Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Image superposition by optical means – Operator body-mounted heads-up display
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2003-03-25
Breene, John (Department: 2177)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Image superposition by optical means
Operator body-mounted heads-up display
C224S908000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06538623
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to multi-media computing devices and, more particularly, to a multi-media data collection tool kit having an electronic multi-media “Case” file for use by law enforcement officers, federal agents, fire departments or the like to investigate crime scenes, fires, incidents, or other investigatory matters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Forensic evidence evaluation using high tech evaluation computers for ruling out suspects, as well as, determining the suspect with a high degree of probability is readily used by prosecutors when prosecuting the accused. The circumstantial evidence or forensic evidence is heavily relied upon, especially in the absence of an eye witness, in order to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused. However, savvy defense lawyers try to challenge the credibility and integrity of the circumstantial or forensic evidence in an effort to present reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors. More than 50% of criminal cases are plea bargained, usually resulting in a reduced sentence because of contaminated evidence which is sometimes the result of handling or collection errors during the investigation. In some instance, the jurors may become divided leading to a hung jury, i.e., a mistrial, because of suspected contaminated circumstantial or forensic evidence. Thus, the prosecutors may be required to retry the accused, which can be very costly.
Impart, handling or collection errors are a result of the investigator or law enforcement officer not having the proper tools and/or readily available procedures for ready reference necessary for evidence handling and collection.
A well known case in which investigators failed to properly secure and handle the evidence of a crime scene, is the well publicized (Jon Bonet-Ramsey) murder case. While evidence was found at the crime scene, the evidence had been severely contaminated since proper investigative procedures were not immediately instituted.
Contamination of evidence can be attributed to the different levels of experience and skill of the investigating officer. Furthermore, there is not clear definitions defining how to investigate a crime scene. Instead, it is left to the discretion and skill level of the on-scene investigator technician. For example, an investigating officer may have little or no experience in handling or collecting a particular type of evidence found at a crime scene.
Moreover, the time required by officers to prepare investigation reports and supporting documentation, such as, without limitation, pictures or other images, lab requests to laboratories for analyzing the collected evidence, and litigation support documentation subtracts from the time the officer would be available to investigate other crimes.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a multi-media data collection tool kit which includes a voice responsive electronic multi-media “Case” file and voice responsive electronic manual of investigation procedures and protocols for law enforcement officers or other investigators which can be easily accessed for ready reference of investigating protocols. Thus, such tool kit could be used to standardize the investigating protocols so that when using federal, state, national, county, city and/or private forensic laboratories, the same protocols are used.
As can be appreciated, there is a continuing need for a multi-media data collection tool kit which includes a voice responsive electronic investigation companion, a electronic multi-media “Case” file, for an investigation technician in an effort to minimize the number of law enforcement officials required to investigate a crime scene. As is obvious, any reduction in the number of law enforcement officials minimizes possible sources of contamination of the evidence thereby maximizing the credibility and the integrity of the forensic evidence. In other words, a voice response electronic investigation companion which assists the investigation technician to minimize the human error factor during the handling and collection of the evidence and the crime scene investigation.
Further, there is a continuing need for a wearable and mobile multi-media data collection tool kit which provides for quick access to and selectability of a plurality of multi-media data collection tools for investigating a case and for the development of the electronic multi-media “Case” file record.
A prior, far less capable concept simulation, known at the time (Fall 1997), as “Field Pro/Team Leader” and is somewhat described in a video film produced by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), was a belt-worn computer with a flip-down eyepiece monitor. It contained a limited application of ARCVIEW, with hyper limited images. It had no functional integration of its limited number of hardware accessories and was predominately a concept simulation of intended functional integration. “Field Pro/Team Leader” was originally developed to collect information in the field when inspecting peace-treaty sites. The document “Team Leader System Description”, dated October 1996, describes a project to develop the “Team Leader” and defines its intended functionality.
The belt-worn computer was determined to have severe limitations, including its lack of user maneuverability, and lack of field functionality, especially for the law enforcement environment and other investigation agencies. Further, the belt-worn computer supported a tiny head-mounted display and did not include a pen-based interactive display for supporting handwriting-to-text conversion with mouse functionality via a pen and pen-base display. Further, the belt-worn computer did not support voice-to-text conversion for displaying voice notes on the pen-based interactive display. Further, the belt-worn computer did not provide for a voice responsive electronic multi-media “Case” file record.
Nevertheless, there are several other wearable-type computers such as, the Xybernaut® 133P™, the MENTIS™ and the VoCartaField which are not designed to provide an electronic multi-media “Case” file.
The belt-worn computer, the Xybernaut® 133P™, by XYBERNAUT®, is described as supporting voice navigation, voice-to-text conversion, headgear with a microphone and speaker combination, head-mounted displays (HMDs), and a wrist mounted keypad or other keypad devices. Primarily, the belt-worn computer, the XYBERNAUT® 133P™, is adapted to be used while performing 1) maintenance; 2) inspections; and, 3) inventory. However, there is not a provision for an voice responsive electronic multi-media “Case” file for use by an investigator.
The multi-media wearable computer, MENTIS™, by INTERACTIVE Solutions, Inc., is described as including a head-mounted display or a flat-panel display with a unique snake-like mounting assembly, and a head-mounted microphone, for voice commands, and speaker combination.
The VoCartaField, by Datria Systems, Inc. is described as including speech-to-data software, a lightweight backpack for leaving the hands free, eyes-up data collection, multi-media interaction capabilities and “talks back” confirming the data capture. Further, the VoCartaField is described as providing a pen-based PC.
A software application described to assist investigators, such as, law enforcement officers, include the QuickTime VR Authoring Studio, by Apple®, which is described as an interactive crime scene recording system. However, the QuickTime VR Authoring Studio, as described, is limited to creating interactive virtual reality scenes for court presentations and for recreating the scene for witnesses. In general, the QuickTime VR Authoring Studio, as described, is adapted to accept images (pictures) of the crime scene, such as, from a Kodak 410 digital camera or a Nikon 35 mm, and can view a 360-degree panorama of the pictures.
A further software application described to assist forensic laboratories is the JusticeTrax® LIMS-plus™. The LIMS-plus™ is described as providing for recording of test results, tracking evidence, and documents activities performed by a forensic laboratory
Conrad, Sr. William E.
Martin Franklin Dee
Parnian Pirooz
Breene John
Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
Lewis Cheryl
Velez Lisa D.
Walsh Gerald M.
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