INTERNET SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for a central server to manage remote monitoring tasks performed by users of a data network. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a request from a user of a user device to monitor a remote location; determining a remote location to be monitored; enabling communication between a sensor at the remote location and the user device; and crediting value to the user in accordance with an amount of time the user device has been in communication with the remote sensor for remote monitoring purposes. An alternate exemplary method includes measuring user attentiveness while the user device is in communication with the remote sensor. Thus, the disclosed system and method provide a way for users of a data network such as the Internet to log on at any time and perform remote monitoring tasks for value. Idle time can now be turned into value using the disclosed system and method. Moreover, little or no skill is required of the user to earn value using the disclosed system and method; the user need only be attentive while performing a remote monitoring task. Location owners also benefit from the convenience by which they can now have their properties monitored and by the ability of the disclosed system and method to ensure the attentiveness of the user performing the remote monitoring task.
52 Citations
67 Claims
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1-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. A method, comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks based at least in part on a distance between the remote location and a residence of the user;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method, comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being randomly selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A method, comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks, wherein the selection is based at least in part on a number of times that the user has previously monitored the remote location;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A system, comprising:
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a communication device to receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment and to provide, to the user, an indication of (i) a determined remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
a processing device to select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks, wherein the selection is based at least in part on a distance between the remote location and a residence of the user; and
a sensor at the remote location, the sensor to communicate information associated with the remote location to the user. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A system, comprising:
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a communication device to receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment and to provide, to the user, an indication of (i) a determined remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
a processing device to select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being randomly selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks; and
a sensor at the remote location, the sensor to communicate information associated with the remote location to the user.
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60. A system, comprising:
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a communication device to receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment and to provide, to the user, an indication of (i) a determined remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
a processing device to select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks, wherein the selection is based at least in part on a number of times that the user has previously monitored the remote location; and
a sensor at the remote location, the sensor to communicate information associated with the remote location to the user. - View Dependent Claims (61)
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62. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks based at least in part on a distance between the remote location and a residence of the user;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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63. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being randomly selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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64. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
selecting a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks, wherein the selection is based at least in part on a number of times that the user has previously monitored the remote location;
providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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65. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and
a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;
receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks based at least in part on a distance between the remote location and a residence of the user;
provide, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitate communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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66. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;
receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being randomly selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks;
provide, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitate communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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67. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a storage device that stores a program for directing the processor, the processor being operative with the program to;
receive an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
select a remote monitoring task associated with a remote location from the plurality of remote locations, the remote monitoring task being selected from a plurality of remote monitoring tasks, wherein the selection is based at least in part on a number of times that the user has previously monitored the remote location;
provide, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, and (ii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitate communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
Specification