Geographical area based addressing for free-to-air (FTA) set-top-box (STB)

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses a system and method for enhancing emergency alert targeting in FTA television services. The system features a FTA STB equipped with a processor, a communication module, a location engine, and a filtering engine. The communication module may receive a location message from a user device within the operable communication range of the FTA STB, incorporating Geolocation data. The location engine may identify and store the Geolocation in the FTA STB's storage, while the filtering engine selectively displays alert messages on a connected television unit based on the stored Geolocation.

Description

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA BASED ADDRESSING FOR FREE-TO-AIR (FTA) SET-TOP-BOX (STB)TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present description relates to Free-to-Air (FTA) set-top-box (STB) and, more particularly, relates to emergency alert targeting in Free-to-Air (FTA) television services to FTA STBs located in a particular geographical area.BACKGROUND

[0002] FTA television services represent a fundamental aspect of broadcasting, providing viewers with unrestricted access to television channels without requiring subscription fees. These services are delivered over the airwaves and are typically received through a simple antenna or satellite dish. FTA television offers a diverse range of channels, including news, entertainment, and educational content, making it a widely accessible and inclusive platform for audiences around the world.

[0003] One of the key advantages of FTA television is its universal accessibility, allowing viewers to tune in to channels without the need for a paid subscription. This accessibility is particularly crucial for reaching a broad and diverse audience, including those in remote or economically disadvantaged areas. FTA services play a pivotal role in disseminating information, fostering cultural exchange, and providing entertainment to a wide demographic, contributing to the democratization of media consumption. The simplicity of FTA broadcasting aligns with the foundational principles of broadcasting, making television content accessible to the public at large.

[0004] The challenge with the FTA television services lies in the lack of provision to maintain data pertaining to the utilization of FTA STBs by service providers. FTA STBs are autonomously retailed, precluding any viable mechanism for service provider headends to interact with or identify the deployed STBs. Consequently, the service provider headends lacks information regarding the usage of STBs, preventing the ability to address said STBs based on geographical location. This impedes the FTA TV service provider from delivering targeted information, such as emergency alerts, to specific geographic regions where said STBs are in operation. Furthermore, the unidirectional nature of a broadcast network prohibits communication from the STB to the headend. Even in scenarios where GPS modules are integrated into FTA STBs, the indoor placement of these devices results in unreliable or weak GPS signals, rendering this method impractical for determining the geographical location of STBs.

[0005] Consequently, a solution is needed to overcome one or more challenges as outlined above in connection with FT A STBs.SUMMARY

[0006] The present subject matter discloses a system for enhancing emergency alert targeting in Free-to-Air (FT A) television services. The system features a Free-to-Air Set Top Box (FTA STB) equipped with a processor, a communication module, a location engine, and a filtering engine. The communication module may receive a location message from a user device within the operable communication range of the FTA STB, incorporating Geolocation data. The location engine may identify and store the Geolocation in the FTA STB’s storage, while the filtering engine selectively displays alert messages on a connected television unit based on the stored Geolocation. The system’s adaptability is showcased through various communication modules such as Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi, ensuring flexibility in receiving location messages from diverse user devices. The subject matter’s advantages lie in its ability to provide precise and personalized emergency alerts, overcoming the limitations of traditional broadcast systems. The system’s adaptability and bidirectional communication contribute to a more responsive and future -proof framework, ensuring effective communication in the ever-evolving landscape of television broadcasting and emergency services.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment implementing a Free-to-Air (FTA) Set- Top-Box (STB), according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for processing and displaying emergency alert messages in a Free-to-Air (FTA) Set-Top Box (STB), according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

[0010] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of thedevice, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[Oil] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology can be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and can be practiced using one or more other implementations. In one or more implementations, structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for enhancing emergency alert targeting in Free-to-Air (FT A) television services. In an example embodiment, the system 100 includes a Free-to-Air Set Top Box (FTA STB) 102 comprising a processor 104 and a communication module 106. The system 100 further comprises user device which is coupled to the FTA STB 102. The system 100 further comprises a television unit 114 coupled to the FTA STB 102 for displaying one or more alert messages received by the FTA STB 102. The system further comprises an emergency alert system 116, a FTA service headend coupled to the FTA STB 102 through a one-way broadcast network.

[0013] The communication module 106 is configured to receive a location message from a user device 112 within the operable communication range of the FTA STB 102. The location message includes a Geolocation determined by the user device 112. The communication module 106 is designed to establish a seamless and responsive communication link between the FTA STB 102 and the user device 112 within its operable communication range.

[0014] When the user device 112, such as a smartphone, comes into the operable communication range of the FTA STB 102, the communication module 106 initiates the reception process. The user device 112, equipped with communication technologies like Bluetooth, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), or Wi-Fi, transmits a location message to the FTA STB 102. This location message encapsulates Geolocation data, precisely determined by the user device's Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar technology.

[0015] The communication module 106 acts as the gateway for this incoming location message, capturing and processing the Geolocation information embedded within it. For example, if Bluetooth technology is utilized, the Bluetooth unit of the communication module 106 may be activated to establish a connection with the user device 112. Subsequently, the communication module 106 may retrieve the Geolocation data from the received message, providing the FTA STB 102 with accurate information about the user device’s location.

[0016] This Geolocation data becomes a crucial input for the overall functionality of the system 100. The Geolocation data serves as a real-time indicator of the geographical position of the user device 112 relative to the FTA STB 102. The system 100 then utilizes this information for targeted emergency alert processing, ensuring that the displayed alerts on a connected television unit 112 may be specific to the immediate vicinity of the FTA STB 102.

[0017] In an example, the FTA STB 102 may include a Bluetooth unit as the communication module 106. In an example embodiment, the Bluetooth unit facilitates seamless communication between the FTA STB 102 and a user’ smartphone, ensuring efficient transfer of the location message. This enhances the overall responsiveness of the system 100 to emergency alert targeting.

[0018] In yet another example, the FTA STB 102 comprises an NFC unit as the communication module 106. In a particular example, an NFC-enabled user device 112 sends a location message to the FTA STB 102 within close proximity. The NFC unit efficiently captures this message, contributing to the accurate determination and storage of the Geolocation by a location engine 108.

[0019] In yet an example, the FTA STB 102 features a Wi-Fi unit as the communication module 106. For instance, a user device connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the FTA STB 102 may transmit a location message. The Wi-Fi unit enables the FTA STB 102 to receive the message, ensuring a versatile and robust communication mechanism for location data exchange.

[0020] Further, in an embodiment, the FTA STB 102 may comprise the location engine 108 coupled to the processor 104 and the communication module 106. The location engine 108 is configured to identify and store the received Geolocation in a storage of the FTA STB 102. Additionally, the FTA STB 102 includes a filtering engine 110 coupled to the processor 104 and the location engine108. The filtering engine 110 is configured to select an alert message for displaying on a television (TV) unit based on the stored Geolocation.

[0021] Furthermore, the FTA STB 102, may incorporates a filtering engine 110 configured to receive one or more alert messages broadcasted by a broadcasting station. In an illustrative example, the filtering engine 110 analyzes broadcasted emergency alerts, comparing their associated locations with the stored Geolocation. The filtering engine 110 may then selects and displays relevant alerts on the TV when a match is identified, providing targeted emergency information to the viewer based on their geographical location.

[0022] In an example embodiment, the filtering engine (110) designed to enhance the processing of emergency alert messages in the context of FTA television services. Said specialized filtering engine operates in conjunction with the overall system 100, building on the Geolocation information received from the communication module 104. When an emergency alert system 116 may transmit one or more alert messages, each tagged with associated location information, the filtering engine 110 may come into play. The filtering engine 110 may receive the broadcasted alert messages and utilizes the location information within each message. The filtering engine 110 may then compares this location data with the stored Geolocation in the FTA STB 102, obtained from user devices within its communication range.

[0023] According to an embodiment, if an alert message may be broadcasted with specific location tags, the filtering engine 110 may check whether said tags align with the stored Geolocation. When a match is identified which may be indicative of that the alert is relevant to the immediate vicinity of the FTA STB 102, the filtering engine 110 may select that particular alert message. The selected alert may then be processed for display on the connected television unit. Essentially, the filtering engine 110 ensures that only alerts pertinent to the geographical location of the FTA STB 102 may be presented, optimizing the system for targeted and location-specific emergency alert delivery.

[0024] In an example scenario, a user’s smartphone, acting as the user device 112, sends a location message via Bluetooth to the FTA STB. The communication module 106 receives the message, and the location engine 108 identifies and stores the Geolocation in the FTA STB 102. Subsequently, the filtering engine 110 processes broadcasted alert messages, comparing their associated locations with the stored Geolocation, ultimately selecting and displaying relevant alerts on the connected TV.

[0025] Fig. 2 illustrates a method 200 for processing and displaying emergency alert messages in a Free-to-Air (FTA) Set-Top Box (STB) system 100 according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0026] At step 202, the method 200 includes receiving a location message from a user device 112 present within the operable communication range of the FTA STB 102. The location message, determined by the user device 112, includes a Geolocation. The system 100 may initiate the process by receiving a location message from a user device within the operable communication range of the FTA STB 102. For example, a smartphone equipped with Bluetooth capabilities acts as the user device, transmitting a location message to the FTA STB 102

[0027] For example, a user carrying the smartphone enters the communication range of the FTA STB. In this scenario, the Bluetooth unit of the FTA STB becomes active, establishing a connection with the user’s smartphone. The smartphone, utilizing its Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar technology, determines its precise Geolocation and encapsulates this information within the location message. The communication module 104 of the FTA STB 102 may receive the message, capturing the Geolocation data provided by the user device 112.

[0028] In yet another example, if the user is indoors or in an area with weak GPS signals, the Bluetooth unit ensures a reliable and direct communication link, facilitating the accurate transmission of the location message. Said step ensures that the FTA STB 102 is continually updated with real-time Geolocation information, enabling subsequent steps in the method, such as storing and utilizing this data for personalized emergency alert targeting based on the user's location.

[0029] Subsequently, at step 204, the method 200 may include storing the Geolocation in a storage unit of the FTA STB 102. Said step ensures that the FTA STB 102 possesses accurate and updated geographical information for subsequent processing. In an example, a user’s smartphone, acting as the user device 112, may send a location message via Bluetooth to the FTA STB 102. The FTA STB 102 may receive and store said Geolocation information in its storage unit, establishing the basis for personalized emergency alert targeting.

[0030] At step 206, the method 200 may include selecting an alert message for displaying on a television (TV) unit based on the stored Geolocation. Said step may be performed to tailor emergency alerts according to the geographical location of the FTA STB 102. By considering the stored Geolocation, the system 100 ensures that viewers receive relevant and targeted emergencyinformation on their connected TV. For instance, if the FTA STB 102 is located in a specific region, the filtering engine 110 selects and displays emergency alerts relevant to that area on the connected TV. This enhances the effectiveness of emergency communications by providing location-specific information to viewers.

[0031] In step 206 of the method 200, the system 100 focuses on selecting an emergency alert message for display on the connected TV 114 based on the previously stored Geolocation in the FTA STB 102. Said step is pivotal for ensuring that the emergency information presented on the TV is not only pertinent but also tailored to the immediate geographical context of the FTA STB.

[0032] The method 200 may further include a step of receiving one or more alert messages broadcasted by a broadcasting station. Each of the one or more alert messages has location information associated with it. The filtering engine 110 may process the one or more alert messages, comparing their associated locations with the stored Geolocation. Furthermore, the method 200 may involve selecting the alert message for displaying on the TV 114 when the corresponding location matches the stored Geolocation.

[0033] Consider an example embodiment where the FTA STB 102 may be installed in a residence in a specific region. The stored Geolocation reflects the precise position of the FTA STB 102, obtained from the earlier-received location message. Now, when emergency alert messages are broadcasted by the emergency Alert System 116, each alert may be tagged with its associated location information. In such scenarios the filtering engine 110 may analyze broadcasted one or more alert messages. The filtering engine 110 may compare the location associated with each alert to the stored Geolocation in the FTA STB 102. For example, if an alert message is broadcasted for a weather-related incident in the specific region where the FTA STB 102 is located, the filtering engine 110 may identify a match between the broadcasted location and the stored Geolocation. Subsequently, the filtering engine selects specific alert message for display on the connected TV 114. According to the proposed method, the viewers in the area where the FTA STB 102 is situated will receive relevant and targeted emergency information related to their geographical location. In this way, the system ensures that users are presented with emergency alerts that are specifically applicable to their immediate surroundings, fostering a more effective and personalized communication of critical information.

[0034] The embodiment of the present subject matter shows the capacity to dynamically respond to the unique geographical context of each FTA STB, delivering emergency alerts that are not only timely but also directly relevant to the viewers based on the stored Geolocation. The result isan enhanced emergency communication system that optimally serves the needs of the viewers within the FTA STB's operational range.

[0035] The method 200 further includes a step of determining the communication module used for receiving the location message. For example, if the location message is received using a Bluetooth unit of the FTA STB 102, the communication unit may be a Bluetooth unit.

[0036] The present subject matter provides a solution to the limitations of traditional FTA television services, particularly in the context of emergency alert messaging. By incorporating the FTA STB equipped with a communication module and a location engine, the system efficiently receives and stores Geolocation information from user devices within its communication range. The proposed solution eliminates the reliance on external factors such as weak GPS signals or the absence of a reverse path from Set Top Box (STB) to headend, presenting a reliable mechanism for obtaining and utilizing geographical location data indoors.

[0037] Disclosed herein is a significant advantage in the form of enhanced emergency alert personalization. The FTA STB’s ability to receive location messages from user devices, facilitated by communication modules such as Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi, ensures that the system captures the precise geographical location of the viewing audience. This Geolocation data serves as a foundational element for the subsequent filtering and selection of emergency alert messages. Consequently, viewers receive alerts specifically tailored to their immediate vicinity, fostering a more targeted and meaningful communication of emergency information.

[0038] Moreover, the subject matter offers a dynamic and adaptable communication framework. The utilization of different communication modules allows for flexibility in how the FTA STB receives location messages. Whether through Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi, the system can seamlessly integrate with various user devices, reflecting a versatile approach to obtaining Geolocation data. This adaptability not only enhances user experience but also future-proofs the system against changes in technology and communication standards.

[0039] Additionally, the disclosed subject matter addresses the one-way broadcast nature of traditional FTA TV services by introducing a bidirectional communication aspect. The FTA STB’ s ability to receive location messages from user devices establishes a means for interactive communication, allowing for information exchange between the STB and external devices. This bidirectional communication, particularly evident in the Bluetooth unit implementation, opensavenues for potential future enhancements and functionalities, thereby expanding the capabilities of the FTA STB beyond conventional broadcast networks.

[0040] In conclusion, the subject matter not only overcomes the limitations of current FTA TV services in addressing emergency alert targeting but also introduces a forward-looking approach that considers adaptability, personalization, and bidirectional communication. These advantages collectively contribute to a more effective and responsive system that aligns with the evolving landscape of television broadcasting and emergency communications.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A free to air (FTA) set top box (STB), comprising: a processor; and a communication module coupled to the processor and configured to receive a location message from a user device which is present within operable communication range of the FTA STB, wherein the location message includes a Geolocation determined by the user device; a location engine coupled to the processor and the communication module, wherein the location engine is configured to identify and store the Geolocation in a storage of the FTA STB; a filtering engine coupled to the processor and the location engine, wherein the filtering engine is configured to select an alert message for displaying on a television (TV) unit based on the stored Geolocation.

2. The FTA STB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module is a Bluetooth unit.

3. The FTA STB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module is an NFC unit.

4. The FTA STB as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module is a Wi-Fi unit.

5. The FTA STB as claimed in claim 1, wherein for selecting the alert message, the filtering engine is further configured to: receive one or more alert messages broadcasted by a broadcasting station, wherein each of the one or more alert messages has location information associated therewith; compare the location associated with the one or more alert messages with the stored Geolocation; and select the alert message for displaying on the TV when the corresponding location matches with the stored Geolocation.

6. A method for processing and displaying emergency alert messages in a Free-to-Air (FTA) Set-Top Box (STB), comprising: receiving a location message from a user device which is present within operable communication range of the FTA STB, wherein the location message includes a Geolocation determined by the userstoring the Geolocation in a storage of the FTA STB; and selecting an alert message for displaying on a television (TV) unit based on the stored Geolocation.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location message is received using a Bluetooth unit of the FTA STB.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location message is received using a NFC unit of the FTA STB.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location message is received using a Wi-Fi unit of the FTA STB.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selecting of the alert message further comprises: receiving one or more alert messages broadcasted by a broadcasting station, wherein each of the one or more alert messages has location information associated therewith; comparing the location associated with the one or more alert messages with the stored Geolocation; and selecting the alert message for displaying on the TV when the corresponding location matches with the stored Geolocation.

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