Communication Device Prioritizing Local Systems for Emergency Help
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users in remote regions with limited or no communication system infrastructure face challenges in requesting help due to lack of coverage, requiring separate devices for location detection and communication, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A communication device method and system that initiates an emergency call, attempts to detect and send distress messages through a predefined sequence of communication systems, and automatically accesses a satellite-based distress system when local systems are unavailable, eliminating the need for separate devices and optimizing help receipt in terms of time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users use separate devices for location detection and communication, then help can be requested in remote regions, but the system becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines location detection and communication functions into a single integrated communication device. The device includes both a transceiver for communication and a location detection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate PLB and radio devices while maintaining the ability to request help in remote regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can communicate with local communication systems when available, detect its location, and automatically access satellite-based distress systems when needed. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Reliability
If users attempt to contact multiple communication systems, then help can be received more reliably, but the time to receive help increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device stores a predefined sequence of communication systems in memory before a distress situation occurs. When emergency mode is activated, the device automatically follows the pre-established sequence to contact systems in order of priority, eliminating the need for real-time decision-making and reducing the time to receive help while maintaining reliable contact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the communication system infrastructure is extended to cover more regions, then more users can access help, but the capital investment required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a satellite-based distress system as an intermediary that connects users in remote regions without requiring extensive terrestrial infrastructure. The satellite system acts as a mediator between users in areas lacking communication infrastructure and the help they need, enabling coverage expansion without proportional increases in capital investment for ground-based infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (300) for requesting help by a user of a communication device (102) is disclosed. The method includes initiating (304) an emergency call by the user and successively attempting (306) to transmit a distress message to a communication system from a plurality of communication systems based on a predefined priority sequence. The predefined sequence includes a list of the communication systems (104, 106, 108, 110, and 112) arranged according to a pre-assigned priority wherein a satellite based system (112) is preferably assigned the lowest priority. Once one of the systems acknowledges the distress message, the user is notified. The method includes automatically accessing the satellite-based distress system (312), when attempts to detect the other communication systems based on the predefined sequence have failed.