Autonomous Emergency Detection via Distributed Sensor Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency response systems rely on central authorities for emergency identification and communication, which can fail in areas without such infrastructure, leading to delayed or ineffective responses.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where smart devices autonomously detect sensor abnormalities, communicate directly with nearby devices via various networks, validate the data, and initiate emergency calls if a match is confirmed, ensuring rapid response without reliance on central systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centralized emergency response system is used, then emergency information can be stored and controlled by a central authority, but the system fails in areas without central infrastructure and causes delayed responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response reliabilityVSAvoidsystem infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized emergency response system is segmented into distributed autonomous devices. Each device independently monitors its local environment using sensors and can autonomously detect emergencies without relying on a central authority. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure in centralized systems and enables operation in areas without central infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Devices are equipped with autonomous capabilities to self-monitor, self-detect, and self-report emergencies. Each device independently validates sensor data against pre-stored reference parameters and can autonomously initiate emergency responses, eliminating the need for centralized control and enabling operation in remote areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If devices autonomously detect and communicate emergencies without central systems, then response time is reduced and reliability in remote areas is improved, but false alarms may increase due to lack of centralized validation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response timeVSAvoidemergency detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Devices implement feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously monitored and compared against pre-stored reference parameters. The system provides feedback loops that validate readings against thresholds and patterns, allowing autonomous devices to distinguish between actual emergencies and false alarm conditions without centralized validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Reference parameters, threshold patterns, and validation criteria are pre-stored in devices before emergencies occur. This preliminary preparation enables devices to immediately validate sensor readings and make accurate emergency determinations without needing real-time centralized validation, reducing response time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple devices validate emergency data through cross-validation, then false alarms are reduced and detection accuracy is improved, but communication overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency detection precisionVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple devices merge their sensor data and validation results through standardized communication protocols. Devices share their emergency detections and reference parameter comparisons, combining individual validations into a collective determination. This merging approach improves detection precision through cross-validation while using standardized protocols to minimize communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Speed

If devices broadcast abnormal sensor data to all nearby devices, then emergency information is rapidly disseminated, but network bandwidth is consumed and false alarms may propagate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation dissemination speedVSAvoidnetwork communication energy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Devices perform partial broadcasting by sending emergency information only to a subset of nearby devices rather than all devices in range. The system uses selective communication based on proximity, relevance, and current network conditions, disseminating information rapidly to the most relevant devices while conserving network bandwidth and energy by avoiding unnecessary transmissions to distant or unrelated devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4495905B1Method, system and device for autonomously identifying an emergency
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 UNIFY BETEILIGUNGSVERWALTUNG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4495905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495905B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a system and a device for autonomously identifying an emergency, wherein the method comprising the steps of monitoring, by an application of a first device, sensor data from at least one sensor of the first device; detecting or receiving, by the application of the first device, an abnormality in the sensor data of the at least one sensor; initiating, by the application of the first device, the abnormality state, storing, by the application of the first device, the abnormal sensor data from the at least one sensor; generating, by the application of the first device, a message comprising the abnormal sensor data; broadcasting, by the application of the first device, the generated message to all further devices over all types of available networks.