AU2014101560A4 - Public emergency notification and communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

An emergency notification receiver system is described the system comprises a trigger signal receiver; and an emergency notification terminal, the emergency notification terminal, the 5 emergency notification terminal comprising at least one alert indicator; and a central control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver. The control element actuates the at least one alert indicator on receipt of at least one specific coded trigger signal. M a,3 p --------

Description

1 PUBLIC EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a public emergency notification and 5 communications system. In particular the present invention may provide geographically sensitive alerts or warnings to its users in addition to triggering or providing an alarm which may wake unconscious persons via a satellite or digital terrestrial broadcast transmission. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Emergency warning systems can provide valuable warning of impending disaster or emergency situations. Communication with the public in the minutes and days after the event is just as critical to inform them of what to do, and progress of any 15 measures to protect them, and manage their circumstances. For example, disasters such as tsunamis, tornado, severe weather events or warfare situations all place life and property in danger. An early warning of such impending conditions can allow a population to evacuate, or secure themselves and their 20 property, potentially mitigating loss of life and damage. In addition to the above, for disasters such as earthquakes, where early warning is not generally feasible as yet, then there 2 is a need to maintain communication with the population, to ensure that measures in place are understood. Such warning systems need to operate on a geographically localised basis to ensure that only the population presently in 5 danger receives a warning. False alarms distributed to communities which are not threatened can degrade the reputation and perceived importance of such warnings when issued in future. One existing method of warning a population is through the 10 activation of audio sirens. These sirens could be activated once an emergency condition is detected to gain the attention of a local population in a specific geographical region. However, such siren based systems can alarm and confuse a population if there is no wide spread understanding of the 15 meaning of the siren. There is also the potential for unconscious or sleeping persons to miss the warning provided by such sirens. Other forms of emergency warning systems rely on broadcast networks such as radio or television transmissions. These forms of media can rapidly and effectively update a population as to an 20 impending emergency situation. However, broadcast systems are only capable of alerting their current audience of an impending emergency. Members of the population who are sleeping, unconscious or not in the presence 3 of a television or radio will not be provided with an early warning of an emergency. One highly effective form of emergency warning system is the dedicated smoke or fire alarm installed in individual structures or 5 buildings. These alarm systems can rapidly wake unconscious or sleeping persons once the sensors they incorporate detect smoke or fire conditions. However, individual smoke alarms can not necessarily wake or alert an entire population within a large geographical region. 10 It would therefore be of advantage to have an improved emergency warning system which addressed any or all of the above problems. In particular a warning system which could be activated on a geographically sensitive basis to warn a large number of people of an impending emergency, and which could 15 also wake unconscious or sleeping persons would be an advantage. It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying 20 jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also 4 other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought 5 out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the preferred embodiment of the invention without placing limitations thereon. The background discussion (including any potential prior art) is 10 not to be taken as an admission of the common general knowledge. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is configured to provide an emergency notification system. The system is designed to alert both awake 15 and sleeping or unconscious persons and to provide information to these persons of an impending emergency situation. The system includes an emergency notification terminal which may be installed or located in a wide range of places, for example in static locations such as buildings, in outdoor public spaces or 20 alternatively the terminal may be located within a mobile device, for example within cellular telephones, GPS units or other wireless devices. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an emergency notification receiver system which comprises: 5 a trigger signal receiver; and an emergency notification terminal, the emergency notification terminal comprising a) at least one alert indicator; and 5 b) a central control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver, wherein the control element actuates the at least one alert indicator on receipt of at least one specific coded trigger signal. Preferably trigger signal receiver receives the signal via a 10 satellite transmission. Alternatively the trigger signal receiver receives the signal via a terrestrial digital broadcast transmission. Preferably the trigger signal receiver and the emergency notification terminal are integrated in a single unit. 15 Alternatively the trigger signal receiver and the emergency notification terminal are separate, and wherein the trigger signal receiver further comprises a transmission system that retransmits the trigger signal and the emergency notification terminal further comprises an emergency notification terminal 20 receiver unit which receives the transmission from the trigger signal receiver. Preferably the signal is retransmitted and received using an FM transmission.

6 Preferably the emergency notification terminal receiver unit can receive other FM transmission transmitting the emergency signal other than those transmission originating from the transmission system of the trigger signal receiver. 5 Preferably the transmission frequency is selected to minimise the noise ratio of the transmission, and wherein the transmission frequency is periodically reselected to minimise the noise ratio of the transmission. Preferably the emergency notification terminal receiver unit 10 automatically detects the transmission frequency. Alternatively the emergency notification terminal receiver unit automatically detects the transmission frequencies available and selects a preferred frequency from the available frequencies. Preferably the terminal is in the form of a static receiver unit, the 15 static receiver unit being pre-programmed with a specific geographical location. Preferably the geographic location of the receiver unit can be updated continuously using wireless positioning systems. Preferably the wireless positioning system is a global positioning 20 system (GPS) or cellular communication network. Preferably the terminal is adapted to additionally receive signals from a telecommunications network.

7 Preferably the alert indicator is an alarm indicator actuated to warn of an impending emergency condition. Preferably the alert indicator is a broadcast indicator configured to provide information concerning an impending or preceding 5 emergency condition. Preferably an alarm indicator is actuated followed by a broadcast indicator being actuated after a predetermined period of time from the alarm indicator. Preferably the broadcast indicator will be actuated approximately 10 10-60 seconds after the alarm indicator. Preferably the operation or configuration of the trigger signal receiver and the emergency notification terminal is controlled by the coded trigger signal received by the trigger signal receiver. Preferably the coded trigger signal provides information specific 15 to the type of emergency users are to be warned of. Preferably the coded trigger signal provides information with respect to a geographical region which is to experience an emergency condition. Preferably an initialisation process is executed with respect to a 20 terminal prior to the terminal being used to provide emergency notifications.

8 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an emergency notification receiver system which comprises: a trigger signal receiver which receives at least one specific coded trigger signal via a satellite transmission system; and 5 a control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver and communicate the coded trigger signal to an external device. Preferably the external device is an FM radio transmitter and wherein the FM radio transmitter further communicates the 10 coded trigger signal. Alternatively the external device is siren or loudspeaker and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. Alternatively the external device is a device for the hearing or 15 sight impaired and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an emergency notification receiver system which comprises: a trigger signal receiver which receives at least one specific 20 coded trigger signal via a terrestrial digital broadcast transmission; and 9 a control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver and communicate the coded trigger signal to an external device Preferably the external device is an FM radio transmitter and 5 wherein the FM radio transmitter further communicates the coded trigger signal. Alternatively the external device is siren or loudspeaker and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. 10 Alternatively the external device is a device for the hearing or sight impaired and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an emergency notification system which comprises, an 15 emergency notification terminal comprising: a) a trigger signal receiver; b) at least one alert indicator, and c) a central control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver, and a trigger 20 signal generator comprising; 10 d) at least one input element configured to receive emergency data; e) a trigger signal encoder configured to provide coded trigger signals emergency data received from at least one 5 input element; and f) at least one output element configured to provide generated trigger signals signal receiver based on to a trigger. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a 10 method of providing emergency information over a communications network, the method comprising: a) inputting information regarding an emergency situation into a base unit; b) delivering the information from the base unit to a server or 15 cluster of servers; and c) delivering the information from a server or cluster of servers directly or indirectly to one or more emergency notification terminals, wherein an alert indicator associated with the terminal is actuated on receipt of the information. 20 In preferred embodiments, the information is coded to activate only emergency notification terminals located within a specific geographic area.

11 In further preferred embodiments, the emergency information is delivered to the emergency notification terminals using a telecommunications network. In alternative embodiments the emergency information is 5 delivered to the emergency notification terminal using a radio broadcast system. Even more preferably, the emergency information is delivered to the emergency notification terminals using existing radio station systems. 10 In preferred embodiments, the base unit includes a trigger signal generator. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency notification terminal which comprises: a) a trigger signal receiver; 15 b) at least one alert indicator; and c) a central control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver, wherein the control element actuates the at least one alert indicator on receipt of at least one specific coded trigger signal. 20 In one preferred embodiment of the invention the terminal is in the form of a static receiver unit, the static receiver unit being 12 pre-programmed with a specific geographical location. For example, a static receiver unit in location A would be programmed to only receive trigger signals coded for terminals based in location. 5 A more preferably, the static receiver unit is a standalone unit. In alternative embodiments, the terminal is in the form of a mobile receiver unit. For example the terminal may be a portable unit that can be carried on a keyring, or the terminal may be incorporated into any appropriate wireless device such 10 as computers, smart-phones, tablets, notebooks and laptops. In further preferred embodiments, the location of the mobile receiver unit can be updated continuously using wireless positioning systems, such as a GPS system or a cellular communication network. 15 In further preferred embodiments the emergency notification terminal is adapted to receive signals from a telecommunications network. In alternative embodiments the emergency notification terminal is adapted to receive signals from a radio broadcast network. 20 According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a terminal substantially as described above, wherein the alert indicator is an alarm indicator actuated to warn of an impending emergency condition.

13 The alarm indicator may be displayed in a number of different ways as would be understood to a person skilled in the art. For example, an alarm may be visually displayed through use of an array light emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar lamps to indicate a 5 predefined set of warning scenarios, through the use of display screens which may either be a display on an individual terminals on both static or mobile receiver units or in public places such as supermarkets and transport stations where the alarm can be visually superimposed or displayed on computer screen or other 10 publically visible monitors. The alarm may also be an audible alarm, with different tones, frequencies, patterns or intensities indicating the nature of an emergency situation, or a test process or other predefined situation. 15 In a further aspect of the invention the alert indicator is a broadcast indicator configured to provide information concerning an impending or preceding emergency condition. The broadcast indicator may be configured in a number of different ways as would be understood by a person skilled in the 20 art. For example, information may be provided using a speaker system that is adapted to relay a warning message/messages spoken by a radio announcer. The speakers may be mounted on individual static terminals, or pre'-existing speaker systems found in public places such as supermarkets and transport 25 stations may be used. When terminals are in the form of mobile 14 receiver units in wireless devices, existing speaker systems associated with the wireless device may be employed to relay the broadcast. The broadcast indicator may also take the form of an 5 alphanumeric display showing emergency information on a single screen, or using a scrolling arrangement, whereby the message can relay instructions to the users. These examples are not intended to be limiting and may be used in combination or with further known methods of relaying information. 10 In preferred embodiments the alarm indicator is actuated followed by the broadcast indicator being actuated after a predetermined period of time from the alarm indicator. This configuration of alert indicators provides an initial warning alarm intended to rouse sleeping or distracted persons and gain 15 their attention, then provides information once the attention of the user has been gained. Preferably the broadcast indicator will be actuated approximately 10 - 60 seconds after the alarm indicator. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, if the 20 alarm indicator is an aural alarm, this will stop before a following aural broadcast can begin. However, in such situations the alarm indicator may switch to a visual indicator and continue to run while a broadcast is being given. Alternatively, an aural 15 alarm may continue to operate while a visual broadcast indicator is in operation. The flexibility in aural/visual alert indicators also allows for the system to be adapted for persons with disabilities such as 5 hearing or visually impaired persons. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency notification terminal substantially as described above, wherein the terminal has a dormant configuration and an alert configuration, wherein the central 10 control element switches the from the dormant configuration to the alert configuration on receipt of at least one coded trigger signal. Preferably the terminal resides in a dormant configuration when it is not required to provide emergency notifications. In such a 15 dormant configuration, the trigger signal receiver may await receipt of a specific coded trigger signal. For example, in a preferred embodiment where a trigger signal is transmitted via radio, the trigger signal receiver may periodically scan a set of one or many radio frequencies for any broadcast trigger signals. 20 Preferably the operation or configuration of the emergency notification terminal is controlled by the type of coded trigger signal received by the trigger signal receiver. Specific coded trigger signals can be employed to selectively activate or change the configuration of the terminal. For 16 example, specific coded trigger signals may incorporate information with respect to the type or urgency of a particular emergency condition in addition to or alternatively a geographical indicator which provides information as to the 5 location at which such an emergency condition is expected to occur. Such information embedded within coded trigger signals can control whether terminals in a number of geographical regions are activated. Preferably a coded trigger signal provides information specific to 10 the type of emergency users are to be warned of. Preferably a coded trigger signal provides information with respect to a geographical region which is to experience an emergency condition. In a preferred embodiment the trigger signal receiver includes a 15 radio frequency receiver. Radio frequency receivers are well known in the art and can be formed from relatively low cost electrical components. This trigger signal receiver may be employed to receive a coded trigger signal which controls the configuration of the emergency 20 notification terminal. Preferably a terminal provided in accordance with the present invention may include a control element formed by a microprocessor. A microprocessor can be used to manage the operation or change in configuration required of the terminal 17 when emergency notifications are to be provided. Such a microprocessor may receive coded trigger signals from the trigger signal receiver and also act to activate any alert indicators as required. 5 The control element may switch the terminal from this dormant configuration to an alert configuration once it receives a specific coded trigger signal which indicates that the current geographical region in which the terminal is located is about to experience an emergency situation. In such an alert 10 configuration the control element can be used to activate at least one alarm indicator to immediately gain the attention of any persons within the vicinity of the terminal. Preferably an emergency notification terminal may include power supply components, with these components varying depending 15 on the specific arrangement or installation type of the terminal. For example, in one embodiment such power supply components may be provided by a battery. In an alternative embodiment power supply components may be provided by connections to the mains power supply of a building. Preferably when a mains 20 power supply is employed the housing of the terminal may also provide a power supply socket for additional electrical appliances, allowing power to be supplied to a further electrical appliance.

18 Preferably, the power supply is a rechargeable energy cell. For example, a solar cell to provide continuous power to the unit, so a replacement power source is not required. In another embodiment the terminal battery may be supplanted 5 by an external module designed to provide power only when the broadcast radio is employed, so as to ensure availability at that time to deliver any information via the terminal audio facility. Preferably an initialisation process may be executed with respect to a terminal prior to the terminal being used to provide 10 emergency notifications. This initialisation process may set the geographical region for which the terminal is to provide alarm notifications, preferably by determining a radio frequency on which transmissions are received for that particular geographical region. However, in other instances such an initialisation 15 process may indicate to the microprocessor or other ancillary memory elements a geographical location code or hierarchal indicator that can be matched to information encoded into received trigger signals. The geographical resolution of the trigger may be set to any 20 level, be that country, region, city/town, suburb, or street. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a trigger signal generator configured to provide coded trigger signals for delivery to a plurality of emergency notification terminals, the trigger signal generator comprising; 19 a) at least one input element configured to receive emergency data, and a trigger signal encoder configured to provide coded trigger signals based on emergency data received from at least one input element, and 5 b) at least one output element configured to provide generated trigger signals directly or indirectly to a emergency notification terminal. Preferably the emergency data comprises a geographical indicator. 10 Preferably the emergency data comprises authorisation information. Preferably the emergency data comprises hierarchal information. In a further preferred embodiment such a trigger signal generator may be located at a radio station. The trigger signals 15 generated may also be transmitted at the same time as or instead of normal radio programming transmitted by the station. As the terminals involved can be tuned to specific radio frequencies, such signal generators may be associated with the radio stations which transmit at the selected tuned frequency. 20 Preferably, the trigger signal generator may use the Radio Data Signal (ROS) or Radio Broadcast Data Signal (ROBS) protocol to 20 generate trigger signals for displaying signal information in FM radio broadcasts. Preferably a trigger signal generator may provide an encoding system which can receive emergency data via an input element 5 or interface, and encode such data to provide a specific coded trigger signal. In a further preferred embodiment the coded trigger signal is formatted in terms of specific audio frequency tones. Tone modulated frequencies may provide such coded trigger signals which in turn are to be broadcast by the radio 10 station involved, for example ROS or Dual Tone Multi Frequency Signalling (DTMF) tones may be used singly, or in combination to activate emergency notification terminals. Preferably such trigger signal generators may embed or encode into trigger signals geographical indicators employed by 15 terminals to determine whether these terminals should enter into their alert configuration. Such trigger signals may also include emergency type information in addition to or alternatively information pertaining to the speed at which alarm notification recipients should take action. 20 Preferably, the geographical indicators sent to the alerting devices are entered as a set of points defining a longitude or latitude value, and may also include a distance from each of those locations.

21 In alternative embodiments the geographical indicator may include a set of longitude and latitude values defining a polygon shape to determine the geographical area to be alerted. In a preferred embodiment the emergency data provided to a 5 trigger signal generator may also include authorisation information. Such authorisation information can be employed to ensure that trigger signals may only be generated by authorised personnel. Such authorisation information allows emergency co ordination organisations to install trigger signal generators at 10 third party radio stations without fear of their equipment being misused by unauthorised personnel. In one embodiment the authorisation information may include a separate authorization message to provide a secure method of authorising the activation of the alert. In use, a trigger signal 15 will provide the geographical alerting information, however the alarm will not activate until the authorising message has been sent and approved. Preferably, the authorising message includes high security encryption. The encryption may use encryption seeds that 20 include (for example) information such as the radio station details, time/date information, and a secure embedded code that is stored in each device, and is not retrievable external to the unit.

22 Sequential message codes may also be used to increase security of the messaging mechanism, and prevent improper use of the system. In a further preferred embodiment, the emergency information 5 provided to the trigger signal generator includes hierarchal information that determines the order in which terminals are activated based on a predetermined hierarchy. Using the hierarchal system terminals may be identified as, for example: 10 * "Public"; in this mode all public devices will be activated. * "Civil Defence"; in this mode only those members with a device with this setting will be activated. This will allow Civil Defence and other emergency members to be placed on standby in case of emergency. This could occur for instance when an 15 earthquake occurs overseas, but 13 it is not yet known if a tsunami has been created. * "Other"; these modes may be set up for any other group, such as police, armed defenders, military, marine, schools etc. Messages intended for these groups would be also filtered 20 geographically, but limited to their hierarchal group. The term "telecommunications network should be taken to mean networks and systems such as computer networks, the Internet, telephone networks, TCP/IP networks, 3G wireless networks and 23 other such networks as would be clear to a person skilled in the art. The term "radio broadcast" should be taken to mean any system of delivering information using the radio frequency spectrum. 5 "Emergency information" should be taken to mean any information associated with an emergency event, for example, times, dates, locations, instructions of how to proceed and civil defence alerts. The term also covers alarms, both aural and visual, and any type of display or notification that can be 10 interpreted to have a specific meaning by a user or recipient of that information. The present invention may provide many potential advantages over the prior art. The present invention allows emergency notification terminals to 15 be located within buildings, homes or other structures where people are likely to be sleeping or unaware of emergencies when they need to be notified. The present invention may also installed within vehicles or be provided with a portable configuration to provide emergency notifications outside of static 20 locations in buildings or structures. Emergency notification terminals may also be embedded or downloaded as software applications onto computers, smart phones tablets and other mobile communications device. This provides a further opportunity for emergency information to be 24 provided to a larger group of people, regardless of whether or not they are close to a static notification terminal. The trigger signals employed can be used to activate only terminals within a geographical region expecting an emergency. 5 Furthermore, when placed in a broadcast configuration such terminals may provide detailed and specific instructions to notification recipients as to what they should do next. Through the provision of trigger signal generators at appropriate broadcast facilities (preferably being radio stations) the present 10 invention may employ existing broadcast networks to implement the methodology of the present invention. Additionally, the use of the Internet for deploying the activation protocol will assist in notifying an even wider audience of an emergency situation. The activation of the alarm indicator, the duration and nature of 15 the alarm, and the activation of an associated radio speaker may be fully in the control of the central control element using the broadcast or telecommunications network. This will ensure that only relevant messages are broadcast, and that available power is conserved for essential use. 20 The emergency notification terminal is configured to be activated by a regulatory authority, so empowered to issue such warnings. The central control element is configured to ensure that only authorised messages can be delivered.

25 The delivery of a notification may be delivered by an existing broadcast radio network. Alternatively, a dedicated radio network for this purpose can also be employed. The emergency notification terminal comprises 5 components to enable automatic or manual notification by the relevant regulatory authority. In another embodiment, the emergency notification terminal can also be physically and electrically attached to an existing smoke alarm to utilise the alarm sounding capability of the smoke 10 alarm, and optionally to power the smoke alarm. In another embodiment, the terminal can incorporate its own circuitry to act as a smoke alarm, thereby reducing the need for e separate smoke alarm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 15 Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block schematic diagram with components employed to provide an emergency notification terminal in 20 accordance with a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 shows a block schematic diagram of components employed to provide a trigger signal generator in accordance with a further embodiment, 26 Figures 3A, 3B, 3C show views of the external housing provided for an emergency notification terminal in two further embodiments; Figure 4 shows a block schematic diagram of a preferred 5 method of the present invention when deployed over a radio broadcast system; Figure 5 shows a block schematic diagram of an alternative method of the present invention when deployed over a telecommunications system; 10 Figures 6A, 6B show a block schematic diagram of an alternative method of the present invention when deployed over a satellite broadcast system; and Figures 6C, 6D show a block schematic diagram of an alternative method of the present invention when deployed over 15 a terrestrial digital broadcast system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a block schematic diagram with components employed to provide a static emergency notification terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The static terminal is 20 pre-programmed with data relevant to its geographic location. As can be seen from figure 1 the terminal 1 comprises a trigger signal receiver formed by an AM/FM radio core 2. An alert 27 indicator is provided by the amplifier and speaker 3 in addition to a further light based alert indicator 4. A central control element is provided by the microprocessor core 5 shown. 5 The radio components 2 are employed to listen for a coded trigger signal which is extracted from radio frequency transmissions via the tone decoder 6. The tone decoder 6 provides the extracted coded trigger signal to the microprocessor 5 to assess whether the geographical information embedded in a 10 trigger signal matches the current geographical location of the terminal. If a geographical match is found the microprocessor 5 will switch the terminal from its current dormant configuration into an alarm configuration and generate an audio alarm signal via the speaker 15 3 in addition to providing an activation signal to the light alarm 4. After a set time period has elapsed the microprocessor 5 will then change the terminal into its broadcast configuration to transmit radio broadcasts of information pertinent to the current 20 emergency condition via the speaker 3. Figure 2 shows a block schematic diagram of components employed to provide a trigger signal generator in accordance with a further embodiment.

28 As can be seen from figure 2 an input element of the trigger signal generator is provided by an Ethernet connection 10. This Ethernet connection provides emergency data to a trigger signal encoder formed by a microprocessor core 11. The 5 microprocessor acts to encode this received emergency data into a tone modulated frequency signal via the DTMF tone generator 12. The DTMF tones generated are subsequently supplied to a broadcast radio station via an output element 13 formed by the transmission feed shown. 10 The microprocessor can be programmed to provide specific coded trigger signals based on the information present within the emergency data it is supplied. This emergency data can result in coded trigger signals conveying information with respect to the geographical region in which an emergency condition is 15 expected, the type of such emergency in addition to the speed at which people should take action. In addition, a proportion of the trigger signals may be generated using the Radio Data Signal (RDS) protocol for displaying signal information in FM radio broadcasts. Furthermore, such emergency data preferably 20 comprises authorisation information or codes which check to ensure that the trigger signal generator is not being misused by unauthorised personnel. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show views of the external housing provided for an emergency notification terminal in two further 25 embodiments.

29 As can be seen from figures 3A and 3B a terminal may be packaged within (as shown in figure 3A) or attached to (as shown in Figure 3C) a housing similar to that normally provided for domestic smoke alarm. This type of packaging system is well 5 known to large numbers of people, and in some instances may also incorporate components to provide a smoke or fire alarm system in addition to the geographically sensitive emergency notification terminal provided. Figure 3C shows an alternative housing configuration for an 10 emergency notification terminal which receives it power supply via a mains power connection from a power supply socket of a building. In such configurations a further electrical appliance may be plugged into a socket provided at the front of the terminal to ensure the power supply socket used by the terminal 15 can still be employed to power additional electrical appliances. Figure 4 shows a preferred method of the invention when operated using a radio broadcast system. When in operation, the method includes the input of emergency information and the generation of a coded signal within the base unit. The coded 20 emergency information is delivered to servers located at radio stations or broadcast facilities and subsequently broadcast to be received by emergency notification terminals adapted to receive information from a radio broadcast system. The receipt of the coded signal actuates the alert indicators and the emergency 25 alarm and/or information is relayed to the user.

30 Figure 5 shows an alternative method of the invention wherein the method is operated using a telecommunications network. Emergency information is input and a trigger signal generated at base unit. The coded emergency information is delivered to a 5 server cluster 26 and delivered via the Internet 27 to mobile emergency notification terminals. The emergency alert indicators are activated and the emergency alarm and/or information is relayed to the user. Further Embodiments 10 Figures 6A, 6B. 6C, 6D shows an alternative method of the invention wherein the method is operated using a satellite or terrestrial digital transmission network. Emergency information is input and a trigger signal generated at base unit 20. The coded emergency information is delivered via a satellite 15 transmission 40 or over a terrestrial digital broadcast network 43 such as Freeview in New Zealand or Australia to mobile emergency notification terminals. The emergency alert indicators of the terminals are activated and the emergency alarm and/or information is relayed to the user. 20 The satellite transmission system works by utilising a DVB-S or DVB-S2 or other suitable satellite radio channel to transmit the activation signal along with a voice channel. When used with a digital terrestrial system the transmission is via DVB-T, DVB-T2 or other suitable terrestrial radio channel to transmit the 25 activation signal along with a voice channel.

31 This is achieved by provisioning a stereo radio channel on either the satellite or terrestrial networks, and using one channel (left) for audio, and the other (right) for signalling. Signalling is implemented using a standard Frequency Shift 5 Keyed (FSK) tone (1200/2400 bps). Because of the errors and in particular with satellite the system provides a mechanism to deliver content to ensure that data is received with integrity. To do this the data is broken up into small packets of 64 bits, and surrounded by a framing structure with SOM, EOM, and 16 bit 10 CRC to check integrity. The protocol provides a degree of repetition that suits the anticipated error rates found on satellite transmission and/or digital terrestrial transmission, and also to suit the reconstitution of the data into an RDS data stream at the receiver end. 15 At the receiver end, an emergency notification receiver, a satellite emergency notification receiver 41, 42 or terrestrial emergency notification receiver 44, 45, as appropriate. The appropriate receiver connects to the appropriate cable either using a splitter or between the Set Top Box (eg. MySky or 20 Freeview) and the aerial / dish on the roof in a pass-through manner. The emergency notification receiver 41, 42, 44, 45 may be an integrated emergency notification receiver terminal 41, 44 having the alert and notification systems built into the receiver.

32 In most cases this is a simple plug in, or screw in installation as described above. The receiver interface contains a receiver for the assigned satellite frequency or terrestrial frequency, and is able to decode the transmission. In one embodiment the 5 receiver may auto tune for the satellite or terrestrial frequency. In an alternate configuration, the emergency notification receiver 42, 45 contains a small low power (approximately 25mW) FM transmitter. The emergency notification receiver 42, 45 then re transmits the signal on an FM channel allocated for low power 10 short range FM transmissions. In NZ it is in the range 107.0 107.9MHz. Similar channels are allocated in all jurisdictions. The emergency notification receivers 42, 45 are capable of selecting from any one of the available channels, allowing the receiver to pick the quietest channel. This is dynamic, so if another 15 transmitter starts up in the available band, the receiver will then chose another channel. When used as a re-transmit emergency notification receiver 42, 45 the other end, the emergency notification terminal 46 which has the same functionality as described above will automatically 20 pick up the FM frequency and will pick up the changed FM frequency as part of normal operation. The emergency notification terminal 46 handles the rescanning in a standard way, by detecting that they no longer have a " emergency notification signal", and then begin a search process 25 to reacquire an active "alert signal" frequency. This involves 33 scanning the FM frequency band and creating a list of all channels that support the "emergency notification signal". This involves detecting for an RDS signal with the appropriate RDS ODA ID allocated to the "emergency notification signal". From 5 that list the channel with the best signal to noise ratio and / or signal strength is selected, unless otherwise instructed as discussed below. In retransmit mode the re-transmit emergency notification receiver 42, 45 sends the voice channel to transmit audio in FM 10 mono mode, and the signalling channel received is decoded and used to create a normal RDS signalling signal, as would normally be sent over a radio station transmission. The emergency notification terminal 46 receives this in a manner identical to the signals being sent via a normal radio station. 15 The retransmit mode allows the emergency notification terminal 46 or multiple emergency notification terminals 46 to be located anywhere in the home or business. In some cases it could allow a small village to have a central FM transmission location, in such a case a higher powered FM signal may be utilised. 20 In a further embodiment the emergency notification terminals 46 may have a frequency management plan included to allow for the overriding of the channel selection described above. This allows the emergency notification terminals 46 for any specified alerting region, to specify a prime frequency to be used, as long 25 as it can be received with a certain acceptable signal level. This 34 could be used for instance is a local area where a local radio station provides more support for on air messaging than a networked station. In some locations the networked station provides higher signal strength, but less support for local 5 messaging on air. In a further embodiment the standalone emergency notification receiver 42, 45 may be connected to or incorporate a higher powered FM transmitter such as a 1W transmitter, public sirens and/or loudspeakers or disability devices for the sight and 10 hearing impaired. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 15 While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Further, the above 20 embodiments may be implemented individually, or may be combined where compatible. Additional advantages and modifications, including combinations of the above embodiments, will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to 25 the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and 35 illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (32)

1. An emergency notification receiver system which comprises: a trigger signal receiver; and 5 an emergency notification terminal, the emergency notification terminal comprising a) at least one alert indicator; and b) a central control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver, 10 wherein the control element actuates the at least one alert indicator on receipt of at least one specific coded trigger signal.

2. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal receiver receives the signal via a satellite transmission. 15

3. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal receiver receives the signal via a terrestrial digital broadcast transmission.

4. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the trigger signal receiver and the 20 emergency notification terminal are integrated in a single unit.

5. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the trigger signal receiver and the emergency notification terminal are separate, and wherein the 37 trigger signal receiver further comprises a transmission system that retransmits the trigger signal and the emergency notification terminal further comprises an emergency notification terminal receiver unit which receives the transmission from the 5 trigger signal receiver.

6. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 5, wherein the signal is retransmitted and received using an FM transmission.

7. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 6, 10 wherein the emergency notification terminal receiver unit can receive other FM transmission transmitting the emergency signal other than those transmission originating from the transmission system of the trigger signal receiver.

8. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of 15 claims 5 to 7, wherein the transmission frequency if selected to minimise the noise ratio of the transmission, and wherein the transmission frequency is periodically reselected to minimise the noise ratio of the transmission.

9. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of 20 claims 5 to 8, wherein the emergency notification terminal receiver unit automatically detects the transmission frequency.

10. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 9, wherein the emergency notification terminal receiver unit 38 automatically detects the transmission frequencies available and selects a preferred frequency from the available frequencies.

11. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the terminal is in the form of a static 5 receiver unit, the static receiver unit being pre-programmed with a specific geographical location.

12. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 11, wherein the geographic location of the emergency notification terminal can be updated continuously using wireless positioning 10 systems.

13. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 12, where in the wireless positioning system is a global positioning system (GPS) or cellular communication network.

14. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of 15 claims 1 to 13 wherein the emergency notification terminal is adapted to additionally receive signals from a telecommunications network.

15. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the alert indicator is an alarm indicator 20 actuated to warn of an impending emergency condition.

16. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the alert indicator is a broadcast 39 indicator configured to provide information concerning an impending or preceding emergency condition.

17. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 15 wherein in use, an alarm indicator is actuated followed by a 5 broadcast indicator being actuated after a predetermined period of time from the alarm indicator.

18. The emergency notification receiver system of claim 16 wherein the broadcast indicator will be actuated approximately 10-60 seconds after the alarm indicator. 10

19. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the operation or configuration of the trigger signal receiver and the emergency notification terminal is controlled by the coded trigger signal received by the trigger signal receiver. 15

20. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the coded trigger signal provides information specific to the type of emergency users are to be warned of.

21. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of 20 claims 1 to 20 wherein the coded trigger signal provides information with respect to a geographical region which is to experience an emergency condition. 40

22. The emergency notification receiver system of any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein an initialisation process is executed with respect to a terminal prior to the terminal being used to provide emergency notifications. 5

23. An emergency notification receiver system which comprises: a trigger signal receiver which receives at least one specific coded trigger signal via a satellite transmission system; and a control element configured to receive a coded trigger 10 signal from the trigger signal receiver and communicate the coded trigger signal to an external device.

24. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the external device is an FM radio transmitter and wherein the FM radio transmitter further communicates the 15 coded trigger signal.

25. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the external device is siren or loudspeaker and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. 20

26. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the external device is a device for the hearing or sight impaired and the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal. 41

27. An emergency notification receiver system which comprises: a trigger signal receiver which receives at least one specific coded trigger signal via a terrestrial digital broadcast 5 transmission; and a control element configured to receive a coded trigger signal from the trigger signal receiver and communicate the coded trigger signal to an external device

28. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in 10 claim 27 wherein the external device is an FM radio transmitter and wherein the FM radio transmitter further communicates the coded trigger signal.

29. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the external device is siren or loudspeaker and 15 the control element activating the siren or loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal.

30. An emergency notification receiver system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the external device is a device for the hearing or sight impaired and the control element activating the siren or 20 loudspeaker on receipt of an alert in the coded trigger signal.

31. The emergency notification terminal substantially as described herein and with reference to the figures. 42

32. The method of activating an emergency notification terminal substantially as described. 5