Weather Information Network Enabled Mobile System (WINEMS)

• US 7,725,256 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Dakota (North Dakota University System)
• Inventors: Marsh, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead; Brian J
• Application Number:
  US10/629,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20050027449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,492 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/208, 701/211, 340/905, 340/995.1, 340/995.12, 340/995.13, 340/995.14, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/414.3
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/10 responsive to calamitous events, e.g. tornados or earthquakes

Abstract

A Weather Information Network Enabled Mobile System for providing information to a user regarding an emergency event. The WINEMS system receives location data, such as from a GPS system, and correlates the location data with the emergency alert to display a map showing both a location of the WINEMS system and a location of the emergency event. Preferably, the locations are displayed on a digital map.

Claims

1. A portable alert system for receiving emergency event data, the portable alert system comprising:

a radio receiver for receiving emergency event data;

a global positioning system receiver for determining a location of the portable alert system;

a satellite receiver for receiving digital data;

a computer processor disposed within the portable alert system; and

control software utilized by the computer processor for processing the emergency event data and an input from the global positioning system to provide an output to a display indicating a position of the portable alert system and a position of an emergency, wherein the computer processor further utilizes the control software to process the input from the global positioning system receiver to automatically program the radio receiver to receive only an emergency data broadcast data signal associated with the location of the portable alert system, and wherein the computer processor further utilizes the control software to simultaneously process the emergency event data from the radio receiver and the digital data from the satellite receiver.

2. The portable alert system of claim 1 wherein the digital data received by the satellite receiver comprises digital radar data.

3. The portable alert system of claim 1, wherein the emergency data broadcast data signal is associated with a specified analog broadcast frequency.

4. The portable alert system of claim 1, wherein the digital data comprises emergency event data.

5. A portable alert system for receiving emergency event data, the portable alert system comprising:

a radio receiver for receiving emergency event data;

a global positioning system receiver for determining a location of the portable alert system;

a cellular phone system for receiving digital data;

a computer processor disposed within the portable alert system; and

control software utilized by the computer processor for processing the emergency event data and an input from the global positioning system to provide an output to a display indicating a position of the portable alert system and a position of an emergency, wherein the computer processor further utilizes the control software to process the input from the global positioning system receiver to automatically program the radio receiver to receive only an emergency data broadcast data signal associated with the location of the portable alert system, and wherein the computer processor further utilizes the control software to simultaneously process the emergency event data from the radio receiver and the digital data from the cellular phone system.

6. The portable alert system of claim 5, wherein the emergency data broadcast data signal is associated with a specified analog broadcast frequency.

7. The portable alert system of claim 5, wherein the digital data comprises emergency event data.