Emergency Image Data Capture and Transmission for 911 Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emergency situations, individuals may be unable to verbally communicate with dispatchers, leading to uncertainty about the nature of the emergency, which can result in inefficient dispatch of resources and potential waste of time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables portable electronic devices to capture, process, transmit, and store image data during emergency calls, allowing dispatchers to access and view this data via a server, even if verbal communication is not possible, using a digital imaging device, processing, and storage modules within the device, and secure communication paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If verbal communication is used during emergency calls, then real-time interaction is enabled, but communication may fail when the caller is unable to speak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures visual information through a digital imaging device and transmits image data to the dispatcher, creating a visual copy of the emergency scene that supplements or replaces verbal communication when the caller is unable to speak
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary visual communication channel between the caller and dispatcher, using image data transmission as a mediator when direct verbal communication is not possible
2Loss of information
If image data transmission is added to emergency calls, then visual information is provided to dispatchers, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device leverages its existing digital imaging capability, originally designed for photography, and repurposes it for emergency communication by capturing and transmitting images during 911 calls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the existing voice communication function with image data transmission function in a unified emergency calling system, integrating multiple communication modalities into a single workflow
3Loss of information
If image data is transmitted during emergency calls, then situational awareness is improved, but transmission time and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and prepares image data for transmission in advance during the emergency call, so that visual information is ready to be sent to the dispatcher without delaying the emergency response
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits essential visual information about the emergency scene, focusing on capturing the most critical aspects of the situation rather than exhaustive documentation, thereby balancing information completeness with transmission efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for recording emergency data during a 911 call. The emergency data recorded may be in the form of a digital image. The digital image may be of the event prompting the 911 call. The digital image may be a single image, a series of images, or streaming video. The emergency data may be received on a portable electronic device, such as a cell phone, through a digital imaging device, such as a digital camera. The emergency data may then be transmitted to a server, wherein the emergency data is stored. The emergency data may be accessed by a 911 dispatcher during a 911 call to review the image data to aid in assessing the emergency recorded in the emergency data.