Dynamic Exit Route Calculation for Emergency Responders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency responders face challenges in resource management and safe exit planning during incidents like structure fires, due to insufficient situational awareness and unclear exit routes, which can lead to ineffective resource allocation and increased risk.

Innovation Solution

A communications system that processes sensor data from environmental and biometric sensors to calculate optimal exit routes for emergency responders, providing real-time situational awareness and exit instructions through a processor and communications adapter, embedded in a computer-readable storage medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If resource allocation decisions are based on human sensory perceptions and bystander information, then the decision-making process is simple and quick, but the situational awareness is insufficient and resource allocation effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation effectivenessVSAvoidsituational awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human sensory perception and manual information gathering with electronic sensor systems and automated data processing. Sensors detect environmental conditions (smoke, heat, gas) and the system automatically processes this data to provide situational awareness, eliminating the limitations of human senses and improving resource allocation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and communication devices that mediate between the incident scene and the resource allocation decision-makers. This intermediary system collects, processes, and transmits critical information, bridging the information gap and enabling more effective resource allocation decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If emergency responders rely on traditional exit signs and manual navigation, then the system is simple, but exit routes may be blocked or hidden and responders are exposed to danger longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe exit planningVSAvoidexit time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates multiple potential exit routes and stores them in the system before emergencies occur. During an incident, the system can immediately provide pre-planned escape paths, eliminating the need for responders to search for exits in smoke-filled environments and reducing exposure time to danger.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic exit route calculation that adapts to changing conditions in real-time. As sensors detect new hazards or blockages, the system recalculates and updates escape routes, ensuring responders always have access to the safest available path rather than static pre-printed signs that may become obsolete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2171999B1Dynamic resource assignment and exit information for emergency responders
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP2171999B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2171999B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2171999B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and system for providing situational awareness at an incident scene. Sensor data can be received from at least one sensor (104, 106, 108) located at the incident scene and position data can be received for at least one resource (306, 308, 310, 312). Based on the received data, at least one optimal exit route (318) at the incident scene can be calculated. The present invention also relates to a system (118) that provides situational awareness at an incident scene. The system can include a communications adapter (204) that receives sensor data from at least one sensor located at the incident scene and position data for at least one resource located at the incident scene, and a processor (202) that calculates at least one optimal exit route for the resource to exit a location at the incident scene based on the received sensor data and position data.