Touchscreen BA Group State Locking for Incident Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency response incidents pose challenges in managing specialized equipment like breathing apparatus (BA) due to ineffective monitoring and control methods, which can lead to safety risks and inefficiencies in handling complex emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device with a touch screen interface is used to generate outputs representing groups of BA, configuring areas based on their states, locking modes to prevent alterations when certain criteria are met, and enabling alterations in unlocked modes, ensuring safe and efficient incident handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical board (ECB) is used to track firefighters, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the functionality is limited and safety monitoring is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical board system with an electronic touch screen interface that provides both the simplicity of manual operation and the advanced functionality of digital systems. The touch screen allows entry control operatives to interact with the system intuitively while accessing comprehensive firefighter tracking, breathing apparatus monitoring, and safety alert capabilities that a physical board cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sophisticated technology is adopted to improve functionality, then the safety monitoring capability is enhanced, but the ease of use may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoringVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors firefighter status, breathing apparatus levels, and incident conditions without requiring manual intervention. Sensors and communication devices continuously report data to the entry control system, which automatically updates the display and generates safety alerts when thresholds are exceeded, reducing the operational burden on staff while maintaining high safety monitoring standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The touch screen interface provides real-time feedback on firefighter locations, breathing apparatus status, and incident conditions. The system continuously updates the display with current information and provides immediate visual alerts when safety criteria are not met, enabling entry control operatives to quickly respond to changing conditions without complex manual monitoring procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the touch screen interface allows free alteration of BA group representations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unauthorized changes during critical states increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of modificationVSAvoidsafety assurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the interactivity of the touch screen interface based on the current state of breathing apparatus groups. When a BA group is in a stable state, the interface allows free modification and reorganization. When critical conditions are detected (such as low air supply or unsafe environmental conditions), the system automatically locks the corresponding interface elements to prevent unauthorized changes, ensuring safety while maintaining operational flexibility during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4653995A1Wireless device control
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA
  • EP4653995A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4653995A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4653995A1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

There is disclosed a method for controlling a wireless device of a network, wherein the wireless device comprises a touch screen interface the method comprising: generating a first output on the touch screen interface, wherein the first output comprises a first area of the touch screen interface, and wherein the first area comprises a representation of a group of one or more breathing apparatus; obtaining first information indicative of a state of the group; and configuring the first area of the touch screen interface based on the first information, wherein configuring the first area comprises: if the first information is indicative that the state of the group meets a first criterion, configuring the first area in a locked mode, wherein alteration of the first area via the touch screen interface is prevented in the locked mode. Also disclosed is a wireless device and a computer program product.