Distress Information Transmission via Automatic Multi-Network Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems fail to efficiently switch between different networks during emergencies, leading to delayed rescue attempts when cellular networks are unavailable, especially in disaster scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically switches between short-range, cellular, satellite, and remote device communication networks in a preset sequence to ensure timely distress information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually select communication networks during emergencies, then network selection flexibility is improved, but rescue response time deteriorates due to delayed network switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection flexibilityVSAvoidrescue response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically performs network selection and switching without user intervention. The device monitors signal quality of multiple networks (first network, second network, third network) and autonomously switches to the optimal network for distress information transmission, eliminating manual selection delays while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device pre-configures multiple communication networks and establishes monitoring mechanisms before emergencies occur. Signal quality is continuously monitored in advance, enabling rapid automatic switching when network conditions change, thus reducing rescue response time while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If terminal devices support multiple communication networks, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork switching mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication system into distinct network layers: a primary network (first network) for normal operation, and alternative networks (second network, third network) for backup. Each network has dedicated communication modules and protocols, simplifying the overall architecture while ensuring reliability through segmented failover mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that manages network switching logic. It monitors signal quality from multiple networks and automatically selects the optimal network for distress information transmission, abstracting away the complexity of multi-network management from the user while maintaining high communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic network switching is implemented, then rescue efficiency is improved, but information analysis time increases due to multiple network evaluations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverescue efficiencyVSAvoidinformation analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs continuous signal quality monitoring on multiple networks simultaneously rather than sequential evaluation. This parallel monitoring approach partially increases processing load but dramatically reduces the time required to identify suitable networks for distress transmission, thereby improving overall rescue efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The device maintains continuous signal quality monitoring across all configured networks before and during emergencies. This ongoing evaluation ensures that when distress information needs to be transmitted, the optimal network is immediately identified without requiring time-consuming analysis, thus improving rescue efficiency while minimizing information processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4395384B1Help-seeking information sending method and system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4395384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4395384B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4395384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the application provide a distress information sending method and system, relate to the field of terminal technologies. By setting automatic switching of various communication means, a user may be rescued in time. The method includes: A terminal device obtains first distress information, where the first distress information includes at least one of adverse sign information or positioning information of a user. The terminal device selects a first communication network from a plurality of communication networks in a preset sequence, where the first communication network is any one of a short-range connection network, a cellular network, a satellite network, and a communication network between remote devices. When the terminal device can be connected to the rescue processing device by using the first communication network, the terminal device sends the first distress information to the rescue processing device by using the first communication network. Alternatively, when the terminal device cannot be connected to the rescue processing device by using the first communication network, the terminal device re-selects a new first communication network from the plurality of communication networks in the preset sequence.