Abstract: A communication method and a method for operating the communication network are disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a network identifier (NI) for a first member of the communication network, where the first member is un-validated and associated with a first user; obtaining a vote value regarding the first user from a second user of a second member in the communication network, where the second member is validated; generating a trust score for the NI based on the vote value; and validating the first member, in response to the trust score satisfying a trust score threshold, by inserting a first validated member identity hash block (MIHB) based on the NI into a master blockchain ledger for the communication network.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that enable secure access to cameras in smart buildings. Some embodiments control outbound video from an environment such as a local network through an intelligent on-event video pushing mechanism. The local intelligent on-event video pushing mechanism hides the IP address of a source video camera, transcodes the video to a reduced size for wide area distribution, and pushes video to a recipient upon an event triggered received within the local environment (e.g., the local network.) Embodiments enable a remote video client on the far-side of the local network firewall to view the video streams of cameras on the near-side of the local network firewall when an event or trigger occurs.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for improving public safety communications and real-time information sharing to enable a public safety user to access available, secure private wireless communications (PWC) networks within a vicinity of an emergency for communications and data-sharing purposes. In an embodiment, a universal encryption key (UEK) is stored on a public safety access device. The public safety access device is providing access to a secure PWC network. The UEK is a key established by a certificate authority that enables public safety personnel to access the secure PWC network. Then, a public safety encryption key (PSKey) is received by the public safety access device from a user communication device. The public safety access device enables access for the user communication to access the secure PWC network upon a determination that the received PSKey is associated with the UEK.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for distributed intelligent pattern recognition. Embodiments include a cooperative multi-agent detection system that enables an array of disjunctive devices (e.g., cameras, sensors) to selectively cooperate to identify objects of interest over time and space, and to contribute an object of interest to a shared deep learning pattern recognition system based on a bidirectional feedback mechanism. Embodiments provide updated information and/or algorithms to one or more agencies for local system learning and pattern updating recognition models. Each of the multiple agencies may in turn, update devices (e.g., cameras, sensors) coupled to the local machine learning and pattern recognition models.

Abstract: Embodiments include a computer program product for using a biosensor worn by a user to trigger an event and activate a camera worn by the user to begin streaming and/or recording video data. The biosensor trigger also initiates a real time multimedia collaboration session with the user wearing the biosensor and one or more designated parties. Through an interoperability gateway device, a voice communications device of the user is bridged with voice communications devices of the designated parties, and the video data is electronically transmitted to the designated parties. Thus, the designated parties may have real time voice communications among each other and with the user, and the designated parties may also view the video data in real time. Embodiments also determine when an event has ended and deactivates the camera worn by the user.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for a wearable smart gateway (WSG) that is capable of providing interoperability gateway functions for a variety of wearable devices. In an embodiment, the WSG detects one or more devices within a proximity that use communication interfaces supported by corresponding plug-ins installed in the memory. Then, the WSG establishes communication channels with the detected one or more devices according to configurations within the corresponding plug-ins, wherein the established communication channels forms a personal area network. The WSG may perform interoperability gateway functions to communicate data monitored by the one or more devices within the personal area network to an agency via a wide area data network.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for a wearable smart device that provides improved connectivity for performing interoperability gateway functions for a variety of devices. In an embodiment, the wearable smart device receives data monitored by one or more devices within a proximity threshold via respective communication channels of the one or more devices. The wearable smart device detects two or more connectivity paths for providing access to a wide area network. Then, the wearable smart device monitors first statuses of the one or more devices and respective communication channels, and second statuses of the two or more connectivity paths. Based on the monitored first and second statuses, the wearable smart device selects one of detected connectivity paths. Then, the wearable smart device communicates the monitored data to an agency via the selected connectivity path.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for a wearable smart gateway (WSG) that is capable of providing interoperability gateway functions for a variety of wearable devices. In an embodiment, the WSG detects one or more devices within a proximity that use communication interfaces supported by corresponding plug-ins installed in the memory. Then, the WSG establishes communication channels with the detected one or more devices according to configurations within the corresponding plug-ins, wherein the established communication channels forms a personal area network. The WSG may perform interoperability gateway functions to communicate data monitored by the one or more devices within the personal area network to an agency via a wide area data network.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for a wearable smart device that provides improved connectivity for performing interoperability gateway functions for a variety of devices. In an embodiment, the wearable smart device receives data monitored by one or more devices within a proximity threshold via respective communication channels of the one or more devices. The wearable smart device detects two or more connectivity paths for providing access to a wide area network. Then, the wearable smart device monitors first statuses of the one or more devices and respective communication channels, and second statuses of the two or more connectivity paths. Based on the monitored first and second statuses, the wearable smart device selects one of detected connectivity paths. Then, the wearable smart device communicates the monitored data to an agency via the selected connectivity path.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for providing seamless PTT services to a user. In an embodiment, a push-to-talk (PTT) component provides, to the user, PTT services with a talk group through a connectivity to a data channel in a mobile network. A voice monitoring component monitors attributes of data connectivity on the data channel to determine when a voice quality falls below a threshold. When the voice quality is determined to fall below the threshold, a connectivity component requests the user to switch the connectivity to a voice channel. Then, the connectivity component dials a telephone number through the voice channel to access a voice conference bridge that provides the PTT services. To provide the PTT services, the voice conference bridge sets up a routing path to a session initiation protocol (SIP) session for the talk group, and routes voice communication through the SIP session.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that enable management of a plurality of video feeds with Push to Talk (PTT) communications. Some embodiments monitor a plurality of video feeds using a VMS graphics user interface (GUI) where a video feed of the plurality of video feeds is a video feed component of an interactive multimedia media object (IMMO) displayed in the VMS GUI. A talk group is logically associated with the video feed of the plurality of video feeds. Some embodiments detect that an embedded PTT control component associated with the video feed is activated, and enable PTT communications among members of the talk group and an operator of the VMS.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for using a biosensor worn by a user to trigger an event and activate a camera worn by the user to begin streaming and/or recording video data. The biosensor trigger also initiates a real time multimedia collaboration session with the user wearing the biosensor and one or more designated parties. Through an interoperability gateway device, a voice communications device of the user is bridged with voice communications devices of the designated parties, and the video data is electronically transmitted to the designated parties. Thus, the designated parties may have real time voice communications among each other and with the user, and the designated parties may also view the video data in real time. Embodiments also determine when an event has ended and deactivates the camera worn by the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a video surveillance system and method for performing display-based video analytics on video streams provided by internet protocol (IP) cameras and/or a video management system (VMS) over an IP network. Display-based video analytics can perform video analytics on the video streams without a direct connection to the IP network. Because the display-based video analytics can perform video analytics on the video streams without being directly connected to the IP network, the display-based video analytics can be more readily implemented in video surveillance systems with secure IP networks.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for providing seamless PTT services to a user. In an embodiment, a push-to-talk (PTT) component provides, to the user, PTT services with a talk group through a connectivity to a data channel in a mobile network. A voice monitoring component monitors attributes of data connectivity on the data channel to determine when a voice quality falls below a threshold. When the voice quality is determined to fall below the threshold, a connectivity component requests the user to switch the connectivity to a voice channel. Then, the connectivity component dials a telephone number through the voice channel to access a voice conference bridge that provides the PTT services. To provide the PTT services, the voice conference bridge sets up a routing path to a session initiation protocol session for the talk group, and routes voice communication through the SIP session.

Abstract: Embodiments include a dynamic wireless aerial mesh network having aerial nodes that provides real-time persistent wide area communications service to provide communications in response to an incident. Typically, the service area is a wide area that is physically inaccessible via ground transportation. In addition, embodiments include the formation of a decentralized mesh supernetwork comprising two or more dynamic wireless aerial mesh networks where each dynamic wireless aerial mesh network is owned by a different agency (e.g., a secure community). A member of a first dynamic wireless aerial mesh network may send a request to a member of a second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network for the first dynamic wireless aerial mesh network to join the second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network to form a mesh supernetwork, and receive an acceptance from the member of the second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for a mobile ad-hoc radio based linked extensible (MARBLE) unit that is a portable, self-contained mesh-capable radio transceiver unit capable of being deployed with other MARBLE units to form a local area ad hoc mesh network. Several MARBLE units may be distributed in the field by an operator (e.g., first responder) in the form of a ball, puck or other shaped enclosure that may be held by a human hand and thrown, tossed or placed in the field to deploy a local area ad hoc mesh network. The MARBLE units may exchange information among themselves to determine and select one MARBLE unit as a relay gateway to access an IP network for all of the MARBLE units coupled to the local area ad hoc mesh network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for establishing an electronic communications connection between secure communities. A secure community includes a collection of communication resources having an administrator that maintains control over the secure community. In an embodiment, a system for establishing an electronic communications connection between two or more secure communities includes a community gateway controller, an identification module, a secure community database configured to store secure community information, and an encryption compatibility module configured to determine a media transmission encryption scheme for a connection between a host secure community and a second secure community.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for improving public safety communications and real-time information sharing to enable a public safety user to access available, secure private wireless communications (PWC) networks within a vicinity of an emergency for communications and data-sharing purposes. In an embodiment, a universal encryption key (UEK) is stored on a public safety access device. The public safety access device is providing access to a secure PWC network. The UEK is a key established by a certificate authority that enables public safety personnel to access the secure PWC network. Then, a public safety encryption key (PSKey) is received by the public safety access device from a user communication device. The public safety access device enables access for the user communication to access the secure PWC network upon a determination that the received PSKey is associated with the UEK.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that enable intelligent formation and management of dynamic talk groups. Embodiments include a discretionary sharing mechanism based on invitation and acceptance that allows for dynamic publication or sharing of information in real time among agencies responding to an incident, where the agencies may establish secure communications. Additional embodiments include establishing and associating geographic boundaries of incident sites with talk groups, monitoring conditions that trigger warning messages sent to talk group members, and subscriptions to information channels that allow multimedia information to flow into talk groups.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that enable Push to Talk (PTT) communication within a video management software (VMS) system using embedded PTT controls. An embodiment operates by monitoring a plurality of video feeds using a VMS graphics user interface (GUI) where each video feed is a component of an interactive multimedia media object (IMMO) displayed in the VMS GUI. A talk group is logically associated with a video feed from the plurality of video feeds by coupling the talk group to an embedded PTT control component of the IMMO containing the video feed. Upon detecting that the embedded PTT control component corresponding to the video feed is activated, PTT communications is enabled between each member of the talk group regarding content displayed by the video feed.