Mesh Network Alert Distribution via Terrestrial Broadcast and Satellite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for disseminating emergency alerts, such as earthquake alerts, face challenges in quickly and reliably distributing alert data to the public, often relying on overwhelmed communication channels and requiring longer distribution times compared to the speed of the alert itself.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a mesh network of devices equipped with terrestrial broadcast signal and satellite transmission receivers, where alert data encoded in terrestrial television broadcasts is confirmed and activated through a notification engine, ensuring rapid and accurate dissemination of alerts to relevant locations within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alert data is transmitted via mobile telephone networks, then alert data can be disseminated to the general public, but distribution time becomes as much as four times longer and communications channels may be overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alert distribution system into multiple independent channels: terrestrial broadcast (TV/radio), satellite communication, and mobile telephone networks. Each channel operates independently and can distribute alerts simultaneously, preventing any single channel from being overwhelmed while ensuring comprehensive coverage through redundant pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on traditional mobile telephone networks to incorporating terrestrial broadcast and satellite communication dimensions. This multi-dimensional approach allows alert distribution through diverse media (visual, auditory, satellite signals) simultaneously, dramatically reducing the time penalty associated with single-channel transmission while maintaining reliability through channel diversity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional alert systems use existing communication networks, then ease of operation is maintained, but the networks become overwhelmed during emergency alert dissemination
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication burden across multiple independent networks: terrestrial broadcast infrastructure, satellite communication systems, and mobile telephone networks. By distributing alert transmission across these segmented channels simultaneously, the system maintains ease of operation through automated multi-channel deployment while preventing any single network from becoming overwhelmed by concentrating traffic volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alert data is transmitted through a central location, then existing infrastructure is leveraged, but additional transmission time is introduced between detection and public dissemination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning alert reception capabilities across the distributed network (terrestrial broadcast receivers, satellite receivers, and mobile devices) before an emergency occurs. When an alert is detected, the system immediately activates all pre-configured transmission pathways simultaneously, eliminating sequential processing delays that would occur with centralized routing while still leveraging existing infrastructure through the pre-established multi-channel architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting and distributing alert data based upon both receiving alert data encoded in a terrestrial television broadcast transmission and receiving an identification of a location of a device includes receiving, by a first device in a plurality of devices in a mesh network, a terrestrial broadcast signal including at least one datacast packet. A second device in the plurality of devices receives a satellite transmission identifying a location of the second device. The method includes confirming, by a notification engine executed by a third device in the plurality of devices in the mesh network, receipt of both the satellite transmission and alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal. The method includes activating, by the notification engine, at least one alert module in the mesh network, upon confirmation of the receipt of both the satellite transmission and the alert data encoded in the terrestrial broadcast signal.