Interoperable Sensor Gateway for Emergency Incident Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems for emergency responders lack interoperability, making it difficult for different departments to share sensor data and video images from incident scenes, and existing solutions are inefficient in transmitting data through building structures and relying on battery power.
Innovation Solution
A mini module is attached to handheld transceivers, enabling them to interface with sensors and cameras, transmitting data and images over a temporary incident area network using 802.11 protocols, providing a portable and flexible communication platform for emergency responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional transceivers are used for communication, then interoperability between different departments is limited, but the system complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary that translates between different transceiver protocols and the 802.11 network protocol. This gateway acts as a mediator that enables interoperability between departments using different communication standards without requiring direct compatibility between all transceivers, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal 802.11-based communication platform that can handle multiple types of transceivers and sensor devices through a common protocol suite. This universal platform allows different departments' equipment to interoperate through standardized interfaces while maintaining support for proprietary protocols via the gateway, achieving multi-functionality without excessive complexity.
2Loss of information
If sensor data and video images are transmitted in real-time, then situational awareness is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic transmission of sensor data and video images at configurable intervals rather than continuous real-time transmission. This periodic action maintains adequate situational awareness by updating information at appropriate frequencies while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission, allowing battery-powered devices to operate for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as data rate, transmission power, and update frequency based on situational requirements and battery status. When situational awareness is critical, the system increases transmission frequency and data quality; when energy conservation is needed, it reduces these parameters, thus balancing information loss and energy consumption.
3Length of stationary object
If portable modules are deployed throughout the incident area, then communication range is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the incident area into multiple communication zones using portable 802.11 access points or mesh network nodes that can be strategically placed. Each node handles local communications independently, extending the overall communication range through distributed architecture. This segmentation allows range extension without requiring a single complex centralized system, as each node remains relatively simple while collectively providing broad coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Common handheld transceivers operating on different frequencies with differing protocols can be provided with a mini module attached to the handheld transceiver that not only converts the audio information available from the handheld to the format and frequency of the temporary incident area network (20), the mini module also provides a sensor platform coupled to a wide variety of sensors whose data gathering capabilities in the vicinity of the individual are used to provide an incident commander or other individuals at nodes on the network with data to ascertain the conditions at the incident scene in the vicinity of the individual. Thus not only can information pertaining to the immediate health of and danger to emergency personnel be ascertained quickly, the transmission of sensor and image data over the same network provides situational awareness for the incident commanders and indeed for all those coupled to nodes on the network.