Automated Event Witness Identification Through Location Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying potential witnesses to an event, such as a crime or emergency, is challenging as they may not realize the event occurred nearby and thus fail to come forward.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes location-aware sensors and devices to detect events and identify potential witnesses by comparing their zones of perception with an event zone, sending notifications to their devices to alert them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If witnesses rely on self-initiation to come forward, then identification process remains simple, but witness identification rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying potential witnesses through location data analysis before authorities need to request witnesses. The system pre-processes sensor data, maintains databases of potential witnesses, and automatically matches them to events based on proximity and relevance criteria, eliminating the need for witnesses to self-initiate contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated intermediary system that mediates between the event scene and potential witnesses. This intermediary uses sensor networks, location databases, and matching algorithms to connect authorities with relevant witnesses without requiring direct witness initiative, thus resolving the contradiction between simple processes and high identification rates.
2Reliability
If witnesses are unaware of the event, then false positives decrease, but notification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where notification outcomes are tracked and used to refine future identification and notification strategies. The system monitors whether notified witnesses actually come forward, uses this feedback to adjust matching algorithms, and continuously improves the reliability of witness identification while optimizing notification resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts notification parameters such as notification timing, method, and target selection based on event characteristics and witness profiles. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains high identification accuracy while managing notification system complexity through automated decision-making rules.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is directed towards efficiently identifying a first entity (e.g., a user or sensor) as a potential witness to an event. A first dataset describing event time data and event location data of an event are obtained from a first device. A second dataset describing device time data and device location data are obtained via a device associated with a second entity, e.g., a user. By analyzing the first and second datasets, e.g., for time and location intersection, the second entity can be identified as a potential witness to the event, and notified of such. Factors such as line of sight, speed and direction, audio sensing range versus event volume, and the like of the second entity can be used in determining whether the second entity is a likely witness. A witness to a live event can be identified and asked to send in live (e.g., video) evidence.