Apparatus Having an Emergency Alert Function With Priority Override Feature

• US 20090141173A1
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pugel, Michael Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/988,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20090141173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/563
• 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: H04H 20/59 for emergency or urgency
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• 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 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• 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, radio or other apparatus provides an emergency alert function with a priority override feature to ensure that users are informed of significant emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a signal receiving element operative to receive emergency alert signals providing an emergency message. A processor is operatively coupled to the signal receiving element and detects if a condition associated with the emergency message exists. The processor processes the emergency alert signals in accordance with user settings for the emergency alert function if the condition does not exist. The processor overrides the user settings and enables an alert output if the condition exists.

Claims

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

means for receiving emergency alert signals providing an emergency message;

processing means for detecting if a condition associated with said emergency message exists;

said processing means processing said emergency alert signals in accordance with user settings for said emergency alert function if said condition does not exist; and

said processing means overriding said user settings and enabling an alert output if said condition exists.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said condition includes said emergency message originating from a first source.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first source is not a weather-related source.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said condition includes said emergency message being applicable to a first location.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first location includes an entire country.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said condition includes said emergency message indicating an occurrence of a first emergency event.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alert output includes an audible alarm.

8. A method for providing an emergency alert function, comprising:

receiving emergency alert signals providing an emergency message;

detecting if a condition associated with said emergency message exists;

processing said emergency alert signals in accordance with user settings for said emergency alert function if said condition does not exist; and

overriding said user settings and providing an alert output if said condition exists.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said condition includes said emergency message originating from a first source.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first source is not a weather-related source.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said condition includes said emergency message being applicable to a first location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said first location includes an entire country.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said condition includes said emergency message indicating an occurrence of a first emergency event.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said alert output includes an audible alarm.

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

a signal receiving element operative to receive emergency alert signals providing an emergency message;

a processor operatively coupled to said signal receiving element, said processor detecting if a condition associated with said emergency message exists;

said processor processing said emergency alert signals in accordance with user settings for said emergency alert function if said condition does not exist; and

said processor overriding said user settings and enabling an alert output if said condition exists.

16. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein said condition includes said emergency message originating from a first source.

17. The television signal receiver of claim 16, wherein said first source is not a weather-related source.

18. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein said condition includes said emergency message being applicable to a first location.

19. The television signal receiver of claim 18, wherein said first location includes an entire country.

20. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein said condition includes said emergency message indicating an occurrence of a first emergency event.