Systems and methods for providing augmented reality emergency response solutions

An emergency response system (ERS) configured to acquire target terminal location data and emergency responder terminal location data, determine a horizontal distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, determine a vertical distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, engage a camera component of the emergency responder terminal to capture images of at least a portion of the surrounding real-world scene, providing such images for display on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal, and/or providing a target terminal display object for display on the touchscreen of the emergency responder terminal such that, when an image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene within which a target terminal is located, the target terminal display object dynamically overlays a segment of the image associated with the acquired target terminal location data.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to emergency response tools, and some embodiments relate more particularly to systems and methods for providing augmented reality emergency response solutions to aid emergency responders in providing timely and effective assistance to individuals in emergency situations.

BACKGROUND

In emergency situations it is often difficult for emergency responders to efficiently locate persons in need of assistance, and to render appropriate aid to such persons. In general, there is a lack of information available to such responders when they need it most. In such situations, it can also be difficult for emergency response organizations to coordinate efforts to dispatch individual emergency responders, or groups of emergency responders, in an efficient and effective manner to assist the organization's members. The present disclosure addresses the deficiencies of conventional systems, and provides augmented reality based emergency response systems that aid emergency responders in: identifying locations of individuals in need of assistance (including real-time or near real-time location data); identifying path information showing such individual's trail to arriving at their present location; identifying locations of equipment, tools, or other resources that may be useful for rendering aid in a given situation; establishing communications channels between emergency responders and persons in need of assistance; summoning additional assistance among users, emergency responders, emergency response entities, etc.; and various other features that enable more timely and effective assistance to persons in emergency situations.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an emergency response system (ERS) includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing machine readable instructions which when executed by a processor cause one or more elements of the ERS to: acquire target terminal location data for a plurality of target terminals, the target terminal location data including a latitude measure, a longitude measure, and an altitude measure; wherein each of the plurality of target terminals comprise: a GPS circuit, an altimeter, and a communications circuit; and/or acquire emergency responder terminal location data for at least one emergency responder terminal, the emergency responder terminal location data including a latitude measure, a longitude measure, and an altitude measure; wherein the at least one emergency responder terminal comprises: a GPS circuit, an altimeter, a camera component, a touchscreen display, a communication circuit, a processing engine, and a memory; and/or determine a horizontal distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, the horizontal distance measure computed from acquired target terminal location data and the acquired emergency responder terminal location data; and/or determine a vertical distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, the vertical distance measure computed from acquired target terminal location data and the acquired emergency responder terminal location data; and/or engage a camera component of the emergency responder terminal to capture images of at least a portion of the surrounding real-world scene; and/or provide such images for display on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal; and/or provide a target terminal display object for display on the touchscreen of the emergency responder terminal such that, when an image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene within which a target terminal is located, the target terminal display object overlays a segment of the image associated with the acquired target terminal location data; and/or whereupon selection of the target terminal display object causes registered user details to be displayed on the touchscreen display, the registered user details including a physical characteristic.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium further stores machine readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the ERS to: transmit a mission assignment to the emergency responder to render assistance to a specific target among the plurality of targets, the mission assignment based on: registered user details about the users of the plurality of target terminals, registered user details about the user of the emergency responder terminal, and priority scores among the plurality of target terminals; and/or provide a mission route display object representing a suggested path of travel between the emergency responder terminal and the specific target terminal.

In some embodiments, the mission assignment is generated by an emergency management entity communicatively coupled with but physically detached from the emergency responder terminal. In some embodiments, the mission route display object is provided upon selection of the target terminal display object.

In some embodiments, the registered user details associated with the users of the plurality of target terminals may include one or more of: age, gender, height, weight, activity level, physical fitness levels, health conditions, public figure status, occupation, photograph, marital status, number of children, number of siblings, language skills, tactical training skills, medical training, and organ donor information.

In some embodiments, the registered user details associated with the user of the emergency responder terminal may include one or more of: skills, training level, training type, seniority, years of experience, working shift hours, age, gender, height, weight, activity level, physical fitness levels, health conditions, photograph, marital status, number of children, number of siblings, language proficiencies, tactical training skills, medical training, and organ, donor information.

In some embodiments, the priority scores among the plurality of target terminals are determined based on one or more of: situational status information associated with individual target terminals, and situational status information associated with the emergency responder terminal. In some embodiments, the mission assignment includes an indication of the temporal urgency of the mission.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium further stores machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause the ERS to: obtain updated target terminal location data and emergency terminal location data on a continual basis, and correspondingly adjust the position of the target terminal display object on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal based on: changes to the target terminal location data, changes to the emergency responder terminal location data, and changes in orientation of the camera component of the emergency responder terminal.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium further stores machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause the ERS to: obtain updated target terminal location data and emergency terminal location data on a periodic basis at predefined intervals, and correspondingly adjust the position of the target terminal display object on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal based on: changes to the target terminal location data, changes to the emergency responder terminal location data, and changes in orientation of the camera component of the emergency responder terminal. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium further stores machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause the ERS to: obtain updated target terminal location data and emergency terminal location data upon manual request by a user, and/or correspondingly adjust the position of the target terminal display object on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal based on: changes to the target terminal location data, changes to the emergency responder terminal location data, and changes in orientation of the camera component of the emergency responder terminal.

In some embodiments, the target terminal location data is obtained from one or more of: components internal to a housing of the target terminal, components external to a housing of the target terminal, selection input from a user of the target terminal; textual input from a user of the target terminal, voice input from a user of the target terminal; and video input from a user of the target terminal.

In some embodiments, the components internal to the housing of the target terminal may include one or more of a GPS sensor, an altimeter, and a pressure sensor. The components external to the housing of the target terminal may include one or more target vicinity components located in the vicinity of the target at a scene of an ongoing emergency. The components external to the housing of the target terminal may include one or more target vicinity components located in the vicinity of the target at a scene of an ongoing emergency, wherein the target vicinity components include a plurality of proximity beacons configured to communicate with target terminals.

In some embodiments, horizontal distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and a given target terminal is given as an estimate of the shortest horizontal distance between the emergency responder terminal and the given target terminal. In some embodiments, the horizontal distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and the specified target terminal is given as an estimate of the total horizontal distance the emergency responder associated with the emergency responder terminal must travel to get to the user associated with the given target terminal if traveling along the suggested path of travel. In some embodiments, the vertical distance measure is an estimate of the altitude of the target terminal. In some embodiments, the vertical distance measure is an estimate of the difference between the altitude of the target terminal and the altitude of the emergency responder terminal.

In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium further stores machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause the ERS to: establish one or more of an audio, video or text based communication channel with the target terminal. In some embodiments, one or more of the shape, color, and size of the plurality of terminal display objects is defined based on one or more of a latitude measure, a longitude measure, an altitude measure, a priority score, a mission assignment, situational status information, and an indication of temporal urgency associated with each one of the corresponding plurality of target terminals.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the present disclosure herein includes a method comprising the steps of: obtaining target terminal location data for a plurality of target terminals, the target terminal location data including a latitude measure, a longitude measure, and an altitude measure; wherein each of the plurality of target terminals comprise: a GPS circuit, an altimeter, and a communications circuit; and/or obtaining emergency responder terminal location data for at least one emergency responder terminal, the emergency responder terminal location data including a latitude measure, a longitude measure, and an altitude measure; wherein the at least one emergency responder terminal comprises: a GPS circuit, an altimeter, a camera component, a touchscreen display, a communication circuit, a processing engine, and a memory; and/or determining a horizontal distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, the horizontal distance measure computed from acquired target terminal location data and the acquired emergency responder terminal location data; and/or determining a vertical distance measure between the emergency responder terminal and each of the plurality of target terminals, the vertical distance measure computed from acquired target terminal location data and the acquired emergency responder terminal location data; and/or engaging a camera component of the emergency responder terminal to capture images of at least a portion of the surrounding real-world scene, and providing such images for display on the touchscreen display of the emergency responder terminal; and/or providing a target terminal display object for display on the touchscreen of the emergency responder terminal such that, when an image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene within which a target terminal is located, the target terminal display object overlays a segment of the image associated with the acquired target terminal location data; whereupon selection of the target terminal display object causes registered user details to be displayed on the touchscreen display, the registered user details including a physical characteristic.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the technology herein involves a method that may include the steps of: obtaining location data associated with at least one of a plurality of target terminals, the location data including one or more of: a latitude position measure, a longitude position measure, and a vertical position measure; and/or determining a horizontal distance measure associated with the at least one of the target terminals, the horizontal distance measure based on one or more of the latitude position measure, the longitude position measure, and the vertical position measure; and/or determining a vertical distance measure associated with the at least one of the target terminals, the vertical distance measure based on one or more of the latitude position measure, the longitude position measure, and the vertical position measure; and/or defining a selectable display object associated with the location data associated with the at least one of the target terminals; and/or engaging the camera component to capture one or more images of at least a portion of the real-world scene surrounding the at least one of a plurality of emergency responder terminals, and provide in real-time the one or more images for display on the touchscreen display of the at least one of the emergency responder terminals; and/or providing the selectable display object for display on the touchscreen of the at least one of the emergency responder terminals when the image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene associated with an estimated real-world location of the at least one of the target terminals, the selectable display object provided for display in a position on the touchscreen such that it overlays a segment of the image associated with the region; and/or generating a mission assignment, the mission assignment based on one or more of: registered user details associated with the user of the target terminal, registered user details associated with the user of the emergency responder terminal, and a priority score of the target terminal among the plurality of target terminals; and/or providing a mission route display object delineating a path of travel between the emergency responder terminal and the assigned target terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide augmented reality based emergency response systems that aid emergency responders in identifying real-time or near real-time locations of individuals in need of assistance, and in providing timely and effective assistance to such individuals.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an example emergency response system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed technology. As shown, emergency response system1000(hereafter, system1000) may include one or more emergency responder terminals1100and one or more target terminals1200in communication with an emergency management entity1300(hereinafter “EME1300”). EME1300and emergency responder terminals1100may further be in communication with responder vicinity components1400, and other components. EME1300and target terminals1200may further be in communication with emergency vicinity components1500, and other components. As shown, the communication between one or more of: emergency responder terminals1000, target terminals1200, emergency management entity1300, responder vicinity components1400, and emergency vicinity components1500may occur, directly or indirectly, over any one or more communications links (e.g., wired or wireless connections) including via one or more networks1600(e.g., cellular network, Bluetooth® network, ZigBee® network, Wi-Fi® network, etc.), inclusive of the hardware and software required to establish such a communications link (e.g., communications interfaces such as cellular chipsets, Bluetooth® modules, ZigBee® modules, Wi-Fi modules, etc.).

System1000may obtain location information of one or more target terminals1200within (or associated with) a zone of interest; obtain location information of one or more emergency responder terminals1100responsible for the zone of interest; provide location information of one or more target terminals1200to the one or more emergency responder terminals1100; and/or present an augmented reality display object on the display of the emergency responder terminals1100, the augmented reality display object overlaying one or more regions of one or more images representing a zone of interest (or portion of the zone of interest), the regions overlaid by one or more augmented reality objects corresponding to respective target terminal1200locations in the real-world scene being captured by the emergency responder terminal1100's camera component.

In some embodiments, system1000may obtain location information of one or more pieces of equipment within (or associated with) the zone of interest; provide location information of one or more pieces of equipment to the one or more emergency responder terminals1100; present an augmented reality display object on the display of the emergency responder terminals1100, the augmented reality display object overlaying one or more regions of one or more images representing a zone of interest (or portion of the zone of interest), the regions overlaid by one or more augmented reality objects corresponding to respective locations of the one or more pieces of equipment within the real-world scene being captured by the emergency responder terminal1100's camera component.

As shown inFIG. 1, emergency responder terminals1100and target terminals1200may be mobile computing devices such as, for example, smartphones (as shown inFIG. 1), tablets, netbooks, laptop computers, or any other mobile terminal able to communicate over a wired or wireless network. EME1300may be a computing device such as a server, a database, a computer, a workstation, a computing terminal, a mobile telecommunications device, an electronic storage device, a computing platform, or other computing resource. Emergency responder terminals1000, target terminals1200, and EME1300may include one or more computing resources available to, and in some embodiments considered part of, system1000. The various features and technology disclosed herein may be effectuated by one or more of the computing resources of system1000, whether by the computing resources of a particular device (e.g., an emergency responder terminal), or by the computing resources of several devices performing operations in concert with one another such as may the case in a distributed computing arrangement among the computing resources of multiple devices (duplicative, parallel, or distributed computing of both an emergency management entity and an emergency responder terminal function or feature). Some such computing resources are shown inFIG. 2discussed herein.

Referring still toFIG. 1, emergency responder terminals1100and/or target terminals1200may run an emergency management application (hereafter “Emergency App”), though in some embodiments it may not be necessary for the target terminals1200to run a mobile application to be operable within system1000. In some embodiments, Emergency App runs on EME1300as a virtual resource accessible to emergency responder terminals1100and/or target terminals1200. Emergency App may facilitate access to one or more resources of the emergency responder terminals1100, target terminals1200, EME1300, Responder Vicinity Components1400, Emergency Vicinity Components1500, and may provide, distribute, or otherwise convey data obtained via any one or more of such resources to one or more others of such resources.

In some embodiments, the Emergency App provides a GUI to display information to the user of a terminal, and may be further adapted to receive user input that may be conveyed throughout system1000, including for example, to EME1300, to other terminals, to responder vicinity components1400, to emergency vicinity components1500, etc. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, EME1300may include one or more APIs providing a software interface between terminals and the resources of EME300. In some embodiments, Emergency App may utilize or access telephony, SMS, camera, voice, data and other resources of emergency responder terminals1100, target terminals1200, responder vicinity components1400, and/or emergency vicinity components1500. For example, an emergency responder may select an icon on the GUI of the Emergency App to open a two-way communication channel between their emergency responder terminal1100and another terminal such as a particular target terminal1200or group of target terminals1200, or another emergency responder terminal1100such as the emergency responder terminal of an emergency response unit's captain/supervisor. Such communications may include SMS text messaging conversations, video messaging, Picture messaging, in-app messaging conversations, a voice call, a video conference, etc.

In another example, an emergency responder may select an icon or menu item on the GUI of the Emergency App to activate a resource of a target terminal1200to assist the emergency responder in locating the target terminal1200. For instance, an emergency responder may activate a speaker of a target terminal to propagate an alarm sound to help the emergency responder find the target terminal (and ultimately the user associated with the target terminal) as they near the location identified by system1000. Likewise, and emergency responder may activate a light source (e.g., an LED) of the target terminal to propagate a flashing light to help the emergency responder find the target terminal (and ultimately the user associate with the target terminal).

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating example resources of system1000in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosed technology, resources that are not explicitly shown inFIG. 1. As shown system resources1700may include one or more processing engines (represented symbolically by processor1702), one or more memories (represented symbolically by memory1703), and one or more electronic storage units (represented symbolically by electronic storage1730). Memory1703may be configured with machine readable instructions which, when executed by processor1702, cause system1000to effectuate one or more features discussed below with respect to elements identified by numerals1704-1724(which may be embodied in or effectuated by one or more of emergency responder terminals1100, target terminals1200, responder vicinity components1400, emergency management entities1300, emergency vicinity components1500). System resources1700may include one or more of a user location component1704, camera component1706, display object component1708, registered user detail component1710, situational status component1712, priority component1714, mission assignment component1716, mission route component1718, an equipment location component1720, communication component1722, and other components1724.

A user location component1704in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure obtains location data of one or more emergency responder terminals1100and target terminals1200. In some embodiments such data may be obtained via location resources (e.g., location circuitry) local to such terminals, and may be provided to system1000over network1600. User location data is indicative of the geospatial location of one or more of the emergency responder terminals1100and target terminals1200associated with or connected to system1000(collectively, “units”).

User location component1704may include components included in terminals (e.g., terminal local resources), components included in emergency management entity (e.g., communications modules, machine-readable instructions), or both. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, system1000may obtain location data by actively transmitting a location data request to one or more of the units, thereby prompting the one or more units to access local location resources (e.g., GPS modules, altimeter, barometer, beacons, etc.) to obtain location information and generate and transmit a data packet containing the location data (e.g., location details) to a computing resource of system1000. For instance, EME1300of system1000may receive a responsive transmission from the one or more units containing the one or more units' respective location data, and system1000may propagate and/or store such information within an electronic storage or memory of system1000as desired for a particular application or by a particular resource coupled to or within system1000.

Location data may indicate geospatial location of a user associated with the unit, including longitude and latitude coordinates, degrees/minutes/seconds location parameters, altitude above sea level, altitude above ground level, etc. User location component1704may be utilized to identify geospatial location of a user. User location component1704may comprise one or more circuits, modules, or chips local to the units themselves. For example, location component1704may include a GPS sensor, an altimeter, a pressure sensor (e.g., a barometer), and the like. In some embodiments user location component1704may further comprise hardware and software operating on EME1300and communicatively coupled with location sensors of one or more units.

Location data may also indicate structure specific location details of a user, including location within or upon a structure whose dimensions or other parameters are known to or derivable by system1000. For example, if a large office building implements system1000for emergency situations, the building operator may choose to install one or more emergency vicinity components1500throughout the building to enhance location data provided to system1000. In some embodiments emergency vicinity components1500provide location data as an alternative to, or as an enhancement to, the location data obtained by the location componentry local to a unit. Emergency vicinity components1500may include any one or more of: location beacons, proximity sensors, receivers, etc. installed throughout the building structure (on each floor, for example), that may provide structure specific location details that may be relevant to a particular application.

For example, extending the example of an office building implementing system1000, suppose the building operator chooses to install location beacons or receivers throughout each of its twenty floors. The beacons may transmit and/or receive signals to/from units within a predefined vicinity of the beacon's location (e.g., within 20 feet of the beacon, for example), and may provide location component1704of system1000with information about which units are within its vicinity. Individual beacons reporting to system resources1800may be associated with a particular location in the building (e.g., beacon may be associated with conference room D on the north side of the building on the 6thfloor). Such information may be pre-registered or otherwise provided in advance to system resources1800as building data1734or electronic storage1730). Thus, if a registered user, Clayton, has his smartphone (target terminal1200) with him and both were located in conference room D on the north side of the building on the 6thfloor when an emergency situation arose (e.g., a fire in the building), user location component1704may obtain an indication, directly or indirectly, from the location beacon that Clayton was located on the 6thfloor on the north side of the building in conference room D. As much information as desired about a building or other structure, or about any of the emergency vicinity components1500, may be registered or otherwise entered and stored as building data1734on system resources (e.g., electronic storage1730, which may reside for example at the EME1300that is operably connected to emergency responder terminals and/or target terminals). This way, location information available to system1000may be enhanced with as much detail as desired for a given application or as desired by a given operation.

In still a further example, and as discussed further hereafter with respect to equipment location component1722, in some embodiments emergency vicinity components1500include location beacons, proximity sensors, receivers, RFID tags, etc. installed in an indoor location where a piece of usable equipment is stowed within the building, and/or an outdoor location where a piece of usable equipment is kept. Such equipment may include a fire extinguisher, an epinephrine pen (EpiPen), an axe, an oxygen mask, a defibrillator, a hose, a fire alarm, a fire hydrant, a hose, a rope, etc. In some instances, such location beacons, proximity sensors, receivers, RFID tags, etc. may be affixed to the item of equipment itself (or the housing or casing associated with such equipment). In some instances, such emergency vicinity components associated with a piece of equipment may include hardware, such as a speaker or light source, that may aid an emergency responder or other user (e.g., a user associated with a target terminal) in locating the piece of equipment.

For example, an emergency responder may select an icon or menu item on the GUI of the Emergency App running on their terminal to activate, directly or indirectly, a resource of an emergency vicinity component such as a speaker or light source coupled to a Bluetooth low energy proximity beacon tied to a desired piece of equipment, for example, to assist the emergency responder in locating the desired piece of equipment in a given building. The speaker may propagate an alarm sound, or the light source may propagate a flashing light, for example, to help the emergency responder find the desired equipment.

Although features herein are often discussed with respect to one or the other of responder vicinity components1400and emergency vicinity components1500, the same or similar features discussed with respect to one may be implemented with respect to the other.

Referring still toFIGS. 1 and 2, Emergency App may utilize or operate one or more resources of system1000, including resources of emergency responder terminals1100, target terminals1200, responder vicinity components1400, EME1300, and/or emergency vicinity components1500. For example, Emergency App may utilize or operate a camera component1706of an emergency responder terminal1100or target terminal1200to capture a portion of a real-world scene within the field of view of the camera lens and CMOS array of the respective device.

Display object component1708may define display objects associated with target terminals1200and/or emergency responder terminals1100whose location data has been obtained by system1000via one or more system resources1800. A display object may include any graphic (e.g., a pin, a bubble, a tile) that may be displayed on an electronic display. Display object component1708may determine when a portion of a real-world scene captured by a camera component1706of an emergency responder terminal1100captures a region of space wherein a target terminal1200and/or other emergency responder terminals1100are located. As one or more portions of the real-world scene captured is provided on the display of the emergency responder terminal1100(e.g., as a user scans the camera over a scene), display object component1708may cause the display objects corresponding to target terminals1200and/or other emergency responder terminals1100falling within the scene to be displayed such that they overlay the real-world scene images in a manner (e.g., on a region of the image) that identifies the location of respective target terminals1200and/or other emergency responder terminals1100within the real-world scene as it is displayed on the display of the given emergency responder terminal1100.

In some embodiments, display object component1708defines a display object associated with emergency responder terminals1100whose location data has been obtained by system1000via one or more system resources1800. A display object may include any graphic (e.g., a pin, a bubble, a tile) that may be displayed on an electronic display. Display object component1708may determine when a portion of a real-world scene captured by a camera component1706of a target terminal1200captures a region of space wherein an emergency responder terminal1100and/or other target terminals1200is located. As one or more portions of the real-world scene captured is provided on the display of the target terminal1100(e.g., as a user scans the camera over a scene), display object component1708may cause the display objects corresponding to emergency responder terminals1100and/or other target terminals1200falling within the scene to be displayed such that they overlay the real-world scene images in a manner (e.g., on a region of the image) that identifies the location of respective emergency responder terminals1100and/or other target terminals1200within the real-world scene as it is displayed on the display of the given target terminal1200.

Registered user detail component1710obtains information stored in a user profile for one or more registered users. Such information may be provided by a user when first creating a user profile upon registering with system1000(e.g., registration and sign-up via Emergency App). Such information may include the user's name, age, gender, height, weight, contact information (phone, email, etc.), contact information preferences, emergency contact information, family information (spouse, children, siblings, parents, etc.), employment information, skillset, completed emergency response trainings (e.g., CPR certified, tactical training, bomb deactivation training), health conditions or tendencies (e.g., diabetes, asthma, claustrophobia, etc.), physical disabilities (e.g., visually impaired, hearing impaired, paraplegic, etc). Such information may also include a categorical designation. The categorical designation may be as simple as selecting either an “emergency responder” (e.g., responder) category or a “standard user” category (e.g., potential target). Such information may further include details about the device the user designates as their primary terminal—e.g., emergency responder terminal, target terminal. Any and all such information may be stored in any electronic storage available to system1000, such as in a registered user data1732sector of electronic storage1730.

In some embodiments, emergency responder terminals1100and target terminals1200are distinguished from one another by the category of registered users with which they are associated as stored in the user profiles for the one or more registered users. According to some embodiments, emergency responder terminals1100are associated with a category of registered users designated as emergency responders (e.g., persons or other entities charged with responding to an emergency situation, resolving an emergency situation, or assisting others who are involved in an emergency situation). According to some embodiments, target terminals1200are associated with a category of potential target (e.g., a standard user of or subscriber to system1000).

Emergency responders may include public individuals, groups, or entities. For instance, public emergency responders might include: a police department, a division of a police department (e.g., a task force, bomb squad, etc.), an individual police officer or group of police officers; a fire department, a division of a fire department, an individual fireman or group of firemen; a federal law enforcement agency (FBI, CIA, etc.), a division of a federal law enforcement agency, or an individual field officer or team of field officers; a local poison control department, a division of a local poison control department, an individual poison control agent or group of agents; or any other public entity, individual, or group of individuals designated as such, and the like. Emergency responders may also include private individuals, groups, or entities. For instance, private emergency responders might include security guards, property patrolmen, or any other private entity, individual, or group of individuals designated as such, and the like.

In some embodiments, the emergency responders category may be further divided into subcategories that have different privileges, permissions, or capabilities to interact with and control one or more aspects of system1000. In some embodiments the subcategories may correspond to the hierarchical structure relevant to a group of emergency responders. For example, the emergency responders in a particular scenario might include a local police task force. The task force might be made up of one commander, one managing officer that reports to the commander, and five field officers that report to the managing officer. In such a scenario, subcategories might include: “commanders,” “managing officers,” and “field officers,” with descending privileges, permissions, or capabilities to interact with and control one or more aspects of system1000. Various applications will be made apparent upon review of the entire disclosure herein.

According to some embodiments, target terminals1200are associated with any non-emergency responder category of registered users, which may include but not be limited to registered users or entities that are in danger, are involved in an emergency situation, or which are otherwise in need of assistance from an emergency responder. Just as emergency responders may be further divided into subcategories that have different privileges, permissions, or capabilities to interact with and control one or more aspects of system1000, so to can the non-emergency responder category. For instance, if a school campus were to adopt an embodiment of system1000and the school campus were to be under lockdown because of a bomb threat, the subcategories of registered users within the non-emergency responder category may include the school's dean, administrators, teachers, students, and visitors. Each may be given different privileges, permissions, or capabilities to interact with and control one or more aspects of system1000. Various applications will become apparent upon review of the entire disclosure herein.

Situational status component1712obtains situational status information in real-time from users in emergency situations. Situational status information may include any information that provides additional context about the nature of the situation within the vicinity of a given user—e.g., number of other people in the same vicinity as the user having the target terminal, an injury sustained by the user having the target terminal (or a person in the vicinity), a reaction being experienced by the user of the target terminal (or a person in the vicinity), a request for specific type of help needed or number of responders needed, and/or images, sounds, or video of the vicinity.

Such situational status information may be provided as preconfigured messages/data the user can automatically send by tapping or otherwise selecting an associated buttons, icon or tile from their Emergency App, for example, or may be customized messages/data the user types or records into their unit via their Emergency App, for example. Examples of buttons, icons, or tiles that may be useful to transmit preconfigured messages via the target terminal version of the app may include one or more of the following: “CPR Needed,” or “Immobilized,” or “Children in Vicinity,” “Move on to other targets,” and the like. Example customized messages the target terminals may transmit may include messages typed by the user of the unit, such as: “There is a person in my vicinity in need of CPR, please send CPR certified emergency responder as soon as possible,” or “I am in the vicinity of the emergency but there is a clear path for my escape, no need to assist me, move on to others,” or “I am trapped and cannot find an exit,” or, “I've injured my leg and am immobile, please send two or more emergency responders to carry me out,” or “the smoke from the fire is becoming unbearable, people around me are losing consciousness and I expect I will shortly too,” and the like.

Examples of buttons, icons, or tiles that may be useful for the emergency responder terminal version of the app may include one or more of the following: “Send additional responders,” or “Mission Assignment Completed,” or “Available for New Mission Assignment,” and the like. Example customized messages the emergency responder terminals may transmit may include messages typed by the user of the unit, such as: “I need three more emergency responders at my present location,” or “The person I came to assist was passed out when I arrived, please send another responder with medical training within the next 10 minutes,” or “the south exit of the building is blocked by a pillar that has fallen in front of the exit,” and the like.

Situation status component1712may actively inquire about such situational status information (e.g., transmit requests for information), may passively remain open to receiving any such information that is transmitted by a unit (e.g., a receiver configured to receive signal transmissions from units), or both.

Priority component1714may determine a priority for one or more target terminals1100among a plurality of target terminals100. Priority may be determined by applying one or more predefined priority criteria, such priority criteria based upon one or more of user location information, equipment location information, registered user detail information, and situational status information. Priority criteria may be defined in any manner. For example, priority criteria may include an expression that computes a weighted score for each target terminal under consideration, and rank the imminence of the need to assist the targets based on the score. For example, a priority criteria may be given by the expression:
PRIORITY SCORE=(Factor1*+(Factor2*w2)+ . . . +(FactorN*wN)  [1]

For example, suppose that an implementation of system1000considers two different factors in determining priority. Suppose, in this example, that Factor1 represents a score based on the time within which assistance must be rendered, and Factor2 represents a score based on whether there are children in the vicinity of a responder or not. Such scores and/or scoring criteria may be preset or otherwise predefined and stored within system1000.

For example, suppose the following scores are associated with the following times within which assistance must be rendered (e.g., for Factor1):

TABLE 1.0Time rangesScore0 min ≤ t ≤ 5 min55 min < t ≤ 10 min410 min < t ≤ 20 min320 min < t ≤ 30 min230 min < t ≤ 60 min160 min < t0
Further suppose that the following messages (column B of Table 1.1) are received at particular time (column D of Table 1.1) from three target terminals (TU) (column A of Table 1.1), and the following scores (column F) are determined for each based on, in this example, information gathered from the message itself (e.g., “AT” in column C of Table 1.1), the time the message was received (“TR” in column D of Table 1.1), and the present time (CT in Table 1.1). In this particular example, the scoring expression may be given by (RT+t) −CT, and the score may be determined by a comparison of the result of the scoring expression with Table 1.0 above.

Extending the example above, suppose the following scores are based on whether there are children in the vicinity of a responder or not (e.g., Factor2):

TABLE 2.0Children in the vicinity ofFactor2messaging Target terminalScoreYes2Unknown1No0
And further suppose, just as above with regard to Table 1.1, that the following messages (repeated in column B of Table 2.1) are received at particular time (repeated in column D of Table 2.1) from three target terminals (TU) (repeated in column A of Table 1.1), and the following scores for Factor2) (column F) are determined for each based on, in this example, information gathered from the message itself concerning children in the vicinity of the TUs. In this particular example, the scores may be determined by a comparison of a message analysis with Table 2.0 above.

System1000may apply the scoring expression given in Eqn. 1 above, for example, and determine the priority scores accordingly. A summary of such priority scores in the illustrative example above are shown in Table 3.0 below:

Based on the priority scores computed by system1000and shown above in Table 3.0, system1000may determine that, as between the three target terminals in the above example, TU 1 is the first priority (with the highest priority score), TU 3 is the second priority (with the second highest priority score), and TU 2 is the third priority (with the lowest priority score). System1000may allocate assignments for emergency responders to be dispatched to the aid of the target terminals in accordance with the priority determined among the plurality of units under consideration for a given application.

Mission assignment component1716matches candidate emergency responders with targets in need of assistance, and may issue a notification or other message to the emergency responder through an emergency responder terminal1200, and/or to the target through a target terminal1200. Mission assignment component1716may determine which one or more emergency responders should be dispatched to assist one or more targets in need of assistance, and such determination may be determined on any one or more of: a location of a candidate emergency responder terminal1100, a location of a target terminal1200in need of assistance, a location of a piece of equipment, a priority among a plurality of targets, one or more pieces of information stored in a user profile for one or more registered users (either or both of emergency responders or targets associated with emergency responder terminals1100and target terminals200), or any information derived from the foregoing (e.g., absolute distance or route distance between a given emergency responder terminal and a given target terminal). Mission assignment component1716may, in accordance with one or more embodiments, further receive feedback from a registered user (e.g., an emergency responder, a target, etc.) indicating the need for additional assistance for a particular assignment, or the need for a reassignment for one reason or another. System1000may automatically make an additional assignment (e.g., summon another emergency responder), make a new assignment, or modify an assignment based on the feedback and further based on other information available to it. The other information available to System1000and which may be used for determining an additional assignment, new assignment, or modification to an assignment may include: (i) nearby emergency responders available to assist, (ii) nearby emergency responders with a given skillset or with a given capability, (iii) nearby target users able to assist, etc. An example implementation is discussed with reference to selectable icon1953and selectable icon1954ofFIG. 3C.

Mission route component1718may determine one or more routes providing possible paths of travel that an emergency responder may follow in order to reach the target terminal1200. Mission route component1718may draw upon map information stored within system1000(e.g., within electronic storage1730) or otherwise accessible to system1000(e.g., via a map database accessible online) to determine and/or provide a route upon which the responder may travel to reach the target terminal1200. Such map information may be based on building information (e.g., stairwell locations, elevator bays, escalators), online map information (e.g., google maps information). The route provided may be a walking route, driving route, bicycle route, or any route suitable for any mode of travel (escalator route, elevator route, etc.) or any combination of the foregoing. The determined route or routes may be displayed as an overlay on a portion of a real-world scene captured by a camera component1706of an emergency responder terminal, or may be provided as a list of visual instructions, a list of audio instructions, or in any other format or manner desired. In some embodiments, multiple routes are determined and provided to an emergency responder via the emergency responder's emergency responder terminal1200.

Referring back now to display object component1708, in some embodiments a display object component1708may define one or more display objects representing a route of travel depicting a virtual path between the location of an emergency responder terminal1100and the location of a target terminal1200, location data for which having been obtained and/or stored by system resources1800, and the route determined by mission route component1718. A display object may include any graphic (e.g., a broken or solid line, arrow, etc.) that may be displayed on an electronic display of the emergency responder terminal.

Display object component1708may dynamically refresh and/or adapt display object definitions such that the display objects displayed on display of respective units update to reflect recent information (e.g., location or orientation of respective units). For example, display object component1708may adjust the position of display objects representing a route responsive to a determination that a portion of a real-world scene captured by a camera component1706of an emergency responder terminal1100has changed; the changed portion capturing a different region of the real-world scene than was previously captured, such that the region of space where the target terminal1200location is represented on the display changes.

Equipment location component1722in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure obtains equipment location data of one or more pieces of equipment in the vicinity of the emergency (the vicinity defined as desired for a given implementation). In some embodiments, such equipment location data may be obtained via location resources (e.g., location circuitry) local to or coupled with pieces of such equipment, and may be provided to system1000over network1600(which in some instances may be include mesh network options). Equipment location data is indicative of the geospatial location of one or more pieces of equipment in the vicinity of the emergency.

Equipment location component1722may include components coupled with or near equipment (i.e., equipment local resources), components included in emergency management entity (e.g., communications modules, machine-readable instructions, etc.), or both. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, system1000may obtain location data by actively transmitting a location data request to one or more location resources coupled with or near pieces of equipment, thereby prompting the one or more location resources (e.g., GPS modules, altimeter, barometer, beacons, RFID tags, etc.) to obtain location information and cause a data packet containing the location data (e.g., location details) to be generated and/or transmitted to a computing resource of system1000. For instance, EME1300of system1000may receive a responsive transmission from the one or more pieces of equipment (i.e., from a communication interface coupled with a piece of equipment) containing the one or more pieces of equipment's respective equipment location data, and system1000may propagate and/or store such information within an electronic storage or memory of system1000as desired for a particular application or by a particular resource coupled to or within system1000.

Equipment location data may indicate geospatial location of a piece of equipment in the vicinity of the emergency, including longitude and latitude coordinates, degrees/minutes/seconds location parameters, altitude above sea level, altitude above ground level, etc. Equipment location component1722may be utilized to identify geospatial location of a piece of equipment. Equipment location component1722may comprise one or more circuits, modules, or chips local to the units themselves. For example, equipment location component1722may include a GPS sensor, an altimeter, a pressure sensor (e.g., a barometer), beacon (e.g., Bluetooth beacon), RFID tag, and the like. In some embodiments, equipment location component1722may further comprise hardware and software operating on EME1300and communicatively coupled with location sensors of one or more units.

FIG. 3Adepicts an example emergency responder1912utilizing the presently disclosed technology in an example environment in which the presently disclosed technology may be implemented. As shown, emergency responder1912is holding up his emergency responder terminal1920to capture a portion of the real-world scene he is within (the camera component of emergency responder terminal1920being pointed in the direction of the portion of the real-world scene the emergency responder desires to capture). Here, the portion of the real-world scene may be a city block intersection that includes, for example, buildings1902,1904, automobiles1906,1907, city streets1908,1910, city benches1914, street lighting, plant life, pedestrians (which may or may not be other registered users), etc.

FIG. 3Billustrates an example augmented reality presentation that may be displayed on the emergency responder1912's emergency responder terminal1920ofFIG. 3A. As shown, the presentation may include one or more augmented reality display objects corresponding to registered user locations (e.g., target location display objects1930,1931,1932,1934,1935,1936,1940; emergency responder location display object1937) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. That is, display objects1930-1940are provided as an augmented reality overlay to indicate where in the real-world scene other registered users within the scene being captured are located. Because user location component1704of system1000may determine users' altitude as well as longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates, display objects1930-1940may be positioned to reflect both horizontal and vertical displacement as between the emergency responder terminal1920and the other terminals within the real-world scene being captured. In some embodiments, the display objects may show horizontal distance, vertical distance, or other information as part of the display object itself (shown inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, a visual feature (e.g., size, color, shape, etc.) of a display object may be used to convey relative distance information about user locations relative to the given emergency responder's location. For example, although not shown inFIGS. 3A-3Gfor simplicity, display objects associated with user terminals whose location is further from the emergency responder's terminal than others may appear to be smaller; and likewise display objects associated with user terminals whose location is closer to the emergency responder terminal than others may appear to be bigger. Thus, in some embodiments the size (or other visual feature) of a display object being displayed on an emergency responder's terminal may be displayed having a size that is a function of the distance between the terminal associated with the display object and the emergency responder's terminal (shown inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, display objects may be selectable to drill down into other information about the user (e.g., location details, registered user data), and/or options associated with the given user, as illustrated inFIG. 3C.

FIG. 3Cillustrates example registered user information1942and example related options1950displayed in an augmented reality presentation similar to that shown inFIG. 3B. The registered user information1942and related options1950are associated with the user that corresponds to display object1940in the presentation. As shown in this example, such registered user information1942and related options1950may be may be presented in an example pop-up field1941. In some embodiments, registered user information1942and/or related options1950may appear in such an example pop-up field1941upon user selection, for example, such as the emergency responder1912tapping the display object1940on the touchscreen display of their emergency responder terminal1920to reveal the additional information and options. In some embodiments, registered user information1942and/or related options1950may appear in such an example pop-up field1941upon a mission assignment from an emergency supervisor, for example, such as an emergency supervisor overseeing a team of emergency responders making a selection that issues a command that assigns emergency responder1912to be dispatched to aid the registered user associated with display object1940. Upon the assignment being made, the additional registered user information and other options may be automatically presented. In such embodiments, a supervisor or other manager of a team of emergency responders can quickly and efficiently match and dispatch certain of their emergency responders to go render assistance to certain of the registered users in need of assistance (i.e., targets).

As shown, example registered user information provided in pop-up field1941may include the horizontal distance and/or vertical distance from one or more other points in space. InFIG. 3C, as may be seen, there is a horizontal distance of approximately 0.2 miles between the emergency responder1912's terminal and the target terminal associated with the display object1940. There is a vertical distance of approximately 45 feet between the emergency responder1912's terminal and the target terminal associated with the display object1940.

In some embodiments, the distances presented to the user may reflect different measures. For instance, the point in space from which to compute the vertical distance might be ground level, sea level, the height/altitude of the emergency responder (or other registered user), or any other point as desired for the given application; and the point in space from which to measure the horizontal distance might be the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the emergency responder (or other registered user), or any other point as desired for the given location. In some embodiments, one or more of the distances provided represent the shortest horizontal and shortest vertical distances between the point in space and the location of the registered user in space (e.g., a straight horizontal line between the emergency responder1912's location and the target's location (represented by display object1940). In some embodiments, one or more of the distances provided may represent the horizontal and/or vertical distance that would need to be traversed to follow a recommended route between the two points (such a route is shown and discussed in more detail with respect toFIG. 3D). In some embodiments, a distance measure provided may be a line-of-sight distance (that is, the length of the hypotenuse that is opposite the right angle formed between a straight line representing the shortest horizontal distance and straight line representing the shortest vertical distance line).

In some embodiments, the system may provide a route distance if route information can be obtained (e.g., via a maps application, based on building structure information, etc.), and alternatively a shortest horizontal and/or shortest vertical distance and/or a line-of-sight distance if no route information can be obtained (or the route information is inadequate or unselected). One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any one or more units of distance measure (e.g., feet, meters, inches, yards, miles, kilometers, etc.) may be used in connection with the present disclosure.

As further shown in pop-up field1941, registered user information may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the user's name, physical characteristics, medical or health conditions, skillsets, or any other information obtained by or accessible to system1000. This information may be helpful for an emergency responder (or the emergency responder's supervisor) to better understand how to help the person in need, and/or to more appropriately dispatch emergency responders to the aid of a given person. For example, the registered user associated with display object1940inFIG. 3C, named Marlene Marlow, is registered as being 5′4″ tall and 320 pounds, and has medical conditions including asthma and a condition that constrains her to a wheelchair. Thus, the emergency responder1912may take extra steps to prepare to help Marlene.

These extra steps may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, texting or calling Marlene to establish contact and/or to determine if Marlene's wheelchair is operable and/or if she has knowledge of an accessible wheelchair ramp in the building, for example (e.g., by pressing icon1951for texting, or by pressing icon1952for voice or video calling, etc.). These extra steps may include summoning another emergency responder for additional help, for example, if the emergency responder1912recognizes that more than one person will be required to lift Marlene out of the building (e.g., by pressing icon1953to summon another nearby emergency responder, or other registered user with a skillset that could be employed to assist Marlene). These extra steps may include transmitting a request to re-assign the mission to assist Marlene to another emergency responder with a different skillset (assuming the emergency responder was assigned the mission in the first place). For instance, emergency responder1912may not have any equipment (such as an inhaler) to help a person having an asthma attack (assuming this were the case), and may press icon1954to request a re-assignment of the mission to another emergency responder that does have such equipment. Such requests may be pre-programmed and/or selectable from a menu, or may be customized messages sent through in-app messaging or SMS messaging between emergency responders. In some embodiments, certain registered user information and/or options may be displayed as part of the original display object itself such that the user need not select anything to see such certain registered user information about a particular user. Such certain information may include any information desired that is accessible to or stored by system1000.

In some embodiments, an emergency responder1912may be provided with route information providing a route path to arrive at the location of the target. Such route information may be in the form of a list of directions, or a graphic representation of the route path. For example, the emergency responder1912in the present example may press button1955to show a graphical representation of a route path between the emergency responder and the target as shown inFIG. 3D. As shown inFIG. 3D, the route path1965may be displayed in the presentation to show the path the emergency responder may follow to arrive at the location of the target.FIG. 3Dshows icon1955shaded to reflect that it has been selected. The route path may dynamically adjust as the location of either the emergency responder or the location of the target changes (based on the location of their respective terminals). The route path may dynamically adjust to reflect new information obtained by system1000about possible routes. For example, system1000may receive an indication from a first emergency responder that a particular stairwell is blocked by an active fire, so the only other route is to access the upper floors is by the fire-escape ladder on the east side of the building. Accordingly, system1000may route or re-route and display a new route path that reflects the updated information and informs the emergency responder that they must proceed to a different entry point than might otherwise be expected.

Although not shown in the augmented reality presentation ofFIG. 3D, other information related to the route may be displayed in connection with the route path, such as, for example, an estimated time of arrival (based on average walking/running speeds, based on the particular emergency responder's walking/running speeds), an estimated time within which an emergency responder must arrive (e.g., help NEEDED within 5 minutes) before the situation becomes critical/fatal. The route information may further include mission recommendations such as, run 0.2 miles along path to building, walk to east side of building, climb ladder, break the seventh window you arrive at while climbing the ladder, proceed into the building with caution, press icon to activate an alarm on the target's terminal, proceed to sound, and so on. Such mission recommendations may be based on one or more of (i) the time within which an emergency responder must arrive to render adequate care, (ii) the given emergency responder's location relative to the target's location, (iii) the route path, (iv) the emergency responder's physical capabilities (based on historical trends, inputs from the emergency responder, etc.), (v) the tools the emergency responder has with them, (vi) the building structure as known to system1000, (vii) feedback from other emergency responders providing updates about the building, compromised routes of travel, or feedback about the emergency situation generally.

In some embodiments, an emergency responder1912may be provided with user path (e.g., target path) information providing a user path, or a portion of a user path, that led them to their current location. Such information may be useful to identify how a particular user arrived at their current location, such information further being useful to identify a possible path to follow to get to the target location, to identify users that may have caused or seen what caused some action that gave rise to the emergency situation, among other information. Such user path information be shown as a graphic delineating a path. For example, after pressing display object1940, emergency responder1912may press button1956to show a graphical representation of the user path1966afor the target user associated with the display object1940. As shown, user path1966ain the example provided inFIG. 3Eis shown by a series of black dots that convey the user's path. Although not shown inFIG. 3E, some graphical representations of a user path may indicate the direction of the user's travel. For instance, consideringFIG. 3E, if the user associated with display object1940traveled from the bench1914to the second floor of building1904, the dots between the bench1914and the building1904may include an arrow or other pointer pointing substantially in a leftward direction. As shown inFIG. 3E, the user path1966may be displayed in the presentation to show the path a given target travelled to arrive at their current location.FIG. 3Eshows icon1956shaded to reflect that it has been selected.

In some embodiments, as shown by way of example inFIG. 3F, multiple user paths for multiple users may be displayed in the same presentation. For instance, in addition to user path1966a(denoted by black dots), the presentation may further show user path1966b(denoted by dots having a horizontal line pattern) that shows the path that the user associated with display object1938followed to arrive at their current location. In some such embodiments, one or more user paths may partially or entirely overlap. In some such embodiments, the graphical representation provided for the overlapping portion of multiple users' paths may be adjusted to exhibit a visual feature denoting an increased density of individuals traveling along the same path (e.g., to denote a heavily traveled path). For example, instead of showing multiple lines of dots on top of one another or immediately next to one another, a single line of dots may be shown as larger dots in areas of overlap. That is, the size of the graphical representation used to denote user paths may be adjusted to reflect increased or decrease traffic along such paths, or portions of such paths. In some instances, the areas of overlap are distinguished by visual features other than, or in addition to, size. For instance, as shown inFIG. 3F, the portion of the user paths that overlap is denoted with dots having a checker pattern fill rather than a solid fill (as user path1966a) or a horizontal line pattern fill (as user path1966b).

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon review of the instant disclosure, any graphical representation desired maybe use to delineate a user path or a route path. The dots and lines used inFIGS. 3D-3Gare in no way intended to be limiting, but instead are merely used as illustrative aids to help describe features presented in the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3Gillustrates the example augmented reality presentation shown inFIG. 3E, here further showing example equipment locations in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted, in some embodiments, system1000may obtain location information of one or more pieces of equipment within (or associated with) the zone of interest, and may further provide such location information of one or more pieces of equipment to the one or more emergency responder terminals and/or present an augmented reality display object on the display of such emergency responder terminals. Such equipment may include a fire extinguisher, an epinephrine pen (EpiPen), an axe, an oxygen mask, a defibrillator, a hose, a mask (e.g., an oxygen mask, an antimicrobial mask), a fire alarm, a fire hydrant, a hose, a rope, etc. For example, as shown in the example illustration inFIG. 3F, display objects (represented collectively by numeral1967a) corresponding to fire extinguishers are presented as augmented reality overlays atop the presented image in locations where one or more pieces of equipment exist within the real-world scene being presented. In another example, as shown, display object1967bcorresponding to a defibrillator is presented as augmented reality overlays atop the presented image in a location where such defibrillator exists within the real-world scene being presented. In another example, as shown, display object1967ccorresponding to a package of antimicrobial masks is presented as an augmented reality overlay atop the presented image in a location where such package of antimicrobial masks exists within the real-world scene being presented (here, on the top floor of building1904). One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any display object desired may be presented to correspond to a location of any piece of equipment relevant to a particular emergency situation. Different buildings may have different equipment. Thus, in different implementations of system1000, different icons may be associated with such equipment and presented as augmented reality overlays as a user (e.g., emergency responder1912) views a portion of a scene as captured via the camera component of their terminal. In some embodiments, equipment locations may appear within the augmented reality presentation upon user selection, for example, a user's selection of equipment icon1957shown in related options field1950.

FIG. 4illustrates another example augmented reality presentation that may be displayed on an emergency responder's emergency responder terminal in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The presentation may include display objects associated with users in different locations within building1970. As shown, the display objects themselves may include one or more details about the registered users associated with them. For example, display objects1971-1975may include a distance measure and an altitude measure for individual users. Additionally, the size of the display objects may be keyed to the distance measure. For instance, the user associated with display object1971is 0.20 miles from the emergency responder holding the terminal shown, and the user associated with display object1975is 0.22 miles from the emergency responder holding the terminal shown. Since the user associated with display object1971is closer to the emergency responder holding the terminal shown than the user associated with display object1975, display object1971is larger than display object1975. Thus, the augmented reality display objects may exhibit a visual feature that provides depth cues to indicate to the emergency responder how close a given user is relative to other users (i.e., user associated with display object1971is closer than user associated with display object1975). Similar visual features may be employed with respect to display objects associated with equipment. Further as shown inFIG. 4, the presentation may include a compass indication display object1976and/or altitude indication1977based on the position and/or orientation of the terminal shown.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating an example method2000that may be implemented by system1000in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, at operation2002method2000may obtain location data associated with one or more of a target terminal and an emergency response terminal. At operation2004, method2800may determine a horizontal distance measure associated with the target terminal, based on the location data. At operation2006, method2000determine a vertical distance measure associated with the target terminal, based on the location data. At operation2008, method2000define a selectable display object associated with the location data. At operation2010, method2000may engage a camera component to capture one or more images of at least a portion of the real-world scene surrounding the emergency response terminal, and provide in real-time the one or more images for display on the touchscreen display of the emergency response terminal. At operation2012, method2000may provide the selectable display object for display on the touchscreen of the emergency response terminal when the image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene associated with the location data of the target terminal, the selectable display object provided for display in a position on the touchscreen such that it overlays a segment of the displayed image associated with the region. At operation2014, method2000may obtain a mission assignment, the mission assignment based on one or more of: registered user details associated with the user of the target terminal, registered user details associated with the user of the emergency responder terminal, and a priority score of the target terminal among a plurality of target terminals.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram illustrating another example method2100that may be implemented by system1000in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, at operation2102method2000may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide location data associated with one or more of a target terminal and an emergency response terminal, the location data including one or more of: a latitude position measure, a longitude position measure, and a vertical position measure. At operation2104, method2000may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide a horizontal distance measure associated with the target terminal, the horizontal distance measure based on one or more of the latitude position measure, the longitude position measure, and the vertical position measure. At operation2106, method2100may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide a vertical distance measure associated with the target terminal, the horizontal distance measure based on one or more of the latitude position measure, the longitude position measure, and the vertical position measure. At operation2108, method2100may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide a selectable display object associated with the location data associated with the target terminal. At operation2110, method2100may engage a camera component to capture one or more images of at least a portion of the real-world scene surrounding the emergency response terminal, and obtain, generate, determine, define or provide in real-time the one or more images for display on the touchscreen display of the emergency response terminal. At operation2112, method2100may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide the selectable display object for display on the touchscreen of the emergency response terminal when the image provided for display spans a region of the real-world scene associated with an estimated real-world location of the target terminal, the selectable display object provided for display in a position on the touchscreen such that it overlays a segment of the displayed image associated with the region. At operation2114, method2100may obtain, generate, determine, define and/or provide a mission assignment, the mission assignment based on one or more of: registered user details associated with the user of the target terminal, registered user details associated with the user of the emergency responder terminal, and a priority score of the target terminal among a plurality of target terminals.

Referring toFIGS. 1-7collectively, although these illustrate example embodiments with components, elements and circuits partitioned in the depicted manner, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that various components and circuits of system1000(including any one or more elements and subsystems related thereto, individually or collectively) and described herein may be implemented utilizing any form of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logical components, software routines or other mechanisms, including associated memory, might be used to implement one or more components or circuits in embodiments of system1000(including any one or more elements and subsystems related thereto) described in the present disclosure. In embodiments, the various components and circuits described herein might be implemented as discrete components or the functions and features described can be shared in part or in total among two or more components. In other words, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, the various features and functionality described herein may be implemented in any given application and can be implemented in one or more separate or shared components in various combinations and permutations. Even though various features or elements of functionality may be individually described or claimed as separate components, in various embodiments these features and functionality can be shared among one or more common software and hardware elements, and such description shall not require or imply that separate hardware or software components are used to implement such features or functionality.

As used herein, the term “component” might describe a given unit of functionality that can be performed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the technology disclosed herein. As used herein, a component might describe a given unit of hardware that can be utilized, alone or in conjunction with software, to perform an operation (e.g., a camera component might include a CMOS array, an analog-to-digital converter, a sampling circuit, and software to create a permanent or temporary digital image information, for instance). Thus, as used herein, a component might comprise or be implemented utilizing any form of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logical components, software routines or other mechanisms might be implemented to make up a component. In implementation, the various components described herein might be implemented as discrete components, or the functions and features described can be shared in part or in total among one or more components. In other words, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, the various features and functionality described herein may be implemented in any given application and can be implemented in one or more separate or shared components in various combinations and permutations. Even though various features or elements of functionality may be individually described or claimed as separate components, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these features and functionality can he shared among one or more common software and hardware elements, and such description shall not require or imply that separate hardware or software components are used to implement such features or functionality.

Where components of the technology are implemented in whole or in part using software, in one embodiment, these software elements can he implemented to operate with a computing or processing component or engine capable of carrying out the functionality described with respect thereto. One such example computing component is shown inFIG. 7. Various embodiments are described in terms of this example-computing component3200. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the technology using other computing modules or architectures.

Computing component3200might include, for example, one or more processors, controllers, control modules, or other processing devices, such as a processor3204. Processor3204might be implemented using a general-purpose or special-purpose processing engine such as, for example, a microprocessor, controller, or other control logic. In the illustrated example, processor3204is connected to a bus3202, although any communication medium can be used to facilitate interaction with other components of computing module3200or to communicate externally.

Computing component3200might also include one or more memory modules, simply referred to herein as main memory3208. For example, preferably random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, might he used for storing information and instructions to he executed by processor3204. Main memory3208might also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor3204. Computing component3200might likewise include a read only memory (“ROM”) or other static storage device coupled to bus3202for storing static information and instructions for processor3204.

The computing component3200might also include one or more various forms of information storage mechanism3210, which might include, for example, a media drive3212and a storage unit interface3220. The media drive3212might include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or removable storage media3214. For example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a CD or DVD drive (R or RW), or other removable or fixed media drive might be provided. Accordingly, storage media3214might include, for example, a hard disk, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, cartridge, optical disk, a CD or DVD, or other fixed or removable medium that is read by, written to or accessed by media drive3212. As these examples illustrate, the storage media3214can include a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software or data.

In alternative embodiments, information storage mechanism3210might include other similar instrumentalities for allowing computer programs or other instructions or data to be loaded into computing component3200. Such instrumentalities might include, for example, a fixed or removable storage unit3222and an interface3220. Examples of such storage units3222and interfaces3220can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory or other removable memory module) and memory slot, a PCMCIA slot and card, and other fixed or removable storage units3222and interfaces3220that allow software and data to be transferred from the storage unit3222to computing component3200.

Computing component3200might also include a communications interface3224(e.g., communications component1722shown inFIG. 2). Communications interface3224might be used to allow software and data to be transferred between computing component3200and external devices. Examples of communications interface3224might include a modem or softmodem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet, network interface card, WiMedia, IEEE 802.XX or other interface), a communications port such as for example, a USB port, IR port, RS232 port Bluetooth® interface, or other port), or other communications interface. Software and data transferred via communications interface3224might typically be carried on signals, which can be electronic, electromagnetic (which includes optical) or other signals capable of being exchanged by a given communications interface3224. These signals might be provided to communications interface3224via a channel3228. This channel3228might carry signals and might be implemented using a wired or wireless communication medium. Some examples of a channel might include a phone line, a cellular link, an RF link, an optical link, a network interface, a local or wide area network, and other wired or wireless communications channels.