Interactive weather advisory system

Cross-reference of applications related to interactive weather advisory system

This patent application is a partial continuation application of U.S. Serial No. 10/322,187 filed on December 16, 2002, and a continuation application of U.S. Serial No. 09/624,668 (now U.S. Patent No. 6,505,123) filed on July 24, 2000. The entire content of each patent application cited above is incorporated herein for reference.

The statement regarding the search or development sponsored by the alliance does not apply.

Background technique

In recent years, the demand for detailed weather information has risen sharply. Personal computers and communication devices have increased the demand for more information due to their ability to collect, manipulate, transmit, and receive data. Therefore, there is a huge demand for specialized information and value-added services. End users no longer expect to collect, manipulate, and evaluate raw data. Nowhere is this situation more obvious than weather services across North America.

Many years ago, radio and television broadcasters recognized the increased demand for weather information from their listeners, and therefore increased the number of online weather segments as a means of increasing market rankings. Today, the demand for specific content in weather information has exceeded the ability of broadcasters to cater to this demand. Virtually every aspect of business and personal activities is continuously affected by good or bad weather.

As in most countries, in the United States, the government agency (National Weather Service) has the primary responsibility for producing weather products for the general public. Such as consultations, reports and forecasts are generated and made available to third parties, such as broadcasters, newspapers, Internet sites, paging companies, and others, which in turn release them to the public. However, the data custody chain is one-way.

Today's lifestyle is fast-paced and complicated. The number of requests for detailed weather information for specific applications exceeds the government's ability to handle them. However, insisting on entrusting its responsibilities, the National Weather Service produces general products for public consumption twice a day. This situation forces the public to interpret general and outdated consultations to suit their needs. This kind of comprehension translation is often done incorrectly. Even worse, these products are usually regional or national in scope and may not be applicable to specific locations where various local activities are taking place.

As an example, weather warnings are broadcast through radio stations across the United States. These warnings identify certain weather effects within designated areas. In most cases, the warning area includes one or more villages, covering tens to hundreds of square miles. Generally, these threats (such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.) only affect a very small area within the warning area. And these threats move quickly. When these influences approach specific zones, they are actually leaving other zones within the entire warning zone. Basically, the existing reporting system is insufficient to clearly identify and adequately warn individuals of risks. In addition, if the threat is imminent, the existing system cannot and does not provide preventive measures for every user approaching or at the threat. So by default, when this threat may be moving away from its location, distant or unaffected users are unnecessarily placed in an "alert state."

Another common example further clarifies the problem. A family who is excited to participate in a softball tournament on the upcoming weekend pays close attention to the local weather forecast. The forecast announces that the day of the game will be sunny to partly cloudy throughout the week. On the morning of the game, the forecast changed to partly cloudy, and in the evening there was a 30% chance of rain. The family decided to participate, believing that the probability of rain is lower than the risk level they felt. The family did not know at noon that some rain beams were getting stronger and would produce dangerous lightning over the arena. Although the morning weather report is not completely inaccurate, the contestants and spectators are placed at risk. If asked later, the family member may not have heard or remembered the weather forecast. They also cannot connect their limited weather knowledge to their own needs and risk exposures. They did not monitor changing weather events. More likely, they do not have the ability to monitor developmental risks during the game. Obviously, these people are forced to remember outdated, limited information when applying it to their specific applications.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that automatically and continuously provides consumers with customized weather reports, consultations, warnings, forecasts, and warnings related to consumer-defined demand levels or dynamic spatial locations. It is such a system that the present invention is aimed at.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides an interactive weather advisory system and method for delivering individualized weather information. The present invention particularly relates to a broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to a remote communicator device. The broadcast network includes a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network.

The user input database contains user-defined parameters, and each user-defined parameter ideally includes a spatial scope identifier and a user profile. The user profile in each user-defined parameter at least identifies the communicator device associated with the particular user.

The communicator location database contains real-time data indicating the spatial location of the communicator device. In a preferred version of the present invention, the communicator location database is automatically and/or continuously updated by the communicator device.

The weather information database contains at least real-time weather data for the spatial location contained in the communicator location database. The term "weather data" describes a variety of weather products, including but not limited to: past and current conditions of weather events; text products, graphic products, and so on. The weather analysis unit receives real-time weather data from the weather information database, and automatically and continuously compares the spatial range identifier contained in the user-defined parameter and the corresponding communicator device spatial location contained in the communicator location database with the real-time weather data, And according to user needs or even continuously generate individualized weather output signals, which include weather information within the spatial range identified by the spatial range identifier for user-defined parameters. Since the new location is defined by the communicator location database, the weather information database is automatically updated in real time.

Corresponding to real-time weather data and event predictions, the communication network transmits each individualized weather output signal to a specific communicator device defined in the user profile contained in the user-defined parameter. Therefore, the user can receive the weather information unique to the user's immediate spatial location in real time, regardless of whether the user's location remains fixed or dynamic throughout the time.

When the following detailed description is read in consideration of the accompanying drawings and appended claims, other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive weather advisory system constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a coordinate system, which shows the spatial position identifier and the spatial range identifier used by each version of the present invention.

detailed description

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, an interactive weather advisory system 8 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in the form of a block diagram. The weather advisory system 8 is provided with a broadcasting network 10 for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to the remote communicator device 11. The broadcast network 10 includes a weather analysis unit 12, a user input database 14, a communicator location database 16, and a communication network 20. The weather analysis unit 12 receives real-time weather data from the weather information database 21. The weather information database 21 may be located at the broadcasting network 10 or far away from the broadcasting network 10.

The weather analysis unit 12, the user input database 14, the communicator location database 16, the weather information database 21, and the communication network 20 are connected and communicated with each other via signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32.

The user input database 14 allows multiple users to input data corresponding to weather reports, consultations, or forecasts, so that individualized weather reports, consultations, or event predictions can be transmitted to each individual user. The user input database 14 contains data that represents at least one user-defined parameter associated with each of a plurality of users. In a version of the present invention, each user-defined parameter includes various information related to the weather output signal, such as a spatial range identifier, a user profile, one or more weather content identifiers used to identify specific weather patterns, One or more time identifiers, fixed or dynamic codes for identifying the specific time or time interval when the user may need weather products, and used to identify the user when the fixed or dynamic spatial position indicates that the spatial position will be fixed The spatial location identifier of the specific spatial location of interest. The user profile in each user-defined parameter includes at least a user identifier code, which is used to identify a specific communicator device 11 associated with a specific user.

For example, the user identifier code may be a mobile phone number, which identifies one of the communicator devices 11, which in this example may be, for example, a mobile phone or a pager. The weather content identifier can be a computer code to identify one or more weather conditions or events, such as typhoons, thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning storms, showers, snowstorms, blizzards, high winds, high-altitude winds, rapid rises or rapid declines Air pressure or other such weather patterns or conditions. The time identifier may ideally be a computer code, which is used to identify a specific time, number, or time interval when the user desires the interactive weather advisory system 8 to communicate weather data to the user or monitor real-time weather data at a specific time and/or date. The spatial location identifier 26 may be a computer code, which identifies a specific predetermined spatial location, as an example but not a limitation, such as the longitude and latitude, township, village, address, postal code, altitude, and combinations of any place in the world.

As discussed above, the spatial location identifier identifies a specific spatial location and/or altitude above sea level anywhere in the world. The spatial range identifier identifies a specific spatial range surrounding the spatial location identifier. Each user can select the spatial location identifier and the spatial range identifier in order to receive the weather forecast and/or for the spatial location identified by the spatial location identifier and within the spatial range identified by the spatial range identifier. Or weather advice or any other weather information.

For example, refer to FIG. 2, which shows a coordinate system, which illustrates four spatial location identifiers and four spatial range identifiers selected by different users of the present invention. That is, a user selects the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial range identifier (R1). Another user selects the spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial range identifier (R2).

Users who select the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial scope identifier R1 will receive weather products related to the spatial scope identified by the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial scope identifier R1 And consulting, as predefined in its user input database. The user who selects the spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial scope identifier R2 will receive weather products related to the spatial scope identified by the spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial scope identifier R2 And consulting, and as predefined in the user input database 14. Similarly, users who select the spatial location identifiers (X3, Y3, Z3) and (X4, Y4, Z4) and the spatial scope identifiers R3 and R4 will receive and share the spatial location identifiers (X3, Y3, Z3), (X4 , Y4, Z4) Weather products and consultations related to the spatial range identified by the spatial range identifiers R3, R4, and are as predefined in the user input database 14.

The size of the spatial range identifiers R1, R2, R3, and R4 can be different or the same. In addition, the size of the spatial range identifiers R1, R2, R3, and R4 can vary widely, and is ideally selected by the user.

A specific user can input user-defined parameters into the user input database 14 via any appropriate method. For example, the user input database 14 is ideally configured to be preferably selected from users such as verbally via a telephone customer service network, a mobile phone network equipped with wireless application protocol technology, email, personal digital assistants, laptops or interactive websites Its data can be obtained from various optional resources. In addition, users can mail user-defined parameters to the broadcasting network 10, and individuals at the broadcasting network 10 can directly input the user-defined parameters into the user input database 14 via a keyboard or other similar input device. In one embodiment, the user enters the selected information into the user input database 14 via the user's communicator device 11.

The weather information database 21 contains real-time weather data, and is used at least for the spatial locations contained in the communicator location database 16 and the spatial locations identified by the spatial location identifiers entered by the user in the database 14. The weather analysis unit 12 generates predictions of all weather events based on real-time weather data. The weather information database 21 ideally receives its real-time weather data from at least one of a plurality of possible resources, as an example but not a limitation, such as government weather information resources, private weather information resources, and various other meteorological resources. Real-time weather data can also be entered directly at the physical location of the weather information database 21, or via mobile phone networks, mobile phone networks with wireless application protocols, the Internet, aviation communication systems, e-mail, personal digital assistants, laptops, Input from a regular computer or other wireless device.

The communicator location database 16 is an optional feature of the present invention and is enabled via the signal path 22 when the user requests real-time weather consultation or event prediction at the dynamic spatial location of the user communicator device 11. The communicator location database 16 is continuously updated so that the communicator location database 16 contains real-time data indicating the spatial location of the communicator device 11. In one embodiment, the user identifier code in the user profile is transmitted to the communicator location database 16 via the signal path 22. The communicator location database 16 ideally receives data from the communicator device 11 identified by the user identifier code via at least one of various possible resources, such as a mobile telephone network, a wireless application protocol equipped wireless Telephone network, global positioning satellite technology, the Internet, loran technology, radar technology, transponder technology or any other type capable of tracking the spatial position of the communicator device 11 and connecting such communicator device 11 The location is transmitted to the communicator location database 16 of the broadcast network 10. Preferably, the communicator location database 16 is continuously and automatically updated with respect to the location of each communicator device 11, for example, through wireless application protocol technology.

As an example but not a limitation, the communication network 20 may be a mobile phone network, a mobile phone network with wireless application protocol technology, the Internet, a fax network, a satellite network (one-way or two-way), an RF radio network, or the transmission of information from the source to the end user Any other means.

The communicator device 11 may be a two-way or one-way communicator device. By way of example but not limitation, the communicator device 11 may be a portable device such as a mobile phone, smart phone, pager, laptop or personal digital assistant or any other electronic device capable of receiving weather information data. In addition, for example, the communicator device 11 can be incorporated into an object that is used or accessible by the user, such as a helmet, a car, or an airplane. Although only three communicator devices 11 are shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, the interactive weather advisory system 8 is conceivable to use a large number of communicator devices 11.

The weather analysis unit 12 receives data in the user input database 14, the communicator location database 16, and the weather information database 21 from the signal paths 24, 26, and 28. By way of example but not limitation, the weather analysis unit 12 may be a computer, ideally programmed to automatically and continuously compare data in the user input database 14, the communicator location database 16, and the weather information database 21 in order to generate individualized weather output signals , Which includes weather information within the spatial range identified by the spatial range identifier of each user-defined parameter in the user input database 14. The weather output signal is transmitted to the communication network 20 via the signal path 32.

The weather analysis unit 12 collects real-time weather data from the weather information database 21. The term "real-time weather data" as used herein refers to weather data that is continuously updated to indicate current or close to current information. In some instances, for example, "real-time weather data" may be delayed in small increments such as five minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes. In other instances, "real-time weather data" can be provided substantially without delay. It is expected that this increase will become smaller as communication networks and weather-related technologies become faster.

The weather analysis unit 12 generates predictions of all weather-related events, and compares past and current events (such as future positions, forces, trajectories, etc.) contained in the weather information database 21 to construct a four-dimensional database. The three-dimensionality of the database defines the physical location on or above the earth's surface (spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1)). The fourth dimension is time: past, present or future (identified as T1, T2, T3, T4). By using a high-speed real-time computer processor, the weather analysis unit 12 compares all events (past, current and predicted) at specific locations (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) with data provided by the same user (user input database; X1, Y1) , Z1, R1, T1) are compared, and any match (weather output signal) is identified to the user through the communication network 20 and the communication device 11.

The communication network 20 receives the weather output signal and the user identification code via the signal paths 32 and 30. In response to this, the communication network 20 transmits the personalized weather output signal to the communicator device 11 associated with the user identification code via the signal paths 34a, 34b, and 34c, so that each user receives the requested personalized weather information.

The signal paths 34a, 34b, and 34c refer to any suitable communication links that allow electronic communication. For example, the signal paths 34a, 34b, and 34c may be point-to-point shared and dedicated communications, infrared links, microwave links, telephone links, CATV links, satellite and radio links, and fiber optic links.

Various combinations of weather information can be incorporated into the user input database 14 to provide the user with specific weather information selected. For example, when a user traveling in his car is traveling from his starting point to his destination, he may wish to be informed by the interactive weather advisory system 8 about all hailstorms in the area within a 2.5-mile radius of his vehicle. The user inputs the selected information into the user input database 14 through, for example, a smart phone (communicator device 11) in his vehicle, which works with a mobile phone network (communication network 20) with a wireless application protocol; that is, , The users smart phone number (user identifier code), hail (weather content identifier), 2.5 mile radius (spatial range identifier 24), and spatial location dynamics (the users smart phones spatial location is then automatically and continuously monitored), etc. Wait.

For the travel period, the interactive weather advisory system 8 then monitors weather information and event predictions in the weather analysis unit 12, and it is very likely to form a hailstorm when a hailstorm is detected or within a 2.5-mile radius along the travel path of the vehicle. In this case, the personalized weather output signal is transmitted to the users smart phone. The communicator device 11 may be installed in an automobile or a vehicle, or may be a portable device, such as a cellular phone, which is moved by the automobile or the vehicle. The vehicle can be any type of mobile device, such as an airplane, a boat or boat, a car, a snowmobile, a motorcycle, and so on.

The personalized weather output signal can be an audio and/or video data signal. For example, the individualized weather output signal may be a .WAV file or other suitable file, containing an animated representation of a real or hypothetical individual who conveys an individualized message to the user. In the example given above, the personalized message may be that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead of the vehicle, and therefore the user should consider stopping for a short period of time in order to avoid the hailstorm. Alternatively, the personalized message may be that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead of the vehicle, and therefore the user should consider stopping until further notified by another integrated weather output signal in order to avoid the hailstorm. In other words, the weather analysis unit 12 can transmit another personalized weather output signal to the user via the communication network 20 and the communicator device 11, notifying the user that the weather condition identified by the weather content identifier has passed or is in the range identified by the space. Outside the spatial location identified by the symbol.

As another example, a user may wish to be informed of all real-time weather data and event predictions within a specific spatial range of a specific dynamic spatial location. For example, the user may be interested in whether his aircraft is at risk of freezing when he flies from Oklahoma City to Tulsa in Oklahoma. In order to provide a suitable level of comfort and safety, users may wish to be informed of icing conditions within 10 miles of the dynamic spatial location of their aircraft. The user, for example, informs his smart phone or other suitable avionics device in the aircraft (communication device 11) to input the selected information into the user input database 14. The avionics device communicates with the mobile phone network (communication) using a wireless application protocol. The network 20) works together; that is, the user's smart phone number (user identifier code), icing (weather content identifier), 10 mile radius (spatial range identifier 24), and spatial dynamic location. When the aircraft traverses time and space from (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) to (X4, Y4, Z4, T4), the spatial position of the user's smartphone or other suitable avionics is then automatically and continuously monitored . The interactive weather analysis unit 12 then monitors the real-time weather data in the weather information database 21 and the predicted events in the weather analysis unit 12 in order to transmit individualized weather output signals to the users smart phone or other avionics device, identifying information about the aircraft Whether icing is detected in a 10-mile radius or is very likely to form icing.

As still another example, perhaps the user is only interested in a specific weather pattern at a specific fixed spatial location and within a specific spatial range that has nothing to do with the instant position of the communicator device 11. To fulfill the user's request, the broadcast network 10 does not use the communicator location database 16. The user inputs the selected information into the user input database 14, namely, the user's phone number (user identifier code), the code of the specific weather pattern that the user is interested in (weather content code), and the spatial range around the spatial location that the user is interested in ( Spatial scope identifier) and the spatial location that the user is interested in (spatial location identifier). The weather analysis unit 12 then monitors the real-time weather data in the weather information database 21 and the predicted events in the weather analysis unit 12 to facilitate the transmission of weather information about the spatial location and weather patterns within the range requested by the user.

As another example, perhaps the user is only interested in specific weather conditions at a spatial location and within a specific spatial range at a specific time. The user inputs the selected information into the user input database 14, namely, the user's phone number (user identifier code), the code for the specific weather pattern that the user is interested in (weather content identifier), and the space that the user is interested in The spatial range around the location (spatial range identifier) and the spatial location that the user is interested in (spatial location identifier), as well as the time and date of the weather conditions at the spatial location of interest (time identifier) that the user wants to be notified of. In response to this, the weather analysis unit 12 monitors the real-time weather data from the weather information database 21 to obtain the spatial location and range identified by the spatial range identifier and the spatial location identifier, to determine what happened at the time identified by the time identifier. Possibility of specific weather patterns at the time. The weather analysis unit 12 transmits the individualized weather output signal to the communication network 20 via the signal path 32. The communication network 20 receives the user identifier code from the user input database via the signal path 30, and transmits the weather output signal received from the weather analysis unit 12 to the specific communicator device 11 identified by the user identifier code. Thus, the user receives personalized weather information about the spatial location, spatial extent, and time requested by the user.

The signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 may be logical and/or physical links between various software and/or hardware used to implement the present invention. It should be understood that the sole purpose of each signal path 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 shown and described herein is to clearly show the information and logic conveyed between the individual components of the present invention. In work, the signal channel may not be a separate signal channel but a single signal channel. In addition, various information does not necessarily have to flow between the components of the present invention in the manner shown in FIG. 1. For example, although FIG. 1 shows the user identifier code, which is directly transmitted from the user input database 14 to the communication network 20 via the signal path 30, the user identifier code may be transmitted to the weather analysis unit 12 via the signal path 24, and then via the signal path 32. To the communication network 20.

It should be understood that although the user has been described as manually entering the user identification code into the user database 14, the user identification code may be automatically entered into the user input database 14 through the communicator device 11.

Once the user-defined parameters have been entered into the user input database 14, the user-defined parameters for the purpose of targeted marketing will be analyzed by the weather analysis unit 12 together with the weather content identifier. The right to use the weather analysis unit 12 of the broadcast network 10 may be provided to a plurality of vendors 36 via a plurality of signal paths 38a, 38b, and 38c. The seller 36 can independently input the search information into the information analysis unit 12 for compiling information data sets useful to the seller 36.

For example, a specific seller 36a, who is buying and selling snow blowers, can input the weather content identifier and time identifier into the weather analysis unit 12 to request all spaces in the United States that are expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow next week Location list. The weather analysis unit 12 will then compile data of all spatial locations in the United States that are expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow next week based on at least one weather content identifier, time identifier, and real-time weather data stored in the weather information database 21 set. The data set is then output to the seller 36a. Based on this data set, the seller 36a can send advertisements or additional snow blowers to the areas identified in the data set.

As another example, a specific seller 36a, who is buying and selling snow blowers, can input the weather content identifier and the time identifier into the weather analysis unit 12 to request all user profiles, the user profile identifying residence Users in space locations in the United States that are expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow next week. The weather analysis unit 12 will then compile all spaces in the United States that are expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow next week based on at least one weather content identifier, time identifier, user profile, and real-time weather data stored in the weather information database 21 Location data collection. This data set is then output to the vendor 36a. Based on the data set, the seller 36a can send advertisements to the users identified in the data set.

It is conceivable that the user will subscribe to the service provided by the broadcast network 10. In this regard, the broadcast network 10 may or may not charge the user a service fee. In addition, the broadcast network 10 may provide certain services at one fee and may provide additional services at an increased fee.

To save processing power, the weather analysis unit 12 may periodically determine which communicator device 11 is turned off or out of range. Once it has been determined, the weather analysis unit 12 will then not generate any individualized weather output signals for the communicator device 11 that is turned off or out of range. Once a specific communicator device 11 is turned on or comes within range, the weather analysis unit 12 will then try to generate a personalized weather output signal for such a communicator device 11. In other words, to save processing power, the weather analysis unit 12 may only generate individualized weather output signals for the communicator devices 11 that are active and within range.

The weather analysis unit 12 may be located in the broadcasting network 10. In addition, the weather analysis unit 12 may be separated from the remaining part of the broadcasting network 10 and provided to the broadcasting network 10 as a service.

In a preferred embodiment, it is not, or in addition to providing user-defined parameters to the user of the user input database 14, the user input database 14 is programmed to provide a plurality of predefined user profiles, where each predefined user The profile points to the activity specified by the user, optionally including the date and time of the activity. The activity can be for business, personal or entertainment needs. For example, business needs can be any work that depends on or is affected by weather conditions to complete desired activities, such as but not limited to ranchers, contractors, farmers, or painters. Private needs can be any activity that is positively or negatively affected by weather conditions, such as but not limited to obligations performed by the homeowner, such as mowing lawns, painting houses, trimming trees, etc. Recreational needs can be any recreational or other outdoor activities that depend on weather conditions, such as but not limited to golfing, biking, boating, hiking, fishing or skiing.

In this case, the user selects or provides activities or categories to the user input database 14. The user input database 14 retrieves predefined information about such activities or categories, and stores such predefined information or links such predefined information with the user profile of the user. The broadcast network 10 and/or the weather analysis unit 12 then function as stated above to provide weather warnings or other information about the information contained in the user's user profile.

For example, the user may plan to play golf between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on a particular weekend. In this case, the user would select a predefined user profile for "playing golf" and the time frame of the scheduled activity. The location of the planned activity may also be entered into the user input database 14, or the location of the communicator device 11 may be monitored by the communicator location database 16. The information contained in the predefined user profile is input to the user input database 14, and output weather warnings and forecasts are then generated as discussed above.

The predefined user profile is determined by the members of the broadcast network 10 and/or the weather analysis unit 12, and its identification is typically suitable for and/or contrary to the weather conditions of each designated activity. Thus, for example, a predefined user profile for "playing golf" will contain data such as wind conditions, lightning, rain, temperature, and other conditions that will positively or negatively affect golfing activities. The data in the predefined data profile can be determined before or after the activity is selected by the user.

If desired by the user, the broadcast network 10 and/or the weather analysis unit 12 can assume the responsibility of generating an appropriately sized spatial extent identifier (as in the case of a user profile or a predefined user profile). In addition, the spatial extent identifier can be determined by the nature of the weather event. In a later case, members of the broadcast network 10 and/or weather analysis unit 12 will determine the "relationship zone" around each weather event that will or can occur, and the communication network 20 will then send a notification to the possible contacts Each user or communicator device 11 in the relationship area.

For example, a typhoon may be 1/2 mile wide and the broadcast network 10 and/or weather analysis unit 12 will determine based on its experience, knowledge and/or ability that the relationship area will be 1/2 mile wide and 8 miles long-to the northeast mobile. If the user's location touches the "relationship area", as discussed above, any users included in the user input database 14 will be notified.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to accomplish the objectives and realize the advantages mentioned here and the inherent advantages of the present invention. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for the purpose of the present disclosure, it will be easily understood that many changes can be made, which will easily appear in the minds of those skilled in the art and which are within the spirit of the disclosed invention carry out.