Methods for controlling apparatuses having an emergency alert function

• US 20060048180A1
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Kendall, Scott Allan, Bridge, Michael Alan, Kwan, Sai Kiat, Merrell, John Douglas
• Application Number:
  US10/534,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/33
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/085 using central distribution transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/08 Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band , e.g. by time division H04N7/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device provides an emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner for tuning a plurality of frequency channels associated with the emergency alert function. A processor identifies one of the frequency channels having higher signal strength relative to the other frequency channels, and enables use of the identified frequency channel for receiving emergency alert signals.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising:

automatically tuning a plurality of frequency channels associated with said emergency alert function to identify one of said frequency channels having higher signal strength relative to said other frequency channels;

using said identified frequency channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

performing a test with said identified frequency channel, wherein said test includes determining whether said identified frequency channel receives a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function within a predetermined time period.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprised of providing an output message responsive to said identified frequency channel failing said test.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said test further includes measuring signal strength on said identified frequency channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined time period is approximately one week.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to modify an existing location code associated with said emergency alert function.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to add a new location code associated with said emergency alert function.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to modify an existing event code associated with said emergency alert function.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to add a new event code associated with said emergency alert function.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprised of:

providing an alert output responsive to activation of said emergency alert function;

storing information associated with said alert output; and

enabling a user to access said information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprised of enabling said user to replay said alert output.

11. An apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising:

tuning means for tuning a plurality of frequency channels associated with said emergency alert function;

processing means for identifying one of said frequency channels having higher signal strength relative to said other frequency channels;

wherein said tuning means tunes said identified frequency channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

wherein said processing means enables a test with said identified frequency channel and said test includes determining whether said identified frequency channel receives a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function within a predetermined time period.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said user selected location code is a FIPS code.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means enables an output message responsive to said identified frequency channel failing said test.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said test further includes measuring signal strength on said identified frequency channel.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said predetermined time period is approximately one week.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means enables a user to modify an existing location code associated with said emergency alert function.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means enables a user to add a new location code associated with said emergency alert function.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means enables a user to modify an existing event code associated with said emergency alert function.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means enables a user to add a new event code associated with said emergency alert function.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising memory means for storing information associated with an alert output, and wherein said processing means enables a user to access said information.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said processing means enables said user to replay said alert output.

22. A television signal receiver having an emergency alert function, comprising:

a tuner operative to tune a plurality of frequency channels associated with said emergency alert function;

a processor operative to identify one of said frequency channels having higher signal strength relative to said other frequency channels;

wherein said tuner tunes said identified frequency channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

wherein said processor enables a test with said identified frequency channel and said test includes determining whether said identified frequency channel receives a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function within a predetermined time period.

23. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said user selected location code is a FIPS code.

24. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable an output message responsive to said identified frequency channel failing said test.

25. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said test further includes measuring signal strength on said identified frequency channel.

26. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said predetermined time period is approximately one week.

27. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a user to modify an existing location code associated with said emergency alert function.

28. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a user to add a new location code associated with said emergency alert function.

29. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a user to modify an existing event code associated with said emergency alert function.

30. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a user to add a new event code associated with said emergency alert function.

31. The television signal receiver of claim 22, further comprising a memory operative to store information associated with an alert output, and wherein said processor enables a user to access said information.

32. The television signal receiver of claim 31, wherein said processor further enables said user to replay said alert output.