Voice-Activated Emergency System Using Digital Assistants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional medical alarm systems rely on user-operated devices that require wearing a pendant or wristband and regular battery recharging, leading to issues with usability, especially for users who are alone or have mobility issues, and digital personal assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are not permitted to dial 911 due to high false alarm rates and privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A voice-activated system using digital assistants connected to a private commercial network that allows users to call for help without needing a wearable device, powered by household electricity or a battery backup, ensuring continuous operation and compliance with HIPAA privacy standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional medical alarm systems use wearable pendants or wristbands that require user operation, then the system can detect emergencies, but users may forget to wear or recharge the device, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects emergencies using sensors (motion detectors, fall detectors, heart rate monitors) without requiring user activation. The base station autonomously monitors user status, eliminates the need for users to remember to wear or recharge wearable devices, and automatically contacts emergency services when anomalies are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation (pressing buttons, wearing pendants) with automated electronic sensing and voice-based interaction. Voice commands provide a hands-free alternative that doesn't require physical dexterity or remembering to activate the device
2Loss of time
If digital assistants are permitted to dial 911 directly, then emergency response time is reduced, but false alarm rates increase due to lack of situation assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The base station continuously monitors multiple parameters (motion patterns, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and uses this feedback to assess whether an emergency truly exists before initiating a 911 call. The system distinguishes between genuine emergencies and benign situations through multi-parameter analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the situation using sensors and voice analysis before dialing 911. It evaluates multiple data points (fall detection, lack of movement, abnormal vital signs) to confirm an emergency condition exists before triggering the alarm, preventing false activations
3Duration of action of stationary object
If medical alarm systems require users to consistently wear and recharge devices, then the system can provide continuous monitoring, but user compliance decreases due to inconvenience and aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for user compliance with wearing and recharging routines by using stationary base station sensors that automatically monitor the user environment. Motion detectors, fall detectors, and other sensors passively collect data without requiring user interaction or adherence to device-wearing protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The base station serves multiple functions: emergency detection, health monitoring, communication hub, and control center for smart home devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate wearable devices while providing comprehensive monitoring and emergency response capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing help includes at least one digital assistant, a wireless data interface for connecting the digital assistants to a server, and battery backup. A plurality of agent computers is connected to the server by a data network. Each of the at least one digital assistants is preprogrammed and centrally managed with at least one skill for recognizing a preprogrammed specific utterance and each of the at least one digital assistants is pre-configured to connect with the wireless data interface. After the preprogrammed specific utterance is detected by one of the digital assistants, that digital assistant initiates a request for help to the server and upon receiving the request for the help, the server assigns one of the agent computers and forwards the request for help to the one of the agent computers.