Emergency Message Targeting via Location Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sending emergency messages to mobile terminals in emergency areas are limited, as not all operators have activated Cell Broadcast messaging, and many handsets do not support it, resulting in many terminals being unreachable during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A method that stores location information and subscriber identification codes in a database, allowing for the selection and messaging of terminals within an emergency area using SMS or voice messages, independent of subscription services or message channels, ensuring all terminals in the area can be reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Cell Broadcast messaging is used to send emergency messages, then the message can be broadcasted to multiple terminals simultaneously, but many terminals cannot be reached because not all operators have the function activated and many handsets do not support it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a database storing terminal location information and a selection mechanism that identifies terminals in the emergency area. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between the emergency message source and the diverse terminal population, enabling reliable delivery by selecting appropriate terminals regardless of their broadcast support status.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of broadcasting to all terminals and hoping they receive the message, the patent inverts the approach by first identifying specific terminals in the emergency area through database lookup, then sending messages only to those identified terminals. This reverse selection process ensures higher reliability by targeting confirmed present terminals.
2Reliability
If traditional broadcast methods are used, then the system complexity remains low, but the ability to reach all terminals in the emergency area is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing terminal location information and identification codes in a database before emergencies occur. This advance preparation enables rapid and reliable terminal identification during emergencies without adding complex real-time processing requirements, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automatically updated location information from terminal location update messages, eliminating the need for manual terminal registration or complex real-time tracking. The database self-updates with location data as terminals move, providing reliable terminal identification through a simple query process.
3Reliability
If location-based terminal selection is implemented, then all terminals in the emergency area can be reached, but the system requires additional database storage and processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential data elements needed for emergency message delivery—terminal location information and identification codes—and stores them in a dedicated database. By extracting and storing only these critical elements rather than complete terminal profiles, the system achieves reliable message delivery while minimizing data storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for sending an emergency message to mobile terminals located in an emergency area, in which at least location information and a subscriber identification code is stored in a database for a plurality of mobile terminals. Then the emergency area is determined. Next, a set of destination terminals is selected out of the database having location information that corresponds to the emergency area. To each of the destination terminals the emergency message is sent by means of an SMS message or a voice message using said subscriber identification code. By using the method according to the invention, all the terminals present in the emergency area can be reached, independent of whether they are subscribed to an SMS alerting service, and not depending on a certain channel to receive the message.