Automatic Emergency Call Initiator for Incapacitated User Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems require manual initiation of emergency calls, which can be difficult or impossible in situations where the user is incapacitated or unable to access their device, and lack efficient mechanisms for automatically locating and tracking mobile stations during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an Automatic Emergency Call Initiator (AECI) and an Emergency Notification Server (ENS) to automatically initiate emergency calls and track mobile stations using GPS and signaling messages, allowing for location determination and notification of emergency responders, as well as tagging and monitoring of nearby mobile stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual initiation of emergency calls is required, then device operation simplicity is maintained, but emergency response time increases when user is incapacitated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring user vitals and environmental sensors before an emergency occurs. When abnormal conditions are detected, the system has already prepared the emergency call sequence, eliminating the need for manual initiation and reducing response time while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency call system serves itself by automatically detecting emergencies through sensors and initiating calls without human intervention. The device monitors its own status and environment, making independent decisions to activate emergency protocols, thus improving reliability during incapacitation while avoiding complexity for normal operation.
2Loss of time
If automatic emergency call initiation is implemented, then emergency response time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional modules: sensor modules for detection, processing modules for analysis, and execution modules for call initiation. Each module operates independently with defined interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while enabling automatic emergency response functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing device components serve multiple functions: the camera acts as both a photo tool and emergency location identifier, the microphone serves for voice calls and emergency audio detection, and the GPS provides navigation and location tracking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated emergency hardware, maintaining simplicity while enabling automatic initiation.
3Measurement precision
If mobile station tracking and monitoring is performed, then emergency location accuracy is improved, but privacy and security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different monitoring qualities to different contexts: during normal operation, minimal location data is collected for basic services, while during confirmed emergencies, enhanced tracking precision is activated only in the immediate emergency area. This localized approach improves measurement precision when needed while minimizing privacy intrusion during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively addresses privacy concerns by implementing opt-in consent mechanisms and clear data usage policies before tracking begins. Users can pre-authorize emergency tracking, and the system automatically limits data collection to what is necessary for emergency response, preventing privacy violations before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An Automatic Emergency Call Initiator (AECI) initiates an automatic emergency call protocol on a mobile communication system, which can be done using signaling messages. The user uses the AECI to initiate the call on a mobile station. GPS or other location data is automatically determined. Data is stored on an Emergency Notification Server (ENS) associated with an event identifier for easy retrieval or notification to emergency responders. The ENS generates an automated call to a call center and also supports the automatic emergency call protocol by storing GPS and identifying info on mobile stations meeting location criteria of the AECI initiated call. The ENS can also tag a mobile station to continue tracking mobile stations coming within a specified distance of the mobile station. A security alert protocol for predetermined mobile stations detected by a network can also be implemented using the ENS.