US 12336052

US Patent 12336052 Summary

Title: Method and system for using a situational network

Assignee: Sitnet LLC

Inventors: Thomas Cona, Patrick T. Igoe, Leonid Kravets, Edward A. Ehrlacher

Filing Date: 2024-12-30

Issue Date: 2025-06-17

Abstract:
A situational network (SitNet) is formed when an event or situation occurs, establishing connections among a set of participants. These participants can then interact and exchange information related to the event via a computer network. The SitNet can include participants who previously had no knowledge or connection to each other. The network may also include external entities, such as news or emergency relief organizations, that provide comprehensive information. Participants, including individual users with devices like cell phones or navigation systems, can be connected automatically, by request, or by invitation. The connections can be persistent or temporary, and the set of participants can change as the situation evolves or as users move relative to the situation. The SitNet can be centralized, decentralized (peer-to-peer), or a combination of both.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent includes multiple independent claims covering different aspects of the situational network. Below is a plain-language summary of each:

Claim 1:
This claim describes a method for using a situational network. It involves identifying an event or situation and then determining a set of participants relevant to that event. These participants include at least one user and a situation authority. The method then establishes connections between these participants through a computer network, allowing them to share information related to the event. The key aspect is that the connections are caused by the occurrence or expectation of the event.

Claim 7:
This claim focuses on a system for using a situational network. The system comprises a situation authority server and a user device. The situation authority server identifies an event and determines relevant participants, including at least one user. The user device, corresponding to the user, is configured to connect to the situational network. Connections are established between the situation authority server and the user device via a computer network, enabling the sharing of event-related information. Similar to Claim 1, these connections are initiated by the event.

Claim 14:
This claim describes a method for determining participants in an event relative situational network. It starts with identifying an event with certain characteristics (e.g., location, speed for a weather phenomenon). Then, it identifies users who are affected by these event characteristics, such as their proximity to the event. As the event characteristics or the users' positions change, the method dynamically updates the set of affected users. Finally, it connects or disconnects these users to/from the situational network based on whether they are determined to be affected. This highlights the dynamic nature of participant inclusion/exclusion in the network.