Scientists at Panjab University make scream-detecting device to prevent crime against women

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 6

Panjab University scientists have come up with a “distress signal-based criminal activity detecting, preventing and reporting device”, which will be useful in prevention or detection of a criminal activity against women.

The device, based on a special prototype chip, has been developed by Dr Disha Handa, DST women scientist, and Dr Renu Vig, former director, UIET.

According to Disha, the prototype chip can be attached to the rear of a mobile phone.

It analyses the scream patterns and sends signals to nearby police stations within a minimum time (from six seconds to nine seconds), she said, adding that for making the distress call, a person need not to use any application, just a scream will activate the system.

Also, it will produce ultrasonic sounds to alert the nearby people, said Disha.

“The research is focused at identifying and analysing women’s scream patterns to deduce a result that can be used as input to an electronic gadget which will immediately react for help,” said informed.

“The chip circuit could be embedded into the back panel of the mobile phone which comprises a microphone, a GSM, GPRS module, memory unit and a controller,” she added. The provisional patent for the prototype was filed in May.

Disha further said: “During simulation and prototyping, a few observations had been made for the project, which slightly deviate from the proposed solution.”

“The solution becomes a network of nodes, where one node comprises a high quality microphone, controller, and an ultrasonic buzzer. Another node comprises a digital screen with a controller. There could be multiple nodes to transmit data,” she said.

Disha also mentioned that the device could be mounted on a lonely street pole and one of its nodes might be installed at a nearby police station or beatbox.

“In this case, one node should have a GSM and GPRS module to transmit location of the victim to the police station. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic buzzer will play after identifying the scream,” she said.

“The device can also be put to use in a school or college campus. Multiple nodes can be installed on the corridors of campus. There is no need for the GSM and GPRS modules in this case, as the device can send location by using the campus WiFi. One node may be installed at the college/school authority check posts.”

The live testing of the device could not be conducted due to the Covid pandemic. “Live testing will be conducted in near future, and probably the trial of the device will be launched in school or university campuses. Modifications will be done on the basis of the feedback,” said Disha.

How the system works

It analyses the scream patterns and sends signals to nearby police stations within a minimum time (from six seconds to nine seconds). For making a distress call, a person does not have to use any application, just a scream will activate the system.