Apparatus having an emergency alert function with single button control

• US 20060271952A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Yost, Thomas Dale, Gurley, Thomas David
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,072 B2
• 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: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals

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 channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals. A single user input button receives tactile user inputs to control the emergency alert function. The single user input button is the only tactile user input means integral with the apparatus that is capable of controlling the emergency alert function.

Claims

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

tuning means for tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event;

processing means for enabling an alert output responsive to said emergency alert signals; and

a single user input button for receiving tactile user inputs to control said emergency alert function, wherein said single user input button is the only tactile user input means integral with said apparatus that is capable of controlling said emergency alert function.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said single user input button includes:

a plurality of different states; and

said apparatus performs one or more different operations responsive to each of said states based on user programming.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising illuminating means for illuminating said single user input button based on a severity level of said emergency event.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said illuminating means illuminates said single user input button using:

a first color if said severity level represents a first level;

a second color if said severity level represents a second level; and

a third color if said severity level represents a third level.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first, second and third colors are each combined with a fourth color.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said illuminating means illuminates said single user input button using only said fourth color when said emergency alert function is not activated.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said illuminating means illuminates said single user input button using:

two colors if said severity level represents a first level;

three colors if said severity level represents a second level; and

four colors if said severity level represents a third level.

8. A method for operating an apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising:

tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event;

providing an alert output responsive to said emergency alert signals; and

receiving tactile user inputs to control said emergency alert function via a single user input button, wherein said single user input button is the only tactile user input means integral with said apparatus that is capable of controlling said emergency alert function.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said single user input button includes a plurality of different states, and further comprised of:

performing one or more different operations responsive to each of said states based on user programming.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprised of illuminating said single user input button based on a severity level of said emergency event.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said illuminating step includes illuminating said single user input button using:

a first color if said severity level represents a first level;

a second color if said severity level represents a second level; and

a third color if said severity level represents a third level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprised of combining each of said first, second and third colors with a fourth color.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprised of illuminating said single user input button using only said fourth color when said emergency alert function is not activated.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said illuminating step includes illuminating said single user input button using:

two colors if said severity level represents a first level;

three colors if said severity level represents a second level; and

four colors if said severity level represents a third level.

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

a tuner operative to tune a channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event;

a processor operative to enable an alert output responsive to said emergency alert signals; and

a single user input button for receiving tactile user inputs to control said emergency alert function, wherein said single user input button is the only tactile user input element integral with said television signal receiver that is capable of controlling said emergency alert function.

16. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein said single user input button includes:

a plurality of different states; and

said television signal receiver performs one or more different operations responsive to each of said states based on user programming.

17. The television signal receiver of claim 15, further comprising a light operative to illuminate said single user input button based on a severity level of said emergency event.

18. The television signal receiver of claim 17, wherein said light illuminates said single user input button using:

a first color if said severity level represents a first level;

a second color if said severity level represents a second level; and

a third color if said severity level represents a third level.

19. The television signal receiver of claim 18, wherein said first, second and third colors are each combined with a fourth color.

20. The television signal receiver of claim 19, wherein said light (31) illuminates said single user input button using only said fourth color when said emergency alert function is not activated.

21. The television signal receiver of claim 17, wherein said light illuminates said single user input button using:

two colors if said severity level represents a first level;

three colors if said severity level represents a second level; and

four colors if said severity level represents a third level.