Public Safety Location Selection Using Context Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public-safety units often have multiple sources of location information, leading to ambiguity and inaccuracy in determining their primary location, which is critical for incident response and responder safety.
Innovation Solution
A computing device receives and processes location data from various devices associated with a public-safety unit, considering context such as incident type, geographic area, and CAD status to select a single primary location, which is then provided to electronic maps and CAD devices for accurate dispatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple location sources are used for a public-safety unit, then location coverage is improved, but location accuracy and clarity deteriorate due to ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiple location sources into hierarchical categories (primary location vs. secondary locations) with different levels of importance. The system divides location data into distinct types such as vehicle location, responder location, and device location, each with assigned priorities, allowing the most accurate and relevant location to be identified and displayed prominently while retaining access to alternative locations.
2Loss of information
If multiple location sources are tracked, then information completeness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that automatically processes, evaluates, and prioritizes location data from multiple sources. This intermediary system applies predefined criteria and context (such as incident type, geographic area, and CAD status) to determine the primary location, eliminating the need for manual evaluation and reducing system complexity while maintaining complete information tracking.
3Measurement precision
If context-based selection is implemented, then location relevance is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring priority rules and context criteria before location data needs to be processed. The system establishes predetermined hierarchies for different incident types, geographic areas, and CAD statuses in advance, allowing the computing device to quickly match current location data against these pre-established rules without performing complex real-time analysis, thereby reducing processing requirements while maintaining high location relevance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, method and system for determining a primary location of a public-safety unit is provided. An example device receives, from a plurality of devices associated with a public-safety unit, a plurality of locations associated with the public-safety unit, the public-safety unit comprising the plurality of devices and one or more public-safety personnel. The example device determines a context associated with the public-safety unit. The example device selects a single location, from the plurality of locations, that represents a primary location of the public-safety unit based on the context as determined. The example device one or more of: causes the primary location to be provided at an electronic map; and provides the primary location to one or more of a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) device and a public-safety server.