Proximity Alert Bands With Touch Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal proximity awareness systems for individuals who cannot communicate, such as lost children or adults with communication difficulties, are often complex, prone to hacking, and difficult to adjust, and lack effective alarm deactivation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a caregiver band and dependent bands that use radio frequencies for communication, featuring a debossed button for activating alarms with loud sounds, flashing LED lights, and vibrations, and an internal sensor for deactivating alarms when bands touch, ensuring 100% waterproof materials and hearing-impaired friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex communication systems (BLUETOOTH, GPS, internet) are used for proximity tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but system security and ease of operation deteriorate due to hacking risks and difficulty in adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex communication components (BLUETOOTH, GPS, internet connectivity) from the system, retaining only essential radio frequency communication and basic proximity sensing. This extraction removes security vulnerabilities and complexity while preserving core tracking functionality through simple transceiver-based distance monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced or adjusted. The system uses basic transceivers and proximity sensors rather than complex, expensive communication modules, making the system both easier to operate and more secure by eliminating sophisticated attack vectors.
2Reliability
If automatic alarm activation is implemented for proximity warnings, then safety response is improved, but false alarms increase reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the alarm state can be acknowledged or dismissed by the user. The alarm provides visual and audible feedback to confirm activation, and the system responds to user input by maintaining or dismissing the alarm state, reducing false alarm impact through user confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable proximity threshold parameters that can be customized by users. By allowing parameter adjustment, the system adapts to different situations and reduces false alarms caused by inappropriate threshold settings, while maintaining rapid safety response when genuine threats are detected.
3Ease of operation
If multiple alarm activation methods (touch sensors, buttons) are provided, then ease of operation is improved, but false alarm probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric button design where the alarm activation button has a distinct pressed position and requires deliberate action to activate. The button geometry and actuation mechanism are designed to prevent accidental activation while remaining easy to press intentionally, creating an asymmetric interaction that reduces false alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requires preliminary user action (deliberate button press) to activate the alarm, preventing automatic or accidental activation. This preliminary action serves as a confirmation step that ensures the user intends to activate the alarm, reducing false alarms while maintaining ease of intentional activation.
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
Provides a reliable, user-friendly, and secure personal proximity awareness system that effectively alerts caregivers to the location of dependent individuals, reducing false alarms and ensuring easy deactivation, while being resistant to hacking and internet dependency.
Implementation Method 1
The caregiver bands have a transceiver that communicates with the dependent bands. The dependent bands have a transceiver as well.
Implementation Method 2
This signal has a loud alarm, a flashing LED light and a vibration.
Implementation Method 3
This signal has a loud alarm, a flashing LED light and a vibration.
Implementation Method 4
This signal has a loud alarm, a flashing LED light and a vibration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that provides an alarm or alert system for those that cannot communicate, or to notify another party when in a situation that needs immediate attention. It consists of a caregiver band, and at least one dependent band. The dependent bands have an infant size as well. The caregiver band has a transceiver that communicates with the dependent bands. The dependent band has a transceiver as well. The infant band has only a receiver. The caregiver and dependent bands each have a debossed button that when depressed sends a signal to the dependent band(s). This signal has a loud alarm, a flashing LED light and a vibration. To turn off the alarm, the caregiver can press the debossed button a second time, or, as sensor in the bands will shut off the alarm when the bands touch. In one model, an app for use with smartphones is also available.