Overview

SkyBox is a system I designed along with some friends in grad school. The idea sprung up around the fact that you can’t elegantly watch or participate in television shows with your friends whom may be in other locations. We came up with a number of ideas to address this issue, and decided to constrain these to the sports television audience.

Essentially, the customer buys a set-top box which connects to the sports broadcast who is providing bets throughout the game. The participants at home can place bets on in-game activities and compete with friends with the same system. This meta-game approach also allows audiences to have friend lists (called “The Sideline”) where they may voice chat with other fans. Once a bet is placed, its details are noted in the sidebar known as “The Bookie”; and as these bets timeout, they animate upwards toward the total score.

A simple directional remote control (along with Select & Back buttons) allows access to all areas of the interface.

Be sure to view the screencast to see it in action.