Portable Device Emergency Mode for Survivor Location

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for locating survivors in disaster scenarios, such as earthquakes and fires, are unreliable due to the damage of communication infrastructure and insufficient location accuracy, necessitating a reliable and effective system for pinpointing trapped individuals.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device with an emergency mode that enables communication with trusted nodes via a wireless connection, using a timing measurement frame to determine distance and location, independent of existing infrastructure, employing a user interface to activate the mode and processors to detect and respond to predetermined identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cellular phones and existing communication systems are used for locating survivors, then widespread device availability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to damaged communication infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice availabilityVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable electronic device as an intermediary between survivors and rescue teams. This device independently measures distance to trusted nodes using timing measurement frames and wireless signals, bypassing damaged cellular infrastructure. The device acts as a self-contained location system that doesn't rely on external communication networks, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving widespread availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If E-911 system is used for locating survivors, then communication infrastructure requirement is reduced, but location accuracy deteriorates with 50-meter radius or more

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure independenceVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/infrastructure-based E-911 system with a wireless signal-based timing measurement system. Instead of relying on cellular tower triangulation with 50-meter accuracy, the system uses precise timing measurements of wireless signal transmission and reception between the portable device and trusted nodes. This substitution enables centimeter-level distance measurement accuracy while maintaining independence from damaged communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If heavy digging machinery is deployed without knowing survivor locations, then search coverage is maximized, but rescue time increases due to inefficient search

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch coverageVSAvoidrescue time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary location determination of survivors before deploying heavy digging machinery. By using the portable electronic device to measure distances to trusted nodes and calculate precise locations in advance, rescue teams can identify exact survivor positions beforehand. This preliminary action allows machinery to be directed immediately to specific locations rather than conducting broad-area searches, dramatically reducing rescue time while maintaining comprehensive coverage through targeted operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate location of survivors by establishing a wireless connection with trusted nodes, even in damaged infrastructure, improving rescue efficiency and reducing time to reach trapped individuals.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, in response to the command and via a wireless receiver, a predetermined identifier that matches a stored identifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

receiving a timing measurement frame from the trusted node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS10405139B2Portable electronic devices with an emergency mode for locating survivors in disasters

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

An emergency mode is provided in a portable electronic device for locating a survivor in a disaster. The device includes a wireless antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals; a memory to store one or more identifiers; a user interface to receive a command that enables the emergency mode. The device also includes one or more processors, which, in response to the command, detect via the wireless receiver a predetermined identifier that matches a stored identifier identifying a sender of the predetermined identifier as a trusted node. When the predetermined identifier and a timing measurement frame are received from the trusted node, the device sends a response to the trusted node to indicate its presence.