Decentralized Alert Network Pairing for Faster Emergency Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alert systems suffer from delayed response times and inefficiencies in addressing emergencies due to reliance on central dispatch networks, inability to assess a wide range of factors, and issues with false positives, leading to potential loss of life and inappropriate medical responses.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized network of alert devices using a long-range, low-energy consumption point-to-point or mesh communication protocol allows direct communication between devices, enabling rapid alert propagation and authentication to ensure timely assistance from nearby individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a central dispatch network is used for alerts, then communication infrastructure is established, but response time increases due to dispatcher determination and contact procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alert transmission function from the central dispatch network by enabling direct peer-to-peer communication between alert devices. This eliminates the intermediary dispatch center and allows immediate notification to designated recipients, significantly reducing response time while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a decentralized mesh network as an intermediary structure that replaces the traditional central dispatch. Multiple alert devices act as intermediaries to each other, forming a distributed communication pathway that enables direct alert transmission without requiring a central authority, thus reducing response time while distributing system complexity across the network.
2Extent of automation
If health/exercise monitors with sensing programs are used, then automated event detection is provided, but false positives occur when users act in ways interpreted as problematic events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the alert device communicates with the user's smartphone to verify the detected event. The system asks the user to confirm the alert through the smartphone interface, allowing immediate correction of false positives while maintaining automated detection capability. This feedback loop ensures reliability by verifying sensor interpretations before triggering alerts.
3Ease of operation
If smartphones or smartwatches are used for alerts, then communication capability is provided, but the contacted entity cannot communicate with the incapacitated user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the alert device to autonomously initiate communication with nearby individuals through the decentralized mesh network without requiring the incapacitated user's participation. The system self-services the communication function by using the alert device's own resources to notify designated recipients directly, eliminating the need for the user to respond or communicate while maintaining reliable notification delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A notification system is provided including a first alert device configured to transmit and receive alerts conforming to a long range, low energy consumption point to point or mesh communication protocol and at least one additional alert device configured to transmit and receive alerts conforming to the protocol. The first alert device is configured to transmit a network creation ping using the protocol, the network creation ping receivable by at least one additional alert device approved to join a decentralized network. At least one additional alert device receiving the network creation ping is configured to pair with the first alert device thereby establishing the decentralized network. The first alert device and each additional alert device in the decentralized network is configured to transmit an alert directly to at least one other alert device in the decentralized network using the protocol.