Consumer Premise Equipment Emergency Alert Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency alert systems fail to effectively alert users of emergency messages, especially when they are not in close proximity or if the responsible display device is powered off, increasing the risk of injury or loss due to lack of awareness.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for providing indications of emergency alert messages to devices within a consumer premises network, which receive and reformat EAS messages to issue alert commands to various devices, such as activating auditory or visual alerts, even if the primary display device is off, by leveraging home automation systems to increase notification effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If emergency alerts are transmitted only through traditional broadcast channels, then the system maintains simplicity and wide coverage, but users cannot be effectively alerted when not in close proximity to display devices or when devices are powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alert delivery system into multiple independent notification channels (visual displays, auditory alerts, text messages, home automation system notifications) that operate separately but can be activated in combination. This allows the system to maintain reliability by using multiple paths while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single emergency alert system to notify users through various device types and methods (televisions, computers, mobile phones, home automation systems). This universal approach ensures users can be reached regardless of which device they are using or whether their primary display is powered on.
2Reliability
If multiple notification devices and methods are deployed to ensure user awareness, then alert effectiveness improves, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic alert routing that adapts based on user context and device availability. The system can dynamically select which notification methods to use, combining multiple approaches when necessary and using simpler methods when sufficient. This dynamic behavior maintains high reliability while avoiding unnecessary complexity in normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components (gateway devices, home automation systems, message routing servers) that mediate between the alert source and various notification devices. These intermediaries simplify the overall system architecture by providing standardized interfaces and handling the complexity of coordinating multiple notification channels.
3Loss of information
If alert messages are delivered only when primary display devices are active, then system operation remains simple, but users miss critical alerts when devices are powered off or away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple notification devices and pathways before emergencies occur. Users can pre-set preferences for how they want to be notified, and the system prepares alternative notification routes in advance. This ensures alert information is delivered reliably without adding operational complexity during actual emergency events.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing indications of received emergency alert messages to devices within a consumer premises are disclosed. In one embodiment, a consumer premise equipment (CPE) receiving one or more emergency alert messages from a content provider or managed network determines one or more alert responses for one or more devices of the consumer premise network. In one implementation, the responses are based at least in part on the received emergency alert messages themselves. The CPE issues one or more commands to one or more devices present within the consumer premises (which may be for example a home automation system), to indicate the one or more determined alert indication responses, such as auditory alert and visual alert by the one or more devices. Thus, users in the consumer premises may be made aware of an alert message outside of the typical means in which an alert is displayed, such as via a television.