Homeland security emergency notification system

• US 20030137415A1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James D. Thomson
• Original Assignee: James D. Thomson
• Inventors: Thomson, James D.
• Application Number:
  US10/348,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137415A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast

Abstract

A safety messaging apparatus for transmitting a targeted safety-related message containing at least one of audio content and visual content from a central location to at least one selected location includes a message construction processor at the central location that constructs the targeted safety-related message for transmission responsive to an identified potential or actual safety hazard affecting the selected location. The message includes at least one of information regarding the safety hazard and a form message corresponding to the safety hazard. A message encoding processor at the central location encodes the message preparatory to transmission. The encoding includes at least associating the message with a notification device address. The encoded message is transmitted. A notification device at the selected location includes a device address and a message reconstruction processor for reconstructing a message representation based at least on the encoded message, responsive to the notification device address contained in the encoded message corresponding to the device address. A message player in communication with the notification device continually plays the message audibly or visually at the selected location.

Claims

1. A safety messaging apparatus for transmitting a targeted safety-related message from a central location to at least one selected location, the message containing at least one of audio content and visual content, the apparatus comprising:

a message construction processor at the central location that constructs the targeted safety-related message for transmission responsive to an identified potential or actual safety hazard affecting the selected location, the message including at least one of information regarding the safety hazard and a form message corresponding to the safety hazard;

a message encoding processor at the central location for encoding the message preparatory to transmission, the encoding including at least associating the message with a notification device address;

a means for transmitting the encoded message;

a notification device at the selected location, the notification device including a device address, and a message reconstruction processor for generating a message representation based at least on a reconstruction of the encoded message responsive to the notification device address contained in the encoded message corresponding to the device address; and

a message player in communication with the notification device for continually playing the message audibly or visually at the selected location.

2. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

an addressing processor for selecting the at least one selected location based on a location of the identified potential or actual safety hazard.

3. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

an addresses database in communication with the message encoding processor, the addresses database containing information associating device addresses with geographical locations.

4. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a form messages database associated with the message construction processor for providing at least one of a message code and a pre-recorded message for selective inclusion into the targeted safety-related message.

5. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further including:

a local form messages database associated with the notification device for retrieving a pre-recorded message associated with a message code contained in the encoded message.

6. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the message player includes:

at least one speakers arranged to play the message audibly at the selected location.

7. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the message player includes:

at least one display device arranged to play the message visually at the selected location.

8. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a battery for powering the notification device.

9. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the notification device further includes:

a means for monitoring power or energy available to the notification device.

10. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the battery additionally powers the message player.

11. The safety messaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the notification device includes a memory storing a set of pre-recorded messages and is adapted to selectively reconstruct the decoded message and deliver the reconstructed encoded message or a one of said set of pre-recorded messages to said message player as said message representation for playing by the message player.

12. A notification apparatus for receiving a targeted safety-related message from a central location, the message containing at least one of audio content and visual content, the notification apparatus comprising:

a device address;

a message reconstruction processor for reconstructing a message representation based at least on the targeted safety-related message; and

a message player in communication with the notification device for continually playing the message audibly or visually at the selected location.

13. The notification apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further including:

an address comparator that compares the device address with an address contained in the targeted safety-related message, the address comparator in communication with the message reconstruction processor and the message player to play the targeted safety-related message conditional upon the device address corresponding with the address contained in the targeted safety-related message.

14. A method for selecting and notifying one or more locations of a potential or actual safety hazard using notification devices located at each location, the method comprising:

receiving information including at least the type and location of the hazard at a centralized monitoring;

identifying one or more notification devices located at or near the hazard;

constructing one or more safety messages containing location-specific personal safety instructions related to the hazard;

transmitting the one or more safety messages to the one or more notification devices, wherein each notification device receives personal safety instructions specific to the location of the notification device; and

playing the safety message at each location via the notification device at the location.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the playing of the safety message includes one of:

playing an audio message; and

displaying a visual message.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the constructing of one or more safety messages includes:

recalling a pre-recorded form message corresponding to the type of the hazard.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the constructing of one or more safety messages includes:

recording a message containing information specifically relating to the hazard.

18. The method as set forth in claim 14, further including:

storing energy for operating a selected notification device at the location of the selected notification device.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of said information including at least the type and location of the hazard is performed by a human operator.

20. The method according to claim 19, further including delivering an alarm to said human operator.