Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the purpose of the project, its bound and capabilities, as

well as insights on its development. This also contains the presentation of the problem

that the proponents aim to solve.

Background of the Study

Personal safety has grown to become one of the most significant requirements in

today’s world where children are abducted, women are threatened, senior citizens are

manipulated, being and living alone is a great risk and the fact that search and rescue

teams could either save you or are too late to protect us during calamities (Maksood F.Z.

et al, 2015).

Crime rates has been rapidly increasing everywhere especially in the Philippines,

causing rallies, street protests and fights. Crime is a constant thing; it is not something we

can just walk away from, making security a problem in the society. According to

newsinfo.inquirer.net (July of 2017), a woman in Makati City was robbed and killed, a

resident heard the commotion but ignored it thinking it was just a simple fight, realizing

such is not just a fight between two lovers, reported it to the police, but it was all too late,

the victim was shot on the neck and was killed on spot.
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The inability of the search and rescue team to save the victims instantly during

calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes is one problem the group has been looking

forward to solve as well. It takes the search and rescue team a lot of down time just

finding the victims alone, takes more when the rescuers gets off the rubble wherein

victims are usually stuck. The advantage of knowing where the victims to be rescued are,

is a big improvement to the team, making it easier to locate the victims and provide

immediate help especially on calamities as discussed in cnnphilippines.com (2017).

According to Pawar (2017), women are not as physically fit as men and in case of

an emergency, a helping hand would be an assistance for them. The best way to prevent a

violent crime (robbery, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence) is to recogni ze, defend

and look up resources to help you out of hazardous situation.

Security is the state of being free from danger or threat; and danger is everywhere.

New technology should focus on creating a risk-free environment for everyone. Even

though crimes in the Philippines can be narrowed down to crimes of opportunity and

petty theft, physical assault and abduction. Emergency contact number is the fastest

and easiest method used by people during danger and situations involving crime. As easy

as it is to remember and dial the number during unanticipated scenarios, the victim might

not be able to get in touch with a phone or a telecommunication service of any form; thus

making the security gadget handy with just a press in a button and a clip-on design for

convenient use (Al Yarubi, 2015).

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Increase in usage of technology and smart electronics provides an opportunity for

a simple cost-effective safety gadget that helps the victims during unforeseen dangers like

abduction, assaults, and medical emergencies there is a growing requirement for easy-to-

use personal safety equipment for the community (Achuthan et al, 2015).

The main objective of the PERSONAL SAFETY GADGET USING

BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY AND ANDROID-BASED APPLICATION is to

produce a low cost mechanism for timely and needful communication. The device is

created to provide safety, increase awareness in security and safety; and to offer a

constant peace of mind for you and those who care about you. The device which is

connected via Bluetooth to your smartphones will notify the authorities by pressing the

button on the device. The authority will then take action in order to prevent forthcoming

threats.

Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to create a security platform that provide

alerts with all the information they need to quickly coordinate to the authority like the

police and the user’s trusted friends and family. The system will use the power of your

smartphones. An application will be specifically designed to access the device’s

accessibility, police numbers, customize feedbacks for assurance and customize your

preferred contacts.
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Specifically, this project aims to:

1. Design a device with the following features:

a. A Bluetooth System that is linked to an android application in your

smartphones through Bluetooth low energy.

b. An android application system that will utilize the messaging app in order

to notify the authority and the registered contact persons in case of

emergency, when the device’s button is pressed.

c. The application system will then show a confirmation message or a silent

vibration feedback if the button is pressed accidentally for assurance.

d. The application system will send necessary information the authority

needs to quickly coordinate help, which includes the victim’s personal

information and real time GPS location and updates.

e. A power source that will supply the device and is rechargeable.

2. Fabricate a prototype as designed.

3. Develop a schematic prototype designed to function only for security and

safety purposes.

4. Test the prototype of its efficiency and functionality through:

a. The capability to the device to connect to the application in the smart

phone.

b. The capability of the android application to send text messages alerts on

police stations and specified set of mobile phone numbers upon pressing

the button on the device.

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c. The capability of the android application to update its real time location

upon activating the device.

d. The response time of the smartphone to alert the authority by message

alert notification.

5. Evaluate the functionality, reliability, marketability, aesthetics and case of

operation and installation.

Scope and Limitations

The study spans over the design, fabrication, need for personal safety gadgets in

hostile environments and testing. The device is expected to be carried close to the victim.

The device will only send alerts including the location of the victim once the button is

pressed. SMS alerts from the device will consist of a predetermined message, victim’s

personal information and real time GPS location and updates. There will be vibration

feedback and confirmation message set on the smartphone connected to the device to

indicate false alarm. The device is only expected to be used in extreme conditions that

violate the victim’s safety. The mechanism is exclusively used as a safety gadget;

therefore it is not deprived or drained of charge due to unnecessary tasks. It is Bluetooth

powered, communication is not guaranteed between the smartphone and the authority

numbers if there is no signal in the given area and having an insufficient load balance,

resulting for the system to not send text messages alerts on police station and specified

set of mobile numbers.