Geographic Filtering for Broadcast Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadcast communication systems, including satellite radio and digital broadcast satellite television, face challenges in effectively delivering locally-oriented information to viewers tuned to national channels, as locally relevant alerts and information often go unnoticed due to the vast geographic coverage and mixed programming nature.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where broadcast communication receivers compare received geographical area indications with stored geographic codes to determine if the user is within the relevant area, relaying only locally relevant information to users while they view national or other channels, using a combination of data channels and programming channels for information transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite broadcast systems provide nationwide coverage with mixed national and local programming, then the geographic coverage area is improved, but the ability to deliver locally relevant information to specific users is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast information stream by separating local alert information from national programming. Each receiver is assigned to a specific geographic area segment, and only receives/processes alert information relevant to that segment. This allows nationwide coverage while ensuring each user receives only locally relevant alerts, solving the contradiction between broad coverage and targeted local information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making each broadcast receiver geographically specific. Each receiver is configured with geographic parameters (latitude, longitude, radius) that define its local service area. The system then provides different information quality to different locations - full local alert details to users within the geographic area, and no such alerts to users outside it. This ensures locally relevant information is delivered effectively while maintaining nationwide coverage.
2Loss of information
If cable systems block all programming channels to deliver local alerts, then the delivery of local information is improved, but the availability of national programming is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts local alert information from the general broadcast stream and delivers it through a separate, dedicated data channel. This allows local alerts to be transmitted independently of national programming channels. Users receive alert information through this separate channel without any interruption or blocking of their national programming viewing, thus maintaining both local alert delivery effectiveness and programming availability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data channel that carries local alert information separately from the programming channels. This intermediary channel acts as a mediator between the alert generation system and the user's receiver, allowing alert information to be delivered without interfering with the normal programming broadcast. The receiver processes this intermediary data stream independently while the user continues viewing national programming uninterrupted.
3Quantity of substance
If DBS satellites transmit all local information to all users in the service area, then the completeness of information delivery is improved, but the information relevance to individual users is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user base into distinct geographic areas, with each user assigned to a specific service area defined by geographic parameters. The system then segments the information delivery accordingly - each user receives only alert information relevant to their specific geographic segment. This prevents the overwhelming of users with irrelevant local information from other areas while ensuring complete delivery of all relevant alerts within their own service area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making information delivery geographically specific. Each receiver is configured with its own geographic parameters, and the system provides alert information with quality tailored to that location. Users receive full, complete alert information for their local area, while automatically excluding alerts from areas outside their geographic service area. This ensures information relevance is maximized for each user without sacrificing completeness within their local context.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is presented for providing information associated with a geographical area to users of broadcast communication receivers. The information, as well as an indication of the geographical area associated with the information, are transmitted to, and received by, each of the broadcast communication receivers. In each of the receivers, the indication of the geographical area is compared with a geographic code associated with, and stored within, the receiver. Each of the receivers transfers the information in a video format to the user of the receiver if the geographic code indicates that the receiver is located within the geographical area.