Emergency Data Access via Proximity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency response teams often lack access to critical data such as cellular phone trace information, building schematics, and video feeds during disasters, hindering their ability to respond effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that determines if an emergency situation is occurring, identifies the location, and grants authorized access to data on proximate computing devices within predetermined distances, using a computing device with components like an emergency situation determiner, location determiner, proximity determiner, and proximate device data accessor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If emergency response teams are granted access to data on proximate computing devices during emergencies, then response effectiveness is improved, but data security and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency response effectivenessVSAvoiddata security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating data access permissions based on the specific emergency situation and the type of user. Different levels of access (anonymous vs. deanonymized) are granted to different users based on their credentials and the severity of the emergency, rather than applying a uniform access policy to all users. This resolves the contradiction by allowing necessary data access for emergency response while maintaining security through differentiated permission levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the access parameter (anonymous vs. deanonymized data) based on the emergency situation and user type. During emergencies, the system transitions from a default state of denying access to a state where controlled access is granted, with the level of access determined by user credentials and emergency severity. This parameter change enables emergency response effectiveness while maintaining data security through controlled access transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If access to data on proximate computing devices is restricted, then data security is maintained, but emergency response effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidemergency response effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making data access permissions dynamic rather than static. The system continuously evaluates the emergency situation and user credentials to determine the appropriate level of access. During non-emergency periods, access is restricted to maintain security, but during emergencies, access is dynamically granted to authorized users. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting access control to the current situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between data security requirements and emergency response needs. The authentication system acts as a mediator that verifies user credentials and determines whether to grant anonymous or deanonymized access based on the emergency situation. This intermediary layer enables security maintenance while allowing necessary access during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If anonymous access is provided to emergency responders, then response speed is improved, but data accuracy for identification purposes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency response speedVSAvoiduser identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing different levels of data access (anonymous vs. deanonymized) based on the specific needs of the emergency situation and the credentials of the user. Rather than always providing full anonymous access or always requiring full identification, the system provides the appropriate level of access - partial identification information when speed is critical, and full identification when accuracy is needed. This resolves the contradiction by matching the level of information disclosure to the specific emergency context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10602338B2Emergency authorization to access data on proximate computing devices

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Devices and methods for accessing data on at least one proximate computing device in an emergency situation are disclosed. A method includes: determining that the emergency situation is occurring; in response to determining that the emergency situation is occurring: determining a location where the emergency situation is occurring and a location of the computing device; and determining the location where the emergency situation is occurring is within a first predetermined distance of the location of the computing device; and in response to determining that the location where the emergency situation is occurring is within the first predetermined distance of the location of the computing device: determining the at least one proximate computing device located within a second predetermined distance of the location of the computing device; and receiving access to at least part of the data on the at least one proximate computing device.