Mobile based neighborhood watch system capable of group interactions, anonymous messages and observation reports
First Claim
1. A method of conducting neighborhood watch employing a plurality of mobile devices communicatively coupled to a server, the method comprising:
- creating and managing user groups, by the server, including forming a primary group at the server, the primary group comprising user contact information for a group of users, wherein each of the group of users is associated with one of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein each of the group of users is typically resident in a neighborhood;
sending one of an anonymous message, a regular message or an observation report by a first one of the users, employing a first mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, to all the members of the primary group;
receiving the one of an anonymous message, the regular message or the observation report by the members of the primary group employing an associated one of the plurality of mobile devices;
providing instruction in the form of a guided activity, by a second one of the users from the primary group employing a second mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, wherein the guided activity is communicated to all the members of the primary group and wherein the guided activity provides instructions on conducting a task, collecting data, reporting information, making observation reports regarding a task conducted, reporting on something noticed and reporting on a situation witnessed;
retrieving the guided activity by the members of the primary group employing associated ones of the plurality of mobile devices; and
coordinating group activities by the members of the primary group, wherein group activities comprises attending a meeting, conducting a neighborhood watch activity, and conducting assigned tasks;
wherein the observation report comprises a set of user inputs provided by the first one of the users in response to a form presented to the first one of the users, wherein the form comprises a plurality of user prompts soliciting the set of user inputs.
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Abstract
A mobile based neighborhood watch system capable of group interactions, anonymous messages and observation reports. Employing a downloadable mobile client application in their mobile device, members of a local neighborhood watch group can send messages to each other, wherein messages can include voice recorded on their mobile devices and photos taken using their mobile devices. They can also provide comments on messages received, and make observation reports regarding a task they have conducted, something they have noticed, a situation they have witnessed, etc. The membership of the local neighborhood watch group is maintained by a server, and such membership typically includes people staying in a neighborhood, local law enforcement officials, local fire department workers, etc. The server makes it easy to create such groups and manage the membership.
20 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of conducting neighborhood watch employing a plurality of mobile devices communicatively coupled to a server, the method comprising:
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creating and managing user groups, by the server, including forming a primary group at the server, the primary group comprising user contact information for a group of users, wherein each of the group of users is associated with one of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein each of the group of users is typically resident in a neighborhood; sending one of an anonymous message, a regular message or an observation report by a first one of the users, employing a first mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, to all the members of the primary group; receiving the one of an anonymous message, the regular message or the observation report by the members of the primary group employing an associated one of the plurality of mobile devices; providing instruction in the form of a guided activity, by a second one of the users from the primary group employing a second mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, wherein the guided activity is communicated to all the members of the primary group and wherein the guided activity provides instructions on conducting a task, collecting data, reporting information, making observation reports regarding a task conducted, reporting on something noticed and reporting on a situation witnessed; retrieving the guided activity by the members of the primary group employing associated ones of the plurality of mobile devices; and coordinating group activities by the members of the primary group, wherein group activities comprises attending a meeting, conducting a neighborhood watch activity, and conducting assigned tasks; wherein the observation report comprises a set of user inputs provided by the first one of the users in response to a form presented to the first one of the users, wherein the form comprises a plurality of user prompts soliciting the set of user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for conducting neighborhood watch employing mobile devices, the system comprising:
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a plurality of mobile devices; a server to which the plurality of mobile devices are communicatively coupled; a group manager in the server configured to create and manage user groups, including a primary group of mobile users at the server, wherein the primary group comprises user contact information for a group of users associated with the plurality of mobile devices, wherein the users are all typically resident in a neighborhood; a mobile client application in each of the plurality of mobile devices configured to send one of an anonymous message, a regular message or an observation report to at least another one of the members of the primary group via their associated ones of the plurality of mobile devices; the mobile client application in each of the plurality of mobile devices configured to receive and display the one of an anonymous message, the regular message or the observation report; the mobile client application in each of the plurality of mobile devices configured to support the selection of a guided activity from the server and forwarding it to the plurality of mobile devices; and the mobile client application in each of the plurality of mobile devices configured to retrieve the guided activity and display it based on user selection, wherein the guided activity provides instructions on conducting a task, collecting data, reporting information, making observation reports regarding a task conducted, reporting on something noticed and reporting on a situation witnessed; wherein the server presents a form to one of the users on his corresponding mobile device from the plurality of mobile devices in order to facilitate creation of an observation report by the one of the users, wherein the form comprises a plurality of user prompts soliciting a set of user inputs, wherein the server also collects set of user inputs provided by the one of the users to the user prompts in the form and stores it for subsequent processing and distribution. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mobile device for conducting neighborhood watch,
the mobile device communicatively coupled to a server that facilitates neighborhood watch activities, the mobile device comprising: -
a neighborhood watch mobile client configured to interact with the server; the neighborhood watch mobile client in the mobile device configured to receive from the server information on crime prevention techniques, crime prevention products, their installation and operations, and crime related statistics, based on a user request from the mobile device or based on a perceived need determined by the server; the neighborhood watch mobile client in the mobile device configured to retrieve from the server and display, when requested by a user of the mobile device, a suspicious activity check list comprising solicitations for description of persons involved, solicitations for descriptions of vehicles involved, solicitations for descriptions of location and address where a suspicious activity took place, and a form for entering details of any crime or damage that the user had witnessed; the neighborhood watch mobile client configured to facilitate creating and sending messages to the server for communication to at least another mobile device, wherein the messages are anonymous messages or regular messages with sender information, based on a user selection; and the neighborhood watch mobile client configured to present an observation report form to the user when required to enable the user to create an observation report and send it to the server; wherein the observation report comprises a set of user inputs provided by first one of the users in response to a form presented to the first one of the users, wherein the form comprises a plurality of user prompts soliciting the set of user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification