Systems and methods for activating a security system upon receipt of emergency alert messages

• US 9,153,117 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sennett, DeWayne Allan, Daly, Brian Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniel, Jr., Willie J
• Application Number:
  US13/964,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20130328679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/006 with transmission via telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/59 for emergency or urgency
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

An Emergency Alert System (EAS) alert message may be used to activate a security system. For example, a mobile device of a subscriber may receive an EAS alert message from a network provider of the mobile device. Upon receipt of the EAS alert message, the mobile device may send an indication of the EAS message to the security system. A component of the security system may be activated to provide notification of the EAS alert message to the subscriber.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining whether a mobile device is configured to render a received broadcasted alert message;

determining a current location of the mobile device;

determining a current location of a security system, wherein the mobile device and the security system are separate entities;

determining if the current location of the mobile device and the current location of the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated; and

activating the security system, via the mobile device, to provide a notification of the broadcasted alert message via the security system, when it is determined that;

the mobile device is not configured to render the received broadcasted alert message; and

the current locations of the mobile device and the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the security system comprises activating a component associated with the security system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the security system comprises activating at least one of an alarm, an intercom, or a light.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the security system comprises providing an activation indication of the broadcasted alert message to the security system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the security system comprises providing the broadcasted alert message to the security system, wherein the security system renders the broadcasted alert message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the security system is further based on whether a current time is indicative of a time range during which the security system is to be activated.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising;

determining whether a mobile device is configured to render a received broadcasted alert message;

determining a current location of the mobile device;

determining a current location of a security system, wherein the mobile device and the security system are separate entities;

determining if the current location of the mobile device and the current location of the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated; and

activating the security system, via the mobile device, to provide a notification of the broadcasted alert message via the security system, when it is determined that;

the mobile device is not configured to render the received broadcasted alert message; and

the current locations of the mobile device and the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein activating the security system comprises activating a component associated with the security system.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein activating the security system comprises activating at least one of an alarm, an intercom, or a light.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein activating the security system comprises providing an activation indication of the broadcasted alert message to the security system.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein activating the security system comprises providing the broadcasted alert message to the security system, wherein the security system renders the broadcasted alert message.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein activating the security system is further based on whether a current time is indicative of a time range during which the security system is to be activated.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises a network entity.

14. A computer-readable storage medium that is not a propagating signal, the computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

determining whether a mobile device is configured to render a received broadcasted alert message;

determining a current location of the mobile device;

determining a current location of a security system, wherein the mobile device and the security system are separate entities;

determining if the current location of the mobile device and the current location of the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated; and

activating the security system, via the mobile device, to provide a notification of the broadcasted alert message via the security system, when it is determined that;

the mobile device is not configured to render the received broadcasted alert message; and

the current locations of the mobile device and the security system are within a range of locations wherein the security system is to be activated.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein activating the security system comprises activating a component associated with the security system.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein activating the security system comprises activating at least one of an alarm, an intercom, or a light.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein activating the security system comprises providing an activation indication of the broadcasted alert message to the security system.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein activating the security system comprises providing the broadcasted alert message to the security system, wherein the security system renders the broadcasted alert message.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein activating the security system is further based on whether a current time is indicative of a time range during which the security system is to be activated.