Real-Time Patron-Activity Information System

Abstract

An activity-information system is provided. The system comprises an activity-information server and a plurality of activity-information devices. Activity-information devices may be proprietor devices (e.g., for bar owners/staff), affiliate devices (e.g., for club promoters or taxi drivers), or end-user devices (e.g., for patrons). The activity-information devices provide activity information (such as, a user's location or presence at a venue or within a district) to the activity-information server, which stores the activity information in an activity-information repository. The activity-information server then determines activity levels for venues and districts, which may be transmitted to devices. The activity-information device then may display activity level in an activity-information interface. The activity-information interface may comprise a map with highlighting and icons indicative of activity levels for districts and venues, respectively. In addition, activity-information interface may comprise a display area for display marketing information (such as promotions and coupons) related to venues.

1 . An activity-information device comprising:
 a processor;   a communications interface coupled to the processor;   a memory coupled to the processor comprising instructions executable by the processor, the processor being operable when executing the instructions to:
 transmit a request for access credentials to an activity-information server, 
 receive from the activity-information server access credentials responsive to the request for access credentials, and 
 receive an activity level for a venue or a district, wherein the activity level is at least in part based on the number of requests received for access credentials by the activity-information server; and 
 display the activity level in an activity-information interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The activity-information device of  claim 1 , wherein the activity-information interface comprises:
 a map; and   an icon on the map indicating a venue, wherein the icon is indicative of the activity level for the venue.   
     
     
         3 . The activity-information device of  claim 1 , wherein the activity-information interface comprises:
 a map; and   highlighting on the map indicating a district, wherein the highlighting is indicative of the activity level for the district.   
     
     
         4 . The activity-information device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a microphone; 
 a positioning device; and 
 a display. 
 
     
     
         5 . The activity-information device of  claim 4 , the processor further being operable when executing the instructions to:
 detect ambient noise level using the microphone; and   transmit activity-information comprising the detected ambient noise level to an activity-information server.   
     
     
         6 . The activity-information device of  claim 4 , the processor further being operable when executing the instructions to:
 detect location information using the positioning device; and   transmit activity-information comprising the detected location information to an activity-information server.   
     
     
         7 . The activity-information device of  claim 4 , the processor further being operable when executing the instructions to:
 detect location information using the positioning device;   determine the presence of the device at a venue or within a district using the detected location information; and   transmit activity-information comprising the determined presence at the venue or within the district to an activity-information server.   
     
     
         8 . The activity-information device of  claim 1 , wherein the activity-information interface comprises:
 a display area for displaying promotional information related to a venue.