Abstract: A device, system and method for modifying electronic workflows is provided. An example device: receives, from a user mobile device, a search query, as one step, of a plurality of steps, of a current electronic workflow followed in association with an incident; compares the search query with stored search queries received from other user mobile devices as a respective step of previously implemented respective electronic workflows, different from the current electronic workflow, as stored at one or more memories; in response to matching the search query with a stored search query of a previously implemented electronic workflow, compares remaining steps of the current electronic workflow with respective executed steps of the previously implemented electronic workflow; and, in response to determining an overlap between the remaining steps and the respective executed steps, causes one or more overlapping steps to be skipped in the current electronic workflow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible identification of a device is provided herein. During operation, device identities will be determined for members forming a personal-area network (PAN). When information is conveyed by a device, a determination of whether or not to announce a device identification will be based on a combination of PAN members present. More particularly, when a certain combination of devices are members of the PAN, device identifications will be announced, otherwise, device identifications will not be announced.

Abstract: Example devices, systems, and methods for emulating a PTT device at an incident location are provided. An example server receives a request for a remote push-to-talk (PTT) device to be emulated at a target location in a vicinity of an incident, selects local communication infrastructure that supports public safety services for local PTT devices located near the target location, and ransmits, to the local communication infrastructure, instructions for the local communication infrastructure to register an emulated PTT device as a proxy for the remote PTT device at the target location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting a form to a user is provided herein. During operation, an incident type is determined along with a current location of a public-safety officer. This information is used to modify a form for easier filling by the public-safety officer. More particularly, fields of the form are provided in an order based on the incident type and location. Alternatively, the fields of the form may be highlighted based on the incident type and location.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatus for managing a communication group. One method includes forming a communication group of one or more portable communications devices based on a first object of interest and identifying a second object of interest based on the first object of interest. The method also includes determining whether an image feed includes the second object of interest and when the image feed includes the second object of interest, adding a portable communications device associated with the image feed to the communication group.

Abstract: Fast channel deployment is achieved amongst subscriber devices (SDs) having an incident scene role at an incident scene. An SD detects an incident scene arrival trigger associated with arrival at an incident scene. Responsive to detecting the incident scene arrival trigger, the SD (i) tunes to a pre-configured incident channel or (ii) scans a plurality of channels for an incident channel and tunes to the incident channel once located. The SD receives, via the incident channel, an incident scene role to traffic channel mapping that maps a particular incident scene role associated with the subscriber device to a particular assigned traffic channel on which subscriber devices associated with a same incident scene role may communicate. The SD tunes to the particular assigned traffic channel as a function of the incident scene role to traffic channel mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible identification of a device is provided herein. During operation, device identities will be determined for members forming a personal-area network (PAN). When information is conveyed by a device, a determination of whether or not to announce a device identification will be based on a combination of PAN members present. More particularly, when a certain combination of devices are members of the PAN, device identifications will be announced, otherwise, device identifications will not be announced.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking an object of interest in a talkgroup. The method includes receiving a first image stream including the object from a first portable communication device associated with the talkgroup. The method includes detecting the object in the first image stream, determining a first view angle associated with the object's position in relation to the first device, and determining a second view angle associated with the object's position in relation to a second portable communication device. When a difference between the first angle and the second angle is below a threshold, a first modified image stream is generated by highlighting the object in the first image stream. When the difference between the first angle and the second angle is above the threshold, a second modified image stream is generated by highlighting the object and indicating a relative direction to the object from the second device.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking an object of interest in a talkgroup. The method includes receiving a first image stream including the object from a first portable communication device associated with the talkgroup. The method includes detecting the object in the first image stream, determining a first view angle associated with the object's position in relation to the first device, and determining a second view angle associated with the object's position in relation to a second portable communication device. When a difference between the first angle and the second angle is below a threshold, a first modified image stream is generated by highlighting the object in the first image stream. When the difference between the first angle and the second angle is above the threshold, a second modified image stream is generated by highlighting the object and indicating a relative direction to the object from the second device.

Abstract: A process for selectively activating a guardian camera in response to detecting a distracted user includes first identifying an available camera external to a mobile computing device (MCD) having a field of view that incorporates a current location of a user of the MCD. The MCD then detects that a user's attention is substantially focused on a user interface of the MCD, and responsively transmits an instruction to the available camera to transition to a recording state and/or to begin monitoring an area surrounding the user for unexpected movements or objects. In response to the MCD detecting an indication that the available camera has recorded an unexpected movement or object in the area surrounding the user, the MCD takes a responsive action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a first communication device for use with a first vehicle in a system for transmitting information about an incident occurring on a road. The first communication device includes a first receiver to receive an incident indicator. In one embodiment, a first electronic processor is electrically coupled to the first receiver and a first transmitter. The first electronic processor is configured to determine whether to relay a modified incident indicator to other vehicles. The first electronic processor is further configured to modify at least a portion of incident information included in the incident indicator to create the modified incident indicator. The first electronic processor is further configured to control the first transmitter to transmit the modified incident indicator to one or more other vehicles.

Abstract: Improved incident device pairing for safety and security of first responders entering an incident scene area associated with an incident is provided. An electronic computing device (ECD) transmits a request to scan for nearby pairable mobile computing devices to each of a plurality of mobile computing devices (MCDs) associated with the incident. The ECD receives identity information from each MCDs setting forth identities of other MCDs reachable via a short-range wireless communication link. The ECD accesses equipment mapping information that sets forth equipment associated with the MCD or user thereof and identifies a plurality of pairs of MCDs for entering the incident scene area as a function of the identity and equipment mapping information. The ECD then transmits a short-range pairing instruction to each MCD identifying the other mobile computing device in the pair and instructing the MCDs to pair with one another via their short-range wireless communication link.

Abstract: A process for selectively activating a guardian camera in response to detecting a distracted user includes first identifying an available camera external to a mobile computing device (MCD) having a field of view that incorporates a current location of a user of the MCD. The MCD then detects that a user's attention is substantially focused on a user interface of the MCD, and responsively transmits an instruction to the available camera to transition to a recording state and/or to begin monitoring an area surrounding the user for unexpected movements or objects. In response to the MCD detecting an indication that the available camera has recorded an unexpected movement or object in the area surrounding the user, the MCD takes a responsive action.

Abstract: A communications system and method of operation thereof. The communications system includes a communication network, a plurality of subscriber units and accessories, and a communications server. Each of the plurality of accessories are associated with and linked to one of the of subscriber units by a wireless connection. The communications server communicates with the plurality of subscriber units via the communication network, and is configured to obtain and maintain a plurality of data on each of the plurality of subscriber units, and generate a backup list identifying secondary subscriber units to which each of the plurality of accessories can link. Upon detecting a condition where communication drops below a desired level of service, the communication server is configured to identify a secondary subscriber unit from the first accessory's backup list and instruct the secondary subscriber unit to link with the first accessory.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device for inputting handwriting character are provided. The electronic device comprises a touch screen, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform the functions of the method. The method comprises steps of: adding a handwriting input on the touch screen; detecting a position of an initial point of the handwriting input; determining an input area for the handwriting input among the plurality of input areas of the touch screen based on the position of the initial point of the handwriting input; determining an operation of the handwriting input based on the position of the initial point of the handwriting input and performing the determined operation; and upon completion of the handwriting input, recognizing the input as a character and displaying the recognized character in the determined input area on the touch screen.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatus for managing a communication group. One method includes forming a communication group of one or more portable communications devices based on a first object of interest and identifying a second object of interest based on the first object of interest. The method also includes determining whether an image feed includes the second object of interest and when the image feed includes the second object of interest, adding a portable communications device associated with the image feed to the communication group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a first communication device for use with a first vehicle in a system for transmitting information about an incident occurring on a road. The first communication device includes a first receiver to receive an incident indicator. In one embodiment, a first electronic processor is electrically coupled to the first receiver and a first transmitter. The first electronic processor is configured to determine whether to relay a modified incident indicator to other vehicles. The first electronic processor is further configured to modify at least a portion of incident information included in the incident indicator to create the modified incident indicator. The first electronic processor is further configured to control the first transmitter to transmit the modified incident indicator to one or more other vehicles.

Abstract: A communication system is provided wherein multiple communication devices of a user may collaborate with each other via an extended virtual Personal Area Network (EVPAN). When the user exits his car and leaves one of his collaborative devices in the car, and travels out of Personal Area Network (PAN) range of the device in the car, the communication system provides for the user to take advantage of the collaborative features the device left behind in the car by bridging the PAN with a WAN via an EVPAN server. Further, the communication system provides for collaborative communication devices to communicate with each other without a need for users of such collaborative communication devices to be authenticated. For example, someone picking up a first communication device of a user can connect to a second, collaborative communication device of the user without the person using the first communication device being authenticated.

Abstract: Improved incident device pairing for safety and security of first responders entering an incident scene area associated with an incident is provided. An electronic computing device (ECD) transmits a request to scan for nearby pairable mobile computing devices to each of a plurality of mobile computing devices (MCDs) associated with the incident. The ECD receives identity information from each MCDs setting forth identities of other MCDs reachable via a short-range wireless communication link. The ECD accesses equipment mapping information that sets forth equipment associated with the MCD or user thereof and identifies a plurality of pairs of MCDs for entering the incident scene area as a function of the identity and equipment mapping information. The ECD then transmits a short-range pairing instruction to each MCD identifying the other mobile computing device in the pair and instructing the MCDs to pair with one another via their short-range wireless communication link.

Abstract: A multi-system priority scan process including maintaining, at a mobile station (MS), a scan list including channels associated with talkgroups, the talkgroups including one or more trunked radio system talkgroups and one or more conventional radio system talkgroups. The MS negotiates, with a trunked radio system, a working channel for a particular trunked radio system talkgroup out of the trunked radio system talkgroups, the working channel being a traffic channel that the trunked radio system will first attempt to assign a call for that talkgroup. During a subsequent scan for talkgroup for activity associated with the particular trunked radio system talkgroup, the MS switches to the working channel and determines if a carrier is present on the working channel, without switching to a control channel of the trunked radio system to scan for activity associated with the particular trunked radio system talkgroup.