Location-Based Emergency Alert Information Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency Alert System (EAS) recipients often lack information on how to proceed with alerts, such as finding shelter or evacuation routes, which can lead to unsafe decisions during emergencies.

Innovation Solution

The system uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine a subscriber's location and queries a database to provide relevant information, such as shelter locations, medical facilities, and evacuation routes, alongside EAS alert messages, ensuring recipients receive location-specific guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If EAS alert messages are provided without location-specific information, then the alert system remains simple and easy to operate, but recipients lack critical information on how to proceed (shelter locations, evacuation routes)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a database server and information server that mediate between the EAS alert message and the recipient. The database server stores location-specific information (shelters, medical facilities, evacuation routes), while the information server queries this database using GPS coordinates from the recipient's device and returns relevant information. This intermediary infrastructure enables comprehensive information delivery without requiring complexity in the recipient's device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically obtaining the recipient's location through GPS functionality in their mobile device. The information server automatically queries the database using these coordinates and retrieves relevant location-specific information without requiring the recipient to manually input their location or search for information. The system serves itself by leveraging the recipient's device capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If location-specific information is provided to all EAS recipients, then safety and decision-making are enhanced, but the system requires additional infrastructure (databases, GPS integration)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different information to different recipients based on their specific location. Rather than broadcasting uniform information to all recipients, the system queries the database using each recipient's GPS coordinates and returns location-specific information such as nearest shelters, local medical facilities, and area-specific evacuation routes. This ensures each recipient receives information relevant to their local context, enhancing safety without requiring universal infrastructure deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If the system queries a database for location-specific information, then relevant details (shelters, medical facilities) are provided, but information retrieval time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation relevanceVSAvoidinformation retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements preliminary action by pre-populating the database with comprehensive location-specific information including shelters, medical facilities, emergency supplies, and evacuation routes before an emergency occurs. This information is organized and stored in advance, allowing the information server to quickly retrieve relevant data during an emergency by simply querying with GPS coordinates, rather than searching or generating information in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables recipients to make informed decisions during emergencies by providing critical location-specific information, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of harm.

Implementation Method 1

In an example embodiment, the Global Positioning System is utilized to determine the location of the subscriber.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlobal Positioning System:

Data Source

PatentUS7602277B1Emergency alert information based upon subscriber location

Publication Date: 2009.10.13 CINGULAR WIRELESS II LLC

AI summary

A subscriber of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) receiving an EAS alert message can obtain additional information based upon the location of the subscriber. The additional information can include information pertaining to available shelter, medical facilities, the location of emergency supplies, a plume map, evacuation routes, or the like. In an example embodiment, the Global Positioning System is utilized to determine the location of the subscriber. The location information along with EAS alert information is used to query a database to obtain the additional information.