Personal Alert and Safety System CS 410 Blue Group Ray Bland, Daniel Cox, Brittany Dufort, Braden Gibson, Marcus Henry, Jon Szewczak

Societal Problem Statement In the event of a personal emergency, security professionals at higher education, business and civil complexes need an effective way to allow individuals to quickly and silently communicate their location to first responders.

Background In times of need people call for emergency assistance. ▫Personal Crimes (i.e. Robberies, Assaults) ▫Accidents ▫Injuries On many campuses and other organized complexes, security professionals (public and private) have instituted first response paradigms.

Background Existing security paradigms rely on verbal communication with people in need. Verbal communication usually comes after the event has taken place. Average response time is 8-11 minutes after first call.

Solution To develop a way of sending a silent signal to security dispatch in the event of a personal emergency. Solution would make use of radio frequency based key fob devices carried by individuals. When a fob button(s) were pushed a signal would be sent out. Through a series of transceivers that signal would be translated to dispatch.

Solution The dispatch station will have an easy-to-use graphic user interface that maps the location of the emergency beacon. Once activated the fob would automatically repeat its broadcast until reset by responders.

Benefits of the Proposed Solution First responders do not need location information from victims. Victims do not have to fumble around for a cell phone and dial a number; a button push is all that is required to summon aid. Aids in locating, in the event the victim is moving along the grid. Allows dispatch to know that an alert is still active.

Benefits of Proposed Solution Based on proven technology. If a victim is not near an emergency phone location (blue tower), they don't have to scramble aimlessly to find one. Would help alleviate students' fear of safety on campus and possibly raise incoming student interest in the school. Could act as a deterrent.

Technological Components Hardware ▫Radio Based Key Fobs ▫Radio Transceivers ▫Radio Control Hub (connected to dispatch station) Software ▫Fob controller ▫Transceiver controller ▫Control Hub controller and Driver ▫GUI based on a mapping API (Google ® Maps)

Determining Customer Base Many possible customers: ▫Universities or Colleges ▫Business complexes (i.e. Google, Microsoft, Intel, Trump Tower) ▫Civil complexes (i.e. the Capitol Building) Scoping Issues ▫Due to time constraints the focus will be on Universities.  Old Dominion University to be specific

Old Dominion University Old Dominion University, whose growing number of students continues the projection of future victims and offenders, represents a suitable client for this solution. Their adoption of new technology in the past indicates a high probability of willingness to use funds to secure the safety of their facility and students.

Potential Issues with Solution High cost of implementation Large front-end cost of development Slightly limited market (i.e. facilities large enough to have their own security professionals) No financial return on investment FCC regulations Radio broadcasting ranges Abuse/Misuse

Similar Solutions The Guardian system by TTI is a solution that is based on the short range networking protocol. ▫Appears to have a maximum area it can protect.  ▫Uses key fobs, repeaters and a central hub The Centurion system by StopTech broadcasts a voice message to radio capable devices when an alarm is triggered. ▫Has a very long range ▫Alert messages are pre-programmed 

Similar Solutions Personal Safety Alarms ▫Small devices that emit a loud noise and a bright flashing light. Used as a way to scare off a perpetrator. Medical alert remotes ▫Uses a device connected to a phone line to initiate a phone call to predetermined number.  (i.e. “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”)

Questions?