Method for detecting whether an apparatus having an emergency alert function has been relocated

• US 7,913,274 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev Madhukar, Kendall, Scott Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): SHELEHEDA, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US10/534,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20060053464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,715 Days
• Field of Search: 725/33, 725/140, 714/14
• US Class Current: 725/33
• 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: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• 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 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver includes an emergency alert function which, when activated, provides an alert output to notify users of an emergency event. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to detect a condition indicating relocation of the apparatus after a power interruption to the apparatus, and to enable a predetermined output associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting the condition.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising:

detecting a power interruption to said apparatus;

determining an estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption;

comparing said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption to a predetermined threshold; and

responsive to a determination that said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption exceeded said predetermined threshold, enabling a user to provide updated information comprising location information associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting said power interruption.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said updated information comprising location information includes a FIPS location code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.

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

tuning means for tuning signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

processing means for;

detecting a power interruption to said apparatus;

determining an estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption;

comparing said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption to a predetermined threshold; and

responsive to a determination that said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption exceeded said predetermined threshold, enabling a user to provide updated information comprising location information associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting said power interruption.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said updated information comprising location information includes a FIPS location code.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.

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

a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating said emergency alert function; and

a processor operative to;

detect a power interruption to said television signal receiver;

determine an estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption;

compare said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption to a predetermined threshold; and

enable a user to provide updated information comprising location information associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting said power interruption responsive to a determination that said estimate of the duration of said detected power interruption exceeded said predetermined threshold.

8. The television signal receiver of claim 7, wherein said updated information comprising location information includes a FIPS location code.

9. The television signal receiver of claim 7, wherein said updated information includes a type of emergency event.