Wireless Device Stealth Mode for Discreet Emergency Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems do not effectively allow users to discreetly call for emergency assistance in situations where doing so could endanger their safety, such as during robberies or accidents, as the act of calling may alert the perpetrator.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communications device capable of entering a stealth mode, which activates a virtual secure channel allowing for inconspicuous audio and video recording without the user's knowledge, enabling communication with emergency services without indicating the device's active state, and can learn user behavior to detect deviations and trigger emergency actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the device operates in normal mode allowing users to call for help, then the user can communicate with emergency services, but the user's safety is compromised because the perpetrator may detect and harm the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of calling for helpVSAvoidsafety risk to user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two independent operational modes: normal mode for regular communication and stealth mode for emergency communication. The stealth mode is activated as a separate state that isolates the emergency calling function from the user's awareness, allowing the device to call for help without the user knowing, thus eliminating the safety risk while preserving the ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the stealth mode subsystem) that mediates between the user's need to call for help and the safety requirement. This intermediary layer processes emergency calls secretly, acting as a buffer that protects the user from detection by the perpetrator while still enabling communication with emergency services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the device enters stealth mode to remain inconspicuous, then the user's safety is improved by hiding device activity, but the user cannot observe or control device operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety risk to userVSAvoiduser awareness of device state

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The stealth mode operates autonomously without requiring user awareness or control. The device self-manages the stealth mode state, automatically activating it when triggered and maintaining it without user intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the user to observe or control device operations while preserving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The user awareness function is extracted from the stealth mode operation. The stealth mode is designed to completely isolate the user from observing device state, extracting the awareness function from the emergency calling process. This allows the device to operate secretly without requiring the user to be aware of or control the stealth mode state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device remains powered on to maintain functionality, then the device can operate in stealth mode, but battery life is consumed continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidbattery life consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device power state is made dynamic rather than static. The device can transition between powered on and powered off states while maintaining the ability to operate in stealth mode when triggered. This dynamic approach allows the device to conserve battery life by being powered off most of the time while still providing full functionality when needed through the stealth mode activation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8351916B2Stealth mode for wireless communications device

Publication Date: 2013.01.08 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A device is configured to enter a stealth mode in response to a trigger and/or triggering event. The trigger/triggering event can be a voice command, a depression(s) of a button(s) or pattern of buttons on the device, a keyboard and/or softkey entry, entry of a pattern on the display of the device, a designated movement of the device, detection of an event, and/or lack of detection of an event. The device activates the stealth mode without any indication to the user of the device that the device is activating the stealth mode. The stealth mode operates concurrently with all other functions of the device. A virtual secure channel can be established that allows communication with the device without providing an indication that the device is communicating via the virtual secure channel. A token can be utilized for authentication and to discriminate be stealth and normal modes.