Methods and apparatus for improved security services

• US 7,373,346 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur A. Vanderbilt, Dewayne L. Hays, Robert Lewis Jr. Michaels
• Original Assignee: Arthur A. Vanderbilt, Dewayne L. Hays, Robert Lewis Jr. Michaels
• Inventors: Hays, DeWayne L., Vanderbilt, Arthur A., Michaels, Robert Lewis Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Wilson
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHECHTMAN, CHERYL MARIA
• Application Number:
  US10/035,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20030084033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,330 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/9, 707/10, 709/217, 702/178, 702/188, 340/506, 346/20, 346/47, 346/80, 705/32
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing and/or obtaining security services includes a database of information which relates to security services provided for at least one client. A computer that is Internet accessible hosts the database. The database includes security data received from at least one security officer computer. The security data is entered into the at least one security officer computer by a security officer providing security services at a client location, and the security data corresponds with security related events occurring at the client location. The database is accessible by navigating a web browser to a website that is in data communication with the database. An authorization code is provided that permits access to the database. At least a portion of the information in the database is retrievable by providing a request via the website.

Claims

1. A method of providing private security services comprising:

providing an electronic security system comprising a processing unit for facilitating electronic communication through a computer network with at least one remote computer located at one or more remote locations, said security system further comprising at least one storage device for receiving and storing information pertaining to private security services provided at said one or more remote locations by one or more private security officers;

receiving security data entered into said at least one remote computer at one or more remote locations by said one or more private security officers, said security data pertaining to at least one security related event;

receiving timekeeping data pertaining to a portion of one or more security officer'"'"'s work shifts at a remote location; and

wherein said system is programmed to not accept timekeeping data entered into said at least one remote computer by said security officer without first receiving said security data from said security officer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said security data comprises text files, visual images, video, or audio data pertaining to at least one security event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said timekeeping data further comprises clock-in data pertaining to a beginning of a work shift.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said timekeeping data further comprises clock-out data pertaining to an end of said work shift.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the additional step of providing a graphic user interface for entering security data and timekeeping data into said at least one remote computer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said graphic user interface further comprises one or more daily activity report templates having one or more data fields for security data.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the additional step of updating said storage device with said security data and said timekeeping data received from one or more remote locations.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the additional steps of:

receiving log-in information entered into said at least one remote computer by said one or more security officers through said computer network;

creating a record of the time at which said officer logs into the system;

generating clock-in data pertaining to a beginning of a work shift; and

associating said clock-in data with said security officer who entered said log-in information.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the additional steps of:

receiving log-out information entered into said at least one remote computer by said security officer through said computer network;

creating a record of the time at which said officer logs out of the system;

generating clock-out data pertaining to an end of a work shift; and

associating said clock-out data with said security officer who entered said log-out information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the additional step of:

refusing to allow said security officer to log out of the system until a daily activity report has been submitted.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said security data comprises a daily activity security report.

12. A security system comprising:

a processing unit for facilitating electronic communication through a computer network with one or more remote computers located at one or more remote locations, said security system further comprising at least one storage device for receiving and storing information pertaining to private security services provided at said one or more remote locations by one or more private security officers, wherein said processing unit is for receiving security data entered into one or more remote computers at a remote location by said one or more private security officers, said security data pertaining to at least one security related event at said remote location, and for receiving timekeeping data pertaining to a portion of one or more security officer'"'"'s work shifts at a remote location; and

wherein said system is programmed to not accept said timekeeping data entered into said remote system by said security officer without first receiving said security data from said security officer.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein said security data comprises at least one of text files, visual images, video, and audio data.

14. The security system of claim 12, wherein said timekeeping data further comprises clock-in data pertaining to a beginning of a work shift.

15. The security system of claim 14, wherein said timekeeping data further comprises clock-out data pertaining to an end of the work shift.

16. The security system of claim 12, wherein said remote computer at said remote location utilizes a graphic user interface adapted to receive security data and timekeeping data.

17. The security system of claim 16, wherein said graphic user interface further comprises one or more daily activity report templates having one or more data fields adapted to receive security data.

18. The security system of claim 17, wherein said processing unit is adapted to update said storage device with said security data and said timekeeping data received from said one or more remote computers.

19. The security system of claim 12, wherein said security data comprises a daily activity security report.

20. The security system of claim 19, wherein said processing unit is adapted to receive log-in information entered into a remote computer by said security officer through said computer network, create a record of the time at which said officer logs into the system, generate clock-in data pertaining to a beginning of a work shift, and associate said clock-in data with said security officer who entered said log-in information.

21. The security system of claim 20, wherein said processing unit is adapted to receive log-out information entered into a remote computer by said security officer through said computer network, create a record of the time at which said officer logs out of the system, generate clock-out data pertaining to an end of a work shift, and associate said clock-out data with said security officer who entered said log-out information.

22. The security system of claim 21, wherein said processing unit is adapted to refuse to allow said security officer to log out of the system until a daily activity report has been submitted.

23. A method of providing private security services comprising:

providing an electronic security system comprising a processing unit for facilitating electronic communication through a computer network with one or more remote computers located at one or more remote locations, said security system further comprising at least one storage device for receiving and storing information pertaining to private security services providing at said one or more remote locations by one or more private security officers;

receiving security data entered into one or more remote computers at one or more remote locations by said one or more private security officers, said security data pertaining to at least one security related event;

receiving timekeeping data pertaining to a portion of one or more security officer'"'"'s work shifts at a remote location, wherein said timekeeping data further comprises clock-in data pertaining to a beginning of a work shift and clock-out data pertaining to an end of the work shift;

providing a graphic user interface for entering security data and timekeeping data into said one or more remote computers, said graphic user interface having one or more daily activity report templates having one or more data fields for security data; and

refusing to allow said security officer to log out of the system until a daily activity report has been submitted.