Information distribution system for improved response to safety and security incidents

• US 20040204048A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David M. Lamensdorf
• Original Assignee: David M. Lamensdorf
• Inventors: Lamensdorf, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A field deployable data processing and communications device such as a portable personal digital assistant (PDA) device is configured and programmed for collecting local information such as environmental, chemical or biological data, images and voice messages, at the scene of an incident of a nature which requires intervention by public safety or law enforcement agencies. The PDA is deployed at the incident scene by first response personnel and provides a conduit for seamlessly conveying information collected by the PDA at the scene to remote facilities and agencies, which may be chosen for their ability to deal with and respond to situations of a particular nature, thereby reducing delays and improving efficiency of response to public safety and security incidents.

Claims

1. A system for rapid distribution of information collected at an incident location by a local user to remote recipients for improved response to the incident, comprising:

a portable digital assistant to be deployed by the local user at the incident location including wireless network communications transceiver means on said computer for exchanging data with one or more wireless communications networks at the event location;

an application including a data base resident on said portable computer, said application including an initialization program, a local communications and data collection program, and a remote communications program;

said initialization program comprising local user identification and log-in;

said local communications program comprising

a local user status query program,

a local user voice communications channel, and

a wireless interface for communication with one or more local data collection peripherals;

said remote communications program comprising

a communications routing program,

a local monitoring program, and

a data logging and reporting program.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said initialization program comprises data inputs for storing on said data base information identifying the local user and an event location.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said local user status query program of the local communications program comprises the steps of periodically prompting the local user operating said computer for a status input and transmitting said status input to a remote monitoring location, and sending an alarm signal to said remote monitoring location in the absence of said status input responsive to said prompting.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless interface for communication with local data collection peripherals is enabled for communications via one or more generally accepted standards including at least the 802.11 standard and the Blue Tooth standard including programming for automatically linking to a said data collection peripheral within effective communications range of said wireless interface.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said voice communications channel comprises a wireless headset communications channel.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication routing program comprises programmable routing inputs for routing locally collected data for remote transmission by remote operator, by remote location, by wireless network or by all available options.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless network communications transceiver means comprises control means for automatically logging onto a second one of said wireless communications networks in the event that a first one of said wireless communications networks becomes unavailable to said transceiver means.