(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0030977 A1
`Casey et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 10, 2005
`
`US 20050030977A1
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(63)
`
`ALERT GATEWAY, SYSTEMS AND
`METHODS
`
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`Inventors: Steven M. Casey, Littleton, CO (US);
`Bruce A. Phillips, Erie, CO (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW,
`LLP
`TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
`EIGHTH FLOOR
`SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-3834 (US)
`Assignee: Qwest Communications International
`Inc., Denver, CO
`10/854,738
`May 25, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/377,282, filed on Feb. 27, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/377,290, filed on Feb. 27, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/377,283, filed on Feb. 27, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/377.584, filed on Feb. 27, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`(List continued on next page.)
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................... H04L 12/56; H04L 12/66
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 370/485; 370/401; 370/352
`
`
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods
`for distributing urgent public information. Merely by way of
`example, urgent public information, Such as an alert mes
`Sage, may be received by, inter alia, an alert gateway device.
`The alert message may then be distributed to a subscriber in
`any of a variety of ways, including by telephone, by data
`message (e.g., to a computer), by Video message (e.g., via a
`television), by display on an alert notification device. In
`Some embodiments, the alert gateway device may process
`the alert message and/or may determine how to provide the
`alert message to the Subscriber.
`
`Provics alert
`?eceiwer
`
`Provide ast
`distfixution devics
`
`304
`
`508
`
`Retransmit alert
`normation
`
`532
`
`538
`
`515
`
`Y-520
`
`S24
`
`528
`
`SO
`
`Transmit alert
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US 2005/0030977 A1
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/377,281, filed on Feb. 27, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/444,941, filed on May 22, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/448,249, filed on May 29, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/356,364, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/356,688,
`filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and which is a continuation
`in-part of application No. 10/356,338, filed on Jan.
`31, 2003, and which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 10/367,596, filed on Feb. 14, 2003,
`and which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/676,418,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/624,454, filed on Jul. 21, 2003,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`10/367,597, filed on Feb. 14, 2003, and which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/444,941,
`filed on May 22, 2003.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
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`g
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`3
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
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`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
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`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`+--------
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`S.
`
`N
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`g
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`SESIVNE? Jej }}|EWO_I_STIO EC||S_LITTO
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`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`Provide alert
`receiver
`
`Anticipate
`Confirmation
`
`
`
`Retransmit alert
`information
`
`532
`
`536
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`504
`
`508
`
`512
`
`516
`
`520
`
`524
`
`526
`
`528
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Provide alert
`distribution device
`
`Provide alert
`gateway
`
`Receive alert
`message
`
`Process alert
`message
`
`Determine
`distribution
`addresses
`
`Format alert
`message
`
`500
`
`Transmit alert
`information
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive alert
`message
`
`Inform subscriber
`of alert
`
`Play audible
`signal
`
`Display visual
`signal
`
`Determine
`Subscriber devices
`to receive alert
`message
`
`Process alert
`message
`
`Decode/translate
`alert message
`
`Extract closed
`caption
`information
`
`544
`
`548
`
`552
`
`556
`
`560
`
`564
`
`568
`
`572
`
`540
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Convert alert
`message
`
`576
`
`Transmit alert
`message to
`Subscriber device
`
`580
`
`Anticipate
`confirmation
`message
`
`Retransmit alert
`message
`
`584
`
`588
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Provide database
`
`Maintain gateway
`a
`characteristic
`
`Maintain
`distribution
`address
`
`ASSociate
`distribution
`address With
`gateway
`Characteristic
`
`Refresh
`association
`
`Receive alert
`message
`
`Determine
`Selection Criteria
`
`600
`
`Search database
`
`604
`
`608
`
`612
`
`616
`
`62O
`
`624
`
`628
`
`632
`
`ldentify
`distribution
`addresses
`
`636
`
`Compile set Of
`distribution
`addresses
`
`640
`
`Transmit message
`to Set of
`distribution
`addresses
`
`644
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 012
`
`

`

`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`Feb. 10, 2005
`
`ALERT GATEWAY, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/676,418 filed Sep. 30, 2003 by
`Phillips et al. and entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND
`APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING URGENT PUBLIC
`INFORMATION” (the “418 Application”), the entire dis
`closure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`0002 The 418 Application is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 10/377,282, filed Feb. 27, 2003 by
`Casey et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR DISPLAYING DATA OVER VIDEO” (the “282
`Application”), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. appli
`cation Ser. No. 10/356,364, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Phillipset
`al. and entitled “PACKET NETWORK INTERFACE
`DEVICE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS
`USE" (the “364 Application”); a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 10/356,688, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by
`Phillips et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS AND
`APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF
`TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES" (the “688 Appli
`cation'); a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
`10/356,338, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Phillips et al. and entitled
`“CONFIGURABLE NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE
`AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS USE" (the
`“338 Application'); a continuation-in-part of U.S. applica
`tion Ser. No. 10/367,596, filed Feb. 14, 2003 by Casey et al.
`and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIV
`ERING A DATASTREAM TO AVIDEO APPLIANCE
`(the “596 Application”); and a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/367,597, filed Feb. 14, 2003 by
`Casey et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR PROVIDINGAPPLICATION SERVICES" (the “597
`Application”), of which the entire disclosures of all are
`incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
`0003. The 418 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/377,290, filed Feb. 27, 2003 by
`Phillips et al. and entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR FORMING PICTURE-IN-PICTURESIGNALS" (the
`“290 Application”), the entire disclosure of which is incor
`porated herein by reference for all purposes, which is a
`continuation-in-part of the 364 Application, a continuation
`in-part of the 688 Application, a continuation in part of the
`338 Application, a continuation-in-part of the 596 Appli
`cation, and a continuation-in-part of the 597 Application.
`0004. The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/377,283 filed Feb. 27, 2003
`by Phillips et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR MONITORING VISUAL INFORMATION” (the
`“283 Application”), the entire disclosure of which is incor
`porated herein by reference for all purposes, which is a
`continuation-in-part of the 364 Application, a continuation
`in-part of the 688 Application, a continuation in part of the
`338 Application, a continuation-in-part of the 596 Appli
`cation, and a continuation-in-part of the 597 Application.
`0005 The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/377.584 filed Feb. 27, 2003
`by Phillips et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR DELIVERING PICTURE-IN-PICTURE SIGNALS
`AT DIVERSE COMPRESSIONS AND BANDWIDTHS
`
`(the “584 Application”), the entire disclosure of which is
`incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which is
`a continuation-in-part of the 364 Application, a continua
`tion-in-part of the 688 Application, a continuation in part of
`the 338 Application, a continuation-in-part of the 596
`Application, and a continuation-in-part of the 597 Appli
`cation.
`0006 The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/377,281 filed Feb. 27, 2003
`by Phillips et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR PROVIDING AND DISPLAYING PICTURE-IN
`PICTURE SIGNALS,” (the “281 Application”),the entire
`disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for
`all purposes, which is a continuation-in-part of the 364
`Application, a continuation-in-part of the 688 Application,
`a continuation in part of the 338 Application, a continua
`tion-in-part of the 596. Application, and a continuation-in
`part of the 597 Application.
`0007. The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/444,941, filed May 22, 2003
`by Phillips et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR PROVIDING TELEVISION SIGNALS USING A
`NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE,” (the “941 Applica
`tion”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein
`by reference for all purposes, which is a continuation-in-part
`of the 364 Application, a continuation-in-part of the 688
`Application, a continuation in part of the 338 Application,
`and a continuation-in-part of the 597 Application.
`0008. The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/448,249, filed May 29, 2003
`by Phillips et al. and entitled “METHODS AND APPARA
`TUS FOR DELIVERING ACOMPUTER DATASTREAM
`TO AVIDEO APPLIANCE WITH ANETWORK INTER
`FACE DEVICE,” (the “249 Application”) the entire dis
`closure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all
`purposes, which is a continuation-in-part of the 364 Appli
`cation, a continuation-in-part of the 688 Application, a
`continuation in part of the 338 Application, a continuation
`in-part of the 596. Application, and a continuation-in-part of
`the 597 Application.
`0009. The 418 Application is also a continuation-in-part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/624,454, filed Jul. 21, 2003
`by Casey et al. and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS
`FOR INTEGRATING MICROSERVERS WITH A NET
`WORK INTERFACE DEVICE, the entire disclosure of
`which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes,
`which is a continuation-in-part of the 597 Application and
`a continuation in part of the 941 Application.
`0010 This application is related to U.S. application Ser.
`No. 10/676,429, filed Sep. 30, 2003 by Phillips et al. and
`entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR
`SELECTIVELY DISTRIBUTING URGENT PUBLIC
`INFORMATION," the entire disclosure of which is incor
`porated herein by reference for all purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0011. This application relates generally to the provision
`of urgent public information, and Specifically to methods
`and Systems for distributing urgent public information.
`0012. Often, urgent public information is of a critical
`nature, Such that it would be beneficial to have Some reliable
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 013
`
`

`

`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`Feb. 10, 2005
`
`means to make reasonably Sure that the information reaches
`the intended audience it should be disseminated to the
`interested Segment of the population. AS well, urgent public
`information, by its nature, Sometimes is time-Sensitive, Such
`that it is desirable the information be disseminated to the
`interested population as expeditiously as possible.
`0013 Existing alert distribution systems generally rely
`on a blanket method of distribution, using broadcast media
`(e.g., television and radio stations) to inform the public of
`urgent information. Such distribution Systems are over
`broad, in that each perSon watching television or listening to
`the radio in a given broadcast area is Subjected to repeated
`broadcast of the information whether or not it even applies
`to or is of interest to that perSon. The Systems are also
`underinclusive, however, in that certain people, to whom the
`alerts may be of vital interest, likely will not receive the alert
`if they are not either watching television or listening to the
`radio.
`0.014. There is a need for new distribution systems and
`devices that allows for more timely and/or selective distri
`bution of urgent public information to those to whom the
`information likely would be of interest.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0.015 Embodiments of the invention provide systems and
`methods for distributing urgent public information. Merely
`by way of example, urgent public information, Such as an
`alert message, may be received by, inter alia, an alert
`gateway device. The alert message may then be distributed
`to a Subscriber in any of a variety of ways, including by
`telephone, by data message (e.g., to a computer), by Video
`message (e.g., via a television), by display on an alert
`notification device. In Some embodiments, the alert gateway
`device may process the alert message and/or may determine
`how to provide the alert message to the Subscriber.
`0016 Merely by way of example, one set of embodi
`ments provides alert gateway devices, which may be used
`for receiving an alert at a Subscriber location and/or provid
`ing the alert to a Subscriber. In Some embodiments, the alert
`gateway device may comprise a network interface device,
`may incorporate a network interface device, and/or may be
`in communication with a network interface device. The alert
`gateway device may be mobile and/or may include a means
`for determining the location of the alert gateway device.
`0.017. An alert gateway device in accordance with certain
`embodiments may comprise one or more external interfaces,
`which may be configured to communicate with at least one
`alert Source. The alert gateway device may also comprise
`one or more internal interfaces, a processor in communica
`tion with the external interface(s)and internal interface(s)
`and/or a Storage medium in communication with the pro
`ceSSor. In Some embodiments, the Storage medium may
`comprise instructions executable by the processor to receive
`an alert message, which can comprise an alert, via the
`external interface(s). The instructions may be further execut
`able to interpret the alert message, determine how to provide
`the alert to the subscriber, format the alert in Such a way to
`facilitate the provision of the alert in a determined manner
`and/or, using the internal interface, provide the alert to the
`Subscriber, perhaps according to the determination of how to
`provide the alert to the Subscriber.
`
`0018. In accordance with some embodiments, the alert
`message (and/or the alert) may comprise urgent public
`information, which can include, inter alia, an Emergency
`Alert System transmission, an Amber Alert, a Severe weather
`notification, and and/or Homeland Security Advisory noti
`fication. In Some cases, the alert message may also comprise
`alert information comprising information about the alert; in
`particular cases, the information about the alert may be
`incorporated within the alert and/or additional to the alert.
`Determining how to provide the alert can comprise deter
`mining whether the alert applies to the Subscriber, and/or
`determining whether the alert applies to the Subscriber can
`comprise evaluating information about the alert. In other
`cases, determining how to provide the alert to the Subscriber
`can comprise determining a location of the Subscriber and/or
`determining the urgency of the alert. Providing the alert to
`the Subscriber, then, may comprise transmitting the alert to
`a Subscriber device near the location of the Subscriber. In
`Still other cases, determining how to provide the alert to the
`Subscriber may comprise determining whether a particular
`Subscriber device is currently in use. If the gateway deter
`mines that a particular Subscriber device currently is in use,
`providing the alert to the Subscriber may comprise trans
`mitting the alert for reception by the particular Subscriber
`device.
`0019. In some embodiments, formatting the alert can
`comprise converting the alert among various formats.
`Merely by way of example, formatting the alert can com
`prise converting the alert to an audible format, perhaps a
`digital audio file, an analog audio stream and/or voice
`Signals (such as, for example, those receivable by a standard
`telephone). In other cases, formatting the alert can comprise
`converting the alert to a visual format, Such as a digital video
`file and/or an analog digital Stream. The Visual format may
`include textual information, and/or converting the alert may
`comprise extracting closed-captioning information, convert
`ing a speech portion of the alert to text, etc. The textual
`information may include formatting, and/or the textual
`information may comprise a file, Such as an XML file or the
`like.
`0020. In other embodiments, the alert may be encoded,
`and/or formatting the alert may comprise decoding the alert.
`Merely by way of example, the alert may be encoded with
`event and/or location information (which, for example,
`might conform to the Emergency Alert System standards),
`and/or interpreting the alert message may comprise inter
`preting this event and/or location information. According to
`particular embodiments, formatting the alert can comprise
`removing data (Such as, merely by way of example, alert
`information) from the alert message and/or adding data
`(Such as, again merely by way of example, data about an
`origination of the alert, a transmission time of the alert,
`and/or an expiration time of the alert).
`0021. In some implementations, one or more of the
`internal interface(s) of the alert gateway device may com
`prise a display, and/or providing the alert to the Subscriber
`may comprise displaying the alert on the display. The
`display may be integrated with the alert gateway device. In
`other implementations, one or more of the internal inter
`face(s) may be in communication with one or more Sub
`Scriber device(s), and/or providing the alert to the Subscriber
`may comprise transmitting the alert via one or more of the
`internal interface(s), for reception by the Subscriber
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 014
`
`

`

`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`Feb. 10, 2005
`
`device(s). The subscriber devices can be any of a variety of
`devices, including without limitation, an alert notification
`device, a display device (e.g., a television, monitor, etc.)
`and/or the like. In particular embodiments a Subscriber
`device may comprise a telephone (e.g., a POTS telephone,
`a wireless telephone, a SIP telephone, etc.), and/or providing
`the alert to the Subscriber can comprise Sending a ring Signal
`to the telephone, allowing the Subscriber to answer the
`telephone, and/or transmitting the alert via the telephone.
`Alternatively, providing the alert can comprise dialing a
`telephone number associated with the telephone, allowing
`the Subscriber to answer the telephone and transmitting the
`alert via the telephone. In Some cases (e.g., where a Sub
`Scriber device is a computer), providing the alert may
`comprise transmitting an email message for the Subscriber,
`preparing a web page (which may comprise the alert) for the
`Subscriber, and/or transmitting data to a Software application
`(which may be configured to display the alert on a computer
`display) running on the computer.
`0022. Some embodiments of the alert gateway device
`may be configured to anticipate a... confirmation message
`indicating that the Subscriber received the alert and/or to
`transmit a failure notification via the external interface; the
`failure notification may indicate that the Subscriber did not
`receive the alert. Alternatively, the alert gateway device may
`be configured to provide the alert to the Subscriber a Second
`time if no confirmation message is received by the alert
`gateway device within a certain period. In Some cases, the
`alert gateway may make a Second determination of how to
`provide the alert to the Subscriber; the original determination
`may comprise a determination that the alert should be
`transmitted to a first Subscriber device, and the Second
`determination may comprise a determination that the alert
`should be transmitted to a second Subscriber device.
`0023 The alert gateway device may be configured to
`allow the Subscriber to provide preferences that determine,
`with respect to a given alert, how the alert should be
`provided to the Subscriber. Moreover, the subscriber may be
`a plurality of Subscribers, and providing the alert may
`comprise taking at least one Specific action for each Sub
`scriber with respect to the alert.
`0024. An alert gateway device in accordance with other
`embodiments of the invention may, in a relationship between
`a Subscriber and at least one alert provider, be used for
`providing an alert to a Subscriber. The alert gateway device
`may in communication with a communication network,
`and/or the alert gateway device may include a first, external
`interface, a Second, internal interface and/or at least one
`processor. The alert gateway device may be configured to
`receive an alert message from the alert provider (e.g. via the
`first interface). The alert message may comprise an alert
`and/or associated alert information, and the alert gateway
`device may be further configured to process the alert (e.g.,
`to determine how the alert should be handled) and/or take at
`least one specific action with respect to the alert (perhaps
`based on the determination of how the alert should be
`handled). The alert gateway device may be configured to
`allow the Subscriber to provide preferences that determine,
`with respect to a given alert, the at least one Specific action
`that should be taken. Alternatively and/or in addition, the
`Subscriber may be a plurality of Subscribers, and taking at
`least one specific action with respect to the alert may
`
`comprise taking at least one Specific action for each Sub
`scriber with respect to the alert.
`0025. In Some cases, processing the alert may comprise
`determining that the alert does not apply to the Subscriber,
`and taking at least one specific action with respect to the
`alert can comprise ignoring the alert. In other cases, pro
`cessing the alert comprises determining whether the alert is
`valid, evaluating the alert information to determine the
`nature of the alert, and/or converting the alert from a first
`format to a Second format. The alert provider may comprise
`a plurality of alert providers, and/or processing the alert may
`comprise determining from which of the plurality of alert
`providers the alert message was received.
`0026. The second interface may be in communication
`with a Subscriber device, and processing the alert may
`comprise determining that the Subscriber should receive the
`alert. Taking at least one Specific action with respect to the
`alert, therefore, may comprise transmitting the alert via the
`Second interface for reception by the Subscriber device, Such
`that the alert may be provided to the subscriber by the
`Subscriber device. Alternatively and/or in addition, an alert
`gateway device may further comprise alert means for pro
`Viding an alert directly to a user, and/or taking at least one
`Specific action with respect to the alert may comprise
`notifying the Subscriber about the alert via the alert means.
`The alert means may be incorporated within the Second
`interface.
`0027. In Some cases, taking at least one specific action
`can comprise anticipating an acknowledgement that the
`Subscriber received the alert and/or, if an acknowledgment is
`received by at least one of the plurality of subscriber
`devices, transmitting a message to retract the alert from the
`other Subscriber devices. Conversely, if no acknowledgment
`is received within a certain period, the alert may be retrans
`mitted (perhaps for reception by a different subscriber
`device), and/or a notification that the alert was not received
`by the subscriber may be transmitted for reception by the
`alert provider. In other cases, the at least one Specific action
`may comprise transmitting a retraction message for recep
`tion by the at least one Subscriber device; the retraction
`message can Signify that the alert no longer needs to be
`provided to the subscriber.
`0028. Another set of embodiments provides methods of
`providing an alert to a Subscriber. Some of these methods
`may include the use of an alert gateway device, as described
`herein, while others need not. A method in accordance with
`Some embodiments may comprise receiving an alert mes
`Sage (which may comprise an alert) and/or providing the
`alert to a Subscriber. In Some cases, an alert gateway may be
`provided at a Subscriber premises and/or may be configured
`to receive an alert message. The method may, in various
`embodiments, include interpreting the alert message and/or
`determining how to provide the alert to the subscriber. The
`alert may also be formatted to facilitate the provision of the
`alert (perhaps according to the determination of how to
`provide the alert to the subscriber), and/or the alert may be
`provided to the Subscriber according to the determination of
`how to provide the alert to the subscriber.
`0029. A method in accordance with further embodiments
`may comprise a providing an alert gateway device in com
`munication with a communication network. The alert gate
`way device can include a first, external interface, a Second,
`
`Apple Inc.
`Exhibit 1004
`Page 015
`
`

`

`US 2005/0030977 A1
`
`Feb. 10, 2005
`
`internal interface and/or at least one processor. The method
`may further comprise receiving via the first interface an alert
`message comprising an alert and associated alert informa
`tion, processing the alert to determine how the alert should
`be handled, and/or based on the determination of how the
`alert should be handled, taking at least one specific action
`with respect to the alert.
`0030 Yet another set of embodiments provides systems
`for providing alerts to a Subscriber. A System in accordance
`with Some of these embodiments may comprise at least one
`communication medium, at least one Subscriber device
`(which may be in communication with the at least one
`communication medium and/or may be configured to
`receive an alert and provide the alert to the Subscriber),
`and/or an alert gateway, which may be located at a Sub
`Scriber premises. The alert gateway may be similar to those
`described herein and/or may comprise at least one external
`interface and/or at least one internal interface. The at least
`one internal interface might be in communication with the at
`least one communication medium. The alert gateway may be
`configured to receive an alert message (perhaps comprising
`an alert) via the at least one external interface, interpret the
`alert message, and/or transmit the alert via the at least one
`internal interface. In this way, the alert may be received by
`the at least one subscriber device and provided to the
`Subscriber.
`0031. The at least one subscriber device may be a plu
`rality of Subscriber devices, the at least one communication
`medium may be a plurality of communication media, and/or
`the at least one internal interface may be a plurality of
`internal interfaces. Each of the plurality of internal interfaces
`may be in communication with one (or more) of the plurality
`of communication media, and each of the plurality of
`Subscriber devices may be in communication with one (or
`more) of the plurality of communication media. The alert
`gateway device may be configured to determine which of the
`plurality of subscriber devices should receive the alert.
`0032. A system in accordance with other embodiments
`may comprise an alert gateway device in communication
`with a communication network. The alert gateway device
`may include a first, external interface, a Second, internal
`interface and/or at least one processor, and the alert gateway
`device may be configured to receive an alert (and/or an alert
`message) from the alert provider via the first interface,
`process the alert to