SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CROWDSOURCING DETECTED EVENTS

• US 20150294543A1
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ricks, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 10,453,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/00 Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/003 Signalling to neighbouring houses

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for crowdsourcing detected events is described. In one embodiment, an event is detected via one or more sensors located at a first location within a predetermined geographic area. Data from the one or more sensors is analyzed to determine a scope of the event. Upon determining the scope of the event affects a second location within the predetermined geographic area, a notification is sent to a user associated with a location within the predetermined geographic area that does not include a sensor of a type that detects the event.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for crowdsourcing detected events, comprising:

detecting an event via one or more sensors located at a first location within a predetermined geographic area;

analyzing data from the one or more sensors to determine a scope of the event;

upon determining the scope of the event affects a second location within the predetermined geographic area, sending a notification to a first device associated with the second location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location fails to include a sensor capable of detecting the event.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a type of event that is detected based at least on the type of the one or more sensors.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

based on the type of event detected, identifying an information service related to the type of event detected.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

generating the notification based on at least one of information related to the type of event detected and information received from the identified information service.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

computing an estimated path related to the detected event by analyzing at least one of information from the one or more sensors located within the predetermined geographic area;

information from one or more sensors located outside the predetermined geographic area; and

information received from the information service related to the type of event detected.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

based on the estimated path, sending a notification to a second device associated with a third location outside the predetermined geographic area.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating, in the notification, a number of locations that are confirmed to have detected the event; and

indicating, on a graphical map, a position of each location confirmed to have detected the event.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the notification using a selected messaging service.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the notification via a selected social network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the event comprises at least one of a wildfire, a tsunami, a tornado, flooding, a hurricane, a typhoon, a dust storm, high winds, biological contamination, chemical contamination, burglary, property damage, and wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect at least one of these events.

12. A computing device configured for crowdsourcing detected events, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

detect an event via one or more sensors located at a first location within a predetermined geographic area;

analyze data from the one or more sensors to determine a scope of the event; and

upon determining the scope of the event affects a second location within the predetermined geographic area, send a notification to a first device associated with the second location.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the second location fails to include a sensor capable of detecting the event.

14. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine a type of event that is detected based at least on the type of the one or more sensors.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

identify, based on the type of event detected, an information service related to the type of event detected.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

generate the notification based on at least one of information related to the type of event detected and information received from the identified information service.

17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

compute an estimated path related to the detected event by analyzing at least one of information from the one or more sensors located within the predetermined geographic area;

information from one or more sensors located outside the predetermined geographic area; and

information received from the information service related to the type of event detected.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

send, based on the estimated path, a notification to a second device associated with a third location outside the predetermined geographic area.

19. A computer-program product for crowdsourcing, by a processor, detected events, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

detect an event via one or more sensors located at a first location within a predetermined geographic area;

analyze data from the one or more sensors to determine a scope of the event; and

upon determining the scope of the event affects a second location within the predetermined geographic area, send a notification to a first device associated with the second location.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19, wherein the second location fails to include a sensor capable of detecting the event.