US 5,568,385 AGranted

Software system for collecting and displaying weather information

OwnerWilliam A. Sheltoninventor

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Abstract

A computer-based system for collecting and displaying weather information includes a microprocessor-based computer programmed to receive digital signals encoding weather data collected at each weather station; and to store and retrieve those digital signals in predetermined screen buffers to generate weather data screens displaying alphanumeric and graphic displays of weather data. The system further includes multiple weather stations, each comprised of one or more weather instruments, each capable of sensing a particular weather parameter and converting that parameter into a analog electrical signal, with means for converting the analog signal into a series of digital signals corresponding to the values of the weather parameter over time. The system further including means for communicating the digital signals from the weather stations to the computer and means for displaying the data screens to multiple end users in real time. Remote weather stations are connected to the computer by conventional modem/telephone hookups. Display screen data output from the computer is converted to a television broadcast quality signal so that the data screens may be broadcast or otherwise delivered to television viewers through conventional television delivery systems.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A computer based weather detection and reporting system for collecting and formatting real time weather data to be used in live weather presentation, comprising

a. a microprocessor based computer programmed to
(1) receive digital signals encoding real-time weather data collected at a plurality of weather stations;
(2) store and retrieve said digital signals to and from data storage;
(3) store and retrieve predetermined default screen configuration buffers for generating data screens displaying alphanumeric and graphic displays of real-time weather data encoded in said digital signals;
(4) send said digital signals to said screen buffers when said signals are received by said computer, so that said screen buffers are prepared to display the most current weather data received by the computer;
(5) in response to an input device, select a plurality of said screen buffers to send to a means for displaying them;
(6) provide a first plurality of option screens allowing a user to modify real-time weather data input and output options including appearance of said predetermined default screen configuration buffers and placement of screen buffers when displayed;
(7) provide a second plurality of option screens allowing a user to assign an input device action to a particular selection of said screen buffers;
(8) provide a third plurality of option screens allowing a user to modify received real-time weather data displayed in said screen buffers;
b. multiple weather stations, each comprised of
(1) one or more weather instruments, each capable of sensing a particular weather parameter, and converting said sensed weather parameter into an analog electrical signal;
(2) means for converting the analog signal from each said instrument into a series of digital electrical signals corresponding to the values of the sensed weather parameter over time;
c. means for communicating said digital electrical signals from said weather stations to said computer;
and
d. means for transmitting said data screens incorporating current weather data received by the computer to multiple end users on a real time basis.

12 more elements

A computer based weather detection and reporting system for collecting and formatting real time weather data to be used in live weather presentation, comprising

e. a microprocessor based computer running a windows type operating system capable of simultaneously displaying data from a plurality of data sources in multiple windows programmed to
(1) receive digital signals encoding real-time weather data collected at a plurality of weather stations;
(2) store and retrieve said digital signals to and from a plurality of locations within a data storage, each location grouping data from a particular weather station;
(3) store and retrieve predetermined default screen configuration buffers for generating data screens displaying alphanumeric and graphic displays of real-time weather data encoded in said digital signals, with at least one separate default screen configuration buffer associated with each of said plurality of weather stations, said default screen configuration buffer specifying which data from a particular weather station is to be presented and specifying formatting parameters for said data;
(4) send said digital signals encoding real-time weather data to said screen buffers when said signals are received by said computer, so that said screen buffers are prepared to display the most current weather data received by the computer;
(5) in response to an input device, select or switch between a plurality of said screen buffers to send to a means for displaying them;
(6) provide a first plurality of option screens allowing a user to modify real-time weather data input and output options including specifying the equipment and data available from a particular weather station and appearance of said predetermined screen buffers and placement of screen buffers when displayed;
(7) provide a second plurality of option screens allowing a user to assign an input device action to a particular selection of said screen buffers;
and
(8) provide a third plurality of option screens allowing a user to modify received real-time weather data displayed in said screen buffers;
f. multiple weather stations, each comprised of
(1) one or more weather instruments, each capable of sensing a particular weather parameter, and converting said sensed weather parameter into an analog electrical signal;
(2) means for converting the analog signal from each said instrument into a series of digital electrical signals corresponding to the values of the sensed weather parameter over time;
g. means for communicating said digital electrical signals from said weather stations to said computer;
and
h. means for transmitting said data screens incorporating current weather data received by the computer to multiple end users on a real time basis.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.