Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – With particular coupling link
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-13
2003-02-11
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
With particular coupling link
C340S933000, C340S936000, C340S937000, C701S036000, C701S003000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06518881
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is generally related to digital electronic communications equipment and is specifically directed to a mobile comprehensive multimedia digital communications system particularly well-suited for law enforcement use.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The use of two-way communications equipment permitting a mobile unit to communicate with a base or another mobile unit is well known. Two-way radios, for example, have been available for decades. Over the years more sophisticated communications have become available. Such systems not only permit two-way voice radio communication, but also support limited data transfer such as driver's license information, fingerprints, arrest records, and the like. Such mobile data terminals (MDT) are in relatively common use in law enforcement work, and in many cases are standard equipment in mobile units such as squad cars and the like. The MDT provide an information link between mobile units and the base for the transfer of information.
A typical MDT, such as those offered by Motorola and in widespread use, permits the transmission and printing of written information such as a “rap sheet” or the like and other limited information. These MDT are used in conjunction with the standard public service band two-way voice radio systems to provide both verbal and textual communication with the mobile units. Each MDT is permanently installed in the vehicle and the user must be seated in the vehicle in order to utilize it. This reduces the flexibility of the unit and restricts the operational performance of the field personnel. For example, when a patrol officer desires to check the registration of a vehicle after stopping the vehicle on the side of the roadway, he must first leave the squad car. He then approaches the vehicle and obtains information from the operator, and then re-enters the squad car and communicates with the dispatcher or base unit. Using currently available equipment, he typically writes all of the information on a paper while standing by the stopped vehicle, returns to the squad car and radios in the information, orally reading the written information into the radio.
The dispatcher is then responsible for keying in the information in order to initiate a search from available databases. The operator can then send the information derived from the search to the patrol officer via the MDT or communicate it orally over the two-way radio. This system is not only inefficient but also permits the introduction of errors due to the many times the information is transferred, to the pad and from the pad to the base radio operator by the officer and from the base radio officer to the system. Even more sophisticated MDTs that permit the officer in the field to directly input the information into the system via an on-board keyboard or key pad still permit the introduction of error by the transfer of data first to a pad and then to a keyboard.
Further, MDTs available in the art are of very limited scope with respect to the information which can be transmitted and received at the mobile unit. As an example, it might be desirable to obtain a visual identification of a suspect. At the present time this can only be obtained by giving an oral description of the individual over the two-way radio, obviously resulting in a limited description and not permitting a positive identification either by field personnel or the base station. Thus, the only way an accurate visual identification can be made is to take an apprehended individual to the base station. For this reason, visual identification is not confirmed in most stop-and-check situations.
More recently, laptop computers have begun replacing MDT because of the broader capability of the laptop processor. In addition, most law enforcement communication systems have been expanded to two-channel capability with one channel being utilized for historic voice communication and the second channel being reserved for data transfer. This preserves the availability of high priority voice communication while permitting simultaneous transfer of data between the base and the mobile or field unit.
Thus, as technology advances the data communications systems have progressed from a paper-to-voice-to-base-to-search-to-voice-to-action to a paper-to-processor-to-base processor-to-processor-to-action scenario. While the insertion of the processor or MDT in this system has increased the reliability of the data once it is entered into the system and has greatly increased speed of response, the opportunity for introduction of error by the officer on the scene has not been minimized since he must still visually obtain and input all information into the system. All of the improvements in technology have not reduced the potential for error for the personnel at the most stressful point in the information gathering sequence.
The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) has recognized the need to provide field personnel with better information collection tools. NCIC has stated that the current NCIC system is still using 1960's level technology to fight 1990's crime. The criminal element has surpassed the ability of the law enforcement agencies to perform. Data 911 has recently introduced an in-vehicle personal computer in an effort to address the move from MDT to laptops. The system is dash mounted and has an easy to use touch-screen, preserving some of the more desirable features of the MDT while providing more of the flexibility of the laptop. For example the Data 911 system includes the capability for digitally transmitting photographic information between the base and the mobile unit, includes built-in GPS positioning systems and has an option for a magnetic stripe and bar-code reader. The Data 911 system is the first effort to address many of the issues facing mobile unit support and information flow identified by the NCIC.
However, to date, there are not any systems which address many of the issues which continue to plague law enforcement personnel today. For example, all systems still require manual operator input in order to deliver information and initiate a response. This is not desirable when an officer is disabled or when entry of error prone data can cause an errant action on the part of the officer. While in-car systems continue to be improved and expanded in function, many of the historic limitations described above exist to the present day. It would be greatly desirable to provide a comprehensive system permitting not only oral two-way communication between a mobile unit and a base and/or other mobile units, but also the ability to capture information simultaneously as it is generated and without introducing keyboard error.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed to a comprehensive, mobile, digital multimedia communication system ideally suited for law enforcement use. The system of the present invention is a highly integrated modular data system than not only provides the functional aspects of a standard MDT, but also provides enhanced functions through the use of tailored application of industry multimedia and mobile computing techniques. The system is based on standard industry rugged workstations and sensor devices packaged in an integrated system of modular construction, permitting customized equipment based on need and budgetary constraints. The system of the present invention provides a highly integrated modular data system of unique and comprehensive functionality.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the MDT is replaced with customized laptop type personal computer adapted to be connects to power, transmission and data support systems located in a vehicle such as, by way of example, a squad car or the like.
In its preferred form, the system will replace outmoded MDT hardware and the more recent, though limited laptop systems such as those offered by Motorola, Data 911, ALERT by Texas Transportation Institute and the systems promoted by NCIC and the like. The system provides a full service PC functio
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