Mobile Device Emergency Detection via Sensor Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices, such as smartphones, lack the capability to automatically detect emergency situations and send notifications to emergency services when the user is incapacitated, leading to potential delays in receiving assistance.

Innovation Solution

Equipping mobile devices with sensors like accelerometers and temperature sensors to detect environmental parameters, which trigger an alarm notification. If the user is unable to cancel the notification within a set time, the device automatically sends an emergency notification to pre-defined contacts or services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the device automatically detects emergencies and sends notifications without user input, then emergency response time is improved, but false alarms and unnecessary network usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response timeVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring emergency contact information and detection thresholds before an emergency occurs. When sensors detect abnormal conditions (e.g., severe impact, extreme temperature changes), the system automatically initiates notification sequences to pre-defined contacts without requiring real-time user input, thereby reducing emergency response time while minimizing false alarms through predefined criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the device requires user input to trigger emergency notifications, then false alarms are reduced, but emergency response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resourcesVSAvoidemergency response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-service by automatically detecting emergency conditions through integrated sensors (accelerometers, temperature sensors, etc.) and initiating notification sequences without requiring user awareness or input. The system monitors environmental parameters continuously and autonomously determines when emergency notifications should be sent, eliminating the delay between emergency occurrence and notification while reducing false alarms through automated condition assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the device continuously monitors environmental parameters, then emergency detection capability is improved, but device energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs periodic action by monitoring environmental parameters at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. Sensors such as accelerometers and temperature sensors are activated at predetermined time intervals to check for emergency conditions, maintaining reliable detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. The system adjusts monitoring frequency based on risk assessment and environmental context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables timely notification of emergency services in situations where the user is incapacitated, while conserving device and network resources by preventing unnecessary alerts when the user is not in need of assistance.

Implementation Method 1

A user device, such as a smart phone, may include a variety of sensors, which may detect environmental changes and provide corresponding data to the mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The mobile device may include a variety of sensors, which may detect environmental changes and provide corresponding data to the mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS9685064B2Automated detection of an emergency by a user device
Publication Date: 2017.06.20 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US9685064B2 patent drawing
  • US9685064B2 patent drawing
  • US9685064B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A user device may determine that an environmental parameter, sensed by the user device, satisfies a condition, and may detect an emergency based on detecting that the environmental parameter satisfies the condition. The user device may output, via the user device, an alarm notification, and may determine whether an input is received by the user device to cancel the alarm notification. The user device may notify an emergency device when the user device determines that input is not received by the user device to cancel the alarm notification.