Set-Top Box EAS Message Storage and Re-Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users may miss Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages if they are not consuming media when the alerts are delivered, as existing systems do not provide a mechanism for storing or re-delivering these messages, leading to potential missed important alerts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where EAS messages can be stored and re-delivered to users when they subsequently access media devices, using set-top boxes and alert storage devices to detect delivery triggers and provide undelivered messages, ensuring wider reach and confirmation of message delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EAS messages are delivered only in real-time during media consumption, then delivery simplicity is maintained, but message delivery reliability deteriorates because users may miss alerts when not consuming media
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting EAS messages in advance during media consumption and storing them for later delivery. The set-top box intercepts and stores EAS messages when they are broadcast, so they can be delivered later when the user returns or when triggered by specific events, ensuring messages are not missed even if users are not consuming media at the exact moment of broadcast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary storage mechanism between the EAS message source and the user. The set-top box acts as an intermediary that receives, stores, and re-delivers EAS messages, decoupling the message delivery from real-time media consumption and ensuring reliable delivery regardless of user availability.
2Loss of information
If EAS messages are stored for later delivery, then message delivery reach is improved, but information freshness deteriorates due to potential delays in delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines message delivery timing based on multiple factors including user presence, trigger events, and message urgency. Messages are not simply stored and delivered at fixed intervals but are delivered adaptively when conditions are met, such as when the user returns to the device or when a trigger event occurs, balancing information completeness with timely delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses delivery confirmation feedback to track whether EAS messages have been successfully delivered to users. This feedback mechanism allows the system to understand delivery status and adjust future delivery behavior, ensuring information reaches users while minimizing unnecessary delays.
3Measurement precision
If delivery confirmation mechanisms are implemented, then delivery verification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box performs self-service by automatically detecting when EAS messages are delivered to users and generating delivery confirmations without requiring external verification systems. The device monitors its own message delivery status and reports back to the EAS message source, achieving accurate delivery verification through self-monitoring capabilities already present in the set-top box.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may detect an emergency alert system message. The emergency alert system message may include a message to be provided for consumption by multiple users. The device may determine that the emergency alert system message has not been successfully delivered for consumption by a user. The device may store the emergency alert system message, for future delivery, based on determining that the emergency alert system message has not been successfully delivered for consumption by the user. The device may receive an indication to provide the emergency alert system message after storing the emergency alert system message. The device may provide the emergency alert system message, for consumption by the user, based on receiving the indication to provide the emergency alert system message.