Method And System For Using A Situational Network
Patent No. US11470682 (titled "Method And System For Using A Situational Network") was filed by Sitnet Llc on Dec 30, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’682 is related to the field of situational awareness networks , particularly those used in emergency response and information dissemination. The background involves the increasing need for real-time information sharing during crises, where traditional communication channels may be overloaded or unreliable. Existing social networks often lack the specific focus and verification mechanisms required for accurate and timely information in such situations.
The underlying idea behind ’682 is to create a dynamic network that connects individuals and authorities relevant to a specific situation, such as a natural disaster or emergency. This network facilitates the exchange of information, including status updates and requests for assistance, while also providing a mechanism for verifying the information's relevance and accuracy. The core insight is to leverage geographic proximity and user-provided data to build a focused communication channel.
The claims of ’682 focus on a server-based system that receives situation-related information from a user device, verifies its relevance, and then makes a message board available to other users geographically proximate to the situation. This message board includes a roll call list, aggregating status responses from users who have received roll call queries. The independent method claim mirrors this functionality, emphasizing the steps performed by the server.
In practice, the system works by first identifying a situation, perhaps through a user report or an external feed. The server then identifies devices in the vicinity of the event, potentially using GPS data or other location services. These devices are then queried for their status, and their responses are aggregated into a roll call list displayed on the message board. The server also verifies user-submitted information to prevent the spread of misinformation, ensuring that only relevant and accurate data is shared within the network.
This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by combining real-time information sharing with verification and geographic targeting. Unlike traditional broadcast systems, the network focuses on connecting those directly affected by the situation. The roll call feature provides a structured way to assess the status of individuals, while the message board allows for broader information exchange. By verifying information and limiting access based on proximity, the system aims to provide a more reliable and focused communication channel during emergencies.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2000s when ’682 was filed, at a time when mobile devices were becoming increasingly prevalent, systems commonly relied on client-server architectures for data access and processing, when location-based services were emerging but hardware or software constraints made real-time, highly accurate positioning and communication non-trivial, and at a time when ad-hoc networking was being explored but was typically implemented using infrastructure-based wireless networks.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims 2-21 were pending in the application. Claims 2-21 were rejected. Claims 2-21 were rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-16 of U.S. Patent No. 9,877,345. Claims 2-21 were rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over warner et al. [ US Patent Application No 2006/0273893 ], in view of Roche et al. [ US Patent Application No 2003/0197615 ]. The prosecution record does NOT describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, of which claims 1 and 11 are independent. Independent claim 1 focuses on a server configured to provide roll call based information, while independent claim 11 focuses on a method for providing roll call based information. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the features and functionalities described in the independent claims, such as location of the user device, verification steps, and updating user profiles.
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Date
Description
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US11470682
- Application Number
- US16730339
- Filing Date
- Dec 30, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- May 6, 2028
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents