Security and public safety application for a mobile device

• US 9,454,889 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dan Kerning
• Original Assignee: Dan Kerning
• Inventors: Kerning, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US14/810,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20160027292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 455/431, 455/410, 455/440, 455/404.2, 455/458, 455/456.2, 455/456.1, 705/7.32, 713/183
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/006 with transmission via telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

In a plurality of described embodiments, various modules of an application for a client device may operate to enhance personal security for an individual user, as well as public safety in general. A Blue-Phone-in-Pocket (bPip) module operates comparable to, but more effectively than, the traditional college campus blue light phone. When the user of the module toggles a button on the GUI of his/her smartphone, the App may instantly record and transmit key information to a command center, which operates to provide assistance to the student, at their current location, without requiring the student to relocate to one of the tradition blue light phone fixtures. A tracking module permits the student or other user to be tracked by his/her device until safely reaching a travel destination. The person may trigger an alarm if endangered during the trip, which may prompt a respond from local law enforcement, and other assigned individuals.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

configuring a plurality of client devices for continuously transmitting its respective geographic location wirelessly over a network to a server;

configuring the server for continuously monitoring the geographic location of each of the client devices;

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for selectively transmitting an alert from the respective device to the server;

configuring the server for identifying when one of said client devices is transmitting the alert;

configuring the server for transmitting a message to a selective one or more of said plurality of client devices being in proximity to the one client device transmitting the alert;

further comprising;

configuring the server to notify emergency medical responders when the one client devices transmits an alert for a medical emergency;

configuring the server for to call and transmit a pre-recorded voice message to each of said plurality of client devices being in proximity to the one client device of the user requiring assistance; and

configuring the server for providing respective directions for each of the client devices in said proximity to the one client device of the user requiring medical assistance, to respectively proceed to the one user requiring medical assistance;

further comprising;

charging a fee for transmitting of the alert for the medical emergency by the one client devices; and

paying a reward to a user of a first client device of said plurality of proximal client devices, that reaches the user requiring medical assistance.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring the server to notify law enforcement officials when the user of any of the plurality of client devices transmits an alert for a physical altercation; and

configuring the server for sending a text message to all of the other client devices for identifying the location of the physical altercation.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring the server for monitoring local police frequencies and for performing audio analytics for key words indicating an occurrence and a location of a shooting incident;

configuring the server for sending a text message warning any of the plurality of client devices outside of a first threshold distance away from the location of the shooting; and

configuring the server for triggering a continuous aural warning using a speaker of each client device being within said first threshold distance away from the location of the shooting.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 3, further comprising:

configuring the server for monitoring a direction of travel of any of the plurality of client devices outside of said first threshold distance away from the location of the shooting, but being within a second threshold distance away, said second threshold distance being greater than said first threshold distance; and

configuring the sever for providing periodic text messages to the direction-of-travel-monitored devices that are currently traveling toward the location of the shooting.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring the server for associating a geographic location of each of a plurality of client devices with a respective local police band broadcast;

selectively transmitting the respective local police band broadcast to each said client device;

configuring the server for performing audio analytics of each respective local police band broadcast for identifying one or more desired key words.

6. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for push-to-talk voice transmitting and receiving over the network, with one or more other said client devices, when within a set radial distance away.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving conventional radio communications;

configuring the server for re-encoding the received conventional radio communications and for transmitting the re-encoded radio communications over the network;

selectively receiving the transmitted re-encoded radio communications by a user of one of said plurality of client devices.

8. The computer-implemented method according to claim 6, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for respectively adjusting the set radial distance for said transmitting and receiving.

9. The computer-implemented method according to claim 8, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for displaying an interactive map, and for positioning thereon of icons respectively identifying each of the plurality of client devices being within the set radial distance and currently transmitting and receiving over the network.

10. The computer-implemented method according to claim 8, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for identifying each of the client devices currently transmitting and receiving over the network, by using speech bubbles in conjunction with said icons.

11. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for entering of a desired time period; and

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for automatically transmitting an alert after the entered period of time expires.

12. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for entering of a respective destination for a trip, for entering of a starting point for the trip, for selecting of a mode of transportation for the trip, for indicating the start of the trip;

configuring the server for identifying a preferred route for the trip entered by the one of said client devices, based upon;

a distance of the trip, a crime rate for areas between the starting point and the destination, and based on the mode of transportation;

configuring the server for calculating an allotted time for the trip, based on the mode of transportation, the distance, the current traffic pattern, and the weather;

configuring the server for tracking each of the client devices during a respectively entered trip; and

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for transmitting the alert to the server when the client device is deviating beyond a threshold amount from the preferred route or from the allotted time for the respectively entered trip.

13. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for modifying the preferred route and the allotted time when authorized by a user of the respective client device.

14. The computer-implemented method according to claim 13, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for modifying the mode of transportation, the preferred route, and the allotted time, when authorized by a user of the respective client device.

15. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for identifying the start of the trip by one or more of;

by manually toggling of a start button;

by entering a passcode;

by answering a security question from a library of such questions;

by using a biometric identification means; and

by imparting movement to the client device in a pre-determined pattern.

16. The computer-implemented method according to claim 15, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for displaying a map indicating the preferred route for the trip, and real-time progress as to elapsed time, time remaining, and distance remaining.

17. The computer-implemented method according to claim 16, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for prompting the user of the respective client device to approve a projected delay for a respectively entered trip that is deviating beyond the threshold amount from the preferred route or from the allotted time.

18. The computer-implemented method according to claim 17, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for accepting the approved delay only by the user performing one or more of;

re-entering the passcode;

answering another security question;

by using the biometric identification means; and

by imparting the pre-determined pattern of movement to the client device.

19. The computer-implemented method according to claim 17, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for randomly requiring authentication of the user, by the user performing one or more of;

re-entering the passcode;

answering another security question;

by using the biometric identification means; and

by imparting the pre-determined pattern of movement to the client device.

20. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for entering of one or more intermediate waypoints between the starting point and the destination; and

configuring the server for identifying a preferred route and for calculating an allotted time for the trip by furthermore including the one or more waypoints.

21. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for terminating the trip without sending the alert, upon occurrence of any of the following;

reaching the destination; and

toggling a disarm button in conjunction with one or more of the following;

re-entering the passcode;

answering another security question;

by using the biometric identification means; and

by imparting the pre-determined pattern of movement to the client device.

22. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices for triggering the alert by any of the following;

manually toggling a panic button;

disconnecting of a peripheral device;

moving the client device in a pre-determined pattern;

moving outside of a safe zone delineated by reception of a WiFi signal;

monitoring if a vital sign of the user exceeds a predetermined threshold;

determining a battery charge level of the client device being drained below a threshold battery charge level;

speaking of a trigger word by the user; and

configuring the server for notifying a family member of the user and for notifying law enforcement officials, and for providing the last numbers dialed by the client device, the phone numbers of the most recently received calls by the client device, the most recent texts messages sent and received by the client device.

23. The computer-implemented method according to claim 12, further comprising:

configuring each of the plurality of client devices to prompt the user for acting to confirm the alert or to rescind the alert, with rescinding of the alert requiring authentication of the user, by the user performing one or more of;

re-entering the passcode;

answering another security question;

by using the biometric identification means; and

by imparting the pre-determined pattern of movement to the client device.

24. The computer-implemented method according to claim 23, further comprising:

configuring the server to direct one or more local cameras at the user of the respective client device, when the user does not confirm the alert or rescind the alert;

configuring the server to direct one or more drones to observe the user of the respective client device, when the user does not confirm the alert or rescind the alert; and

providing information received from the cameras and the drones to emergency responder while en route to the user.

configuring the server for routinely sending a check-in reminder message to the client device;

configuring the client device for transmitting a defendant response for the routine check-in, to the server;

configuring the server for randomly sending a check-in message to the client device; and

configuring the client device for authentication of the defendant.