Mobile Alert System for Emergency Vehicle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers of vehicles often fail to notice approaching emergency vehicles due to distractions or vehicle insulation, leading to potential accidents and delays in emergency response times, especially in busy noisy cities.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that use location-tracking capabilities of mobile communication devices to dynamically alert users of approaching emergency vehicles by determining the relative location, speed, and direction of both the emergency vehicle and the mobile device, allowing for timely action to be taken.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drivers focus on the road ahead or use distractions like music or phone calls, then driving concentration is maintained, but awareness of approaching emergency vehicles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidawareness of emergency vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile communication device as an intermediary that detects emergency vehicles and relays this information to the driver through alerts. This mediator bridges the gap between the external environment (emergency vehicles) and the driver's awareness, allowing drivers to maintain focus while still receiving critical safety information about approaching emergency vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If vehicles are insulated against outside noise, then comfort is improved, but awareness of emergency vehicles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle comfortVSAvoidawareness of emergency vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic detection method (relying on drivers hearing emergency vehicles through vehicle insulation) with an electronic detection and communication system. The mobile communication device uses electronic sensors and communication networks to detect and alert drivers about emergency vehicles, substituting the failed acoustic pathway with an electronic information channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If drivers react late or startle when noticing emergency vehicles, then response time is reduced, but accident risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidaccident prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by alerting drivers in advance of emergency vehicles before they reach the driver's position. The mobile communication device calculates the approach of emergency vehicles and provides early warnings, allowing drivers to take preventive action (such as pulling over or changing lanes) before the emergency vehicle arrives, thereby eliminating late reactions and reducing accident risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9613531B2Methods, devices, and computer readable storage device for providing alerts

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

In determining whether to provide an alert associated with a mobile element to a mobile communication device, speeds and directions of travel of the mobile element and the mobile communication device are determined. A relative location of the mobile communication device is calculated with respect to the mobile element. Based on the relative location of the mobile communication device with respect to the mobile element, a determination is made whether the alert should be provided.