Mobile based neighborhood watch system and client application

• US 8,918,133 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bindu Rama Rao
• Original Assignee: Bindu Rama Rao
• Inventors: Rao, Bindu Rama
• Primary Examiner(s): Sarwar, Babar
• Application Number:
  US13/959,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20130316751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 4554261-4262, 455/422.1, 455/403, 455/466, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/410, 455/414.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/435.3, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455418-419, 455/416, 455/521, 455/456.3, 455/456.1, 455/420, 455/412.1, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/338, 370/343, 370/349, 709/229, 709/203, 709/218, 709/202, 709/104.1, 709/9, 709/10, 726/13, 726/3, 726/27
• US Class Current: 455/521
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management

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.

Claims

1. A method of supporting frequent or regular group interactions by a server, wherein the server is communicatively coupled to a plurality of mobile devices, the method comprising:

creating a plurality of neighborhood watch groups, by the server, as it receives user group creation requests;

assigning membership to the plurality of neighborhood watch groups as appropriate, by the server, as it receives membership requests from a plurality of users, each of the plurality of users using one of the plurality of mobile devices;

sending, by the server, a message or an observation report received from a first mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices to all the members of a first user group among the plurality of neighborhood watch groups, wherein the message or observation report is sent by a first user using the first mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices;

receiving and sharing, by the server, responses to the message or observation report that is provided by one or more members of the first user group via their respective ones of the plurality of mobile devices;

retrieving, by the server based on specific user selection, instructions to perform a monitoring task or a security related activity, and presenting them to at least one of the plurality of users, and communicating, by the server, information on crime prevention techniques, crime prevention products, their installation and operations, and crime related statistics to one or more of the plurality of mobile devices, based on the at least one of the plurality of users request from one of the plurality of mobile devices or a perceived need in a neighborhood associated with the at least one of the plurality of users;

sharing observation reports with local crime prevention groups and local law enforcement groups by making them accessible via a website associated with the server; and

providing access, by the server, to observations and messages to the all the members from their own mobile devices;

tracking and monitoring crime in a specified neighborhood, by the server, based on observation reports and messages from the plurality of users, including thefts reported, vandalism and burglaries reported, the trafficking of child pornography reported, identity theft complaints received, various forms of Internet fraud reported, hacking and network intrusion cases reported, harassing and threatening cases reported, and child abuse or exploitation cases reported.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the observation report comprises a set of user inputs provided by the first user in response to a form presented to the first user, wherein the form comprises a plurality of user prompts soliciting the set of user inputs.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the guided activity provides instructions on conducting one of the following:

completing a task, collecting data, reporting information, making observation reports, reporting a task conducted, reporting on something noticed and reporting on a situation witnessed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is one of an anonymous message or a regular message.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

the server forwarding a message or observation report created by a member of the first user group to at least one member of a second user group.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

registering, by the server, a new group when the server receives, from the mobile device of a user, details of the new group comprising a list of members, wherein the user providing the list of members is designated to be a manager of the new group; and

sending by the server, to a mobile device associated with the manager of the new group, instructions on how to hold neighborhood monitoring meetings, additional information about the neighborhood monitoring program, and other ideas to help the group interact.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein observation report sent by the first mobile device also comprises a GPS coordinate gathered from the first mobile device and an optional video captured by the first user employing the first mobile device.

8. A client application in a mobile device communicatively coupled to a server, the client application comprising:

the client application configured to receive first input from a user to create a new neighborhood watch group, the first input comprising a list of members and related member information;

the client application configured to send to at least one member of the neighborhood watch group via the server, one of a message, an observation report, a form to be filled with details, a guided activity for coaching, or an alarm reminding individual members of activities to be conducted;

the client application configured to receive from the user a second input on the mobile device, the second input comprising a request which the client communicates to the server; and

wherein, in response to the second input sent to the server, the client application is configured to receive and display a suspicious activity check list comprising solicitations for description of persons involved, descriptions of vehicles involved, descriptions of location and an address where a suspicious activity took place, and details of crime or damage that the user had witnessed;

the client application receiving third input from the user on the mobile device, the third input comprising a request for information on crime statistics in the neighborhood; and

wherein, the client application configured to be responsive to the third input by receiving and presenting information on crime prevention techniques, crime prevention products, their installation and operations, and crime related statistics.

9. The client application of claim 8, wherein the message comprises a digital image taken by the user on the mobile device, an audio recording, and a textual description and a GPS coordinate.

10. The client application of claim 8, wherein the message comprises a digital video captured on the mobile device and a GPS coordinate.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to receive fourth input from the user of the mobile device, the fourth input comprising a request; and

wherein, responsive to the fourth input, the client application configured to receive and present from a first server system a home security checklist that solicits user responses to questions regarding exterior doors, garage and sliding door security, protecting windows, outdoor security, overall security when away from home, and security for outdoor valuables and personal property.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to receive a fourth input from the user of the mobile device, the fourth input comprising a vacation period monitoring request; and

wherein, responsive to the fourth input, the client application is configured to receive and present, from a first server system, a commitment of additional patrol and observation by at least one member of the neighborhood watch group.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to send one of an anonymous message, a regular message or an observation report to one or more members of a primary group of individuals in the neighborhood, who receive them via their associated ones of the plurality of mobile devices.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to include, as members of a neighborhood watch group, local law enforcement officials and community leaders to participate in neighborhood watch programs.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to automatically create a blog of events that form a part of neighborhood watch program, wherein the blog is accessible on Internet.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

the client application configured to, when requested by the user, show information on suspicious activities in the neighborhood, and also let the user report on suspicious activities that the user may have witnessed.