System and method for enhancing security applications

• US 7,283,644 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2003
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truist Bank (Private Banking) (Truist Financial Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stern, Edith H., Willner, Barry E., Dorai, Chitra
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella; Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Tom Y
• Application Number:
  US10/607,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 381/115, 455/556.1, 379/45, 382/103
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A security system and methodology are provided employing a process that determines whether to use an image and/or other inputs received from at least one remote input node. In one illustrative embodiment, the invention comprises a system and method for using image input in conjunction with wireless transmission to increase personal safety.

Claims

1. A method of providing security in accordance with at least one user, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one image associated with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one user;

associating the at least one image with user data;

determining whether to use the at least one image through the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

using the at least one image and at least a portion of the user data when indicated to do so in accordance with the determining step.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of specifying a process for determining whether to use the at least one image.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the specifying step further comprises specifying a criterion.

4. The method of claim 2, where the specifying step further comprises permitting the at least one user to specify the process for determining whether to use the at least one image.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the specifying step further comprises recording user data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step is responsive to an arrival rate of data from the user device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step is independent of further communication with one of the at least one user and the user device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving user device data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user device data comprises at least one of location, altitude, biometric information, communications capability, functional capability, current communications speed, display capability, ability for remote management, recorded voice, and recorded locations.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user data comprises at least one of a calling number, a user name, a communication address associated with receipt of the at least one image, a user identification, a user location, user preference information, previous user behavior, user network access information, legal records pertaining to a user, privacy policies pertaining to a user, and a user service specification.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step further comprises applying one or more rules responsive to at least one of a location, a time of day, a consideration of multiple factors.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein multiple factors comprise a time of data transmission combined with a lack of subsequent data transmission.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of applying one or more rules of a specification comprises at least one of speaker identification and face identification.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the using step further comprises at least one of a transmission to a third party and logging for subsequent use.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the third party comprises at least one of a security service and law enforcement.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the at least one image.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an indication of emergency from the at least one user.

18. Apparatus for providing security in accordance with at least one user, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor operative to;

(i) receive at least one image associated with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one user;

(ii) associate the at least one image with user data;

(iii) determine whether to use the at least one image through the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

(iv) use the at least one image and at least a portion of the user data when indicated to do so in accordance with the determining operation.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor and the memory comprise a server.

20. An article of manufacture for providing security in accordance with at least one user, comprising a computer readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

receiving at least one image associated with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one user;

associating the at least one image with user data;

determining whether to use the at least one image through the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

using the at least one image and at least a portion of the user data when indicated to do so in accordance with the determining step.

21. A method of operating a security service, comprising the steps of:

enrolling at least one user in the security service;

receiving at least one image associated with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one enrolled user;

determining whether to use the at least one image through the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

charging the at least one enrolled user a fee for the security service.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of providing wireless communication for the user device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the enrolling step further comprises receiving user data.

24. A method of providing security in accordance with at least one user, comprising the steps of:

capturing one or more images in accordance with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one user;

transmitting at least one of the one or more captured images from the user device to a security service in accordance with the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

alerting the public, via the user device, in accordance with the capture of the one or more images.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the alerting step further comprises use of at least one of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, an alarm, and a spoken phrase.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of receiving voice data.

27. Apparatus for providing security in accordance with at least one user, comprising:

a device for use by the at least one user operative to;

(i) capture one or more images;

(ii) transmit at least one of the one or more captured images to a security service in accordance with the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

(iii) alert the public in accordance with the capture of the one or more images.

28. A method for processing at least one image in accordance with at least one user, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one image associated with a user device, the user device being associated with the at least one user;

associating the at least one image with user data;

determining whether to use the at least one image through the application of one or more rules of a user-specified service offering specification and one or more rules of a previously entered user specification having user preferences; and

using the at least one image and at least a portion of the user data when indicated to do so in accordance with the determining step.