Power Line-Down Reporting via Mobile GPS and Image Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection and reporting of power line-down conditions are challenging due to the difficulty in automated detection and the high volume of manual reports during storm events, which can occupy phone operators and delay emergency responses.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to report power line-down conditions via a smartphone app, which includes GPS location, text descriptions, images, and videos, processed by an automated central processor to create consolidated reports, using machine learning algorithms to identify hazards and prioritize repair efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual reporting via phone operators is used, then public notification of power line-down conditions is achieved, but phone operators are occupied and emergency response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables members of the public to self-report power line-down conditions using mobile devices with automated GPS location tracking and photo capture capabilities. This eliminates the need for phone operators to manually record report details, freeing them to handle more emergency calls while maintaining reliable public notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of phone reporting with an automated digital system. Mobile applications automatically capture GPS coordinates, take photographs, and transmit data to the utility company's server, substituting human operators with automated information gathering and processing mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If multiple reports for the same power line-down condition are received, then comprehensive information is gathered, but phone operators are unnecessarily occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically merges multiple reports referring to the same power line-down condition by comparing GPS coordinates and photo data. Reports within a predetermined geographic proximity are consolidated into a single incident record, preventing duplicate handling while preserving comprehensive information from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates standardized digital copies of report data including GPS coordinates, photographs, and timestamp information. These digital copies are automatically stored and compared against existing reports to identify duplicates, enabling efficient consolidation without manual operator intervention.
3Productivity
If automated detection is implemented, then detection efficiency is improved, but detection difficulty remains due to complex conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces mobile devices as intermediary detection tools between the power line-down condition and the utility company. The mobile applications serve as mediators that automatically capture GPS location, take photographs, and transmit this information to the server, simplifying the detection process while maintaining high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and information gathering actions automatically on the mobile device before transmission to the utility company. GPS coordinates are pre-captured, photographs are pre-taken, and data is pre-processed, eliminating the need for complex automated detection at the utility infrastructure level.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to process many power line-down reports. A number of power line-down reports are received from different devices operated by users that specify the location of its device. Based on locations of devices sending the reports, a related set of power line-down reports is determined that likely report a particular power line-down condition. Based on those locations and power line location information, a location of the particular power line-down condition is determined that is a location of a power line that is closest to all locations in the related reports. Based on the related set of reports, a consolidated power line-down report is created with data associated with the particular power line-down condition. The consolidated power line-down report is reported to a power grid trouble report system.