Texting Location Database for Emergency Communication in Low Signal Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In areas with limited cellular network coverage, individuals, especially adventurers, face challenges in locating nearest service areas to seek assistance during emergencies, as their cell phones become unreliable for communication.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone application, Adventure Rescue Locator (ARL), which uses SMS systems to determine and store texting locations and network coverage, allowing users to send emergency communications and track successful communication attempts, even in low signal areas, by reconstructing messages and displaying maps of previous successful communication locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adventurers travel to remote areas with rugged terrain, then they can access wild and dangerous locations that draw adventure seekers, but cellular service becomes unreliable or unavailable making communication impossible in emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having users check-in at regular intervals before emergencies occur. The automated check-in system proactively monitors user locations and sends notifications to emergency contacts, establishing communication protocols in advance when service is available, so that last known positions are recorded before service fails in remote areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated monitoring system that acts as a mediator between the adventurer and emergency contacts. This intermediary system uses SMS messaging and automated notifications to bridge communication gaps, allowing emergency contacts to be alerted even when the adventurer cannot directly communicate due to poor cellular service in remote locations
2Reliability
If the system uses automated SMS check-ins to monitor adventurer locations, then emergency contacts can be notified of last known positions, but communication may fail in areas with extremely low quality cell coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using SMS messaging specifically for critical emergency notifications rather than requiring full-featured communication. SMS messages are sent selectively at check-in intervals and emergency events, using minimal bandwidth and resources to convey essential location and status information even in poor coverage areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters by switching from real-time continuous monitoring to periodic interval-based check-ins. This parameter change reduces the frequency of communication attempts, allowing the system to adapt to varying cellular coverage conditions and conserve resources while maintaining essential monitoring capability
3Loss of information
If the system stores and processes location data from multiple communication attempts, then a database of texting locations and network coverage can be built, but device complexity and data management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential critical data elements needed for emergency response - specifically location coordinates, timestamp, and communication success/failure status - from the broader set of possible communication data. This extraction approach builds a functional database without requiring storage or processing of unnecessary information, maintaining simplicity while capturing vital information
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving an emergency communication includes receiving a first portion of a first communication. The method also includes receiving a second portion of a second communication. The second communication may be a duplicate of the first communication. The method includes reconstructing the first communication using the first portion and the second portion.