Alert Broadcasting to Unconfigured Devices via Auto-Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to efficiently broadcast alerts to diverse communication devices across various platforms, particularly in emergency situations, as they are not adaptable to different device types and often do not account for transient individuals with unassociated communication devices, leading to incomplete or delayed notification.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables authorities to broadcast alerts to a variety of communication devices through multiple means, including mobile and stationary IP-connected devices, SMS/MMS-capable devices, and voice-capable devices, using auto-discovery methods to reach devices within a geographical area, even if they are not preconfigured or associated with the alert system, ensuring quick and widespread message delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed communication devices are used for alert broadcasting, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot reach transient individuals with diverse communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The alert broadcasting system is designed to support multiple communication protocols and device types simultaneously. The system can broadcast alerts through traditional fixed devices, mobile phones, pagers, and other communication devices using a unified architecture that adapts to different device capabilities, making the system universally compatible without requiring separate specialized systems for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the communication network into multiple segments or zones with local broadcasting capabilities. Each segment can independently broadcast alerts to devices within its range, and the system orchestrates coordinated broadcasting across segments. This segmentation allows the system to scale and adapt to diverse device types while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If preconfiguration is required for alert reception, then security and reliability are improved, but transient individuals with unassociated devices cannot receive alerts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing broadcasting infrastructure and protocols across multiple communication networks before emergencies occur. Devices are pre-registered and pre-configured with alert reception capabilities, while the system maintains the ability to dynamically add unregistered devices during events through on-demand provisioning and open broadcasting channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary components such as gateway devices, network nodes, and protocol translators that bridge between preconfigured devices and unassociated transient devices. These intermediaries enable alerts to be relayed to devices without direct preconfiguration while maintaining system security and reliability through controlled access and authentication mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If broadcast coverage is expanded to include all devices in an area, then notification completeness is improved, but spam and unwanted communications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where receiving devices send acknowledgment signals to the broadcasting system. The system uses this feedback to track which devices have received alerts and adjusts subsequent broadcasting accordingly, avoiding redundant transmissions to already-notified devices. This feedback loop enables complete notification coverage while reducing unnecessary communications and spam.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts broadcast parameters such as transmission power, frequency, and target device selection based on real-time conditions, device responses, and threat levels. During emergencies, the system expands coverage to reach all potential recipients, while in normal conditions it limits broadcasting to prevent spam. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize notification completeness when needed while minimizing unwanted communications during routine operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for communicating alert messages to target communications devices in a target physical location are disclosed. The target devices may not be preconfigured to be discovered or to receive the alert message. Network sources are queried to identify accessible logical locations, which are associated with physical locations in a database. The logical locations include an intelligent network source which, having received the alert message, detects nearby devices in the target physical location. The system prepares and communicates the alert message to the target device. The intelligent network source may be configured to prepare and communicate the alert message without any intermediate system step of formulating a list of recipients. Auto-discovery and message delivery methods employ protocol packet injection, network and access point spoofing, and Bluetooth signaling. Auto-discovery and unconfigured delivery methods can be used to reveal the presence of devices in an area.