Mobile law enforcement communication system and method

A communication system (200) provides a self-driving vehicle (122) having a plurality of processor controlled interface devices (230) that acquire input pertaining to a detainee and an infraction associated with the detainee located within the vehicle. The processor controlled interface devices (230) provide mobile law enforcement processing and proceedings of the detainee within the self-driving vehicle (122). The self-driving vehicle (122) automatically delivers the detainee to an approved location determined by the mobile law enforcement processes and proceedings.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and more particularly to facilitating processes and proceedings associated law enforcement communication systems.

BACKGROUND

The desire to maintain effective communications is paramount when operating in public safety environments and particularly in law enforcement communication environments. The processes and proceedings involved in law enforcement communications are oftentimes complex and time consuming. The system can often be plagued by minor incidents or infractions taking up law enforcement resources, holding facility space, and court time.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved approach to processing minor incidents or infractions in an efficient and expedient manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly, there is provided herein a communication system performing mobile law enforcement processes and proceedings of a detainee. The communication system comprises a self-driving vehicle, a plurality of interface devices, and an electronic processor located within the self-driving vehicle. The processor controlled interface devices are configured to acquire input information pertaining to a detainee located within the self-driving vehicle and an infraction associated with the detainee. The electronic processor is programmed to receive the acquired input pertaining to the detainee and infraction, and in response thereto, enable mobile law enforcement processes and proceedings via the plurality of interface devices. The self-driving vehicle delivers the detainee to an approved location determined by the mobile law enforcement processes and proceedings.

During a typical detention scene, an officer temporarily stops an individual for questioning, without transporting the individual to another location. A detention stop allows the officer to determine whether to make an arrest, investigate further, or take no further action. In accordance with some embodiments, the processing provided by the mobile law enforcement communication system to be described herein can be used as an initial test hub for suspected infractions of alcohol, weapons and/or drug use.

A detention may lead to an arrest, where the individual is taken into custody and is no longer free to leave. In the past, an individual might have been taken into custody by having the officer drive him back to a police station. However, in accordance with the embodiments,FIG. 1shows law enforcement processes and proceedings of a mobile communication system100formed and operating in accordance with some embodiments. By performing law enforcement processes and proceedings within a vehicular environment, an officer112is able to remain in the field, thereby advantageously preserving law enforcement resources.

In response to an arrest taking place at110, a self-driving vehicle122(also referred to as an autonomous vehicle) arrives on scene at120, where the detained or arrested individual (both shall be referred to as a detainee) is placed into the self-driving vehicle122for initial processing. Depending on the type of incident or alleged infraction, the individual may or may not remain handcuffed within the vehicle, but is detained within at least a portion of the vehicle throughout the process, such as a backseat area. In accordance with the embodiments, predetermined law enforcement processes and proceedings take place at130using the autonomous vehicle's communication system.

Depending on the severity of the incident or alleged infraction, the processes and proceedings taking place within the self-driving vehicle122may take the form of one or more of testing, booking, arraignment, and even full adjudication, if applicable. For example, the mobile communication system100can be used as a mobile test hub for determining alcohol levels, drugs, and/or weapons. Sensors and scanners plugged in within the self-driving vehicle122provide preliminary in-vehicle screening tools to help law enforcement officers assess a driver suspected of being drunk, carrying a dangerous or weapon, and predetermined drugs. As air sensors and scanners continue to evolve, the detained individual may simply remain within the vehicle while the tests are processed, analyzed, and results communicated to one or more appropriate recipients. Depending on the status of the detainee's confinement, results may be communicated, over one or more wireless communications networks, to law enforcement, a remote attorney, and/or an on-call judge which may be contacted by the communication as part of the mobile processes and proceedings.

The law enforcement processing and proceedings of the detainee taking place at130may comprise a plurality of activities, which may vary from incident to incident and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The processes and proceedings comprise for example, testing for alcohol levels, drugs, and/or weapons, an automated reading and display of legal rights in the detainee's primary language, automated camera photo, image recognition, fingerprint scanning, outstanding warrant searches, booking proceedings, arraignment proceedings, adjudication proceedings, bail processing, and/or fine payment processing.

Depending on the infraction, the order of the processing may be varied. For example, the testing for drugs and/or alcohol may be part of an initial detention, followed by an arrest as a result of affirmative test results. In accordance with some embodiments, the arrest of an individual and placement within the vehicle is followed by communication system providing the detainee with a reading and visual presentation of legal rights in the detainee's primary language.

In accordance with the embodiments, the mobile communication system100at130provides, as part of the law enforcement proceedings, a reading and visual presentation of a person's legal rights in the detainee's primary language. The arrested individual114may invoke a right to counsel verbally to the communication system. In response to the verbal instruction, the mobile communication system assigns an attorney or contacts the detainee's individual attorney (based on verbal input from the detainee, such as attorney name and/or law firm). The autonomous vehicle's communication system can then join communications between the remote attorney and the detainee114. These communications taking place between only the remote attorney and the detainee114would not be recorded and would be considered attorney client privileged.

Depending on the alleged infraction or incident, the processes and proceedings performed at130by the self-driving vehicle122on the arrested individual114may further trigger and expedite other law enforcement processes. For example, if weapons (metal) or drugs or alcohol are detected, there may be sufficient cause for a warrant of the individual's car, home, or place of business. In response to the vehicular communication system detecting weapons or illegal drugs or exceeded alcohol level thresholds, a warrant request may automatically be submitted to and reviewed real time by a remote, on-call judge contacted by the vehicular communication system. The ability to have search warrants approved while the detainee is located in the vehicle saves considerable time and minimizes disruption in preserving evidence.

The communication system100minimizes paperwork in that the real time questions, answers, test results, and law enforcement processes and proceedings can (where not excluded by attorney client privilege) be automatically recorded, transcribed, and saved to a memory of the communication system.

Further processing taking place at130may comprise an arraignment proceeding using the autonomous vehicle's communication system. The arraignment is typically a criminal proceeding at which the defendant is informed of the offense charged, and asked to enter a plea. In accordance with the various embodiments, the arraignment can take place using the autonomous vehicle's communication system which joins communications between an on-call judge, a remote attorney, and the arrested individual114. The detainee may enter a plea of for example, guilty, not guilty, or as other applicable option (for example: no contest), as appropriate to the incident. The arraignment process further determines whether the detainee is to be released on his own recognizance, taken to an approved location, such as a home or shelter, taken to a police station for further questioning, or taken directly to jail. These mobile proceedings taking place between the on-call judge, the remote attorney, and the detainee within the self-driving vehicle are stored in a memory of the communication system100as part of a court proceeding record.

As part of the processing and proceedings taking place at130, the vehicular communication system may be used to further facilitate the arraignment proceedings in which bail is set by the on-call, remote judge participating in the proceedings. Options pertaining to posting the bail can be explained and facilitated by the communication system. Real time audio and video feeds of the communication system can be used by the individual to post bail. For example, the individual may enable payment of the entire bail amount to the court, or provide the court a security interest in real property, or contract with a bail bondsman to post the bail. For example, in response to a verbal input from the detainee to the virtual assistant (for example, “contact bond company”), the communication system contacts a bail bond company, the bond company may post the bond and transmit a confirmation of bond payment back to the communication system. The processing and posting of bail may also be performed by the vehicle communication system using a virtual assistant and payment processing device, thereby minimizing delays in court room judicial proceedings. For example, banking information and pin codes may be entered to a payment processing device within the vehicle and/or verbally provided to the virtual assistant. The virtual assistant is used to facilitate the process and is not intended to be a replacement to legal counsel or perform any unauthorized practice of law.

In accordance with the embodiments, the detainee114is automatically driven at140to an approved location as determined by the mobile proceedings. For example, the detainee114may be automatically driven by the self-driving vehicle122to an approved location, such as a jail, shelter, or home. Thus, holding facility space need not be taken up.

FIG. 2shows a mobile communication system200comprising various components formed and operating in accordance with the various embodiments. A portion of the self-driving vehicle122ofFIG. 1is shown inFIG. 2. Mobile communication system200comprises the self-driving vehicle122ofFIG. 1within which is located a controller device202comprising electronic processor, software and data analytics along, which along with transmitters and receivers (shown inFIG. 3) interface with a plurality of interface devices230also located within the self-driving vehicle. In accordance with the embodiments, the plurality of interface devices230are configured to acquire input pertaining to a detainee within the self-driving vehicle and a law enforcement infraction associated with the detainee. The electronic processor of controller device202is programmed to receive the acquired input pertaining to the detainee and the law enforcement infraction. In accordance with the embodiments, the electronic processor enables law enforcement processes and proceedings via the plurality of interface devices located within the self-driving vehicle, including the delivery of the detainee to an approved location determined by the law enforcement processes and proceedings.

The plurality of interface devices230comprises one or more displays204with corresponding audio interfaces, such as speakers206and microphones208. In accordance with the embodiments, the plurality of interface devices230further comprises a camera212for taking a photo of the detainee, such as a booking photo, and a video recorder214for recording live video and audio feeds where appropriate. In accordance with the embodiments, the plurality of interface devices230further comprises a virtual assistant216to explain processes and proceedings to the detainee including the reading and visual presentation of legal rights. The virtual assistant216can expedite processing of the detainee based on infraction information input by law enforcement upon placement of the individual within the vehicle. For example, a verbal command by the officer to the virtual assistant stating “virtual assistant, process detainee under drunk driving” would initiate a series of testing and inquiries by the communication system200upon the detainee. In accordance with the embodiments the plurality of interface devices230further comprise air breathalyzers218for alcohol and drug detection, a fingerprint scanner220, a metal detector222for detecting weapons. Depending on the type of infraction, the system further provides an automated payment processing feature226(which may be a payment processing device or payment processing interface) for posting bonds or paying fines.

Upon entry of the detained individual into the vehicle, the communication system inquires and automatically detects, via virtual assistant216, the individual's primary language whereupon one or more of the speakers206plays out legal rights in that language and one or more of the displays204displays legal rights210. For example, the virtual assistant216can detect words spoken by the detainee and utilize language recognition to determine the detainee's primary language. In the United States, the legal rights are referred to as Miranda warnings. The Miranda warnings advise a suspect of his rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present during questioning, and the right to have an attorney provided by the state if unable to afford one. In accordance with the embodiments, the legal rights are provided to the detained individual in his own native language within the vehicle. The legal rights have thus been both read and displayed thereby ensuring that an individual has been given clear warnings. The virtual assistant216further explains processes and proceedings taking place within the vehicle, based on the infraction entered by the officer.

In response to invoking a detainee invoking his right to an attorney, the communication system, in conjunction with virtual assistant216having artificial intelligence may generate a query to the detainee as to assignment of counsel, via public defender or pre-existing counsel. For example, the communication system may assign a public defender to the detainee, upon the detainee's request of “I want an attorney.” Alternatively, the virtual assistant216may place a call to the detainee's pre-existing counsel, in response to an input of “contact my attorney” followed by the attorney name. The virtual assistant216may answer detainee inquiries pertaining to the mobile adjudication process, such as for example “where am I going?”, “I want an attorney”, and/or “contact my attorney, John Doe”. The virtual assistant can expedite processing of the detainee based on infraction information input by law enforcement but is not intended as a substitute for legal counsel. Legal counsel is provided through a live audio and video feed with a remote attorney234, shown on one of the displays204.

In the past, following an arrest, an officer may have searched the detained individual, including reaching into pockets or a bag. However, searching an individual can pose a threat to the officer in cases involving weapons and/or drugs, such as knives or needles. The vehicular communication system of the embodiments facilitates initial detection of alcohol and/or drugs via the air breath analyzer drug detection218. The vehicular communication system further facilitates initial detection of metal devices, such as weapons or needles, via metal detector222. The results of these tests may further trigger automated warrant request generation for review and approval by an on-call, remote judge224contacted by the communication system within a communications network.

In accordance with some embodiments, the camera212and video recorder214under electronic processor control of controller202can generate an image and/or real time video feed of the detainee which can be used to facilitate booking of a detainee. Depending on the size of data files being captured, the controller202may perform analytics and facial recognition on the captured images and video and transmit results from the mobile communication system200over a network. In other embodiments, the images and/or video (or portions thereof) may be transmitted from the mobile communication system200over a network for facial recognition analysis to take place at a remote base station, server or cloud based network.

Communication system200can search and retrieve criminal records and outstanding warrant information pertaining to the detainee based on that facial recognition. The criminal records and warrant information may be stored locally within a memory of the communication system200or stored in a cloud based secure vault of a communications network. Behavior, demeanor and body movements or gestures of the detainee can also be recorded and analytics performed to generate behavioral analysis profiles.

For those individuals who are handcuffed, processes and proceedings can take place using voice interaction. Facial analytics can be used to facilitate facial recognition for past records, parole violations, and outstanding warrants. Fingerprint scanning of non-handcuffed individuals can be accomplished via touched data entry or finger taps to any of the displays204to further facilitate background verification, parole violations, and/or outstanding warrant checks.

The self-driving vehicle provides for a secured environment where communications may initially take place between the detainee and the virtual assistant. Further communications, may also take place through live video and audio feed communications between the detainee and the detainee's remote counsel234. Additional communications may take place between the detainee's remote attorney234, the detainee114, and the on-call, remote judge224over a live video/audio feed. For example arraignment proceedings in which guilty, not guilty or other pleadings may be entered and bond set (or denied).

The communication system200further comprises automated payment processing226for payment of fines or posting of bail. If the detainee does not have sufficient credit to pay the fine or post bail, the virtual assistant may also utilize artificial intelligence and to analyze an entry (voice), “contact a bond company”. The bail bond company can process and post bail (or deny the request) as part of the mobile adjudication process. Upon payment of the fine or bail, the detainee is then driven by the self-driving vehicle122to an approved location, such as a home or shelter, as communicated by the on-call, remote judge224to the communication system.

In accordance with further embodiments, the self-driving vehicle can pick up the previously detained individual at a later date for a hearing. Hence, in accordance with some embodiments, the self-driving vehicle may drive to a predetermined approved location on a scheduled court date to pick up a formerly detained individual to be driven to a court room hearing.

The vehicular communication system200is operational within one or more communications networks.FIG. 3is a block diagram of the vehicular communication system200operating within one or more communications networks300in accordance with various embodiments. Vehicular communications system200comprises one or more controllers302providing electronic processors, software, and data analytics for interfacing and controlling a plurality of interface devices330, such as camera and audio and video components306, scanners, testers and detectors308, virtual assistant310, payment processing312, and one or more displays314. In accordance with some embodiments, the controller302interoperates with the camera, audio and video components306to perform facial recognition and analytics. The scanners, testers and detectors308provide fingerprint scanning, alcohol, drug testing, and weapon detection, wherein results are analyzed via the controller302in real-time and communicated as appropriate to the one or more communication networks300. For example, a photo taken of the detainee can be run through a ‘most wanted’ list within the communications network300. The one or more controllers302may control the virtual assistant310, with artificial intelligence associated therewith, to provide appropriate responses to inquiries raised by a detainee located within the self-driving vehicle. For example, the virtual assistant310can explain and/or answer inquiries pertaining to the mobile law enforcement processes and proceedings taking place within the vehicle. The virtual assistant310may further contact court-approved contacts, such as bail bond companies. The one or more controllers302may further control payment processing312, such as posting of bail and/or payment of fines. One or more displays314and audio processing interoperate as previously described with the virtual assistant to provide a visual and audible interface presenting legal rights, access to remote counsel, and access to an on-call judge all in the detainee's primary language. The audio translations and text translations made in the individual's preferred language ensure proper delivery of procedures and legal rights to a detainee. Upon conclusion of the proceedings, the virtual assistant310receive instructions by the on-call judge for delivery of the individual to an approved court ordered location, via the self-driving vehicle.

The one or more controllers302and plurality of interface devices330interoperate with one or more transmitters316and receivers318to allow for the execution of computer programs, and provide, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, communication control and related services for operation within the one or more communications networks300. For example, the one or more controllers302receives instructions, such as from the judge, that enable the self-driving car to drive the individual to a predetermined approved location, such as to a jail, shelter, or home.

The one or more communication networks300, may comprise for example, communication towers320, base stations322, cloud based systems324and other infrastructure known or yet to be developed, providing access to other computer law enforcement networks, servers, storage, applications and services. Vehicular communication system200operating within the one or more communications networks300may operate using one or more suitable communication protocols, techniques, or methodologies, including, without limitation: radio frequency (RF); Bluetooth; ZigBee (and other variants of the IEEE 802.15 protocol); IEEE 802.11 (any variation); IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX or any other variation); Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum; Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum; Long Term Evolution (LTE); cellular/wireless/cordless telecommunication protocols (e.g. 3G/4G, etc.); wireless home network communication protocols; satellite data communication protocols; proprietary wireless data communication protocols and any other communication protocols, known or yet to be developed. The memory may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, etc.), and combinations thereof.

Accordingly, there has been provided an improved approach to processing incidents or infractions in an efficient and expedient manner. The access to data and services provided by the mobile vehicular communication system advantageously allows law enforcement officers to remain at a scene, minimizes usage of holding facilities, and reduces court time.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as part of the original disclosure, and remain so even if cancelled from the claims during prosecution of the application, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. Furthermore, subject matter not shown should not be assumed to be necessarily present, and that in some instances it may become necessary to define the claims by use of negative limitations, which are supported herein by merely not showing the subject matter disclaimed in such negative limitations.