초록 ▼

Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority

Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mobile alert and notification device, comprising: a first receiver that is configured to receive a first emergency signal via a first communication path selected from the group consisting of an NOAA frequency band, an EAS frequency band, an UHF frequency band, and VHF frequency band, a cellular

1. A mobile alert and notification device, comprising: a first receiver that is configured to receive a first emergency signal via a first communication path selected from the group consisting of an NOAA frequency band, an EAS frequency band, an UHF frequency band, and VHF frequency band, a cellular communication frequency band, a high-speed digital transmission system, and a microwave frequency band, and wherein the first communication path has a first plurality of channels and is accessible within a plurality of jurisdictions;a second receiver that is configured to receive a second emergency signal via a second communication path selected from the group consisting of a high-speed digital transmission system and a cellular communication frequency band, wherein the second communication path has a second plurality of channels and is accessible in at least one of the plurality of jurisdictions;wherein in each of the at least one jurisdictions each channel of the second plurality of channels has a predetermined priority rank relative to the first plurality of channels;a third receiver that is configured to receive a position signal;a control unit that is configured to (a) correlate the position signal with position of the device within one jurisdiction of the plurality of jurisdictions, (b) identify the priority rank of each channel of the second plurality of channels in the one jurisdiction, and (c) control output of the first or second emergency signal to an output device based on the priority rank;wherein the device is configured to allow prioritization of the first and second emergency signals without user intervention based on the position signal. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a signal generator that is configured to allow providing of information from a user of the device to an operator in response to at least one of the first and second emergency signals. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a signal generator that is configured to allow two-way communication between a user of the device and an operator in response to at least one of the first and second emergency signals. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second receiver is configured to connect to a host computer on at least one of an intranet, a local area network, a wide area network, and the Internet. 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising an input port that is electronically coupled to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to allow reprogramming of the device using the input port. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is coupled to a computer to thereby receive the second emergency signal. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the output device is at least one of a speaker and a display. 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured as a mobile phone. 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the third receiver is configured to receive a signal from a global positioning satellite or from a digital TV transmitter. 10. A mobile alert and notification device, comprising: a first receiver that is configured to receive a first emergency signal via a first communication path selected from the group consisting of a cellular communication frequency band, and a high-speed digital transmission system, and wherein the first communication path has a first plurality of channels and is accessible within a plurality of jurisdictions;a second receiver that is configured to receive a second emergency signal via a second communication path selected from the group consisting of the cellular communication frequency band, and the high-speed digital transmission system, wherein the second communication path has a second plurality of channels and is accessible in at least one of the plurality of jurisdictions;wherein in each of the at least one jurisdictions each channel of the second plurality of channels has a predetermined priority rank relative to the first plurality of channels;a third receiver that is configured to receive a position signal;a control unit that is configured to (a) correlate the position signal with position of the device within one jurisdiction of the plurality of jurisdictions, (b) identify the priority rank of each channel of the second plurality of channels in the one jurisdiction, and (c) control output of the first or second emergency signal to an output device based on the priority rank;wherein the device is configured to allow prioritization of the first and second emergency signals without user intervention based on the position signal; anda signal generator that is configured to allow providing of information from a user of the device to an operator in response to at least one of the first and second emergency signals. 11. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 wherein the signal generator is implemented as software. 12. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 wherein the signal generator is configured to allow two-way communication between a user of the device and an operator in response to at least one of the first and second emergency signals. 13. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second receiver is configured to connect to a host computer on at least one of an intranet, a local area network, a wide area network, and the Internet. 14. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 further comprising an input port that is electronically coupled to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to allow reprogramming of the device using the input port. 15. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 further comprising an output device that is configured to allow providing of at least one of an audible signal or notification and a visible signal or notification. 16. The mobile alert and notification device of claim 10 wherein the third receiver is configured to receive a signal from a global positioning satellite or from a digital TV transmitter.