Venue Mesh Network for Reliable Emergency Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional messaging systems, such as SMS and PSTN, experience delays and outages in crowded or remote areas like event venues, making it difficult for attendees and service personnel to communicate effectively, especially during emergencies, and relying on verbal location descriptions can be inaccurate and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A location-based messaging system using user devices with application software that communicates via wireless transponders or mesh networking, allowing users to send location-based messages with objective coordinates or maps, enabling accurate and timely communication between attendees and service personnel within a venue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional messaging systems (SMS, PSTN) are used in crowded or remote areas, then communication can be established, but delays and outages occur making effective communication difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a venue-specific mesh network as an intermediary communication infrastructure. This mesh network consists of multiple nodes (smart devices, transponders, access points) that relay messages locally within the venue, bypassing the congested cellular network. The mesh network acts as a mediator that enables reliable communication without depending on external cellular infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and message delivery time in crowded areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent mesh network nodes distributed throughout the venue. Each node operates semi-autonomously, forwarding messages to neighboring nodes until reaching the destination. This segmentation allows the communication network to function independently of the cellular network, preventing congestion-induced delays and outages while maintaining reliable message delivery.
2Ease of operation
If verbal location descriptions are used, then communication between attendees and service personnel can occur, but accuracy and reliability of location information deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/verbal method of location description with an automated electronic system. Smart devices and transponders automatically determine and transmit precise location coordinates through the mesh network, eliminating the need for manual verbal descriptions. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving location accuracy through automated GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, or triangulation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical location through coordinate data. Instead of relying on imperfect human verbal descriptions, the system captures precise location information as digital coordinates and transmits them through the mesh network. This digital copy of location information can be accurately reproduced and shared among all network participants, ensuring consistent and reliable location data.
3Reliability
If dedicated two-way radios are deployed for service personnel, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes ordinary smart devices (smartphones, tablets) multi-functional by enabling them to participate in the mesh network. These devices simultaneously serve their primary communication purposes and function as mesh network nodes for venue-specific communication. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated radios, reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the mesh network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network is designed to be self-organizing and self-managing. Nodes automatically discover each other, establish connections, and route messages without requiring centralized control or specialized equipment. Service personnel simply need standard smart devices, and the network autonomously provides reliable communication, eliminating the need for complex dedicated radio systems while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing location-based messaging are provided. The location-based messaging may occur between users within a particular venue. A location-based messaging system may facilitate messaging between event attendees and service personnel at the venue, such as during times of emergency or other times when the location of one user is to be sent to and used by another user.