ZA200802487B

ZA200802487B - A method and system for verifying data

Info

Publication number: ZA200802487B
Application number: ZA200802487A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Erasmus Jacques Jacobus
Original assignee: Erasmus Jacques Jacobus
Priority date: 2006-12-18
Filing date: 2008-03-18
Publication date: 2009-04-29

Description

BACKGROUND

THIS invention relates to a method and system for verifying data.

On the occurrence of an event such as an accident or crime scene, there is a need for accurate and reliable information to be captured. The use of photographs and video footage at accidents and crime scenes Is known and used extensively by the police, for example. However, the police are often not the first ones on scene.

For example, tow truck drivers or ambulance crews are often the first on scene at motor vehicle accidents. It would be useful to collect evidence from these kinds of people but the verification of the evidence needs to be carefully managed.

The present invention seeks to address this. _ _ i

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment there is provided a method of verifying data, the method including: receiving data transmitted from a data recording device over a communications network and storing the data in a memory; storing at least one verification time relating to the data; storing geographical data relating to a geographical location of the data recording device so that the at least one verification time and geographical data can later be used to verify the data.

The data is received in real time from the data recording device.

The data recording device may include a camera or video camera in which case the data received may be photographic or video data.

In one example embodiment the at least one verification time is the time the data was captured by the data recording device.

The communications network is preferably a mobile communications network.

The geographical data in an example embodiment describes the geographical location of the data recording device when the data was captured.

The geographical data may be received from the data recording device or from another device connected to the communications network.

Alternatively, the geographical data may be calculated using information received from the communications network.

The method may further include receiving a data identifier and storing the data identifier together with the received data.

In an example the data identifier is a unique data identifier.

The method may still further include: receiving a request from a data recording device to receive data transmitted from the data recording device; and in response to the request, transmitting a data identifier to the data recording device.

I

In an example embodiment, an operator identifier is also received and stored together with the received data.

There is further provided a system for verifying data, the system including: a processor to receive data transmitted from a data recording device over a communications network; and a memory for: storing the data received, storing at least one verification time relating to the data; and storing geographical data relating to a geographical location of the data recording device so that the at least one verification time and geographical data can later be used to verify the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an system for implementing an example embodiment; and

Figure 2 shows an example methodology implemented by the system of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment there is provided a method and system for verifying data.

A data recording device 10 is used to capture data and transmit the data over a communications network 12 to a server 14. The data is then stored in a database 16 associated with the server 14.

The server 14 includes at least one processor, component and/or module which correspond to the functional tasks to be performed. In this regard, - “module” in the context of the specification will be understood to include an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, data, or computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure. It follows that a module need not be implemented in software; a module may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Further, the modules need not necessarily be consolidated into one device but may be spread across a plurality of devices. In particular, a module may be provided or may reside in a network such that the system may be arranged to use the functionality provided by a module from within the network.

Although only a single data recording device 10 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the system will typically accept data from a plurality of data recording devices 10.

The data recording device in the illustrated embodiment is shown as a mobile telephone which is able to communicate with the server 14 over a mobile communications network 12. The mobile telephone will typically include a camera able to capture photographs or video footage. Thus the device will typically be a hand-held or other 3G cellular device with a high resolution camera with video capability.

It will be appreciated that the methodology could be implemented by a device which is able to capture photographs or video footage without having the other functionality traditionally associated with mobile telephones. For example, the only functioning on the device could be an “on” and an “off” switch to initiate and terminate data communication whilst also initiating and terminating data capture. For more advanced users the device could include a Java front-end (or similar type) loaded on the data recording device.

The devise typically includes a buffer to collect the data in encrypted format in order to protect against tampering for fraudulent purposes. Ideally the data captured is streamed in real-time to the server. However, if the data is cannot be transmitted real time such as if the network is not accessible, the buffer could be used to later transmit the data or the data could be downloaded manually at an approved centre.

The data recording device 10 captures data in the form of photographic or video data and transmits the data to the server 14 over the communications network 12 typically in real time.

It will be appreciated that the photographs and/or video footage are of the event, typically in the form of the motor vehicle accident or crime scene to name but a few examples.

In any event, the data is transmitted from the data recording device 10 over the communications network 12 and stored in a memory in the form of the database 16.

Both the data recording device 10 and the server 14 may include data encryption and decryption abilities.

Together with the data at least one verification time is also stored. The at . ) least one verification time is one piece of information used to verify the data received. It will typically include the time that the data was captured by the data recording device and may include other times such as the time the data was transmitted from the data recording device and the time the data was received at the server.

A second piece of information used to verify the data is geographical data.

The geographical data relates to a geographical location of the data recording device.

The geographical data in an example embodiment describes the geographical location of the data recording device 10 when the data was captured.

In one example, the geographical data is calculated by the data recording device 10 at the time it captures the data. The data recording device 10 then transmits this geographical data to the server 14 and the geographical data is then received from the data recording device 10.

Alternatively, the geographical location may be calculated by another device connected to the communications network and then transmitted to the server 14.

In another example, the geographical data may be calculated by the server 14 using information received from the communications network 12.

It will be appreciated that in the example of the data recording device 10 ~ being a mobile communications device, the geographic location of the mobile communications device is determinable using different techniques such as triangulation, for example.

In addition to transmitting the data, the data recording device 10 may transmit a data identifier which is received by the server 14 and stored in the database 16 together with the received data. In an example embodiment the data identifier is a unique data identifier. This allows the server to sequentially file and collate information from various sources.

In one arrangement the data recording device 10 first transmits a request to the server 14 for the server 14 to receive data, and the server 14 and data recording device 10 then enter into a communication session whereby the data is streamed as it is being recorded to the server 14. In this case upon receiving a request from a data recording device to receive data transmitted from the data recording device the server, in response to the request, transmits a data identifier to the data recording device.

An example methodology may occur as follows: a. The operator arrives at the scene of the incident. b. The operator switches on the data recording device. c. The data recording device connects to the network and the server, and the server generates a data identification number that is communicated to the data recording device via the network. d. The data recording device verifies and imprints the following information on the video recording being generated: i. Date and time. ii. Geographic location. iii. Operator ID.

iv. Data identification generated by the server. e. The operator conducts an interview process in order to gather all information pertinent to the incident. f. The data recording device communicates information via the network to the server as and when the video information is generated. g. On completing the interview process the operator will press the off switch on the data recording device which will terminate transmission of data and the video process.

Thus it will be appreciated that the data can be verified using the time, geographic location, data identifier and operator identifier.

This represents the utilisation of technology in order to provide a “qualified” or “expert” eye-witness on site without the operator of the device being qualified or experienced. It is envisaged that these events will predominantly be of the type that could and would require an expert eye- witness account of the event as close to the occurrence as possible in order to provide irrefutable evidence in any subsequent legal proceedings.

The operator could also be directed to conduct interviews and still need not necessarily have to be an expert as the interview process can be conducted according to an approved interviewing agenda/sequence.

It will also be appreciated that the operator requires a low level technological ability to operate the simple data recording device.

In the illustrated embodiment the device utilises existing mobile network infrastructure in order to communicate evidence that 1s time and geographically automatically verified. i The automatically generated data identifier links the event to any other 3rd party information such as a police case number or medical information.

This can then assist in the collation of information and coordination of processes for all parties concerned.

Furthermore, all information sent to and from the device is communicated via the network resulting in an entirely automated, paperless process.

Claims

Mi cL - Te I 35 :

10. 22008702487 CLAIMS:

1. A method of verifying data, the method including: receiving data transmitted from a data recording device over a communications network and storing the data in a memory; storing at least one verification time relating to the data; and storing geographical data relating to a geographical location of the data recording device so that the at least one verification time and geographical data can later be used to verify the data.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the data is received in real time from the data recording device.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the data recording device includes a camera or video camera in which case the data received is photographic or video data.

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one verification time is the time the data was captured by the data recording device.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the data received from the data recording device is received over a mobile communications network.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the geographical data describes the geographical location of the data recording device when the data was captured.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the geographical data received from the data recording device 1s received from another device connected to the communications network.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the geographical data is calculated using information received from the communications network.

9. A method according to any preceding claim further including receiving a data identifier and storing the data identifier together with the received data.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the data identifier is a unique data identifier.

11. A method according to any preceding claim further including: receiving a request from a data recording device to receive data transmitted from the data recording device; and in response to the request, transmitting a data identifier to the data recording device.

12. A method according to any preceding claim further including receiving an operator identifier and storing this together with the received data.

13. A system for verifying data, the system including: a processor to receive data transmitted from a data recording device over a communications network; and a memory for: : storing the data received;

&% storing at least one verification time relating to the data; and storing geographical data relating to a geographical location of the data recording device so that the at least one verification time and geographical data can later be used to verify the data. 14, A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompany drawings.

15. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompany drawings. DATED THIS 18TH DAY OF MARCH 2008 OR & FISHER APPLICANTS PATENT ATTORNEYS