Apparatus and method for providing weather and other alerts

#This invention relates generally to the field of alert systems and, in its preferred embodiments, to alert systems utilizing cellular, personal communication system, or wireless telecommunication technology to deliver an alert to an alert device.

#In recent decades, the science of meteorology has advanced rapidly, allowing increasingly accurate detection and prediction of severe and hazardous weather. Specifically, Doppler radar systems and high-resolution satellites have been developed which allow early detection of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms and accurate tracking of their paths. The National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) now routinely issue warnings in advance of most severe or tornadic storms, alerting individuals and saving lives. However, in order for these warnings, or “alerts” to be effective, they must be communicated to and received by their intended recipients.

#Some local governments and municipalities utilize civil defense siren systems to provide warnings to persons within the localized range of the siren systems in case of severe weather, natural disaster, war or other emergency conditions. However, weather-related warnings are more commonly provided through the NOAA Weather Radio system, a nationwide network of radio stations operating twenty-four (24) hours per day to broadcast continuous weather information directly from the local offices of the National Weather Service. The NOAA Weather Radio system also broadcasts alerts for the Emergency Alert System (EAS), maintained by the Federal Communication Commission, in order to provide emergency warnings for all types of hazards, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, volcano erruptions, severe weather and nuclear war. The NOAA Weather Radio system has more than 450 transmitters, covering broad areas in each of the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. Unfortunately, reception of the Emergency Alert System warnings via the NOAA Weather Radio system generally requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up its emergency warning signals.

#FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an alert device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of the alert device of FIG. 1 displaying the major components thereof

#FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the program domain of the non-volatile program memory of the alert device of FIG. 1.

#Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, an alert device 20, in accordance with an apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown in pictorial form in FIG. 1 and in block diagram form in FIG. 2. The alert device 20 comprises an enclosure 22 and a microcomputer 24, receiver 26, diversity receive antenna 28, power supply 30, and backup battery 32 residing therein. Preferably, the enclosure 22 is manufactured from a durable plastic material and the alert device 20 is directly pluggable into an electrical wall outlet through use of an electrical plug 34 located on the back of the enclosure 22, thereby avoiding the need for mounting hardware and the difficulties of mounting the enclosure 22 to a wall. According to the apparatus of the preferred embodiment, the receiver 26 is adapted to receive digital signals within the ranges of channels utilized for cellular, PCS, or other wireless communications in the area in which the alert device 20 is deployed. For example and not limitation, the receiver 26 is adapted to receive digital signals on channels having receive-side frequencies in the (i) 969 MHz to 994 MHz range, (ii) 1840 MHz to 1865 MHz range, (iii) 1930.72 MHz to 1945 MHz range, (iv) 1950.72 MHz to 1965 MHz range, or (v) 1975.72 MHz to 1990 MHz range. It is understood, however, that the scope of the present invention includes similar receivers which are adapted to receive cellular, PCS, or wireless digital signals in any frequency range.

#The alert device 20 further comprises a plurality of peripheral devices 36 which electrically connect to the microcomputer 24, and an external antenna 38 having a first portion which resides within the enclosure 22 and a second portion which extends outside of the enclosure 22. An external antenna 38, acceptable in accordance with the preferred embodiment, is a rubber-covered antenna commonly known as a “rubber duck antenna” which is often found in cellular, PCS, or wireless telephones.

#The plurality of peripheral devices 36 includes a liquid crystal display 36a residing within the enclosure 22 adjacent to an opening 40 in the enclosure 22 that enables the liquid crystal display 36a to be visible from outside the enclosure 22. Preferably, the liquid crystal display 36a is backlit to enhance the readability of the display 36a. The liquid crystal display 36a has signal strength indicator 37 located near the right side of the display 36a. The signal strength indicator 37 comprises a plurality of liquid crystal bars 39 arranged in a, generally, vertical direction which the microcomputer 24 energizes to darken the bars 39 and, thereby indicate the signal strength of the strongest channel received by the alert device 20 at the device's then-existing location. A stronger signal strength is indicated by energization and darkening of a larger number of bars 39, while a weaker signal is indicated by energization and darkening of a smaller number of bars 39.