Mobile Device Pairing for First Responder Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pairing mechanisms for Public Safety officers entering hazardous situations often result in non-optimal pairings, difficulties in identifying paired individuals, and challenges in tracking their status within the incident scene area.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for initial device pairing using electronic computing devices that transmit requests for nearby mobile computing devices, receive identity information, access equipment mapping data, and identify optimal pairs for short-range wireless communication, ensuring effective pairing and tracking of responders within the incident scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pairing is performed by command central officer or remote dispatcher, then pairing can be established before entering incident scene, but the pairing is non-optimal and difficult to track
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing devices automatically perform pairing operations without requiring manual intervention from command central officers or remote dispatchers. The devices self-identify, self-pair, and self-report their status, eliminating the need for manual pairing while achieving optimal pairings based on proximity and equipment compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and reports pairing status between mobile computing devices. The electronic computing device receives status information from paired devices and can identify when pairings are lost or compromised, providing real-time feedback to maintain reliable pairings throughout the incident
2Loss of information
If manual pairing is used, then pairing can be established, but difficulty arises in identifying who has been paired and who hasn't
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic computing device serves as an intermediary that centralizes the management and tracking of all pairing information. It receives identity information from mobile computing devices, determines optimal pairings, and maintains a centralized record of pairing status, making it easy to identify who is paired and who is not without complex manual tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and exchanges digital copies of identity information between mobile computing devices and the electronic computing device. These digital records automatically track pairing status, eliminating the need for manual tracking and providing clear identification of paired and unpaired devices
3Loss of time
If ad-hoc assignment is performed manually, then pairing can be established quickly, but subsequent failure to remain in vicinity is difficult to track and report
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pairing status between mobile computing devices throughout the incident, not just during initial pairing. The electronic computing device receives ongoing status information from paired devices, ensuring continuous tracking of whether devices remain paired and in vicinity, enabling immediate detection of pairing failures
Solution Approach 2:
Paired mobile computing devices continuously report their status back to the electronic computing device. This real-time feedback mechanism automatically detects when devices separate or lose pairing, providing immediate notification without requiring manual checking or reporting
Data Source
AI summary
Improved incident device pairing for safety and security of first responders entering an incident scene area associated with an incident is provided. An electronic computing device (ECD) transmits a request to scan for nearby pairable mobile computing devices to each of a plurality of mobile computing devices (MCDs) associated with the incident. The ECD receives identity information from each MCDs setting forth identities of other MCDs reachable via a short-range wireless communication link. The ECD accesses equipment mapping information that sets forth equipment associated with the MCD or user thereof and identifies a plurality of pairs of MCDs for entering the incident scene area as a function of the identity and equipment mapping information. The ECD then transmits a short-range pairing instruction to each MCD identifying the other mobile computing device in the pair and instructing the MCDs to pair with one another via their short-range wireless communication link.