Wireless Interface Device for Emergency Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) face challenges such as reliance on traditional landline phones, high installation costs, and user difficulties in remembering wake words for smart speakers, as well as limitations in range and consciousness during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A Wireless Interface Device (WIDS) that receives and decodes wireless signals to automatically send high frequency commands to smart speakers or virtual assistants to access a user's contact list and initiate emergency calls without verbal commands, addressing range and consciousness issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional landline phone service is used for emergency response systems, then reliable emergency communication can be achieved, but installation costs increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical connection system (landline phones requiring physical installation and wiring) with a wireless communication system using existing Wi-Fi infrastructure and smart speakers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical phone line installation while maintaining emergency communication capability through internet-based voice and text messaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the emergency response system compatible with existing universal smart devices (smart speakers, smartphones, tablets) that users already possess. Instead of requiring specialized emergency-only equipment, the system leverages multi-functional smart devices that users interact with daily, thereby reducing additional system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If smart speakers are used for emergency communication, then installation costs are reduced and ease of operation is improved, but user ability to communicate during emergencies deteriorates due to range and consciousness limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless interface device as an intermediary between the user and the smart speaker. This intermediary device receives wireless signals from panic buttons or help buttons, processes the information, and transmits it to the smart speaker. This mediator enables automatic emergency communication without requiring the user to directly interact with the smart speaker during the emergency event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-configured emergency contact information and pre-programmed emergency protocols in the system. When an emergency button is pressed, the system automatically executes pre-prepared actions including identifying the user, selecting appropriate emergency contacts, and initiating communication without requiring real-time user input or decision-making during the emergency event.
3Ease of operation
If wireless panic buttons are used to trigger emergency responses, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface device performs self-configuration and automatic device discovery. When deployed, the device automatically detects available smart speakers on the network, establishes connections, and configures communication parameters without requiring manual setup or complex programming. This self-service capability reduces the effective complexity from the user perspective while maintaining sophisticated signal processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A Wireless Interface Device and System (WIDS) is used as a bridge device for transmitting, translating, transporting and/or transforming a first emergency aid seeking signal to a second emergency aid seeking signal recognizable by a smart voice commendable device (e.g., AMAZON® ECHO®). The first emergency aid seeking signal can be generated from a Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), a fall sensor (e.g., a senior fall sensor), home security monitoring device, or any other emergency aid requesting devices.