Apparatus and method for receiving emergency alert signals

• US 20060055527A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS (InterDigital, Inc.), InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pugel, Michael Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,714,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/517
• 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: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4425 Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure
• 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 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an emergency alert function, according to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a first tuner for tuning a first channel when the television signal receiver is in an on mode. A second tuner is provided for tuning a second channel when the television signal receiver is in the on mode and an off/standby mode. The second channel provides emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function.

Claims

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

first tuning means for tuning first signals including video signals when said television signal receiver is in an on mode;

second tuning means for tuning second signals including emergency alert signals when said television signal receiver is in said on mode and an off/standby mode; and

wherein said emergency alert function is activated if said emergency alert signals indicate an emergency event corresponding to a user selected geographical area and a user selected event type.

2. The television signal receiver of claim 1, wherein said second tuning means is included in a modem apparatus.

3. The television signal receiver of claim 2, wherein said modem apparatus is internal to said television signal receiver.

4. The television signal receiver of claim 2, wherein said modem apparatus is external to said television signal receiver.

5. The television signal receiver of claim 4, wherein said modem apparatus includes alert means for providing an alert output when said emergency alert function is activated.

6. The television signal receiver of claim 5, wherein said alert means includes a visual output element.

7. The television signal receiver of claim 5, wherein said alert means includes an aural output element.

8. A method for controlling a television signal receiver having an emergency alert function, comprising:

enabling a first tuner to tune first signals including video signals when said television signal receiver is in an on mode;

enabling a second tuner to tune second signals including emergency alert signals when said television signal receiver is in said on mode and an off/standby mode; and

wherein said emergency alert function is activated if said emergency alert signals indicate an emergency event corresponding to a user selected geographical area and a user selected event type.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said second tuner is included in a modem apparatus.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said modem apparatus is internal to said television signal receiver.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said modem apparatus is external to said television signal receiver.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprised of providing an alert output via an alert system of said modem apparatus when said emergency alert function is activated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said alert output includes a visual output.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said alert output includes an aural output.

15. A modem apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising:

a modulator operative to modulate upstream signals provided to a network;

a demodulator operative to demodulate downstream signals provided from said network, said downstream signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function;

an alert system operative to provide an alert output when said emergency alert function is activated; and

wherein said emergency alert function is activated if said emergency alert signals indicate an emergency event corresponding to a user selected geographical area and a user selected event type.

16. The modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said alert system includes a visual output element.

17. The modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said alert system includes an aural output element.

18. The modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said network includes a cable network.

19. The modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein said network includes a DSL network.

20. The modem apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

said modem apparatus is operatively coupled to an external device; and

said external device provides a second alert output when said emergency alert function is activated.

21. The modem apparatus of claim 20, wherein said external device includes a television signal receiver.

22. The modem apparatus of claim 20, wherein said external device includes a computer.