Emergency alert information based upon subscriber location

• US 8,063,766 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daly, Brian Kevin, Sennett, DeWayne Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/560,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20100001858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.28, 340/573.1, 340/825.49, 340/7.52, 340/7.54, 340/8.1, 455/404, 455/404.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3
• US Class Current: 340/531
• 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 receiving information in accordance with a location of a communications device intended to receive the information, the method comprising:

receiving, at the communications device, an indication of an emergency;

determining a location of the device;

transmitting to a supplemental source of emergency information, by the communications device, a device-initiated request for additional information; and

receiving, at the communications device, the additional information, the additional information based on the emergency and the location of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises an indication of the location of the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises at least one of:

an indication of a type of emergency;

or an indication of a type of intended recipient of the information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the type of the intended recipient comprises one of:

emergency personnel;

or general public.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is further based on a type of intended recipient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the device is determined via a global positioning system.

7. A communications device configured to:

receive an indication of an emergency;

receive an indication of a location of the device;

transmit to a supplemental source of emergency information a device-initiated request for additional information; and

receive the additional information, the additional information based on the emergency and the location of the device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the request comprises an indication of the location of the device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the request comprises at least one of:

an indication of a type of emergency;

or an indication of a type of intended recipient of the information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the type of the intended recipient comprises one of:

emergency personnel;

or general public.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the information is further based on a type of intended recipient.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the location of the device is determined via a global positioning system.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, that when executed by a processor perform a method for receiving information in accordance with a location of a communications device intended to receive the information, the method comprising:

receiving, at the communications device, an indication of an emergency;

determining a location of the device;

transmitting to a supplemental source of emergency information, by the communications device, a device-initiated request for additional information; and

receiving, at the communications device, the additional information, the additional information based on the emergency and the location of the device.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the request comprises an indication of the location of the device.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the request comprises at least one of:

an indication of a type of emergency;

or an indication of a type of intended recipient of the information.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the type of the intended recipient comprises one of:

emergency personnel;

or general public.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the information is further based on a type of intended recipient.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the location of the device is determined via a global positioning system.

19. A processor for providing information in accordance with a location of a communications device intended to receive the information, the processor configured to:

receive a device-initiated request for additional information comprising an indication of a location of the device and at least one of;

an indication of a type of emergency;

or an indication of a type of intended recipient of the information;

obtain information based on the location of the device and the at least one of the indication of a type of emergency or the indication of a type of intended recipient of the information; and

provide the information for transmission to the device.

20. The processor of claim 19, wherein the type of the intended recipient comprises one of:

emergency personnel;

or general public.