Alert Broadcasting via Automatic Device Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to efficiently broadcast alerts to a diverse range of communication devices within a specific geographical area, particularly in emergency situations, as they are not adaptable to various devices and often do not account for transient users with unassociated communication devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables authorities to broadcast alerts to multiple communication devices through various means, including text, pictures, and video, by automatically discovering and targeting devices within a geographical area, regardless of their association with the broadcasting authority, and ensures receipt confirmation, while preventing spam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional broadcast systems (radio/TV) are used to notify people in an area, then the broadcast can reach a fixed set of communication devices, but it fails to reach users with diverse communication devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) who may be in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal alert delivery mechanism that can communicate with multiple types of devices (traditional radio/TV, smartphones, laptops, tablets) through a single unified platform. The alert broadcasting system is designed to adapt its communication method based on the target device type, ensuring broad compatibility while maintaining reliable alert delivery across diverse communication technologies.
2Productivity
If the system broadcasts alerts to all devices in an area, then more people can be notified, but it becomes difficult to determine which devices are present and what types they are
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary device discovery and identification before alert broadcasting by continuously monitoring and maintaining an updated registry of communication devices in the target area. Network sources query device specifications and locations in advance, building a prepared database of accessible devices and their capabilities, so that when an alert needs to be broadcast, the system can quickly identify and notify all relevant devices without delay.
3Measurement precision
If the system queries network sources for device specifications, then it can identify target devices accurately, but it increases the time and resources required for alert preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs device specification queries and identification processes in advance, maintaining an updated registry of communication devices in the target area. By building this device database beforehand, the system eliminates the need for real-time device discovery during emergency alert situations, thus achieving both accurate device identification and rapid alert deployment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system broadcasts to unassociated devices (devices not pre-configured with authority credentials), then more transient users can be reached, but it creates potential security risks and spam pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a network gateway as an intermediary between the alert broadcasting authority and unassociated devices. The gateway verifies device legitimacy, manages communication protocols, and filters out unauthorized or malicious communications. This intermediary layer enables the system to reach transient users on unassociated devices while maintaining security controls and preventing spam pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for communicating messages to target communications devices in a target physical location are disclosed. Network sources are queried for logical locations accessible to the network source. A specification of a physical location associated with each logical location is received. Each logical location specification is stored in a data store in association with the associated physical location specification. A specification of the target physical location is received. Those logical location specifications associated with the target physical location are retrieved from the data store, thereby identifying target logical locations. For each target logical location, at least one of the network sources accessible to that logical location is queried for specifications of communications devices accessible to that logical location, thereby identifying the communications devices in the target physical location. The message is communicated to the target communications devices in the target physical location via at least one of the target logical locations.