MXPA05010596A - Apparatus having an emergency alert function with single button control - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (20) such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device provides an emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus (20) includes a tuner (22) for tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor (27) enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals. A single user input button (30) receives tactile user inputs to control the emergency alert function. The single user input button (30) is the only tactile user input means integral with the apparatus (20) that is capable of controlling the emergency alert function.

Description

APPARATUS THAT HAS AN EMERGENCY ALERT FUNCTION WITH INDIVIDUAL BUTTON CONTROL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally related to devices such as television signal receivers, radios or other devices that have an emergency alert function with the ability to alert people to emergency events and more particularly , to an apparatus that has the function of emergency alert that can be controlled by users with the use of a single button.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Emergency events such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, fires, civil emergencies, terrorist acts, spills of toxic chemicals, radiation leaks or other conditions can be devastating for unprepared people. With weather-related emergencies, authorities such as the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) usually have the ability to detect hazardous weather conditions before the general public. With the use of weather modem detection devices, such as Doppler radar and climate satellites, the NWS and NOOA have the ability to issue timely warnings about dangerous weather conditions, which has saved many lives. However, for the warnings to be effective, they must be communicated to the appropriate recipients. Certain devices have the ability to receive emergency warning signals provided by sources such as NWS and NOOA, and provide an emergency alert function with the use of a Specific Area Message Coding (SAME) technology. Devices that use SAME technology typically require an adjustment process for the emergency alert function when selecting items as one or more geographic areas of interest, and one or more types of emergency events that activate the alert function of emergency. Once the adjustment process is completed, the emergency alert function can be activated when the incoming emergency alert signals including SAME data indicate the presence of an emergency event that corresponds to the geographical area and the type of emergency event. emergency selected by the user during the adjustment process. When the emergency alert function is activated, an alert output can be provided as a visual and / or audible message to alert people of the emergency event. Certain devices that use technology as technology SAME may include a plurality of input buttons and lights associated with the emergency alert function. For example, certain television signal receivers manufactured by Thomson Inc. provide an emergency alert function with the use of a system known as Alert Guard ™, which includes three user input buttons and four light-emitting diodes ( LED) on its front panel assembly (FPA). These three user input buttons include labels such as "view message", "hear voice" and "stop alarm" and can be manipulated by users to control certain functions associated with the Aiert Guard ™ system. The four LEDs also have labels such as "ready", "warning", "sighting", and "alarm" and can be illuminated to indicate the severity or alert level of emergency events. The inclusion of multiple user input buttons and lights in the FPA of an apparatus for an emergency alert function in the manner described above may be inconvenient for several reasons. For example, multiple user input buttons and lights can make the emergency alert function more difficult for users to operate. In particular, users may be confused with the buttons they must use in order to control various aspects of the emergency alert function. As well, for certain devices, such as low-volume, high-end television signal receivers, the inclusion of multiple user input buttons and lights in the FPA can be prohibitive based on costs. In particular, since television signal receivers are produced in relatively low volumes, any manufacturing cost, such as one needed to adapt the plurality of buttons and additional lights, can be prohibitive. In addition, the feature to market the keyboard of such high-end television signal receivers is that it must be clean, attractive front-panel appearance and not be filled with multiple buttons and lights. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that has an emergency alert function that avoids the above problems, and thus provides, among other things, an improved means to control the emergency alert function. The present invention described addresses these and other problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus having an emergency alert function is presented. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tuning means for tuning a channel frequency that provides the emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processing means enables an alert output that responds to emergency warning signals. A single user input button is provided to receive the user's touch inputs to control the emergency alert function. The user's only input button is the user's only touch input means integrated with the device that has the ability to control the emergency alert function. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an apparatus having an emergency alert function is described. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency warning signals indicating the emergency event, providing an alert output in response to emergency warning signals, and receiving The user's tactile inputs to control the emergency alert function through a single user input button. The user's only input button is the user's only touch input means integrated with the device that has the ability to control the emergency alert function. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a television signal receiver having an emergency alert function. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver comprises a tuner that operates to tune to a channel frequency that provides the emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor that operates to enable an alert output in response to emergency warning signals. A single user input button that operates to receive the user's touch inputs to control the emergency alert function. The user's only input button is the only touch input means integrated with the television signal receiver that has the ability to control the emergency alert function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention and the manner of achieving them will be apparent and this invention will be better understood with reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein : Figure 1 is an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a television signal receiver in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the general operation of the emergency alert function in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a table illustrating the manner in which the user input button of Figure 2 can be programmed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram of a television signal receiver of Figure 2, showing the light contained within the user input button in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a diagram of the light of Figure 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a diagram of the light of Figure 2 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a diagram of the light of Figure 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The examples illustrated herein illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALI With reference now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, an appropriate environment 100 is shown for implementing the invention. In Figure 1, the environment 100 comprises a signal transmission means such as a signal transmission source 10, a detention means such as the detention units 15 (ie, 1, 2, 3 ... N where N can be any positive integer), and a signal receiving means like the television signal receivers. In Figure 1, detention units 15 may represent homes, businesses and / or other places of detention located in a particular geographic area, but not limited to a particular continent, country, region, state, zip code, city, county , municipality, sub-division and / or other definable geographic area. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, each of the detention units 15 is equipped with at least one television signal receiver 20 having an emergency alert function. In accordance with the present invention, the emergency alert function, among other things, allows the television signal receiver 20 to receive emergency warning signals and provide one or more alert outputs to notify people of an emergency event. . For exemplary purposes, the present invention will be described herein with reference to the television signal receiver 20. However, the principles of the present invention can also be used by other devices, such as radios. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the signal transmission source 10 transmits signals that include the audio and / or video emergency alert signals that can be received by each television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, emergency warning signals may be provided from an authority, such as the NWS, or other authorities such as government entities or their like. The signal transmission source 10 can transmit the emergency alert signals in their original form, as offered by the authority, or can attach digital data representative of the emergency alert signals to other data or can modify the warning signals emergency in some appropriate form for your specific broadcast format. In response to emergency warning signals, each television signal receiver 20 can provide one or more warning outputs to notify people about an emergency event. The signal transmission source 10 can transmit such emergency alert signals to the television signal receivers 20 via a wired or wireless link, such as, but not limited to, terrestrial, cable, satellite, fiber optic, subscriber's digital line. (DSL), and / or any other type of transmission and / or transmission medium. With reference to Figure 2, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a television signal receiver 20 of Figure 1 is shown. In Figure 2, the television signal receiver 20 comprises a signal receiving means such as a element 21 signal receiver, a tuner means such as a tuner 22, a demodulation means such as a demodulator 23, an audio amplification means such as the audio amplifier 24, an audio output means such as a speaker 25, a decoding as the decoder 26, a processing means and a memory medium such as the processor and the memory 27, a video processing means such as a video processor 28, a visual output means such as the display 29, an input means of the user as a user input button 30 and a lighting means such as light 31. Some of the above elements can be incorporated, for example, with the use of integrated circuits (IC). For clarity of description, certain conventional elements of the television signal receiver 20 including the control signals may not be shown in Figure 2. The signal receiving element 21 operates to receive signals that include audio signals, video and / or emergency warning signals from the signal sources, such as a signal transmission source 10 in Figure 1. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the received audio signals may include emergency alert signals encoded in digital form. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, emergency warning signals may be received as separate packets of data in a digital transmission system. The signal receiving element 21 can be incorporated as any signal receiving element such as an antenna, an input terminal or other element. The tuner 22 operates to tune signals that include audio, video and / or emergency alert signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, the tuner 22 has the ability to tune audio signals at at least the following frequencies designated by NWS: 162,400 MHz, 162,425 MHz, 162,450 MHz, 162,475 MHz, 162,500 MHz, 162,525 MHz, 162,550 MHz. As indicated here before, audio signals may include emergency warning signals encoded in digital form. The tuner 22 can also tune to other channel frequencies including those used in terrestrial, cable, satellite and / or other transmissions. An audio demodulator 23 operates to demodulate the signals provided from the tuner 22 and can demodulate signals in the analog and / or digital transmission formats. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the demodulator 23 demodulates the audio signals to thereby generate demodulated audio signals that represent the audio content such as an NWS audio message, an emergency alert tone and / or other audio content. The audio amplifier 24 operates to amplify the audio signals emitted from the demodulator 23 in response to one or more control signals provided from the processor 27. The horn 25 operates to audibly output the amplified audio signals provided from the amplifier 24 audio. A decoder 26 operates to decode signals that include audio, video and / or emergency alert signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, the decoder 26 decodes the audio signals in order to extract the digitally encoded frequency-shifted blocked signals (FSK), which represent the emergency warning signals indicating an emergency event. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the decoder 26 decodes digital data representing emergency warning signals indicating an emergency event. The decoder 26 can also perform other decoding functions, such as decoding data representing emergency warning signals included in the vertical blocking interval (VBI) of a television analog signal. In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, emergency alert signals include data comprising specific area message encoded (SAME) data associated with the emergency event. The SAME data comprises a digital code that represents the information such as the specific geographical area affected by the emergency event, the type of emergency event (for example, tornado, spill of toxic chemicals, radiation leak, civil emergency, etc.). ) and the expiration time of the event alert. SAME data is used by NWS and other authorities to improve the specificity of emergency alerts and to decrease the frequency of false alerts. Other data and information may be included in the emergency warning signals according to the present invention. The processor and the memory 27 operate to perform various data processing and storage functions of the television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 receives the emergency alert signals from the decoder 26 and determines whether the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20 is activated based on the data included in the alert signals. of emergency. In accordance with this exemplary modality, the processor 27 compares the data in the emergency alert signals with the user adjustment data stored in the memory 27 to determine whether the emergency alert function is activated. As will be described later, the adjustment process for the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20 allows the user to select items such as applicable geographic areas, and types of emergency events (eg, tornado, leakage of radiation, civil emergency, etc.) that activate the emergency alert function. When the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20 is activated, the processor 27 outputs one or more control signals that enable different operations. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, such control signals enable one or more warning outputs (eg, audible and / or visual) to notify people of an emergency event. The processor 27 may also operate to enable other operations associated with the emergency alerting function of a television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 outputs one or more control signals in response to a user input through the user input button 30 in order to enable one or more operations of the television signal receiver 20. Other details regarding this will be provided in more detail later. The video processor 28 operates to process signals that include video signals. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, such video signals may include embedded messages such as NWS text messages, and / or messages that provide details regarding emergency events. The video processor 28 may include circuitry for subtitles, which allows subtitle displays. The display 29 operates to provide visual displays corresponding to the processed signals provided by the video processor 28. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display 29 can provide visual displays that include the aforementioned messages that provide details regarding the emergency events. The user input button 30 operates to receive the user's touch inputs that control the various operations associated with the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user input button 30 is the user's only touch input means integrated with the television signal receiver 20 having the ability to control the emergency alert function. That is, the user input button 30 is the user's only touch input mem physically connected to the television signal receiver 20 having the ability to control the emergency alert function. However, the emergency alert function can be controlled by the users through a wireless remote control device with the television signal receiver 20.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user input button 30 may be located in the FPA of a television signal receiver 20. In this way, the user's input button 30 provides users with a conventional means to control the emergency alert function, which offers the clean, thin and uncharged appearance for the FPA of the television signal receiver 20. As indicated above, an FPA that has a clean, thin and uncharged appearance may be important for the commercialization characteristic of high-end television signal receivers. In addition, the inclusion of a single button to control the emergency alert function can reduce manufacturing costs associated with the production of the television signal receiver 20. Also in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user input button 30 operates as an alternate switch having a plurality of states. For exemplary purposes, the user input button 30 will be described as having two states, although those skilled in the art will understand that the user input button 30 may be implemented with more than two states. The user input button 30 can also be programmed by the user during the tuning process for the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20. In this way, users can define the functionality to be provided by the user's input button 30.

Other details related to the user input button 30 will be provided later. The light 31 operates to provide visual outputs that include visual outputs associated with the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the light 31 operates to illuminate the user input button 30 based on the severity or alert levels of the emergency events (ie, warning, sighting, alarm, etc.) as indicates by the emergency warning signals received. As will be described later, the light 31 may illuminate the user input button 30 with the use of several predetermined color schemes. In this way, light 31 can communicate information in an effective manner associated with the emergency alert function for users, including information related to the severity or alert levels of emergency events. The light 31 may be contained within the structure of the user's input button 30, or may be separate from the user's input button 30 and may be incorporated, for example, with the use of one or more LEDs and / or other elements of the user. illumination. Referring now to Figure 3, a flow diagram 300 illustrates the general operation of the emergency alert function in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, the steps of Figure 3 will be described with reference to a television signal receiver 20 of Figure 2. The steps of Figure 3 are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention to no sense. In step 310, the adjustment process by the user for the emergency alerting function of the television signal receiver 20 can be carried out. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a user may carry out the adjustment process by providing inputs to a television signal receiver 20 (eg, with the use of a remote control device not shown) in response to a menu in screen displayed through the display 29. Such on-screen menu may for example be part of an electronic program guide (EPG) function of the television signal receiver 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user may select at least one of the following items during the adjustment process of step 310: A. Enabling / Disabling - The user may select whether to activate or deactivate the emergency alert function. B. Channel Frequency - The user can select the monitoring frequency in order to receive emergency warning signals. For example, the user may select a frequency as one of the following NWS transmission frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a channel frequency can be selected manually by the user, or can be selected with the use of a self-tuning mode to automatically tune all channel frequencies associated with the emergency alert function to identify the monitoring frequencies that provide the signal of greater strength. C. Geographical areas The user can select one or more geographic areas of interest. For example, the user may select a continent, country, region, state, area, zip code, city, county, municipality, subdivision, and / or other definable geographic area. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, such geographic areas may be represented by the data location codes of the federal information processing standard (FIPS). D, Event types The user can select one or more types of emergency events that activate the emergency alert function. For example, the user may designate that events such as civil emergencies, tornado alarms, radiation leakage activate the emergency alert function, but events such as thunderstorm alerts do not activate the function. The user can also select whether a conventional alert audio tone provided by the NWS and / or other alert mechanism will activate the emergency alert function. In accordance with the present invention, there are different alert or warning levels (for example, declaration, sighting, alarm, etc.) that may represent different "events". For example, a thunderstorm sighting is considered different than a thunderstorm alarm. E. Alert Outputs The user can select one or more alert modes to be provided when the emergency alert function is activated. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user may select audible and / or visual outputs to be provided for each type of emergency event that activates the emergency event function. For example, the user may select to display a visual message (e.g., an NWS text message as a display of subtitles) and / or tune the television signal receiver 20 to a specific channel. Also for example, the user may select to audibly emit an alert tone (e.g., chirp, siren, etc.) and / or an audio message (e.g., MWS audio message) and the desired volume of each . In addition, the alert outputs can be selected based on event by event. Other types of warning output may be provided in accordance with the present invention. F. User input button: The user can program the user input button 30 and thus define its functionality. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user may define the operations to be carried out by the television signal receiver 20 in response to each pressure of the user's input button 30 and such operations may be based on certain conditions, such as as the initial condition of the television signal receiver 20 (i.e., on or off) and whether or not the emergency alert function is activated (i.e., yes or no). An example of how the user can program the user input button 30 is represented in table 400 of Figure 4. As indicated in Table 400, for example, when the television signal receiver 20 is turned off (ie, initial condition turned off) and the emergency alert function is activated (ie, if), then a pressure of the user input button 30 (ie, state 1 of the button) will cause the signal receiver 20 television carry out six different operations (ie, turn on the TV, stop alarm, turn off LED, play NWR, block TV video and display message). A second pressing of the user input button 30 (ie, button status 2) under the same conditions will simply cause the television signal receiver 20 to turn off. The operations carried out respond to each pressure of the user input button 30, which is enabled by the processor 27. Table 400 or another similar table can be provided as a display 29 through an on-screen menu to facilitate the programming of the user input button 30 through a remote control device (not shown). In addition, default settings such as those shown in Table 400 can be provided to simplify the programming process of the user input button 30 for the user. Table 400 is only an example and other type of information or conditions may be used in order to program the user input button 30. For example, the user input button 30 may have two or more states, wherein each state (i.e., pressure) of the user input button 30 causes different operations to be performed. In general, the way in which the user input button 30 can be programmed is a matter of design. In accordance with 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. The data corresponding to the user selections during the adjustment process of step 310 are stored in memory 27. In step 320, the television signal receiver 20 controls the frequency selected by the user during the adjustment process of step 310 (that is, article B) for emergency warning signals. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the tuner 22 controls the selected frequency and thereby receives the incoming emergency alert signals. In accordance with the present invention, the television signal receiver 20 has the ability to control a channel frequency and receive the emergency alert signals during all modes of operation, including for example when the television signal receiver 20 is On, off and / or during playback of recorded audio and / or video content. In step 330, a determination is made to see if the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20 is activated. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 performs this determination by comparing the data included in the incoming emergency alert signals with the data stored in the memory 27. As previously indicated herein, emergency warning signals may Include data, such as SAME data that represents information that includes the type of emergency (eg, tornado, spill, radiation leakage, civil emergency, etc.), and the specific geographic areas affected by the emergency event. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, processor 27 compares this SAME data with the corresponding data from the adjustment process (ie, points C and D of step 310) stored in memory 27 to thereby determine whether the function of emergency alert. In this manner, the emergency alert function of the television signal receiver 20 is activated only when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signals corresponds to: (1) the geographic areas selected by the user for article C from step 310 and (2) to the event types designated by the user in article D of step 310. When in step 330 the determination is negative, the process flow returns to step 320 where the tuner 22 continues to monitor the selected frequency channel. Alternatively, when the determination in step 330 is positive, the process flow proceeds to step 340, wherein the television signal receiver 20 provides one or more alert outputs to notify people about the emergency event.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 27 enables one or more alert outputs in step 340 in accordance with the user's selections during the adjustment process of step 310 (ie, article E) and such alert outputs may be of an audible and / or visual nature. For example, the audible outputs as an alarm tone and / or an NWS audio message may be provided in step 340 through the speaker 25, and the volume of such audible outputs may be controlled in accordance with the volume level adjusted by the user during the adjustment process of step 310. The visual outputs may be provided in step 340 through a display 29 to notify people about the emergency event. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a display of auxiliary information such as an NWS text message (such as a display of subtitles) and / or a video output from a specific channel may be provided in step 340 through the display 29 under control of the processor 27. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the alert outputs provided in step 340 may be based on the severity or alert level of the particular emergency event (e.g., statement, sighting and alarm, etc.). ) and the light output of the light 31 will illuminate the user input button 30. In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, light 31 may use several predetermined color schemes to communicate information regarding the emergency alert function to users, including information regarding the severity or alert levels of emergency events. emergency. Three exemplary color schemes can be used by light 31 as depicted in Table 1 below, where "G" represents green, "Y" represents yellow, "O" represents orange and "R" represents red. TABLE 1 As indicated in Table 1, a single color such as green can be used to indicate exclusively that the emergency alert function is in a "ready" (ie, operational) state, where the emergency alert function it is not activated When the emergency alert function is activated, the single color can be combined with one or more other colors to indicate the severity level of the emergency event. With the first exemplary color scheme of Table 1 for example, yellow is used to indicate that an emergency event is at a warning level, the orange is used to indicate that the emergency event is at a sighting level, and red is used to indicate that the emergency event is at an alarm level. In contrast, the second and third exemplary color schemes in Table 1 use two colors to indicate that the emergency event is at a warning level, three colors to indicate that the emergency event is at a sighting level and four colors to indicate that the emergency event is at an alarm level. The four schemes represented in Table 1 are not intended to be exhaustive, other color schemes may be used in accordance with the present invention. As indicated above, the light 31 may be contained within the structure of the user input button 30 or may be separate from the user input button 30. For example, Figure 5 is a diagram of a television signal receiver 20 showing the light 31 contained within the structure of the user input button 30, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The light 31 of Figure 5 may be incorporated as a single light structure with a four color display (eg, G, Y, O, R), as shown in Figure 6. Light mode 31 shown in Figure 6 you can use one or more LEDs. Alternatively, when it is separated from the user input button 30, the light 31 can be implemented as a top light, also known as a "porch light" which is placed in a slot within the FPA of the television signal receiver 20 and continuously projects light down on the user input button 30. With this implementation, the light 31 and its slot may not be visible to users when they see the television signal receiver 20 from the front. Figures 7 and 8 show different exemplary embodiments of light 31 suitable for use as a porch light. In particular, the mode of light 31 shown in Figure 7 illustrates a segmented four-color light conductor, while the light mode 31 of Figure 8 shows a four-color light conductor, of pipe. The light modes 31 shown in Figures 7 and 8 for example, can use multiple LEDs. Other embodiments of the light 31 may also be implemented in accordance with the present invention. Also in step 340, users can provide the inputs through the user input button 30 in the manner described above here in order to control various operations of the television signal receiver 20. As indicated in Table 400 of Figure 4, for example, when the television signal receiver 20 is turned on (ie, the initial condition turned on) and the emergency alert function is activated (ie, if), then a pressure from the user input button 30 (ie, button state 1) will cause the television signal receiver 20 to perform four different operations (i.e., stop alarm, turn off LED, play NWR, and display message) ). A second pressing of the user input button 30 (ie, button state 2) under the same conditions will cause the television signal receiver 20 to perform two other operations (i.e., restore normal audio and clear message). The operations carried out that respond to each pressure of the user input button 30 are enabled by the processor 27. As described herein, the present invention provides an apparatus that has an emergency alert function that can be controlled by users through a single button. The present invention can be applied in several apparatuses, either with or without a deployment device. Accordingly, the phrase "television signal receiver" as used herein may refer to systems or apparatus with the ability to receive and process television signals that include, but are not limited to television sets, computers or monitors which include a deployment device, and systems or devices such as transcoders, VCRs, DVD players, video game boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), computers or other devices that may not include a display device. While this invention has been described with a preferred design, the present invention can also be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it is intended to cover any variation, uses or adaptations of the invention with the use of its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to encompass such sections of the present invention that fall within the known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus (20) having an emergency alert function, characterized in that it comprises: a tuning means (22) for tuning a channel frequency that provides the emergency warning signals indicating an emergency event; a processing means (27) for enabling an alert output in response to emergency warning signals; and a single user input button (30) for receiving user touch inputs to control the emergency alert function, wherein the user's only input button (30) is the user's only touch input means integrated with the user. apparatus (20) that has the ability to control the emergency alert function. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the single user input button (30) includes: a plurality of different states; and the apparatus (20) carries out one or more operations in response to each of the states based on the user's programming. 3. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a lighting means (31) to illuminate the single user input button (30) based on the severity level of the emergency event. The apparatus (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lighting means (31) illuminates the single user input button (30), which uses: a first color when the severity level represents the first level; a second color when the level of severity represents the second level; and a third color when the level of severity represents the third level. The apparatus (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the first, second and third colors are combined with a fourth color. The apparatus (20) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lighting means (31) illuminates the single user input button (30) with the use of the fourth color only when the emergency alert function is not activated The apparatus (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lighting means (31) illuminates a single user input button (30) with the use of: two colors when the level of severity represents the first level; three colors when the level of severity represents the second level; four colors when the severity level represents the third level 8. A method (300) for operating an apparatus having an emergency alert function, characterized in that it comprises: tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency warning signals indicating a emergency event (320); provide an alert output in response to emergency warning signals (340); and receiving the user's tactile inputs to control the emergency alert function through a single user input button, wherein the user's only input button is the user's only tactile input means integrated with the device that has the ability to control the emergency alert function (340). The method (300) according to claim 8, characterized in that the single user input button (30) includes a plurality of different states, and also comprises: carrying out one or more different operations that respond to each of the states based on the programming (340) of the user. The method (300) according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises illuminating the user's only input button based on the level of severity of the event (340) emergency. The method (300) according to claim 10, characterized in that the step (340) of illuminating the single user input button (30) uses: a first color when the level of severity represents the first level; a second color when the level of severity represents the second level; and a third color when the level of severity represents the third level. The method (300) according to claim 11, characterized in that it also comprises combining each of the first, second and third colors with a fourth color. The method (300) according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises illuminating the single user input button (30) with the use of the fourth color only when the emergency alert function is not activated. The method (300) according to claim 10, characterized in that the lighting step (340) includes illuminating a single user input button (30) with the use of: two colors when the level of severity represents the first level; three colors when the level of severity represents the second level; Four colors when the level of severity represents the third level. 8. A television signal receiver (20) having an emergency alert function, characterized in that it comprises: a tuner (22) that operates to tune a channel frequency that provides emergency warning signals indicating an emergency event; a processor (27) that operates to provide an alert output in response to emergency warning signals; and a single user input button (30) for receiving the user's touch inputs to control the emergency alert function through a single user input button (30), wherein the user's only input button is the only user tactile input means integrated with the television signal receiver (20) that has the ability to control the emergency alert function. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that the single user input button (30) includes: a plurality of different states, and the television signal receiver (20) carries carries out one or more different operations that respond to each one of the states based on the user's programming. 17. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises a light (31) that operates to illuminate the single user input button (30) based on the level of severity of the event. of emergency. 18. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the light (31) illuminates the single user input button (30), which uses: a first color when the level of severity represents the first level; a second color when the level of severity represents the second level; and a third color when the level of severity represents the third level. 19. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 18, characterized in that each of the first, second and third colors are combined with a fourth color. 20. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 19, characterized in that the light (31) illuminates the single user input button (30) with the use of the fourth color only when the emergency alert function it is not activated 21. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the light (31) illuminates a single user input button (30) with the use of: two colors when the level of severity represents the first level; three colors when the level of severity represents the second level; four colors if the level of severity represents the third level.