Methods for controlling apparatuses having an emergency alert function

• US 20060184962A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Lineberry, Roger Lee, Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev Madhukar, Kendall, Scott Allan, Tully, Timothy Joseph, Johnston, Gavin Lee, Merrell, John Douglas, Schaffer, Bruce Wayne
• Application Number:
  US10/551,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/33
• 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 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• 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

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 processor operative to detect a first condition wherein signal strength on a selected channel frequency associated with the emergency alert function exceeds a predetermined threshold, and to detect a second condition wherein a broadcast test associated with said emergency alert function is passed. A visual indicator is operative to provide a predetermined output if the first and second conditions are detected.

Claims

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

detecting a first condition wherein signal strength on a selected channel associated with said emergency alert function exceeds a threshold;

detecting a second condition wherein a broadcast test associated with said emergency alert function is passed, said broadcast test including detecting reception of a test signal that is broadcast on a scheduled periodic basis; and

providing an output if said first and second conditions are detected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said broadcast test includes determining whether said test signal includes a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said test signal is broadcast on a weekly basis.

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

tuning a plurality of channels associated with said emergency alert function; and

identifying one of said channels having higher signal strength relative to said other channels as said selected channel.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprised of using said selected channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function.

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

providing a first output message if said first condition is not detected; and

providing a second output message if said second condition is not detected.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said first and second output messages each indicates a corrective action.

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

processing means for detecting a first condition wherein signal strength on a selected channel associated with said emergency alert function exceeds a threshold, and for detecting a second condition wherein a broadcast test associated with said emergency alert function is passed, said broadcast test including detecting reception of a test signal that is broadcast on a scheduled periodic basis; and

first output means for providing an output if said first and second conditions are detected.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said broadcast test includes determining whether said test signal includes a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said test signal is broadcast on a weekly basis.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

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

wherein one of said channels having higher signal strength relative to said other channels is identified as said selected channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said tuning means tunes said selected channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising second output means for providing a first output message if said first condition is not detected, and for providing a second output message if said second condition is not detected.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first and second output messages each indicates a corrective action.

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

a processor operative to detect a first condition wherein signal strength on a selected channel associated with said emergency alert function exceeds a threshold, and to detect a second condition wherein a broadcast test associated with said emergency alert function is passed, said broadcast test including detecting reception of a test signal that is broadcast on a scheduled periodic basis; and

a visual indicator operative to provide an output if said first and second conditions are detected.

16. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein said broadcast test includes determining whether said test signal includes a user selected location code associated with said emergency alert function.

17. The television signal receiver of claim 16, wherein said test signal is broadcast on a weekly basis.

18. The television signal receiver of claim 15, further comprising:

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

wherein one of said channels having higher signal strength relative to said other channels is identified as said selected channel.

19. The television signal receiver of claim 18, wherein said tuner tunes said selected channel to receive emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function.

20. The television signal receiver of claim 15, further comprising a display operative to provide a first output message if said first condition is not detected, and a second output message if said second condition is not detected.

21. The television signal receiver of claim 20, wherein said first and second output messages each indicates a corrective action.