Mobile Terminal Alarm State via Code Sequence Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for alerting emergency services via cellular networks lack feedback mechanisms, making it difficult for control centers to confirm receipt and readiness of alert messages, which is crucial for effective coordination during emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates an alerting short message with a code sequence and confirmation identifier, processed by an identification module in the mobile radio terminal, which sets the terminal to an alarm state and sends an acknowledgment to the control center, ensuring that only authorized personnel receive alerts and allowing control centers to verify the status of recipients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If alert messages are sent via SMS to mobile terminals, then the alerting process is simple and uses existing infrastructure, but no feedback is received to confirm receipt and readiness of the alert

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealerting process simplicityVSAvoidfeedback information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where mobile terminals automatically send acknowledgment messages back to the control center when they receive alert messages. The terminal evaluates the alert message, transitions to an alarm state, and transmits a confirmation message containing status information, thereby providing the control center with feedback on receipt and processing state without requiring manual user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual confirmation is required from emergency services personnel, then feedback accuracy is improved, but response time and coordination efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidcoordination time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal automatically performs the evaluation and confirmation functions without requiring manual user intervention. When an alert message is received, the terminal's identification module automatically evaluates the message, transitions to an alarm state, and sends the confirmation message back to the control center, eliminating the need for manual confirmation while maintaining reliability through automated status reporting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional devices are deployed for alerting emergency services, then feedback and status monitoring are improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus monitoringVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the mobile terminal's existing communication capabilities and processing functions to handle alert message reception, evaluation, state transition, and confirmation message transmission. The identification module leverages the terminal's existing hardware and software resources, eliminating the need for separate dedicated alerting devices while achieving comprehensive status monitoring and feedback functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1876842B1Method and device for alerting a user in a mobile wireless network
Publication Date: 2013.03.27 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP1876842B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for alerting a mobile phone subscriber (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) with a mobile phone terminal (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) via a mobile network (10), wherein a control center (16) for coordinating alarm calls is coupled with a switching center (18) of the mobile network (10). The control center (16) generates an alarm short message (46) with a code sequence (50). The alarm short message (46) is sent via the mobile network (10) to an identification module (58) of the mobile phone terminal (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) to be alerted. The identification module (58) evaluates the code sequence (50) of the alarm short message (46) and places a mobile communication device (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) into an alarm state. The invention further relates to a method for processing such an alarm short message (46). The invention also relates to a corresponding control center (16) and a mobile communication device (36, 38, 40, 42, 44).