Apparatus and method for providing alert outputs

• US 20060053465A1
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev Madhukar, Mears, Mark Gilmore, Kendall, Scott Allan, Bridge, Michael Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/535,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20060053465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/133
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/59 for emergency or urgency
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• 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 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio and/or other device having an emergency alert function provides alert outputs in manner which increases the likelihood that users are promptly notified of emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, a television signal receiver includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to enable a disabled audio output device associated with the television signal receiver responsive to activation of the emergency alert function.

Claims

1. 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 enabling a disabled audio output device associated with said apparatus responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said disabled audio output device includes an internal speaker of said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said disabled audio output device is operatively connected to an audio output terminal of said apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing means further enables a first alert output via said audio output device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processing means further enables a second alert output via a secondary device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said secondary device includes a telephone.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said secondary device includes a computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said secondary device includes a television signal receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said secondary device includes a visual output device.

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

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

enabling a disabled audio output device associated with said apparatus responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said disabled audio output device includes an internal speaker of said apparatus.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said disabled audio output device is operatively connected to an audio output terminal of said apparatus.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprised of enabling a first alert output via said audio output device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprised of enabling a second alert output via a secondary device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said secondary device includes a telephone.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said secondary device includes a computer.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said secondary device includes a television signal receiver.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said secondary device includes a visual output device.

19. 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 enable a disabled audio output device associated with said television signal receiver responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

20. The television signal receiver of claim 19, wherein said disabled audio output device includes an internal speaker of said television signal receiver.

21. The television signal receiver of claim 19, wherein said disabled audio output device is operatively connected to an audio output terminal of said television signal receiver.

22. The television signal receiver of claim 19, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a first alert output via said audio output device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

23. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processor is further operative to enable a second alert output via a secondary device responsive to activation of said emergency alert function.

24. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein said secondary device includes a telephone.

25. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein said secondary device includes a computer.

26. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein said secondary device includes a television signal receiver.

27. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein said secondary device includes a visual output device.