DE10338553A1 - Message transmission method e.g. for warning of public in case of disaster, involves sending messages over a broadcasting station and message sent dependent on target area which can be given from existing transmitter networks - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves sending messages over a broadcasting station. The message is sent dependent on a target area which can be given from existing transmitter networks to be extracted and individually or as group for sending the messages be consulted. An independent claim is included for a device.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a device for transmission of news about broadcasters according to claim 1 or 7.

In disaster and similar Dangerous and exceptional situations, the population has been planned over this Warning systems, in particular sirens and / or loudspeaker vehicles the security authorities informed. For cost reasons However, many of the warning systems were shut down. Another medium for the information of the population are broadcasters of private and public broadcasters, who are required, at the request of the security authorities running program for interrupt announcements or disaster information.

The Information of the population about loudspeaker vehicles has the disadvantage that it is very, especially in larger areas to be informed consuming, labor intensive and associated with a significant time delay is and above Beyond the flowing Vehicle traffic usually not reached. The announcement per Broadcasting, on the other hand, has the disadvantage that it does not currently target certain types of broadcasting Areas can be limited, but always on the variety of the transmitter chains associated Transmitter is distributed. Due to the size of the transmission areas this leads to that, too, the population far away from the disaster area into the specific information or disasters.

task The present invention is therefore a method and a To propose a device for sending messages for radio stations, which essentially allow only those parts of the population inform who are in the target or disaster area.

These The object is achieved by a method and a device for transmission of news about broadcasters solved according to claim 1 or 7. further Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

One The essential idea underlying the invention is that just a few specific broadcasters to send messages, especially of disaster reports. typically, These are broadcasters that "provide" the disaster area significantly Disaster or any other exceptional situation by not sending out these specific messages detected. The method thus allows a precise delimitation of News on areas to be supplied.

The Invention is not only suitable for sending catastrophic messages, but also, for example, from traffic announcements, or in general of messages that can only be determined in a specific case by case basis Area to be sent. The following is a short form for the term "broadcaster" in some places the term "transmitter" is used.

Concrete The invention relates to a method for transmitting messages via radio stations, in to broadcast the news broadcasts depending on a predetermined target area of existing transmitter networks removed and individually or be used as a group to broadcast the news. In particular, the invention relates to a method for selecting the or the for a target area to be defined (= "disaster area") optimally suitable broadcasting station (s), Furthermore a facility to be maintained at each radio station which makes it possible to interrupt the currently running program and the specific one Announcements, such as alarm announcements, insert. After the announcement the stations are switched back to their original program. The for the announcement selected Transmitter will be for the duration of the announcement so to speak interconnected as a group.

The Group-wise interconnection can be done in such a way that everyone Radio station over an address code permanently assigned to the transmitter is addressed. With In other words, each broadcaster has a unique address code over which he can be addressed. The selection of the announcement acting broadcasting station is thus about the selection of the respective Address codes uniquely determined.

to In addition, abuse prevention can be used for any announcement or announcement series and Sending a message a release code will be agreed. This Release code is then both in each case to be acted upon Transmitters and is also entitled to the announcement Persons announced. The switching of the transmitter or the transmitter group on the special message takes place only if the special Message uniquely identified by address and release code becomes. In other words is preferably each selected Broadcasting station, whether single station or group, only by its address code in conjunction with a release code for sending a message unlocked.

In a preferred embodiment the method according to the invention At least one central office is provided, which is to send selects a station and assigns the assigned address and / or release codes to the respective selected broadcasters. Especially is at the central office a device for the selection of the transmitter dependent on of the target area, which contains the assigned address codes managed, and case by case transfer codes to the respective selected broadcaster transmits and thus simultaneously granted corresponding announcement entitlements. These For example, the central office may be affiliated to an authority which for the Warning the population responsible for disasters is. It is also conceivable that the central office of security forces such managed for example by the police or Civil Protection or operated on behalf of a network operator. Possible would be too a variant in which the central office associated elements spatially separated operate.

The Announcements about the selected ones Transmitters can either by the central office itself or by others Authorized bodies are set up with appropriate mobile communications equipment. In particular, the central office has transmission means for communicating with the selected ones On radio stations.

Either the communication between the central office and the selected broadcasters, as well as the communication between the authorized call centers and the broadcasters are preferably via secure, i. encrypted mobile radio channels. For example For this purpose, an existing mobile radio system such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) or other mobile systems are used. Preferably a mobile communication system is used, which is specially designed for security forces such as TETRA BOS.

Conceivable but are also other transmission techniques for example, the landline such. ISDN, or explicitly also transmission methods via satellite. To the quality the one to be transferred Can improve messages in case of a transfer Techniques for bundling radio channels are also used via mobile radio become.

Farther offers the described method according to a preferred embodiment also the possibility Announcements by means of file transfer or streaming to the radio stations to convey.

Especially can be a selected one Broadcasters send a header before sending a message, which points to the message.

The The invention also relates to a device for transmitting messages via radio stations, the Means that are adapted to send a message Radio station dependent to group together from a broadcast area. Especially the means are trained to broadcast the news transferred to, the dependent from a freely defined broadcasting area in groups together be switched.

Especially the means comprise address codes assigned to the broadcast transmitters over which every broadcaster for the group-wise interconnection is addressed. The address codes can for example, be stored in a database, these Database associated with the funds or is part of this funds.

Further the means preferably comprise the broadcast transmitters Release codes, about the each broadcaster for the respective announcement of a message can be unlocked. How the address codes can be the release codes are stored in a database.

Further the device is assigned at least one central office, which select the broadcast station suitable for broadcasting a message and the associated address and / or release codes to the respective chosen Broadcasting station can. For this, the central office may include input means via which a disaster area (destination area) can be defined in which it via software over a computer of the central office is specified. The software The central office can then use the entered disaster area and the information stored in a database about the Supply characteristics of all available stations those broadcasters for one To propose a selection which optimally defines the defined disaster area supply. After confirmation the proposed transmitter (with its coverage area) can chosen Radio station over their address codes by transmission of a Release codes are initialized, i. the transmitters are ready then for receiving and broadcasting an alarm announcement, as far as this identified with the same release code.

All call centers - both those of the central office and the authorized agencies - contain communication facilities for communication with the selected broadcasters in the manner described for the central office. For example, the central office may be designed as a kind of mobile telephony system connected by radio to the selected broadcasters can communicate. Furthermore, the broadcasting stations may also comprise receiving modules which are designed to receive messages from the announcement points and / or the central station.

Finally is Each broadcaster is preferably trained to send before sending to send a message to a message based on the message for example, a disaster announcement indicates. To make a "hard" interruption of ongoing Radio programs can be avoided in the storage units the receiving means one or more preferably standardized "preamble announcements" for moderation the announcement then the emergency announcements will be filed automatically be preceded. This moderation can also be done by the program organizers the respective transmitter are produced and provided. It would also be possible special "alarm jingles" in the form of sound sequences, or a "signature tune", or by type known siren alarms. It is also conceivable, the alarm announcements with public Siren alarms (if still available) to couple.

The Receiving means can a code evaluation unit for evaluating received address and / or Release codes and a switching unit for switching from one Broadcast program to send a message.

In a preferred embodiment the receiving means comprise a memory unit in which a received message can be stored. This allows you to do it multiple times to be sent out. The repetition of the transmission can be automatic, or on call by an authorized agency.

Further Advantages and applications The present invention will become apparent from the following description in connection with the embodiment shown in the single drawing.

In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the sole drawing are the in the background List of reference symbols used terms and associated reference numerals uses.

A central office 10 is intended to control the broadcasting of news such as disaster alerts. The central office 10 is used to define an area in which a message about a disaster message is to be broadcast. The input of this predetermined target area is computer-controlled via a software, which, for example, graphically allows the selection or definition of the disaster area. For this purpose, the central office has a computer 30 who runs the software. About input means 28 like a keyboard and mouse, the software can be operated, in particular, the mentioned target area can be entered.

By matching the in a database 32 Deposit supply characteristics (transmitter power, range information, etc.) of all transmitters with the entered target area, the software broadcasting station 12 which optimally supply the destination area, for example because the coverage area of the transmitter optimally coincides with the destination area. After confirmation of the proposed channels 12 become the selected broadcasters 12 by their also in the database 32 clearly defined address codes. Furthermore, the software generates release codes, which both the selected broadcasters 12 be assigned and also be announced to the respective eligible call centers. For safety reasons, release codes are issued only on a case-by-case basis and only with a limited time limit.

Starting from the central office 10 the address and release codes are sent to receiving means 14 the radio station 12 , as well as to the relevant call-outs 34 such as a control center of the police, the Technical Relief Agency (THW), a traffic control, police radio and / or civil defense central office transferred. The transmission takes place here via a communication connection 24 which can either be implemented via a special government-owned security radio network (eg TETRA BOS) or via an existing mobile radio network or via a fixed network (eg ISDN) or via a satellite connection. The transmission of the message to the selected broadcasters 12 then also takes place via the communication connection 24 or another communication link, preferably independent of the broadcast modulation line 26 is about having a broadcasting studio 22 the regular broadcast program transmits.

For the duration the announcement is interrupted the current broadcasting program.

The receiving means 14 the radio station 12 have at least one code evaluation unit 16 , a storage unit 18 and a switching unit 20 , The functions of these units are explained below.

When receiving a message with address and release codes, the code evaluation unit checks 16 that of an authorized pass Asked 34 received address and release codes to see if they match those of the central office 10 to the receiving means 14 the radio station 12 transmitted address and release codes match.

If so, that is the broadcaster 12 correctly addressed and the announcement correctly identified, the received message is in the memory unit 18 stored. This buffering serves to send out the message several times at periodic intervals.

Subsequently, the switching unit switches 20 from the current radio program, that of the broadcaster 12 radiates, first to one also in the memory unit 18 filed pre-made announcement, which indicates the subsequent transmission of a message. The memory unit can in this case manage a number of prompts in the form of a "preamble." It is also possible to store one of these for the radio station 12 competent program operator 22 provided announcement, so as to achieve a better integration of the announcement in the control program of the respective program organizer. It would also be possible to store a special "emergency jingle" in the form of a tone sequence or a special melody.The variant or announcement used in the individual case is preferably made by remote configuration in the course of transmission of the release codes by the central office 10 established. After playing the opening credits, the sending of the special, from the announcement place takes place 34 transmitted message or announcement.

The receiving means 14 can when storing the message in the storage unit 18 be configured so that for the transmission of the message or announcement a time window is specified, within which the triggering of the message or announcement by that for the broadcaster 12 competent studio 22 However, after the expiration of the time window, the transmission takes place automatically, without the program organizer or the studio 22 can influence it.

After sending out the catastrophic message, the system automatically switches back to the normal control modulation of the radio station 12 through the switching unit 20 ,

For documentation of the interruption of the control program and as proof of sending the special message creates the receiving means 14 a log with all relevant details of the announcement, in particular time, duration and sender of the announcement as well as further configuration details. The documentation can be automated to a network management, such as the operator of the broadcaster 12 , to the central office 10 and organizers of the program concerned 22 respectively.

At this point it should be mentioned that the receiving means 14 alternatively to storing the messages in the storage means 18 the radio station 12 without further ado, spontaneous announcements or the spontaneous sending of news for catastrophe situations. In particular, the variant of the storage of messages in the storage means 18 in the case of announcements that do not have to be sent directly, such as traffic announcements. The variant to be used in individual cases can be made by remote configuration of the receiving means 14 through the central office 10 respectively. For less time-sensitive information, the retrieval provides the in the storage means 18 deposited information by the for the broadcaster 12 competent program organizer 22 the advantage of better integration into the current program (eg retrieval of regionally specific traffic information following messages).

The presented methods and the proposed device are available Protected by abuse, that the broadcasters addressed only by address and release codes and be sent to send messages. Without Knowledge of these codes can therefore no messages are sent out. In particular, be The release codes are assigned only for specific events and for a limited time. Its structure resembles the Procedure for the approval of an announcement from the banking industry known PIN / TAN method. The codes should therefore be in practice known only to authorized bodies such as government offices and authorities to be responsible for sending messages of particular importance are authorized.

A maximum of security against abuse with maximum flexibility of use wins the presented procedure for the area of the disasters, then, if the communication connection used for the warning and alarm announcements 24 is represented by radio channels of the special radio network for authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS), insofar as this is equipped with corresponding secure radio channels (eg TETRA BOS). The procedure then allows the population within a hazard or disaster area to be given direct instructions or behavioral instructions via broadcasting, with the call-outs 34 can be implemented by BOS radios, so that the announcements can also be made on the basis of emergency vehicles of the police or other deployment steering points of the security forces directly on the ground of a disaster event.

The process for optimizing the target area also offers a multitude of possibilities. For example, the coverage area for the particular messages may be graphically represented by a geographic map on the computer 30 the central office 10 are selected, the computer or the corresponding software automatically after winding the desired coverage area all the area supplying broadcasters with their frequencies, their topographical supply representations indicating the residents, their broadcasters, their programs and their network operators, and other information such as the legal status of the program provider 22 the radio station 12 (public, private, association) or the quality of access to the broadcaster (voluntary, legal requirement, only catastrophic announcements, traffic announcements, etc.) supplies.

From all this, in the database 32 then the transmission area for the transmission of the special messages can be defined and optimized. For example, the transmission of messages may also be limited to a particular program provider or program.

ever according to the supply situation of the target area and the type The exceptional situation can also be optimized by optimizing the announcement Designation of a so-called. Core and peripheral zone done, the Sender of the peripheral zone only in general to the exceptional situation and in particular to encourage the populations of the crisis area, their radios to set the reception of very specific announcement frequencies. These announcement frequencies can then by transmitters of the core zone - for example Local stations with comparatively lower, but the disaster area more appropriate Range - be realized. With such a two-stage information process, the best possible accessibility the affected population can be achieved with minimal "scattering effect".

10

Central office

12

Broadcaster

14

receiving means

16

Kodeauswerteeinheit

18

storage unit

20

switching

22

Broadcast studios the program organizer

24

communication link

26

Radio modulation connection

28

input means

30

computer

32

Database

34

Paging place

Claims (16)

Method for sending messages via broadcast stations ( 12 ), in which to broadcast the news broadcasters ( 12 ) are detached from existing transmitter networks and used individually or as a group to transmit the messages, depending on a destination to be specified. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that each broadcasting station ( 12 ) is addressed for the group-wise interconnection via an associated address code. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that each broadcasting station ( 12 ) is enabled for the transmission of messages via a release code. Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one central office ( 10 ) to send a message broadcast station ( 12 ) and assigns the assigned address and / or release codes to the respective selected broadcasters ( 12 ) transmits. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the central office ( 10 ) Has transmission means for communicating with the selected broadcast stations. Method according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a selected radio transmitter ( 12 ) sends a header indicating the message before sending a message. Device for sending messages via radio stations ( 12 ), the means ( 10 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 ) configured to group together broadcasting stations to transmit a message depending on a broadcasting area. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the means ( 10 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 ) the broadcasters ( 12 ) associated address codes over which each broadcaster ( 12 ) can be addressed for the group-wise interconnection. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized ge indicates that the funds ( 10 . 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 ) the broadcasters ( 12 Assign assigned release codes that each broadcaster ( 12 ) for the group-wise interconnection for sending a message can be unlocked. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it has at least one central point ( 10 ), which is suitable for transmitting a message suitable radio station ( 12 ) and assign the assigned address and / or release codes to the respective selected broadcasters ( 12 ) can transmit. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the central office ( 10 ) and for the broadcasting of messages authorized communication facilities for communication with the selected broadcasters. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each radio transmitter ( 12 ) is adapted to send a header indicative of the message prior to sending a message. Device according to one of claims 7-12, characterized in that a radio transmitter ( 12 ) Receiving means ( 14 ) for receiving messages sent by the broadcasting station ( 12 ) should be sent out. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving means ( 14 ) a code evaluation unit ( 16 ) for evaluating received address and / or release codes and a switching unit ( 20 ) for switching from a broadcast program to sending a message. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the receiving means ( 14 ) a storage unit ( 18 ) in which a received message can be stored. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that in the memory unit ( 18 ) information can be retrieved by an authorized body for transmission.