Water Vessel Rescue Assignment Using SMS Location Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems for water vessels are computationally and practically expensive, leading to infrequent location updates and hampered rescue efforts for distressed mariners, while there is no established system for water rescue, resulting in failed rescue attempts due to the lack of infrastructure and mariners' inability to contact rescue agencies.
Innovation Solution
A rescue system utilizing SMS messages to initiate rescue proceedings, enabling location sharing from distressed mariners' mobile devices, and employing machine learning to estimate vessel location based on received coordinates and environmental factors, with drones for confirmation, and assigning the right responder unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated location tracking technology is used for water vessels, then location accuracy is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile phones as intermediary devices that mariners already possess. Instead of requiring dedicated tracking equipment on vessels, the system leverages the mariner's existing mobile phone to capture and transmit location data, eliminating the need for complex dedicated tracking hardware while maintaining location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes mobile phones universal by enabling them to serve dual purposes: their original communication function and new location tracking function. This multi-functionality allows the same device to be used for both personal communication and rescue coordination, reducing the need for specialized equipment
2Reliability
If dedicated location tracking technology is deployed, then location data reliability is improved, but cost increases making it inaccessible to smaller vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by utilizing the mariner's own mobile phone for location tracking. The mariner themselves becomes the source of location data, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated trackers on smaller vessels. The mobile phone's existing GPS capability provides reliable location data without additional hardware costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages widely available, low-cost mobile phones instead of expensive dedicated tracking devices. Since mobile phones are already owned by most mariners and can be replaced or updated easily, the system achieves broad accessibility across vessel sizes without requiring significant investment in specialized equipment
3Loss of time
If location updates are sent frequently, then rescue response time is improved, but computational and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location updates where the mobile phone automatically sends location information at set intervals or when location changes occur. This periodic action ensures timely rescue response without requiring continuous communication, balancing responsiveness with communication cost efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where location updates are triggered by changes in location data or time intervals. The rescue coordination center receives updates only when necessary, allowing efficient resource allocation and reduced communication costs while maintaining adequate monitoring for timely rescue response
4Ease of operation
If mariners can easily contact rescue agencies, then rescue effectiveness is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile phone serves as an intermediary that simplifies contact between mariners and rescue agencies. Instead of requiring complex dedicated emergency communication systems, the familiar mobile phone interface allows mariners to easily initiate rescue requests using existing communication tools
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the mobile phone universal for rescue communication, combining its existing communication capabilities with new emergency contact functionality. This eliminates the need for separate, complex rescue communication infrastructure while improving ease of contact through the already-familiar mobile phone interface
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for enabling assignment of a responder unit to a user on a water vessel. The rescue system transmits a Short Message Service (SMS) message to a user device on the water vessel, the SMS message comprising a selectable option that, when selected, causes a location of the user device to be shared. Based on a selection by a user of the user device of the selectable option, the system receives a plurality of location coordinates from the user device at a plurality of respective times, each respective location coordinate describing a respective location of the user device at its respective time. The system selects a responder unit to assign to the user based on the plurality of location coordinates and a location of each of a plurality of candidate responder units. The system transmits location information to a responder device of the selected responder unit, the location information based on the plurality of location coordinates.