Networkable Digital Life Jackets Swarm Rescue Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing life jackets on vehicles lack the ability to communicate detailed status data, such as movement, installation, and user health, and are not networkable, limiting their informative value and efficiency in rescue operations.
Innovation Solution
The development of networkable digital life jackets equipped with sensors and processing elements that can determine and transmit status data, including movement, installation, and user health information, and form a swarm network with other life jackets to enhance rescue efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If life jackets are equipped with sensors and processing elements to transmit detailed status data, then the informative value and efficiency in rescue operations is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The life jacket system is segmented into multiple functional modules: sensors for detecting status parameters, processing elements for data generation, and communication interfaces for transmission. This modular segmentation allows the system to provide detailed status information while managing complexity through organized functional divisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The life jacket is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional safety device and as a digital monitoring station. It can detect movement, installation status, and user health parameters, transmitting comprehensive data that replaces multiple separate monitoring devices.
2Loss of information
If life jackets are equipped with sensors and processing elements to transmit detailed status data, then the informative value and efficiency in rescue operations is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The life jacket employs periodic action by designating a lead life jacket that transmits swarm status data at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission mode reduces overall power consumption while ensuring that critical status information is communicated to rescue services at appropriate frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The life jacket system implements self-service through autonomous operation. Sensors automatically detect status parameters, processing elements generate status data without manual intervention, and the communication interface transmits information autonomously, reducing the need for external power sources or manual operation.
3Productivity
If life jackets form a swarm network to enhance rescue efforts, then the efficiency of search and rescue operations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple life jackets are merged into a swarm network, combining their sensing and communication capabilities. The lead life jacket consolidates status data from multiple jackets, creating a unified information source that improves rescue efficiency while individual jackets maintain relatively simple designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead life jacket acts as an intermediary in the swarm network, receiving status data from other life jackets and transmitting consolidated swarm status data to rescue services. This intermediary role simplifies the communication architecture by providing a single transmission point rather than requiring direct communication between all network participants.
Data Source
AI summary
Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.