GB2603015A

GB2603015A - Method and system for communicating information via multi-communication channel in real time

Info

Publication number: GB2603015A
Application number: GB2107806.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sehgal Anil
Original assignee: Transputec Ltd
Current assignee: Transputec Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-01
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2022-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-01
Also published as: GB202107806D0; GB2603015B

Abstract

A method and system for cascading information via a multi-communication channel in real time. The method comprises initiating an informational alert 102, communicating the informational alert to a target user via a first communication channel (e.g. push notification, SMS, email, social media) of the multi-communication channel 104, and in the event communication of the alert over the first channel fails to be successful within a predetermined time period, communicating the informational alert to the target user via a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel 106. If the informational alert is successfully communicated with the target user within the predetermined time period, a response of successful receipt of the informational alert is received 108, and the informational alert is tagged as being successfully communicated 110. The method may be used for crises management in the event of a disaster (e.g. a hurricane, earthquake, fire, shooting, etc) and may include identifying the geographical location of the target user.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION VIA

MULTI-COMMUNICATION CHANNEL IN REAL TIME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to crises management; and more specifically, to methods and systems for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time.

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, occurrences of both man-made and natural disasters (e.g., nuclear incidents, shootings, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, and more) have resulted in significant loss of life, injuries and damaged property. Additionally, several activities get hampered when such disasters take place.

Notably, when an incident such as an earthquake or a crisis occurs, it is required to promptly provide information to the parties concerned. For example, when a hijack or an accident occurs at an airport, it is necessary to gather information promptly and accurately such as damage, passengers' safety, the passenger list, arrangements for ambulances and whether the incident has been reported to the police or not. Moreover, local, regional, and national first responders as well as emergency management officials have been challenged to respond quickly and effectively, while communicating with multiple organizations, government agencies, emergency management personnel and individuals in the affected areas. This challenge has been compounded by the difficulty inherent to synchronizing disparate and incompatible communications and emergency management systems, thus causing significant delays in crisis management and response.

As these needs emerged, so did advancements in technology. With new communications technologies and the ubiquitous, omnipresent Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure, Emergency Mass Notification System (EMNS) providers now provide single button, unified alerting to facility-based devices (e.g., fire alarms, public address systems, Giant Voice, etc.) and personal devices (e.g., via phone calls, text messaging, email, computer pop-ups, etc.). However, while emergency notification is focused on outbound communication, the lessons learned from disasters point is the need for collecting inbound receipts or response from crisis locations and their vicinities as well. Additionally, many large buildings and organizations keep pre-plans for fire and other emergencies that are site-specific, such as the management company for a high-rise building keeping binders of information related to building design, floor plans, standpipe connections, and the like. However, folders and binders are clumsy and take up significant amounts of physical space. For large buildings or structures, to cover all possible contingency plans for disasters and emergencies, the number of documents and physical binders can be cumbersome and may well be impossible for a single person to carry or handle alone. Moreover, depending upon the location of the documents and the location/type of disaster or emergency, it may be dangerous or impossible to gain access to the documents when they are needed. Furthermore, existing plans do not and cannot include real-time information and real-time updates related to weather, planning, manpower and other resource availability, communication and tracking capability to allow disaster management to follow in real time the resources, human and otherwise, that are or can be deployed to handle incidents.

Therefore, considering the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with crises 30 management.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a method for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time. The present disclosure also seeks to provide a system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in prior art.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real 10 time, the method comprising: (a) initiating an informational alert; (b) communicating the informational alert to a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel; (C) communicating the informational alert to the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receiving a response, from the target user, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tagging the informational alert as being successfully communicated.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for 25 communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, the system comprising a processing arrangement and the multi-communication channel, the processing arrangement configured to: (a) initiate an informational alert; (b) communicate the informational alert to a computing device associated with a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel; (C) communicate the informational alert to the computing device associated with the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receive a response, from the target user via the computing device, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tag the informational alert as being successfully communicated.

Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at 15 least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and enables reliable and secure communication of information to a plurality of target users.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed 20 description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the 25 appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting steps of a method of communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a network environment in which a system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time is implemented, in accordance with an

embodiment of the present disclosure

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, the method comprising: (a) initiating an informational alert; (b) communicating the informational alert to a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel; (c) communicating the informational alert to the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receiving a response, from the target user, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tagging the informational alert as being successfully communicated.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, the system comprising a processing arrangement and the multi-20 communication channel, the processing arrangement configured to: (a) initiate an informational alert; (b) communicate the informational alert to a computing device associated with a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication 25 channel; (c) communicate the informational alert to the computing device associated with the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receive a response, from the target user via the computing device, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tag the informational alert as being successfully communicated.

The system and method of the present disclosure aims to provide disaster and emergency planning information to target user(s) in real-time. Notably, the system of the present disclosure uses multiple communication channels to ensure the delivery of the information. Additionally, the system of the present disclosure switches to the second communication channel only when the first communication channel fails to receive a response from the target user. Consequently, the channel is further switched to the third one and so on until and unless a response of successful receipt of the information is received from the target user. Moreover, the informational alerts are generated by authenticated users, a bot or an external source system. Furthermore, the system of the present disclosure encrypts the informational alerts as well as the responses in order to establish integrity and reduce the chances of any interference from middle-man.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present disclosure, the system and the method provided herein are employed in providing disaster and emergency planning information in an easy way and provides not just alert information but also real-time critical information. Additionally, it provides an end user real-time and portable access to emergency and disaster planning and management information and guidance. Notably, crisis management is a process in which an organization (such as a corporation, a government entity, etc.) attempts to mitigate the effects of a threatening event before, during, or after the event has occurred. Moreover, the present disclosure focuses on effects of an event and managing the potential or actual chaos and disorder that have resulted or are likely to result from the event. a

Disclosed is a method and system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real-time. Notably, the system focuses on dynamic communication during an unplanned event which interrupts an ongoing process. Herein, dynamic reporting is employed to communicate relevant information and initiate process that are set out in a continuity plan to address a disruption or crisis or disaster type scenario. Moreover, it also ensures that the recipient device does receive the information. Additionally, in cases where no response is given by the recipient device, the information goes through communication channel cascading; viz the message is recycled through a queuing system and pushed down another pre-selected communication channel.

The system comprises a processing arrangement. Herein, the term "processing arrangement" refers to, a computational arrangement that is operable to respond to and processes instructions that drive a system. Optionally, the processing arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a microprocessor, a nnicrocontroller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or any other type of processing circuit or a combination of these. Furthermore, the term "processing arrangement" may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "multi-communication channel" refers to a communication mechanism comprising a plurality of communication mediums therein for delivering a message using multiple platforms and various mobile applications. Such communication mediums include, but are not limited to, push notifications, short messaging service (SMS), a phone call, an e-mail, a social media message and Internet of Things (IoT). Herein, a phone call includes mobile, landline and emergency contact details furnished by the recipient. Additionally, social media messages are used in such a way that they do not compromise with the GDPR rules and the privacy of the recipient. Moreover, IoT could be all the devices that the recipient is connected to within his personal network. Furthermore, push notifications could be Google® push notification, Microsoft® notification, Apple® notification, etc. The method comprises initiating an informational alert. The processing arrangement is configured to initiate the informational alert. Herein, informational alert refers to the message that is to be communicated. The informational alert may be associated with crises or disruption or disaster, including but are not limited to, power cut, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, cyber-attack, application failure, etc. Additionally, the informational alert can be initiated automatically by triggering an event, by a person or using sensors and so forth. Moreover, the information alert could contain but is not limited to, notifications about disasters or crises, handling of situation for the continuity of work, making resources available to the right people at the right time and so forth.

Optionally, the informational alert is initiated by an authenticated user. Herein, an authenticated user refers to any person whose credentials are validated to initiate the informational alert. Additionally, authenticated user may include a manager, a senior person of an organization, a government official or any person who has been given the authorization to initiate the alert. Moreover, security techniques and security protocols like two-factor authorization may be used to authenticate a person.

Optionally, the authenticated user is a human, a bot or an external source system. Herein, a bot could be a computer program which 30 initiates the informational alert on occurrence of certain event or as programmed. Additionally, a human could be any person who has the authorization to trigger the alert.

Optionally, the multi-communication channel is selected from a push notification, a short message service (SMS), a phone call, an e-mail, a 5 social media message, Internet of Things (IoT).

The method comprises communicating the informational alert to a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel. Herein, a "target user" refers to end user, recipient, key person, staff, supplier, customer and the like. Additionally, cascading refers to the steps of starting with the first communication channel among the multi-communication channel and then moving forward with the second and so on, if necessary.

The system comprises communicating the informational alert to a computing device associated with a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel. Herein, a computing device is intended to be broadly interpreted to include any electronic device that may be used for voice and/or data communication over a wireless communication network. Examples of computing device include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices, wireless modems, laptop computers, personal computers.

The method comprises communicating the informational alert to the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period. Herein, the second communication channel refers to a communication channel different from the first communication channel. For example, if the first communication channel was a push notification, the second communication channel could be a short message service (SMS), a phone call, an e-mail, a social media message, Internet of Things (IoT).

Moreover, a predetermined time period could be any pre-set time period within which the target user should acknowledge/respond to the alert. It will be appreciated that upon receiving the informational alert from a given communication channel, the target user is required to provide a response, within the predetermined time period, indicating successful receipt of the information alert. In an event, the response is not received within the predetermined time period, the processing arrangement is configured to communicate the informational alert using a next communication channel in the multi-communication channel and await a response.

The method comprises receiving a response, from the target user, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period. Herein, the target user provides the response of successful receipt using the computing device. The computing device may be operable to host an application programming interface specific to the system for providing the response. Alternatively, the target user may provide the response via the communication channel that was used to provide the informational alert.

The method comprises tagging the informational alert as being successfully communicated. Herein, such tagging indicates that the alert 25 has been received by the target user and the communication process has been successful.

Optionally, the method further comprises repeating the steps of sending an informational alert via a communication channel, then via a next communication channel until a response of successful receipt of the 30 informational alert is received from the target user or an attempt threshold has been reached. Optionally, the system further comprises a transmission protocol communicably coupled with the processing arrangement and the computing device, wherein the transmission protocol ensures receipt of the informational alert from the computing device. Additionally, the transmission protocol checks that the recipient device does receive the response of successful receipt. Moreover, it should be noted that the method has been described for two channels but will continue until the response of successful receipt from the target user is received. Furthermore, the processing arrangement goes to the second communication channel only when the first communication channel fails to receive a receipt from the target user. Herein, the attempt threshold refers to a maximum number of times an attempt of communicating the informational alert, via a given communication channel, is made before moving onto the next communication channel.

Optionally, the system is configured to encrypt the informational alerts and the response. Beneficially, such encryption ensures secure communication and that the target user gets the informational alert without any middle-man interference.

Optionally, the informational alert is cascaded via the first zo communication channel and the second communication channel of the multi-communication channel, simultaneously. Herein, depending upon the situation and other factors, the processing arrangement can send the informational alert via multiple communication channel at the same time. Additionally, other factors might include but not limited to, urgency of the alert, priority, availability of the target user, etc. Optionally, the method further comprises identifying geographical location of the target user. Optionally, the system further comprises a Geographic Information system (GIS) module for identifying geographical location of the target user. Herein, GIS is used to manage disaster communications. Additionally, geographical location helps prioritise the informational alert to target users who are at the risk of a disaster. Moreover, geographical location helps in organizing response teams in multiple locations in case of crises or disaster. Furthermore, the collected GIS data can be used to identify the location of target users during an incident, travel or on request.

Optionally, the method further comprises prioritizing one or more informational alerts and the multi-communication channel based on at least one of: a nature of the informational alert, a geographical location of the target user. Herein, in-case where there are multiple informational alerts at the same time, triggers can be prioritised depending on the urgency, severity and geographical location of the target user. Additionally, the multi-communication channel cascade can also be selected based on the crises and priorities.

Optionally, the method further comprises storing and sharing with the target user, information associated with disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, emergency response plans and business continuity plans. Optionally, the system further comprises a database module for storing and sharing with the target user, information associated with disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, emergency response and plans business continuity plans. Herein, a "database module" refers to a system that stores disaster recovery, incident response plans, emergency response plans, business continuity plans and provides such information available to the processing arrangement subject to access rights. Furthermore, depending on the alarm trigger, appropriate disaster recovery, business continuity plans or business intelligence plan information is sent to designated target users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flowchart depicting steps of a method of communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 102, an informational alert is initiated. At a step 104, the informational alert is communicated to a target user. The informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel. At a step 106, the informational alert is communicated to the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period. At a step 108, a response of successful receipt of the informational alert is received from the target user within the predetermined time period. At a step 110, the informational alert is tagged as being successfully communicated.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic illustration of a network environment 200 in which a system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time is implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system comprises a processing arrangement 202 and the multi-communication channel 204. The processing arrangement 202 is configured to initiate an informational alert, communicate the informational alert to a computing device associated with a target user, such as the target users 206, 208, 210, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel 204. The processing arrangement 202 is configured to communicate the informational alert to the computing device associated with the target user such as the target users 206, 208, 210, using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel 204 in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user, such as the target users 206, 208, 210, within a predetermined time period and receive a response, from the target user via the computing device, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period. The processing arrangement 202 is configured to tag the informational alert as being successfully communicated.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a nonexclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, the method comprising: (a) initiating an informational alert; (b) communicating the informational alert to a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel; (c) communicating the informational alert to the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receiving a response, from the target user, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tagging the informational alert as being successfully communicated.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating steps (b) to (d) until a response of successful receipt of the informational alert is received from the target user.
3. The method according to any of the claims 1 or 2, further comprising identifying geographical location of the target user.
4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising prioritizing one or more informational alerts and the multi-communication channel based on at least one of: a nature of the 25 informational alert, a geographical location of the target user.
5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-communication channel is selected from a push notification, a short message service (SMS), a phone call, an email, a social media message, Internet of Things (IoT).
6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the informational alert is initiated by an authenticated user.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the authenticated user is a human, a bot or an external source system.
8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising storing and sharing with the target user, information associated with disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, 10 emergency response plans, business continuity plans.
9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via the first communication channel and the second communication channel of the multi-communication channel, simultaneously.
10. A system for communicating information via a multi-communication channel in real time, the system comprising a processing arrangement and the multi-communication channel, the processing arrangement configured to: (a) initiate an informational alert; (b) communicate the informational alert to a computing device associated with a target user, wherein the informational alert is cascaded via a first communication channel of the multi-communication channel; (c) communicate the informational alert to the computing device associated with the target user using a second communication channel of the multi-communication channel in an event the first communication channel fails to ensure communication of the informational alert to the target user within a predetermined time period; (d) receive a response, from the target user via the computing device, of successful receipt of the informational alert within the predetermined time period; and (e) tag the informational alert as being successfully communicated.
11. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a transmission protocol communicably coupled with the processing arrangement and the computing device, wherein the transmission protocol ensures receipt of the informational alert from the computing device.
12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the informational alerts and the responses are encrypted.
13. The system according to any of the claims 10-12, wherein the processing arrangement is configured to repeating steps (b) to (d) until a response is received from the target user of successful receipt of the 15 informational alert or an attempt threshold has been reached.
14. The system according to any of the claims 10-13, further comprising a Geographic Information system (GIS) module for identifying geographical location of the target user.
15. The system according to any of the claim 10-14, wherein the 20 processing arrangement is configured to prioritize one or more informational alerts based on at least one of: a nature of the informational alert, a geographical location of the target user.
16. The system according to any of the claims 10-15, further comprising a database module for storing and sharing with the target 25 user, information associated with disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, emergency response, plans business continuity plans.
17. The system according to any of the claim 10 to 16, wherein the multi-communication channel is selected from a push notification, a short message service (SMS), a phone call, an email, a social media message, Internet of Things (IoT).