Mobile Device Gateway for Emergency Sensor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current public emergency communications systems face challenges such as battery drain in mobile devices during emergencies, inability to activate sensors, and lack of direct communication between first responders and mobile devices, hindering expedited and effective emergency response.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves installing a gateway application on mobile devices to enable remote control by public safety networks, allowing for emergency application download and sensor activation, managing power consumption, and enabling real-time communication, even if sensors are disabled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile device is used for emergency communication, then communication capability is improved, but battery power drains completely during long-duration emergencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidbattery power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic communication intervals where the mobile device communicates with the PSAP at predetermined times rather than continuously. The PSAP can send periodic check-in requests or the mobile device can initiate periodic status updates, allowing battery conservation while maintaining emergency communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device autonomously manages its own power consumption by implementing local decision-making algorithms that determine when communication is necessary. The device can assess its own battery status and emergency context to self-regulate communication frequency, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If sensors are disabled on the mobile device, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot activate sensors during emergencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsensor functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures sensor activation protocols during emergency declaration. When an emergency is declared, the PSAP can remotely activate specific sensors on the mobile device before they are needed, ensuring sensor functionality is available when required without continuous power consumption during non-emergency periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor activation state is dynamic rather than static. Sensors can be enabled or disabled based on real-time emergency conditions and power availability. The system adapts sensor usage to match the current emergency context, activating sensors only when necessary for emergency response while conserving power during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If direct communication between first responders and mobile devices is established, then response effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PSAP serves as an intermediary between first responders and mobile devices. Rather than establishing direct peer-to-peer communication between responders and victims, all communication flows through the PSAP which coordinates the interaction, simplifies the protocol requirements, and manages the communication sessions centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The PSAP platform provides multiple functions including emergency call handling, sensor activation, remote device control, and first responder coordination all through a single centralized system. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate specialized systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive emergency response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3036920B1Method of and system for controlling communications between a personal communications device and a public safety network in an emergency
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3036920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3036920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3036920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an emergency, a gateway application, which has been installed on a mobile communications device, is actuated to advise a public safety answering point (PSAP) in a public safety (PS) network of the emergency, and to disable restrictions on application downloading to the mobile device. Once the emergency has been confirmed by the PSAP, an emergency application, which has been selected by the PSAP, is downloaded to the mobile device. The downloaded emergency application can be executed by the PSAP and/or by a PS person, to remotely control the mobile device to help remedy the emergency. The downloaded emergency application can be removed from the mobile device upon closing of the emergency.