`
`USOO843 8221B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 8,438,221 B2
`Wood et a].
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*May 7, 2013
`
`(54) BROADCAST ALERTING NIESSAGE
`AGGREGATOR/GATEVVAY SYSTEVT AND
`METHOD
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Mark Andrew W’ood, IIaselmere (GB);
`Kevin Russell Preston, Newport (GB);
`Douglas W’eiser, New Port Richey, FL
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Envisionl'l', LLC, St. Charles, MO (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ot'this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`elaimert
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 13/311,448
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 5, 2011
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/0142307 Al
`Jun. 7. 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 12/559,405, filed on
`Sep. 14, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,073,903, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/057,704, filed on
`Feb, 14, 2005, now Pat. No, 7,752, 259,
`Provisional application No, 60/544,739, filed on Feb.
`13, 2004.
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2000.01)
`(mar 15/16
`(2006.01 )
`G061“ 15/1 73
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`USPC
`.. 709/203; 709/206; 709/225
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........ .1 709/2037207,
`709/2247225; 455/40374041
`See application file for complete search history,
`
`Cell
`
`Icrl
`
`:1:
`
`60
`
`ms
`
`(56)
`
`HP
`EP
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4415,77] A
`11/1983 Vlartine7
`4.887.308 A
`12/1989 Dulton
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0915598
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`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`3rd Generation Partnership Project TS 23 .246, Release 6, Sep. 2004.
`(Continued)
`
`Joshua .100
`Primary Examiner
`(74) Attorney. Agem, or Firm 7 Polster. Lieder, \Voodrqu'SL
`Lucehesi, LC.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A message processing system and method providing a broad-
`cast message to a plurality of user devices located within a
`geographically defined broadcast target area,
`the system
`including a broadcast service bureau communicativer
`coupled for receiving from a broadcast agent access system
`providing a broadcast request from an originating broadcast
`agent associated one broadcast agent message origination
`systems; the received broadcast request includes a broadcast
`agent identification, the geographically defined broadcast tar-
`get area, and a broadcast message, the broadcast service
`bureau veritying the broadcast request as a function of the
`broadcast agent identification including an authority of the
`originating hroadcasl agent to send the hroadcasl message to
`the broadcast target area; the broadcast service bureau pro-
`cessing the verified broadcast request for transmission to one
`or more broadcast message networks providing broadcast
`message alerting service to at least a portion 01' the broadcast
`target area.
`
`20 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
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`US 8,438,221 B2
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`Page 2
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`
`>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
`
`
`
`ment, Aug. 5, 2002, http://www.cease.us/news.htm.
`
`CEASa. Cell Alert System Via Cell Broadcast. Wood. Sep. 2005.
`www.eglobalconf.net/speeches/MarkWood.ppt.
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`CEASa International, “Public Warnings Via Cell Broadcast”. Wood
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`CEASa International, “Welcome to CEASa USA”. Ceasa Admin,
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`Chinese Oflice Action (p. 1 with cited reference EP 1032148), Oct.
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`Release 6) (Mar. 2005).
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`Tampere. Tinland, Jun. 13-15, 2005, “What is ‘Cell Broadcasting’
`and Whydol care, as a UAR/1?”, Wood, WWW.rientola.fi/oh3ag/garec/
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`International Search Report, date of mailing Jul. 17, 2006 received
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`7, 2005, htTp://\va.sendsmsnowcom/newspage
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`ceasa.us/news.htm.
`The Cellular Emergency Alert Services Association Policy State-
`
`
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`.............. .. 379/37
`
`
`
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`071296
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`515512
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`
`(MBMS)”,
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`US 8,438,221 B2
`Page 3
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`The Wall Street Journal Online. Local Governments Look to
`Cellphone-Based Alerts, Call Bialik, Jlm 12, 2003, \meeasalls/
`news.htm.
`
`* cited by examiner
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`Sheet 2 0f 11
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`Us 8,438,221 132
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`Gatekeeper
`Mana ement
`9
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`Broadcast Request
`
`User parameters
`
`Tgt.Area parameters
`
`Message Parameters
`
`Status Registers
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`Admission control
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`Report Subsystem
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`Decline Report
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`Us 8,438,221 132
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`Sheet 11 0111
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`Us 8,438,221 132
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`Defines:
`1) message
`2) target area
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`Defines:
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`
`2
`When an SMS message is transmitted, the SMS message is
`signaled to an SMS center of the telecommunication service
`provider. The SMS center acknowledges each and every
`requested SMS message individually and attempts to deliver
`the SMS message through an interrogation of the Home
`Location Register (IILR) of the telecommunication service.
`A11 HLR is a data base which registers or keeps track of the
`presence of a mobile unit user within the HLR’s defined
`serving network. The HLR queries the database and deter-
`mines whether the intended SMS message recipient is cur-
`rently attached to the network and if so, to which network
`switch the user is attached. The HLR is queried using the
`telecommunication signaling network.
`Il'an intended user is located or attached to a switch in the
`telecommunication service provider’s network, the particular
`network switch is signaled over the telecommunications sig-
`naling network to set up the SMS message call. That serving
`network switch of the mobile carrier initiates a query or
`message attempt to every cell in the location area where the
`intended user’ 5 mobile unit was last known to be operating. If
`the intended recipient is located in the particular cell area, the
`mobile unit is paged. As such, potentially thousand of cells
`are queried in order to determine the presence of an intended
`mobile unit. Each queried cell requires paging and calling
`capacity resources for each mobile unit which is attempted to
`be paged. In some cases, if the mobile unit does not reply, the
`whole Mobile Service Carrier (MSC) area is paged which in
`many instances requires the paging of several thousands of
`cells.
`When the mobile unit replies by sending an access burst to
`the cell transceiver currently serving the mobile unit, the cell
`site allocates a stand-alone dedicated control channel (SD-
`CCH) to perfonn SMS call set up with the mobile unit. Next,
`a cipher key is sent by the Home Location Register (HLR)/
`Authentication Center (AUC) to the mobile unit, assuming
`that the mo bile tmit had previously activated the ciphering of
`the channel. Once the cipher key is successfully received and
`acknowledged, the SMS message is sent over the control
`channel to the mobile unit. The SMS message transmission
`utilizes about 5 seconds of control channel time per SMS
`message.
`If, however, the intended recipient is not located in the
`home serving area ofthe HLR, then signaling mes sage is sent
`to the serving mobile networks Visitor Location Register
`O/IR). The VI ,R registers and tracks mobile unit users who
`are outside of their home location. In that case, the VLR is
`queried via the signaling network to verify that the user is
`currently attached to the remote switch.
`Each SMS message is a narrow-cast message in that each
`message is generated and transmitted via the SMS Center to
`a particular telecommunication user or unit. The SMS mes—
`sage is delivered, as discussed above, to the intended recipient
`by capable networks wherever the intended recipient is
`located, independent of geographic area or location.
`As such, SMS messaging for emergency-based messaging
`requires that SMS messages be created and sent to each
`mobile unit even though the particular user phone is not
`located in the particular geographic area in which the emer-
`gency is located. SMS service is not capable of position-
`specific messaging.
`Additionally, SMS messaging requires considerable call
`processing load on the telecommunication system and infra-
`structure considering that the above process is multiplied by
`the demand ofthousands or tens ofthousands of SMS call set
`up requests at the same time. The potential initiation ofbroad-
`cast SMS volumes will not only affect network resources for
`SMS messaging, but also negatively affect ability ofthe tele—
`
`FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates to message broadcast sys-
`tems and in particular location—specific mes sage broadcasting
`aggregator and gateways.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`With the events of 9/11, there has been increased concern
`with the ability of present systems for providing public ser-
`vice broadcasting of messages and warnings to the public.
`Existing public service warning systems are antiquated and
`provide only limited access to the public who maybe in need
`of knowing of potential emergencies or danger. Additionally,
`existing systems do not provide for location-based notifica-
`tion or broadcasting.
`As such, there is a need for an improved method and system
`for providing timely information to the public related to ,
`potential hazards affecting them. One suggested solution is
`the utilization of the subscription—based Short Message Ser—
`vice (SMS) messaging capability for mass messaging using
`mobile telephones and compatible devices. However, SMS
`systems and technology have significant technical limitations
`and experience with such systems has been disappointing due
`to significant delays in the delivery of SMS messages and
`negative impacts to the networks due to congestion.
`Short Message Service (SMS) is only offered or available
`on a limith basis. This is due to the limited technical and
`network support for the service and is also due to the service
`being offered by Mobile Service Providers and wireless net-
`work providers on a subscription basis. As such, use of the
`SMS service capability for emergency broadcasting is very
`limited.
`Additionally, the use of SMS technology for broadcasting
`requires enormous network infrastructure utilization. A tele-
`communication system can suffer from congestion, not only
`in its voice traffic channels, but also in its narrow—band data
`channels as are used for the SMS service. To send an SMS ,,
`message, network components are utilized to provide an SMS
`message call set up for each individual SMS message recipi—
`ent. In order to send a single SMS message, all SMS message
`call processing procedures have to be repeated for each and
`every message, one by one, for all intended recipients. A
`single SMS message requires signaling and processor capac—
`ity and utilization similar to that required to establish a voice
`call. As such, the impact on network resources for broadcast-
`ing SMS messages is the same as having thousands of phone
`users attempt to initiate a voice call at the same time. Tele-
`communication networks are not designed or deployed to
`handle such high levels of simultaneous call attempts.
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`1
`BROADCAST ALERTING NIESSAGE
`AGGREGATOR/GATEVVAY SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`CROSS REFERENC 4 10 R
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`This application is a continua ion of US. application Ser.
`No. 12/559,405, filed Sep. 14, 2009, which is now US. Pat.
`No. 8,073,903; which was a continuation of US. application
`Ser. No. 11/057,704, filed Feb. 14, 2005, which is now US.
`Pat. No. 7,752,259 (issued 011 Ju . 6, 2010); which was based
`on Provisional US. Application Ser. No. 60/544,730, filed
`Feb. 13, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are incorpo-
`rated herein by reference
`
`

`

`Webpage.
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`3
`communication networks to set up and support voice traffic
`during any period of message broadcasting as these resources
`are shared by both services.
`As a further example of the limitation of existing solutions
`to message broadcasting, the well deployed Global Standard
`for Mobile Communications (GSM) system typically deploys
`in a single GSM cell several transceivers. A typical GSM cell
`configuration includes between 6 and 12 transceivers. Each
`such transceiver includes 8-timeslots. Each timeslot supports
`a single phone call.
`In such an arrangement, one of the transceivers is selected
`to be the SMS carrier. The SMS carrier transceiver is arranged
`differently, having one timeslot dedicated to broadcast SMS
`messages and paging and another one which is utilized to
`from 8 control channels which are referred to as Stand—Alone
`Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCI I). The SDCCII carry
`out control and call set-up functions and carry the SMS traflic
`which is not normally handled by the traffic channels on the
`other timeslots.
`However,
`in this prior art system. SMS and Wireless
`Access Protocol (WAP) messaging utilize capacity on these
`channels making them unavailable for other purposes such a s
`voice call set up. Additionally, each of the SDCCH channels
`can only handle a limited number of SMS and/orpaging calls.
`As such, duringheavy messaging, the related high volumes of
`messaging traflic may have a negative affect on other services
`including the set up of voice calls.
`To compensate for these and other SMS messaging limita—
`tions, dynamic channel allocation was developed. Dynamic
`channel allocation utilizes an additional traffic channel which
`is converted into another 8 control channels for the duration of
`the peak SMS or paging loads. However, this results in the
`loss of the traffic channel for voice communications.
`Further strategies have included the immediate assignment
`to a traffic channel. In this system, when a voice call
`is ,
`attempted, the voice call is sent to a traffic channel directly
`where signaling will be performed on the traffic channel.
`This, however, occupies the traffic channel for a longer time
`than would otherwise be the case. There is a limit on the
`number oftraffic channels that can utilize this feature. In most
`cases, only one traffic chamiel is converted thereby only lim—
`ited the solution to 8 new SDCCH channels. The impact of
`call failure due to control channel depends on the traffic
`capacity of the cell. In high density cells, when a large quan—
`tity of SMS messaging traffic is offered, congestion occurs
`due to the each cell having over one hundred traffic channels
`within the cell.
`the telecommunication service provider
`In operation,
`addresses this limitation by throttling the SMS messaging
`rate so that it is manageable and does not create congestion
`problems. However, such message load management nega—
`tively impacts the opportunity for using SMS messaging for
`broadcasting emergency messages to users ofthose networks.
`Throttling often significantly delays the delivery of the SMS
`message, even though it’ s timing delivery in an emergency is , ,
`critical. Furthermore, if a message fails to be delivered, the
`SMS center repeatedly attempts to deliver the message,
`thereby causing further congestion and message backlog.
`Additionally, as discussed SMS messaging is not location
`based and does not send messages to intended recipients
`located within a defined geographic location. Since many
`telecommtmication users will be messages independent of
`their location, many of the generated SMS messages are sent
`to users who are not in the intended area.
`In the alternative, some next-generation phone systems
`include a basic cell-based broadcasting capability, e.g., GMS,
`CDMA and UMTS. In such systems, the cell broadcasting
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`4
`capability allocates a portion of each timeslot bandwidth
`capacity in each cell as a reserved broadcast timeslot. While
`the cell broadcast capability in included in many new equip—
`ment being deployed, cell broadcasting systems and services
`have not been developed which effectively utilize the tech—
`nology.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`The embodiments of the present disclosure provide one or
`more improvements over the prior art.
`In one aspect, a message alert broadcast broker system for
`providing a broadcast message to a plurality of user devices
`located within a geographically defined broadcast target area,
`the system including a broadcast service bureau communica-
`tively coupled for receiving from one ofa plurality of coupled
`broadcast agent access systems providing a broadcast request
`from an originating broadcast agent associated one broadcast
`agent message origination systems. The received broadcast
`request includes a broadcast agent identification, the geo—
`graphically defined broadcast target area, and a broadcast
`message, the broadcast service bureau configured for verify—
`ing the broadcast request as a function of the broadcast agent
`identification including an authority ofthe originating broad-
`cast agent to send the broadcast message to the broadcast
`target area. The broadcast service bureau processing the veri-
`fied broadcast request for transmission to one or more broad-
`cast message networks providing broadcast message alerting
`service to at least a portion of the broadcast target area.
`In another aspect, a method of public service broadcast
`messaging to a broadcast target area, the method including
`receiving over an input interface a broadcast request includ—
`ing a broadcast agent identification, a geographically defined
`broadcast target area. and a broadcast message from one of a
`plurality ofcoupled broadcast agent message origination sys—
`tems. The method also includes verifying an authority of the
`broadcast agent identification including an authority of the
`originating broadcast agent to send the broadcast message to
`the broadcast target area. The method further includes trans—
`mitting the broadcast message over an output interface to one
`or more coupled broadcast message networks providing
`broadcast message alerting service to at least a portion of the
`broadcast target area.
`Further aspects of the present disclosure will become
`apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It
`should be understood that the detailed description and spe-
`cific examples, While indicating the preferred embodiment of
`the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only
`and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present disclosure will become more fully understood
`from the detailed description and the accompanying draw-
`ings.
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a public service
`message location broadcast system according to one embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 2 is a second functional block diagram of a public
`service message location broadcast system according to one
`embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart for an admission control process
`within the public service message location broadcast system
`service bureau according to one embodiment.
`FIG. 4 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`
`

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`6
`A public service message location broadcasting system
`and method according to one or more embodiments provides
`for the development, transmission, delivery and display of a
`message that is an official govemment-to-citizen information
`broadcast to all compatible telecommunication receiving
`devices in, or entering, an predefined at-risk geographic loca-
`tion or area.
`The PLBS system sends any public service or emergency
`information associated with any event, determined by autho—
`rized messaging entities that may affect public safety. These
`include utility outages, missing child alerts, severe weather
`warnings, flood warnings, and terrorist threat warnings. The
`messages are broadcast by public service message location
`broadcasting systems participating with local telecommuni-
`cation networks.
`Unlike other emergency messaging services that require
`the recipient’s identity, a predetermined fixed delivery loca—
`tion, and usually the payment ofa service fee, public service
`message location broadcasting system uses broadcast mes-
`saging technology to reach an unlimited number ofpeople in
`real time, with no pre-event subscriber action required.
`Public service message location broadcasting system uses
`cell-broadca st SMS (C-BSMS) technology to provide a mes-
`sage or alert to a single cell geographic location, a neighbor-
`hood, a city, or an entire nation with minimal impact to the
`hosting telecommunication networks.
`such as
`Local
`telecommunications
`service providers
`mobile or cellular telephone service providers provide the
`local infrastructure and deployed technologies to enable the
`service mes sage location broadcasting system to transmi
`public messages in a timely manner to the public that may be
`at risk using a standard and commonplace mobile telephone
`unit.
`The public service message location broadcast system anc
`methods described herein provide the functions and steps
`necessary to ensure that the Broadcast Agents are authorizec
`to send the requested broadcast mes sages to the definec
`broadcast target area. The PLBS configuration describec
`herein provide for internal controls for insuring that the net-
`work and components are secure and that messages are autho—
`rized prior to transmittal. The public service message location
`broadcast system provides the interface to the Broadcas
`Agents to ensure simple and timely definition ofthe broadcas
`target area, the mes sage and the authentication of the Broad-
`cast Agent. The public service message location broadcas
`system also provides the interconnectivity and fiinctionality
`for interface or the number telecommunication service pro-
`viders which provide for the delivery of the broadcast mes-
`sage to the broadcast target area.
`The public service message location broadcasting system
`consists offive parts:
`1. Public Service Location Broadcast Service Bureau
`2. Broadcast Agent Terminal/W'eb Portal/Web Page
`3. Public Service Broadcast Controller
`4. Carrier Broadcast Center
`5. Public Service Location Broadcast Reporter
`The Public Service Location Broadcast Service Bureau
`(PLB-SB) is located at a PLBS Operators location which is
`preferably secure. The PLBS—SB ensures the authenticity of
`the message and the authority of the sender to create such a
`message. Administrative Operators establish the User Profile
`in the Administration Subsystem to control Broadcast Agent
`rights and privileges, The signal from the Broadcast Agent
`Terminal, for example, at the police station, to the PLBS-SB,
`would only indicate the geographical area to be covered, plus
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`5
`FIG. 5 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating a Broadcast Agents initial designation
`of a target broadcast area.
`FIG. 6 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating use of a shape tool to refine the desig-
`nation of a target broadcast area.
`FIG. 7 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating a library of foot print or predefined
`target broadcast areas.
`FIG. 8 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating a dialogue box enabling the Broadcast
`Agent to create a message and parameters of the Broadcast
`Request.
`FIG. 9 a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating a library of target broadcast areas and a
`library of messages.
`FIG. 10 is a screen shot of the Broadcast Agent Portal
`Webpage illustrating a Broadcast Agent Confirmation Entry
`prompt/window.
`FIG. 11 is a second flow chart for an admission control
`process within the public service message location broadcast
`system service bureau as shown in FIG. 3 according to
`another embodiment.
`Corresponding reference characters indicate correspond-
`ing parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
`
`
`DETAIL 4 D D 4 SCRIPTION
`
`
`
`
`
`he following description is merely exemplary in nature
`anc is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its applica-
`tion, or uses.
`"he public service message location broadcasting system
`(PLBS) according to one or more embodiments provide for an
`improved system and method for public service broadcast
`messaging. A public service message location broadcasting ,
`system (PLBS) operator provides a Broadcast Agent Web
`Portal or Webpage or other similar GUI interface, iinplemen—
`tation and maintenance of the networks’ cell—broadcast mes—
`saging components, networks and platforms, administration
`and operation of the public service message location broad-
`casting system, and interfaces to local telecommunication
`service providers including mobile unit service providers.
`According to one embodiment in the event of a serious
`public emergency, a short text message is sent over the loca—
`tion broadcast channel. A mobile unit or Broadcast Agent
`phone that is configured to receive location broadcast ines-
`sages, which is in the idle mode and which is located in the
`predefined cell receives the broadcast message and displays
`the message on its screen.
`Location broadcasting is transmitted from the predefined
`cell in a downlink only mode and therefore does not require
`ftmctionality or network resources from the mobile services
`provider or from their any portion of the mobile service
`provider’s mobility management resources, e.g., HLR. VLR,
`etc.
`Public service message location broadcasting system pro-
`vides for the simultaneous sending of public service mes—
`sages to millions of subscribers with less impact on the sup-
`porting networks than a single SMS-message. As such,
`minimal to no network congestion will result.
`A public service messag