Abstract:
Computerized systems and methods may be used to enable users to report crimes, safety hazards or other perceived problems to the appropriate authorities via an alert. Such alerts maybe communicated to the authorities through any suitable communication method such as, for example, phone calls, email and/or SMS text messages. In some example embodiments, the reporting system includes a computing device including, but not limited to, a mobile smartphone, tablet device, laptop computer, or desktop computer programmed with a software application.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No, 61/591,964, filed on Jan. 29, 2012, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a reporting and monitoring system using mobile computing devices and, more particularly, to a system and method for alerting authorities to and monitoring crimes, safety hazards or other perceived problems. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    While investigative and monitoring technologies have improved in recent years, evidence and information obtained from bystanders and other witnesses remain critical tools for law enforcement, safety, school and other officials. Additionally, when such information is obtained from bystanders, the monitoring of the bystander reports provides such officials with another tool to combat crime and locate hazards. Unfortunately, crimes and safety hazards often go unreported by these important witnesses for various reasons including, for example, time pressure, desire to avoid police interaction, self preservation and protection, etc. A need, therefore, exists for a method and/or system for increasing bystander reporting. 
         [0004]    In general, computing devices, such as mobile smartphones and laptop computers, may include various image, audio and video collection systems. One way to increase bystander reporting is by using a computing device to capture images, audio and video and sending the package of information to authorities in order to provide them with a better understanding of the situation. Conventional mobile smartphones often require several applications to capture images, audio and video and to send information and do not include an application that integrates these functions for reporting and monitoring crimes, safety hazards, or other perceived problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    To address the needs discussed above, the described embodiments provide methods and systems allowing users to report crimes, safety hazards or other perceived problems and send them to an alert report database so that a plurality of users are able to monitor such crimes, safety hazards or other perceived problems. In some example embodiments, the reporting system includes a computing device including, but not limited to, a mobile smartphone, tablet device, laptop computer or desktop computer programmed with a software application and a host computer system. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the crime and safety reporting and monitoring method, a preferred incident database is established comprising user identifying information and any information provided regarding the crime, safety hazard or other perceived problem. A crime and alert report database may be created on a host computer system, the crime and alert report database including a plurality of alert reports including alert reporter information, alert information, and alert data. A report map may also be created on the host computer system, the report map including the plurality of alert reports plotted according to geographic location. The host computer system then provides access, via the report map displayed on a user mobile computer system, to the alert reporter information, the alert information and the alert data, wherein the report map enables a plurality of alert reporters to contribute to an alert report. 
         [0007]    One exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention rela es to a method for bystander reporting. The bystander reporting and monitoring system includes a user via a user application creating an alert report on the create alert screen with the user application being configured to send alert reporter information and alert information associated with a new alert report from a user mobile computer system to a host computer system. The user application sends the alert reporter information and alert information from the user to the host computer system, wherein the sent alert reporter information and alert information is associated with the new alert report. The host computer system receives the alert report from the user with alert reporter information and alert information provided by the user via the user application. The host computer system stores the alert reporter information and alert information via an alert report database. The user may capture streaming video, audio dips, video clips or pictures via a capture alert data screen and sends the alert data captured by the user to the host computer system, wherein the sent alert data is associated with the new alert report. After receiving the alert data from the user, the host computer system stores the alert data via the alert report database and provides access to the alert report database and an alert report map, wherein the user, via user application, can access the sent alert report and the report map enables a plurality of alert reporters to contribute to the new alert report. 
         [0008]    Another exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention relates to a system for bystander monitoring. The system for bystander monitoring includes a user computing device, which includes systems to capture images, audio and/or video and send such information to another computing device. The host computer system provides access to an alert report map and is displayed on a user mobile computer system via a user application, wherein the alert report map enables a plurality of alert reporters to contribute to an alert report. The alert report map allows the user to select an alert report located on the alert report map. After selecting an alert report, an update alert screen is displayed via the user application where the user application is configured to send alert reporter information and alert information associated with the alert report from a user mobile computer system to a host computer system. 
         [0009]    After receiving an updated alert report from the user with updated alert reporter information and updated alert information provided by the user via the user application, the host computer system stores the updated alert reporter information and updated alert information via an alert report database. A capture alert data screen is displayed to the user via the user application, the user application being configured to send alert data from the user mobile computer system to the host computer system. The updated alert data captured by the user is sent to the host computer system, wherein the sent updated alert data is associated with the alert report. The host computer system receives the updated alert data from the user wherein the sent updated alert data is associated with the alert report and stored via an alert report database. The host computer system then provides access to the alert report database and report map, wherein the user, via user application, can access the sent alert report and the report map enables a plurality of alert reporters to contribute to the alert report. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a crime or alert reporting network, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a mobile alert reporting and monitoring system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a system for creating an alert report, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a system for monitoring an alert report, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A-5C  are screen shots illustrating a mobile alert reporting and monitoring system user application home screen, alert creation prompt, and alert creation screen, respectively, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A and 6B  are screen shots illustrating an alert report screen and a create alert report screen, consistent with an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A and 7B  are screen shots illustrating a monitoring alert report screen and an update alert report screen, consistent with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The computerized systems and methods, consistent with embodiments of the present invention described herein, enable mobile crime and alert reporting. Mobile crime and alert reporting may be enabled by allowing multiple users to report incidents and crimes and to send streaming video, video clips, pictures, and audio clips to authorities and other users. Users may be enabled to monitor existing reports and also contribute to the report with additional information or streaming video, video clips, pictures, and audio clips. If an alert is considered to be an emergency, mobile crime and alert reporting may be enabled by sending the alert to the nearest authorities based on the location of the user mobile computer system. Although a crime and alert reporting system and method is described herein, the systems and methods described herein are not limited to reporting crimes and may be used to report other incidents or events, which may or may not be crimes. 
         [0019]    As used herein, an “alert report” refers to a report of a crime, incident, or hazard and includes the information of the reporter, information of the crime, incident, or hazard, and alert data pertaining to the crime, incident, or hazard. “Alert reporter information” refers to the user&#39;s personal and/or identifying information such as, for example, name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, emergency contact information, medical contact information, and geographic location. “Alert information” refers to any information describing the crime, incident, or hazard such as, for example, geographic location, text descriptions, and whether or not the alert is an emergency. An “alert data” refers to any data files or clips associated with the crime, incident, or hazard that is uploaded such as, for example, streaming video, video clips, pictures, and audio clips. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  100  may be used to establish a network of users who access the system  100  over a network  102  such as the Internet or any cellular network by way of cellular technology such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), and AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System). Examples of these cellular networks include mobile communications standards such as 3G (e.g., UMTS, CDMA2000) and 4G (e.g., Mobile WiMAX, LTE). The system  100  allows the users to create new alert reports and also contribute to existing alert reports over the network  102  to alert each other and the closest authorities to potential dangers and other incidents. 
         [0021]    The mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  100  may be implemented using a combination of hardware and software. The hardware may generally include a host computer system  110 , mobile computer systems  130 ,  150 ,  170 , and computer systems  114 ,  190 . The host computer system  110  is a server that is used to store alert reports in the fomi of a database as well as a map. This host computer system  110  provides database and map access to computer systems  114 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 , and  190 . Computer systems  130 ,  150 ,  170  are able to access the database and map on the host computer system by executing a mobile application or program  140 ,  160 ,  180  or a specialized interface that is installed on the computer systems  130 ,  150 ,  170 . Computer system  190  is a computer system used by the authorities (e.g., police, campus safety) and is able to access the database and map on the host computer system by executing a program  191  that is purchased and installed on the computer system  190  or a web-based interface. 
         [0022]    Examples of mobile computer system  130  include the iPhone® smartphone and any smartphone device running mobile operating systems such as Android®, iOS®, or Windows®. Examples of mobile computer system  150  include the iPad® tablet computer and any tablet computer device running mobile operating systems such as Android®, iOS®, or Windows®. Examples of mobile computer system  170  include a laptop PC or MAC® computer. 
         [0023]    Examples of mobile computer system  130  use cell towers used for the cellular network and Wi-Fi Internet network locations to determine GPS (Global Positioning System) location of the device. Other examples of the geographic location system in mobile computer system  130  included A-GPS (Assisted GPS) and GLONASS global positioning system. Examples of mobile computer system  150  use cell towers used for the cellular network and Wi-fi Internet network locations to determine GPS (Global Positioning System) location of the device as well. Other examples of the geographic location system in mobile computer system  150  included A-GPS (Assisted UPS) and GLONASS global positioning system. Computer systems  114 ,  170 ,  190  may not have a geographic location system and therefore would require the user to input a specific geographic location (e.g., latitude and longitude, street address). 
         [0024]    Examples of mobile computer systems  130 ,  140 ,  170  may use the microphone installed on the device to capture audio and create a file of the recording. Examples of mobile computer systems  130 ,  140 ,  170  may use the camera installed on the device to capture photographs. In some mobile operating systems such iOS®, the devices has the capability to embed location Oata in the pictures, producing geocoded photographs. In addition to the audio recording capability and picture capture capability, examples of mobile computer systems  130 ,  140 ,  170  may use the microphone and camera installed on the device to record video. Computer systems  114 ,  190  may also use microphones or cameras installed on the device to capture audio, picture, and video. 
         [0025]    The software may include code  120  for providing the functionality of the system and may include data generated and accessed by the system, such as alert reporter information  122 , alert information  124 , and alert data  126 . Users may access the database and map that contain the alert report  122 ,  124 , and  126  over the network  102 , The application or program  128 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180 ,  191  executing on the computer systems or devices  114 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190  can be used to enter alert reports to host computer system  110  and access the database and map. The software code  120  on the host computer system  110  may be executed to organize the new alert reports and to perform the processes, procedures or functions that enable mobile alert reporting and monitoring as described in greater detail below. As used herein, the terms process, procedure, and function are generally used interchangeably to refer to one or more actions performed by software being executed by a computer system to achieve a result. In particular, the application or program  128 ,  140 ,  160 ,  170 ,  191  may be executed to access or generate alert information  124  and to contribute to an alert report by uploading evidence stored as alert data  126 . All or a portion of the applications or programs executed on the user computer systems or devices and the code on the host computer system may be written in any suitable programming language, for example, in a procedural programming language (e.g., “C”) or an object-oriented programming language (e.g., “C++” or Java). 
         [0026]    The host computer system  110  may be coupled to the network  102  and accessed by various user mobile computer systems  130 ,  150 , and  170  coupled to the network  102 , for example, by using the mobile application or computer program. The host computer system  110  may include one or more server computers such as a server running a network operating system and may include one or more databases such as database software running on the server computer(s) or separate database compu(er(s). Although the host computer system  110  is shown as a single server unit, the host computer system  110  may include a combination of computers or computing components. 
         [0027]    The users may access the mobile alert reporting system  100  using the computer systems  130 ,  150 ,  170 , and  190  that are connected to the network  102  and executing a mobile application or program  140 ,  160 ,  180  or a specialized interface. The user computer systems may be the user&#39;s laptop PC or MAC® computer  170  or may be a mobile computing device  130  or tablet computing device  150 . One example of the mobile computer device  130  is an iPhone® smartphone with a mobile alert reporting “app.” When the mobile application or program  140 ,  160 ,  180  is executed, the user may be presented with sections that allow the user to enter information, enter a new alert report, and monitor or update an existing alert report, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0028]    An administrator computer system  114  may be coupled to the network  102  and used by an administrator to access and administer the mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  100  through an administrator program  128  or web based interface. The administrator computer system  114  may be located at the same location as the host computer system  110  or located remotely. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200  is described in greater detail. The mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200  may include a host computer system  210  providing server code  220 , mobile alert reporting code  222 , mobile alert monitoring code  224 , or any combination thereof. The server code  220  may be executed on the host computer system  210  to allow user computer system  202  access to the alert report database  230  and alert report map  240 . The mobile alert reporting code  222  and mobile alert monitoring code  224  may include code executed on the host computer system  210  to perform at least some of the processes, procedures and/or functions associated with mobile alert reporting and monitoring. 
         [0030]    Server code  220  may include instructions executed by the host computer system  210  to provide the user computer system  202  access to the alert report database  230  and alert report map  240 . The alert report database  230  may be created using any suitable database software or techniques known to those skilled in the art, and the alert report map  240  may be created using any suitable mapping software or techniques known to those skilled in the art. Access provided to the user computer system  202  by the server code  220  allows the user computer system  202  to enter new alert reports by executing mobile alert reporting code  222  or update existing alert reports by executing mobile alert monitoring code  224 . Both mobile alert monitoring code  222  and mobile alert monitoring code  224  interact with the alert report database  230  and alert report map  240 . When the user computer  202  uses program  203  to interact with the host computer system  210 , the server code  220  decides whether to provide access to the alert report database and alert report map to the user computer  202 , execute mobile alert reporting code  222 , or mobile alert monitoring code  224 . 
         [0031]    The server code  220  may decide to execute mobile alert reporting code  222 . Mobile alert reporting code  222  mnay include instructions executed by the host computer system  210  to perform processes, procedures and/or functions involved with entering new alert reports to the alert report database and alert report map. The mobile application or program  203  may prompt the user to enter alert reporter information (e.g., name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, emergency contact information, medical contact information, and geographic location), alert information, and alert data. The mobile application or program  203  may then communicate with the host computer system  210 . When the server code  220  determines that the alert report is new, server code  220  then executes mobile alert reporting code  222 . Mobile alert reporting code  222  enters the alert report  232 ,  234 ,  236  into the alert report database  230  and the alert report map  240 . 
         [0032]    The server code  220  may decide to execute mobile alert monitoring code  224 . Mobile alert reporting code  224  may include instructions executed by the host computer system  210  to perform processes, procedures and/or functions involved with updating existing alert reports, the alert report database and the alert report map. The mobile application or program  203  may prompt the user to enter alert reporter information (e.g., name, e-mail address, telephone number, address, emergency contact information, medical contact information, and geographic location), alert information, and alert data. The mobile application or program  203  may then communicate with the host computer system  210 . When the server code  220  determines that the alert report is an update of an existing alert report, server code  220  then executes mobile alert monitoring code  224 . Mobile alert reporting code updates the alert report  232 ,  234 ,  236  in the alert report database  230  and the alert report map  240 . 
         [0033]    The host computer system  210  may also store an alert report database  230  where the database includes alert reporting information  232 , alert information  234 , and alert data  236  of the alert reports created. The host computer system  210  may also store an alert report map  240  where the alert report database  230  is used to plot alert reports on a map based on the geographic information provided in the alert report. 
         [0034]    Although the illustrated embodiment of the mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200  includes the code  222  and  224  for performing all of the functions or processes, other embodiments of the system  200  may include code for performing only one or more of these functions in combination with the server  220 . Although the code  222  and  224  is illustrated as discrete elements, these elements may not necessarily be executed as separate, discrete processes, procedures, or functions within the mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200 . The mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200  may include other code and other types of data to facilitate other processes, procedures, functions and features described herein. The mobile alert reporting and monitoring system  200  may include, for example, code that allows integration or linking with other online digital media (e.g., embedding YouTube® videos) and/or with online social networking websites (e.g., Facebook®) to share alert reports with other users. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , one system and method for mobile alert reporting and monitoring involves creation of an alert report  330 . A user application or program  320  installed on the user computer  302  executes a create alert report process  324  that prompts the user via the user interface to provide alert reporter information  332  and alert information  334  and an capture alert data process  325  that prompts the user via the user interface to capture alert data  336 . The create alert report process  324  prompts a screen on the user computer  302  that allows the user to enter the alert reporter information  332  and alert information  334 . Then the user application or program  320  executes the capture alert data process  325  that prompts a screen on the user computer  302  that allows the user to capture alert data  336  associated with the alert report  330 . The user application or program  320  then sends the alert report  330  with the associated alert reporter information  332 , alert information  334 , and alert data  336  to the host computer system  110 ,  210 . The alert report.  330  can be accessed on the host computer system  110 ,  210  by any user with access via a user application or program  320 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , another system and method for mobile alert reporting and monitoring involves enabling other users to monitor and contribute to an alert report  430 . A user application or program  420  installed on the user computer  402  executes a select existing alert report process  421  that prompts the alert report map  240  created in the host computer system  110 ,  210  to be accessed by the user computer via user application or program. The select existing alert report process  421  prompts a screen that shows the alert report map  240  on the user computer  402 . The alert report map  240  shows existing alert reports plotted according to geographic location information and the user can select an alert report  430  on the alert report map  240 . Selecting an alert report on the alert report map  240  allows the user to access the alert report database and prompts a screen with the existing alert reporter information  432 , alert information  434 , and alert data  436 . 
         [0037]    Selecting an alert report on the alert report map  240  executes an update alert report process  441  that prompts the user via the user interface to provide alert reporter information  452  and alert information  454  and a capture new alert data process  442  that prompts the user via the user interface to capture alert data  456 . The update alert report process  441  prompts a screen on the user computer  402  that allows the user to enter the alert reporter information  452  and alert information  454 . The user application or program  420  executes the capture alert data process  442  that prompts a screen on the user computer  402  that allows the user to capture alert data  456  associated with the alert report  430 . The user application or program  420  then sends the updated alert report  450  with the updated alert reporter information  452 , updated alert information  454 , and updated alert data  456  to the host computer system  110 ,  210 . The alert report  450  can be accessed on the host computer system  110 ,  210  by any user with access via a user application or program  420 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5A-5C  show sCreen shots of one example of home screens of user application or programs generated by software code and displayed on a user computer system. The user application home screen shown in  FIG. 5A  allows a user to report an incident with alert reporter information. When the user selects the report incident icon on the home screen, a create alert screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 5B . The create alert screen allows a user to choose between different crimes and incidents that may be occurring, for example, by selecting an incident icon. When the incident is selected, the type of incident is automatically included in the alert information and a new alert report may be automatically generated and sent. The new alert report contains alert reporter information (e.g., pre-entered into the user application) and the alert information (e.g., the type of incident associated with the selected incident icon). 
         [0039]    After the user selects the type of incident, the capture alert data screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 5C . The capture alert screen allows a user to enter in descriptive alert information and begin to capture and/or upload alert data associated with the alert report. The user may activate the buttons on the screen to upload different types of alert data to the alert report database to be associated with the alert report. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6A  shows a screen shot of one example of an alert report creation page. The alert report creation page may provide different incidents and allows the user to choose between different incidents and crimes. After selecting an incident, the next screen is shown in  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6B  shows a screen that allows a user to enter in descriptive alert information and begin to capture alert data associated with the alert report. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7A  shows a screen shot of one example of an alert report map screen for identifying current alert reports in the nearby geographic location. The current alert reports allow access to alert reporter information, alert information, and access to alert data so the user can view the data on their computer system.  FIG. 7B  shows a screen that allows a user to update descriptive alert information and begin to capture new alert data associated with the monitored alert report. 
         [0042]    Accordingly, the mobile reporting systems and methods described herein may be used to allow users to create alerts and to update those alerts. The mobile reporting systems and methods advantageously allow users at remote geographic locations to identify other alerts and to monitor and/or update those alerts despite the geographic separation. 
         [0043]    Embodiments of the methods described above may be implemented as software or a computer program product for use with a processing system or computer. Such implementation may include, without limitation, a series of computer instructions that embody all or part of the functionality described herein. The series of computer instructions may be stored in any tangible machine-readable medium, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other transmission technologies. Such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable machine-readable medium (e.g., a diskette, CD-ROM), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the network (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web). Alternative embodiments of the invention may be implemented as pre-programmed hardware elements or as a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. 
         [0044]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that this is one possible implementation of the functionality described herein. A mobile reporting system may also include other processes, procedures or functions in addition to or in place of the processes, procedures or functions described herein. These or process, procedures or functions may be executed by a processor on one computer or may be executed by processors on separate computers. The data may include other types of data in addition to or in place of the data described herein. 
         [0045]    While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments show and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.