Method for detecting whether an apparatus having an emergency alert function has been relocated

• US 20060053464A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev Madhukar, Kendall, Scott Allan
• Granted Patent: US 7,913,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/133
• 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 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 21/814 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 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver includes an emergency alert function which, when activated, provides an alert output to notify users of an emergency event. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to detect a condition indicating relocation of the apparatus after a power interruption to the apparatus, and to enable a predetermined output associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting the condition.

Claims

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

detecting a condition indicating relocation of said apparatus after a power interruption to said apparatus; and

enabling a predetermined output associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

2. The method (40) of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to provide updated information associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said updated information includes a FIPS location code.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting said condition includes detecting a duration of said power interruption.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said condition is detected if said duration exceeds a predetermined time period.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said duration is detected using a vertical blanking interval of a television signal.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein detecting said condition further includes detecting signal strength on a previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting said condition includes detecting signal strength on a first previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

said first previously identified frequency channel has previously exhibited higher signal strength relative to a second previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function; and

said condition is detected if said second previously identified frequency channel exhibits higher signal strength relative to said first previously identified frequency channel.

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

tuning means for tuning signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

processing means for detecting a condition indicating relocation of said apparatus after a power interruption to said apparatus, and for enabling a predetermined output associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means further enables a user to provide updated information associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said updated information includes a FIPS location code.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means detects said condition based on a duration of said power interruption.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means detects said condition if said duration exceeds a predetermined time period.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means detects said duration based on a vertical blanking interval of a television signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means detects said condition based on signal strength on a previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said processing means detects said condition based on signal strength on a first previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

said first previously identified frequency channel has previously exhibited higher signal strength relative to a second previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function; and

said processing means detects said condition if said second previously identified frequency channel exhibits higher signal strength relative to said first previously identified frequency channel.

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

a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

a processor operative to detect a condition indicating relocation of said television signal receiver after a power interruption to said television signal receiver, and to enable a predetermined output associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

22. The television signal receiver of claim 21, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a user to provide updated information associated with said emergency alert function responsive to detecting said condition.

23. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said updated information includes a FIPS location code.

24. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.

25. The television signal receiver of claim 21, wherein said processor detects said condition based on a duration of said power interruption.

26. The television signal receiver of claim 25, wherein said processor detects said condition if said duration exceeds a predetermined time period.

27. The television signal receiver of claim 25, wherein said processor detects said duration based on a vertical blanking interval of a television signal.

28. The television signal receiver of claim 25, wherein said processor detects said condition based on signal strength on a previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

29. The television signal receiver of claim 21, wherein said processor detects said condition based on signal strength on a first previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function.

30. The television signal receiver of claim 29, wherein:

said first previously identified frequency channel has previously exhibited higher signal strength relative to a second previously identified frequency channel associated with said emergency alert function; and

said processor detects said condition if said second previously identified frequency channel exhibits higher signal strength relative to said first previously identified frequency channel.