Decentralized Auto-Triggering for Mobile Recording Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile and portable recording devices require manual operation or central control to activate multiple units, limiting their decentralized and automated recording capabilities, especially in scenarios where rapid and extensive coverage is needed, such as first responder operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a decentralized control method using Bluetooth wireless communication to auto-trigger nearby mobile recording devices, such as body and vehicle cameras, to enter recording mode when one device is activated, allowing for daisy-chain communication to expand the recording area without the need for a central controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual operation or central control is used to activate multiple recording devices, then device complexity and control reliability are maintained, but automation extent and response speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of recording device activationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each mobile recording device autonomously monitors its own recording state and automatically transmits triggering signals to nearby devices without requiring manual operation or central controller intervention. The device serves itself by detecting when it should record and independently initiating the activation of other devices in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control function is segmented and distributed to individual recording devices. Instead of one central controller managing all devices, each device becomes an independent control node that can autonomously trigger nearby devices, dividing the control authority across multiple autonomous units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a central controller is used to control multiple far-flung devices, then coordination reliability is improved, but response time and automation capability deteriorate due to communication delays and manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording coverage expansion speedVSAvoidactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Devices continuously monitor their recording states and maintain readiness to transmit triggering signals. The triggering capability is prepared in advance, so when a device enters recording mode, it can immediately transmit the triggering signal to nearby devices without waiting for central controller commands or manual activation, thus reducing activation delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system transitions from a static centralized architecture to a dynamic decentralized network where control rights are distributed and can move freely between devices. Any device can become a triggering source at any time, making the system adaptable and responsive to changing operational conditions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If decentralized auto-triggering is implemented, then automation extent and response speed improve, but control complexity and communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator intervention requirementVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical operation of switching devices on and off is replaced with electronic wireless communication. Devices use Bluetooth or similar wireless protocols to automatically transmit triggering signals, eliminating the need for physical intervention while the communication complexity is managed through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Area of stationary object

If triggering signals are transmitted over long distances via central controller, then geographic coverage is expanded, but signal reliability and activation speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording coverage areaVSAvoidtriggering signal reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The large geographic coverage area is segmented into multiple smaller communication zones, each managed by individual devices. Instead of one device trying to communicate with all others over long distances, each device communicates only with nearby devices in its local zone, ensuring reliable short-distance transmission while collectively achieving broad coverage through the network effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimensional centralized control model to a multi-dimensional decentralized network. Control signals propagate through multiple spatial dimensions via daisy-chain transmission between nearby devices, allowing coverage expansion in all directions simultaneously rather than being limited by central controller range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10218943B2Method and apparatus for triggering multiple data recording devices

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 L3 TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for controlling mobile/remote recording devices in a decentralized manner and auto-triggering such devices in the event that one of them is operating in a recording mode. In this way, other such devices can be made to support and augment the recording in an automated way, without requiring an operator to manually turn on his or her devices and without requiring a central controller to control far-flung devices.