Smartphone Emergency SMS with GPS Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency reporting systems, such as 911 services, face challenges in efficiently handling large numbers of simultaneous calls during disasters due to the need for verbal communication, which can result in delayed response times and overwhelmed operators, especially when callers are unsure of their location.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing smartphones with SMS and GPS capabilities to automatically send preprogrammed location and situational information to an emergency SMS number, allowing for quick and efficient communication of critical information to emergency services, enabling automated prioritization and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If verbal communication is used for emergency reporting, then operators can gather information through dialogue, but response time increases and operators become overwhelmed during large-scale disasters
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the smartphone with emergency contact information, location services, and message templates. When an emergency occurs, the system automatically executes pre-prepared actions: retrieving stored location data, formatting standardized emergency messages, and sending them to emergency services without requiring real-time verbal communication or operator intervention for basic information gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency reporting system enables self-service by allowing callers to automatically provide their own location information through GPS, and the system automatically formats and sends the emergency message without requiring operator guidance. The caller simply needs to activate the emergency alert function, and the system handles all subsequent information gathering and communication autonomously.
2Productivity
If multiple 911 lines and operators are deployed to handle simultaneous calls, then emergency response capacity increases, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/ human-based emergency reporting mechanism (verbal calls requiring operator attention) with an automated electronic messaging system. Instead of relying on multiple human operators manually handling simultaneous calls, the system uses automated SMS message transmission, GPS location retrieval, and electronic data processing to handle emergency reports, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining or increasing response capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between the caller and the emergency response system. Rather than direct verbal communication with operators, the system uses an automated messaging interface as an intermediary that translates emergency situations into standardized digital messages, which are then processed and routed to appropriate response units. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction for both callers and operators.
3Ease of operation
If callers verbally report their location, then operators can understand the situation, but callers who are disoriented or in shock cannot provide accurate location information
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables location self-service by automatically retrieving the caller's geographic coordinates through integrated GPS services without requiring any input from the caller. The system accesses pre-stored location data or real-time GPS positioning autonomously, ensuring accurate location information is captured even when callers are disoriented, in shock, or unable to verbally communicate their position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of verbal location reporting with electronic automated location retrieval. Instead of relying on callers to verbally describe or type their location, the system uses electronic GPS signaling and automated data extraction to obtain precise location coordinates, eliminating the dependency on caller cognitive state or physical ability to communicate location information.
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
This solution provides a rapid, touch-button alternative to traditional verbal emergency reporting, enabling efficient emergency response planning and resource allocation by automatically sending standardized messages with location and situational data, reducing response time and improving coordination during large-scale disasters.
Implementation Method 1
The location information may be derived from GPS signals for accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method uses a smart phone having SMS text and location (GPS) capability for automatically generating messages and contacting emergency services through SMS messaging capability rather a verbal communication along with the vital information related to the caller in an emergency situation. The emergency response center uses the information to parse standardized emergency SMS messages to quickly yield critical information related to the number, priority and the geographical distribution of the emergency cases for planning of the most efficient response with available resources. The data and prioritizing may take into account time of day or night by position of the sun and moon relative to current location of the smart phone.