Multimedia Public Warning Alerts via Cell Broadcast and Multicast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency alert systems in mobile telecommunications networks, such as Cell Broadcast and eMBMS, lack the ability to deliver multimedia content like images, audio, and videos, and are limited by network load and resource constraints, particularly in emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combines Cell Broadcast with transparent multicast to deliver multimedia alerts, using a multicast content distributor server to manage content delivery sessions, allowing for both multicast and unicast distribution based on user equipment density, ensuring efficient delivery of multimedia objects like pictures, audio, and videos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multimedia public warning alerts are distributed using existing text-based emergency alert systems, then the system can maintain simple infrastructure, but the alert effectiveness and user comprehension are insufficient due to lack of multimedia content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines text-based alert systems with multimedia capabilities (audio, video, images) into a unified emergency alert distribution system. The system integrates multiple content types while maintaining a single coherent alert delivery mechanism, allowing broadcasters to send comprehensive warnings that engage multiple senses and improve comprehension without requiring separate infrastructure for each media type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to handle multiple types of content (text, audio, video, images) through a single alert distribution infrastructure. The broadcast mechanism can universally deliver different media formats to various receiver types (set-top boxes, mobile devices, televisions, radios) using the same core system, making the infrastructure multi-functional and adaptable to different alert requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the alert system supports multiple receiver types (set-top boxes, mobile devices, televisions, radios), then the system coverage and accessibility are improved, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alert system is designed with universal compatibility to work across multiple receiver types including set-top boxes, mobile devices, televisions, and radios. The system uses a standardized alert format and distribution protocol that can be universally received and displayed by different device types, allowing a single alert message to reach diverse audiences through their preferred devices without requiring device-specific alert systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs an intermediary alert distribution network that acts as a mediator between the alert source and various receivers. This intermediary layer handles the coordination and routing of alerts to appropriate device types, translating and delivering alert content through suitable channels without requiring direct complex coordination between all possible device combinations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If alert distribution is delayed during network congestion or system failures, then the system can maintain network stability, but the response time to emergencies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary actions by pre-establishing alert distribution pathways and pre-positioning alert content in strategic locations within the network. High-priority emergency alerts are prepared and queued in advance, and the system has pre-configured alternative routing paths ready to activate immediately when normal pathways fail, reducing the time lost during emergency distribution without compromising network stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous alert distribution capability through redundant pathways and failover mechanisms. When the primary distribution path experiences congestion or failure, the system automatically continues alert delivery through alternative routes, maintaining the continuity of the useful action (alert distribution) without interruption or significant delay, thereby preserving both network stability and response time.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for distributing multimedia public warning alerts in a mobile telecommunications network, comprising the steps of: creating a alert message by an emergency authority computer in said network, said message comprising a textual message and at least one multimedia object, such as a picture, audio or video; sending by a multicast content distributor server in response to said request for a content delivery session parameters for a content delivery session, said parameters comprising a multicast IP address; sending by said emergency authority computer the created alert message to the multicast content distributor server; sending by said emergency authority computer a request for sending a cell broadcast message to a cell broadcast center in said network, said cell broadcast message comprising said textual message and said content delivery session parameters; broadcasting by said cell broadcast center said cell broadcast message through a radio access network in said network; receiving by a plurality of mobile user equipment in said network said cell broadcast message through said radio access network; setting up by the multicast content distributor server a transparent IP multicast session between the multicast content distributor server and at least part of said multitude of user equipment; sending said at least one multimedia object though said transparent IP multicast session to said at least part of said multitude of user equipment.