Area warning system for earthquakes and other natural disasters
First Claim
1. A wide area earthquake detection and general population advanced early warning system comprising:
- a plurality of local station detector sites distributed as an array over a wide geographic area, each such site having;
a ground motion sensor having means for detecting earthquake generated "P" waves and subsequently received earthquake generated "S" waves;
an analyzer having means for determining the relative magnitude, intensity, and location, of an earthquake based upon receipt of said "P" waves and said "S" waves;
a transmitter having means for transmitting a signal indicative of said analyzer determined magnitude, intensity, and location to a central processing site;
a receiver having means for receiving signals from a central processing site; and
a transmitter having means for transmitting advanced early warning signals to the entire local surrounding general population around each local station detector site of said earthquake;
a central processing site located at a selected position distinct from said array of local detection sites and having;
a receiver having means for receiving said signals from said array of local station detection devices;
a computer having means for calculating and analyzing the magnitude, intensity, location, and direction of travel, of said earthquake based upon said signals; and
a transmitter having means for transmitting warning signals of said earthquake to selected local station detection sites;
whereby each appropriate selected local station detector site as determined by the central processing site, will transmit advanced early warning signals specifically to those entire local surrounding general populations in a specific and targeted geographic area that are in imminent danger from an earthquake in progress.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that provides an area warning to a specific general population of an earthquake prior to the arrival of the hazardous ground motion typically associated with earthquakes, and of approaching natural disasters that could impact an area. This area advanced warning thereby provides time for users to seek shelter and through automated means to reduce property damage as well as injuries and lives lost. A preferred embodiment of the invention described herein utilizes a plurality of Local Station Detector Sites, equipped with earthquake seismic motion detectors and microprocessors designed to almost instantaneously provide a profile of existing ground motion to a Central Processing Site in conjunction with further analysis of similar signals from multiple sites. A warning instruction is then transmitted back to all appropriate Local Station Detector Sites to initiate transmission of local area warnings to a general population of all users in an appropriate and specific geographic area with minimal possibility of false alarms. Additionally all Local Station Detector Sites are equipped to receive notification transmissions from the Central Processing Site, which have been initiated by Public Safety Offices for other natural disasters, and transmit appropriate warning signals to the general population of users in specific geographic areas.
114 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A wide area earthquake detection and general population advanced early warning system comprising:
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a plurality of local station detector sites distributed as an array over a wide geographic area, each such site having; a ground motion sensor having means for detecting earthquake generated "P" waves and subsequently received earthquake generated "S" waves; an analyzer having means for determining the relative magnitude, intensity, and location, of an earthquake based upon receipt of said "P" waves and said "S" waves; a transmitter having means for transmitting a signal indicative of said analyzer determined magnitude, intensity, and location to a central processing site; a receiver having means for receiving signals from a central processing site; and a transmitter having means for transmitting advanced early warning signals to the entire local surrounding general population around each local station detector site of said earthquake; a central processing site located at a selected position distinct from said array of local detection sites and having; a receiver having means for receiving said signals from said array of local station detection devices; a computer having means for calculating and analyzing the magnitude, intensity, location, and direction of travel, of said earthquake based upon said signals; and a transmitter having means for transmitting warning signals of said earthquake to selected local station detection sites;
whereby each appropriate selected local station detector site as determined by the central processing site, will transmit advanced early warning signals specifically to those entire local surrounding general populations in a specific and targeted geographic area that are in imminent danger from an earthquake in progress. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A wide area natural disaster detection and general population advanced early warning system comprising:
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a plurality of local station detector sites distributed as an array over a wide geographic area, each such site having; a receiver having means for receiving alert warning signals indicative of natural disasters from a central processing site, and a transmitter having means for transmitting advanced early warning signals to the entire local surrounding general population around each local station detector site of said natural disaster; a central processing site located at a selected position distinct from said array of local station detection sites and having; a receiver having means for receiving warning alert signals indicative of said natural disasters from selected public safety offices or any other available detection sources, a computer having means for calculating and analyzing the magnitude, intensity, location, and direction of travel, of said natural disasters based upon receipt of said warning alert signals, and a transmitter having means for transmitting warning signals of said natural disasters to selected local station detection sites;
whereby each appropriate selected local station detector site as determined by the central processing site, will transmit advanced early warning signals specifically to those entire local surrounding general populations in a specific geographic area that is in imminent danger from a natural disaster. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification