TITLE
A USER TERMINAL, AN ALERT SYSTEM, AND A NOTIFYING METHOD OF
AN ALERT MESSAGE TO A USER TERMINAL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5
1. Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an alert system including a mobile
terminal (user terminal) and a base station which sends an alert message the user
10 terminal.
2. Background Art
[0002]
With the advent and increased penetration of cellular communication
systems, such as those defined by 3GPP GSM/GRPS, UMTS, LTE and 3GPP2
15 CDMA family of standards; providing early warning notifications to public in
disaster affected zones has become simpler. More specifically, standard
compatible mechanisms such as Cell Broadcast System (hereafter termed CBS)
have provided secure and low latency data-path to deliver the alert messages to
public.
20 [0003]
For example, an earthquake and tunami cellular warning system is disclosed
in Patent Literature 1. This method for use in a cellular system includes a step
of transmitting a predefined message including a primary warning notification and
verification information related to the primary warning notification to user
25 terminals in one or more cells of the system. The predefined message is
transmitted simultaneously to a plurality of user terminals in the system on a
physical channel in the system which is dedicated to messages to single users.
Suitably, the physical channel used is a paging channel in the system, and also
suitably, the predefined message causes the user terminals to listen for a
30 secondary warning notification in subsequent messages on the same channel.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
PTL 1:U.S. Patent Application No. US20l10014891 lBuropean Patent
35 2253 l5lBl
-1-
a
J
[000s]
Non Patent Literature
NPL 1: ETSI TS 102 900 Vl.2.l (2012-01) Emergency Communications
(EMTEL); European Public Warning System (EU-ALERT) using the Cell
5 Broadcast Service
(-@1de I i ver/ets i ts/ I Q2-9 0 Q | 0299 9 I I 029 Q0 I l-t-_Q,l .
Q_!
-
6 o/ts 1 029
00v0101 01 p.pdf)
NPL 2: ETSI TS 123 041: "Digital cellular telecommunications system
(Phase 2+); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Technical
l0 realization of Cell Broadcast Service (CBS)
(3GPP TS 23.041)".
(http://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/123_q00_123099/123041/08.05.00 6O/ts 1230
41v0805 00p.pd0
NPL 3: 3GPP TS 22.268 Technical Specification: Public Warning System
l5 (PWS) Requirements
( h t t p : / / w w w . g.u.
i n t i
-l_l
i
p n s.q-jp_A
q P*US!ssqLZ26E:a! 0 . p jO
NPL 4: 3GPP TS 23.038 Vl 1.0.0 (2012-09) Technical Specification Group
Core Network and Terminals; Alphabets and language-specific information
(Release I I ).
20 (http-l:glrylry.qu inti I I ion. co.j p/3 GPP/S pec s/2 3 0 3 8 -b00. pdf)
NPL 5: Itsuma Tanaka, Kenichiro Aoyagi, Anil Umesh and Wuri Hapsari,
"Advanced warning message distribution platform for the next generation mobile
communication network," Technology Reports, NTT Docomo Technical Journal
Vol, ll No. 3.
25 (http://www.nttdocomo.co.j p/english/binary/pdf/Qorporate/technolog),/rd/technigAL
jo_u:nal/bn/vol l_l
*_3/yo11 I 3*Q]Qsn.pdf)
NPL 6: Indian Script Code for Information Interchange (ISCII) URL :
(
huplpure.--ada q .
i n
/h !ln,l /
grs"t I s t a u dar d/ i s-sr.sspx)
NPL 7: BWCI : Indic SMS in the global 3GPP standard. Opportunities and
30 next steps URL:
(http://bwci.org.in/demo/upload*files/file/bwci flles/activities/sigils/Reports&Wo
rkshops/Reports/Indic- S MS-Report- B WC I -final.pdfl
NPL 8: The Unicode Standard (6.0 ed.). Mountain View, California, USA:
The Unicode Consortium. ISBN 978-l-936213-01-6.
+I4
( h t
1p; / / w q-lv--. u n- i c o d e .-o r g' r
-q15 Lo I i lU_ n t"fo_eleQ-
(l
=_QL
NPL 9: Wireless Emergency Alert, NOAA
(
h t_t
p ;1
/.w W:y,S Ih. q-o a-?. g o v / b m x / ? n
: yvi r-9 I
9 SS a J e r_t s)
5 SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0006]
However, the character set supported by these systems are lirnited and do
not support the multitude of languages prevalent in written form across the globe.
10 In country like India, there is a specific requirement of providing support to a
large number of language scripts which are not supported by the current CBS.
Due to the nature and purpose of an Early Warning System (hereafter termed
EWS), the latency requirements for the transmission of the primary notification to
the users in a certain area is as strict as few seconds. The EWS system must be
15 able to reach the affected public within this time limit. Further, in a given
geographical area; there may be a need to support multiple languages/scripts
simultaneously. This constraint can violate the latency requirements for the
delivery of EWS messages when these messages have to be delivered in multiple
scripts/languages.
20 [0007]
Also, the Patent Literature discloses a predefined message which is
transmitted simultaneously to a plurality of user terminals. However, this
technique does not enable to support multiple languages with the single broadcast
message as well.
25 Solution to Problem
[0008]
As has emerged from the description above, there is thus a need for a
solution which will enable a EWS system in a cellular communications network to
transmit notifications to a large number of users within a very narrow time limit
30 in multiple languages/scripts.
The present invention discloses a method for use in a cellular
communications system to achieve this objective.
[000e]
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a5
mobile terminal includes a receiving means and a decoding means. The
receiving means receives an alert message including a message header having
language information, and a message content having a warning notification. The
a decoding means decides if the language information matches user preference
5 and notifying alarm information to user based on the warning notification, if the
language information matches user preference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
l0 The above and other objects, advantages and features ofthe present
invention will be more apparent from the following description of certain
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
lFie. 1l
15 Fig. I is a schematic diagram showing a cell broadcast system realization in
3GPP systems,
IFig. 2]
Fig. 2 is a table showing GSM 7 bit default alphabets supported by CBS
data coding scheme,
20 [Fig. 3]
Fig. 3 is a table showing GSM 7 bit default alphabet extension mechanism
which allows further national languages,
[Fig. a]
Fig. 4 is a table showing examples of Alert messages from NOAA [NPL 9],
2s [Fig. s]
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the CBS encoding format of the
related Arts
IFig. 6]
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a message content structure of the
30 exemplary embodiment,
[Fig. 7]
Fig. 7 a table showing an example of the Message Code according to the
exemplary embodiment based on intensity of the disaster,
[Fig. 8]6
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a CBS based Alert System
architecture of the related Arts where three CBS broadcasts require three time
slots to reach the handsets,
IFig. e]
5 Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an I-Alert System of the exemplary
embodiment where 1 time slot is sufficient to deliver the CBS message in three
different languages to three handsets,
[Fig. 10]
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a CBS based Alert System
l0 architecture of the related Art,
[Fig. I l]
Fig. 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing an I-Alert System of the exemplary
embodiment
[Fig. 12]
l5 Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a CBS message structure of the
exemplary embodiment,
[Fig. 13]
Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a user terminal and a CBS message
of the exemplary embodiment,
20 [Fig. la]
Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing an algorithm within the software module at
the user terminal of the exemplary embodiment,
[Fig. 1s]
Fig. l5 is a flow chart showing an algorithm within the software module at
25 the user terminal of the exemplary embodiment,
lFig. l6Al
Fig. l64. is a table showing Mercalli intensity scales.
[Fig. l6B]
Fig. l68 is a table showing Mercalli intensity scales.
30 [Fig. 17]
Fig. l7 is a table showing Tunami intensity scales.
[Fig. l8]
Fig. l8 shows intensity scales.
[Fig. 1e]7
Fig. l9 shows India Meteorogical Department Tropical Cyclone Intencit
Scale.
IFig. 20]
Fig. 20 shows earthquake intensity scale.
s [Fig.2tA]
Fig.21A shows the detailed of earthquake intensity scale.
[Fig.21B]
Fig.21B shows the detailed of earthquake intensity scale.
[Fig.21c]
l0 Fig.21C shows the detailed of earthquake intensity scale.
[Fig.2lD]
Fig.21D shows the detailed of earthquake intensity scale.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0011]
l5 While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown, it is to be understood at the outset
of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may
modify the invention here described while still achieving the favorable results of
20 the invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as
being a broad, teaching, disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate
arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the
combinations of features described with respect to any exemplary embodiment are
essential for the solution according to the present invention.
2s [0012]
As will be described below, a method for displaying an alert message in a
user terminal configured in a Cell Broadcast System according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention includes the step of transmitting a
predefined message that is encoded suitably which comprises a warning
30 notification and language information (language supported along with the script
to be used) to user terminals in one or more cells of the system.
[0013]
According to the method of the exemplary embodiment, the predefined
message is transmitted simultaneously to a plurality of user terminals in the10
8
system on a common broadcast channel in the system; but is treated differently by
different user terminals based on user preference or choice of language. This
preference is suitably stored in the user terminal for use while receiving such a
EWS (Early Warning System) notification.
This exemplary embodiment describes the mechanism that supports Indian
languages. However, suitable extensions can support other languages across the
globe too.
[0014]
To understand the exemplary embodiment of the present invention easily,
several Alert systems of the related Arts will be explained first.
[001 s]
1. EU-Alert system
Europe is good example for a group of countries adopting a common
standard for EWS. The EU-Alert service [NPL 1] is based on the Cell Broadcast
Service as specified in TS 123 041 [NPL 2) and is supported on 2G as well as 3G
technologies. The user terminals shall be able to maintain user EU-Alert
language preferences. If the user has opted-in to receiving EU-Alert messages
then these will be presented in the local language. The user may wish to receive
messages in other languages than the local language as well. A typical example
would be the additional selection to receive messages in English for those users
that do not understand the local language, provided that messages in English are
broadcast next to messages in the local language.
[001 6]
2. 3GPP Cell Broadcast System (hereafter termed CBS)
Fig. I is a schematic diagram showing cell broadcast system realization in
3GPP systems. The 3GPP began a project in 2006 to define the requirements of
a EWS system. The resulting technical specification document [NPL 3] gives
general criteria for the delivery of alerts, the content of messages and user
terminals. The specifications also include the additional requirements of
Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) in Japan and the Commercial
Mobile Alert System (CMAS) in North America.
[00 ] 7]
As shown in Fig. 1, the Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE) l0l is the messaging
interface to the Cell Broadcast Centre (CBC) 102. The CBE 101 is a user
15
20
25
3010
9
interface used by the message creator to both compile the message and then
specify the location (or locations) of message recipients. Once defined, the
message is sent to the CBC 102, which maps the target area to the mobile network
cells and then sends the cell broadcast message to the required radio access
network(GsM, 3G, LTE), which will manage the message broadcast to the end
user. Specifically, the message sent from the CBC102 is sent through a BSC
(base station controller) 103a, a RNC (Radio Network Controller)103b, MIME
(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) 103c, and a BTS (base transceiver
station) 104a, Node B 104b, eNodeB l04c to GSM Handsets 105a, UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) terminals 105b, and LTE
Terminals 105c.
[0018]
A CBS message consists of 88 Octets (l Octet:8 Bits of Data) of
information. The first 6 Octets are used to identify and define the message
characteristics, the next 82 are used to carry the message payload itself. This
allows for a total number of 93 Characters (7 bit encoding defined in [NPL 4]) to
be used in a single message page, a total message may consist of l5 concatenated
pages.
[001e]
As shown in Fig. 2, CBS data coding scheme supports GSM 7 bit default
alphabets. Further, as shown in Fig. 3, GSM 7 bit default alphabet extension
mechanism allows further national languages to be used within CBS framework
but with reduced payload for the data messages.
[0020]
The list in Fig. 3 shows the extended CBC data coding mechanism supports
CBS message delivery in additional l0Indian languages apart from the default
English. However, according to Census of India of 2001, 30 languages are
spoken by more than a million native speakers, 122 by more than 10,000. This
clearly indicates the insufficiency of data coding mechanism currently used in
CBS standards for cellular systems for the Indian situation.
[0021]
Further many Indian languages share a common script. For example the
"Devanagari" script supports the following languages:
Standard Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, Sanskrit.
15
20
25
3010
10
Devanagari is also employed for Bhojpuri, Gujari, Pahari, (Garhwali and
Kumaoni), Konkani, Magahi, Maithili, Marwari, Bhili, Newar, Santhali, Tharu,
and sometimes Sindhi, Dogri, Sherpa, Kashmiri and Punjabi languages.
10022)
3. Japan: NTT Docomo Area Mail Service
This service allows public to receive Earthquake Early Warnings issues by
the Japan Meteorological Agency as well as disaster and evacuation information
broadcast by national and local governments.
The alert is delivered through the CBS mechanism. However, Japanese
character set is not supported by the GSM 7 bit default alphabet set. The
Japanese text support is through the JIS standards for text messaging.
Enhancements to the Area Mail service have been adopted within the ETWS
system of 3GPP Release 8 [NPL 5].
[0023]
4. USA: The Commercial Mobile Alert System
Consider example notifications generated in the USA by National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which is a federal agency in USA that
is focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere. Examples of Alert
messages from NOAA [NPL 9] are shown in Fig. 4.
For the purpose of alerting the civilians of a possible natural disaster/severe
weather, the above messages are sufficient. Further information can be collected
from other sources of information such as news, internet, public announcement
systems etc. In the US, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (hereafter termed
CMAS) delivers these NOAA alert messages to cell phones through CBS.
10024)
Next, holes or problems of the Alert systems of the related Arts will be
explained.
[002s]
<1> The GSM default 7 bit character set doesn't support any Indian languages
for CBS based alerts. This means the GSM default 7 or even GSM 7 bit default
alphabet extension mechanism do not support all languages used in the world.
100261
<2> GSM 7 bit default alphabet extension mechanism supports 10 Indian
languages. However, the shift mechanism requires one extra character space for
15
20
25
3011
every shift character inserted and hence effectively reduces the usable payload to
half the original capacity of 93 characters.
100271
<3> The Japanese standard of Area Mail and ETWS provide a means to deliver
5 alert messages in languages those supported by other than the GSM standard.
However, they are specific to Japanese language and the various scripts supported
by Japanese language.
[0028]
<4> The EU-Alert provides a mechanism to deliver Alert notifications in
l0 multiple languages within the EU. However, this is achieved through broadcast
of additional language messages next to messages in the local language. This
however would imply increase in latency of delivery of Alert messages to needy
public due to sequential broadcast which could be crucial latency in disaster times.
l002el
l5 Ex: The CBS system in GSM can generate a page of 93 Characters every 2
seconds. If there are, for example, 5 languages to be supported in a given
location the average turn-around time for a given language message (single page)
would be l0 seconds. In case of disasters such as earthquake and Tsunami, the
requirements of EWS systems are to deliver the message within 4 seconds. Thus
20 the timely delivery of alert message is hampered due to the multiple language
broadcasts.
[0030]
<5> Also the CBS encoding format of the related Arts (Fig. 5 (a)) does not
provide a method to specify the mapping between the alphabet script and the
25 language. In Indian languages, it is common to find many languages using the
same alphabets and script. Devanagari script is used to represent at least l8
languages. Sometimes, multiple scripts are used to represent the same language
too. For example, the Konkani language (spoken by around I million people)
uses Devanagari script in the Indian state of Goa; but uses the Kannada script in
30 the Indian state of Karnataka.
[0031]
<6> Availability of other character encoding schemes for Indian languages.t2
Current solutions available in the SMS messaging technologies for Indian
languages can be applied to the CBS with limited advantages. There are three
major standardized alternatives.
[0032]
5 a. The ISCII standard [NPL 6] uses a7 bit representation contributed by
the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and recognized by
the Government of India as the Indian standard. The standard itself uses an
ASCII like 8 bit representation, where in the lower 128 codepoints are plain
ASCII, the upper 128 codepoints are lSCll-specific. However, there is no
10 support in the international cellular communication standards for this encoding.
[003 3]
b. The 3GPP standard contributed BWCI [NPL 7] uses the 7 bit encoding
also described in the GSM 7 bit default alphabet extension (Point 2 above).
Hence the disadvantage of limited language support for Indian scripts is an issue
l5 in this case too.
[0034]
c. The Unicode standard UTF-8 [NPL 8]. This is the current most
widely accepted standard globally and supported on majority of operating system
platforms for personal computers as well as the mobile platform. However the
20 bandwidth requirement for Indian language representation is 3 Octets per
character (2:l ratio of overhead to actual alphabet).
[003s]
Next, the exemplary embodiment will be described.
Point 1
25 As the requirements of EWS based on CBS are unique, the exemplary
embodiment should address these needs. The method of the exemplary
embodiment is hereinafter referred as I-Alert system.
[0036]
CBS is a one-way communication technology. The notifications are
30 generated in the control room of the appropriate authority and delivered to
subscribers in the cellular networks. Hence, the vocabulary can be based on
standard information fields:
l) Type of Event
2) Intensity13
3) Location (" in this area")
4) Expiration Time (until hh:mm IST)
5) Action (Response Type)
6) Originator (police, fire, meteorology dept etc)
s [0037]
Fig. 6 shows a message content structure of the exemplary embodiment
[Octet # 7 to 88 of CBS message structure in Fig. 5 (a)] dedicated for mapping
between languages and scripts used to represent them.
[003 8]
l0 Each User Terminal (Mobile Phone, Tablet, Computer etc) capable of
receiving the CBS broadcast has a novel software module, which stores the user
preference for language within a list of supported languages for the country.
The support would be based on availability of suitable character encoding toolset
such as UTF-8, ISCII etc on the user terminal [NPL 6, 8].
l s [003e]
The transmitted message thus would be only an encoded indicator of the
actual rendered message to user. Based on the language support preference, in
the user terminal, the appropriate message would be suitably displayed.
[0040]
20 Fig. 7 shows an example of the Message Code according to the exemplary
embodiment based on intensity of the disaster. The table shown in Fig. 7 is
based on details in Annexure, Figs. l6-21D.
For example: The Type 2 [Cyclone] Intensity [6] Location [this area] Till
[hh:mm IST dd/mm/yy) Action [0110] Source [MET Dept]
25 would be displayed at the user terminals in the following languages as follows:
[0041]
English:
[Cyclone'] Warning: [Super Storm] [in this areaf till [hh:mm IST ddlmmlyy].
ITake shelter now]. -MeteorologyDept
30
Hindi: Devanagari Script
lq.F'ETaT tarqfrl t{ur ilFTal tgs ele df1 ltrtr: mm rST dd / mm / yyl dcn. tqid
3ITsTs d dt. - alga fuqra fugTrrr',Iiltu&ll|r'
14
l0
Gujarati: Gujarati Script
[qscttct ila.te[l] tuq? te-Idl 1[drrtt?] [hh: mm rST dd / mm / yy] qs! +Jrll.
Irt€t6t utEt?t c-t6]. - {lPr,rtlctl?sct [d.eucr
Kannada: Kannada Script
[eSoddndd
":a[Od]
[d/ado6 oard:6r] t{,dedl [HH: mm rST DD / MM / yy]
dddri. [dgieade erdroJ: drlddnddatdd:]. - duodnd eetai
loo42)
Fig. 8 shows the CBS based Alert System architecture of the related Arts
where three CBS broadcasts require three time slots to reach the handsets. Fig. 9
shows the I-Alert System of the exemplary embodiment where I time slot is
sufficient to deliver the CBS message in three different languages to three
handsets.
[0043]
Fig. 10 shows the CBS based Alert System architecture of the related Art.
User # N receives the CBS message in the Nth language at time t = to + N*T + to.
Fig. I I shows the I-Alert System of the exemplary embodiment. User # I
to User # N receive the CBS message in the Nth language at time t : t0 + T + t6
[0044]
Point 2
In certain situations the response of the user terminal may need to be
altered based on change in the encoding structure or purpose of the Alert message
being different from natural disaster alert. This is especially when customized
EWS messages need to be transmitted that do not follow an encoding structure as
specified in Point I above. When the encoding structure in Point I is not
applicable for CBS broadcasts, it is indicated by utilizing the spare code bits in
the Data Coding Scheme of the CBS structure (shown in Fig. 5 octet #5).
[004s]
As an example embodiment, CBS Data Coding Scheme Octet#5 is split into
two parts:
15
20
25
3015
i. The higher nibble (Bits 4 to 7) indicated as Coding Group and the lower
nibble (Bits 0 to 3). When the Coding Group 1 1l I is used, the Bit #3 in the
lower nibble is kept reserved under the present scheme. See Section 5 of 3GPP
TS 23.038 [NPL 4] for details. This Bit #3 is proposed to be utilized for
5 identifying the encoding structure.
[0046]
When CBS Data Coding Scheme is 1111 lxxx (where x indicates either 0 or
l): The encoding scheme of the exemplary embodiment determined in Point I
above is applied.
l0 100471
Else, When CBS Data Coding Scheme is 1l1l 0xxx (where x indicates
either 0 or 1): The encoding scheme is not applied; hence the fallback applies to
CBS broadcast messages. The messages would then be treated as currently
determined by the provisions of the 3GPP standard 3GPP TS 23.041 [3].
r s [0048]
Point 3
As described earlier scripts in India have a Many-to-Many relationship with
the languages supported. Many scripts can be used to represent a single
language as well as many languages can be written in a single script. Since, the
20 language coding scheme in CBS supported by 3GPP technologies like GSM do not
consider this requirement; the user terminals may display the message in a way
that is unsuitable to the user.
[004e]
For example, User may be expecting to view the CBS Alert message in
25 Nepali language which is also represented in Devanagari script. However, the
CBS Data Coding scheme supports a single tag for Hindi (Code:00000110) [NPL
41. So the message would be displayed in all user terminals that have opted for
receiving messages in Hindi. However, the grammatical and semantic
information contained in the text may not be useful to the user.
30 [00s0]
Thus, there is a clear need to identify both the language and the script used
to represent the language in the CBS message. The exemplary embodiment thus
includes a modified, CBS message structure as shown in Fig. 12.
[00s 1]l0
16
Fig. 12 shows the CBS message structure of the exemplary embodiment
with Octet # 7 dedicated for mapping between languages and scripts used to
represent them. Note that, the CBS message structure of the related Arts in Fig.
5 can be shown as a reference.
[00s2]
The Octet# 7 is dedicated for the mapping between the supported language
and the script used. Every CBS message in an Indian language would need both
this information, such that the message is rendered in the proper font and
grammar structure on the user terminal. The Indian language support code would
define unique codes for all other Indian languages that are not currently included
within the 3GPP TS 23.038 INPL 4], but can be represented using Data Coding
Scheme of [NPL 4].
[00s 3
]
3.GPP TS 23.038 [NPL 4] defines the way in which Indian language scripts
are supported over CBS. However, the user terminal may specify a combination
of language and preferred script to view the message. In this exemplary
embodiment, the CBS message is only received and displayed if the preference of
language and script set by the user terminal matches the Data Coding Scheme and
Indian language support code as specified in Fig. 12.
[0054]
Also, it may be noted from Fig. l2that, the current mobile phones that
display CBS broadcast messages utilize the software in the Mobile Operating
System (OS) to decode and render the text on the display unit. However, in the
exemplary embodiment, the novel software module is capable of decoding and
translating the appropriate fields from the Message Header (Octet I to 7) and the
Message Payload (Octet 8 to 88).
[00ss]
Fig. 13 shows a local translation of the CBS message content to language
of user's choice. This is performed through the novel interface and decoding
unit (software) 24 within the phone. As shown in Fig. 13, a mobile terminal
(user terminal) includes a receiving unit 22 and a decoding unit 24. receiving
unit22 receives an alert message 21. The alert message 2l includes a CBS
message header 2la which has language information and a CBS message content
2lba which has a warning notification.
l5
20
25
3017
[00s6]
The decoding unit 24 decodes if the language information matches user
preference and notifies alarm information to user based on the warning
notification, if the language information matches user preference.
[00s7]
Further, the user terminal 15 includes a display 23 to display the alarm
information decoded by the decoding unit 24.
[00s8]
Furthermore, the user terminal 15 includes an audio output unit to output
l0 the alarm information decoded by the decoding unit 24.
[005e]
Note that, the decoding unit 24 discards the alert message, if the
language information does not match the user preference. The language
information includes a language and a script which is used to represent the
15 language.
[0060]
The user terminal 15 a user preference setting unit. In this exemplary
embodiment, the user preference setting unit is a key pad25, and the key pad 25
set the user preference, a language and a script which is used to represent the
language.
[0061]
Next, a method of notifying the alert message to user will be described.
First, the CBS alert message 21 is received at the user terminal 15 from the base
station 14 through its radio interface. After the radio signal is decoded and
converted to the bit stream, the CBS message content is interpreted in the
software module 24. As depicted in the Fig. 11, the appropriate bit fields are
interpreted and translator engine is invoked that translates the text field of the
message payload as outlined in one of the possible ways in Fig. 6. This text is
then rendered on the display 23 of the user terminal 15 with appropriate
formatting and audio-visual alert system. The decoding unit 24 decodes the CBS
message header 2la at first, and reads the language information (language and
script). If the language and the script in the alert message2l match the user
preference set by user, the decoding unit 24 decodes CBS message content 2lb
(24b). A translate look up engine 24b of the decoding unit 24 translates the CBS
20
25
30l8
message content 2lb and prepares a display text 24c and shows the alert message
on the display 23.
[0062]
Figs. 14 and l5 show an algorithm within the software module at the user
5 terminal l5 of the exemplary embodiment to receive decodes and display the CBS
alert message in the user preferred language and script.
[0063]
The algorithm outlined in the Figs.14 and l5 operate at the user terminal l5
in the software module of the exemplary embodiment.
10 [0064]
Step l: The User Preference for Language and Script are captured by the
software module 24a. This might be done initially on switch on of the
equipment l5 and can be modified for preference change if required. The set of
all such combinations of language and script options supported by the user
15 terminal l5 is L = {(A,X),(B,Y),(C,Z)...} where {A,B,C...} is the set of all
supported languages and {X,Y,2...} is the set of all scripts.
[006s]
Step 2: The Radio Base Station (RBS) l4 periodically sends CBS alert
message 2l to the user terminal l5 in case of emergency. The CBS message 2l
20 is received on the appropriate physical broadcast signaling channel, the radio
signal is later decoded and converted into the bit stream. This bit stream can be
processed by the software module 24a of the exemplary embodiment.
[0066]
Step 3: The software module 24a,now interprets the contents of the CBS
25 message header 2la and the payload 2lb. As shown in the Fig. 5 for the example
message payload format and Fig. 11 for the CBS messase header 21a with support
fql.lndian language support code.
[0067]
Step 4: Check if the User Language and Script preference matches the CBS
30 message received. If No Go to Step 21.
[0068]
Steps 5-7: Switch Case: Is user language and script code : :
{A,X} or
{B,Y} or {C,Z} and so on. If Yes, for any of the switch case options. Go to
Steps 15-17.l0
l5
20
25
30
t9
[006e]
Steps l5-I7: Decode the CBS Message 2l in the appropriate language and
script as determined in Steps 5-7 Switch Case.
[0070]
Step 21: If none of the user preference language and script code match the
message header 2la and content 21b, then create a default error message with text
ex : "The language/content of the CBS message could not be identified"
[0071 ]
Step 22: Display the Message to the User through the Display unit23.
10072)
According to the exemplary embodiment, unlike the EWS systems of the
related Arts, where the complete text of the message is transmitted in the encoded
character set supported by the cellular technology [such as the 7 bit GSM
character set]; in the I-Alert mechanism of the exemplary embodiment, only an
indicator of the text that is encoded suitably is transmitted on the air for the
various key components of the message.
[0073]
The actual displayed message to the user is constructed by the software
module 24a at the user terminal 15. In other embodiments of the invention, the
message may be read out in the appropriate language to the user automatically on
arrival or may generate unique audio-visual alert to attract the attention of the
user.
[0074]
The CBS based EWS systems of the related Arts support a limited set of
scripts in Indian languages. On the other hand, the I-Alert CBS message format
of the exemplary embodiment provides a novel method for mapping between the
Indian languages supported and the scripts used to represent them. The user
terminal 15 will only receive the CBS message2l if the both the language and
script preference is matched by the CBS message.
[007s]
Unlike the EWS systems of the related Arts, where a separate message
with a language indicator is transmitted for every supported language; in the I-
Alert mechanism of the exemplary embodiment only one broadcast message is
converted to desired language and script at the user terminal 15. This requirest0
20
less number of time slots for transmission (one CBS transmission every 2
seconds) as compared to the related Arts.
[0076]
The exemplary embodiment encodes the information into codes that can be
accommodated within the 93 character limit of the single CBS broadcast message.
This ensures that the primary notification is transmitted to the user terminals
within 2 seconds [Time to transmit a single CBS broadcast].
100771
The l-Alert system of the exemplary embodiment is standard compatible
with 3GPP TS 23.041 and can fall backto the legacy GSM 7 bit character
encoding structure and message format when CBS Data Coding Scheme is l1l 1
Oxxx. Provision of fallback to legacy system allows the CBS of the related Arts to
coexist with the EWS system of the exemplary embodiment.
[0078]
Since the I-Alert mechanism of the exemplary embodiment reduces the
number of GSM frames needed to be received/monitored by the user terminal
before successfully deciding a CBS message, it saves crucial battery power of the
user terminal. This is critical in disaster scenarios to minimize the
transmit/receive activity of the user terminal.
[007e]
The I-Alert system of the exemplary embodiment provides support to map
both the language and the script preference of the user terminal with the CBS
message. This reduces the chance of receiving text messages in a
language/script other than that desired by the user.
[0080]
Further, the current 3GPP CBS standard 3GPP TS 23.041 [2] uses a shift
code mechanism where in every character encoded in a language other than those
specified in 7 bit GSM default character set is preceded by a special character to
identify the language of the next character. This effectively reduces the payload
of characters to half the original payload size when the National Language Single
Shift Table is used. In the I-Alert system of the exemplary embodiment, there is
no requirement to precede every text character with a special character to identify
the encoding and hence allows for much higher payload. The only overhead is
the utilization of I Octet of data payload to identify the language used for
15
20
25
3010
21
encoding. Thus, the ICBS -Alert system of the exemplary embodiment is more
efficient in payload capacity irrespective of the language used for public alert
systems.
[0081]
A program, for example the decoding unit24 of the user terminal 15, can
be stored and provided to a computer using any type of non-transitory computer
readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include any type of
tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media
include magnetic storage media (such as floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk
drives, etc.), optical magnetic storage media (e.g. magneto-optical disks), CD-
RoM (compact disc read only memory), CD-R (compact disc recordable), CD-
R/W (compact disc rewritable), and semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM,
PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM
(random access memory), etc.). The program may be provided to a computer
using any type of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory
computer readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and
electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable media can provide the
program to a computer via a wired communication line (e.g. electric wires, and
optical fibers) or a wireless communication line.
[0082]
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these
embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that
various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
15
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25
522
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A mobile terminal comprising:
a receiving means for receiving an alert message including a message
header having language information, and a message content having a warning
5 notification; and
a decoding means for deciding if the language information matches user
preference and notifying alarm information to user based on the warning
notification, if the language information matches user preference.
10 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a display
means for displaying the alarm information decoded by the decoding means.
3. The mobile terminal according to claim I or 2, further comprising an
audio output means for outputting the alarm information decoded by the decoding
15 means.
4. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims l-3, wherein the
decoding means discards the alert message, if the language information does not
match the user preference.
20 5. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the
language information includes a language and a script which is used to represent
the language.
6. The mobile terminal according to any one claims 1-4, further comprising
25 a user preference setting means for setting the user preference, the user
preference including a language and a script which is used to represent the
language,
wherein the language information includes a language and a script which
is used to represent the language.
30
7 . The mobile terminal according to any one of claims I -6, wherein the
warning notification includes at least any one of a nature of emergency, intensity
scale, location time information, action user should do, source the alert message
is sent from, and detail message alert,^a ,/.)
wherein the alert message is sent in case of emergency including at least
any one of Tsunami, Cyclone, Flash flood, Snow, Storm, Earthquake, and
Landslides.
8. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the
5 mobile terminal is used in a network system defined by any one of 3GPP
(Generation Partnership Project) GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications)/GRPS, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System),
LTE (long-term evolution) and 3GPP2 (3rd Generation Partnership Project 2)
CDMA (Code division multiple access) family of standards.
l0
9. An alert system comprising:
a user terminal; and
a base station sending an alert message to the user terminal,
wherein the user terminal includes;
15 a receiving means for receiving an alert message including a
message header having language information, and a message content having a
warning notification; and
a decoding means for deciding if the language information
matches user preference and notifying alarm information to user based on the
20 warning notification, if the language information matches user preference,
wherein the base station sends alert messages with different language
information.
10. The alert system according to claim 9, wherein the decoding means
25 discards the alert message, if the language information does not match the user
preference.
ll. The mobile terminal according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the language
information includes a language and a script which is used to represent the
30 language.
12. The mobile terminal according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a user
preference setting means for setting the user preference, the user preference
including a language and a script which is used to represent the language,24
wherein the language information includes a language and a script which
is used to represent the language.
13. A notifying method of an alert message to a user terminal comprising:
a receiving step for receiving an alert message including a message
5 header having language information, and a message content having a warning
notification; and
a decoding step for deciding if the language information matches user
preference and notifying alarm information to user based on the warning
notification, if the language information matches user preference.