Delivering augmented emergency notifications through sensory feedback

Abstract

An electronic device and method for communicating enhanced emergency notification through sensory feedback are provided. The electronic device receives a signal from an emergency alert system (EAS), including one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. The electronic device extracts emergency information from the received signal. The electronic device then determines an external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device controls the external device to generate a type of sensory feedback corresponding to the emergency alert. The type of sensory feedback is generated based at least in part on the emergency information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications / incorporation by reference This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 872,435, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 25, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to emergency alert notifications, and more particularly, to electronic devices and methods for communicating extended emergency notifications through sensory feedback. [Background technology]

[0003] Advances in the Internet and broadcast technology have led to the development of various services that enable electronic devices, such as televisions, to act as receivers and presenters of emergency alert messages. For example, the Emergency Alert Service (EAS) can be a general emergency procedure that can be used to disseminate emergency information to the general public within a given region using the Internet or broadcast stations. The Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) has established regulations for the dissemination of emergency alerts using broadcast channels (e.g., television broadcast channels) for individual regions. For example, ATSC 3.0 can enhance the transmission of emergency announcements via the Advanced Emergency Alert (AEA). Furthermore, ATSC 3.0 can provide mechanisms that enable devices (e.g., televisions) to monitor emergency information transmissions and activate upon receiving a signal regarding the transmission of an emergency alert. This enhancement can significantly improve the verbal and visual transmission of emergency information. However, in some scenarios, a user may be unable to view or receive emergency announcements due to being away from a television screen or display monitor. In other scenarios, emergency announcements may not be effectively conveyed to users with visual or hearing impairments. If emergency announcements are not communicated, it can affect the safety and well-being of users. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The limitations and disadvantages of conventional approaches will become apparent to those skilled in the art by comparing the described system with certain aspects of the present disclosure illustrated in the remainder of this application and with reference to the drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Provided are electronic devices and methods for communicating enhanced emergency notifications through sensory feedback substantially as shown and / or described in connection with at least one of the drawings and more fully set forth in the claims.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment for communicating enhanced emergency notifications through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic device for communicating enhanced emergency notifications through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for audio feedback generation for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for audio feedback generation for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for haptic feedback generation for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment including an external device for generating sensory feedback for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for generating different types of sensory feedback based on the type of emergency situation associated with an emergency alert, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an exemplary method for communicating enhanced emergency notifications through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The disclosed electronic device and method for communicating enhanced emergency notification through sensory feedback may find implementation as described below. Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure provide an electronic device, such as a device capable of receiving Advanced Television Systems Committee (ASTC) signals from a broadcast station device. The electronic device can receive signals (e.g., ASTC 1.0 signals or ASTC 3.0 signals) from an emergency alert system (EAS), which may include one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. The electronic device can extract emergency information (e.g., text, audio signals, video signals, or information corresponding to an emergency alert) from the received signals. The electronic device can determine an external device (e.g., a lighting fixture, a handheld mobile device, a wearable device, or a hands-free device) communicatively coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device can control the external device to generate a type of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback or somatosensory feedback) corresponding to the emergency alert. The type of sensory feedback can be generated based at least in part on the emergency information.

[0009] EAS messages, including emergency alerts, can be disseminated through broadcast systems or Internet-based systems. Terrestrial broadcast systems have established standard guidelines that allow for the expansion of emergency alert notifications using verbal or visual signals. While these guidelines can facilitate the acquisition of information about emergency alerts, much of this information may require accessing the visual signals using electronic devices, such as televisions, display screens, or computer monitors coupled to ATSC-based tuners. However, not all people may have access to visual information about emergency alerts. For example, people may sometimes be engrossed in their work and not be in a position to view the information on their televisions or monitors. Furthermore, people with disabilities (e.g., visual or hearing impairments) may be unable to hear the emergency alert or to view the visual information related to the emergency alert. These people may miss the emergency alert notification. For user safety, it is important to ensure that all users can access notifications disseminated to the public. Delays in the transmission of notifications may threaten the safety and well-being of people, especially those with disabilities.

[0010] To address issues related to the transmission of emergency alert notifications, the disclosed electronic device can act as a wireless hub that disseminates or shares emergency information to devices connected to the electronic device. The disclosed electronic device can utilize the emergency information to control connected devices. The electronic device can determine the capabilities of connected devices to generate different types of sensory feedback and control such devices to generate sensory feedback to convey an emergency alert to a user. For example, the electronic device can control a wearable haptic device to generate haptic feedback and convey an emergency notification to a user through haptic feedback. The haptic feedback can be triggered by imparting vibrations to a part of the user's body that is in contact with the wearable haptic device. This sensory feedback can facilitate the dissemination of emergency notifications to all users, including users with disabilities (e.g., visual or hearing impairments).

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment for communicating enhanced emergency notifications through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment 100. The network environment 100 includes an electronic device 102, an emergency alert system (EAS) server 104, and a set of external devices 106. The set of external devices 106 may include external device 106A, external device 106B, ..., and external device 106N. The electronic device 102 may communicate with the EAS server 104 and / or the set of external devices 106 through one or more networks (e.g., a communication network 108). The electronic device 102 may receive a signal (e.g., an emergency alert signal 110) from the EAS server 104. The electronic device 102 may control each external device in the set of external devices 106 to generate corresponding sensory feedback. For example, the electronic device 102 may control the external device 106A to generate sensory feedback 112A. Similarly, electronic device 102 can control external device 106B, ..., and external device 106N to generate sensory feedback 112B, ..., and sensory feedback 112N, respectively. Sensory feedback 112A, 112B, ..., and 112N are collectively referred to herein as a set of sensory feedback 112. Also shown is a set of users 114 that may be associated with the set of external devices 106. For example, user 114A may be associated with external device 106A. Similarly, user 114B may be associated with external device 106B, ..., and user 114N may be associated with external device 106N.

[0012] The "N" external devices, "N" sensory feedbacks, and "N" users shown in FIG. 1 are shown by way of example only. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the set of external devices 106, the set of sensory feedbacks 112, and the set of users 114 may include only one external device, one sensory feedback, and one user, respectively, for communication of enhanced emergency notifications by electronic device 102. For simplicity, only "N" external devices, "N" sensory feedbacks, and "N" users are shown in FIG. 1. However, in some embodiments, there can be more than "N" external devices, more than "N" sensory feedbacks, and more than "N" users, without limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0013] The electronic device 102 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that can be configured to provide enhanced emergency notification. The electronic device 102 may receive an emergency signal from an emergency alert source (e.g., the EAS server 104) and control each external device in the series of external devices 106 to generate a type of sensory feedback based on the received emergency signal. The sensory feedback generated by each external device in the series of external devices 106 may correspond to an emergency notification or an emergency alert. Examples of the electronic device 102 may include, but are not limited to, a television coupled to an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 1.0 tuner and / or an ATSC 3.0 tuner, a smart television (TV) coupled to an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner, an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) coupled to an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner, a display device or computer monitor coupled to an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner, and a consumer electronics (CE) device including a display coupled to an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner.

[0014] In some embodiments, electronic device 102 can receive digital television (DTV) signals from an over-the-air or terrestrial broadcast network via at least one of an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Electronic device 102 can be configured to extract emergency information from the received DTV signals. Electronic device 102 can then transmit the emergency information to a CE, including a smart TV, an IPTV, a display monitor, a computer monitor, or a display. However, in some embodiments, the functionality of the ATSC 1.0 tuner or ATSC 3.0 tuner can be incorporated, in whole or at least in part, into electronic device 102 (such as a smart TV, a display monitor, a computer monitor, an IPTV, or a CE with a display) without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0015] The EAS server 104 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that can be configured to store information related to the emergency alert signal 110 and transmit the emergency alert signal 110 to the electronic device 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the EAS server 104 is implemented as a cloud server and may perform operations via web applications, cloud applications, HTTP requests, repository operations, file transfers, and the like. Other implementations of the EAS server 104 include, but are not limited to, a database server, a file server, a content server, a web server, an application server, a mainframe server, or a cloud computing server. In at least one embodiment, the EAS server 104 may be implemented as multiple distributed cloud-based resources using multiple technologies known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of the present disclosure may not be limited to the implementation of the EAS server 104 and the electronic device 102 as two separate entities. In some embodiments, the functionality of the EAS server 104 may be incorporated, in whole or at least in part, into the electronic device 102 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the network environment 100 may further include service provider devices that can be connected to the electronic device 102 through the communications network 108. The service provider devices may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or interfaces that can be configured to transmit and receive signals related to one or more service providers. The transmitted or received signals may correspond to a series of broadcast channels, such as radio frequency (RF) signals, that can be broadcast in a particular geographic region. For example, each service provider device may include a transmitter configured to transmit selected broadcast channel information, including the emergency alert signal 110, to the electronic device 102 based on the current geographic location of the electronic device 102 within its transmission range (such as a channel guide available in that region). In some embodiments, the EAS server 104 may include one or more service provider devices of a television broadcast system or an Internet-based system. Examples of service providers may include, but are not limited to, a satellite broadcast station, a terrestrial broadcast station, a digital television broadcast station, a cellular network broadcast station, or an Internet broadcast station. Examples of service provider devices may include, but are not limited to, a radio antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, an array antenna, or a loop antenna.

[0017] Each of the set of external devices 106 may include suitable logic, circuitry and interfaces, and / or code that can be configured to generate sensory feedback. The generated sensory feedback may correspond to an emergency alert. Each of the set of external devices 106 may be configured to generate a particular type of sensory feedback (e.g., sensory feedback 112A, 112B, ..., and 112N) based on commands received from the electronic device 102. Examples of the set of external devices 106 may include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a mobile phone, a gaming device, an electronically controlled lighting fixture, a handheld mobile device with an integrated display, a wearable or head-mounted display, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, a television remote control, a voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant, a wearable haptic device, or a hands-free device.

[0018] The communication network 108 may include a communication medium that enables the electronic device 102, the EAS server 104, and the set of external devices 106 to communicate with one another. The communication network 108 may be a wired or wireless communication network. Examples of the communication network 108 may include, but are not limited to, the Internet, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), or a metropolitan area network (MAN). The various devices in the network environment 100 may be configured to connect to the communication network 108 according to various wired and wireless communication protocols. Examples of such wired and wireless communication protocols include, but are not limited to, at least one of Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), ZigBee, EDGE, IEEE802.11, Light Fidelity (Li-Fi), 802.16, IEEE802.11s, IEEE802.11g, multi-hop communication, wireless access point (AP), device-to-device communication, cellular communication protocols, and Bluetooth (BT) communication protocols.

[0019] During operation, the electronic device 102 can be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an emergency alert signal 110). The electronic device 102 can receive the signal from an EAS, including one or more of a television broadcast system or an Internet-based system. For example, the emergency alert signal 110 can be received from the EAS server 104 or a service provider device of a service provider. The emergency alert signal 110 can be an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal. The electronic device 102 can receive the ATSC 1.0 signal or the ATSC 3.0 signal from the television broadcast system or the Internet-based system via an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner.

[0020] The electronic device 102 may be further configured to extract emergency information from the received signal. According to an embodiment, the emergency information may include at least a portion indicating a type of sensory feedback to be transmitted to a user through an external device to convey an emergency alert corresponding to the emergency information. The electronic device 102 may be configured to control at least one external device of the set of external devices 106 to generate sensory feedback of the type specified in the extracted portion of the emergency information. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine, based on the extracted emergency information, that the type of sensory feedback to be transmitted is audio feedback. In such a case, the electronic device 102 may control the set of external devices 106 (e.g., a speaker, a voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant, or a hands-free device) to generate audio feedback. The emergency alert may be conveyed through the audio feedback. Similarly, if the electronic device 102 determines, based on the extracted emergency information, that the type of sensory feedback to be conveyed is visual feedback, it can control a set of external devices 106 (e.g., electronically controlled lighting fixtures, handheld mobile devices with built-in displays, wearable smart watches, or wearable or head-mounted displays) to generate visual feedback, thereby conveying an emergency alert through this visual feedback.

[0021] The electronic device 102 may be further configured to determine a type of emergency based on the extracted emergency information. According to one embodiment, the type of emergency may be indicated as one of a plurality of levels. For example, the types of emergency may range from level 1 to level 5. The severity (or urgency) of the emergency may gradually decrease from level 1 to level 5. The emergency alert signal 110 broadcast by the EAS server 104 may include an indicator that designates a level or severity associated with the emergency. The EAS server 104 may set the indicator based on a location where the emergency alert signal 110 should be broadcast. The electronic device 102 may determine the level based on the value of the indicator in the emergency alert signal 110 via the extraction of the emergency information.

[0022] For example, the EAS server 104 may need to broadcast the emergency alert signal 110 via a television broadcast system or an internet-based system to users (among the set of users 114) who are in an area where a drone attack or missile attack is possible. In such a scenario, the EAS server 104 may set an indicator included in the emergency alert signal 110 as a grade 1. The electronic device 102 may determine the type of emergency (which may be a grade 1) based on extracting the severity indicator included in the emergency alert signal 110 received from the EAS server 104. In another example, if the emergency alert signal 110 is to be broadcast in an area prone to high-risk severe natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, snowstorms, or wildfires, the indicator may be set to a grade 1.

[0023] In one example, if an area is close to another area prone to natural disasters or if the impact of the natural disaster in the area is predicted to be moderate to severe, the type of emergency may be indicated as level 2. If the emergency alert signal 110 corresponds to a public safety alert, a lockdown alert, or a weather alert (such as the possibility of rain), the EAS server 104 may indicate in the emergency alert signal 110 that the type of emergency is level 3. If the emergency alert signal 110 corresponds to a safety message, an evacuation order update, post-emergency information, or a media communication, the EAS server 104 may indicate in the emergency alert signal 110 that the type of emergency is level 4. If the emergency alert signal 110 corresponds to traffic information, a list of available shelters in case of an emergency, or information regarding preparations for the impending emergency, the EAS server 104 may indicate in the emergency alert signal 110 that the type of emergency is level 5.

[0024] The electronic device 102 may be further configured to determine external devices that are communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102. For example, the electronic device 102 may initiate the establishment of a wireless or wired communication session between the electronic device 102 and an external device to detect whether the electronic device 102 is communicatively coupled to the external device. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine that a set of external devices 106, namely, external device 106A, external device 106B, ..., and external device 106N, are communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the electronic device 102 can be configured to determine capability information of external devices communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102. For example, the electronic device 102 can determine the capability information of an external device based on the electronic device 102 successfully establishing a communication session with the external device. The electronic device 102 can determine the capability of each external device in the set of external devices 106 to generate a particular type of sensory feedback that can be used to communicate an emergency alert. The capability information of each external device in the set of external devices 106 can be determined based on a determination by the external device. For example, the electronic device 102 can be configured to determine the capability information of the external device 106A based on a determination that the external device 106A is communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102. Similarly, the electronic device 102 can determine the capability information of each of the external devices 106B, ..., and 106N based on a determination that the external devices 106B, ..., and 106N are communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102. The electronic device 102 can be configured to determine the types of sensory feedback 112A, 112B, ..., and 112N that the external devices 106A, 106B, ..., and 106N can generate based on the capability information determined for the external devices 106A, 106B, ..., and 106N, respectively. For example, the electronic device 102 can determine that the external device 106A can generate audio feedback based on the determined capability information of the external device 106A. Similarly, the electronic device 102 can determine that the external devices 106B, ..., and 106N in the set of external devices 106 can generate audio feedback, visual feedback, haptic feedback, and / or somatosensory feedback based on the capability information of the external devices 106B, ..., and 106N.

[0026] According to an embodiment, electronic device 102 can be configured to receive user preferences from a user in set of users 114. The user preferences can be received as user input from the user or via an external device in set of external devices 106. The user preferences can be received based on a determination of one or more external devices. The user preferences can specify one or more types of sensory feedback that each user in set of users 114 desires to receive. Electronic device 102 can control an external device in set of external devices 106 associated with a user in set of users 114 to generate different types of sensory feedback for emergency alert delivery. For example, electronic device 102 can be configured to receive user preferences from user 114A (or via external device 106A) specifying that user 114A's desired sensory feedback mode is sensory feedback 112A, such as audio feedback, visual feedback, haptic feedback, and / or somatosensory feedback. Electronic device 102 can control external device 106A to generate sensory feedback 112A to convey an emergency alert based on a sensory feedback mode desired by user 114A (i.e., user preferences). Similarly, electronic device 102 can be configured to receive user preferences from users 114B, ..., and 114N as well, or via external devices 106B, ..., and 106N. Electronic device 102 can control external devices 106B, ..., and 106N to generate respective sensory feedback 112B, ..., and 112N based on the respective user preferences received from users 114B, ..., and 114N.

[0027] The electronic device 102 may be further configured to control an external device to generate a type of sensory feedback that corresponds to an emergency alert. The electronic device 102 may control each external device in the set of external devices 106 to generate such a type of sensory feedback. The types of sensory feedback may include visual feedback that can be triggered by a change in color of ambient lighting, visual feedback that can be triggered by a change in brightness of ambient lighting, visual feedback that can be triggered by a change in color temperature of ambient lighting, visual feedback that can be triggered by a degree of change in brightness, color, or color temperature, tactile feedback, somatosensory feedback that can emulate a cold or warm sensation, or somatosensory feedback that can emulate a tactile sensation. For example, the electronic device 102 may control an electronically controlled lighting fixture to generate visual feedback based on a change in at least one of the color, brightness, and temperature of the ambient lighting, or a change in the degree of change in at least one of the color, brightness, and temperature of the ambient lighting. The electronic device 102 may further control a wearable haptic device to generate haptic feedback.

[0028] According to an embodiment, electronic device 102 can control one or more external devices in set of external devices 106 to generate a particular type of sensory feedback specified in the extracted portion of the emergency information. Electronic device 102 can determine one or more external devices capable of generating the type of sensory feedback specified in the extracted portion of the emergency information based on capability information of one or more external devices in set of external devices 106. For example, electronic device 102 can determine that haptic feedback is specified in the extracted portion of the emergency information. Once electronic device 102 determines a wearable haptic device as a device capable of generating haptic feedback, it can send one or more commands to the wearable haptic device to generate haptic feedback. The one or more commands can cause the wearable haptic device to generate haptic feedback to communicate an emergency alert to one or more users in set of users 114.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 102 can control the set of external devices 106 to generate a type of sensory feedback based on the determined type of emergency indicated in the emergency alert signal 110. For example, the electronic device 102 can determine external devices in the user environment from the set of external devices 106. The electronic device 102 can select at least one of the determined external devices based on the type of emergency. The electronic device 102 can control the selected external devices in the user environment to generate a type of sensory feedback that the selected external device is capable of generating. In an embodiment, the number of external devices (that the electronic device 102 can select to generate sensory feedback) can be based on the severity of the emergency. For example, if the type of emergency is grade 1, all determined external devices capable of generating sensory feedback can be selected to generate sensory feedback so as to immediately alert the user. On the other hand, if the type of emergency is grade 5, one external device capable of generating sensory feedback can be selected to generate sensory feedback.

[0030] For example, the electronic device 102 may determine four external devices in the living environment of a user of the set of users 114. The determined electronic devices may be an electronically controlled light fixture, a handheld mobile device with an integrated display, a speaker, and a wearable haptic device. If the type of emergency is grade 1, the electronic device 102 may control all four of these external devices 106 to generate sensory feedback. The electronic device 102 may control the electronically controlled light fixture to generate visual feedback. The visual feedback may be triggered through a variation in at least one of one or more of the brightness, color, and color temperature of ambient lighting that the electronic device 102 can control. The visual feedback may also be generated by controlling the handheld mobile device to display an emergency alert message. Similarly, the electronic device 102 may control the speaker to generate audio feedback that may be triggered by playing an audio version of the emergency alert message. Furthermore, the electronic device 102 may control the wearable haptic device to generate haptic feedback that may be triggered by applying force or generating vibrations.

[0031] According to an embodiment, electronic device 102 can control one or more external devices in set of external devices 106 to generate a particular type of sensory feedback. The particular type of sensory feedback can be indicated in the received user preferences. Electronic device 102 can select one or more external devices based on determining the capabilities of the one or more devices to generate the particular type of sensory feedback indicated in the user preferences. Electronic device 102 can control the selected one or more external devices to generate the particular type of sensory feedback to communicate an emergency alert. For example, if electronic device 102 receives a user preference from user 114A specifying haptic feedback, it can control a wearable haptic device in user 114A's living environment to generate haptic feedback.

[0032] EAS messages, including emergency alerts, can be disseminated through broadcast systems or Internet-based systems. Terrestrial broadcast systems have established standard guidelines that allow for the expansion of emergency alert notifications using verbal or visual signals. While these guidelines can facilitate the acquisition of information about emergency alerts, much of this information may require accessing the visual signals using electronic devices, such as televisions, display screens, or computer monitors coupled to ATSC-based tuners. However, not all people may have access to visual information about emergency alerts. For example, people may sometimes be engrossed in their work and not be in a position to visually consume the information on a television or monitor. Furthermore, people with disabilities (e.g., visual or hearing impairments) may be unable to hear the emergency alert or to see the visual information related to the emergency alert. These people may miss the emergency alert notification. For user safety, it is important to ensure that all users can access notifications disseminated to the public. Delays in the transmission of notifications may threaten the safety and well-being of people, especially those with disabilities.

[0033] To address issues related to the transmission of emergency alert notifications, the disclosed electronic device 102 can operate as a wireless hub that disseminates or shares emergency information to external devices (e.g., a set of external devices 106) connected to the electronic device 102. The disclosed electronic device 102 can use the emergency information to control the set of connected external devices 106. The electronic device 102 can determine the capabilities of the set of connected external devices 106 to generate different types of sensory feedback and control the set of connected external devices 106 to generate sensory feedback to convey the emergency alert to a set of users 114. For example, the electronic device 102 can control a wearable haptic device (e.g., external device 106A) to generate haptic feedback and communicate the emergency notification to user 114A through the haptic feedback. The haptic feedback can be triggered by imparting vibrations to a part of the user's body that is in contact with the wearable haptic device. This sensory feedback can facilitate the dissemination of emergency notifications to all users, including users with disabilities. Thus, emergency notifications can be delivered to a large number of users, including users who are busy with tasks other than intently watching TV, or who are handicapped or hearing impaired.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device for communicating enhanced emergency notification through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of FIG. 2 is provided with reference to elements in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram 200 of electronic device 102. Electronic device 102 may include circuitry 202, memory 204, input / output (I / O) devices 206, a network interface 208, and a location sensor 210. In at least one embodiment, I / O devices 206 may also include a display device 212. Circuitry 202 may be communicatively coupled to memory 204, I / O devices 206, network interface 208, and location sensor 210 via wired or wireless communication of electronic device 102.

[0035] The circuitry 202 may include suitable logic, circuits, and interfaces that may be configured to execute program instructions associated with different operations performed by the electronic device 102. These operations may include receiving a signal from the EAS server 104, which may include one or more of a television broadcast system or an Internet-based system. The operations may further include extracting emergency information from the received signal. The operations may further include determining an external device (out of the set of external devices 106) that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102. The operations may further include controlling the external device to generate a type of sensory feedback that may correspond to an emergency alert. The circuitry 202 may include one or more dedicated processing units, which may be implemented as an integrated processor or group of processors that collectively perform the functions of the one or more dedicated processing units. The circuitry 202 may be implemented based on multiple processor technologies known in the art. An example implementation of circuit 202 may be an x86-based processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a microcontroller, a central processing unit (CPU), and / or other computing circuitry.

[0036] The memory 204 may include suitable logic, circuits, interfaces, and / or code that may be configured to store program instructions executed by the circuit 202. The program instructions stored in the memory 204 may enable the circuit 202 to perform the operations of the circuit 202 (and / or the electronic device 102). In at least one embodiment, the memory 204 may store information related to emergency alert signals, such as ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 signals, which may include emergency information and media content. The memory 204 may further store the capabilities of each of the set of external devices 106 to generate different types of sensory feedback. The memory 204 may further store user preferences that specify the type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate the emergency alert to the user. Example implementations of the memory 204 may include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), CPU cache, and / or a secure digital (SD) card.

[0037] The I / O device 206 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be configured to receive input and provide output based on the received input. For example, the I / O device 206 may receive user input indicating user preferences, including the type of sensory feedback that the set of external devices 106 should generate. The I / O device 206 may render output to the set of users 114 that may indicate information related to the emergency alert. For example, the I / O device 206 may display a video message of the emergency alert and play an audio notification related to the emergency alert to the user, in addition to generating sensory feedback by the set of external devices 106. Examples of the I / O device 206 may include, but are not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a microphone, a display device 212, and a speaker.

[0038] The I / O device 206 may include a display device 212. The display device 212 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to receive input from the circuit 202 and display an emergency alert on a display screen based on a received emergency alert signal 110 (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal and an ATSC 3.0 signal). The display device 212 may render the emergency alert based on the circuit 202 extracting the ATSC 1.0 signal and the ATSC 3.0 signal from an ATSC 1.0 tuner or an ATSC 3.0 tuner (coupled to the electronic device 102), respectively. The display device 212 or display screen may be implemented through a number of known technologies, such as, but not limited to, at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display technology, or other display device.

[0039] The network interface 208 may include suitable logic, circuits, and interfaces that may be configured to facilitate communication between the circuitry 202, the EAS server 104, and a set of external devices 106 over the communications network 108. The network interface 208 may be implemented using a variety of known technologies to support wired or wireless communication between the electronic device 102 and the communications network 108. The network interface 208 may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, or a local buffer circuit.

[0040] The network interface 208 may be configured to communicate via wireless communication with a network such as the Internet, an intranet, or a wireless network such as a cellular network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a short-range communication network, and a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use one or more of a number of communication standards, protocols, and technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) (such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, or IEEE 802.11n), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Light Fidelity (Li-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX), Short Range Communication protocols, and Wireless Peer-to-Peer protocols.

[0041] The location sensor 210 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or interfaces that may be configured to determine the current geographic location of the electronic device 102 and the set of external devices 106. Examples of the location sensor 210 may include, but are not limited to, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based sensor in the electronic device 102. Examples of GNSS-based sensors may include, but are not limited to, a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), or other regional navigation systems or sensors.

[0042] 1 may be performed by circuitry 202. The operations performed by circuitry 202 are described in detail in, for example, FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 6.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary environment for generating audio feedback for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of FIG. 3 is provided in conjunction with elements of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary environment 300. The environment 300 can be an indoor environment, such as a room that people can use to conduct various types of social, cultural, religious, economic, or political activities. Examples of the environment 300 can include, but are not limited to, a residential space (such as an apartment or a house), a commercial space (such as an office space, a hotel room, an industrial space, or a concert hall), or a specific room or space within a residential or commercial space. The exemplary environment 300 includes an electronic device 302 (e.g., a television). The electronic device 302 can be an exemplary implementation of the electronic device 102. Accordingly, the functionality of the electronic device 302 can be identical to the functionality of the electronic device 102 of FIG. 1 or 2. Additionally, an external device 304 (e.g., a speaker) is also illustrated. The functionality of the external device 304 can be similar to the functionality of an external device in the set of external devices 106 of FIG. 1. The electronic device 302 can render an emergency alert 306. The environment 300 also shows a user 308. The user 308 can be one of the set of users 114 shown in FIG.

[0044] The circuit 202 may be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal) from the EAS server 104. In some embodiments, the electronic device 302 may receive the ATSC 1.0 signal via an ATSC 1.0 tuner or the ATSC 3.0 signal via an ATSC 3.0 tuner. The ATSC 1.0 tuner or the ATSC 3.0 tuner may be coupled to the electronic device 302. The circuit 202 may be further configured to extract emergency information from the ATSC 1.0 signal or the ATSC 3.0 signal. The emergency information may include an emergency alert 306. For example, the emergency alert 306 may include at least one of emergency text and media content (e.g., an image). The circuit 202 may be further configured to render the emergency text and media content on a display screen of the electronic device 302.

[0045] Circuit 202 may be further configured to determine an external device 304 communicatively coupled to electronic device 302. According to an embodiment, circuit 202 may further determine capability information of external device 304 based on the determination of external device 304. The capability information may correspond to a type of sensory feedback that external device 304 is capable of generating or configured to generate. Circuit 202 may determine, based on the capability information, that external device 304 can be configured to generate audio feedback. For example, external device 304 (e.g., a speaker) may have the capability to provide an audio output as audio feedback. Circuit 202 may be configured to determine capability information of other external devices (within environment 300) that can correspond to the type of sensory feedback that the other external devices are configured to generate.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the circuit 202 can be further configured to receive user preferences that can specify a type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate the emergency alert 306 through the external device 304. In one example, the user preferences can be received from the user 308 based on a determination of the external device 304. The circuit 202 can determine, based on the user preferences, that audio feedback is specified as the type of sensory feedback that the user 308 desires. The circuit 202 can determine that audio feedback needs to be generated to communicate the emergency alert through the external device 304. The circuit 202 can be further configured to receive other user preferences (from the user 308) that can specify a type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate the emergency alert 306 through other external devices (within the environment 300).

[0047] The extracted emergency information may further include a type of sensory feedback to be generated via the external device. According to an embodiment, the circuit 202 may determine whether the type of sensory feedback included in the extracted emergency information is audio feedback. For example, if the emergency information corresponds to a tsunami warning, the emergency information may indicate that the type of sensory feedback appropriate for the emergency information is audio feedback.

[0048] The circuitry 202 can be further configured to control the external device 304 to generate a type of sensory feedback corresponding to the emergency alert 306. The circuitry 202 can control the external device 304 to generate sensory feedback (e.g., audio feedback 310) to communicate the emergency alert 306 to the user 308. The audio feedback can be rendered as a sound alert or an audio playback of audio content included in the emergency alert 306. The audio feedback 310 can draw the user 308's attention to the emergency alert 306, which can be rendered on a display screen of the electronic device 302. In scenarios where the user 308 is visually impaired or unable to see the rendered emergency alert 306, the audio feedback 310 can be useful to the user 308. The external device 304 can be configured to provide the audio feedback 310 (based on user input from the user 308) in the event of an emergency. Thus, generation of the audio feedback 310 by the external device 304 can indicate to the visually impaired user 308 that there may be an emergency.

[0049] The circuitry 202 can control the external device 304 to generate sensory feedback based on at least one of the determined capabilities of the external device 304, user preferences received from the user 308, or the extracted emergency information. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 304 to generate audio feedback 310 based on a determination that the external device 304 is capable of generating audio feedback. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 304 to generate audio feedback 310 based on a determination of the type of sensory feedback (audio feedback 310) specified in the user preferences received from the user 308.

[0050] According to an embodiment, if the extracted emergency information includes audio feedback as a type of sensory feedback, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 304 to generate audio feedback 310. If the extracted emergency information does not include audio feedback as a type of sensory feedback, the circuitry 202 can be configured to determine an external device capable of generating the particular type of sensory feedback included in the extracted emergency information. Note that the environment 300 of FIG. 3 is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary environment for generating audio feedback for emergency alert delivery, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is described with reference to elements in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary environment 400. The exemplary environment 400 includes an electronic device 402 (e.g., a television). The electronic device 402 can be an exemplary implementation of the electronic device 102. Accordingly, the functionality of the electronic device 402 can be identical to the electronic device 102 of FIG. 1 or 2. Also illustrated is an external device 404 (e.g., a hearing aid). The functionality of the external device 404 can be similar to the external device in the set of external devices 106 of FIG. 1. The electronic device 402 can render an emergency alert 406. The environment 400 also includes a user 408. The user 408 can be one of the set of users 114 shown in FIG. 1. The circuit 202 can be configured to control the external device 404 to generate audio feedback 410 to deliver the emergency alert 406. Control of the external device 404 may be based on determining that the type of sensory feedback to be generated through the external device 404 is audio feedback.

[0052] The circuit 202 can be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal) from the EAS server 104. The circuit 202 can be further configured to extract emergency information from the received signal. The emergency information can include an emergency alert 406. The circuit 202 can be further configured to render the emergency alert 406 on a display screen of the electronic device 402.

[0053] The circuitry 202 can be further configured to determine an external device 404 that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device 402. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can further determine capability information of the external device 404 based on the determination of the external device 404. The circuitry 202 can determine, based on the capability information, that the external device 404 can be configured to generate audio feedback. For example, the external device 404 (e.g., a hearing aid) can have the capability to provide an audio output as audio feedback.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the circuit 202 can be further configured to receive user preferences that can specify a type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate the emergency alert 406 through the external device 404. The user preferences can be received from a user 408 based on a determination of the external device 404. The circuit 202 can determine, based on the user preferences, that audio feedback is specified as the type of sensory feedback. Accordingly, the circuit 202 can control the external device 404 to generate audio feedback 410 to communicate the emergency alert through the external device 404.

[0055] The extracted emergency information may further include a type of sensory feedback to be generated via the external device. According to an embodiment, the circuit 202 may determine whether the type of sensory feedback included in the extracted emergency information is audio feedback. For example, if the emergency information corresponds to a tsunami warning, the emergency information may indicate that the type of sensory feedback appropriate for the emergency information is audio feedback.

[0056] The circuitry 202 can be further configured to control the external device 404 to generate a type of sensory feedback corresponding to the emergency alert 406. The circuitry 202 can control the external device 404 to generate sensory feedback (e.g., audio feedback 410) to communicate the emergency alert 406 to the user 408. The audio feedback can be conveyed by a sound alert or by playing audio content included in the emergency alert 406. The audio feedback 410 can draw the user 408's attention to the emergency alert 406 rendered on a display screen of the electronic device 402. The audio feedback 410 can correspond to the emergency alert 406 for the user 408, particularly if the user 408 is hearing impaired or if the user 408 is partially deaf. The user 408 can configure the external device 404 to provide the audio feedback 410 in the event of an emergency. Thus, the generation of the audio feedback 410 by the external device 404 can notify the hearing-impaired user 408 that an emergency has occurred.

[0057] The circuitry 202 can control the external device 404 to generate sensory feedback based on at least one of the determined capabilities of the external device 404, user preferences received from the user 408, or the extracted emergency information. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 404 to generate audio feedback 410 based on the determined capabilities of the external device 404. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 404 to generate audio feedback 410 based on a type of sensory feedback (audio feedback 410) indicated in the user preferences received from the user 408. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 404 to generate audio feedback 410 when audio feedback is included as a type of sensory feedback in the extracted emergency information. Note that the environment 400 of FIG. 4 is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary environment for generating haptic feedback for emergency alert communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of FIG. 5 will be provided with reference to elements of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary environment 500. The exemplary environment 500 includes an electronic device 502 (e.g., a television). The electronic device 502 can be an exemplary implementation of the electronic device 102. Accordingly, the functionality of the electronic device 502 can be identical to the electronic device 102 of FIG. 1 or 2. Also illustrated is an external device 504 (e.g., a wearable haptic device such as a smart watch or smart band). The functionality of the external device 504 can be similar to the external device in the set of external devices 106 of FIG. 1. The electronic device 502 can render an emergency alert 506. The environment 500 also includes a user 508. The user 508 can be one of the set of users 114 shown in FIG. 1. The circuitry 202 can be configured to control the external device 504 to generate haptic feedback 510 to communicate the emergency alert 506. The control of the external device 504 can be based on determining that haptic feedback is an appropriate type of sensory feedback to generate through the external device 504.

[0059] The circuit 202 may be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal) from the EAS server 104. The circuit 202 may be further configured to extract emergency information from the received signal. The emergency information may include an emergency alert 506. The circuit 202 may be configured to extract the emergency alert 506 from the received signal. The emergency alert 506 may include a text message that may notify of the emergency. The emergency alert 506 may further include media content (e.g., an image). The media content may highlight location(s) that may be affected by the emergency. The circuit 202 may be configured to render the emergency alert 506 on a display screen of the electronic device 502.

[0060] Circuitry 202 can be further configured to determine an external device 504 that is communicatively coupled to electronic device 502. According to an embodiment, circuitry 202 can further determine capability information of external device 504 based on the determination of external device 504. Circuitry 202 can determine, based on the capability information, that external device 504 can be configured to generate haptic feedback. For example, external device 504 can have the capability to provide a haptic or tactile output to a user to communicate haptic feedback.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can be further configured to receive user preferences that can specify a type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate the emergency alert 506 through the external device 504. The user preferences can be received from the user 508 based on a determination of the external device 504. The circuitry 202 can determine that haptic feedback is specified as the type of sensory feedback based on the user preferences.

[0062] The extracted emergency information may further include a type of sensory feedback to be generated via the external device. According to an embodiment, the circuit 202 may determine whether the type of sensory feedback included in the extracted emergency information is haptic feedback. For example, if the emergency information corresponds to a flash flood warning, the emergency information may indicate that the type of sensory feedback appropriate for the emergency information is haptic feedback.

[0063] The circuitry 202 can be further configured to control the external device 504 to generate a type of sensory feedback that can correspond to the emergency alert 506. The circuitry 202 can control the external device 504 to generate sensory feedback (e.g., haptic feedback 510) to communicate the emergency alert 506 to the user 508. The haptic feedback 510 can draw the user 508's attention to the emergency alert 506 rendered on a display screen of the electronic device 502. The haptic feedback 510 can provide a haptic experience to the user 508 via the application of force or vibration to the user's 508's hand. In one example, if the user 508 is visually or hearing impaired, the haptic feedback 510 can correspond to the emergency alert 506 for the user 508. The user 508 can configure the external device 504 to provide the haptic feedback 510 in the event of an emergency. Thus, the generation of the haptic feedback 510 by the external device 504 can notify the visually or hearing impaired user 508 that an emergency has occurred.

[0064] The circuitry 202 can control the external device 504 to generate sensory feedback based on at least one of the determined capabilities of the external device 504, user preferences received from the user 508, or the extracted emergency information. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 504 to generate haptic feedback 510 based on the determined capabilities of the external device 504. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 504 to generate haptic feedback 510 based on a type of sensory feedback (haptic feedback 510) specified in the user preferences received from the user 508. According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 can control the external device 504 to generate haptic feedback 510 when haptic feedback is included as a type of sensory feedback in the extracted emergency information. Note that the environment 500 of FIG. 5 is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary environment including external devices for generating sensory feedback for emergency alert delivery, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of FIG. 6A will be provided in conjunction with elements of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary environment 600. The exemplary environment 600 includes an electronic device 602 (e.g., a television). The electronic device 602 may be an exemplary implementation of the electronic device 602. Accordingly, the functionality of the electronic device 602 may be identical to the electronic device 102 of FIG. 1 or 2. Also illustrated are external device 604 (e.g., a first electronically controlled lighting fixture), external device 606 (e.g., a speaker), external device 608 (e.g., a second electronically controlled lighting fixture), and external device 610 (e.g., a wearable haptic device such as a smartwatch). The functionality of external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610 may be similar to the external devices in the set of external devices 106 of FIG. 1. The circuitry 202 can be configured to render media content 612 on a display screen of the electronic device 602 at time T1. Also shown within the living environment 600 is a user 614. The user 614 can be one of the set of users 114 shown in FIG.

[0066] FIG. 6B illustrates an example environment for generating different types of sensory feedback based on the type of emergency associated with an emergency alert, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is described with reference to elements of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6A. FIG. 6B illustrates an example environment 600. Exemplary environment 600 includes electronic device 602, external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610. Circuitry 202 can be configured to display emergency alert 616 on a display screen of electronic device 602 at time T2. Circuitry 202 can be configured to control external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610 to generate different types of sensory feedback to communicate emergency alert 616 based on the type of emergency alert 616.

[0067] Circuit 202 may be configured to receive a signal (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal) from EAS server 104. Circuit 202 may be further configured to obtain emergency alert 616 by extracting emergency alert 616 from the received signal. Circuit 202 may then render emergency alert 616 on a display screen of electronic device 602. Circuit 202 may be further configured to determine that external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610 are communicatively coupled to electronic device 602.

[0068] According to an embodiment, circuitry 202 can further determine capability information for each of external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610. Circuitry 202 can determine, based on the capability information, that external device 604 can be configured to generate visual feedback. Furthermore, circuitry 202 can determine, based on the capability information, that external device 606 can be configured to generate audio feedback, that external device 608 can be configured to generate visual feedback, and that external device 610 can be configured to generate haptic feedback.

[0069] According to an embodiment, circuitry 202 can be further configured to receive user preferences that can specify a type of sensory feedback to be generated to communicate emergency alert 616 through each of external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610. For example, circuitry 202 can determine that haptic feedback can be specified as the type of sensory feedback based on the user preferences corresponding to external device 604. Similarly, circuitry 202 can determine that audio feedback, visual feedback, and haptic feedback can be specified as the type of sensory feedback in the received user preferences corresponding to external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610, respectively.

[0070] The circuit 202 may be further configured to determine a type of emergency based on extracting emergency information from the received ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal. The type of emergency corresponding to the emergency alert 616 may be Grade 1, and the types of emergency may vary from Grade 1 to Grade 5. The type of emergency may indicate the most likely seriousness of the emergency alert 616. The EAS server 104 may include an indication of the type of emergency in the received ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal based on the locations of the electronic device 602 and the external devices (external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610). Here, the circuit 202 may be configured to determine the locations of the electronic device 602 and the external devices. Further, the circuit 202 may transmit the determined locations to the EAS server 104. The EAS server 104 may include an indication related to the type or seriousness of the emergency in the emergency information based on these locations.

[0071] According to an embodiment, circuitry 202 can be configured to select at least one external device from external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610 to generate at least one type of sensory feedback. The at least one sensory feedback can convey an emergency alert 616. For example, if the type of emergency is a grade 1, circuitry 202 can select all determined external devices, i.e., external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610, to convey the emergency alert 616. Note that circuitry 202 can be configured to select one, two, or three external devices based on whether the determined type of emergency (indicated in the received ATSC 1.0 or ATSC 3.0 signal) is a grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, or grade 4. In some cases, this selection can depend on whether the type of sensory feedback generated by the external device can convey an alert to the user.

[0072] Circuit 202 may be further configured to control selected external devices (external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610) to generate different types of sensory feedback. For example, circuit 202 may control external device 604 (e.g., a first electronically controlled light fixture) to generate visual feedback 618. Similarly, circuit 202 may control external device 606 (e.g., a speaker), external device 608 (e.g., a second electronically controlled light fixture), and external device 610 (e.g., a wearable haptic device) to generate audio feedback 620, visual feedback 622, and haptic feedback 624, respectively. The generated audio feedback 620, generated visual feedback 622, and generated haptic feedback 624 may convey a first level of emergency alert 616 to user 614. In some embodiments, circuitry 202 may synchronize the control of the generation of visual feedback 618, audio feedback 620, visual feedback 622, and haptic feedback 624 through external device 604, external device 606, external device 608, and external device 610, respectively. The synchronized generation of different types of sensory feedback may draw the attention of user 614 to emergency alert 616, indicating the occurrence of a severe category of emergency that may require immediate action from user 614.

[0073] Circuit 202 can be configured to control external device 604 and external device 608 to change at least one of the color, brightness, color temperature, or the rate of change of color, brightness, or color temperature of external device 604 and external device 608. This at least one change can result in the generation of visual feedback 618 and visual feedback 622. Circuit 202 can be configured to control external device 606 to play a sound alert or audio content related to emergency alert 616. The playing of the sound alert or audio content related to emergency alert 616 can result in the generation of audio feedback 620. Similarly, circuit 202 can be configured to control external device 610 to generate a force or vibration that can provide a haptic experience to user 614. The generation of the force or vibration can result in the generation of haptic feedback 624. Generated visual feedback 618, generated audio feedback 620, generated visual feedback 622, and / or haptic feedback 624 can alert user 614 even if user 614 is visually or hearing impaired. Environments 600A and 600B of Figures 6A and 6B, respectively, are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an exemplary method for communicating an enhanced emergency notification through sensory feedback, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is described with reference to elements of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, and 6B. Figure 7 shows a flowchart 700. Operations 702-710 may be performed by any computer system, such as electronic device 102 of Figure 1. Operations may begin at 702 and proceed to 704.

[0075] At 704, a signal may be received from an emergency alert system (EAS) (e.g., EAS server 104), which may include one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. In at least one embodiment, circuit 202 may be configured to receive a signal from an EAS (e.g., EAS server 104), which may include one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. Details of receiving a signal from EAS server 104 are described, for example, in FIG. 1 .

[0076] At 706, emergency information can be extracted from the received signal. In at least one embodiment, the circuit 202 can be configured to extract the emergency information from the received signal (e.g., an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal). Details of extracting the emergency information are described, for example, in FIG. 1.

[0077] At 708, an external device communicatively coupled to electronic device 102 can be determined. In at least one embodiment, circuitry 202 can be configured to determine an external device (e.g., external device 106A) communicatively coupled to electronic device 102. Details of determining the external device are described, for example, in FIG. 1.

[0078] At 710, the external device can be controlled to generate a type of sensory feedback that corresponds to the emergency alert. In at least one embodiment, the circuit 202 can be configured to control an external device (e.g., external device 106A) to generate a type of sensory feedback (e.g., audio feedback 310) that corresponds to the emergency alert (e.g., emergency alert 306). Such type of sensory feedback can be generated based at least in part on the extracted emergency information. Controlling an external device to generate a type of sensory feedback that corresponds to the emergency alert is further described, for example, in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, and 6B. Control can proceed to an end.

[0079] Although flowchart 700 depicts discrete operations such as 704, 706, 708, and 710, the disclosure is not so limited. Thus, in some embodiments, such discrete operations may be further divided into additional operations, combined into fewer operations, or eliminated, depending on the implementation, without departing from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0080] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium and / or storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions executable by a machine and / or computer to operate an electronic device (such as electronic device 102). The computer-executable instructions may cause the machine and / or computer to perform operations including receiving a signal from an EAS server 104, which may include one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. The operations may further include extracting emergency information from the received signal. The operations may further include determining an external device (such as external devices 106A, . . . 106N) communicatively coupled to electronic device 102. The operations may further include controlling the external device to generate a type of sensory feedback that can correspond to the emergency alert. Such type of sensory feedback can be generated based at least in part on the emergency information.

[0081] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electronic device (such as electronic device 102 of FIG. 1 ) that may include circuitry (such as circuit 202) communicatively coupled to one or more external devices (such as one or more external devices 106A...106N of FIG. 1 ). Electronic device 102 may further include memory (such as memory 204 of FIG. 2 ). Circuit 202 may be configured to receive a signal from an emergency alert system (EAS) (such as EAS server 104), which may include one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system. The signal may be either an ATSC 1.0 signal or an ATSC 3.0 signal, which may include emergency information and media content. Circuit 202 may be further configured to extract the emergency information from the received signal. Circuit 202 may be further configured to determine the external devices (such as external devices 106A...106N) communicatively coupled to electronic device 102. The external device may correspond to one of an electronically controlled lighting fixture, a handheld mobile device with an integrated display, a wearable or head-mounted display, a television remote control, a voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant, a wearable haptic device, or a hands-free device. Circuitry 202 may be further configured to control the external device to generate sensory feedback of a type that may correspond to an emergency alert.

[0082] The types of sensory feedback may include one or more of visual feedback that may be triggered by a change in color of the ambient lighting, visual feedback that may be triggered by a change in brightness of the ambient lighting, visual feedback that may be triggered by a change in color temperature of the ambient lighting, visual feedback that may be triggered by a change in brightness, color, or color temperature, tactile feedback, somatosensory feedback that may emulate a cold or warm sensation, or somatosensory feedback that may emulate a tactile sensation. These types of sensory feedback may be generated based at least in part on the emergency information. The type of sensory feedback may be specified in the portion of the emergency information.

[0083] According to an embodiment, circuitry 202 can be configured to determine capability information of an external device communicatively coupled to electronic device 102. Circuitry 202 can be further configured to determine, based on the capability information, a type of sensory feedback to be generated by the external device.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the circuit 202 can be further configured to receive user preferences that can specify the type of sensory feedback to be generated for the emergency alert. The type of sensory feedback can be generated further based on the user preferences.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the circuitry 202 may be further configured to determine the type of sensory feedback to generate through the external device based on the type of emergency situation associated with the emergency alert.

[0086] The present disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure can be implemented in a centralized manner in at least one computer system, or in a distributed manner where different elements can be distributed across several interconnected computer systems. Any computer system or other device adapted to perform the methods described herein can be suitable. The combination of hardware and software can be a general-purpose computer system that includes a computer program that, when loaded and executed, can control the computer system to perform the methods described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, including portions of integrated circuits that also perform other functions.

[0087] The present disclosure may also be embodied in a computer program product, which includes all features that enable the implementation of the methods described herein and which is capable of executing these methods when loaded into a computer system. A computer program in this context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having information processing capabilities to perform a particular function, either directly, or after a) conversion into another language, code or notation, or b) reproduction in a different content form, or both.

[0088] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but rather, it is intended to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An electronic device, comprising: receiving a signal from an emergency alert system (EAS), including one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system; extracting emergency information from the received signal; determining an external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device; controlling the external device to generate a type of sensory feedback corresponding to an emergency alert; a circuit configured as follows: the type of sensory feedback is generated based at least in part on the emergency information. An electronic device characterized by:

2. the signal is a digital television signal containing the emergency information and media content; The electronic device of claim 1 .

3. the signal is an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) signal containing the emergency information and media content; The electronic device of claim 1 .

4. the external device corresponds to one of an electronically controlled lighting fixture, a handheld mobile device with an integrated display, a wearable or head-mounted display, a television remote control, a voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant, a wearable haptic device, or a hands-free device; The electronic device of claim 1 .

5. The circuit comprises: determining capability information of the external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device; determining a type of sensory feedback to be generated by the external device based on the capability information; The electronic device of claim 1 further configured to:

6. the circuitry is further configured to receive a user preference specifying a type of sensory feedback to generate for the emergency alert; the type of sensory feedback is generated further based on the user preferences. The electronic device of claim 1 .

7. the circuitry is further configured to determine a type of sensory feedback to generate through the external device based on a type of emergency situation associated with the emergency alert. The electronic device of claim 1 .

8. the type of sensory feedback is specified in the portion of the emergency information. The electronic device of claim 1 .

9. Said types of sensory feedback include: visual feedback caused by changes in the color of ambient lighting, visual feedback caused by changes in ambient lighting brightness, visual feedback caused by changes in the color temperature of the ambient lighting, visual feedback caused by the degree of change in the brightness, the color or the color temperature; haptic feedback, Somatosensory feedback emulating cold or warm sensations, or somatosensory feedback that emulates the sense of touch; The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising one or more of:

10. The type of sensory feedback is further generated based at least on the capabilities of the external device. The electronic device of claim 1 .

11. The electronic device comprises a digital television signal receiver, a display device (212), and a speaker. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. In an electronic device, receiving a signal from an emergency alert system (EAS) including one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system; extracting emergency information from the received signal; determining an external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device; controlling the external device to generate sensory feedback of a type corresponding to an emergency alert; Including, the type of sensory feedback is generated based at least in part on the emergency information. A method characterized by:

13. the signal is a digital television signal containing the emergency information and media content; The method of claim 12.

14. the signal is an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) signal containing the emergency information and media content; The method of claim 12.

15. the external device corresponds to one of an electronically controlled lighting fixture, a handheld mobile device with an integrated display, a wearable or head-mounted display, a television remote control, a voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant, a wearable haptic device, or a hands-free device; The method of claim 12.

16. determining capability information of the external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device; determining a type of sensory feedback to be generated by the external device based on the capability information; The method of claim 12 further comprising:

17. receiving a user preference specifying a type of sensory feedback to generate for the emergency alert; the type of sensory feedback is generated further based on the user preferences. The method of claim 12.

18. determining a type of sensory feedback to generate through the external device based on a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert. The method of claim 12.

19. Said types of sensory feedback include: visual feedback caused by changes in the color of ambient lighting, visual feedback caused by changes in ambient lighting brightness, visual feedback caused by changes in the color temperature of the ambient lighting, visual feedback caused by the degree of change in the brightness, the color or the color temperature; haptic feedback, Somatosensory feedback emulating cold or warm sensations, or somatosensory feedback that emulates the sense of touch; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising one or more of:

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device, receiving a signal from an emergency alert system (EAS) including one or more of a broadcast system or an internet-based system; extracting emergency information from the received signal; determining an external device communicatively coupled to the electronic device; controlling the external device to generate sensory feedback of a type corresponding to an emergency alert; causing the electronic device to perform operations including the type of sensory feedback is generated based at least in part on the emergency information.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

Images