Mobile Device Accident Detection and Notification Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to minimize the time between a vehicle accident and the notification of appropriate parties, as current vehicle safety innovations do not adequately address the prompt communication of accident information to emergency services or contacts.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using mobile devices to detect vehicle accidents through sensor data and occupant information, determining the severity of the accident, and electronically transmitting notifications to designated contacts, including emergency services, based on pre-defined thresholds and occupant data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vehicle safety innovations such as anti-lock brakes and collision avoidance systems are implemented, then vehicle safety is improved, but the time to communicate accident information to appropriate parties remains excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle safetyVSAvoidtime to notify appropriate parties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting accident conditions through sensor data (accelerometers, gyroscopes, airbag deployment sensors) and automatically initiating communication with appropriate parties before manual intervention is required. The mobile device detects the accident, determines severity, and sends notifications automatically, eliminating the time delay associated with manual reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If manual reporting of accidents is used, then communication accuracy is maintained, but the time to notify emergency services and contacts is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication accuracyVSAvoidnotification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device to automatically detect accidents through its sensors, determine accident severity based on sensor data thresholds, identify appropriate contacts based on occupant information, and transmit notifications without requiring manual input from the occupant. This automated self-service process maintains communication accuracy while dramatically reducing notification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If automated accident detection and notification systems are implemented, then notification time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages the universal capabilities already present in modern mobile devices, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, cellular communication, and contact management systems. By utilizing these existing multi-functional components for accident detection and notification, the system achieves automated detection with minimal additional complexity, as the mobile device's existing hardware and software are repurposed for this safety function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10165429B1Systems and methods for facilitating vehicle incident communications

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

This disclosure relates to facilitating vehicle incident communications. In one use case, a mobile device may detect a vehicular accident and determine one or more contacts to notify about the vehicular accident. An occupant of the vehicle may be prompted, via a user interface of the mobile device, to confirm or cancel a proposed communication to the contact(s). Upon confirmation of the proposed confirmation, the communication to the contact(s) may be transmitted.