Proximity-Based Incident Messaging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient method to disseminate and manage incident-related information to users based on their location and proximity to incidents, limiting targeted communication between users and authorities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a cloud-based server platform to capture, collect, and send targeted messages or multimedia to users based on their geographic proximity to incidents, allowing users to report and request information through user devices, with features like geo-aware channels, live streaming, and proximity-based communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If incident information is disseminated to all users on the network, then information coverage is improved, but network traffic and server load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-based targeted dissemination where incident information is sent only to users within a specific geographic radius of the incident location. The system determines user proximity to incidents using location data and selectively pushes notifications only to relevant users, rather than broadcasting to all network users. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining information coverage for affected users while minimizing unnecessary network traffic to unrelated users.
2Measurement precision
If the system tracks and monitors all user locations continuously, then proximity-based communication accuracy is improved, but privacy concerns and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent obtains user location permission and accesses location data only when needed for incident response purposes. The system checks user proximity to incidents at the time of incident occurrence rather than continuously tracking all user movements. This approach maintains measurement precision for proximity detection while minimizing data storage requirements by collecting location data only when relevant to active incidents.
3Loss of time
If the system provides real-time incident notifications to nearby users, then response time is improved, but false alarms and unnecessary user alerts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a configurable radius parameter that defines the geographic threshold for receiving incident notifications. Users can adjust this radius to control notification sensitivity, and the system uses this parameter to filter which users receive alerts based on their distance from incidents. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast response time for genuinely nearby users while preventing false alarms to users beyond the configured threshold distance.
Data Source
AI summary
The method and system described herein is directed to a system and method for capturing, collecting, providing and sending targeted messages, such as text or multimedia, to individual users or groups of users on a network based on their location and proximity to an incident, concern or perceived threat.