Alert warning method.

(54) Title: EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.

(54) Title: ALERT WARNING METHOD.

(57) Summary

A method of communicating a geographically targeted emergency alert message is described. The invention employs a method of using an emergency alert message, wherein the message directs end users to take the appropriate action, such as evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a method of using a geographic area message, the message being based on a particular geographic area within which all people must receive the emergency alert message. Also used in the invention is an emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message. The emergency alert-enabled device is used to determine if it is located within the geographic area of ​​interest, and if so, present the emergency alert message to the end user.

(57) Abstract

A method of communicating a geographically targeted emergency alert message ls disclosed. The invention employs a method of using an emergency alert message, wherein the message directs end users to take appropriate action like evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a method of using a geographic area message, the message being based on a particular geographic area within which all persons should receive the emergency alert message. An emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message is also used in the invention. The emergency alert enabled device is used to determine whether it is located within the geographic area of ​​concern, and if so, presents the emergency alert message to the end user.

IMPI £

PATENT TITLE No. 348032

Headlines):

DARREN M. VALLAIRE

D micilio

12457, Ruondsaville Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70818, USA

D nomination:

EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.

Classification

CIP:

CPC:

H04M11 / 04; G08B1 / 08; G08B27 / 00

G08B25O9; (308 ^ 27/00; ^ 0 * / V4 / 021; H04W4 / 22; H04W76 / 007; H04W4 / 02

Inventor (s):

DARREN M VALLAIRE

Number:

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MX / a / 2012/009254

Preaching

International

Country:

US

Validity: Twenty years

Dates of Vmeñnientos 11 of Tebrervílí 2031

Issue Date: May 23, 2017

The patent of refereneM ^ is based on the artTctilos 1 °

In accordance with the arffi from the date of presei

1 ^ ciefe0re rt&gt; ¿a'2oii

2011

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Number

12/705,233

Industrial.

rrogable, counted you and patent you

Who subscribes to this title what is lqic »« ip based on the provisions per bmAíduldk p 'fraocidr ^ á III and 7Jtís 2 &lt;te of Industrial Property (Official Gazette of the Federation 4Ρ9Ο «ί) 27 / όβ / ΐ99f, Wormála el 02Íp8 (1994, Í / Í0 / 1 «96, 12/26/1 ^^- 4 ^ 05/1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06 / 2009,06 / 01/2010, Υ »Ι ^ 2ΒβΟ, 428/06 / 2040Γ27 / &lt;&amp; 20121θ% σΙ | / 2012 | artjjlft ^ 3 »fraíÁ '^ Aóá a), 4^or and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute 8e te «Prapieead Ingustnaf - ((4.0 F. 12/14/1999, ^ jfcrfmado ti ΟίΛτώίόΤ, &lt;t ^ df / 2004, 07/28/2004 and 7 / 09/2007); articles 1, 3, 4, 5 fraction V subsection a), 1 $ fraction? I ^ III and 30 def Cetatuto Orgániqg Instituí® M «Áuf (or of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended 10/10/2002, 07/29 / Κ04 ^ Μ» Λ2 (Ιβ4 ^ Μ ^ / 28γ) ; and 5¡Mhe¡¡S0 «and of the Aoagrdo that delegates powers to the Deputy General Directors, Coordinator, Directors. T. ¿Hrarte | e jajT'Jtete Divisional Assistant Directors, Coordinators

Departmentals and other subordinates of the Mfexiaáno Institute .tié la Prgpieqád | n1! H «tn8ripj (| JW ^ reformed on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007). '**

This document is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3 of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TER of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Payment and Electronic Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in the procedures indicated.

<td></td><td></td><td>THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td>NAHANNY CANAL REYES</td>

<td></td><td></td><td>Original string NAHANNY MARISOL CANAL REYES | 00001000000403252793 | Administration Service Tax | 1695 || MX / 2017/42650 | MX / a / 2012/009254 | PCT patent title | 1488 | IAR | Page (s) 1 | jda9tQ2f4NJywmyl2RFqpVlcr4 =</td>

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Arenal No. 550. Floor 1, Pueblo Santa María Tepepan. Xochimilco, 16020. Mexico City.

(55) 53340700 vwvw.gob.mx/impi

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MX / 2017/42650

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO Ot LA INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for communicating emergency alert messages to members of the public. The invention provides an improved emergency alert system that enables the reliable transmission of emergency information to persons within a geographic area of ​​interest.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Emergency alert systems are widely used. A common example of such a system is the emergency broadcast system used on television and radio. This system is frequently used to transmit information about potentially dangerous weather conditions. Other emergency alert systems rely on land-based telephone systems to send recorded messages to all people within a particular area. Evacuation orders are another form of emergency alert message, and these orders may depend on telephone systems, door-to-door communication by law enforcement officials, and other methods of emergency communication.

Because the public now cares more about

<img file="MX348032B_D0006.tif" />

IMPI

Mujcano INSTITUTE

Say LA IROMITY industrial terrorist threats and as communication systems have become more pervasive, the need for a better emergency alert system has arisen. Existing technologies suffer from many problems. Door-to-door communication of emergency information is effective to address only people currently located in the area considered at risk. Although door-to-door communication can be slow - the speed of this method depends on the number of people making contact with each other and the number of people going door-to-door - it provides emergency information to relevant members of the team. public. However, this benefit comes at a very high cost. Spending a lot of time by law enforcement officials going door-to-door carries great monetary cost and creates painful opportunity costs. If three-quarters of the local police force go door-to-door warning people of an emergency situation, those officers cannot patrol for crimes or other troublesome situations. Although this is a means of geographically disseminating an emergency alert, door-to-door emergency communication is typically perceived as a means of last resort.

Sirens have also been used to alert people to emergencies. Maybe a siren system is

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO the most effective for a particular purpose. For example, a chemical plant may use sirens to alert people near the plant of a problem. Sirens have a limited range and require regular maintenance.

Typically, sirens do not provide specific information about the situation. People inside their homes or in cars may not hear the sirens even when they are relatively close to the sirens. The only advantage of mermaids is their partial geographic selectivity. Only people within a certain radius of the siren will perceive the alert. However, even this advantage is limited because, in most emergencies, the alert area will not be a perfect circle around a particular siren. For these reasons, sirens remain a generally poor means of alerting people to an emergency.

The Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) sends emergency alert messages through live radio and television materials. Although this system can reach many people quickly, its scope is both too wide and too limited. It is too broad because an entire television and radio broadcast region will be covered when most emergency alerts are relevant to only a part of that region. It is too limited because even people who

<img file="MX348032B_D0007.tif" />

are using their televisions or stereos may not be receiving a live television or radio broadcast. Viewers may be watching a DVD movie, watching a pre-recorded television program, or watching a satellite television broadcast. People listening to your stereos may be listening to satellite radio or a music CD. None of these people would receive the EBS alert.

Automated phone call systems are widely used to send emergency alert messages. This system is geographically specific, since only those telephones will be called within a defined alert area. However, there are several problems with these systems. Its acquisition and use are expensive. They do not reach practically all the relevant public. Many people miss their phone calls and most of these systems only call landlines. These exclude all cell phones and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phones. Because some numbers must be called many times to reach a person, this process can also be slow. Finally, when a telephone alert system is used, it can saturate the local telephone connection network, thus slowing down the system and making it very difficult for local people to

INSTITUTO MEXICANO * 'DE LA MOMEDAD INDUSTRIAL ___ use their own phones.

The Internet and email can also be used to send emergency alert information. This process can work quickly, but it is limited in scope. It is not geographically limited either.

Given the heightened concern about emergency threats and the many flaws in existing emergency alert systems, there is a need for a better system. Such a system must operate quickly and reach all people within the appropriate geographic area. This must be economical in its acquisition and operation. You need a cost-effective, geographically targeted emergency alert system.

The present invention provides such an emergency alert system (EAS). The invention provides a method for sending geographically targeted emergency alert messages to emergency alert enabled devices (EAEDs) operated by end users. Only those EAEDs within the geographic area at risk are notified of the emergency. EAEDs are small devices that can be incorporated into host devices such as cell phones, car stereos and / or navigation systems, televisions, radios, computers, mp3 players, landlines, and

<img file="MX348032B_D0008.tif" />

<img file="MX348032B_D0009.tif" />

virtually any other host device with the ability to communicate the content of the message to an end user. By incorporating EAEDs into a wide variety of hosts, the present invention creates an EAS with the potential to reach virtually all of the appropriate people very quickly. It is reliable, easy to operate, fast, and geographically selective. It also only requires routine maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes an emergency operations center that selects an emergency alert message and identifies a geographic area of ​​interest; an emergency alert transmission center that transmits the emergency alert message and a geographic area message representative of the geographic area of ​​interest; a satellite that receives the emergency alert message and the geographic area message and relays these messages back to earth; and an emergency alert-enabled device that receives the broadcast emergency alert message and geographic area message and displays the emergency alert message if and only if the emergency alert-enabled device is located within the geographic area of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a graphical representation of the

IMPI present invention.

Figure 2 is a graphical representation of certain steps of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a graphical representation of additional steps of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The key elements of an EAS 10 are generally shown in Figure 1. An emergency alert relay center 12 receives an emergency alert message and geographic data from an emergency operations center (EOC) 22, and transmits one or more signals 16 to a satellite 14 of the emergency system. The signals 16 correspond to a geographical area message, which is based on a geographical area of ​​interest, and to an emergency alert message, intended for people located within the geographical area of ​​interest. The EOC 22 and the Emergency Alert Broadcast Center 12 may be a single facility or they may be separate facilities. In a preferred embodiment, the emergency alert relay center 12 is a separate facility and serves various EOCs 22 from different geographic areas. For example, a

IMPI ^^

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

DE LA REOHEDA · INDUSTRIAL ...— only 12 emergency alert transmission center would be capable of serving 22 EOCs from numerous states,^-cities or other areas. The emergency alert transmission center has one or more transmitters to send the required messages to the satellites 14 of the emergency system.

Although the invention is shown using a satellite 14 for relaying the emergency alert message and the geographic area message to the ground, other means may be used to transmit these messages. The cellular system provides the ability to transmit to almost the entire geographic area of ​​the United States and many other developed countries in the world. The emergency alert transmission center 12 can send emergency alert messages and geographic area messages via cellular transmissions, either as an alternative to, or in addition to, satellite transmissions. The use of satellite transmissions is preferred, but the invention is not limited to this aspect.

This arrangement is preferred because it allows one emergency alert broadcast center 12 to handle all satellite broadcast tasks for various EOCs 22. Existing EOCs are located throughout the world. Most regional government bodies (eg, state governments, state governments,

<img file="MX348032B_D0010.tif" />

⁹ IMPI iNSTmrm muicamo OE LA rROrlEDAP INDOSTUAL.

county or parochial and city) operate such EOCs. Some of these EOCs have satellite broadcast capabilities and some do not. By routing all EAS messages through a specialized emergency alert forwarding center 12, substantial cost savings are conveyed to the taxpaying public. Furthermore, the use of a specialized emergency alert transmission center 12 should improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that no conflicting messages are sent by different EOCs 22.

The satellite 14 of the emergency system retransmits one or more signals 18 back to earth, where these transmissions are received by the emergency alert enabled devices (EAEDs) 20. As described above, these signals 18 correspond to a message geographic area and an emergency alert message. EAEDs are not shown in Figure 1, but will be discussed in more detail later.

Figures 2 and 3 show steps in a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is an aerial representation of an illustrative geographic region. An emergency situation has occurred at a site 30, and staff at an EOC 22 (not shown in Figure 2) have decided that an emergency alert message should be communicated to all persons within a geographic area of ​​interest 32

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particular,

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INSTITUTO MÍX1CANC • ε la MorifDAn

IMMIST1UAL shown in blocked form in Figure 2.

The geographic area of ​​interest 32 can be circular, semi-circular, rectangular, or take any other shape. Operators in the EOC must make a determination as to which geographic area 32 should be notified of the emergency.

In the hypothetical illustration shown in Figure 2, a fire has occurred at a chemical facility that represents an airborne hazardous materials hazard in an area close to and downwind of the fire location. Operators are informed of the emergency and risk in the EOC. The operators then determine an appropriate geographic area 32 within which all persons should receive the alert message. The system therefore creates and transmits geographically targeted emergency alert messages. The transmission of the message is directed only to the people within the relevant geographic area. Using the present invention, the operator can use geographic mapping software to define an alert area. This process can use electronic street maps, satellite images, or combined satellite images overlaid with information from the street map.

Although the invention may use electronic maps, the present invention does not depend on maps or the mapping process. The invention can use coordinates

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IMPI Mexican institute

OF THE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY real latitude and longitude to define the area of ​​interest and to establish the exact location of a particular user. This procedure provides accurate and reliable position information. Maps can be old or otherwise inaccurate. In addition, people may be in an uninhabited area on a map (eg, in a lake or in a forest), but the present invention may still be able to reach those people if they are located within the area of ​​concern for the emergency. . Most prior art systems rely to some degree on maps, whether printed or electronic, and consequently are inferior to the present invention in this regard.

A computer or equivalent device can be used to generate a geographic area message. This message would include an electronic representation (eg, in the form of an algorithm) of the geographic area of ​​interest for the particular emergency. Geographic area 32 shown in Figure 2 is an illustration of the geographic area of ​​interest. A geographic area message can include a series of mathematical expressions that define a geographic area 32 such that a processor in an EAED 20 can use the expressions to determine whether the actual geographic location of the EAED 20 is within the area of ​​interest.

In this example, an EOC operator defined a Mexican institute DE LA PROPIEDAD yw— INDUSTRIAL - alert area to the south and east of the fire. This is shown by means of the geographic area 32 in Figure 2. Data representative of this geographic area is prepared for transmission to the emergency alert transmission center 12. The processing of the geographic area data can be done in several known ways. by persons skilled in the art.

It is desirable to encode the geographic area data in such a way as to limit the size of the message that must be transmitted to and from the satellite 14 of the emergency system. A larger data volume would require more memory resources on satellite 14 and EAEDs 20. Also, the larger the transmission size, the longer the transmission will take. The difference in time is not likely to result in a noticeable delay in system response time, but a longer satellite transmission is more vulnerable to interference or interruptions than a shorter transmission. Furthermore, the devices that ultimately receive the message may not have much internal memory and may tend to limit the size of the messages that can be used with the invention. For these reasons, it is desirable to limit the size of the geographic area message.

Geographical area data can be compressed to reduce the size of the transmitted data.

Such

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IMPI INSTITUTO MUICANO DE LA PROHRDAD INDUSTRIAL compression of data can be carried out in any suitable way. Numerous types of digital data compression are known to those skilled in the art, and no particular method is known to be superior to another for the purposes of this invention. For operational consistency, it is highly preferred that a single data compression scheme be adopted and used by all EAS operators.

The compressed geographic area message is transmitted to satellite 14 of the emergency system and then relayed to EAEDs 20. In a preferred embodiment, the EAEDs are capable of decompressing the geographic area message. To avoid having to program the EAEDs 20 to recognize and decompress the multiple types of data compression, it is again highly preferred to adopt and use a single data compression scheme by all EAS operators. The use of a small number of specialized emergency alert transmission centers 12 would facilitate this objective, since data compression can be carried out through the emergency alert transmission center 12, rather than through EOCs. 22.

The satellite 14 of the emergency system may store the emergency alert message and the geographic data message for some period of time to ¹⁴ IMPI ^^ Mexican iNSTmrro r&gt; t PROPERTY &lt;7— 1

INDUSTRIAL its repeated retransmission to earth. This can improve the effectiveness of the system by increasing the likelihood that EAEDs 20 within the geographic area of ​​interest will actually receive the required messages.

In addition, satellite 14 may alter the format of the messages prior to transmission, may modify or remove the compression of the data, or carry out other changes to the digital characteristics of the emergency alert message and / or the area message. geographic. These types of changes are all within the scope of the present invention and still constitute the retransmission of messages via satellite 14. As long as the same content of the message is transmitted to the ground via satellite 14 (ie, the same emergency alert message - for example, to evacuate the area - and to the same geographic area of ​​interest), such transmission is considered a retransmission of the same messages sent to satellite 14 from the emergency alert transmission center 12.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the EOC 22 provides non-digital geographic area information to the emergency alert transmission center 12, where the geographic area information is then digitized and compressed. For example, the EOC may provide a verbal or written description of the alert area to the emergency alert relay center 12. The operator at the

IMPI ^^

MDUGANO INSTITUTE

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY emergency alert broadcast center 12 can then use mapping software to define the geographic alert area and the geographic area of ​​interest would then be converted into an appropriate compressed digital signal of the geographic area message, ready for your transmission to satellite 14 of the emergency system.

The shape of the geographic area of ​​interest can have a significant impact on the size of the geographic area data package. A circular shape is easy to define digitally and produces a relatively small file size. An intricate shape with numerous rectangular segments, on the other hand, can be quite difficult to define digitally, and can result in a very large file size. In some cases, it may be preferable to transmit multiple sets of alert and geographic area messages, with the entire geographic area broken up into more easily defined areas. This type of variation and others are intended to facilitate reliable operation of EAS within the scope of the present invention.

Figure 3 represents the next general stage of a method of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This drawing illustrates the selection process 34 of the emergency alert message. In the example shown in Figure 3, the operator can select from certain standardized alert messages (eg, evacuate or protect yourself¹⁶

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF THE «ROM AGE

INDUSTRIAL on the site) or you can create a custom message. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates alert messages in text, audio, video, or any combination of these communication methods. For example, an alert can consist of a text message, an audio version of either the same message or a more detailed message, and a video presentation showing a map of the alert area and the safe areas.

The emergency alert message may be generated using software with a radio control menu 36, as illustrated in Figure 3. Other means of generating an emergency alert message may include the use of codes representative of pre-selected messages and communication of the messages. codes to an emergency alert relay center 12, where the actual electronic message can be created. Similarly, an operator at the EOC 22 may input the emergency alert message to the emergency alert relay center 12, or emails or other means of communication may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the geographic area message and the emergency alert message are linked in some way. The two messages are related to each other and will be transmitted and retransmitted as a pair of messages or, in some embodiments, as two parts

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- 17 IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

DC LA MOHEDA »INDUSTRIAL of a unique composite message. Rats vary widely as they deviate from the invention. In a preferred embodiment, these messages are linked by means of cross-reference data that allows the two messages to be positively correlated with each other by means of any device used in the EAS. For example, the transmitter, satellite, and EAED would all be capable of recognizing a couple of linked geo-area and emergency alert messages.

Turning now to Figure 4, a flow chart 40 is presented. This diagram represents the steps of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first stage shown is the determination by emergency personnel that some segment of the public should be notified of an emergency 42. Once this determination is made, the operator defines an appropriate emergency alert area using computerized software 44. The operator 46 then selects or creates an appropriate emergency alert message. The geographic alert area is converted into a mathematical algorithm for geographic area signal 48. Geographic data can be compressed as part of this stage or an additional data compression stage - not shown in Figure 4 - can be used.

A computer can be used to digitally code the geographic area of ​​interest. Since no

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO oí la ruontOAO INDUSTRIAL There is no current standard format for geographic mapping algorithms, the invention is not limited to any particular type of format for geographic data. Computer software can be used to create a digitized representation of the geographic area of ​​interest.

This digital file would be part of, or perhaps all, the geographic area message transmitted to the satellite and subsequently relayed to the EAEDs 20.

Once the alert message signal and the appropriate geographic area message signal are prepared, these two sets of information are transmitted to one or more satellites 50. The satellites then transmit the emergency message signal and the area message signal. geographic location to a selected region 52. These transmissions will cover a much larger geographic region than those selected by the emergency system operator to ensure that the geographic area of ​​interest is fully covered by the transmissions. For example, if the emergency alert area includes a portion of Houston, Texas, satellite broadcasts can reach users throughout North America. Other satellites transmitting to other parts of the world would not be used in this example. However, it is anticipated that the use of more than one satellite may be desirable to provide redundancy and therefore to increase the effectiveness of the invention.

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After a signal EAED 20 of the geographical area message message, signals, the EAED 20 will evaluate

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO dí la morrenAD INDUSTRIAL receives the alert satellite transmission and signal 54 of the

Once these two are received the geographic area message and it will compare the geographic data contained in that message with the current geographic location 56 of the EAED. The EAED 20 can use a variety of means to fix this geographic location, but a preferred means is the use of the global positioning system or GPS. This is discussed in more detail 10 below. The EAED 20 then carries out a decision stage. He wonders if the EAED 20 is within the geographic area of ​​interest 58.

If the EAED 20 is outside the area of ​​interest, the process ends 60. However, if the EAED 20 15 is within the geographic area of ​​interest, the EAED displays the emergency alert message 62. The EAED 20 then saves the message for repeated playback upon request by a user 64. The message is presented even if there is no user receiving the message. The presentation means will vary depending on the interface used by the EAED and / or its host device.

In the most preferred embodiment, the EAED 20 is embedded within a host device. If the EAED 2 0 is required to deliver an alert message 62, 25 the host device can be used to present the message to the user. In case of

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If the host device is in use for some other purpose, the EAED 2 0 would override the current operation of the host device so that the emergency alert message is delivered.

In case the host device is powered off when the

EAED 2 0 determines that an alert message 62 is to be delivered, EAED 20 would turn on the host device and deliver the message. The host device can be turned off again after the alert message has been delivered.

Whether the alert message is delivered 62 or not delivered 60, the EAED 20 returns to ready mode 66 after the execution of the preceding steps. In fact, the EAED 20 remains ready to receive messages at all times and, in a preferred embodiment, has a buffer or line to hold incoming messages while other messages are processed. This is potentially important because it is possible for a particular EAED 20 to receive numerous messages within a very short period of time. The present invention enables this and ensures that any alert message that needs to be delivered to a user is delivered. In practice, an EAED 20 would take only a few seconds to process a number of alert message / geographic message pairs.

A block diagram of an EAED 20 is shown in Figure 5. The blocks represent a position module ²¹IMPi ^ n

MUICANO INSTITUTE

OF THE FROMtDAD ι * _ι (¡ί | Γ

INDUSTRIAL geographic 72, a satellite message receiver 74, an emergency alert message interface 76, and a data processor 78. The geographic position module 72, in a preferred embodiment, is a highly sensitive GPS receiver. Because the EAED 20 must remain on at all times and must be able to fix the geographical position even when the user is indoors or under the canopy of a heavy tree, there is a need for a GPS receiver with very high sensitivity and very low power consumption.

GPS receivers that meet these requirements can be obtained from a variety of sources. One model that has worked well is produced by u-blox, a German company specializing in GPS technology. U-blox produces a variety of GPS receivers, and has developed extremely sensitive receivers. GPS satellites must transmit continuously and for this reason these satellites transmit at very low power levels. This has caused reception problems with GPS receivers in the past. Many GPS units lose their original signal when the unit is inside a vehicle, under dense canopies, or indoors. Also, many GPS units are slow to acquire a position. It is highly desirable to avoid such disadvantages in the present invention.

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- 22 IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF THE INOUSTMAL RKOHtTY

U-blox GPS receivers combine highly sensitive antennas with sophisticated data processing. Some u-blox receivers include a dead reckoning feature that helps estimate the current position of a unit even if GPS satellite data has been momentarily lost. Additionally, u-blox GPS receivers are ultra-low power consumption devices, using less than 50mW of power. The u-blox 5 is the latest generation u-blox GPS chipset and this chipset is expected to work well with the present invention. The ublox claims that this chipset acquires a GPS position in less than a second. Fast and accurate position acquisition is highly desirable for the present invention.

If a GPS position can be reliably obtained very quickly, the geographic position module 72 may turn off during regular operation of the EAED 20. The geographic position module 72 can obtain a GPS position periodically and can be configured to obtain a position. when receiving a geographic area message and an emergency alert message from a satellite. Such operation can reduce the power consumption of the geo position module 72 and thus reduce the overall power demands of the EAED 20.

The invention will work with any low energy, high sensitivity GPS receiver. U-blox receptors

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- 23 IMPI

MUICANU INSTITUTE

Dt THE INDUSTRIAL FHOMIDAO are currently a preferred modality, but there is great competition within the market for GPS receivers. In addition, a new generation of enhanced GPS satellites will be put into operation in the future. These new satellites will have higher transmission levels than existing GPS satellites. When these new satellites become available, the sensitivity problem may be less important than it is today. However, the power consumption issue can still be significant, particularly if the EAED 20 is configured to stay on at all times.

The satellite message receiver 74 includes the components necessary to receive the alert message and the geographic area message from the satellite 14 of the emergency system. Existing technologies used in satellite radio, satellite locators, or satellite cell phones can be used for this purpose. It is desirable that the satellite receiver be highly sensitive and consume minimal power. Satellite message receiver 74 can operate in an idle mode until receiving a signal, thus conserving power.

The satellite message receiver 74 must have sufficient sensitivity to reliably receive satellite signals even indoors, inside a car, or in other situations where there is no field.

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- 24 IMPI

Mexican INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY clear visual for the transmitting satellite. This problem is less limiting than the GPS sensitivity problem discussed above because the satellites used by EAS are likely to transmit substantially more powerful signals than existing GPS satellites. Satellite locators and satellite phones perform well even when the receivers are indoors, and these technologies are consequently preferred by the present invention. Satellite radio, in its current state of development, tends to suffer from frequent signal losses and, for this reason, is not currently preferred for this invention. As with GPS receiver technology, competition is expected to lead to improvements in satellite radio receiver technology, and this type of technology may well be a good match for the present invention in the future.

The geographic position module 72 and the satellite message receiver 74 both require a satellite antenna in the most preferred embodiment. Separate antennas can be used or a single dual-use antenna can be used. In any case, the selected antennas should have the highest possible sensitivity. In some applications, the host device (ie, the device in which the EAED 20 is embedded) may have an existing antenna that provides superior performance and can

<img file="MX348032B_D0021.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY to be shared by EAED 20.

The data processor 78 performs the necessary analysis of the incoming geographic data received through the satellite message receiver 74 and the current geographic location information received through the geographic position module 72. An evaluation is carried out for determine if the current geographic position of the EAED 20 is within the geographic area of ​​interest. If so, the data processor 78 then sends the emergency alert message to the emergency alert message interface 76. This interface 76 either directly or indirectly presents the emergency message to a user. The data processor 78 also includes sufficient memory to store previous alert messages for playback at a later time. Alternatively, such memory can be provided on a separate module within the EAED 20.

The EAED 2 0 can be a stand-alone unit or it can be embedded within a host device. The latter arrangement is preferred. A wide variety of host devices are contemplated for the present invention. Automobiles, cell phones, landlines, computers, televisions, radios, mp3 players, and almost any existing or later developed device that provides text, audio, or video content to a

<img file="MX348032B_D0022.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF INDUSTRIAL EROHEDAD end user. However, if the EAED 20 is a stand-alone unit, the device must also include some means to communicate directly with a user. This can be a display screen (eg, a small screen

LCD) or an audio system.

To more fully appreciate the operation of the present invention, consider its use in an automobile. The EAED 20 can be incorporated into the car's design seamless. With a small area of ​​application, lower power consumption, and a relatively large power source through the car's large ignition battery, the EAED 20 would pose minimal design challenges for an automotive designer. The EAED 20, for example, can be incorporated into the vehicle's stereo system or a navigation system, if the vehicle is so equipped. The EAED 20 can use an existing antenna in the vehicle to improve satellite reception. The EAED 20 can interface with the in-vehicle audio system to present audio alert messages or with the pilot and / or alarm system to warn the user of the emergency. Many vehicles today have visual displays capable of displaying text messages, and such capability can be used by the EAED 20 to communicate emergency messages. If a relevant emergency message is received while the vehicle is not in use, the

<img file="MX348032B_D0023.tif" />

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO BfLAMIOHfDAD INDUSTRIAL

EAED 20 can store the message and present it to the user the next time the vehicle is used.

If an EAED 20 is embedded in a cellular phone, the invention can interface with the phone to provide emergency message content in audio, text, and potentially video. A unique emergency alarm ringtone can be used to ensure that the user recognizes the urgency of the event. If the phone is in use, the EAED 20 can override the existing use and transmit the emergency alert to the user.

It is also expected to embed an EAED 20 into a television, radio, mp3 player, or other device with some form of audio and / or visual interface. When an EAED embedded within such a device receives a relevant message, it can turn on the device and transmit the alert message. The device can then be turned off again. The message can be stored until the user turns on the device later, at which point the alert message can be provided again.

The EAED 20 and its host device can be configured to operate regardless of the current mode of operation in use. For example, if an EAED 20 is built into a television and a movie is being viewed through an alternate input, the EAED 20 would indicate to the

<img file="MX348032B_D0024.tif" />

- 28 IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO M LA TROMIDAD INDUSTRIAL television to provide the alert message. This capability shows a significant advantage that the present invention offers over the existing Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). The EBS will only reach the 5 people who watch a regular television broadcast. For example, if a user's television is on a video input receiving material from a DVD player, the EBS cannot reach that user. However, the EAED 20 of the present invention would reach that user.

The above examples of the applications of the present invention are by no means exhaustive. The EAED 20 of the present invention is expected to be embedded in a wide variety of electronic products. The particular way in which the EAED 20 is integrated with such products is left to the manufacturers and designers of the products. The present invention provides EAED technology and an EAS method of operation. The way in which EAEDs are integrated into host systems is expected to vary greatly.

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO M LA MONEDAD INDUÍTMAl