Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING USER SELECTABLE
ALERT MODES FOR A TELEVISION SIGNAL RECEIVER
The present invention generally relates to television signal receivers, with
or
s without a display device, and more particularly, to television signal
receivers having
an emergency alert function capable of, among other things, providing an alert
output
in accordance with a user selectable alert mode corresponding to the type of
emergency event. The present invention further relates to user interfaces
associated
with the emergency alert function.
o Emergency events such as severe weather, natural disasters, fires, civil
emergencies, war acts, toxic chemical spills, radiation leaks, or other such
conditions
can be devastating to unprepared individuals. With weather-related
emergencies,
authorities such as the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are generally able to
detect
is severe weather conditions prior to the general public. Through the use of
modern
weather detection devices, such as Doppler radar and weather satellites, the
NWS
and NOAA are able to issue early warnings of severe weather conditions which
have
saved many lives. However, for such warnings to be effective, they must be
communicated to their intended recipients.
2o Certain specialized radios and scanners are capable of receiving emergency
alert signals provided by the NWS and NOAA. However, such devices tend to be
dedicated to this use, and generally offer consumers little, if any,
functionality beyond
monitoring these signals. Accordingly, in order to receive advance warning of
weather-related emergencies, consumers are required to purchase a separate,
2s dedicated device, which may be cost-prohibitive to some consumers.
Another problem with such devices is their failure to provide consumers with
options regarding the manner in which they are alerted in specific emergency
situations. For example, certain devices detect emergency events by receiving
Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) data which indicates the specific
3o geographical areas) affected by the emergency event, the type of emergency
event
(e.g., tornado, toxic chemical spill, radiation leak, civil emergency, etc.),
and the
expiration time of the event alert. With such devices, when an emergency event
occurs, an alert output such as an audio message may be provided to alert
individuals of the emergency event. While such devices may allow users to
select
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the type of alert output provided in emergency events, the selected type or
mode of
alert output is used for every type of emergency event. In other words, such
devices
do not allow consumers to designate the manner in which they are alerted on an
event-by-event basis.
s The use of a common alert mode for every type of emergency event as
described above may be confusing and even dangerous for consumers since they
may be unable to readily determine from the alert output whether the
particular
emergency event is one which may require immediate action (e.g., tornado
warning),
or one which may be ignored (e.g., thunderstorm watch). Moreover, the use of a
to common alert mode for every type of emergency event may tend to desensitize
consumers towards alert outputs in general since all alert outputs may appear
to be
similar or the same. As a result, consumers may be more likely to ignore alert
outputs and thereby expose themselves to dangerous conditions.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device capable of receiving emergency alert
is signals which avoids the foregoing problems. The present invention
addresses these
and other issues.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a television signal
receiver having an emergency alert function is disclosed. According to an
exemplary
embodiment, the television signal receiver comprises tuning means for tuning a
2o frequency including emergency alert signals indicating a type of emergency
event.
Processing means enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert
signals,
wherein the alert output is provided in accordance with a user selectable
alert mode
corresponding to the type of emergency event.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for
2s controlling a television signal receiver having an emergency alert function
is
disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises steps of
tuning a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating a type of
emergency
event, and providing an alert output responsive to the emergency alert
signals,
wherein the alert output is provided in accordance with a user selectable
alert mode
3o corresponding to the type of emergency event.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,
and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention
will
be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments
of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a television signal receiver according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
s FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is another diagram of a television signal receiver including user
interfaces according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing further exemplary details of one of the user
to interfaces of FIG. 4.
The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the
invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the
scope of
the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, an exemplary
is environment 100 suitable for implementing the present invention is shown.
In FIG. 1,
environment 100 comprises signal transmission means such as signal
transmission
source 10, dwelling means such as dwelling units 15 (i.e., 1, 2, 3 . . . N,
where N may
be any positive integer), and signal receiving means such as television signal
receivers 20.
2o In FIG. 1, dwelling units 15 may represent residences, businesses and/or
other
dwelling places located within a particular geographical area, such as but not
limited
to, a particular continent, country, region, state, area code, zip code, city,
county,
municipality, subdivision, and/or other definable geographical area. According
to an
exemplary embodiment, each of the dwelling units 15 is equipped with at least
one
2s television signal receiver 20 having an emergency alert function. According
to the
present invention, the emergency alert function enables television signal
receiver 20
to receive emergency alert signals and provide one or more alert outputs to
notify
individuals of an emergency event. As will be discussed later herein,
television signal
receiver 20 is also capable of providing one or more alert outputs in
accordance with
30 one or more user selectable alert modes corresponding to the type of
emergency
event.
According to an exemplary embodiment, signal transmission source 10
transmits signals including emergency alert signals which may be received by
each
television signal receiver 20. The emergency alert signals may be provided
from an
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authority such as the NWS, or other authorities such as governmental entities
or the
like. In response to the emergency alert signals, each television signal
receiver 20
may provide one or more alert outputs to thereby notify individuals of the
emergency
event. Signal transmission source 10 may transmit such emergency alert signals
to
s television signal receivers 20 via any wired or wireless link such as, but
not limited to,
terrestrial, cable, satellite, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL),
and/or any other
type of broadcast and/or multicast means.
to
Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of television
signal receiver 20 of FIG. 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, television signal receiver
20
comprises signal receiving means such as signal receiving element 21, tuning
means
such as tuner 22, demodulation means such as demodulator 23, audio
amplification
means such as audio amplifier 24, audio output means such as speaker 25,
decoding
means such as decoder 26, processing means and memory means such as
processor and memory 27, video processing means such as video processor 28,
and
is visual output means such as display 29. Some of the foregoing elements may
for
example be embodied using integrated circuits (ICs). For clarity of
description,
certain conventional elements of television signal receiver 20 including
control signals
may not be shown in FIG. 2.
Signal receiving element 21 is operative to receive signals including audio
2o andlor video signals from signal sources, such as signal transmission
source 10 in
FIG. 1. According to an exemplary embodiment, received audio signals may
include
digitally encoded emergency alert signals. Signal receiving element 21 may be
embodied as any signal receiving element such as an antenna, input terminal or
other element.
2s Tuner 22 is operative to tune signals including audio and/or video signals.
According to an exemplary embodiment, tuner 22 is capable of tuning audio
signals
on at least the following designated NWS frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425
MHz,
162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz and 162.550 MHz. Other
frequencies may also be tuned. As previously indicated herein, such audio
signals
3o may include digitally encoded emergency alert signals.
Demodulator 23 is operative to demodulate signals provided from tuner 22.
According to an exemplary embodiment, demodulator 23 demodulates audio signals
to thereby generate demodulated audio signals representing audio content such
as
an NWS audio message, a warning alert tone and/or other audio content. Audio
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amplifier 24 is operative to amplify the audio signals output from demodulator
23
responsive to a control signal provided from processor 27. Speaker 25 is
operative to
aurally output the amplified audio signals provided from audio amplifier 24.
Decoder 26 is operative to decode signals including audio and/or video
5 signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, decoder 26 decodes audio
signals
provided from demodulator 23 to thereby extract digitally encoded frequency
shift
keyed (FSK) signals, which represent emergency alert signals indicating an
emergency event. According to this exemplary embodiment, the emergency alert
signals include data comprising SAME data associated with the emergency event.
7
to SAME data comprises a digital code representing information such as the
specific
geographical area affected by the emergency event, the type of emergency event
(e.g., tornado, toxic chemical spill, radiation leak, civil emergency, etc.),
and the
expiration time of the event alert. SAME data is used by the NWS and other
authorities to improve the specificity of emergency alerts and to decrease the
is frequency of false alerts. Other data and information may also be included
in the
emergency alert signals according to the present invention.
Processor and memory 27 are operative to perform various processing and
data storage functions of television signal receiver 20. According to an
exemplary
embodiment, processor 27 receives the emergency alert signals from decoder 26
and
2o determines whether the emergency alert function of television signal
receiver 20 is
activated based on data included in the emergency alert signals. According to
this
exemplary embodiment, processor 27 compares data in the emergency alert
signals
to user setup data stored in memory 27 to determine whether the emergency
alert
function is activated. As will be described later herein, a setup process for
the
2s emergency alert function of television signal receiver 20 allows a user to
select items
such as an applicable geographical area(s), and types) of emergency events
(e.g.,
tornado, toxic chemical spill, radiation leak, civil emergency, etc.) which
activate the
emergency alert function.
3o When the emergency alert function of television signal receiver 20 is
activated,
processor 27 outputs one or more control signals which enable various
operations.
According to an exemplary embodiment, such control signals enable one or more
alert outputs (e.g., aural andlor visual) to thereby notify individuals of the
emergency
event. According to the present invention, such alert outputs are provided in
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accordance with user selectable alert modes corresponding to the particular
type of
emergency event. Such control signals may also enable other operations of
television signal receiver 20, such as causing it to be switched from an
off/standby
mode to an on mode.
s Video processor 28 is operative to process signals including video signals.
According to an exemplary embodiment, such video signals may include embedded
messages such as NWS text messages and/or other messages that provide details
regarding emergency events. Video processor 28 may include closed caption
circuitry which enables closed caption displays. Display 29 is operative to
provide
to visual displays corresponding to processed signals provided from video
processor 28.
According to an exemplary embodiment, display 29 may provide visual displays
including the aforementioned messages that provide details regarding emergency
events.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a flowchart 30 illustrating exemplary steps according
to
is the present invention is shown. For purposes of example and explanation,
the steps
of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to television signal receiver 20 of
FIG. 2.
The steps of FIG. 3 are merely exemplary, and are not intended to limit the
present
invention in any manner.
At step 31, a setup process for the emergency alert function of television
2o signal receiver 20 is performed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a
user
performs this setup process by providing inputs to television signal receiver
20 (e.g.,
using a remote control device not shown) responsive to an on-screen menu
displayed
via display 29. Such an on-screen menu may for example be part of an
electronic
program guide (EPG) function of television signal receiver 20. According to an
2s exemplary embodiment, the user may select at least the following items
during the
setup process at step 31:
A. Enable/Disable - The user may select whether to enable or disable the
emergency
alert function.
3o B. Frequency Selection - The user may select the monitoring frequency to
tune to in
order to receive emergency alert signals. For example, the user may select a
frequency such as one of the following NWS transmission frequencies: 162.400
MHz,
162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz and 162.550
MHz.
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C. Event Types - The user may select one or more types of emergency events
which
activate the emergency alert function. For example, the user may designate
that
events such as civil emergencies, acts of war, and/or tornado warnings
activate the
emergency alert function, but that events such as thunderstorm warnings do
not, etc.
s The user may also select whether the conventional warning audio tone
provided by
the NWS and/or other alert mechanism activates the emergency alert function.
According to the present invention, different severity or alert levels (e.g.,
statement,
watch, warning, etc.) may represent different "events." For example, a
thunderstorm
watch may be considered a different event from a thunderstorm warning.
to D. Geographical Areas - The user may select one or more geographical areas
of
interest. For example, the user may select a particular continent, country,
region,
state, area code, zip code, city, county, municipality, subdivision, and/or
other
definable geographical area.
E. Alert Modes - The user may select one or more alert modes for each type of
15 emergency event that activates the emergency alert function. According to
an
exemplary embodiment, the user may select visual and/or aural outputs to be
provided for each type of emergency event that activates the emergency alert
function. For example, the user may select to display a visual message (e.g.,
an
NWS text message as a closed caption display) and/or tune television signal
receiver
20 20 to a specific channel. The user may also for example select to aurally
output a
warning tone (e.g., chime, siren, etc.) and/or an audio message (e.g., NWS
audio
message), and the desired volume of each. Other types of alert outputs may
also be
provided according to the present invention.
The user selections of items C and E at step 31 may be combined in a single
2s user interface, such as user interface 40 shown in FIG. 4. Referring to
FIG. 4,
another diagram of television signal receiver 20 including user interfaces 40
and 50
according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. In
particular,
FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary user interface 40 that may be used to select
items C and
E of step 31, and also shows another exemplary user interface 50 which may be
3o used to control alert outputs and will be described later herein with
reference to FIG.
5.
In FIG. 4, user interface 40 comprises a list of event types 41 (i.e., item
C),
user selectable alert modes 42 to 44 corresponding to event types 41 (i.e.,
item E),
and an exemplary on-screen message 45. According to an exemplary embodiment,
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a user may interact with user interface 40 (e.g., using a remote control
device not
shown) and thereby select one or more alert modes 42 to 44 for each of the
event
types 41. The user may also toggle back and forth among various screens to
view
different event types 41. The particular event types 41, alert modes 42 to 44,
and on-
s screen message 45 shown in user interface 40 of FIG. 4 are examples only,
and
different event types, alert modes, and on-screen messages may be used
according
to the present invention.
As indicated in FIG. 4, user selection of alert modes 42 and 43 causes a check
mark to appear in the row corresponding to the particular event type 41.
Similarly,
to user selection of alert mode 44 causes the term "CHIME" or "SIREN" to
appear in the
row corresponding to the particular event type 41. Also in FIG. 4, if a user
does not
want a particular event type 41 to activate the emergency alert function of
television
signal receiver 20, then alert modes 42 and 43 are not selected (i.e., no
check
marks), and alert mode 44 is set to "NONE" (e.g., CHILD ABDUCTION
is EMERGENCY). In this manner, user interface 40 enables users to designate
both:
(1 ) event types that activate the emergency alert function (i.e., item C of
step 31 ), and
(2) corresponding alert modes for each event type that activates the emergency
alert
function (i.e., item E of step 31 ). Accordingly, user interface 40 enables
users to
designate the alert outputs) provided by the emergency alert function of
television
2o signal receiver 20 on an event-by-event basis.
According to the present invention, other menu selections than those
expressly described herein may also be provided at step 31. Data corresponding
to
the user's selections during the setup process of step 31 is stored in memory
27
under the control of processor 27.
2s
At step 32, television signal receiver 20 monitors the frequency selected by
the
user during the setup process of step 31 (i.e., item B) for emergency alert
signals.
According to an exemplary embodiment, tuner 22 monitors the selected frequency
and thereby receives incoming emergency alert signals. According to the
present
so invention, television signal receiver 20 is capable of monitoring a
frequency and
receiving emergency alert signals during all modes of operation, including for
example when television signal receiver 20 is turned on, turned off, and/or
during
playback of recorded audio and/or video content.
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At step 33, a determination is made regarding whether the emergency alert
function of television signal receiver 20 is activated. According to an
exemplary
embodiment, processor 27 makes this determination by comparing data included
in
the incoming emergency alert signals to data stored in memory 27 from the
setup
s process of step 31. As previously indicated herein, the emergency alert
signals may
include data such as SAME data which represents information including the type
of
emergency event (e.g., tornado, toxic chemical spill, radiation leak, civil
emergency,
etc.) and the specific geographical areas) affected by the emergency event.
According to an exemplary embodiment, processor 27 compares this SAME data to
to the corresponding data from the setup process of step 31 (i.e., items C and
D) stored
in memory 27 to thereby determine whether the emergency alert function is
activated.
In this manner, the emergency alert function of television signal receiver 20
is
activated only when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert
signals
corresponds to the geographical areas) and/or event types) designated by the
user
15 at step 31.
If the determination at step 33 is negative, process flow loops back to step
32
where tuner 22 continues to monitor the selected frequency. Alternatively, if
the
determination at step 33 is positive, process flow advances to step 34 where
television signal receiver 20 provides one or more alert outputs in accordance
with
2o the one or more alert modes selected by the user at step 31 (i.e., item E),
to thereby
notify individuals of the emergency event. As previously indicated herein,
such alert
outputs may be visual and/or aural in nature. For example, a visual message
such as
an NWS text message may be provided as a closed caption display via display 29
in
accordance with the user selections during the setup process of step 31. Aural
2s outputs such as a chime, siren or the like and/or an audio message such as
an NWS
audio message or a message from the All Hazards Alert System may also be
provided at step 34 via speaker 25 in accordance with the user selections
during the
setup process of step 31.
According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one alert output that is not
so based on a user selection at step 31 may also be provided at step 34. For
example,
an alert output may be provided via indicator elements on a front display
panel of
television signal receiver 20 to notify individuals of an emergency event.
Further
details regarding this type of alert output will be provided below with
reference to step
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35. Other types of aural and/or visual alert outputs than those expressly
described
herein may also be provided at step 34 according to the present invention.
At step 35, a user may control the alert outputs) using an interface, such as
exemplary user interface 50 of FIG. 4. As indicated in FIG. 4, user interface
50 may
s be included on a front display panel of television signal receiver 20. User
interface 50
may also be included separately from the front display panel of television
signal
receiver 20, and may for example be provided on another device such as a
remote
control device of television signal receiver 20. Referring now to FIG. 5, a
diagram
providing further details of exemplary user interface 50 is shown. As
indicated in FIG.
10 5, user interface 50 comprises indicator means such as indicator elements
51 to 54,
and control means such as control elements 55 to 57.
According to an exemplary embodiment, indicator elements 51 to 54 are
operative to provide users with visual information regarding the emergency
alert
function of television signal receiver 20, and may for example be embodied as
light-
ls emitting diode (LED) elements, liquid crystal display (LCD) elements,
liquid quartz
display (LQD) elements, and/or other visual indicator elements. According to
an
exemplary embodiment, indicator elements 51 to 54 may be used provide an alert
output that is not based on a user selection at step 31. That is, indicator
elements 51
to 54 may be used to provide users with visual information every time the
emergency
2o alert function is activated, and may not be completely turned off by users.
In this
manner, indicator elements 51 and 54 ensure that users are provided with at
least
one alert output when the emergency alert function is activated. For purposes
of
example, user interface 50 of FIG. 5 is shown as having four indicator
elements.
However, the number of such indicator elements used in practice may be a
matter of
2s design choice according to the present invention.
According to an exemplary embodiment, indicator element 51 may exhibit a
green color and be illuminated when the emergency alert function of television
signal
receiver 20 is operational and emergency alert signals are being received.
Indicator
elements 52 to 54 may also exhibit different colors and be illuminated to
provide
so visual information regarding emergency events. For example, indicator
element 52
may exhibit a yellow color and be illuminated to indicate a statement or
advisory level
alert. Similarly, indicator element 53 may exhibit an orange color and be
illuminated
to indicate a watch level alert, and indicator element 54 may exhibit a red
color and
be illuminated to indicate a warning level alert. As previously indicated
herein, these
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different alert levels may represent different emergency events according to
the
present invention. Other colors than those described above, and/or different
labels
for indicator elements 51 to 54 than those shown in FIG. 5 may also be used
according to the present invention.
s According to an exemplary embodiment, indicator elements 52 to 54 may flash
(e.g., 4 flashes per second with equal intervals of light and dark) when the
emergency
alert function is activated, rather than remain steadily illuminated, since
flashing or
blinking lights are generally better to gain a user's attention. However, a
combination
of flashing and steady illumination may also be used according to the present
to invention. For example, if a statement level alert occurs, indicator
element 52 may
initially blink to attract a user's attention. This blinking may continue for
a
predetermined time period, or until the user provides an input to television
signal
receiver 20 such as an input via one of the control elements 55 to 57. Once
the
predetermined time period elapses or the user provides an input, indicator
element
is 52 may become steadily illuminated. Indicator elements 53 and 54 may
operate in a
similar manner for watch level alerts and warning level alerts, respectively.
Other
techniques for combining flashing and steady illumination of indicator
elements 52 to
54 may also be used according to the present invention.
Also according to an exemplary embodiment, control elements 55 to 57 are
20 operative to enable user control of the alert outputs) of television signal
receiver 20,
and may for example be embodied as keys, buttons, and/or other control
elements
which enable users to control the alert outputs) of television signal receiver
20. For
purposes of example, user interface 50 of FIG. 5 is shown as having three
control
elements. However, the number of such control elements used in practice may be
a
2s matter of design choice according to the present invention.
According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, control element 55
operates as a toggle switch and may be manipulated by a user to turn on and
off a
visual message such as an NWS text message provided as a closed caption
display
via display 29. For example, if a visual message is on display 29, control
element 55
so may be used to turn that message off. Alternatively, if there is no visual
message on
display 29, but the emergency alert function is activated (e.g., one of
indicator
elements 52 to 54 is blinking), then control element 55 may be used to turn on
the
visual message and thereby cause it to be displayed on display 29. In this
manner,
control element 55 may be used to turn on and off an alert output for a given
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occurrence of a particular emergency event. Moreover, if television signal
receiver
20 is in the off/standby mode, control element 55 may be used to switch
television
signal receiver 20 to the on mode and turn on the visual display.
According to an exemplary embodiment, control element 56 may also operate
s as a toggle switch in a manner similar to control element 55 described
above. In
particular, control element 56 may be manipulated by a user to turn on and off
an
audio message such as an NWS audio message or a message from the All Hazards
Alert System provided via speaker 25. For example, if an audio message is
being
provided via speaker 25, control element 56 may be used to turn that message
off.
1o Alternatively, if no audio message is being provided, but the emergency
alert function
is activated (e.g., one of indicator elements 52 to 54 is blinking), then
control element
56 may be used to turn on the audio message and thereby pause it to be output
via
speaker 25. In this manner, control element 56 may be used to turn on and off
an
alert output for a given occurrence of a particular emergency event. Moreover,
if
Is television signal receiver 20 is in the off/standby mode, control element
56 may be
used to switch television signal receiver 20 to the on mode and turn on the
audio
message.
According to an exemplary embodiment, control element 57 may be
manipulated by a user to turn off an alarm such as a chime, siren or the like
provided
2o via speaker 25. For example, if an alarm is activated, control element 57
may be
used to turn the alarm off. According to an exemplary embodiment, control
elements
55 and 56 may also be used to turn off the alarm. As previously indicated
herein,
there may be three different settings for such an alarm: off, chime, or siren
(see alert
mode 44 of user interface 40 in FIG. 4). According to an exemplary embodiment,
the
2s chime is a gentle but recognizable sound, while the siren is a loud and
urgent sound.
Such an alarm may for example start at a given volume level and gradually
increase
to a maximum volume level established by a user. Accordingly, by allowing
users to
turn off the alarm using any of the control elements 55 to 57, the present
invention
advantageously enables users to quickly turn off the alarm before it becomes
too
so annoying.
As previously indicated herein, it is preferred that control elements 55 to 57
not
be used to completely turn off indicator elements 51 to 54 to ensure that
users are
provided with at least one alert output when the emergency alert function is
activated.
Other labels for control elements 55 to 57 than those shown in FIG. 5 may also
be
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used according to the present invention. Accordingly, user interface 50 of
FIG. 5 is
only an example and other types of indicators, displays and/or control means
may be
provided according to the present invention.
As described herein, the present invention provides a television signal
receiver
s having an emergency alert function capable of, among other things, providing
an alert
output in accordance with a user selectable alert mode corresponding to the
type of
emergency event. The present invention may be applicable to various
apparatuses,
either with or without a display device. Accordingly, the phrase "television
signal
receiver" as used herein may refer to systems or apparatuses capable of
receiving
io and processing television signals including, but not limited to, television
sets,
computers or monitors that include a display device, and systems or
apparatuses
such as set-top boxes, video cassette recorders (VCRs), digital versatile disk
(DVD)
players, video game boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), computers or other
apparatuses that may not include a display device.
is While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the
present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this
disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations,
uses, or
adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is
intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within
known
20 or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which
fall within
the limits of the appended claims.
