Abstract:
An aspect includes receiving, by a computer processor, a sign up request from a mobile device for a message service. The message service is configured to distribute messages spanning a time period that corresponds to an event at which the mobile device is present. A further aspect includes determining, during the course of the time period, an occurrence of a condition for triggering a first message and sending the first message to the mobile device during the time period using a wireless internet browser based protocol. The first message is transmitted over a wireless network. A further aspect includes cancelling the message service at the expiration of the time period.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to messaging services, and more specifically, situation-based broadcast messages that are limited by time or an event. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, by a computer processor, a sign up request from a mobile device for a message service. The message service is configured to distribute messages spanning a time period that corresponds to an event at which the mobile device is present. The method also includes determining, during the course of the time period, an occurrence of a condition for triggering a first message, and sending the first message to the mobile device during the time period using a wireless internet browser based protocol. The first message is transmitted over a wireless network. The method further includes cancelling the message service at the expiration of the time period. 
     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a system upon which situation-based broadcast message services may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a user interface screen for establishing subscription settings with respect to an event according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram of a high-level process for implementing situation-based broadcast message services according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a database structure for implementing situation-based broadcast message services according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a user interface screen as seen by a potential subscriber of situation-based broadcast message services according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  depicts another user interface screen as seen by a potential subscriber of the situation-based broadcast message services according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts a user interface screen of a situation-based broadcast message as seen by a subscriber according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments provide situation-based broadcast messages under a subscription. In an embodiment, situation-based broadcast message services (also referred to herein as “message services”) are directed to providing real-time notifications to subscribing devices that are present at a venue or location. In an embodiment, the message services provide the notifications to alert the subscribers of any unsafe conditions or emergency that may arise. An entity implementing the message services provides a wireless network to potential subscribers whereby the network appears on their mobile devices as an available wireless network when the devices are within wireless signal range of the location. A potential subscriber can then access the wireless network, and once the browser is opened on the device, the potential subscriber is directed to a web page of the entity that accepts subscriptions to the message services in order to receive messages of any relevant conditions detected at the event or location. These messages can be sent via the web to various mobile device platforms, e.g., Google Cloud Message, Apple Push Notification Service, and Windows Push Notification Service, via the mobile device&#39;s browser or browser extension. Once enabled for the messages, the browser or browser extension does not need to be currently running in the foreground of the mobile device to receive the notifications. As used herein, the terms “message” and “notification” are used interchangeably. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  upon which the situation-based broadcast message services may be implemented will now be described in an embodiment. The system  100  includes a host system computer  102 , a storage device  104  communicatively coupled to the computer  102 , and mobile devices  110 , each of which is communicatively coupled to the computer  102  via networks, such as network  106  and network  108 . Network  108  refers to a wireless mobile network, while network  106  may be a combination of one or more different types of networks (e.g., local area network, wide area network, Internet, satellite, or terrestrial network, to name a few). 
     The host system computer  102  may be implemented as a high-speed computer processing device for handling the volume of activities associated with subscribers of the situation-based broadcast message services. In an embodiment, the host system computer  102  may be operated by an entity, such as an enterprise or organization. The entity may provide services to individuals who are present at a location associated with the entity. For example, the entity may be a college university and the individuals present at the campus may include students, students&#39; families, professors, related staff, and miscellaneous guests. The wireless network  108  represents a wireless mobile network provided by the entity at the location or event. Notifications associated with a subscription are broadcast through the wireless network  108 , as will be described further herein. 
     The storage device  104  is communicatively coupled to the host system computer  102 . The storage device  104  may be implemented using a variety of devices for storing electronic information. It is understood that the storage device  104  may be implemented using memory contained in the host system computer  102  or it may be a separate physical device, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The storage device  104  may be logically addressable as a consolidated data source across a distributed environment that includes one or ore networks, such as networks  106  and  108 . Information stored in the storage device  104  is retrieved and manipulated via the host system computer  102 . 
     The storage device  104  houses applications associated with the entity (e.g., enterprise applications), as well as event-related data associated with events hosted by the entity. The storage device  104  may also store subscription accounts established for visitors or other guests of the entity at a particular venue or for some predefined period of time. Using the example of a university, a subscription may be defined for a time duration that correlates to the academic year (e.g., from September through May). In addition, or alternatively, the university may define a subscription for a school-related event (e.g., a football game). Thus, in some embodiments, there may be multiple overlapping subscription-based events for which the message services may be implemented. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the host system computer  102  executes an application for implementing the message services described herein. For example, the host system  102  may execute a message services application stored in storage device  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the entity of the host system computer  102  hosts a website through which subscriptions to the message service may be facilitated, as will be described herein. The website may be accessed through one or both of networks  106  and  108  by mobile devices  110  at a venue or location associated with the entity. 
     The mobile devices  110  may be any portable, wireless communication devices, e.g., cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, and computer tablet, to name a few. The mobile devices  110  implement a web browser application or extension. In an embodiment, other components may be enabled on the mobile devices  110 , such as global positioning system components, scanning components, and image capturing components. 
     In an embodiment, the entity of  FIG. 1  establishes settings for implementing the message services through the message services application. For example, the entity may set preferences that define the events for which the message services are offered, as well as subscription registration settings, predefined messages that may be accessed when a condition arises that triggers the sending of a message, as well as other types of settings, as will now be described in  FIG. 2 . 
     The message services application provides an administrator or authorized individual with a user interface screen  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Through user interface screen  200 , the administrator may select from a list of events  202  hosted by the entity, through option  204 . Each event may be identified by a unique identifier and stored in a database, e.g., in storage device  104  of  FIG. 1 . The administrator may then select the date of the event through option  206 . Alternatively, the date of the event may be prepopulated once the event has been selected. The administrator may specify begin and end times of the event via respective options  208  and  210 . These times reflect the actual or scheduled begin and end times for the event. While some event end times may not be immediately known (e.g., a baseball game going into double overtime), this end time can be adjusted by the administrator as the event unfolds. That is, the end time can be dynamically adjusted while the event is ongoing. 
     The subscription registration begin and end times ( 212  and  214 , respectively) reflect a period of time in advance of the event that the mobile devices  110  are able to register for the message services. For example, if a baseball game begin time is 2:00 pm, the subscription registration begin time may be set for 1-2 hours prior to the event begin time to accommodate guests who arrive early at the event. The administrator can configure the subscriptions to be cancelled at a specified time through option  216 . Thus, once the selected time has been reached, the subscriber is no longer able to receive messages via the service even though the subscriber remains at the venue or is otherwise still in wireless signal range of the network. It will be understood that in alternative embodiments these times (e.g., in fields  206 - 216 ) can be prepopulated by the application once the event identifier has been selected. 
     In an embodiment, the application is further configured to enable the administrator to input other event information through an option  217 . For example, through this option  217 , the administrator may provide information such as event name, event banner information, cautionary advice, special needs information—such as seating and wheelchair accessible pathways, as well as more granular information about the venue (e.g., where there are multiple exhibits in different locations around the venue, the application may distinguish and customize messages based on particular aspects of events occurring at different exhibits). 
     In an embodiment, the application is configured to allow the administrator to enable the receipt of specific subscriber information. This feature is implemented through option  218 . In an embodiment, when this feature is enabled, the subscriber is able to transmit more detailed information about his/her location to the application, such that the message service can target certain subscribers who are determined to be immediately impacted by a condition that occurs at the venue. In one embodiment, the application identifies a unique identifier of the mobile device (e.g., UID, MIN, IMEI, MEID, MAC address, etc.). In this embodiment, the application can identify the device  110  through this address. In addition, if the device is enabled with GPS, the application may track the device&#39;s location throughout the venue through GPS coordinates. Further, if the subscriber is stationary at the venue, e.g., at an assigned seating, the subscriber may scan his/her ticket including seating assignment or otherwise enter the assignment through the mobile device. In addition to ticket scanning, other information may be provided by the subscriber through the message services subscription. For example, the application may be configured to identify classes of subscribers (e.g., age, special needs, VIP status, etc.). 
     The application stores this information with the identifying information about the mobile device, along with any special needs or other particular information, which can be used to provide targeted messages based on conditions that occur at the venue. By way of example, if the application determines that the subscriber is seated within a predefined range of a detected unsafe condition, then based on the severity of the condition, the application may be configured to send the message only to those devices within the predefined range of the condition. Alternatively, the messaging application may use the information to prioritize the distribution of the messages (e.g., those subscribers closest to the condition are notified before others, or those closest to an exit may be notified before others). Subscribers with a disability can be provided with customized messages about a wheelchair accessible exit pathway. This feature can provide a significant advantage to existing techniques for notifying individuals of unsafe conditions. For example, an evacuation notification distributed throughout an event over a loud speaker may induce panic and a mob-like exit strategy that can create more harm than the actual condition itself. By prioritizing the distribution of messages, those closest to desired exits may be notified first, followed by those further away from exits in order to promote the safest possible exit strategy. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 2 , the application may also be configured to enable the administrator to access event or venue-related data from enterprise applications and databases. By selecting option  220 , e.g., the administrator can access event information, such as event calendars (including event descriptions, locations or buildings of the event, event dates, etc.). In addition, other enterprise data, such as seating charts, venue maps, etc., can be accessed through this option  220 . In an embodiment, these mappings of data among databases can be implemented at least in part through a database structure as described in  FIG. 4 . Through this stored information and settings options, the application may be configured to enable an administrator to dynamically mark an electronic map of the event location with an indicator of the location of a condition (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7, 702 ). Likewise, the administrator may additionally identify one or more exit routes through which subscribers near the condition may safely exit. The administrator may mark these exit routes on the electronic map as well (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7, 704 ). 
     In an embodiment, the application is further configured to enable the administrator to select pre-configured messages when a condition arises at the venue. This option  222  may include a listing of pre-configured messages. In addition, the option  222  may include a custom feature that enables the administrator to create a unique message that better suits the condition that has been detected at the venue. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a high-level process flow is described for implementing message services. The process of  FIG. 3  assumes that an administrator or authorized individual has entered and stored settings through the application as described in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the process assumes that a condition has occurred at an event or venue. 
     At block  302 , the presence of a mobile device  110  at a venue or location of the entity is detected. The presence may be detected from a signal received from the mobile device  110  indicating that it is in wireless range of the entity&#39;s wireless network  108 . 
     At block  304 , the message application sends an offer to the mobile device  110  to join the network  108 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , e.g., a user interface screen  500  of an individual&#39;s mobile device  110  shows a listing  502  of the entity&#39;s wireless network. The individual selects the network listing  502  on the user interface screen  500  and the device&#39;s browser is directed to a web page of the entity that accepts subscriptions to the message services that are specifically related to the event as defined by the settings, e.g., in  FIG. 2 . 
     At block  306 , the application receives a request from the individual to subscribe to the message services provided through the entity&#39;s network  108 . The message services are limited to the event or venue at which the mobile device  110  is present. The registration process includes presenting a message through the entity&#39;s web page and device browser asking if the individual would like to subscribe. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a user interface screen  600  illustrates a web page and a registration window  602 . The individual can select an option  604  to begin the registration. 
     At block  308 , the application registers the device  110  for the message services. As indicated above, the registration process can include storing an identifier of the mobile device  110  that enables the network  108  to determine that the device  110  has been registered and is subscribed to the service. In other embodiments, if the settings ( FIG. 2 ) enable the additional subscriber location settings, then the subscriber may be prompted to scan or enter ticket information or other location identification information. 
     At block  310 , a condition that triggers the sending of a message is determined. For example, the condition may be a fire, a weather event, an individual whose behavior presents a threat, or other condition that may affect the safety or well-being of the subscribers at the event. At block  312 , the application distributes a corresponding message to the subscribing (mobile) devices  110  through the network  108  using a wireless Internet browser based protocol. Based on the location of the condition at the event, as well as the nature, extent, and/or severity of the condition, the application may be configured to selectively distribute the message to devices  110  that are determined to be most impacted by the condition, e.g., based on their location in proximity to the location of the condition. Alternatively, the message may be distributed to all of the subscribing devices  110  at the same time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a user interface screen  700  on a subscribing mobile device  110  illustrates a map of the venue including an indication of where in the venue an unsafe condition has arisen ( 702 ), as well as an exit strategy  704  to safely exit the premises. The exit strategy presented is dynamic in that as conditions change at the event, the exit strategy may need to be evaluated and adjusted. Thus, the message content of the services can be updated throughout the duration of the subscription, which duration is tied to and limited by, the duration of the event. 
     At block  314 , once the event has terminated or the specified time period has elapsed (e.g., the subscription cancel time, or SUB CANCEL TIME BEGIN  216  of  FIG. 2  has elapsed, the application de-activates the subscription. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a set of database structures  400  for facilitating the message services will now be described. In  FIG. 4 , a structure  402  includes elements that identify and define the subscription parameters for an event or venue. As shown in structure  402 , an event ID uniquely identifies the event. Parameters within the structure  402  include its begin time, end time, registration begin and end times, subscription cancellation time, and other event-related metadata. These parameters correspond, respectively, to the fields  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 , and  217  of  FIG. 2 . The event ID (EVENT_ID) may be used as a primary key in the database structures to map to individual databases, as shown in  FIG. 4 . A structure  406  includes elements that identify the subscriber and the subscriber&#39;s location (either by seat ID or other method of location identification, such as GPS coordinates). The subscriber ID reflects an identifier of the mobile device  110 , SUB_SEAT_ID reflects a seat assignment, and SUB_LOC_ID may be used to store the subscriber&#39;s current location (e.g., through GPS). In addition, SUB_OTHER may be used to store other information about the subscriber, such as special needs, VIP status, etc. The elements in structure  406  substantially correlate to the option  218  in  FIG. 2 . Thus, in an embodiment, the information entered through option  218  is processed and stored through the structure  406 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the EVENT_ID of structure  402 , as a primary key, maps to the EVENT_ID of structure  406 . 
     A structure  408  includes elements that may be accessed from an enterprise application of the entity that describes its events (e.g., event calendar including metadata for event details, dates, times, etc.), venues, seating plans, and maps, each of which may include metadata for exits, exit routes, landmark locations at the venue, etc. Other metadata not listed in the structure  408  may be captured through VENUE_OTHER. The elements in structure  408  substantially correspond to the option  220  of  FIG. 2 . This information can be linked to the structure  402  through the EVENT_ID key. 
     Structure  410  may include a database of pre-configured messages that can be accessed in the event of a condition. For example, messages can be directed to specific types of conditions, such as weather, fire, etc. A sample message may include content that indicates a thunderstorm is imminent and guests should seek shelter at various locations around the event. As these locations may remain unchanged over time (e.g., a covered pavilion), a predefined message may be appropriate for storage and retrieval as needed. The application can be configured to access messages that are stored with identifying descriptive information for easy retrieval. The structure  410  substantially corresponds to the option  222  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
     The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
     Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
     Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
     Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
     These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.