System and method for participants data retrieval post accident or event

• US 9,191,992 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dimitri, Jennifer L., Ferre, Wilfredo, Malkin, Peter K., Yvon, Marc P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, David Q
• Application Number:
  US14/039,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20150094013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 340/436, 340/903
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• 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 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A device and method for post event data retrieval uses an electronic communications system, wherein the method and system can utilize a detection device for detecting the event and facilitating the post event data retrieval. The system and method include detecting an event using a detection device. The detection device includes a location tool configured to determine a position of the detection device. The detection device defines a specified vicinity with respect to itself. A location is determined of the detection device using the location tool, after the event has occurred. Data including an identification (ID) is automatically requested of a communications device in the specified vicinity, using the detection device. A reply is received by the detection device which includes the ID from the communications device for identifying the communications device.

Claims

1. A method for post event data retrieval using an electronic communications system, comprising the steps of:

detecting an event using a detection device, the detection device including a location tool being configured to determine a position of the detection device, and the detection device defining a specified vicinity with respect to itself;

determining a location of the detection device using the location tool, the location being determined during a specified time proximity to an occurrence of the event;

automatically requesting data including an identification (ID) from a communications device in the specified vicinity, after the event has occurred, using the detection device being within the specified vicinity;

receiving a reply at the detection device, the reply including the ID from the communications device for identifying the communications device; and

automatically searching, using the detection device, for one or more communications devices in the specified vicinity of the event, before the step of automatically requesting data;

wherein the communications device receives the automatic request for data, and the communications device sends the reply to the detection device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

approximating a location of the communications device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection device determines a location of the event based on the location of the detection device, and determines a time of the event.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of automatically requesting an ID includes using a broadcast transmission.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ID includes:

a static Internet address, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or a cell phone telephone number.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of automatically requesting an ID includes using a wireless technology standard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reply includes a location of the communications device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a name of a person owning the communications device based on the ID.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection device is part of an automobile, and the event is an automobile accident.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection device is a mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of communications devices receive the automatic request for data, and the communications devices each send a respective reply to the detection device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection device includes a communications mechanism which uses:

an Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or a radio signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the detection device is determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

14. A detection device for post event data retrieval using an electronic communications system, which comprises:

a detection mechanism being configured to detect an event using a detection device, the detection device including a location tool being configured to determine a location of the detection device, the detection mechanism defining a specified vicinity with respect to itself, the location being determined during a specified time proximity to an occurrence of the event; and

a transceiver being configured to automatically request data including an identification (ID) of a communications device in the specified vicinity when the transceiver is in the specified vicinity and the occurrence of the event has been detected by the detection mechanism, the detection device being configured to automatically search for one or more communications devices in the specified vicinity of the event, before the automatic request of data, and the transceiver being configured to receive a reply including the ID from the communications device for identifying the communications device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the detection device is part of an automobile, and the event is an automobile accident.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the detection device is a mobile device.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the transceiver automatically requests the ID and the request includes using a broadcast transmission.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the detection device includes a communications mechanism which uses:

an Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a radio signal.

19. A vehicle including a mechanism for post event data communication using an electronic communications system, which comprises:

a first detection mechanism in a first vehicle being configured to detect an event using a first detection device, the first detection device including a first location tool being configured to determine a first location of the first detection device, the first detection mechanism defining a first specified vicinity with respect to itself, the first location being determined during a specified time proximity to an occurrence of the event; and

a first transceiver in the first detection device being configured to automatically request data including an identification (ID) from second detection devices in the first specified vicinity when the first transceiver is in the first specified vicinity and the occurrence of the event has been detected by the first detection mechanism, the first detection device being configured to automatically search for the second detection devices in the first specified vicinity of the event, before the automatic request of data, the second detection devices include second transceivers, the second detection devices being part of each of a plurality of second vehicles, respectively, the first transceiver being configured to receive replies from the second transceivers, including IDs from the second detection devices for identifying the second detection devices.