LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention pertains to equipment telemetry, and more specifically, to a system and method to capture and process equipment data pertaining to the usage of one or more items of equipment.

[0002] Equipment telemetry systems may be used for monitoring the equipment which is used by law enforcement or other personnel. An equipment telemetry system may include an equipment sensor, a camera, and a controller which activates the camera upon receiving a corresponding signal from the equipment sensor. Such systems may be used to monitor the use of a weapon which is carried by the individual. For instance, the equipment sensor may sense whether the weapon has been removed from or placed within a holster. The sensor may be in the form of a pressure sensor which is located inside of the holster. Therein, when the weapon is removed from the holster, the controller receives the corresponding signal provided by the equipment sensor and accordingly registers the use of the weapon. The controller also activates the camera which records the equipment itself, the individual, and/or the surroundings. Such systems may also include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor to monitor the precise location of the individual carrying the equipment.

[0003] What is needed in the art is an equipment monitoring system that selectively records equipment data and subsequently organizes the recorded equipment data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In one exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the invention, there is provided a system for monitoring equipment used by personnel. The system is configured to selectively record video, audio, and telemetry information and subsequently organize the recorded information. The organization of the recorded information may include mapping the recorded information.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the invention, there is provided a system for monitoring and analyzing equipment carried by an individual. The system comprises at least one equipment data-collection subsystem configured to be carried by the individual. The at least one equipment data-collection subsystem comprises at least two sensors configured to sense equipment data including a usage, a location, and an environment of at least one item of the equipment carried by the individual. The system also comprises a data processing center operably connected to the at least one equipment data-collection subsystem. The data processing center is configured to receive the equipment data and generate at least one output based upon the equipment data.

[0006] In yet another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for monitoring and analyzing equipment. The method comprises sensing, by at least one equipment data-collection subsystem, equipment data including a usage, a location, and an environment of at least one item of the equipment carried by an individual. The at least one equipment data-collection subsystem comprises at least two sensors configured to sense the equipment data. The at least one equipment data-collection subsystem is configured to be carried by the individual. The method further comprises receiving, by a data processing center, the equipment data and generating, by the data processing center, at least one output based upon the equipment data.

[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for monitoring and analyzing equipment. The method comprises establishing communication, by a mobile unit, with at least one equipment data-collection subsystem. The method comprises receiving, by the mobile unit, equipment data from the at least one equipment data-collection subsystem. The method comprises establishing communication, by the mobile unit, with a data processing center and outputting, by the mobile unit, the equipment data to the data processing center. The method further comprises receiving the equipment data by the equipment data center, retrieving additional data by the equipment data center, and generating, by the data processing center, at least one output based upon the equipment data.

[0008] One possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the equipment system is that an interactive map and simulation may be automatically generated and populated with the individual, equipment, various characteristics concerning the discharge of the equipment if applicable, and various structures, by the data processing center.

[0009] Another possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the equipment system is that data can be selectively and automatically retrieved upon the activation or usage of the equipment, including data from external devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an equipment monitoring system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a sensor unit of the equipment monitoring system; and

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for operating the equipment monitoring system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown a schematic view of an equipment monitoring system 10. The equipment monitoring system 10 may be used by personnel, such as officers of a law enforcement agency, to monitor how and when certain equipment is being utilized or stored. Upon activation, the environment of the officer(s) can be videotaped, audio recorded, and tracked with location data. Therein, the system 10, and method thereof, is configured to selectively record video, audio, and telemetry information and subsequently organize the recorded information. The organization of the recorded information may include mapping the recorded information. For instance, the system 10 may generate an interactive 2D and/or 3D map and/or simulation of the personnel, equipment, and/or environment or surrounding area. The system 10 may monitor any desired equipment, including firearms, tasers, self-defense fluid sprayers, flashlights, batons, or any other desired objects or tools.

[0014] The system 10 generally includes one or more equipment data-collection subsystems 12, a remote data processing center 14 with a controller 16, and a mobile unit 18. Each equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may be carried by a respective individual for monitoring the equipment of the individual. The data processing center 14 may be operably connected to each equipment data-collection subsystem 12. The mobile unit 18 can be operably connected in between each equipment data-collection subsystem 12 and the data processing center 14. It should be appreciated that the system 10 may not include a mobile unit 18 such that each equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may be in direct communication with the data processing center 14 and/or controller 16.

[0015] Each equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may generally include a sensor unit 20, a signal amplifier 22, a power unit 24, and a communications unit 26. The communications unit 26 may be in the form of a radio frequency transceiver. The subsystem 12 may also include input and/or output switches 30, such as a multiplexer and/or demultiplexer. The subcomponents of the equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may be coupled to one another by a bus 28. [0016] The sensor unit 20 may include one or more sensors for monitoring one or more items of equipment, or portions thereof, the individual carrying the sensor unit, and/or the environment of the individual. As used herein, the term environment may include the area or space surrounding the individual. The sensor unit 20 may also record the time of when the equipment was removed from its holding place, used by the individual, and repositioned back into its holding place. The sensor unit 20 may include multiple differing types of sensors. For instance, the sensor unit 20 may include equipment sensors which trigger the monitoring of equipment and/or the surroundings of the individual(s) by other sensors. The sensors may record the equipment itself, including its usage, location, elevation, operational status, etc. The sensors may also record the surroundings of the individual or other secondary information pertaining to the equipment and/or individual. For instance, the sensors, such as infrared sensors, may measure a distance between a target, e.g. a person or object, and the individual or the equipment carried by the individual.

[0017] For example, the sensor unit 20 may include a controller 32, with a memory, one or more equipment sensors 34, one or more optical sensors 36, such as cameras, one or more audio sensors 38, one or more nonvisible spectrum sensors 40, such as infrared, RADAR, LIDAR sensors, one or more location sensors 42, and/or mechanical switches (FIG. 2). One or more sensors 34, 36, 38, 40 can be located on an article of clothing of the user, e.g., bullet proof vest, and/or the equipment itself. Each equipment sensor 34 may comprise a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, or an optical sensor. The equipment sensor(s) 34 can be mounted to a holster which holds a weapon. Additionally, the equipment sensor(s) 34 can be directly mounted onto the weapon for monitoring its usage and position. The camera 36, or other suitable sensor, may record the usage of the equipment, including its position and orientation. Therein, the camera 36 may also record whether a weapon was discharged; and if so, the camera 36 may record the trajectory and position of the projectile and/or the cartridge. The camera 36 may also record the ricochet paths of projectiles. The location sensor 42 can be in the form of a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. The location sensor 42 may pinpoint the exact location of the individual who is using the equipment and/or the equipment itself. The location sensor 42 and/or camera 36 may also determine whether or not the individual is inside of or near a building or other structure.

[0018] The equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may also include one or more deactivation devices 44 that deactivate the equipment if the equipment is taken by another person and/or is not within a perimeter of the individual (FIG. 2). The deactivation devices may be operably coupled to the controller 32. The deactivation devices 44 may include existing safety systems which are operably coupled to the sensor unit 20 and/or the equipment. The deactivation devices 44 may also be in the form of electronic stopping commands or physical mechanical stops or locking features which prevent the use of the equipment. Therein, if the controller 32 of the sensor unit 20 detects that the equipment was taken or accidently left behind, the controller 32 may automatically deactivate the equipment until it is back in the possession of the individual. By way of example only, the sensor unit 20 may employ the camera(s) 36 and/or proximity sensor(s) to determine whether the equipment is out of the possession of the individual.

[0019] It should be appreciated that the sensors may be associated with and/or directly coupled to the equipment. The sensors may be located on the individual, the equipment itself, and/or the holster, or other holding device, which is configured to hold the equipment. For instance, one or more sensors may be mounted on the individual’s belt or protective vest. Furthermore, one or more sensors can be mounted onto the weapon itself. The one or more sensors may be mounted to the front, sides, and/or back of the person and/or the equipment. For instance, a pair of front and back sensors may be coupled to the front and back of the individual’s apparel, e.g. protective vest, helmet, etc., and a pair of sensors may be coupled to the front and back of the equipment. Therein, the sensor(s), such as cameras 36, may sense the direction that the person and/or instrument is facing. Thus, the sensor(s) may confirm that the weapon being used is facing in the same direction as the individual. [0020] The equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may output the sensed equipment data to the mobile unit 18. Additionally, it is possible that the equipment data-collection subsystem 12 may output sensed equipment data directly to the data processing center 14, a troop headquarters 46, a command and/or control center 48, a dispatch center 50, and/or other individuals within a certain proximity of the location of the active equipment.

[0021] The data processing center 14 may be in the form of a remote data processing center which receives, stores, and processes data. The data processing center may be operably coupled to each equipment data-collection subsystem 12, the controller 16, and the mobile unit 18. The data processing center 14 may comprise one or more storage devices and controllers for processing the data. As shown, the data processing center 14 includes the controller 16. Hence, the data processing center 14, and controller 16 in conjunction therewith, may receive and store data, process the sensed and/or stored data, and subsequently output or stream the processed data to the troop headquarters 46, the command and/or control center 48, and the dispatch center 50.

[0022] The controller 16 may comprise any desired controller 16. The controller 16 may be a standalone controller or incorporated as part of the data processing center 14 and/or mobile unit 18. As shown, the controller 16 is integrated with the data processing center 14 (FIG. 1). Hence, collectively or individually, the data processing center 14, the controller 16, and the mobile unit 18 may include software for processing the data as discussed herein. By way of example only, the memory of the controller 16 may store the software for performing the functionality and methods disclosed herein.

[0023] In more detail, the controller 16 of the data processing center 14 may receive and organize the data from the sensor unit 20 as well as other data, such as data from additional sources such as the individual’s vehicle, e.g. the vehicle camera, data from a mapping service, floor plans, weather data, date and time, etc. The software may further generate one or more usable outputs. Such usable outputs may comprise an interactive 2D and/or 3D map, a virtual simulation of the recorded event, and/oran auto-populated report. The controller 16 may output the processed data to a user interface, the troop headquarters 46, command and control center 48, such as a police department, and/or the communications center 50, such as a dispatch center. It is also possible for the data processing center 14, controller 16, and/or mobile unit 18 to actively retrieve or passively receive image data from various security systems, including residential or commercial security cameras.

[0024] The controller 16 has the capability to show usage timestamps, including each time the weapon is fired from one or more positions by marking the coordinates every time the weapon is fired and documenting any positional changes. With the coordinates provided by the GPS data, the controller 16 can determine whether or not the person is in or around a structure, e.g. a building. Therein, the controller 16 of the data processing center 14 is configured to receive structure data, e.g. building blueprint data, from at least one external device 70 and generate structures in the interactive map and/or virtual simulation based upon the structure data. For example, if the individual happens to be in a building, then the software may search for the various structural characteristics of the building. For example, the software may automatically search and retrieve building blueprints or floorplans which may be from public or non-public records. The software may also determine where the individual is located within the building, e.g., a particular floor, room number, etc. The software may also determine various characteristics of the building and the structures or furnishings therein. The software may accordingly generate a map or simulation of the building and/or area, placing the individual(s) and/or targets relative thereto. The software may include the identifying information, e.g., serial number, of the equipment used and/or projectiles used in the event. The software may also upload blue print schematics that are not currently housed in public records and it will allow the user to generate a map or floor plan manually using measurements and other data which may be gathered from the scene. The software has interactive capabilities so that the user can account for buildings with multiple levels and any updates or structural changes that may not be accounted for in the most recent blueprints that the user has access to. If there are objects that need to be accounted for, which may be in the pathway between the individual using the equipment, e.g., firing the weapon at the target, then the software may auto-populate the objects in the map or allow for the user to draw these objects on the map. The map may also illustrate the trajectory of the projectile(s) that are fired from the weapon(s). For instance, the controller 16 may analyze and generate the trajectory from the camera and/or sensors installed directly on the weapon. Once the person is placed on the map and the direction in which the weapon is fired is confirmed, the software can determine and illustrate linear trajectories to show where the projectiles should have gone and include potential impact zones and ricochet paths. Therein, the software may account for various parameters of the weapon and/or its area of use. For instance, the software may account for the type of weapon used, e.g., the caliber of the weapon, the type of ammunition used and the weather, e.g., wind direction and speed, barometric pressure, etc.

[0025] The controller 16 may further have the capability to provide and illustrate various parameters or reports of the event. For instance, the software may provide indicators or icons on the playback footage to show which equipment was removed from its holder. The software may also provide data tracking to indicate the time at which the equipment was removed from its holder, the duration the equipment was removed from its holster, the number of times the weapon was used, the number of rounds or casings and their approximate locations, and the elapsed time wherein the trigger of a weapon was engaged.

[0026] The controller 16 may further compile reports upon multiple recorded events from numerous sensor units 20. Therein, the controller 16 may provide a report on an individual over the course of time and/or multiple individuals from a particular unit. For instance, the controller 16 may auto-prepare or populate a police report. The controller 16 may also compile a report on a particular weapon to report its use by one or more individuals over time.

[0027] The controller 16 may further communicate various outputs to one or more individuals, devices, and/or other control centers. The outputs may include alerts, live feed review, notifications, including unauthorized use notifications, department statistics, and/or training requirements. For instance, the controller 16 may automatically issue a backup alert to other personnel within a radius, e.g. 5-10 miles, of the location at which the individual’s weapon was fired, without requiring the individual to issue an alert via a communication device and/or stop using his/her weapon. The alert may be outputted upon a weapon being removed from its holding place or upon firing of the weapon. The alert may be automatically sent to communications devices of other individuals. Additionally, if there is sensory capability in the vests, clothing, or other apparel worn by the individual that can detect when impact is made, the controller 16 can send an alert back to a command center, e.g., police dispatch center, to let them know if the officer has been shot or critically injured based on the intensity of the impact. This data is also saved and stored by the software. Also, the controller 16 may send an alert to the gun owner through a mobile device in the event that the weapon is removed by somebody other than the owner. The controller 16 may further provide considerations for future data analysis, such as what equipment is effective or not, how specific information correlates to other information, and in what ways can the user manipulate all the data collected. It is also conceivable that the controller 16 may organize the data by filtering playback details, such as hearing range, gunzone range, trajectory, orientation, etc.

[0028] The mobile unit 18 can be configured to establish secure communication in between the equipment data-collection subsystem 12 and one or more command, control, and/or dispatch centers 46, 48, 50. The mobile unit 18 may include a controller or signal processing unit 52, a communications unit 54, a power unit 56, and a memory or storage device 58. The mobile unit 18 may also include input and/or output switches 60. The mobile unit 18 may be housed in a vehicle or other infrastructure, e.g., trailer, which may be transportable. The mobile unit 18 may perform any desired signal processing, power generation, and amplification. The mobile unit 18 may also transmit and/or receive data to and from the sensor unit 20, the storage device, the data processing center 14, the controller 16, and/or a desired control center. Additionally, the mobile unit 18 may include the computing module which performs signal processing by conducting encoding, decoding, encryption, and decryption. The mobile unit 18 may further initiate peering with neighbors. [0029] The system 10 may include any desired hardware and/or software for establishing secured or unsecured communication. The system 10 may include a network 62 for establishing communication between the equipment data-collection subsystems 12, the mobile unit 18, and the data processing center 14. The system 10 may further include one or more firewalls 64, routers 66, and network switches 68. The system 10 may include data converters, such as protocol converters, A/D converters, etc., routers, modems, switches, firewalls, and/or encoding and decoding software. Furthermore, the system 10 may employ any desired communication protocol and stack thereof. Therein, the system 10 may employ a standard Internet protocol, such as HTTP, TCP, or IP, a streaming protocol, such as RTSP, RTMP, HLS, etc., a security protocol, such as DES or AES, and/or a mail protocol.

[0030] The system 10 may also include various subsystems for establishing communication between the devices of the system 10 and/or external devices 70, e.g. sensor, databases, etc., which are not a part of the system 10. For instance, the controller 16 of the data processing center 14 and/or the mobile unit 18 may automatically communicate with one or more external security cameras, mapping services, blueprint data bases, etc.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flowchart of an exemplary method 80 for using the equipment monitorization system 10. The method 80 may include gathering data by the equipment data-collection subsystem 12, receiving data from the equipment data-collection subsystem 12, and organizing the data by the controller 16. More particularly, data pertaining to the item(s) of equipment may be gathered by the sensor unit 20 of the equipment data-collection subsystem 12. At least one equipment sensor 34 of a respective sensor unit 20 may sense equipment data pertaining to the usage of one or more items of equipment (at block 82). For instance, a sensor which is located on the holster and/or weapon may sense when the weapon is removed from the holster. The controller 32 of the sensor unit 20 may then activate at least one optical sensor 36 and location sensor 42 depending upon an output signal from the at least one equipment sensor 34 (at block 84). The controller 32 of the sensor unit 20 may also activate one or more audio sensors 38 and/or nonvisible spectrum sensors 40. Therein, upon the initial sensor activation, a continuous recording of the event may be conducted until the equipment is no longer in use or returned to its holding place (at block 86). Therewith, the sensor unit 20 may sense a discharge, e.g. firing, of a weapon and record the location of weapon’s discharge. Also therewith, the sensor unit 20 may record the orientation of the weapon upon its discharge and further record the orientation of the individual holding the weapon. Thereafter, the controller 32 may send the gathered equipment data from the sensor unit 20 to the mobile unit 18 (at block 88). The mobile unit 18 may process the various signals in order to establish communication between the sensor unit 20 of the equipment data-col lection subsystem(s) 12 and the data processing center 14 (at block 90). The mobile unit 18 may also establish communication between an additional data source and the data processing center 14. In other words, the mobile unit 18 may process the various signals, converting the signals as needed, in order to establish secure communication between the subsystem(s) 12, the data processing center 14, external device(s) 70, headquarters 46, command center 48, and/or communications center 50. The data processing center 14 may then receive the sensed equipment data and/or additional data that pertains to the equipment data which may be retrieved from external devices 70 (at block 92). For instance, the data processing center 14 may gather any data pertaining to the equipment and the use thereof, from other additional sources 70 other than the equipment data-collection subsystem 12, for example, audio and/or visual recordings from security cameras, data from the individual’s vehicle, map data from a mapping service, building blueprints from another data processing center, weather data, etc. The controller 16 will subsequently process the gathered data from the sensor unit 20 and/or other data received from the additional source(s) in order to generate one or more outputs (at block 94). In processing the data, the data processing center 14 may determine the timestamps of use, e.g. unholstering, discharge of weapon, location and orientation of the equipment during its use, projectile trajectories, impact zones, ricochet paths, actual or estimated locations of projectiles and/or cartridges, and the distance to the target. The controller 16 may also identify any surrounding structures, such as buildings, objects, roadways, signs, etc. Also, for instance, the controller 16 may generate an interactive map and/or simulation of the event. Therewith, the controller 16 may automatically populate the individual, the equipment, various structures, the projectile trajectory, the impact zone, the ricochet path, etc., in the interactive map or simulation. Thereafter, the generated output may be outputted to one or more headquarters, command centers, and/or dispatch centers 46, 48, 50 (at block 96). Additionally, for instance, the controller 16 may issue an alert to one or more other individuals.

[0032] It is to be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are not limited to the specific features or acts described herein.