Emergency Alert Device Prioritizing Signals by Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alert notification systems face challenges in prioritizing emergency signals across multiple communication paths and jurisdictions, leading to issues like NOAA alerts overriding local alerts and lack of adaptability to different communication frequencies, especially for first responders traveling to new areas.
Innovation Solution
A device configured to receive and prioritize emergency signals from multiple communication paths based on geographic location, using a control unit to correlate position signals with priority ranks of channels, allowing output of signals accordingly, and optionally including receivers for NOAA, UHF, VHF, and GPS signals, as well as a microprocessor for channel prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a receiver monitors both NOAA transmitted warnings and local system alerts simultaneously, then the receiver can access both nationwide and local emergency signals, but NOAA alerts automatically override local alerts causing high-priority local alerts to be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts alert priority based on geographic location rather than using fixed override rules. The microprocessor determines the receiver's location and automatically selects which alert system (NOAA or local) should take precedence in that specific jurisdiction, allowing the priority structure to adapt to different geographic contexts
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the priority parameter of alert channels based on geographic location. Instead of static priority assignment, the microprocessor modifies which communication path has higher priority depending on the receiver's determined location, ensuring appropriate alerts are prioritized for each jurisdiction
2Reliability
If an alert system is pre-programmed to a local communication path at a predetermined frequency band, then the system provides reliable local alert reception, but the system becomes non-responsive when a first responder travels to a different community using a distinct local system
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-programming to dynamic location-based configuration. The microprocessor automatically determines the receiver's geographic location and configures the appropriate communication paths and frequency bands for that location, enabling the system to adapt to different jurisdictions without manual reprogramming
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-configuration based on location detection. When the receiver's position changes, the microprocessor automatically identifies the appropriate local communication path and frequency band for that jurisdiction, eliminating the need for manual intervention or user knowledge of local alert system parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.