Centralized Event Warning Network for Remote Asset Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems fail to provide real-time event warnings to numerous remotely located human assets effectively, leaving them exposed to threats and lacking the necessary response time for protective actions.
Innovation Solution
A centralized network information system that combines hardware and software components to receive and distribute event warnings to individual entities across dispersed locations, utilizing situational awareness workstations, network bridges, and user warning and positioning devices, ensuring secure and timely notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized system distributes event warnings to numerous individually equipped remote human assets, then the response time and survivability are improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the warning distribution function into a centralized system that consolidates multiple individual warning systems into a single coordinated network. The central system receives event warnings, processes them, and distributes them to affected remote human assets through a coordinated network of communication devices, eliminating the need for each asset to have independent warning generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication devices as intermediary elements between the centralized system and remote human assets. These devices receive warnings from the central system and relay them to affected individuals, serving as mediators that reduce the complexity burden on each individual asset while maintaining reliable warning delivery.
2Productivity
If manual generation of warning messages is used, then system complexity is reduced, but the response time and efficiency of warning distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through automated processing of event warnings at the centralized system. The system pre-processes incoming warnings, determines affected areas and assets, and prepares distribution messages before actual delivery is needed. This advance preparation enables rapid response when events occur without requiring manual intervention at the moment of critical decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized system performs self-service by automatically processing and distributing warnings without requiring manual human intervention. The system autonomously receives event warnings, identifies affected remote human assets, and initiates distribution through the communication network, significantly improving response time while managing complexity centrally rather than at individual asset levels.
3Reliability
If every remote human asset is equipped with independent warning and positioning devices, then the reliability of warning delivery is improved, but the cost and loss of resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing communication devices that serve multiple functions: they act as warning receivers, positioning nodes, and distribution relays. A single device can support multiple remote human assets within its coverage area, reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining reliable warning delivery through the networked architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a networked system where warning information is replicated and distributed through multiple communication devices rather than requiring unique warning generation at each asset. The centralized system creates master warning messages that are copied and relayed to affected assets through the communication network, reducing resource consumption while maintaining delivery reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information system, method, and computer program product is provided for the centralized warning of existing or developing significant events and/or threats to affected users carrying a user warning and positioning device, while reporting the location of all user's carrying the user warning and positioning devices of the system to existing command and control systems. The present invention's future event warning capabilities permit those same affected users to be warned of impending events in enough time for the users to take positive actions in response to these events and/or address those events. The system of the present invention includes a pager-like user warning and positioning device, worn by or carried by the individual user, or mounted in a vehicle or vessel, having a geographical positioning means therein, which periodically transmits the geographical location of the individual user, vehicle or vessel, and listens for warning/notification event messages transmitted by a network bridge or situational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway (central processing means). When an event/threat warning is received by the user warning and positioning device, the pager-like user warning and positioning device alerts the user via indicia relative to the event/situation, including audible spoken warnings and instructions on how to react, and may retransmit the event/threat warning to other user warning and positioning devices in the network, provided the threat has not occurred and the event/threat warning has not been previously relayed.