WO2000059236A1

WO2000059236A1 - Providing warning signals of graphic granularity

Info

Publication number: WO2000059236A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/008094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sam Johnson
Original assignee: Cell South, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-03-26
Filing date: 2000-03-27
Publication date: 2000-10-05
Also published as: AU4034500A

Abstract

A message generator (210) detects an event and generates an alert message (215). The alert message includes sufficient information to identify a geographic region impacted by the detected event. The alert message is delivered to the message director (220). The message director analyzes the alert message to identify the geographic region impacted. The message director then, utilizing the communication system (230), delivers an alert signal to each of the remote units (240) that are within the geographic region. More particularly, the present invention may be embodied within a weather warning system and utilize the nationwide pager network for the delivery of alert signals.

Description

Providing Warning Signals ot Graphic Granularity

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to geographically based alerting and warning systems and, more particularly, to a warning system that provides warnings to a destination, based on the geographic location of the destination m relationship to the cause of the warning, and achieves a high-degree of geographic granularity m providing these warnings.

BACKGROUND

Natural disasters, acts of terrorism, civil disasters, industrial accidents, and many other catastrophic events claim human life, result m bodily harm, or result in severe property damage on a daily basis. Most adults can recall one or more such events that have directly impacted their lives or the lives of their family or friends. The fragility of human life is very apparent in the face of such events. Witnessing the dismantling of a neighborhood by a tornado or hurricane, or the destruction of a town due to flood waters is, to say the least, very sobeπng.

Faced with the realization of our mortality, people and organizations have spent millions of dollars and hours trying to develop warning systems that can alert people of such events. Even a simple 5 to 10 minute warning pπor to such catastrophic events can save the lives of hundreds or thousands of people and prevent or reduce the unnecessary loss of life. Many warning systems have been and continue to be developed. The various types of systems and techniques are too numerous to mention; however, each of these warning systems is plagued with inadequacies and short-commgs.

One category of warning systems are directed towards alerting the public concerning the occurrence of a severe weather event. Such weather warning systems heavily rely on sources of weather information. Several sources of weather information are available including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA"), the Interactive Weather Information Network ("I WIN"), the National Weather Service ("NWS"), and others. The NWS currently operates a network of very-high frequency ("VHF") radio transmitters supplying local weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisones directly to the public in the United States and some areas of the western Pacific and the Caribbean. The information broadcast from these transmitters is developed and compiled by NWS personnel at Weather Service Forecast Offices (WSFOs), and Weather Service Offices

(WSOs). The weather information provided by such sources is referred to in the industry as a weather product or simply a product. These products are formatted, recorded, scheduled, and communicated to the transmitters by NWS personnel.

Another important aspect of a weather warning system, as well as any warning system, is the ability to deliver the information to the public. The

NOAA Weather Wire Service ("NWWS") is the primary telecommunications network for NWS forecasts, warnings and other products. The NWWS is a satellite communications system that transmits NWS products directly from NWS offices to external users. The system unlizes satellite transmitting equipment ("uplinks") at more than 58 major NWS forecast offices throughout the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Each uplink site transmits NWS-generated weather information products to a master facility in Mountain View, California. This information is then re-broadcast via satellite to more than 1,500 users. Thus, the users have direct access to this broadcast data stream of NWS products.

Another important aspect of a warning system is the ability to disseminate the information accurately, timely, and reliably. Several techniques are in place for disseminating such information; however, each of the existing techniques are inadequate do to a lack of reliability, a lack of timeliness in delivery, an inability to accurately deliver the information, or the like. One such delivery technique is television broadcasting. Using this technique, a television station provides the public with a severe weather warnings in several methods including: (a) interrupting a program and providing a warning announcement; (b) providing an audible warning sound; and/or (c) providing a text message marquee across the bottom of the screen.

The use of television broadcasting to provide weather warnings are inadequate for several reasons. The foremost reason is that in order to receive the warning, the individual must have a television and the individual must have the television turned on. Duπng the middle of the night this is very unlikely.

Another delivery technique for providing severe weather warnings is through public radio announcements. However, similar to television broadcast warnings, the radio announcements are inadequate in that an individual may not have their radio turned on, and thus miss the warning. Thus, there is a need in the art for a warning system that delivers warnings through a medium that is constantly active, and thereby can ensure the delivery of warning messages in a reliable manner. Another delivery technique to provide weather warnings is through the use of the civil defense and air radar sirens. This technique utilizes self- contained generators to power the warning system and sounds a siren to alert individuals withm the vicinity of the siren. Use of the civil defense systems to deliver warnings is unreliable, inaccurate, and does not have a high-degree of geographic granularity. The civil defense system is unreliable as a warning delivery technique because it must be maintained frequently to reduce the chances of mechanical failures. Thus, there is a need m the art for a warning system that requires minimum maintenance, yet provides reliable warnings to the public. In addition, the warning sirens provided through the civil defense system may not be heard by individuals that are not located near the siren, are heavy sleepers, or may be listening to the television or the radio at a high volume. Thus, there is a need m the art for a warning system that delivers warning indicators to the public with a high probability of being noticed. The civil defense system also lacks the ability to deliver accurate severe weather warnings. Depending on atmospheπc conditions, the sound of the sirens may travel a great distance or may be quickly squelched. In the first case, the sound footprint of the siren may reach too far and deliver the warning to individuals that are not m harms way This will result in delivering false alarms and possibly desensitizing the public to the alarms. In the second case, the warning system will fail to deliver warnings to the individuals. Thus, there is also a need in the art for a warning system that substantially limits the delivery of false alarms. The NWS delivers warnings by broadcasting VHF signals to user owned receivers, such as the radio units available from Tandy Corporation. Upon receiving the VHF signals, the radio units decode the signal and sound an audible alarm to alert the owner of a severe weather event. The NWS does not provide accurate warning information through this technique. The geographic area covered by the NWS broadcasts stations is usually on the order of multiple counties in size. Due to the large footprint (or lack of granularity) of the broadcasts, many individuals receive alerts that are not relevant to their area. The lack of geographic granularity in a warning system results in a lack of precision and accuracy, and may desensitize the public to the warning messages. Remember the boy that cπed wolf? Thus, there is a need in the art for a warning system that provides accurate warnings by only alerting individuals that may be impacted by an event. In other words, there is a need in the art for a warning system that provides warnings at a high-degree of geographic granulaπty.

Many of the weather alert system m place today simply provide a warning indicator without any differentiation as to the type or severity of the weather alert. This limitation may also result m desensitizing the public. Thus, there is also a need in the art for a warning system that provides warning signals based on the seventy, strength, intensity, and destructiveness of a weather event.

Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a system and method to provide event warnings, including weather events, in an accurate, reliable, and timely manner, that indicate vaπous information about the weather events, and that are delivered with a degree of geographic granulaπty sufficient to alert individuals that may be in harms way, but at the same time, prevent the desensitization of individuals due to false or inapplicable warnings.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies the above-identified needs in the art by providing warning system and a method for delivering alert messages that can be implemented in a vanety of communication network including the nationwide pager network and individual pager receivers. The robusmess and maturity of the nationwide pager network enables this embodiment of the present invention to ensure the reliable, timely, and accurate delivery of warning messages. Furthermore, the pager receivers within the system are associated with fixed geographic locations. A high-degree of granularity is obtained through this embodiment of the present invention by having the ability to address and signal individual pager receivers within the system.

Thus, this embodiment of the present invention is able to provide warnings of weather events or other events in a reliable, accurate, timely manner and with a degree of geographic granularity sufficient to alert individuals that may be in harms way. Advantageously, this aspect of the present invention prevents the desensitization of individuals due to false alarms. In operation of a weather warning system embodiment of the present invention, a monitoring system detects an event and gathers and analyzes critical parameters associated with the event. Upon completion of the analysis, the size, direction, speed of movement, area impacted, and at risk areas are identified. Based on this information, a geographic oriented database is utilized to identify pager receivers that should be alerted. Alert messages are then delivered to each of the pager receivers that are either within the area being impacted or within the areas at πsk. In addition, the warning system of the present invention can identify the severity or intensity of the event and provide warning messages that accurately describe the event. One aspect of the present invention is a remote unit that is able to receive warning messages and alert individuals accordingly. In one embodiment, the remote units include a pager receiver, and controller, and an alerting device such as a speaker, light, or an external device that can be controlled by the remote unit. In this embodiment, the pager receiver receives and decode a paging signal that has been directed to the remote unit and provides the decoded paging signal to the controller. The controller then parses the decoded paging signal to identify the type and or severity of the alert signal. Based on the type and severity of the alert signal, the controller actuates the alerting device to warn nearby individuals. The pager receivers in one embodiment of the present invention may be used as control units within a home, office, factory, or other facility. Upon receiving an alert message, the pager receiver may activate or actuate various controls or outputs to protect equipment, ensure reliability of the delivery of the warning, or initiate additional actions. For instance, the remote unit could send signals to turn on a television set to a particular channel (i.e., THE WEATHER CHANNEL). Alternatively, the remote unit could communicate with a power strip and isolate certain equipment from the power source.

In other embodiments, a two way pager, such as a pager implementing the reflex protocol, may receive and transmit status information to the warning system. The warning system of the present invention also provides the ability to receive such feedback from the remote units. This aspect of the present invention may be utilized to assist rescue workers in the aftermath of a catastrophe. The feedback aspect of the present invention can be used to provide additional tracking information to the warning system. For instance, an individual may provide a panic message to the warning system indicating that the individual is in a perilous situation. The warning system could utilize this feedback information to warn others within the vicinity of the panicked individual or to notify emergency or rescue workers. The feedback aspect of the present invention may also be used to provide an all clear indication to the warning system when the individual is out of harms way. Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a system and method to deliver warnings, including weather event warnings. The present invention also provides the ability to deliver information about the warning, such as severity, type of event, etc. Furthermore, the present invention can provide these warnings with a degree of geographic granularity sufficient to alert individuals that may be in harms way, but at the same time, prevent the desensitization of individuals due to false or inapplicable warnings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a system diagram that illustrates an exemplary environment suitable for implementing vaπous embodiments of the present invention or aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a weather alert system based on an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4a is a diagram illustrating an exemplary geographic region generated by an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4b is a diagram illustrating another exemplary geographic region generated by an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention that includes an update aspect of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention that includes a feedback aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed towards a system and a method for providing geographically based alert signals to remote units to provide a warning indicator or a control function m the vicinity of the remote unit. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a weather event is detected, a weather alert signal is generated. The weather alert signal is transmitted to remote units that are located in areas that may be impacted by the weather event. The present invention employs technology that enables a warning system to have a high-degree of geographic granularity. The present invention includes a system for providing directed messaging to one or more remote units. The system includes a message generator, or message source, that prepares messages based on various events and provides these messages to a message director. The message director evaluates the received messages to determine which of one or more remote units should receive the message and then delivers the message to the remote units of concern. In an exemplary embodiment, the evaluation by the message director is geographically based. Each received message pertains to a particular geographic region. In this embodiment, the message director identi ies a class set, where each class identifies a geographic region that may be impacted or related to the received message. The message director then sends the message, or other messages, to remote units that are affiliated with the classes within the class set. Thus, the message director sends messages to remote units that are within the geographic regions associated with the classes in the class set. Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, aspects of the present invention and exemplary operating environments will be described.

Fig. 1 is a system diagram that illustrates an exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention or aspects of the present invention. Fig. 1 and the following discussion provide a general overview of a platform onto which aspects of the invention may be integrated or implemented. Although in the context of the exemplary environment the invention or aspects of the invention will be described as consisting of instructions within a software program being executed by a processing unit, those skilled in the art will understand that portions of the invention, or the entire invention itself, may also be implemented by using hardware components, state machines, or a combination of any of these techniques. In addition, a software program implementing an embodiment of the invention may run as a stand-alone program or as a software module, routine, or function call, operating in conjunction with an operating system, another program, system call, interrupt routine, library routine, or the like. The term program module will be used to refer to software programs, routines, functions, macros, data, data structures, or any set of machine readable instructions or object code, or software instructions that can be compiled into such, and executed by a processing unit.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system illustrated in Fig. 1 may take on many forms and may be directed towards performing a variety of functions. Examples of such forms and functions include mainframe computers, mini computers, servers, work stations, personal computers, handheld devices such a personal data assistants and calculators, consumer electronics, note-book computers, lap-top computers, and a variety of other applications, each of which may serve as an exemplary environment for embodiments of the present invention or aspects thereof. The invention may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distπbuted computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

The exemplary system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a computing device 10 that is made up of various components including, but not limited to, a processing unit 12, non-volatile memory 14, volatile memory 16, and a system bus 18 that couples the non-volatile memory 14 and volatile memory 16 to the processing unit 12. The non-volatile memory 14 may include a variety of memory types including, but not limited to, read only memory (ROM), electronically erasable read only memory (EEROM), electronically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically alterable read only memory (EAROM), and battery backed random access memory (RAM). The non- volatile memory 14 provides storage for power on and reset routines (bootstrap routines) that are invoked upon applying power or resetting the computing device 10. In some configurations the non-volatile memory 14 provides the basic input/output system (BIOS) routines that are utilized to perform the transfer of information between the vaπous components of the computing device 10.

The volatile memory 16 may include a vanety of memory types and devices including, but not limited to. random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), FLASH memory, EEROM, bubble memory, registers, or the like. The volatile memory 16 provides temporary storage for program modules or data that are being or may be executed by, or are being accessed or modified by the processing unit 12. In general, the distinction between non-volatile memory 14 and volatile memory 16 is that when power is removed from the computing device 10 and then reapplied, the contents of the non-volatile memory 14 is not lost, whereas the contents of the volatile memory 16 is lost, corrupted, or erased.

The computing device 10 may access one or more external display devices 30 such as a CRT monitor, LCD panel, LED panel, electro-luminescent panel, or other display device, for the purpose of providing information or computing results to a user. The processing unit 12 interfaces to each display device 30 through a video interface 20 coupled to the processing unit over system bus 18.

The computing device 10 may have access to one or more external storage devices 32 such as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk dπve for the purpose of reading from or wπtmg to a removable disk, and an optical disk drive for the purpose of reading a CD-ROM disk or to read from or write to other optical media, as well as devices for reading from and or wπting to other media types including but not limited to, FLASH memory cards, Bernoulli dπves, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, or the like. The processing unit 12 interfaces to each storage device 32 through a storage interface 22 coupled to the processing unit 12 over system bus 18. The storage devices 32 provide non- volatile storage for the computing device 10.

The computing device 10 may receive input or commands from one or more input devices 34 such as a keyboard, pointing device, mouse, modem, RF or infrared receiver, microphone, joystick, track ball, light pen, game pad, scanner, camera, or the like. The processing unit 12 interfaces to each input device 34 through an input interface 24 coupled to the processing unit 12 over system bus 18. The input interface may include one or more of a vanety of interfaces, including but not limited to, an RS-232 serial port interface or other seπal port interface, a parallel port interface, a universal senal bus (USB), an optical interface such as infrared or IRDA, an RF or wireless interface such as Bluetooth, or other interface.

The computing device 10 may send output information, in addition to the display 30, to one or more output devices 36 such as a speaker, modem, pπnter, plotter, facsimile machine. RF or infrared transmitter, or any other of a vanety of devices that can be controlled by the computing device 10. The processing unit 12 interfaces to each output device 36 through an output interface 26 coupled to the processing unit 12 over system bus 18. The output interface may include one or more of a vanety of interfaces, including but not limited to, an RS-232 senal port interface or other seπal port interface, a parallel port interface, a universal senal bus (USB), an optical interface such as infrared or IRDA, an RF or wireless interface such as Bluetooth, or other interface.

The computing device 10 may operate m a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote systems, such as a remote computer 38. The remote computer 38 may be a server, a router, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the components descnbed relative to the computing device 10. When used m a networking environment, the computing device 10 is connected to the remote system 38 over a network interface 28. The connection between the remote computer 38 and the network interface 28 depicted in Fig. 1 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone connection, or the like. These types of networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterpπse-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. It will be appreciated that program modules implementing vanous embodiments of the present invention may be stored in the storage device 32, the non-volatile memory 14, the volatile memory 16, or in a networked environment, in a remote memory storage device of the remote system 38. The program modules may include an operating system, application programs, other program modules, and program data. The processing unit 12 may access vanous portions of the program modules in response to the vanous instructions contained therein, as well as under the direction of events occurnng or being received over the input interface 24 and the network interface 28.

Fig. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a weather alert system based on an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The weather alert system 200 includes a message generator m the form of a weather monitor 210, a message director 220. a communications system 230, and a remote unit 240.

In the illustrated embodiment, the weather monitor 210 may be a weather momtonng and tracking system, such as the one operated by the National Weather Service. The weather monitor 210 m this exemplary embodiment operates to detect weather events and weather parameters associated with the weather events. The weather events may include vanous storms, such as wind, sand, ram, thunder, electπcal, snow, sleet and hail, as well as tornadoes, hurncanes, cyclones, or the like. The weather parameters associated with the weather events may include a seventy indicator, size, location, angular velocity, direction, speed, type, or other similar parameters. Other, non- weather related embodiments are also anticipated for the present invention.

Such other embodiments include, but are not limited to, traffic systems, catastrophe alert systems, evacuation systems, or the like, and each event within these systems may have a set of event parameters. As previously descnbed in the background section, there are many weather momtoπng systems in existence and the present invention is not limited to any particular type of weather monitor or message generator. In the illustrated embodiment, upon detecting a weather event, the weather monitor 210 generates a weather alert message that is pertinent to the weather event

("pertinent message") The weather monitor 210 interfaces with the message director 220 over weather monitor interface 215. The weather monitor 210 transmits the weather alert message to the message director over the weather monitor interface 215

Upon receiving the weather alert message, the message director 220 (a) analyzes the contents of the weather alert message to identify a geographic region that is being impacted by the weather event ("pertinent geographic region"), (b) applies a set of heunstics to identify remote units that are within the impacted geographic region, and (c) initiates the delivery of alert messages to each of these remote units through the communications system 230. The communication system 230 illustrated m Fig. 2 is a paging network. However, those skilled in the art will understand that other communication systems may also be utilized to achieve the benefits of the present invention, including but not limited to, analog, narrow analog, TDMA, iDEN, CDMA, GSM, or other cellular systems, as well as packet data systems, CDPD, or propnetary/custom communications systems. The advantages associated with utilizing a paging network include the wide coverage, the low cost of receiver equipment, and the low cost of air-time usage. In the illustrated embodiment, the message director 220 initiates the delivery of alert messages by requesting the communications system 230 to page each of the necessary remote units. Each remote unit 240 in the weather alert system 200 includes a receiver. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver is a pager. Upon receiving a page message through antenna 241, the remote unit 240 parses the message to determine the content, and then provides an appropnate warning signal, such as sounding an alarm and/or displaying a message on display 242. The remote unit 240 may also include an interface 245 to an external device 250. The interface 245 may include a wired interface, or a wireless interface including

RF, infrared or optical interfaces. In vanous embodiments, the remote unit 240 may control vaπous external devices 250 through this interface. For instance, the remote unit 240 may control the operation of a television set through an infrared interface, the operation of a power supply for other equipment through an RF interface, the lights in a home through a wired interface, or the like. In some embodiments, the remote unit 240 may also receive information over the interface 245 from the external device 250 and relay this information to the message director 220, or some other destination through the communications system 230. In other embodiments, the remote unit 240 may include interface buttons 244, 246, and 248 that can be actuated by a user. In response to actuating the interface buttons 244, 246. and 248, the remote unit 240 may send information to the message director 220, or to some other destination, through the communications system 230. The information sent in response to actuating the interface buttons 244, 246, and 248 may vary from embodiment to embodiment. For instance, the interface buttons 244, 246, and 248 may be used to: signal an emergency condition at the vicinity of the remote unit 240; request ambulatory, firefighter or police help; indicate an all clear condition; indicate a severe storm warning, or the like.

Thus, it can be seen from Fig. 2, that the present invention may be embodied within a weather alert warning system. It will be understood, that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but rather, can be embodied in a variety of systems that would benefit from the ability to notify individuals on a geographic basis. For instance, the present invention could be utilized to track a delivery truck, such as a U.S. Mail truck, and notify residents when their mail has arrived. The present invention may also be used to track a disposal truck and notify residents when the truck is approaching. The present invention is also adaptable to operate as a back-up for a home alarm system. In a typical home alarm system, when an alarm is tnggered, the alarm system initiates a call to an alarm momtoπng system. If an intruder breaks the telephone path prior to the call completion, then the monitoring system will not be alerted. The present invention provides an alternate means to report the occurrence of an alarm condition. Upon detecting an alarm condition, the remote unit sends an alarm message to the message director 220 over the communications system 230.

It will also be understood that the division of labor displayed in Fig. 2 is for functional purposes only and is not intended to limit the present invention to any particular system configuration. For instance, the functionality of the message director 220 could be performed by the weather monitor 210. the communications system 230, or be divided between the two. In other embodiments, the functionality of the weather monitor 210, the message director 220 and the communications system 230 may all be embodied m a single system.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention. Although it will be apparent that the steps illustrated m Fig. 3 can be applied to any of the vanous embodiments of the present invention, the steps will be descnbed in conjunction with the weather alert system embodiment of the present invention illustrated m Fig. 2. The operation begins at step 300. At step 310, an event is detected. In Fig. 2, this would coincide with the weather monitor 210 detecting a weather event such as a tornado. Information about the event is obtained and then provided as data to a message director 220 at step 320. For instance, the weather monitor 210 may accumulate information about the location of the tornado, the direction the tornado is moving, the speed at which the tornado is moving, or the like. At step 330. the message director 220 identifies a geographic region or a geographic code ("geo-code") that is associated or impacted by the event. The geographic region or geo-code may be determined m a vanety of techniques. One technique is to apply a rules based or heunstic algonthm to a set of input cntena For instance, the magnitude, location, direction, velocity, angular velocity, histoncal path, etc could be used as input. Based on this input, a set of rules could be applied to generate a geographic region. As an example, if the event is an F2 tornado with a particular angular velocity and a particular X/Y location, the rules may generate the geographic region 410 illustrated in Fig. 4a. On the other hand, if the event is an F5 tornado with the same parameters, the rules may generate the geographic region 420 illustrated in Fig. 4b. What is important is that the geographic region is accurate and includes sufficient granulantv to identify actual areas that are impacted by the event. For instance, if the geographic region encompasses the state or county in which a tornado has been detected, the granularity is not sufficient. On the other hand, if the geographic region includes the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the tomado, and the relative size of the tornado, then the granularity is sufficient. In some embodiments, the geographic region may only include the geographic area actually being impacted by the event. In other embodiments, the geographic region may include areas that have a high potential of being impacted by the event. This latter embodiment would coincide with the detection of a tornado. In this case, the probable path of the tornado can be calculated and the geographic region can be expanded to include the probable path. In addition, in some embodiments, multiple geographic regions may be determined and a probability of being impacted by the event assigned to them. In this embodiment, different messages based on these probabilities can be sent to remote units in the various geographic regions. The geographic region may be represented using a variety of techniques. For instance, as previously mentioned, the geographic region may be identified by a series of longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates. Alternatively, the geographic region may be represented by another grid technique that may or may not be tied to actual mailing addresses. Regardless of the method employed to identify the geographic region, at step 340 a look-up process is performed. The look-up process identifies remote units that are within the geographic region. Each remote unit has a particular geographic location. In one embodiment, the geographic location of the remote unit may be the address where the remote unit is located.

In other embodiments, the address of the remote unit may be translated into a five (5) digit zip-code, a nine (9) digit zip-code, a longitude and a latitude coordinate, or some other X-Y coordinate. When a remote unit is purchased and installed at a location, the remote unit must be registered. The present invention anticipates several techniques for performing this function. In one technique, upon installing the remote unit, the user must call a particular telephone number to register the remote unit. Using this technique, the user will need to provide the location of the remote unit, in the form of a mailing address, as well as an identification number of the remote unit. The address provided by the user is then applied to a reverse look-up procedure to identify the X-Y coordinates or the longitude and latitude that correspond to the remote unit. Those skilled m the art will be aware of vaπous techniques and tools that can be used to accomplish this function. Alternatively, the user may directly enter the longitude and latitude of the remote unit.

In another technique, the remote unit may self-register. In this technique, the location of the remote unit may be manually or electronically entered into the remote unit, or the remote unit may be equipped with the technology necessary to identify its own location. For instance, the remote unit may include a GPS receiver Upon powenng up the remote unit, or upon some other event, the remote unit transmits this information to the system, thereby informing the system of its location In another technique, the remote units may be mobile. In this technique, the location information of the remote unit must be continuously or peπodically sent to the system Again, this task can be accomplished using either of the previously descnbed techniques. In addition, the present invention also anticipates the ability of a portable electronic device to identify its location using means other than a GPS receiver For instance, as the mfrastructure of the digital cellular network expands, it is anticipated that the location of the digital cellular telephones, pagers, or other compatible devices will be able to be determined by the communications system.

Dunng the look-up process of step 340. the location information of the registered remote units are examined and remote units withm the footpπnt of the geographic region are identified, and necessary information for contacting these remote units is obtained from a database. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, this contact information may include the capcode of the pager receiver.

A capcode is a unique number assigned to each pager and attached to a page message. Upon receiving a page message, the pager can examine the capcode to determine if the pager was the intended destination for the message. Thus, as step 350, alert messages are sent to the remote units identified in the reverse look-up procedure. In the illustrated embodiment, the alert messages will be pages. Those skilled in the art will know that the capcodes can be used to perform broadcast and group paging. This characteristic of the paging system can be utilized in various embodiments of the present invention. For instance, if one particular remote unit is being notified because of an impending perilous event, other remote units belonging to family members, emergency rescue workers, or the like, may also be notified through the use of a group page. The operation of the process illustrated in this embodiment ends at step

360. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention that includes an update aspect of the present invention. The update aspect of the present invention allows the remote units to receive update information regarding the event. In the weather alert system embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the update aspect of the present invention may be utilized to re-alert the owner of the remote unit. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention that provides alerts of varying degrees, the update aspect of the present invention may be used to change the alert degree. For instance, one alert degree may be used to indicate that a tornado has been detected in the state. .Another alert degree may be used to indicate that a tornado has been detected in the county associated with the remote unit. Another alert degree may be used to indicate that the tornado is on a direct path with the remote unit. Another alert degree may be used to indicate that the event has passed and the remote unit is out of harms way - all clear signal. The operations illustrated in Fig. 5 are the same as the operations illustrated in Fig. 3 with the exception of step 500. At 500, if update information is to be provided, processing returns to step 310 where the updated information is obtained and then delivered by repeating steps 320, 330, 340 and 350.

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention that includes a feedback aspect of the present invention. The feedback aspect of the present invention allows the remote units to receive input from an external device or user, and provide feedback or alerts to the system. In the weather alert system embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the feedback aspect of the present invention may be utilized to alert the weather alert system of a variety of information. For instance, the feedback could be used to indicate (a) that a power outage has occurred at the location of the remote unit, (b) an all clear condition exists at the location, (c) a tornado has been spotted, (d) emergency help is needed, etc.

In addition, sensors could be coupled to the remote unit for the purpose of gathering information to feedback to the weather monitoring system. The sensors could include temperature, wind velocity, light intensity, or any of a variety of sensors. This type of feedback information is useful within the context of the weather alert system, as well as other embodiments. The operations illustrated in Fig. 6 are the same as the operations illustrated in Fig.

3 with the exception of step 600. At step 600, if feedback information is detected, the feedback information is transmitted to the message director at step

610, and processing returns to step 310. At step 310, the feedback information, as well as updated information is obtained and then delivered by performing steps 320, 330, 340 and 350.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a system and a method for delivering alert signals based on geographic information. In general, the present invention includes a message generator, a message, director, a communications system, and a network of remote units. In operation, the message generator detects and event and generates an alert. The alert message includes sufficient information to identify a geographic region impacted by the detected event. The alert message is delivered to the message director. The message director analyzes the alert message to identify the geographic region impacted. The message director then, utilizing the communications system, delivers an alert signal to each of the remote units that are within the geographic region. More particularly, the present invention may be embodied within a weather warning system and utilize the nationwide pager network for the delivery of alert signals. In this embodiment, weather events are reported to the remote units via the pager network. Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a system and method to deliver warnings, including weather warnings, in a reliable, accurate, and timely manner, and that indicate information about the event triggering the warning. The present invention can provide these warnings with a degree of geographic granularity sufficient to alert individuals that may be in harms way, but at the same time, prevent the desensitization of individuals due to false or inapplicable warnings.

The present invention may be conveniently implemented in one or more program modules. No particular programming language has been indicated for carrying out the various tasks described above because it is considered that the operation, steps, and procedures described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are sufficiently disclosed to permit one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the instant invention. Moreover, in view of the many different types of computers and program modules that can be used to practice the instant invention, it is not practical to provide a representative example of a computer program that would be applicable to these many different systems. Each user of a particular computer would be aware of the language and tools which are more useful for that user's needs and purposes to implement the instant invention.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be applied to, and embodied in, various program modules for execution on differing types of computers regardless of the application.

Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is described by the appended claims and supported by the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claim is:

1. A system for providing directed messaging, comprising: a message source, a message director communicatively coupled to the message source, and a remote unit communicatively coupled to the message director; the message source being operative to: generate a message; and provide the message to the message director; the message director, responsive to receiving the message, being operative to: determine a class set selected from among a plurality of classes, the class set identifying at least one class to associate with the message; determine whether the remote unit is affiliated with at least one class in the class set; and upon a positive result, directing a signal, representative of at least a portion of the message to the remote unit.

2. The system of claim 1. wherein the message source is a weather monitoπng and tracking system, and the message source is operative to generate the message by:

detecting a weather event; determining a location of the weather event; and including the location m the message.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the message source is further operative to generate the message by determining a direction of the weather event and including the direction m message.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the message source is further operative to generate the message by determining a an intensity level of the weather event and including the intensity level m the message.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the message source is further operative to generate the message by determining an angular velocity of the weather event and including the angular velocity in the particular message.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein each class of the plurality of classes is associated with a geographic region, and the message director is operative to determine a class set selected from among a plurality of classes by: identifying a pertinent geographic region based on the location and the direction of the weather event; and including each class of the plurality of classes in which at least a portion of the geographic region associated with the class is within the pertinent geographic region.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the remote unit has a particular geographic location, and the message director is operative to determine whether the remote unit is affiliated with at least one class in the class set by determining if the particular geographic location of the remote unit is within the geographic region of at least one class in the class set.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote unit is uniquely addressable by the message director, and the message director is operative to communicate the particular message to the remote unit by sending the particular message to a unique address associated with the remote unit.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote unit has a particular geographic location, the message source is further operative to generate a next message, the next message including a next location of the weather event and a next direction of the weather event, and the message director is further operative to: identify a next pertinent geographic region based on the next location and next direction of the weather event; identify a next class set by selecting each class of the plurality of classes in which at least a portion of the geographic region associated with the class is within the next pertinent geographic region; and determine whether the remote unit is affiliated with at least one class in the next class set by determining if the particular geographic location of the remote unit is within the geographic region of at least one class in the next class set.

0. The system of claim 9, wherein if the remote unit is not affiliated with at least one class in the next class set, sending an all clear message to the remote unit.

1 1. A geographically based communication system compπsing: a plurality of remote units: a message director communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of remote units; and a database, coupled to the message director, the database containing a geographic location for each of the plurality of remote units; the message director being operative to receive a message from a message source, and in response to receiving the message, being further operative to: determine a geographic region associated with the message; examine the database to identify each of the remote units that have a geographic location that is withm the geographic region; and communicate a signal representative of at least a portion of the message to each identified remote unit

12. The geographically based communication system of claim

1 1 , wherein the message is a weather event message and the geographic region associated with the message is a geographic region impacted by the weather event and the message includes information necessary for the message director to determine the geographic region associated with the message.

13. The geographically based communication system of claim 11 , wherein the message is a weather event message and includes the necessary information for the message director to determine the geographic region associated with the weather event, the necessary information including a location, a direction and a speed of the weather event, and the message director is further operative to: determine a probable geographic path that the weather event will follow over a penod of time; examine the database to identify each of the remote units that have a particular geographic location that is withm the probable geographic path: and communicate an information message related to the particular message to each identified remote unit having a geographic location withm the probable geographic path.

14. The geographically based communication system of claim 13, wherein each of the remote units is a pager and the database includes a unique paging address for each geographic location, and the message director is operative to communicate the message to each remote unit that falls withm the geographic region and each remote unit that falls withm the possible geographic path by sending a page to the unique paging address of each such pager.

15. The geographically based communication system of claim

1 1, wherein each of the remote units is a pager and the database includes at least one unique paging address for each geographic location, and the message director is operative to communicate the particular message to each remote unit that falls with the geographic region by sending a page message to the unique paging address of each such pager.

16. A geographically based communication server compπsing: a message director; and

a database coupled to the message director, the database defining a geographic location for each of a plurality of remote units;

the message director being operative to receive a message from a message source, and m response to receiving the message, being further operative to: determine a geographic region associated with the message;

identify relevant remote units m the database, each relevant remote unit having a geographic location that falls withm the geographic region; and communicate a signal, representing at least a portion of the message to relevant remote units.

17 The geographically based communication server of claim 16, wherein the message is a weather event message and the geographic region associated with the message is a geographic region impacted by the weather event and the message includes information necessary for the message director to determine the geographic region associated with the message.

18. The geographically based communication server of claim

16, wherein the message is a weather event message and includes demographic information necessary for the message director to determine the geographic region associated with the weather event, the demographic information including a location, a direction and a speed of the weather event, and the message director is further operative to: determine a probable geographic path that the weather event will follow over a period of time; identify potentially relevant remote units in the database, each potentially relevant remote unit having a particular geographic location that is within the probable geographic path; and communicate a second signal representative of at least a portion of the message to each potentially relevant remote unit.

19. The geographically based communication server of claim

16, wherein each of the remote units is a pager and the database includes at least one unique paging address for each geographic location, and the message director is operative to communicate the signal by sending page signals that include the unique paging address of each relevant pager.

20. The geographically based communication server of claim 18, wherein each of the remote units is a pager and the database includes at least one unique paging address for each geographic location, and the message director is operative to communicate the signal by sending a page signals that include the unique paging address of each relevant pager and each potentially relevant pager.

21. A remote unit for use within a weather warning system comprising: a pager receiver; a controller coupled to the pager receiver: and

an alerting means, coupled to the controller, for providing an alert indicator; the pager receiver being operative to receive and decode a paging signal that has been directed to the remote unit and provide the decoded paging signal to the controller:

the controller, m response to receiving the decoded paging signal, being operative to: parse the decoded paging signal to identify an alert type; and provide an alert signal to the alerting means commensurate with the alert type.

22. The remote unit of claim 21 further compπsing at least one control output coupled to the controller, and the controller is further operative to provide a control signal to the control output commensurate with the alert type.

23. The remote unit of claim 22. wherein at least one control output coupled to the controller is operative to transmit control signals to a television set, the control signals being operative to turn on the television set and tune the television set to a particular channel.

24. The remote unit of claim 22, wherein at least one control output coupled to the controller is operative to transmit control signals to a power source, the control signals being operative to turn off the power source thereby isolating equipment from the power source.

25. The remote unit of claim 22, wherein at least one control input is provided, the control input being operative to receive an input signal and transmit a status paging signal to a particular address.

26. An event alerting system, comprising: a message generator.

a message director communicatively coupled to the message generator, and

a plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to the message director;

the message generator being operative to: detect the occurrence of an event; generate a particular message based on the event; and provide the particular message to the message director;

the message director, responsive to receiving the particular message, being operative to: determine which of the plurality of remote units should receive the particular message: and communicate the particular message to each of the remote units that should receive the particular message.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the plurality of remote units is operative to communicate a status message to the message director.

28. The system of claim 26. wherein at least one of the plurality of remote units includes a local status interface and is operative to: receive a status indicator at the local status interface; and transmit a message to the message director based on the status indicator.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein local status interface is a user interface and the remote unit is operative to receive a status indicator by detecting a user action.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the message generator is a weather monitoring and tracking system and the events are weather events, and 8 the message generator is operative to generate the particular message by: determining a location of the weather event; o determining a direction of the weather event; and including the location and the direction in the particular 2 message.