Set-Top Box Wireless LAN Emergency Alert Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) fail to notify individuals when they are not near a conventional notification device, such as a television, especially if the TV is off or the individual is not in the same location.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a set top box connected to a wireless local area network (LAN) device, which receives EAS messages and converts them into compatible formats for wireless transmission to mobile devices or other LAN-connected devices, ensuring alerts are delivered via image, audio, or tactile warnings even when the individual is not near a conventional EAS device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional EAS notification devices (television) are used, then emergency information can be displayed, but the notification fails when the device is off, in sleep mode, or the viewer is not present
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box is enhanced with multiple functions: it not only displays EAS information on the television but also generates warning signals and transmits alerts via wireless LAN to mobile devices. This multi-functionality ensures notification delivery across multiple channels and devices, resolving the contradiction between reliable notification and broad coverage scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless LAN communication device as an intermediary between the conventional EAS system and the end user. This intermediary receives EAS data from the set-top box and relays it to mobile devices, ensuring notification delivery even when the primary television device is unavailable or the user is absent.
2Ease of operation
If EAS information is only transmitted through television, then the system remains simple, but the viewer must be present and attentive to the television to receive the alert
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to EAS notification by transmitting alerts not only through the traditional television display but also via wireless communication to mobile devices. This dimensional expansion allows users to receive alerts anywhere within wireless range, eliminating the requirement to be physically present at the television.
3Device complexity
If the system only uses traditional television display, then device complexity remains low, but the system cannot notify users when they are away from home or the TV is off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conventional television display system with a wireless communication system in the set-top box. By combining these two systems, the patent achieves both low complexity (using existing infrastructure) and high adaptability (notifying users through multiple channels including mobile devices).
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for use with a wireless local area network communication device and with a video display. The device includes a receiver, an image decoder, an emergency alert system (EAS) decoder, an output port, a warning generator and a LAN transceiver. The receiver receives input data including image data and EAS data. The image decoder decodes the image data into image display data. The EAS decoder decodes the EAS data into emergency alert data. The output port outputs the image display data to the video display to display a video image. The warning generator generates a warning signal based on the emergency alert data. The LAN transceiver transmits a warning transmission to the wireless local area network communication device over a local area network so as to modify operation of the wireless local area network communication device, wherein the warning transmission is based on the warning signal.