Emergency Text Location Handoff Between Wireless Device and PSAP
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emergency situations where a voice call to emergency services is not possible, individuals may be unable to provide their location through a text message, leading to delayed assistance.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device transmits a text message to a public safety answering point (PSAP) using a wireless network, which then requests and receives the device's location through the network, allowing the PSAP to determine the individual's location without requiring direct input from the person in distress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a person sends a text message to emergency services without providing location information, then the message can be transmitted successfully, but help arrives too late due to lack of location data
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic location information transmission by having the wireless device send its location data along with the text message to the PSAP without requiring manual input from the user. The device serves itself by automatically attaching location metadata to the emergency message.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the wireless device with location capabilities and automatically retrieves location information before the emergency message is sent to the PSAP. This preliminary gathering of location data ensures it is ready for transmission without delaying the emergency response.
2Ease of operation
If a voice call is attempted in an active shooter emergency, then direct communication might be possible, but the person may be unable to complete the call or speak due to the dangerous situation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a voice call for emergency communication, the system inverts the approach by enabling text-based communication (SMS or data messages) as the primary method. This allows individuals in situations where voice calls are impossible to still contact emergency services effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the voice call mechanism with text message transmission. Rather than requiring vocal communication through a voice call, the device uses text-based messaging protocols to establish emergency contact, which is more reliable in situations where speaking is not possible.
3Measurement precision
If the PSAP requests location information after receiving a text message, then accurate location can be obtained, but additional communication steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the location request and location data transmission into a single automated process. When the PSAP sends a location request, the wireless device automatically responds with location information without requiring additional manual steps or complex multi-step protocols from the user.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices are provided for transmitting, by a wireless device, a text message to a public safety answering point (PSAP) using a wireless network, receiving a location request from the PSAP using the wireless network and, in response to the receiving the location request, transmitting a location response comprising a wireless device location to the PSAP using the wireless network.


