Weather information network enabled mobile system (WINEMS)

• US 20050027449A1
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Inventors: Marsh, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes

Abstract

A Weather Information Network Enabled Mobile System for providing information to a user regarding an emergency event. The WINEMS system receives location data, such as from a GPS system, and correlates the location data with the emergency alert to display a map showing both a location of the WINEMS system and a location of the emergency event. Preferably, the locations are displayed on a digital map.

Claims

1. A portable alert system comprising:

a location data source for identifying a location of the portable alert system;

an emergency data source for notifying the portable alert system of an emergency event;

a computer processor to process the location data and emergency data to obtain image data which correlates the location of the portable alert system and the emergency event; and

a display for displaying the image data.

2. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the location data source comprises a global positioning system.

3. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the emergency data source comprises a radio system configured to receive specific area message encoding signals from the National Weather Service.

4. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the emergency data source comprises a satellite receiver configured to receive digital radar data from a satellite.

5. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the emergency data source comprises a cell phone system configured to receive digital radar data from a remote computer server.

6. The portable alert system of claim 4 wherein the processor further processes the location data to automatically program the weather radio to receive only the signal associated with a location in which the portable alert system is located.

7. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the image data is a digital map.

8. The portable alert system of claim 7 and further comprising a radar image superimposed on the digital map.

9. The portable alert system of claim 8 and further comprising an icon showing a location of the portable alert system on the digital map.

10. The portable alert system of claim 9 and further comprising an icon showing the location of the emergency event on the digital map.

11. A portable alert system, the portable alert system comprising:

a radio system for receiving emergency event data;

a global positioning system for determining a location of the portable alert system;

a computer processor having control software for processing the emergency event data and an input from the global positioning system to provide an output to a display indicating a position of the portable alert system and a position of the emergency.

12. The portable alert system of claim 11 and further comprising a satellite receiver for receiving weather radar data.

13. The portable alert system of claim 11 wherein the control software further comprises mapping software, and wherein the control software outputs to a display a digital map.

14. The portable alert system of claim 11 wherein the radio system comprises an NOAA weather radio configured to receive specific area message encoding signals.

15. The portable alert system of claim 11 wherein the radio system is further configured to receive non-emergency data until an emergency event data is received.

16. The portable alert system of claim 12 wherein the satellite receiver is configured to received digital radar data from a radio satellite.

17. The portable alert system of claim 11 wherein the emergency event data relates to a weather emergency broadcast by the National Weather Service.

18. The portable alert system of claim 11 wherein the emergency event data comprises an AMBER alert.

19. The portable alert system of claim 11 and further comprising a cellular phone system for receiving digital weather radar data.

20. The portable alert system of claim 11 and further comprising a cellular telephone system for receiving weather radar data.

21. The portable alert system of claim 20 wherein the cellular telephone system is configured to receive digital weather radar data from a computer.

22. A method for obtaining and displaying emergency alert data based on a position of a portable alert system, the method comprising:

receiving an emergency alert from an alert broadcasting system;

determining a location of the portable alert system based on information from a global positioning receiver; and

displaying a location of the portable alert system and information regarding the emergency alert a display device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein receiving an emergency alert comprises receiving a specific area message encoding signal from the National Weather Service.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein receiving an emergency alert comprises receiving an AMBER alert.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein receiving an emergency alert comprises receiving a weather emergency, and further comprising obtaining weather radar data upon receiving the weather emergency alert.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein obtaining weather radar data comprises obtaining digital radar data from a satellite receiver.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein obtaining weather radar data comprises obtaining weather radar data from a cellular phone system.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein displaying information regarding the emergency alert comprises displaying a photograph.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein displaying information regarding the emergency alert comprises displaying a map and a weather radar image on the map.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the location of the portable alert system and information regarding the emergency alert comprises displaying a map.

32. The method of claim 30 and further comprising displaying an icon representing the location of the portable alert system on the map.

33. The method of claim 30 and further comprising displaying an icon representing the emergency alert on the map.

34. A method of automatically programming a weather radio, the method comprising:

determining a location of the weather radio based on information from a global positioning receiver;

correlating the location of the weather radio with geographic weather radio broadcast information to obtain location code data; and

programming the weather radio based on the location code data.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein determining a location of the weather radio comprises determining a latitude and longitude description of the location of the weather radio.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein obtaining location code data comprises comparing the latitude and longitude description of the location of the weather radio to a database of location codes.

37. The method of claim 34 and further comprising:

determining a best fit rectangle surrounding the location of the weather radio;

comparing the best fit rectangle to a database of location codes; and

selecting a location code located in the best fit rectangle.

38. By The method of claim 34 and further comprising:

obtaining a radius surrounding the location of the weather radio;

comparing the radius to a database of location codes; and

selecting a location code located in the radius.