Emergency alert information based upon subscriber location

• US 7,602,277 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daly, Brian Kevin, Sennett, DeWayne Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins, Davetta W
• Application Number:
  US11/624,503
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/438, 340/439, 340/905, 340/995.1, 340/539.28, 340/573.1, 340/825.49, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/005 with transmission via computer network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/006 with transmission via telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A subscriber of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) receiving an EAS alert message can obtain additional information based upon the location of the subscriber. The additional information can include information pertaining to available shelter, medical facilities, the location of emergency supplies, a plume map, evacuation routes, or the like. In an example embodiment, the Global Positioning System is utilized to determine the location of the subscriber. The location information along with EAS alert information is used to query a database to obtain the additional information.

Claims

1. A method for providing information in accordance with a location of an intended recipient of the information, the method comprising:

receiving, via an emergency alert system, an indication of an emergency alert;

receiving, via a network infrastructure, an indication of a location of an intended recipient of the information;

receiving, via the network infrastructure, a request for additional information, wherein the request comprises at least one of information indicative of a type of emergency or information indicative of a type of subscriber;

determining content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the additional information; and

providing the information comprising the determined content, via the network infrastructure, to the intended recipient.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of an alert area associated with the emergency alert; and

determining the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the alert area.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information indicative of a type of intended recipient; and

determining the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the type of intended recipient.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the content comprises at least one of information pertaining to available shelter, information pertaining to medical facilities, information pertaining to a location of supplies, information pertaining to a plume map, information pertaining to an evacuation route, a phone number, and an email address.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indication of a location of the intended recipient is indicative of a location determined via a global positioning system.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intended recipient is a subscriber of the emergency alert system.

7. A system for providing information in accordance with a location of an intended recipient of the information, the system comprising at least one processor configure to:

receive, via an emergency alert system, an indication of an emergency alert;

receive an indication of a location of an intended recipient of the information;

receive a request for additional information, wherein the request comprises at least one of information indicative of a type of emergency or information indicative of a type of subscriber;

determine content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the additional information; and

provide the information comprising the determined content to the intended recipient.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, the at least one processor further configured to:

receive an indication of an alert area associated with the emergency alert; and

determine the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the alert area.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7, the at least one processor further configured to:

receiving information indicative of a type of intended recipient; and

determine the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the type of intended recipient.

10. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the content comprises at least one of information pertaining to available shelter, information pertaining to medical facilities, information pertaining to a location of supplies, information pertaining to a plume map, information pertaining to an evacuation route, a phone number, and an email address.

11. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the indication of a location of the intended recipient is indicative of a location determined via a global positioning system.

12. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the intended recipient is a subscriber of the emergency alert system.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for providing information in accordance with a location of an intended recipient of the information by performing the step of:

receiving, via an emergency alert system, an indication of an emergency alert;

receiving an indication of a location of an intended recipient of the information;

receiving a request for additional information, wherein the request comprises at least one of information indicative of a type of emergency or information indicative of a type of subscriber;

determining content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the additional information; and

providing the information comprising the determined content to the intended recipient.

14. A computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 13, the computer-executable instructions further for:

receiving an indication of an alert area associated with the emergency alert; and

determining the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the alert area.

15. A computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 13, the computer-executable instructions further for:

receiving information indicative of a type of intended recipient; and

determining the content of the information in accordance with the location of the intended recipient, the indication of the emergency alert, and the type of intended recipient.

16. A computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 13, wherein the content comprises at least one of information pertaining to available shelter, information pertaining to medical facilities, information pertaining to a location of supplies, information pertaining to a plume map, information pertaining to an evacuation route, a phone number, and an email address.

17. A computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 13, wherein the indication of a location of the intended recipient is indicative of a location determined via a global positioning system.

18. A computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 13, wherein the intended recipient is a subscriber of the emergency alert system.