Mobile Device Accident Detection via Provisional Cloud Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle accident detection systems are costly, require on-board sensors, and may fail to send emergency notifications if the device is destroyed in an accident, leading to potential false emergencies and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based client-server system utilizing a personal mobile device's sensors to predict accidents and transmit provisional alarms, which are canceled if the device remains active, ensuring no false emergencies, even if the device is damaged, by using signal processing algorithms like the Kalman filter to differentiate between current and predicted vehicle states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-board sensors and accident detection systems are installed in vehicles, then accident detection capability is improved, but system cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a personal mobile device that serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication device and an accident detection system. The mobile device's existing sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) are repurposed for accident detection, eliminating the need for dedicated on-board sensors. This multi-functional approach reduces system cost while maintaining accident detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by replicating the accident detection functionality through software algorithms rather than hardware sensors. The signal processing algorithm copies the detection capability of dedicated sensors by analyzing data from the mobile device's existing sensors, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive on-board sensor systems.
2Measurement precision
If on-board sensors are used for accident detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but false alarms increase due to device destruction in accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sending a provisional alarm immediately when an accident is detected, before the mobile device may be destroyed. The system acts quickly to transmit the alarm signal, ensuring that the detection capability is utilized before potential device failure. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by capturing the detection accuracy while mitigating the reliability issue of device destruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by implementing a cancellation mechanism where the mobile application can send a 'FALSE ALARM' signal to cancel the provisional alarm if the device remains active. This feedback loop allows the system to distinguish between genuine accidents and false alarms, reducing the false alarm rate while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If dedicated accident detection systems are installed in vehicles, then emergency notification reliability is improved, but maintenance cost increases when system changes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the personal mobile device's existing capabilities (sensors, processing unit, communication interfaces) to perform accident detection and notification functions. The mobile device already possesses the necessary hardware and software infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate maintenance of dedicated detection systems. Any system updates can be performed through software updates to the mobile application, significantly reducing maintenance costs compared to hardware-based dedicated systems.
4Device complexity
If personal mobile device sensors are used for accident detection, then system cost is reduced, but detection reliability may worsen if the device is destroyed in the accident
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by immediately transmitting the provisional alarm signal when an accident is detected, before the mobile device may be destroyed. The system prioritizes rapid signal transmission over device survival, ensuring that the emergency notification is sent while the device is still functional. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving reliability through rapid preliminary action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by relying on the mobile device's existing communication infrastructure (cellular network, GPS) to transmit the alarm signal. Rather than requiring dedicated emergency communication hardware, the system uses the mobile device's standard communication capabilities as an intermediary to deliver the emergency notification, reducing system cost while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
The proposed method and system is a client-server system where client is an application monitoring and processing the readings of the sensors of a personal mobile device in a moving vehicle and when the possibility of a crush is predicted, transmit to the remote server a provisional alarm. If after a predefined time period a FALSE ALARM signal not received by the remote server from the client then an accident alarm ticket will be forwarded from the remote server to an emergency service center.