Announcement: Patent Release – Canada IP : 2902496

If you are looking for information on my patent, “Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) Event Sensing & Signaling Class-A Digital Apparatus For First Responder Vehicles” you can find the necessary info here

As of Nov/2015 I have opened my patent to all emergency first responders. This release includes, the use but NOT the redistribution of the apparatus. For more information and design specs please contact me directly.

Patent number: 2902496

Patnet Title: Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) Event Sensing & Signaling Class-A Digital Apparatus For First Responder Vehicles

Patent Holder/Author: Arad Gharagozli, Canada

Abstract Of The Invention

Once the 911 dispatch center receives a distress call from public, it sends out a brief signal to the field mobile computers onboard emergency vehicles. The invention is using electrical digital and analog data manipulation techniques to constantly monitor the field mobile computer device for the mentioned signal. Such mobile computers are widely used on first responders’ vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles. The invention is capable of detecting the mobile computer signal and alert the first responder crew of an incoming call to their station. The purpose of this invention is to reduce the overall response time, by creating a pre-alert period, giving extra time to the crew to perform the prelimeary preparations to respond to the incident.

Summary Of The Invention

A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT), also known as a Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) (here after referred to as MDT) is a mobile computer device that is installed in a variety of vehicles, including emergency response vehicles, taxicabs, military vehicles, and commercial trucking fleets to communicate with a central dispatch unit, such as 911 dispatch. An electronic Event-Sensing-and-Signaling-Apparatus (hereafter referred to as ESSA) is a class B digital apparatus that can be incorporated with MDT computers. The purpose of ESSA is to communicate with MDT and detect a certain user specified event that happens on the MDT’s Operating System, such as an incoming message from dispatch, and perform a signaling task such as sounding an alarm. ESSA consists of two sub-systems (1) the sensor sub-system and (2) the activator sub-system. (1) In standby mode, the sensor sub-system constantly monitors the MDT, for a given event. The sensor sub-system then sends a radio frequency (RF) signal to the activator sub-system upon detection of the mentioned event. The activator sub-system will alert the user by generating a timed and sequenced visual and/or audio signal.

A prototype of this apparatus has been installed and been tested since June, 2014 at a local fire department. The apparatus, continuously monitoring the MDT of a selected fire truck and upon receiving an alert from the 911 dispatch. The apparatus then starts a pre-alert sound at the station through the PA system. This usually occurs 45 seconds before the actual dispatch alert comes in, allowing time for preparation of the fire crew and the emergency vehicle. Once the crew are ready the actual dispatch call will come to the station through the PA announcing the nature of the incident along with the address and other details. According to the feedback received from the station’s commander, this system reduces the response time by almost 30%, allowing them to respond faster to incidents.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus consists of two separate sub-apparatus s: The Sensor and The Activator:
   1. The Sensor sub-system of the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling Apparatus comprising:
      1. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable to deliver power and signal from the MDT/MDC to the Sensor sub-system.
      2. An Auxiliary, audio cable to deliver audio signal from the MDT/MDC computer to the onboard Sensor sub-system.

• An analog signal processing module to measure, filter and process the incoming analog signal from the MDT/MDC’s audio port, and produce a frequency based digital signal output for data manipulation by the onboard microcontroller.

1. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) module to measure, filter and process the incoming digital signal from the MDT/MDC’s USB port, and produce a frequency based digital signal output for data manipulation by the onboard microcontroller.
2. A Radio Frequency (RF) communication module to send and receive data between the mobile Sensor unit on board the vehicle, and the fixed Activator unit attached to the alerting system.

1. The Activator unit of the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling Apparatus comprising:
   1. A Radio Frequency (RF) communication module to send and receive data between the mobile Sensor unit on board the vehicle, and the fixed Activator unit attached to the alerting system.
   2. An electrical Relay to derive secondary circuit, such as a Public Announcement (PA) system.
2. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the signal processing apparatus produces a digital output based on the signal received from the MDT/MDC to be used by the onboard microcontroller to characterize the event.
3. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the microcontroller receives the output digital signal from the signal processing apparatus’s output and identifies the event based on the output signal.
4. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the Sensor apparatus is monitoring the digital and analog output ports of the MDT/MDC for a valid signal, and addressing the Activator via a RF communication component to alert the user by generating a visual and or audio signal.
5. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable is a mean to deliver power to the Sensor board from the MDT/MDC.
6. A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) event sensing and signaling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable and or Auxiliary, 3.5mm audio cable is used to deliver analog and digital signal from MDT/MDC to the Sensor apparatus attached to it.