Emergency Responder Reply System Real-Time Status Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency response communications lack efficient and reliable methods for emergency service agencies to obtain timely information about the availability, response status, and location of off-site members, leading to delays in service provision, which can result in loss of life or property.

Innovation Solution

An emergency responder reply system (ERRS) that receives telephonic responses from responders, obtains information about their status, and provides it via an Internet-based web portal, allowing for real-time tracking of responders' availability and location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional pager systems are used for dispatch, then responders can be notified of emergencies, but there is no reliable method to obtain timely information about responder availability and response status

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about responder availability and statusVSAvoidtime to obtain responder status information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback by having responders call back to the dispatch center using speed dialing, which automatically transmits their response status, location, and availability information back to the dispatch center without requiring manual data entry or communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing responders to automatically provide their own status information through the speed dialing mechanism, eliminating the need for dispatch center personnel to manually track or contact each responder for status updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If dispatch center personnel manually track responder status, then information can be obtained, but it requires consumption of open telephone lines and radio frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponder status informationVSAvoidconsumption of telephone lines and radio frequencies

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Responders automatically provide their own status information through pre-programmed speed dialing, eliminating the need for dispatch center personnel to consume telephone lines and radio frequencies by manually contacting each responder

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of tracking responders with an automated electronic system that uses pre-programmed speed dialing and automatic data transmission, reducing consumption of communication resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the system waits for predetermined time after initial dispatch, then it can determine if sufficient members are responding, but this causes delays in emergency service provision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfirmation of sufficient responder availabilityVSAvoiddelay in emergency service provision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous tracking of responder status through automated speed dialing and real-time data transmission, eliminating the need to wait for predetermined time periods while maintaining reliable information about responder availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Automated feedback from responders through speed dialing provides continuous information about response status, allowing the dispatch center to immediately determine if sufficient members are responding without imposing predetermined waiting periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If manual tracking of responder information is implemented, then dispatch centers can obtain responder status, but it requires additional personnel and resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponder availability and location informationVSAvoidpersonnel and resources required for tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for additional personnel by having responders automatically provide their own status information through speed dialing, with the system automatically processing and displaying the information without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual personnel-based tracking with an automated electronic system that uses speed dialing, automatic call routing, and computer-based information display, eliminating the need for additional personnel and resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8848877B2Emergency responder reply system and related methods

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 IAR LLC

AI summary

An emergency responder reply system (ERRS) and method are disclosed that minimize, and in many instances eliminate, the delays frequently associated with responding to emergency and other events requiring response services. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a telephonic response from a responder to a dispatch for services; obtaining information about the responder from which a telephonic response has been received; and providing the information via an Internet-based web portal.