Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method includes determining that at least one first condition is satisfied indicating that a subscriber is an event attendee, determining that at least one second condition is satisfied indicating that the subscriber is at least likely to desire observing media representing at least a portion of the event, and providing the media representing at least the portion of the event to a portable subscriber device based on the first condition and the second condition being satisfied.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method includes determining that at least one first condition is satisfied indicating that a subscriber is an event attendee, determining that at least one second condition is satisfied indicating that the subscriber is at least likely to desire observing media representing at least a portion of the event, and providing the media representing at least the portion of the event to a portable subscriber device based on the first condition and the second condition being satisfied.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of hosting a virtual audience during an event at a venue includes distributing an observable representation of the event to be received by a plurality of user devices located remote from the venue; receiving a media stream from each of a plurality of virtual attendees located remote from the venue, each received media stream including a visual representation of at least one of the plurality of virtual attendees; and displaying, on a display at the venue, the visual representation of at least some of the virtual attendees such that the virtual attendees appear to be attending the event at the venue.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method includes determining that at least one first condition is satisfied indicating that a subscriber is an event attendee, determining that at least one second condition is satisfied indicating that the subscriber is at least likely to desire observing media representing at least a portion of the event, and providing the media representing at least the portion of the event to a portable subscriber device based on the first condition and the second condition being satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory of a user device and a processor of the user device. The processor is configured to capture an image using an image capture device of the user devices and broadcast a request signal within a range of the user device. The request signal is a request for facial data from compute devices within the range. The processor is configured to receive, in response to the request signal, facial data from each compute device from a set of compute devices within the range and perform, using the facial data received from each compute device from the set of compute devices, facial recognition on the image to identify a match between the facial data from a subset of compute devices from the set of compute devices and facial data from the image. The processor is configured to transmit the image to the subset of compute devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory of a user device and a processor of the user device. The processor is configured to capture an image using an image capture device of the user devices and broadcast a request signal within a range of the user device. The request signal is a request for facial data from compute devices within the range. The processor is configured to receive, in response to the request signal, facial data from each compute device from a set of compute devices within the range and perform, using the facial data received from each compute device from the set of compute devices, facial recognition on the image to identify a match between the facial data from a subset of compute devices from the set of compute devices and facial data from the image. The processor is configured to transmit the image to the subset of compute devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes processor in communication with a memory and a communication interface. The processor is configured to receive, via a network and the communication interface, at least one image and to analyze the at least one image via facial recognition to define an analyzed data set. The processor is configured to (1) identify a user based on data included in user profile data structure, (2) identify a set of people connected to the user based on user connection data from at least one connection database, (3) compare the analyzed data set to facial image data of a person connected to the user, and (4) define a confidence level based on the comparison. When the confidence level satisfies a criterion, the processor can send to a client device a signal indicative of a notification that the person is within a predetermined proximity of the user.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to receive facial image data associated with each participant from a number of participants of a live, turn-based multi-participant activity. The processor is configured to receive an image of an active participant performing an action associated with a turn of the activity. The processor is configured to perform facial recognition analysis on the image with respect to the facial image data stored in the participant profile data structure associated with each participant. The processor is configured to identify the active participant as a participant from the number of participants when a result of the facial recognition analysis satisfies a criterion. The processor is configured to define a data set associated with the at least one action, and to store the data set in the participant profile data structure associated with the participant.

Abstract: An apparatus includes processor in communication with a memory and a communication interface. The processor is configured to receive, via a network and the communication interface, at least one image and to analyze the at least one image via facial recognition to define an analyzed data set. The processor is configured to (1) identify a user based on data included in user profile data structure, (2) identify a set of people connected to the user based on user connection data from at least one connection database, (3) compare the analyzed data set to facial image data of a person connected to the user, and (4) define a confidence level based on the comparison. When the confidence level satisfies a criterion, the processor can send to a client device a signal indicative of a notification that the person is within a predetermined proximity of the user.

Abstract: A bowling ball, including a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, where the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface.