Modular Emergency Tag Mesh Routing for Unreliable Cloud Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Tag devices are limited in user interaction, lack flexibility for additional hardware modules, and face connectivity issues during emergencies, especially in remote areas, leading to unreliable delivery of emergency alerts.
Innovation Solution
Implement a modular sensor hardware approach with a Tag device and a Tag Emergency Protocol that utilizes peer-to-peer mesh networking to facilitate communication between devices, enabling reliable emergency alert delivery even when direct cloud connection is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If Tag devices are equipped with various sensors or microphone, then the quality and information density of alert messages improve drastically, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the Tag device into a base unit and detachable modular sensor packs. Each sensor pack contains specific sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone, etc.) that can be independently attached or removed. This segmentation allows the core Tag device to remain simple while enabling high information density alerts when sensor packs are attached, resolving the contradiction between information quality and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor packs are designed with universal interfaces that can be attached to multiple Tag device models. A single sensor pack can serve multiple functions (detecting falls, monitoring health metrics, capturing audio) and can be shared across different users' devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for each Tag device to have all sensors built-in, maintaining simplicity while enabling rich alert information.
2Device complexity
If Tag devices use direct cloud connection for sending alerts, then the system architecture is simple, but the reliability of alert delivery deteriorates in remote areas or when cloud is unreachable
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary devices (smartphones, other Tag devices, mesh network nodes) that can relay alert messages from the Tag device to the cloud. When a Tag device cannot directly reach the cloud, its alert is forwarded through intermediate devices in the mesh network, ensuring reliable delivery without requiring complex direct cloud connectivity for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the alert delivery path based on network conditions. When direct cloud connection is available, alerts are sent directly for simplicity. When direct connection fails or is unavailable, the system automatically switches to mesh network routing through intermediaries, maintaining reliability while keeping the architecture flexible rather than statically complex.
3Device complexity
If Tag devices require connection to owner's smartphone for sending messages, then the device functionality is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates when owner is not immediately available
Solution Approach 1:
The Tag device with attached sensor packs can autonomously detect emergencies and send alerts without requiring the owner's smartphone to be present or immediately responsive. The device self-activates upon detecting predefined emergency conditions (falls, abnormal motion patterns) and independently transmits alerts through available communication channels, improving ease of operation during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup where the owner configures emergency thresholds, contact information, and notification preferences in advance through a mobile app. Once configured, the Tag device operates autonomously, applying these pre-set parameters to automatically detect and respond to emergencies without requiring real-time owner intervention, thus improving ease of operation during actual emergencies.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular sensor hardware approach is implemented, then the adaptability and versatility of Tag devices improve, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensor components into separate, pre-assembled modular packs with standardized interfaces. Each sensor pack is manufactured independently as a complete functional unit, then attached to the Tag device base. This segmentation enables flexible configuration (different sensor combinations for different needs) while simplifying manufacturing, as sensor packs can be produced in batches and inventory-managed separately from the base Tag devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular sensor packs use universal attachment mechanisms and standardized communication protocols that work across different Tag device models. This universality allows a single sensor pack design to serve multiple device types, reducing the variety of unique components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to utilize modular device and mesh network to send emergency alert that could be delivered to the cloud and sent to the user even though the cloud itself is not reachable directly from the device are provided. The disclosure uses modular sensors, internet of things (IoT) application and cloud server, and an emergency protocol that may enable devices within the mesh network to find the best route to cloud and produce reliable emergency alert even though the connection between device and cloud is unreliable.