Wireless Data Distribution for Emergency Incident Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency responders in areas with poor wireless connectivity face challenges in accessing critical digital information during incidents, as existing technologies fail to reliably transmit data before connectivity is lost.
Innovation Solution
A server computer prioritizes and proactively transmits data items to portable electronic devices based on estimated travel plans and available wireless coverage, using data transmission scheduling and prioritization methods to ensure critical information is available upon arrival at the incident site, even in areas with unreliable connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted wirelessly to portable electronic devices before travel to incident area, then data availability at incident site is improved, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to loss of wireless connectivity during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data transmission actions by identifying incident-related data and proactively transmitting it to portable electronic devices before the user arrives at the incident area. The server computer receives incident information, identifies relevant data items, and transmits them during the transit period when connectivity is available, ensuring data is ready before arrival at the remote location.
2Loss of information
If all incident-related data is transmitted before travel, then data completeness at incident site is improved, but transmission time and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments incident-related data into multiple categories and priority levels (e.g., critical, important, supplementary). The server computer identifies different types of data items and transmits them based on their priority and the estimated transit time. High-priority data is transmitted first during available connectivity windows, while lower-priority data may be transmitted later or on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits a prioritized subset of incident-related data rather than attempting to transmit all possible data. By focusing on the most critical information that can be transmitted within the available time window and connectivity constraints, the system achieves sufficient data completeness without unnecessary transmission delays.
3Reliability
If data transmission is performed proactively based on estimated travel plan, then data availability upon arrival is improved, but system complexity increases due to travel plan processing
Solution Approach 1:
The server computer automatically receives the user's estimated travel plan, processes it to determine transit time and connectivity windows, and autonomously schedules data transmission without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire process from receiving travel information to identifying relevant data and transmitting it at appropriate times.
4Productivity
If wireless connectivity is maintained during transit for data transmission, then data transfer capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes periodic connectivity windows during transit to transmit data in batches rather than maintaining continuous wireless connection. The server computer identifies available transmission opportunities based on the travel plan and connectivity predictions, transmitting data during these periodic windows when connectivity is available, then entering low-power states when connectivity is lost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting data to be utilized at an incident area. A server computer defines a prioritized list of data items to be transmitted to a plurality of portable electronic devices for use at the incident area. The server computer predicts a first amount of data that can be wirelessly transferred to a first electronic device before loss of reliable wireless connectivity with the first electronic device and automatically selects a first data item for transmission to the first electronic device. The server computer then transmits the first data item to the first electronic device to be shared with at least one other portable electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices upon arrival of the first electronic device at the incident area.