Data Carrier Device Dispatch for Limited Wireless Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
First responders at incident scenes with limited wireless connectivity face challenges in sharing and accessing critical data, such as weather conditions, criminal records, and responder status, due to poor or non-existent wireless communication links.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a server and data carrier devices capable of transporting information to locations with limited connectivity, where the server identifies suitable devices to store and download necessary data, and dispatches them to the incident site for physical transport, ensuring data availability despite wireless limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wireless communication is used to transmit data to incident scenes, then data sharing capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to limited or non-existent wireless coverage at incident locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data carrier device as an intermediary between the dispatch center and first responders. This device physically carries data to incident scenes where wireless coverage is unavailable, serving as a mediator that bridges the communication gap without relying on wireless infrastructure at the destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the wireless electromagnetic transmission system with a mechanical delivery system. Instead of transmitting data through air waves to a location with no signal, the system uses physical transport of data carriers (via vehicle or drone) to deliver information directly to the incident scene, substituting one transmission mechanism for another that works in the given environment.
2Reliability
If data is physically transported to incident scenes using data carrier devices, then reliability of data delivery is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination between identification, dispatch, and physical transport
Solution Approach 1:
The data carrier device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data storage medium and as a transport vehicle. The same device that holds the data can be directly transported to the destination, eliminating the need for separate data extraction and physical transfer steps, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the novel approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated identification and dispatch. The server automatically identifies suitable data carrier devices based on incident location and data requirements, generates dispatch commands, and coordinates transport without requiring manual intervention for each data delivery task, reducing the perceived complexity for operators.
3Ease of operation
If multiple data carrier devices are deployed to ensure data availability, then data accessibility is improved, but loss of substance increases due to duplication of data across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data delivery task across multiple data carrier devices when necessary. Each device can carry a portion of the required data or be dispatched to different incident scenes, allowing the system to handle multiple simultaneous requests efficiently while the server manages the overall data distribution strategy to minimize unnecessary duplication.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for dispatching data carrier devices is provided. The device comprises: a communication interface; and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive, using the communication interface, an incident report including a location of an associated incident; determine from the incident report: that the location has limited wireless coverage; and information that is to be transported to the location of the associated incident; identify a data carrier device that is capable of transporting the information to the location and is one or more of: presently storing at least a portion of the information; and capable of downloading any portion of the information that is not presently stored at the data carrier device; and transmit, using the communication interface, a dispatch command to the data carrier device to travel to the location; and an indication of the information to be transported to the location.