Abstract:
A system and method for intercommunication among the members of a team employing user devices, organized around maps of the locations of the team members presented on the display screens of the user devices. Team members manage intercommunications among themselves by selections made according to the displayed maps and icons thereon. The maps provide a flexible framework around which to structure various modalities of intercommunication including chat, voice, audio-video camera streaming, or a data stream from a sensor, which are graphically indicated on the maps. Organizing and managing according to icons of team members on the maps provides flexible intercommunication without excessive constraint, facilitating intuitive and easy operation. When posting of geographical location of a team member is not desired, a ghost mode permits a team member to freely interact with the group without divulging location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 62/045,406 filed on Sep. 3, 2014 which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Team members often need to intercommunicate in free-form fashion in response to changing circumstances. They may need to communicate on a one-to-one basis, a one-to-many basis, a many-to-one basis, and on a one-to-all basis, as necessary. Communication may be verbal and/or visual, and may involve information accompanying the communication. In addition, automatically-collected information about team members may be needed as part of team intercommunication. 
         [0003]    Although team intercommunication needs to be as free as possible from external restrictions, communication systems must necessarily impose certain structural constraints for successful functioning. There is thus a challenge in developing a suitable team intercommunications system: to establish a structural framework in which the intercommunication system can work reliably and dependably, not only to handle the required throughput and bandwidth of the communications, but also to provide a natural and unencumbered user interface; while at the same time allowing as much freedom as possible to the team members, regarding the manner in which they use the system. These goals are met by embodiments of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and methods for team intercommunication using communication devices including, but not limited to: smartphones, tablet computers, personal computers suitable for desktop use, and augmented reality glasses (such as Google “Glass”). Communication technologies utilized include, but are not limited to: cellular data; WiFi; Bluetooth. 
         [0005]    The term “team” herein denotes a multiplicity of associated individuals, who are herein denoted as “team members”. According to various embodiments of the present invention, each team member has a user device for communicating with the other members of the team via their respective user devices. In a related embodiment, each user device is a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer; or augmented reality glasses (such as Google “Glass”); and each user device has an active connection to the Internet or other network for communicating with the other user devices of the respective team members. In another related embodiment, at least one team member has a mobile user device. 
         [0006]    According to various embodiments of the invention, a team intercommunication system is location-oriented around an interactive map including one or more geographical areas where team members are located. According to certain embodiments of the invention, display and visibility of team members and other objects of interest (such as hotspots) is coordinated and managed via the map. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the invention, a geographical area is equipped with sensors providing real-time information about the area. Non-limiting examples of such sensors include video cameras and license plate readers (LPR&#39;s). According to a related embodiment, a team has an assigned purpose or function that has some relation to a geographical area where team members and/or sensors are located. In a non-limiting example, a team may be assigned to monitor and enforce security in an airport. In another non-limiting example, a team may be assigned to survey and report on the operation of an urban transportation system. In still another non-limiting example, a team may be assigned to handle a real-time emergency situation, such as an industrial accident involving a chemical spill that must be contained. Examples of this sort illustrate and suggest the breadth and variety of team intercommunication needs, and the requirement that the system be as free from user constraint as possible. In this spirit, certain embodiments provide voice talk as well as text chat capabilities, to simulate a walkie-talkie experience where advantageous. 
         [0008]    Various embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and facile switching of the user among various views, including a team view and a “Me” view, and from chatting to video presentation. An embodiment of the invention also provides a “ghost mode” that allows a team member to be an active part of the team, while not appearing on anyone else&#39;s map. In a related embodiment, ghost mode can be automatically scheduled for enablement and disablement according to time and/or location or other factors. 
         [0009]    A “Me” view embodiment provides for automatically selecting nearby team members for a highlighted presence, and provides a means for a team member to automatically send information and content to himself or herself. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the invention provide hotspots, which team members can select for communicating with other team members currently located at the hotspots. Map pins are also provided by embodiments of the invention, and can be sent and received among team members, such as for conveniently arranging ad hoc meetings. 
         [0011]    Various embodiments of the present invention also provide video camera stream capabilities, to enrich the visual information available to team members in real time. A team member may send and receive video camera streams, which are depicted on the map, color-coded to identify source and destination. In a related embodiment, a team member may request a video camera stream from another team member in a particular location. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide audio streams along with video streams. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for sharing information among a plurality of members of a team, the system comprising a plurality of user devices, wherein a each of the user devices has:
       a display screen,   at least one memory unit,   at least one processing unit,   an input unit, and   a connection to the Internet or other network;
 
wherein each member of the team has a user device; and
 
wherein a each of the user devices is configured to:
   present a map on the display screen thereof, the map containing:
           the location of the user device, and   the location of at least one user device of at least one other team member;   
           accept an input from a member of the team, the input containing at least one of the following elements group consisting of:
           the team as a whole,   the member of the team,   another member of the team,   a predefined geographical hotspot,   a map pin,   a video camera stream,   a data stream from a sensor, and   a chat pane; and   
           responsively to the input, to enable a communication between at least two members of the team and involving the selected element.       
 
         [0031]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the user device is further configured to send a video camera stream to another user device, and to graphically indicate the sending on the map. 
         [0032]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the user device is further configured to receive a video camera stream from another user device and to graphically indicate the receiving on the map; and wherein the user device further configured for at least one of:
       store the video camera stream, and   display the video camera stream.       
 
         [0035]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the user device is further configured to allow a team member to suppress display of the team member&#39;s map location on user devices of other team members. 
         [0036]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the user device is further configured to allow a team member to request a video camera stream or a data stream from a sensor from another team member. 
         [0037]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the user device is further configured to display an icon of a team member on the map according to the team member&#39;s map location. 
         [0038]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as mentioned above, wherein the icon of the team member on the map comprises a visual indicator of a field-of-view of a camera of a user device of the team member. 
         [0039]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer implemented method for sharing information among a plurality of members of a team, each member of the team being provided with at least one user device comprising:
       a display screen,   at least one processor,   at least one memory unit,   an input unit, and   a connection to the Internet or other network;
 
the method comprising:
   presenting a map on the display screen of at least one user device, the map containing:   the location of the user device, and   the location of at least one user device of at least one other team member;   accepting an input from a member of the team, the input containing at least one of the group consisting of:   the team as a whole,   the member of the team,   another member of the team,   a predefined geographical hotspot,   a map pin,   a video camera stream,   a data stream from a sensor, and   a chat pane; and   enabling a communication between at least two members of the team, responsively to the accepted input and with accordance to the input&#39;s content.       
 
         [0058]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) that, when loaded into a memory of a computing device and executed by at least one processor of the computing device, configured to execute the steps of a method for sharing information among a plurality of members of a team each being provided with at least one user device, as mentioned above. 
         [0059]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising: 
         [0060]    sending a video camera stream from one user device to another user device; and 
         [0061]    graphically indicating the sending act on the map. 
         [0062]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising: 
         [0063]    receiving a video camera stream from one user device; and 
         [0064]    graphically indicating the receiving act on the map. 
         [0065]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising at least one of: 
         [0066]    storing the video camera stream; and 
         [0067]    displaying the video camera stream. 
         [0068]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising allowing a team member to suppress display of the team member&#39;s map location on user devices of other team members. 
         [0069]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising allowing a team member to request a video camera stream and/or a data stream from a sensor from another team member. 
         [0070]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising displaying an icon of a team member on the map according to the team member&#39;s map location. 
         [0071]    It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as mentioned above, further comprising presenting a visual indicator of a field-of-view of a camera of a user device of a team member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0072]    The subject matter disclosed may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0073]      FIG. 1  illustrates a screen team view with chat closed and video shutter closed, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0074]      FIG. 2  illustrates a screen team view with chat opened and video shutter partially opened, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0075]      FIG. 3  illustrates a screen team view with chat closed and video shutter partially but wider opened, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0076]      FIG. 4  illustrates a screen team view with chat opened and video shutter closed, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0077]      FIG. 5  illustrates a screen with video shutter fully opened, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0078]      FIG. 6  illustrates a screen chat with another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0079]      FIG. 7  illustrates a screen chat with another team member who is in a “ghost mode”, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0080]      FIG. 8  illustrates a screen hotspot view and chat with another team member in the hotspot area, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0081]      FIG. 9  illustrates a screen map pin detail view, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0082]      FIG. 10  illustrates a screen showing a map pin sent to another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0083]      FIG. 11  illustrates a screen showing a map pin received from another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0084]      FIG. 12  illustrates a screen showing a video camera stream being sent to another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0085]      FIG. 13  illustrates a screen showing video camera stream being received from another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0086]      FIG. 14  illustrates a screen showing a menu for requesting a video camera stream from another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0087]      FIG. 15  illustrates a screen “Me” view for a user device of a team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0088]      FIG. 16  illustrates a screen “Me” view for the user device of the team member and chat with other team members proximate to the team member&#39;s location, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0089]      FIG. 17  illustrates a screen “Me” view for the user device of the team member when in “ghost mode”, and chat with other team members proximate to the team member&#39;s location, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0090]    For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements. In addition, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0091]      FIG. 1  illustrates a screen team view  101  with a map  103  showing an icon  121  representing the location of the team member upon whose user device screen team view  101  is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. In a related embodiment, the team member who owns the device is referred to as “Me” on the screen pages (detailed in following sections), and icon  121  is accordingly referred to as the “Me” icon. Chat (not shown) is closed and a video shutter handle  105  is closed. A banner  107  indicates that the view is a team view. A number displayed in video shutter handle  105  typically indicates a count of video cameras in the area. An icon  123  for a team member “Elizabeth”, an icon  125  for a team member “Massimiliano”, and an icon  127  for a team member “Paula” are shown on map  103  according to the current locations of those team members. An icon  129  for a team member “Anton” is shown for a team member who is not visible on map  103  (in a “ghost mode”, as detailed herein in a following section). The user can tap or click on an icon to go immediately to the view of the respective team member. Alternately, the user can scroll forward and backward to pages for all the team members and hotspots (detailed in a following section) by tapping or clicking on arrows  143  and  145 , respectively. A map pin  131  and a map pin  133  are also shown, and are detailed herein in a following section. A button  141  can be used to open or close chat mode, where applicable; and to open or close a video camera streaming window, where applicable. Tapping on a banner bar  151  also opens and closes the chat pane, where applicable. In a related embodiment, zooming or panning map  103  also closes the chat pane. A button  147  can be used to return to team view directly from any other view. A counter  149  displays the number of other team members in the area. Icons  161 ,  163 ,  165 ,  167 , and  169  represent video cameras installed in the indicated areas on map  103 . In addition to identifying camera position, a camera icon indicates the direction the camera is currently pointing. 
         [0092]    According to various embodiments of the present invention, icons and other objects appearing on the screens are color-coded to associate them with other team members, as distinct from the user of the device on which the screen appears. In a non-limiting example, map pin  131  is color-coded to match the outer ring of “Me” icon  121 , visually indicating that map pin  131  was generated by the user of the device on which the screen appears (i.e., the user is “Me”). Conversely,  133  is color-coded to match the outer ring of other team member icon (such as icon  125 ), visually-indicating that map pin  133  was generated by another team member. The color-coding scheme is used consistently throughout, to identify chat balloons according to sender, as well as page identifier banner bars. 
         [0093]      FIG. 2  illustrates a screen team view with a chat pane  211  opened and a video shutter  203  partially opened, according to an embodiment of the invention. By touching and dragging video shutter  203  down (like a window shade), video shutter  203  can be opened to varying degrees. In addition, the user can scroll chat messages up and down in chat pane  211 , and can enter chat text in a text entry box  215 . Video shutter  203  contains a frame (or “tile”)  205  and a frame  207 , corresponding to video images received from cameras in the area. A button  213  opens a menu of choices, as detailed in a following section. 
         [0094]      FIG. 3  illustrates a screen team view  301  with chat pane (not shown) closed and video shutter  303  partially opened, but opened wider than video shutter  203 , according to an embodiment of the invention. A frame  305  and a frame  307  are shown, corresponding to frames  205  and  207 , respectively (from  FIG. 2 ), but are dynamically resized because of the wider opening of video shutter  303 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 4  illustrates a screen team view  401  with chat pane  211  opened and video shutter handle  105  closed, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0096]      FIG. 5  illustrates a screen with the video shutter fully opened by dragging video shutter handle  105  to the bottom of the screen, according to an embodiment of the invention. A frame  503  and a frame  505  corresponding to frames  205  and  207 , respectively (from  FIG. 2 ), are thereby dynamically expanded to full allowable size. 
         [0097]      FIG. 6  illustrates a screen chat pane  611  for chat between the team member (represented on map  103  by “Me” icon  121 ) whose user device is displaying the screen, and another team member (“Elizabeth”, represented on map  103  by icon  123 ), according to an embodiment of the invention. A banner  623  shows that this is the page of team member “Elizabeth”, and that she is about 9 minutes away by transit according to a notification  625 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 7  illustrates a screen chat pane  711  for chat between the team member (represented on map  103  by “Me” icon  121 ) whose user device is displaying the screen and another team member (“Anton”, represented by icon  129 ) who is in a “ghost mode”, according to an embodiment of the invention. A team member in “ghost mode” is available for communication, but the team member&#39;s location is unspecified, and no icon for the team member appears on map  103 . Instead, icon  129  appears off map  103 . A banner  729  shows that this is the page of team member “Anton”, and that he was last located on map  103  at  10 : 17  according to a notification  731 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 8  illustrates a screen hotspot view  801  and chat pane  811  with team member “Massimiliano” represented by icon  125  on map  103  in a hotspot area  803 , according to an embodiment of the invention. A banner  821  identifies hotspot area  803  as “Train Station”, and a notification  823  informs that 1 team member out of 4 is in hotspot area  803 . It is also seen that map pin  131  and camera icon  165  are within hotspot area  803 , and camera icon  163  is near the periphery thereof. 
         [0100]      FIG. 9  illustrates a screen map pin detail view  901 , according to an embodiment of the invention. An identifier  903  names the map pin by its geographical location, and a panel  911  provides statistical data on the map pin and its distribution. A related embodiment provides tools for editing, moving, distributing, and deleting map pins, such as a button  921  for removing the map pin from the map. A cancel button  923  closes screen map pin detail view  901  and returns to the previous screen view. 
         [0101]      FIG. 10  illustrates a screen  1001  showing a chat pane  1011  with map pin data  1023  sent by the user of the device in a chat balloon  1021  to other team member “Massimiliano” represented by icon  125 ′, according to an embodiment of the invention. Clicking on chat balloon  1021  alternately places and removes map pin  131  from map  103 . As noted previously, map pin  131  is color-coded to match the color of “Me” icon  121 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 11  illustrates a screen  1101  showing a chat pane  1111  with map pin data  1123  received from other team member “Massimiliano” represented by icon  125 ′, according to an embodiment of the invention. Clicking on chat balloon  1121  alternately places and removes map pin  133  from map  103 . As noted previously, map pin  133  is color-coded to match the color of other team member icons, such as icon  125  representing other team member “Massimiliano”. 
         [0103]      FIG. 12  illustrates a screen  1201  showing a video camera stream  1211  being sent to other team member “Elizabeth” as represented by icon  123  from the user of the device, as represented by “Me” icon  121 , according to an embodiment of the invention. A connecting line  1203  shows the flow of video camera stream  1211  in a direction  1205  from the user of the device (“Me” icon  121 ) to other team member “Elizabeth” (icon  123 ). As noted previously, connecting line  1203  is color-coded to match the color of “Me” icon  121  to indicate the source of video camera stream  1211 . Tapping on a button  1221  allows the sending team member (having the user device) to start and stop the capture of video camera stream  1211 . 
         [0104]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , an embodiment of the invention provides that each member of the team is a potential camera. The camera illustrated in  FIG. 12  is a video streaming camera. For team members with mobile user devices, the potential camera is a mobile camera. In a related embodiment, the icon of a team member indicates the current direction and prospective field of view of the camera. When the camera is in use, the actual field of view is indicated, as shown by a field of view  1207  relative to map  103  in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 13  illustrates a screen  1301  showing a video camera stream  1311  being received from other team member “Elizabeth” as represented by icon  123  to the user of the device, as represented by “Me” icon  121 , according to an embodiment of the invention. A connecting line  1303  shows the flow of video camera stream  1311  in a direction  1305  to the user of the device (“Me” icon  121 ) from other team member “Elizabeth” (icon  123 ). As noted previously, connecting line  1303  is color-coded to match the color of other team member icon  123  to indicate the source of video camera stream  1311 . In a related embodiment, a button  1321  (corresponding to button  1221  of  FIG. 12 ) is disabled—the receiving team member (having the user device, represented by “Me” icon  121 ) cannot start or stop the capture of video camera stream  1311 —in this embodiment, starting and stopping video camera stream capture can be done only by the other team member who originates video camera stream  1311 . As before, a field-of-view  1307  of video camera stream  1311  is indicated relative to map  103 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 14  illustrates a screen  1401  showing a menu  1403  for requesting a video camera stream from another team member, according to an embodiment of the invention. In a related embodiment, additional choices appear on menu  1403 , non-limiting examples of which include sending a picture and sending a video, as shown. Menu  1401  is invoked by pressing button  213  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0107]      FIG. 15  illustrates a screen “Me” view  1701  for a user device of a team member (represented by “Me” icon  121  showing the team member&#39;s location centered on map  103 ), according to an embodiment of the invention. In “Me” view, the team member sees his or her surrounding environment relative to map  103 , along with features and objects of interest. In a related embodiment, there is visible a chat pane  1511  and a banner  1523  identifying the “Me” view. According to certain embodiments, when in “Me” view, a switch  1503  appears, to allow the team member to enable and disable ghost mode. In view  1701 , ghost mode is disabled. In a related embodiment, an indicator  1531  shows that view  1501  is map  103  in its regular form as seen in other views, simply having “Me” icon  121  centered but with no additional information displayed. 
         [0108]      FIG. 16  illustrates a screen “Me” view  1601  for the user device of the team member and with a highlighted central area  1603 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In a related embodiment an indicator  1631 , which corresponds to indicator  1531  ( FIG. 15 ) shows that view  1601  is map  103  with additional information summarizing the other team members within highlighted central area  1603 , including other team member “Elizabeth” (whose location is shown by icon  123  on map  103 ) and other team member “Paula” (whose location is shown by icon  127  on map  103 ). In this embodiment the number of other team members within highlighted central area  1603  is listed via an indicator  1623  along with the total number of other team members. 
         [0109]      FIG. 17  illustrates a screen “Me” view  1701  for the user device of the team member when in “ghost mode”, according to an embodiment of the invention. A switch  1703  (corresponding to switch  1503  in  FIG. 15 ) is enabled for ghost mode, and a ghost mode “Me” icon  1721  appears at the bottom of map  103 , with a location indicator  1723  showing the location of the team member centered on map  103 . In these embodiments, the team member in ghost mode can see his or her location on map  103  via location indicator  1723 , but other team members do not see a location indicator on their screens. In a related embodiment, the team member also sees a notification  1725  as a reminder that ghost mode is enabled.