Apparatus and Method for Interfacing Different Emergency Alert Systems

• US 20090235305A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pugel, Michael Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/921,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20090235305A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/33
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast

Abstract

An apparatus provides an emergency alert function that interfaces different types of emergency alert systems. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner for tuning an emergency alert signal indicating an emergency event, and a processor for determining an originator of the emergency alert signal. The processor processes the emergency alert signal according to a first scheme if the originator is a first originator, and processes the emergency alert signal according to a second scheme if the originator is not the first originator.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an emergency alert function, comprising:

first means for receiving an emergency alert signal indicating an emergency event; and

second means for determining an originator of said emergency alert signal and processing said emergency alert signal according to a first scheme if said originator is a first originator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first originator is a cable system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second means processes said emergency alert signal according to said first scheme by causing said first means to tune to a channel defined by said first originator and enabling an alert output defined by said first originator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second means processes said emergency alert signal according to a second scheme if said originator is not said first originator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second means processes said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme by enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to a geographical area selected by a user.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second means processes said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme by enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to an event type selected by a user.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.

9. A method for providing an emergency alert function, comprising steps of:

receiving an emergency alert signal indicating an emergency event;

determining an originator of said emergency alert signal; and

processing said emergency alert signal according to a first scheme if said originator is a first originator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first originator is a cable system.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of processing said emergency alert signal according to said first scheme includes:

tuning to a channel defined by said first originator; and

enabling an alert output defined by said first originator.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of processing said emergency alert signal according to a second scheme if said originator is not said first originator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of processing said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme includes enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to a geographical area selected by a user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of processing said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme includes enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to an event type selected by a user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.

17. A television signal receiver, comprising:

a tuner operative to tune an emergency alert signal indicating an emergency event; and

a processor operative to determine an originator of said emergency alert signal and to process said emergency alert signal according to a first scheme if said originator is a first originator.

18. The television signal receiver of claim 17, wherein said first originator is a cable system.

19. The television signal receiver of claim 17, wherein said processor processes said emergency alert signal according to said first scheme by causing said tuner to tune to a channel defined by said first originator and enabling an alert output defined by said first originator.

20. The television signal receiver of claim 17, wherein said processor processes said emergency alert signal according to a second scheme if said originator is not said first originator.

21. The television signal receiver of claim 20, wherein said processor processes said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme by enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to a geographical area selected by a user.

22. The television signal receiver of claim 21, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.

23. The television signal receiver of claim 20, wherein said processor processes said emergency alert signal according to said second scheme by enabling an alert output if said emergency event corresponds to an event type selected by a user.

24. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein said alert output is not defined by said first originator.