. For example, using distributed cache systems, various data sets could be distributed over several servers which are geographically close to a user on a client. Internet usage and conditions could be monitored to determine the best delivery route and the optimal servers on which to place various data sets. It is envisaged that raw data sets, abstract data sets and high level data sets could be transferred between a plurality of servers making up a network or networks.

This data transfer system enables the transfer of data in which smaller data sets representing and linking larger data sets are transmitted over a network. It is envisaged that this data transfer system could be applied to any network or combination of networks over which information or data is transferred. Another preferred form of the system enables the transmission of a video stream with audio of live music or sporting event, with added interactivity enabling a user to select different camera angles without interrupting the audio stream. The system preferably comprises a data capture component, an encoder and a synchroniser.

The data capture component intercepts video and audio footage of live events before they are broadcast, edited or produced. In typical circumstances, the footage from a live event is produced on site, with a director and vision mixer combining footage from each of the camera sources to produce a single audio and video track for broadcast. If individual camera footage is preserved for archival purposes or later production, it is not typically available until some time after the event.

The footage from each camera is preferably encoded using specially tuned compression/decompression codes or codecs and storing or broadcasting these codes as synchronised streams. In addition, the audio stream is also compressed using a tuned codec, and the overall bit rate of the separate video audio streams is calculated so as not to exceed the available band width of a potential client.

A synchroniser handles synchronisation of the resulting streams within a client interface with suitable navigation queues for the user. In this context, the client application activates two instances of the playback software, with one producing a visual display of the selected camera feed and the other remaining hidden, but playing the continuous audio track. The user is free to select an alternative camera angle, which results in the first instance of the playback software buffering the new selected stream while the audio stream continues to play uninterrupted.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof, as defined by the accompanying claims.