Internet surveillance system and method
DCFirst Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a controller, an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment;
determining, by the controller, a remote monitoring shift and a remote monitoring task, the remote monitoring task being associated with a remote location selected from the plurality of remote locations, and the remote monitoring shift being defined by a start time and date and an end time and date;
providing, by the controller and to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, (ii) the remote monitoring shift, and (iii) emergency reporting information; and
facilitating, by the controller and during the remote monitoring shift, communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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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.
79 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by a controller, an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment; determining, by the controller, a remote monitoring shift and a remote monitoring task, the remote monitoring task being associated with a remote location selected from the plurality of remote locations, and the remote monitoring shift being defined by a start time and date and an end time and date; providing, by the controller and to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, (ii) the remote monitoring shift, and (iii) emergency reporting information; and facilitating, by the controller and during the remote monitoring shift, communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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 determine a remote monitoring shift and a remote monitoring task, the remote monitoring task being associated with a remote location selected from the plurality of remote locations, and the remote monitoring shift being defined by a start time and date and an end time and date; and a sensor at the remote location, the sensor to communicate information associated with the remote location to the user. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted to be executed by a processor to:
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receiving an indication of a user request to monitor any of a plurality of remote locations in exchange for payment; determining a remote monitoring shift and a remote monitoring task, the remote monitoring task being associated with a remote location selected from the plurality of remote locations, and the remote monitoring shift being defined by a staff time and date and an end time and date; providing, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, (ii) the remote monitoring shift, and (iii) emergency reporting information; and facilitating, during the remote monitoring shift, communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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13. 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; determine a remote monitoring shift and a remote monitoring task, the remote monitoring task being associated with a remote location selected from the plurality of remote locations, and the remote monitoring shift being defined by a start time and date and an end time and date; provide, to the user, an indication of (i) the remote monitoring task, (ii) the remote monitoring shift, and (iii) emergency reporting information; and facilitate, during the remote monitoring shift, communication between the user and a sensor at the remote location.
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Specification