EMERGENCY ALARM DEVICE

1. EMERGENCY ALARM DEVICE Chadwick Becker – CprE James Jarvis – CprE Daji Qiao – Faculty Advisor Dec05-11 Client: Iowa State University Website: http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/dec0511/ Zachariah Varney – EE Salman Zafar – EE Randy Geiger – Technical Advisor Project Requirements Abstract Nighttime outings can pose hazardous situations, especially for lone females. People traveling alone across campus at night are prime targets for attackers. This project will help to arm those individuals with a tool to help them in case of an emergency. The team will design a small hand–held emergency alarm that when activated will send an emergency message and emit a painfully loud audible alarm. The device will be activated by pressing a button or speaking an emergency word. Once triggered the device will notify emergency services and provide the location using approximate position derived from the campus 802.11b wireless network. • Design Objectives • Must be small, lightweight, durable, recognize user’s voice pattern and transmit emergencies quickly. • Functional Requirements • Utilize 802.11b networks for sending emergency signal • Have both a manual and automatic trigger • Have a self defense mechanism (audible alarm) • Design Constraints • Cost effective device and low power consumption • Wireless effective range and number of voice commands • Measurable Milestones • Audible alarm/power supply integration and testing • Wireless and microcontroller integration and testing • Case selection and implementation and testing Introduction • General Problem Statement • Certain groups of people are vulnerable to attack when traveling alone at night. A device is needed to notify authorities of an emergency situation and to provide some security while waiting for the authorities to arrive. • General Problem Solution • We shall implement a device that uses wireless communications and an audible alarm to communicate emergency situations to authorities. The device shall be activated using voice recognition or a manually triggered alarm. The team must identify all issues involved in the device, design the device, prototype the device, test the device and system, and document all aspects of the system. • Assumptions • The product will be used within the bounds of a college or university. • The product will be able to effectively connect to the campus wireless network. • The user will be knowledgeable of how to operate the product both manually and automatically. • Limitations • The product shall effectively and quickly make a connection to the campus wireless network. • Product must be able to operate on internal batteries for a reasonable period of time. • Product start up time must be minimal. • Operating Environment • Incidental water contact • Condensing and non-condensing humidity conditions • Airborne dust particles • Temperature ranges from -40 to 125F • Extreme shock loads if dropped or jarred • Intended Users/Uses • Intended users include students of any age, sex, and size living/working in a wireless campus area. The product is to be used as a personal safety device such that an audible alarm sounds when triggered and a wireless transmission notifies the proper authorities of a user’s situation and location. • Expected End Product • Small, battery powered, portable device capable of emitting an alarm and alerting authorities. • Design/Technical documents and user manual Proposed Approach and Considerations • Proposed Approach • Implement Wireless/Alarm System • User prototype and end-product testing • Hardware/Software assimilation • Technologies Considered • Voice recognition/Audible Alarm • Wireless communication/Position Tracking • Testing Considerations • Structural integrity and information transmission • Battery life Estimated Resources and Schedule Closure Materials Closing Summary The team will create a device which can be conveniently carried and will aid the user in the event of an attack. This is achieved using a high decibel alarm, wireless communication, and location tracking system resulting in notification of proper authorities.