TRANSMISSION OF BROADCASTS BASED ON RECIPIENT LOCATION

• US 20130052940A1
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Anne R. Sand, Christopher J. Dawson, Rick A. Hamilton II
• Inventors: Brillhart, David C., Dawson, Christopher J., Hamilton, Rick A. II, Sand, Anne R., Seaman, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,929,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/00 Arrangements specially adapted for receiving broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/52 of users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for transmitting/broadcasting messages/content (e.g., audio) by routing such messages to an intended audience/recipient(s), and optionally applying audio preferences to broadcast characteristics. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may receive a message/broadcast in a queue, and identify a set of intended recipients of the broadcast (e.g., based on the content therein). Once the intended recipients have been identified, a set of locations of the intended recipients may be determined. Based on the locations, at least one output device is selected (e.g., based on proximity of the output device(s) to the intended recipients). Thereafter, the broadcast may be transmitted to the intended recipients via the selected output device(s), while any associated audio preferences are applied. In one embodiment, if an intended recipient is listening to other content, such content may be muted and/or paused so that the transmitted broadcast may be heard.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for transmitting broadcasts based on a location of intended recipients, comprising:

receiving a broadcast in a queue;

identifying a set of intended recipients for the broadcast based on content of the broadcast;

determining a set of locations of the set of intended recipients;

selecting at least one output device for transmitting the broadcast based on the set of locations; and

transmitting the broadcast to the set of intended recipients via the at least one output device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the broadcast comprising an audio broadcast, and the at least one output device comprising at least one audio output device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the determining comprising detecting a movement of the set of intended recipients.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the set of locations being determined using a radio frequency identification device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the set of locations being determined using a global positioning satellite device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising applying a set of preferences associated with the set of intended recipients, prior to the transmitting.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the at least one output device being selected based on a proximity of the at least one output device to the set of locations.

8. A system for transmitting broadcasts based on a location of intended recipients, comprising:

a memory medium comprising instructions;

a bus coupled to the memory medium; and

a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to;

receive a broadcast in a queue;

identify a set of intended recipients for the broadcast based on content of the broadcast;

determine a set of locations of the set of intended recipients;

select at least one output device for transmitting the broadcast based on the set of locations; and

transmit the broadcast to the set of intended recipients via the at least one output device.

9. The system of claim 8, the broadcast comprising an audio broadcast, and the at least one output device comprising at least audio output device.

10. The system of claim 8, the memory medium further comprising instructions for causing the system to detect a movement of the set of intended recipients.

11. The system of claim 8, the set of locations being determined using a radio frequency identification device.

12. The system of claim 8, the set of locations being determined using a global positioning satellite device.

13. The system of claim 8, the memory medium further comprising instructions for causing the system to apply a set of preferences associated with the set of intended recipients, prior to the transmitting.

14. The system of claim 8, the at least one output device being selected based on a proximity of the at least one output device to the set of locations.

15. A computer program product for transmitting broadcasts based on a location of intended recipients, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to:

receive a broadcast in a queue;

identify a set of intended recipients for the broadcast based on content of the broadcast;

determine a set of locations of the set of intended recipients;

select at least one output device for transmitting the broadcast based on the set of locations; and

transmit the broadcast to the set of intended recipients via the at least one output device.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, the broadcast comprising an audio broadcast, and the at least one output device comprising at least one audio output device.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, the computer readable storage media further comprising instructions to detect a movement of the set of intended recipients.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, the set of locations being determined using a radio frequency identification device.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, the set of locations being determined using a global positioning satellite device.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, the computer readable storage media further comprising instructions to apply a set of preferences associated with the set of intended recipients, prior to the transmitting.

21. The computer program product of claim 15, the at least one output device being selected based on a proximity of the at least one output device to the set of locations.

22. A method for deploying a system for transmitting broadcasts based on a location of intended recipients, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure being operable to;

receive a broadcast in a queue;

identify a set of intended recipients for the broadcast based on content of the broadcast;

determine a set of locations of the set of intended recipients;

select at least one output device for transmitting the broadcast based on the set of locations; and

transmit the broadcast to the set of intended recipients via the at least one output device.