Medical Alert Device Direct Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal emergency response systems (PERS) often require users to go through intermediaries, which can be time-consuming in critical situations, and are costly, making them inaccessible to low- or fixed-income individuals, particularly the elderly and infirm.
Innovation Solution
A medical alert device with a microprocessor, data store, and wireless communication module that allows direct communication with predetermined call recipients, including emergency dispatch offices, using a preprogrammed button and optional limited-use SIM card for emergency calls, eliminating the need for intermediaries and providing a low-cost solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring station intermediary is used to forward medical alerts, then the alert can be assessed and forwarded to appropriate responders, but the response time is delayed and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intermediary monitoring station from the alert transmission path, allowing the medical alert device to communicate directly with emergency responders. This eliminates the time delay and additional costs associated with using a monitoring station intermediary while maintaining reliable alert delivery through direct cellular communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cellular network as a new intermediary that enables direct communication between the medical alert device and emergency responders. This alternative intermediary eliminates the need for traditional monitoring stations while maintaining reliable alert forwarding capability.
2Reliability
If a monitoring station subscription plan is used, then medical alert transmission is enabled, but the cost becomes prohibitively high for low- or fixed-income individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or limited-use SIM cards that can be purchased at low cost or even for free, replacing expensive recurring subscription plans. These SIM cards provide sufficient functionality for emergency alert transmission without requiring ongoing payment commitments, making the system accessible to low- or fixed-income individuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical alert device autonomously transmits alerts directly to emergency responders using the cellular network and SIM card, eliminating the need for paid monitoring station services. The system serves itself by handling alert transmission independently without requiring expensive intermediary services.
3Loss of time
If direct communication with emergency dispatch office is implemented, then response time is reduced, but the device requires wireless network connectivity capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the universal cellular network infrastructure already widely available, enabling the medical alert device to communicate directly with emergency dispatch offices. The cellular network provides both voice and data capabilities, allowing the device to transmit alerts quickly without requiring specialized communication hardware beyond standard cellular connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical alert device that may be used to transmit a medical alert over a wireless network. The medical alert device includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the device, a data store configured to store the phone number of at least one predetermined call recipient, and a wireless communication module that is connectable to a wireless network. The medical alert device also includes a preprogrammed user actuatable button that is configured to, upon being actuated, initiate the execution of software instructions by the microprocessor to retrieve a phone number stored on the data store. The microprocessor may then connect to the wireless network and establish a communication link with the predetermined call recipient by dialing the phone number. Also disclosed are peripheral devices that may be operatively connected to the medical alert device.