Mobile Device Emergency Warning System for Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices in vehicles are underutilized and lack effective mechanisms to alert drivers or designated entities of potential safety threats or events of interest, such as emergencies, using vehicle sensors and networks.

Innovation Solution

A warning system that employs a mobile computing device to communicate with a vehicle's computer and external networks, using sensors like hard braking and collision detectors to generate alerts via email, text, or wireless communications to subscribed entities based on predefined criteria and policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile computing devices are installed in vehicles, then computing resources are available, but the devices remain underutilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization of computing resourcesVSAvoideffective use of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile computing device is configured to perform multiple functions: it monitors vehicle conditions through sensors, generates warnings based on monitored data, communicates with external networks, and notifies designated entities. This multi-functionality transforms the underutilized device into a comprehensive vehicle safety and monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If warning systems are implemented using mobile computing devices, then safety monitoring is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines the mobile computing device with the vehicle's existing computer and sensor network into an integrated warning system. The mobile device communicates with the vehicle computer via a local network and connects to external networks, merging multiple components into a unified safety monitoring system that leverages existing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If real-time monitoring of vehicle conditions is performed, then emergency detection is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors and computer resources to perform monitoring, rather than requiring the mobile computing device to independently monitor all conditions. The mobile device receives data from the vehicle computer and processes warnings based on predefined criteria, allowing the vehicle's own systems to serve the monitoring function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9153135B2Mobile computing device emergency warning system and method

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A warning system and method include a memory device configured to store one or more condition criteria. A monitoring device is configured to monitor a status of the one or more condition criteria. The monitoring device is triggered by a triggering event related to the status to generate a warning signal responsive to the triggering event. A mobile computing device is configured to communicate with the monitoring device and an external network to receive the warning signal and output a warning message on the external network to one or more designated entities.