KR20080016868A - Apparatus having an emergency alert function that facilitates location selection - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (20) such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device provides an emergency alert function that facilitates user selection of geographical locations to ensure proper notification of emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus (20) includes a memory (27) operative to store data that enables a setup process of the emergency alert function. A processor (27) is operatively coupled to the memory (27). The processor (27) is operative to use the data to enable display of a first list including a plurality of locations. The processor (27) receives a first user input selecting a first one of the locations. The processor (27) identifies at least one transmitter (10) serving the first location and enables display of a second list responsive to the first user input. The second list includes at least one of the locations served by the at least one transmitter (10) other than the first location, and does not include the locations not served by the at least one transmitter (10).

Description

A device having an emergency alert function that facilitates location selection

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to devices such as television signal receivers, radios or other devices having emergency alert functions, and in particular to provide an emergency alert function that facilitates user selection of a geographical location to ensure proper notification of emergency events. An apparatus and method are provided.

Emergency events such as severe weather, natural disasters, fires, domestic emergencies, war actions, toxic chemical spills, radioactive leaks, or other such conditions are difficult for unprepared individuals to deal with. For weather-related emergencies, agencies such as the US Meteorological Administration (NWS) and the US Marine Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are typically able to detect severe weather conditions prior to public disclosure. Modern weather detection devices, such as Doppler radar and weather satellites, allow NWS and NOAA to issue advance warning of severe life-saving, severe weather conditions. However, for such alerts to be effective, these must be communicated to the intended recipients.

Certain devices can receive emergency alert signals provided by sources such as NWS and NOAA and provide emergency alert functionality using specific area message encoding (SAME) technology. By selecting an item that includes one or more geographic locations of interest, and one or more types of emergency events that activate the emergency alert feature, devices using SAME technology typically require the user to perform a setup process for the emergency alert feature. . Once the setup process is complete, the emergency alert function is activated if an incoming emergency alert signal comprising SAME data indicates the occurrence of an emergency event corresponding to the geographic location (s) and emergency event type selected by the user during the setup process. Is activated. When the emergency alert function is activated, alarm outputs such as audio and / or visual messages may be provided to alert individuals to an alarm event.

In a conventional apparatus having an emergency alert function using SAME technology, the above-mentioned setup process for the emergency alert function can be problematic for users. In particular, users may have the wrong idea that by selecting a particular geographic location, they will actually receive notification of an emergency event at these locations. For example, a user may wish to select a location in a remote location and receive notification of an emergency event at these locations. However, if the NOAA transmitter only broadcasts an emergency alert signal to a limited range of locations, the user may not receive any notification of the emergency event at a particular selected location.

Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus and method for addressing the problem and thus providing an emergency alert function that facilitates user selection of a geographic location to ensure proper notification of an emergency event. The present invention addresses these and / or other issues.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus having an emergency alert function is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises memory means for storing data which enables the setup process of the emergency alert function. The processing means uses the data to enable the display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations. The processing means receives a first user input for selecting a first one of the locations. The processing means identifies at least one transmitter serving the first location and enables display of the second list in response to the first user input. The second list includes at least one of the locations served by at least one transmitter other than the first location and does not include a location not served by the at least one transmitter.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for providing a setup process for an emergency alert function of a device is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method may include displaying a first list comprising a plurality of locations, receiving a first user input of selecting a first location of the locations, and in response to the first user input. Identifying at least one transmitter serving the first location, and enabling display of the second list in response to the first user input, the second list being at least one transmitter other than the first location It includes at least one of the locations served by and does not include a location not served by the at least one transmitter.

According to another aspect of the invention, a television signal receiver having an emergency alert function is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a memory operative to store data that facilitates the setup process of the emergency alert function. The processor is operatively coupled to the memory. The processor is operative to use the data to enable display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations. The processor receives a first user input for selecting a first one of the locations. The processor identifies at least one transmitter serving the first location and enables display of the second list in response to the first user input. The second list includes at least one of the locations served by at least one transmitter other than the first location, and does not include a location not served by the at least one transmitter.

With reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-mentioned or other features and advantages of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them will become more apparent, and the present invention will be better understood. .

1 illustrates an example of an environment suitable for implementing the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of an apparatus having an emergency alert function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps for providing an emergency alert function.

4 is a flowchart illustrating steps to facilitate user selection of a geographic location in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 shows an example of an on-screen menu suitable for use in carrying out the steps of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an example of another on-screen menu suitable for use in carrying out the steps of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an example of another on-screen menu suitable for use in carrying out the steps of FIG. 4.

The examples presented herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and such examples should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, an example of an environment 100 suitable for implementing the present invention is shown. In FIG. 1, the environment 100 may include signal transmission means, such as one or more signal transmitters 10, dwelling units 15, ie 1,2,3, N, where N is any positive integer. Dwelling means, and signal receiving means such as apparatus 20.

In FIG. 1, the dwelling unit 15 includes, for example, a particular continent, country, region, state, area code, postal code, city, county, municipality, subdivision and / or other definable geographical location. Representation of residence, business, and / or other dwelling places located within a particular geographic location, including but not limited to these. According to an embodiment, each dwelling unit 15 has at least one device 20 with an emergency alert function. The device 20 may be embodied as any type of device having an emergency alert function, such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device. According to the present invention, the emergency alert function enables, among other things, the device 20 to receive an emergency alert signal and provide one or more alert outputs to notify individuals of an emergency event.

According to an embodiment, the signal transmitter (s) 10 transmit a signal comprising audio, video and / or emergency alert signals that may be received by each device 20. Each of the one or more signal transmitters 10 broadcast such signals only to a limited range of geographic locations. According to an embodiment, the emergency alert signal may be provided from an organization such as an NWS, or from another organization such as a government entity. The signal transmitter (s) 10 may transmit the emergency alert signal in its original form provided by the agency, attach digital data indicative of the emergency alert signal to other data, or in a manner appropriate to its particular transmission format request. Can be modified. In response to the emergency alert signal, each device 20 provides one or more alert outputs to notify individuals of an emergency event. The signal transmitter (s) 10 may be any wired, including but not limited to terrestrial, cable, satellite, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL) and / or any other type of broadcast and / or multicast means. And / or transmit a signal to device 20 via a wireless link.

2, a block diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, the apparatus 20 comprises a signal receiving means such as a signal receiving element 21, a tuning means such as a tuner 22, a demodulation means such as a demodulator 23, an audio amplifying means such as an audio amplifier 24, Audio output means such as speaker 25, decoding means such as decoder 26, processing means and memory means such as processor and memory 27, video processing means such as video processor 28, and display 29 Same visual output means. Some of the components can be implemented using, for example, an integrated circuit (IC). For clarity of explanation, certain conventional components associated with the apparatus 20, such as specific control signals, power signals, and / or other components, may not be shown in FIG.

The signal receiving element 21 is operative to receive signals including audio, video and / or emergency alert signals from signal sources such as the signal transmitter (s) 10 of FIG. According to an embodiment, the received audio signal comprises a digitally encoded emergency alert signal. According to another embodiment, the emergency alert signal may be received as a separate data packet in a digital transmission system. The signal receiving element 21 may be embodied as any signal receiving element such as an antenna, an input terminal or another element.

The tuner 22 is operative to tune a channel that provides a signal including audio, video and / or emergency alert signals. According to an embodiment, the tuner 22 may tune channels corresponding to at least the following specified NWS frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz. Such channels can provide an audio signal including a digitally encoded emergency alert signal. The tuner 22 may tune other frequency channels, including those used for terrestrial, cable, satellite and / or other transmissions.

Demodulator 23 operates to demodulate a signal provided from tuner 22 and can demodulate the signal in an analog and / or digital transmission format. According to an embodiment, demodulator 23 demodulates the audio signal to produce a demodulated audio signal representing the audio content, such as an NWS audio message, a warning alert tone and / or other audio content. The audio amplifier 24 operates to amplify the audio signal output from the demodulator 23 in response to one or more control signals provided from the processor 27. The speaker 25 is operative to audibly output the amplified audio signal provided from the audio amplifier 24.

Decoder 26 operates to decode signals including audio, video and / or emergency alert signals. According to an embodiment, decoder 26 extracts a digitally encoded frequency shift keyed (FSK) signal representing an emergency alert signal representing an emergency event by decoding the audio signal. Decoder 26 may perform other decoding functions, such as decoding data indicative of an emergency alert signal included in the vertical blanking interval VBI of the analog television signal.

According to an embodiment, the emergency alert signal includes data comprising SAME data associated with the emergency event. The SAME data contains digital codes that represent information such as the specific geographic location enabled by the emergency event, the type of emergency event (e.g., tornado warning, radioactive hazard warning, domestic emergency, etc.) and the expiration time of the event alert. Include. SAME data is used by NWS and others to improve the limit of emergency alerts and to reduce the frequency of fault alerts. Other data and information may also be included in the emergency alert in accordance with the present invention.

The processor and memory 27 operate to perform various processing and data storage functions of the device 20. According to an embodiment, the processor 27 receives an emergency alert signal from the decoder 26 and determines whether the emergency alert function of the device 20 is activated based on the data contained in the emergency alert signal. According to the present embodiment, the processor 27 compares the data of the emergency alert signal with the user setup data stored in the memory 27 to determine whether the emergency alert function is activated. As will be described later herein, the setup process for the emergency alert function of the device 20 may include the geographic location (s) applicable to the user, and the type (s) of the emergency event that activates the emergency alert function (eg, Items such as tornado caution, radiation hazard warning, domestic emergency, etc.).

When the emergency alert function of the device 20 is activated, the processor 27 outputs one or more control signals that enable various operations. According to an embodiment, such control signals enable one or more alarm outputs (eg, hearing and / or initiation) to notify individuals of an emergency event. Such control signals enable other operations of the device 20, such as switching the device from the off / standby mode to the on mode.

The processor and memory 27 operate to perform or enable other operations associated with the emergency alert function of the device 20. In accordance with the present invention, the processor 27 operates to perform or enable steps to facilitate user selection of the geographic location during the above mentioned setup process of the emergency alert function. The memory 27 is operatively coupled to the processor 27 and stores data that enables the setup process of the emergency alert function. According to an embodiment, the processor 27 uses the data stored in the memory 27 to enable the display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations during the setup process. The user then selects the first location from the first list via user input to the device 20 received by the processor 27 (eg, using a remote control device not shown in the figure). In response to this user input, processor 27 uses the data stored in memory 27 to identify at least one signal transmitter 10 (see FIG. 1) serving the first location and display an indication of the second list. Make it possible. This second list includes at least one of the locations served by the at least one signal transmitter 10 in addition to the first location and does not include those locations not served by the at least one signal transmitter 10. Further, according to the exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 is operable to detect signal strength on the channel tuned by the tuner 22 and to enable output of a predetermined message when the detected signal strength is below a predetermined threshold level. do. Further details of the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention will be provided later here.

Video processor 28 is operative to process signals including video signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, such video signals may include embedded messages such as NWS text messages and / or other messages that provide details related to emergency events. Video processor 28 may include closed caption circuitry to enable closed caption display.

Display 29 operates to provide a visual indication. According to an exemplary embodiment, display 29 provides a visual indication comprising the above-mentioned message providing details related to the emergency event. Display 29 includes a viewable display panel having one or more indicator elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, liquid quartz display (LQD) devices, and / or other devices. Such indicator elements include highlighted indicators such as conventional light used as monochrome and / or color indicators, plasma display indicators, and / or consumer electronics indicators, and are designed for example for wall and / or desk displays. It may be placed away from the device 20, such as on a portable (eg, non-constrained) light panel. This allows various LED, LCD, LQD, plasma and / or cathode ray tube (CRT) devices to include indicator elements for emergency alert functionality as part of, or as part of, the entire visual data field. For example, the indicator element may be highlighted as part of the visual data being displayed on the LCD panel playing the recorded video content, such as content from a DVD or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a flowchart 300 illustrating examples of steps for providing an emergency alert function. For purposes of illustration and description, the steps of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the apparatus 20 of FIG. 2. The steps in FIG. 3 are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

In step 310, a setup process for the emergency alert function of the device 20 is performed. According to an exemplary embodiment, this setup is provided by the user in response to an on-screen menu displayed via the display 29 (eg, using a remote control device not shown in the figure). Perform the process. According to an example embodiment, the user may select at least the following items during the setup process in step 310.

A. Enable / Disable -The user can choose whether to enable or disable the emergency alert function.

B. Geographic Location -The user can select one or more geographic locations of interest. For example, a user may select a particular continent, country, region, state, region code, postal code, city, county, municipality, subdivision, and / or other definable geographic location. According to an example embodiment, such geographic location (s) may be indicated by a location code, such as a federated information processing standard (FIPS) location code. The present invention facilitates user selection of geographical locations to ensure proper notification of emergency events. In addition, the present invention selects a channel to be monitored for an emergency alert signal based on a user's selection of one or more geographical locations. More details on the selection of geographical locations and monitoring of channels will be provided below in this specification with reference to FIG. 4.

C. Event Type -The user may select one or more types of emergency events to activate the emergency alert function. For example, a user may indicate that an event such as a city emergency, radioactive hazard warning, and / or typhoon alert has activated an emergency alert, and an event such as a thunderstorm alert may not. The user may also select whether the typical alert audio tone and / or other alert mechanism provided by the NWS activates the emergency alert function. In accordance with the present invention, different severity or alert levels (eg, name, alert, alert, etc.) may represent different “events”. For example, a thunderstorm boundary may be considered an event different from a thunderstorm warning.

D. Alarm Output -The user may select one or more alarm outputs provided when the emergency alarm function is activated. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may choose to have a visual and / or audio output provided for each type of emergency event that activates the emergency alert function. For example, a user may choose to display a visual message (eg, an NWS text message as a closed caption display), and / or tune the device 20 to a particular channel. Further, for example, the user may choose to acoustically output warning tones (eg chimes, sirens, etc.) and / or audio messages (eg NWS audio messages) and each desired volume. Other types of alarm output may also be provided in accordance with the present invention.

According to the present invention, other menu selections may also be provided in step 310, and / or some of the menu selections described above may be omitted. Data corresponding to the user's selection during the setup process of step 310 is stored in the memory 27.

In step 320, the device 20 monitors a particular channel via the tuner 22 to receive an emergency alert signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, the device 20 can operate in any mode of operation, including, for example, when the device 20 is turned on or off, and / or during playback of recorded audio and / or video content. Can monitor channels and receive emergency alert signals.

In step 330, it is determined whether the emergency alert function of the device 20 is activated. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 makes this determination by comparing the data contained in the incoming emergency alert signal with the data stored in the memory 27. As pointed out herein above, the emergency alert signal includes the type of emergency event (eg, tornado warning, radioactive hazard warning, domestic emergency, etc.) and the specific geographic location (s) affected by the emergency event. It may include data such as SAME data indicating information to be described. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 compares this SAME data with the corresponding user setup data stored in the memory 27 (ie, items B and C of step 310) to determine whether the emergency alert function is activated. Determine. As such, the emergency alert function of the device 20 allows the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signal to (1) any geographic location (s) selected by the user for item B of step 310 and (2) the item of step 310. Activated if it corresponds to any event type (s) selected by the user for C.

If the determination at step 330 is negative, the process flow loops back to step 320, where tuner 22 continues to monitor the channel for emergency alert signals. Alternatively, if the determination at step 330 is affirmative, the process flow proceeds to step 340 where the device 20 notifies individuals of the emergency event by providing one or more alert outputs.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 enables one or more alarm outputs at step 340 (ie, item D) at the user's choice during the setup process of step 310 (ie, item D), and such alarm outputs are auditory in nature. It may be visual. For example, an auditory output, such as a warning tone and / or an NWS audio message, is provided in step 340 via the speaker 25, and the volume of that auditory output is controlled in accordance with the volume level set by the user during the setup process of step 310. Can be. The visual output is provided via display 29 at step 340 to notify individuals of an emergency event. According to an exemplary embodiment, an auxiliary information display such as an NWS text message (eg, closed caption display) and / or video output from a particular channel may cause display 29 under control of processor 27 in step 340. Can be provided through.

According to another embodiment, the alert output (s) provided in step 340 may be based on the severity or alert level of a particular emergency event. For example, an emergency event can be classified into one of three different alert level categories, such as statement, caution, and warning. In such a classification scheme, an alarm output for an emergency event of level 1 or announcement level may be provided by non-mandatory notification means, such as a blinking LED, since this is a less serious type of emergency event. The alert output for emergency events at level 2 or alert level may have some audio component type (eg, radio message). Alarm output for emergency events at level 3 or warning level may be provided by a siren or other type of alarm since this is the most severe type of emergency event. Other types of auditory and / or visual alert outputs other than those explicitly described herein may be provided in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is a flowchart 400 illustrating steps for facilitating user selection of a geographic location in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 4 provides additional details regarding item B of step 310 in FIG. 3. For purposes of illustration and description, the steps of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the environment 100 of FIG. 1 and the device 20 of FIG. 2. The steps in FIG. 4 are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

In step 410, the user selects a first list from a list that includes a plurality of locations. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 enables the display of a list comprising a plurality of locations via the display 29 using data stored in the memory 27. An example of such a list is shown as the on-screen menu 500 of FIG. 5. For purposes of illustration and description, assume that the on-screen menu 500 of FIG. 5 includes a complete list of all geographic locations associated with the emergency alert function of the device 20. As shown in FIG. 5, each location is represented as a state and county in the list, and includes an associated FIPS code and transmitter. From this list, the user selects the first location at step 410 by providing input to apparatus 20 (eg, using a remote control device not shown in the figures). According to an exemplary embodiment, the first location selected in step 410 corresponds to the location where the user and device 20 are physically located.

In step 420, the device 20 identifies all transmitters 10 serving all selected locations. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 uses the data stored in the memory 27 to identify at least one transmitter 10 at step 420. Thus, in response to the user selecting the first location at step 410, the processor 27 identifies the particular transmitter (s) 10 serving the first location at step 420. As a first example, if the user selects Indiana Boone County as the first location in step 410, the processor 27 identifies Indiana Indianapolis in step 420 because this is the only transmitter serving Indiana Boone County. (See Figure 5). As a second example, if the user selects Indiana Benton County as the first location in step 410, the processor 27 identifies the Indiana Lafayette / Yeoman transmitter and the Illinois Crescent City transmitter in step 420, which are both This is because it serves Indiana Benton County (see FIG. 5).

In step 430, the device 20 enables the display of another list that includes all locations served by any transmitter 10 identified in step 420. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 enables display of the list on the display 29 using data stored in the memory 27 in step 430. According to the above described first example where the user selects Indiana Boone County as the first location in step 410, the list displayed in step 430 only includes Indiana Decatur County and Indiana Delaware County, which are served by Indiana Indianapolis. Because there are only two locations that are (see FIG. 5). 6 shows an on-screen menu 600 listing these two locations according to this first example. According to the second example described above where the user selects Indiana Benton City as the first location in step 410, the list displayed in step 430 includes only Indiana Carroll County, Indiana Cass County, Indiana Clinton County, and Illinois Ford County. This is because these are four locations served by Indiana, Lafayette / Yeoman transmitters or Illinois Crescent City transmitters (see FIG. 5). 7 shows an on-screen menu 700 listing these four locations according to this second example.

In step 440, the user determines whether to select an additional location from the list displayed in step 430 (assuming at least one additional location exists). If at least one additional location exists and the user determines to select an additional location at step 440, the process flow proceeds to step 450 where the user selects another location from the list displayed at step 430.

According to the above described first example in which the user selects Indiana Boone County as the first location in step 410, the user may select Indiana Decatur County or Indiana Delaware County in step 450 (see FIG. 6). After the user selects one of these additional locations in step 450, the process flow loops back to step 420 and the previously described steps are repeated. In this first example, the user finally selects the remaining location (ie Indiana Decatur County or Indiana Delaware County) if step 450 is repeated again, where these locations are the same as the first location selected in step 410. This is because it is served by a transmitter (ie Indiana Indianapolis transmitter).

According to the second example described above where the user selects Indiana Benton County as the first location in step 410, the user may select Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County, Indiana Clinton County, or Illinois Ford County in step 450 (FIG. 7). After the user selects one of these additional locations in step 450, the process flow loops back to step 420 and the previously described steps are repeated. In this second example, if the user selects any of Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County or Indiana Clinton County in step 450, the user is prevented from later selecting Illinois Ford County if step 450 is read back. This is because Illinois Ford County is served by a different transmitter than Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County and Indiana Clinton County. However, the remaining locations in Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County or Indiana Clinton County may be selected later if step 450 is repeated, since these locations are all served by the same transmitter (ie Indiana Lafayette / Yeoman transmitter). Because. Conversely, in this second example, if the user selects Illinois Ford County in step 450, the user is prevented from selecting any additional location in step 450 (i.e., any additional location exists in step 440). This is because Illinois Ford County is served by a different transmitter than Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County, and Indiana Clinton County.

If the user decides to never select an additional location in step 440 (or no additional location exists), the process flow proceeds to step 460 to the particular transmitter 10 where the tuner 22 serves all selected locations. Tune the corresponding channel. According to the first example described above in which the user selects Indiana Boone County as the first location in step 410, the tuner 22 determines whether 162.550 MHz (in step 460), regardless of whether any additional location is selected in step 450. Tune to the corresponding channel, since only one transmitter (i.e. Indiana Indianapolis transmitter) serves Indiana Boone County. According to the above-described second example in which the user selects Indiana Benton County as the first location in step 410, if the user selects any of Indiana Caroll County, Indiana Cass County, or Indiana Clinton County in step 450, the tuner 22 tunes to a channel corresponding to 162.475 MHz (see FIG. 5) in step 460. Conversely, if the user selects Illinois Ford County in step 450, tuner 22 tunes to a channel corresponding to 162.500 MHz (see FIG. 5).

According to an exemplary embodiment, each time tuner 22 tunes to a particular channel at step 460, processor 27 detects signal strength on the channel, and the detected signal strength is a predetermined threshold level (as a matter of design choice). In this case, a predetermined message can be outputted. The predetermined message, for example, instructs the user to select a better antenna to improve signal reception. In addition, in the case where one or more transmitters 10 serve all selected locations in FIG. 4, the tuner 22 tunes the channel with the highest signal strength in step 460. This occurs in the case of the second example described above where the user selects Indiana Benton County as the first location in step 410. In particular, if Indiana Benton County is served by two different transmitters (ie, Indiana Lafayett / Yeoman transmitter and Illinois Crescent City transmitter—see FIG. 5), the user selects Indiana Benton County as the first location in step 410 and If in step 440 it is determined not to select any additional locations, the tuner 22 tunes to a channel corresponding to the transmitter 10 providing the highest signal strength in step 460. In this example, tuner 22 tunes to the stronger of the channel corresponding to 162.475 MHz (ie, Indiana Lafayette / Yeoman transmitter), or the channel corresponding to 162.500 MHz (ie, Illinois Crescent City transmitter).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may ignore the step of FIG. 4 to limit user selection of the second location for the emergency alert function. For example, even if a user does not receive notification of an emergency event at these locations, the user may provide a predetermined input to the device 20 that allows the user to select any location. As such, ignoring the step of FIG. 4 may be necessary, for example, when certain data stored in memory 27 is outdated or there is no other practical way to update such data.

As described herein, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing an emergency alert function that facilitates user selection of a geographic location to ensure proper notification of an emergency event. The present invention is applicable to various apparatuses, with or without an integrated display device. Thus, the phrase “television signal receiver” as used herein refers to a television set, a computer or monitor comprising an integrated display device, and a set-top box, video cassette recorder (VCR), DVD player, video game box, personal video recorder. (PVR), refers to a system or apparatus that can receive and process television signals, including but not limited to a computer or other apparatus that does not include an integrated display device.

Although the present invention has been described as having a good design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, such an application is intended to cover any variation, use, or adaptation of the invention using its general principles. Moreover, such an application is intended to cover any new developments from the present disclosure that fall within the well-known or customary practice of the art, to which the invention pertains and which is within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

As an apparatus 20 having an emergency alert function, Memory means (27) for storing data enabling the setup process of the emergency alert function; And Processing means 27 for enabling the display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations using said data, The processing means 27 receives a first user input for selecting a first one of the locations, The processing means 27 identifies at least one transmitter 10 serving the first location and enables display of a second list in response to the first user input, The second list includes at least one of the locations served by the at least one transmitter 10 in addition to the first location, and does not include the location not served by the at least one transmitter 10. Don't device. The method of claim 1, The processing means 27 receives a second user input for selecting a second one of the locations from the second list, Said processing means (27) identify at least one transmitter (10) serving said first and second locations in response to said second user input. The method of claim 2, And tuning means (22) for tuning a channel corresponding to the at least one transmitter (10) serving the first and second locations. The method of claim 3, The processing means (27) detects signal strength on the channel and enables output of a predetermined message when the signal strength is below a predetermined level. The method of claim 3, The tuning means 22 tunes the channel to receive an emergency alert signal indicative of an emergency event, And said processing means (27) enables an alarm output in response to said emergency alert signal when said emergency event corresponds to a user selected event type and at least one of said first and second locations. The method of claim 5, Wherein the first and second locations each have an associated FIPS code. A method (400) for providing a setup process for an emergency alert function of a device, Enabling display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations; Receiving (410) a first user input of selecting a first one of the locations; Identifying (420) at least one transmitter serving the first location in response to the first user input; And Enabling display of a second list in response to the first user input (430) Including, The second list includes at least one of the locations served by the at least one transmitter, in addition to the first location, and does not include the location not served by the at least one transmitter. The method of claim 7, wherein Receiving (450) a second user input of selecting a second one of the locations from the second list; And Identifying 420 at least one transmitter serving the first and second locations in response to the second user input How to include more. The method of claim 8, Tuning (460) a channel corresponding to the at least one transmitter serving the first and second locations. The method of claim 9, Detecting a signal strength on the channel and enabling output of a predetermined message when the signal strength is below a predetermined level. The method of claim 9, Receiving an emergency alert signal indicative of an emergency event over the channel; And Enabling an emergency output in response to the emergency alert signal if the emergency event corresponds to a user selected event type and at least one of the first and second locations. How to include more. The method of claim 11, Wherein the first and second locations each have an associated FIPS code. As a television signal receiver 20 having an emergency alert function, A memory 27 operative to store data enabling the setup process of the emergency alert function; And A processor 27 operatively coupled to the memory, the processor 27 operative to enable display of a first list comprising a plurality of locations using the data Including, The processor 27 receives a first user input for selecting a first one of the locations, The processor 27 identifies at least one transmitter 10 serving the first location, enables display of a second list in response to the first user input, The second list includes at least one of the locations served by the at least one transmitter 10 in addition to the first location, and does not include the location not served by the at least one transmitter 10. Does not have a television signal receiver. The method of claim 13, The processor 27 receives a second user input for selecting a second one of the locations from the second list, The processor (27) identifies at least one transmitter (10) serving the first and second locations in response to the second user input. The method of claim 14, And a tuner (22) operable to tune a channel corresponding to said at least one transmitter (10) serving said first and second locations. The method of claim 15, The processor (27) detects signal strength on the channel and enables output of a predetermined message when the signal strength is below a predetermined level. The method of claim 15, The tuner 22 tunes the channel to receive an emergency alert signal indicative of an emergency event, And the processor (27) enables an alarm output in response to the emergency alert signal if the emergency event corresponds to a user selected event type and at least one of the first and second locations. The method of claim 17, And the first and second locations each have an associated FIPS code.

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