Portable Device Emergency Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for emergency assistance, such as dialing 911, are cumbersome and difficult to execute, especially in situations where individuals have limited vision, mobility, or dexterity, and may require a device that can quickly and universally call for help without needing to be turned on or unlocked.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a gesture recognizer, tap recognizer, and proximity detection modules that allow users to enter pre-programmed sequences, such as Morse-like codes, to automatically dial emergency numbers or send notifications to emergency contacts, even when the device is off or locked, using a combination of processors, sensors, and communication interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional emergency calling methods (dialing 911) are used, then emergency assistance can be obtained, but the process is cumbersome and difficult to execute, especially for individuals with limited vision, mobility, or dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs emergency contact information and establishes automated response protocols in advance. When an emergency event is detected through sensors or user input, the device automatically initiates calls and notifications without requiring the user to manually dial or navigate through menus, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously detects emergency situations through sensors (fall detection, crash detection) and automatically executes emergency protocols including calling pre-programmed contacts and sending notifications. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, making emergency calling extremely easy and rapid for users with limited mobility or dexterity.
2Reliability
If the device requires being turned on or unlocked to call emergency numbers, then security is maintained, but it cannot provide assistance in situations where the device is off or locked
Solution Approach 1:
Emergency contact information and response protocols are pre-programmed into the device during normal operation. The system prepares automated response sequences in advance so that when an emergency occurs, the device can immediately execute pre-planned actions without requiring the user to manually input information or unlock the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device continuously monitors for emergency conditions through sensors and automatically initiates emergency protocols regardless of its power or locked state. This autonomous self-service capability ensures reliability of emergency assistance while maintaining accessibility even when the device appears to be off or locked.
3Reliability
If complex gestures or sequences are required to trigger emergency functions, then false alarms are reduced, but the system becomes difficult to activate quickly in real emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs specific gesture sequences and sensor thresholds that define emergency conditions. By establishing these criteria in advance, the device can quickly compare real-time inputs against predetermined patterns, enabling rapid activation while maintaining accuracy through pre-established detection criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor sensor data and user inputs in real-time, comparing them against pre-programmed emergency patterns. This feedback loop enables the system to accurately distinguish between genuine emergencies and false triggers while maintaining rapid response capability through automated pattern recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device with integrated functions related to health, safety, and security is provided. The portable device includes a memory, a battery, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and an accelerometer. The portable device further includes a touch screen that is configurable to be in a locked state and an unlocked state. The portable device can operate in at least two different power modes and can operate a messaging functionality. The portable device can automatically coordinate with the messaging functionality to prepare for transmission a message to one or more contacts of the user for use in case of an emergency, including the current location of the portable device, in response to information received by the at least one processor, even when the touch screen is in a locked state, based on an input sequence indicative of an emergency event entered by a user of the portable device.