Remote Device for Monitoring Probationers.

• US 20130121658A1
• Filed: 05/07/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gold Post Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gold_Noah (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kiet, Quyen, Goldstein, Barry
• Application Number:
  US13/465,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20130121658A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

An apparatus and method that allow a probationer to check in remotely to a probation officer is provided. The probationer is provide an device that allows him to check in periodically with the probation officer by recording a video and transmitting the video to a remote server accessible by the probation officer. The device will also transmit location information along with the video to the remote server. The device can also be used for a live chat between the probationer and the probation officer.

Claims

1. An apparatus, for enabling a probationer to report remotely to a probation officer, comprising:

a video camera for recording a video file by the probationer;

a data communication controller for transmitting, via a wireless communication network, the video file to a remote server and for receiving, via the wireless communication network, a questionnaire from the remote server; and

a display device for displaying the questionnaire to the probationer and for displaying a reminder about a reporting time.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a GPS module for tracking a current location of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the video file is sent to the remote server with location information derived from the GPS module.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a time for tracking the reporting time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video camera records the video file if answers to the questionnaire confirm the identity of the probationer.

5. The apparatus of claim 0, wherein the data communication controller transmits the video file in a batch mode.

6. The apparatus of claim 0, wherein the data communication controller receives a live chat request from the remote server.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the CPU, in response to the live chat request received, sets up a live chat between the probationer and the probation officer.

9. A method, for a probationer to remotely report to a probation officer, comprising the steps of:

displaying, on a display screen of a device, a first reminder to the probationer;

receiving, in response to the probationer agreeing to check in, at a device, a questionnaire from a remote server;

providing answers to the questionnaire;

recording, if the answers confirm the identity of the probationer, a video using a video camera on the device; and

transmitting the video to the remote server.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of setting a second reminder to display on the display screen at a later time;

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

checking if a reporting deadline has passed; and

sending, if the reporting deadline has passed, a warning message to the remote server.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of scheduling transmission of the video to the remote server to a later time.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, at the device, a live chat request from the remote server; and

setting, using the device, up a live chat between the probationer and the probation officer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of sending, if the probationer does not answer to the live chat request, a message to the remote server.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of transmitting a location information along with the video to the remote server.