(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Seeger
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`US 20030022684A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR
`WARNING NOTIFICATION
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/118,423, filed on Feb.
`2, 1999.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Stephen C. Seeger, Tampa, FL (US)
`
`(51)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MYERS & KAPLAN, INTELLECTUAL
`PROPERTY LAW, L.L.C.
`1827 POWERS FERRY ROAD
`
`[EgilgllillTNAG’ éAsgqg‘gEg 2(210S)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/263,916
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 3, 2002
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/496,553,
`filed on Feb. 2, 2000.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................... H04B 7/00; H04M 11/00;
`H04Q 7/20
`............................................ 455/521; 455/404
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system, method and device for enabling an individual,
`positioned at a location wherein radio and/or television
`signals are unavailable and/or unreliable, to be alerted to a
`potential threat, and/or to enabling an individual positioned
`in a first location to be advised of a noteworthy situation in
`a second location of interest, such as the area of a child’s
`school or a geographically related industrial or military
`
`complex having a chemical, nuclear, biological material
`and/or any other type of emergency, thereby enabling an
`individual to take appropriate action to prevent potential loss
`of property and/or life.
`
`IO
`
`[ ,0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`LYFT 1015
`
`LYFT 1015
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 30, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 2
`
`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F167.
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 30, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 2
`
`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR WARNING
`NOTIFICATION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`To the full extent permitted by law, the present
`[0001]
`application claims priority to and the benefit of the following
`applications: 1) as a continuation-in-part application of
`non-provisional application entitled “Method and Apparatus
`for Receiving and Transmitting Radio Signals” filed on Feb.
`2, 2000, having assigned US. patent application Ser. No.
`09/496,553, which claims priority to provisional application
`filed on Feb. 2, 1999, having assigned US. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 60/118,423, wherein both above applications
`are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to warning
`notification methods and, more specifically,
`to a system,
`method and device for warning notification, wherein broad-
`cast alerts such as National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
`Administration (NOAA) warnings incorporating Specific
`Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology are monitored
`and utilized to enable notification of individuals via at least
`
`one proactive means of communication such as, for exem-
`plary purposes only, a telephone, a digital, cellular or other
`wireless communicator and/or an electronic or digital mes-
`saging system. The present invention is particularly suited
`for, although not limited to, enabling an individual posi-
`tioned at a remote location, wherein traditional radio signals
`are unreliable,
`to be alerted to a potential threat thereby
`enabling an individual to take appropriate action to prevent
`potential loss of property and/or life.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Almost 50 years ago, the National Weather Ser-
`vice, under the auspices of the United States Department of
`Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
`tration (N 0AA), began development of a voice radio broad-
`cast system for specialized weather information. This early
`system relied upon commercial radio and television services
`for public broadcast of weather alerts and was generally only
`functional in large and/or coastal cities.
`
`[0004] Generally, a National Weather Service representa-
`tive would record a series of voice messages. The messages
`would then be selected for play to correspond with the
`weather conditions and/or time of day. Modern systems have
`replaced such tapes with digitized files, whereby computer
`management of the process is enabled. However, the basic
`transmission/reception concept has remained the same. That
`is, commercially owned towers are utilized to hold trans-
`mitters that are linked into the computer management sys-
`tem via telephone lines, microwave or ultra-high frequency
`links.
`
`[0005] The Warning Alert Tone (WAT) was developed as
`a specific tonal signal, at 1050 Hz, to be broadcast prior to
`any warning-type broadcast. Ultimately, the WAT became
`the Emergency Broadcast System, wherein any type of
`potentially disastrous weather, attack or national emergency
`could be reported. What followed was development of the
`specialized signal enabled devices, now commonly known
`as weather radios. With such devices the radio is actively
`
`monitoring announcements and no sound is generated until
`the appropriate signal
`is received, wherein no action is
`necessary on the part of the user in order to activate
`reception of an incoming alert.
`
`[0006] While the combined National Weather Radio
`(NWR) and EBS systems were generally effective, techno-
`logical advances and population growth precipitated the
`development of the NWR Specific Area Message Encoding
`(SAME). The SAME technique enables the broadcast alerts
`to be geographically specific, that is, each microprocessor
`signal
`includes codes at the beginning and end of each
`message, whereby software can automatically select and
`distribute the messages. Self-described applications for the
`NWR SAME system include overriding cable television
`systems,
`interrupting music services, and automatically
`turning on a muted speaker in response to a given threat.
`
`[0007] This type of system can be successful if an indi-
`vidual is watching television, listening to music, or has a
`special weather-type radio located within a reception area.
`However, for individuals in a remote location or otherwise
`in a position of general communication isolation or not
`proximate to a television or radio, the present system is
`disadvantageous and does not provide adequate protection.
`
`[0008] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need
`for a system, method and device for warning notification,
`wherein broadcast alerts such as NOAA warnings incorpo-
`rating SAME technology or other similar technologies are
`monitored and utilized to enable notification of individuals
`
`via at least one proactive means of communication such as,
`for exemplary purposes only, a telephone, a digital, cellular
`or other wireless communicator and/or an electronic or
`digital messaging system, thus preventing the above-dis-
`cussed disadvantages.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the
`present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disad-
`vantages and meets the recognized need for such a system by
`providing a system, method and device for enabling an
`individual, positioned at a location wherein access to radio
`and/or television is unavailable, unreliable and/or not being
`utilized,
`to be alerted to a potential
`threat, and/or for
`enabling an individual positioned in a first location to be
`advised of a noteworthy situation in a second location of
`interest, such as the area of a child’s school or a geographi-
`cally related industrial or military complex having a chemi-
`cal, nuclear and/or biological material emergency, thereby
`enabling an individual to take appropriate action to prevent
`potential loss of property and/or life.
`
`[0010] According to its major aspects and broadly stated,
`the present invention is a system, method and device for
`warning notification, wherein broadcast alerts such as
`National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
`(NOAA) warnings incorporating Specific Area Message
`Encoding (SAME) technology or other technologies are
`monitored and utilized to enable notification of individuals
`via at least one proactive means of communication such as,
`for exemplary purposes only, a telephone, a digital, cellular
`or other wireless communicator and/or an electronic or
`digital messaging system.
`
`[0011] More specifically, the device of the present inven-
`tion in its preferred form is a weather radio converter having
`
`4
`
`

`

`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`a receiver tuned to appropriate broadcast frequencies for
`reception of NCAA NWS signals incorporating geographi-
`cally discriminating SAME technology, a telephone line
`status interface, a storage module capable of retaining at
`least one telephone number, command execution circuitry, a
`signal generator, a call
`initiator and a data transmitter.
`Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion enables ongoing reception of NCAA NWS signals,
`wherein upon receipt of a message incorporating the appro—
`priate and/or pre-selected SAME, a proactive response to
`alert the user to the potential emergency via the telephone is
`automatically initiated.
`
`[0012] The telephone line status interface preferably
`assesses whether
`the designated line is in-use and,
`in
`response thereto, performs according to one of a plurality of
`subroutines, wherein the command execution circuitry, sig-
`nal generator, call
`initiator and audible data transmitter
`cooperate to generate a preferably distinct ringing tone
`through any and/or all devices linked to the telephone line
`and/or to transmit an audible message to a user. User
`initiated and/or automated response options to the audible
`message preferably include generation of a first DTMF tone
`sequence enabling connection to a real-time broadcast from
`NOAA, generation of a second DTMF tone sequence to
`connect to a second user and/or generation of third DTMF
`tone sequence to initiate a series of automated message alert
`calls to a preprogrammed plurality of numbers, wherein the
`preprogrammed plurality of numbers may include any type
`of telephone number such as, for exemplary purposes only
`numbers on a public switched network, a cellular network
`and/or a radio pager network. Preferably, the message alert
`calls are multi-functionally identifiable such that the type of
`device that receives the message alert call establishes the
`response thereto. For example, a text-enabled device can
`receive and transmit textual message alert data to the user
`and/or an audible device could receive and transmit audible
`message alert data to the user.
`
`Individual utilization of the system and device is
`[0013]
`preferred, however, an intermediary service provider can be
`included, wherein the service provider monitors the NOAA
`NWS broadcasts and utilizes the SAME technology to
`distinguish among the various types of warning signals, to
`identify service subscribers and select appropriate recipients
`for warning notification, and to disseminate the warning via
`utilization of communication systems such as, for exemplary
`purposes only, a public telephone network, a paging net-
`work, a cellular network, electronic messaging or mail
`system, satellite communication system or any other wired
`or wireless communication system. Additionally, although
`NOAA NWS broadcasts are the preferred signal source, it is
`anticipated that future homeland defense issues and/or law
`enforcement needs could result in expanded utilization of
`the 1050 Hz EBS signal and/or the designation of an
`additional signal or signals for specific emergency situa-
`tions, wherein the system, method and device for warning
`device described herein could be utilized to proactively
`disseminate such alternate signals.
`
`[0014] Afeature and advantage of the present invention is
`the ability of such a system, device and method to enable
`monitoring of NCAA warnings and notification of an indi-
`vidual via at least one proactive means of communication.
`
`to enable monitoring of homeland defense, law enforcement
`warnings and/or any other type of alert and notification of an
`individual via at least one proactive means of communica-
`tion.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0016] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a telephone
`to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0017] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a digital
`communication device to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0018] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a cellular
`communication device to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0019] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a wireless
`communicator to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0020] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a satellite
`receiver to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0021] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize a global
`computer network, such as the Internet, to convey such an
`alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0022] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to monitor national alert frequencies and utilize cable receiv-
`ers to convey such an alert.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0023] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual positioned at a remote, communica-
`tionally isolated location to be alerted to a potential threat.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0024] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual positioned in a first location to be
`advised of an alert situation in a second location.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0025] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual who is not watching television or
`listening to a radio to be advised of an alert situation.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0026] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual to be advised of an alert situation in
`
`an industrial or military complex having a chemical, nuclear
`and/or biological material emergency.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0027] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual to take appropriate action to prevent
`potential loss of property and/or life in response to an alert
`situation, regardless of the individual’s location or accessi-
`bility to television or radio.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0015] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0028] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`
`5
`
`

`

`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`to enable an individual to receive specialized weather infor-
`mation irrespective of the individual’s geographic location.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0029] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to provide individual notification of emergency situations
`without reliance on commercial radio and television ser-
`Vices.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0030] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual to be apprised of the EBS tonal
`message without actually receiving the 1050 Hz signal.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0031] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable reporting of any disastrous weather, attack or
`national
`emergency through proactive
`communication
`means, wherein an individual is not proximate to a television
`and/0r radio.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0032] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to utilize the SAME technique to enable specified user
`receipt of alert messages.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0033] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to convey NOAA alert data via an electronic messaging
`system.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0034] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to convey NOAA alert data via a digital messaging system.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0035] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual, positioned at a location wherein
`radio and/or television signals are unavailable and/or unre-
`liable, to be alerted to a potential threat.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0036] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable an individual positioned in a first location to be
`advised of a noteworthy situation in a second location of
`interest, such as the area of a child’s school or the residential
`area of a loved one.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0037] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable reception of NOAA N WS signals, wherein upon
`receipt of a message incorporating the appropriate and/or
`pre-selected SAME, a proactive response to alert the user to
`the potential emergency is automatically initiated.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0038] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to receive and store a plurality of communication options
`whereby a user or users may be automatically contacted for
`distribution of an alert warning.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0039] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to identify the receiving device and to tailor the message
`alert data for receipt thereby, for example, enabling a text-
`enabled device to receive and transmit textual message alert
`data to the user and/or an audible device could receive and
`transmit audible message alert data to the user.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0040] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to incorporate a service provider to monitor the NOAA
`NWS broadcasts and notify individual subscribers.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0041] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to incorporate a service provider to receive the NOAA NWS
`broadcasts, to utilize the SAME technology to distinguish
`among the various types of warning signals,
`to identify
`service subscribers and select appropriate recipients for
`warning notification, and to disseminate the warning via
`utilization of available communication systems.
`
`feature and advantage of the present
`[0042] Another
`invention is the ability of such a system, device and method
`to enable the utilization of essentially any and/or all avail-
`able modes of communication to ensure individual notifi-
`cation of a potentially dangerous or noteworthy situation.
`
`[0043] These and other objects, features and advantages of
`the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in
`the art from the following description and claims when read
`in light of the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0044] The present invention will be better understood by
`reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alter—
`nate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying
`drawing figures,
`in which like reference numerals denote
`similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and
`in which:
`
`[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system and method
`for warning notification according to a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention, showing a device for indi-
`vidual monitoring and proactive notification generation.
`
`[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic View of a system and method
`for warning notification according to an alternate embodi-
`ment of the present invention, showing centralized service
`provider for monitoring and proactive notification genera-
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED AND CERTAIN ALTERNATE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`In describing the preferred and certain alternate
`[0047]
`embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the
`figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is
`employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is
`not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so
`selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element
`includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar
`manner to accomplish similar functions.
`
`[0048] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention is a
`system, method and device for warning notification 10,
`preferably having weather radio converter 20 with receiver
`30 tuned to appropriate broadcast frequencies for reception
`of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
`(NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) signals incorpo-
`rating geographically discriminating Specific Area Message
`Encoding (SAME) technology, telephone line status inter-
`face 40 (not shown), storage module 50 (not shown) capable
`of retaining at least one telephone number, command execu-
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`tion circuitry 60 (not shown), signal generator 70 (not
`shown), call initiator 80 (not shown) and data transmitter 90
`(not shown).
`
`[0049] Preferably, receiver 30 is a VHF FM receiver that
`enables selective interpretation of
`incoming messages”
`incorporating SAME, wherein geographic location and/or
`user input enables the selection. Receiver 30 is preferably
`powered via common alternating current, however, while
`standard electrical power is preferred, receiver 30 may be
`powered by other alternate sources such as, for exemplary
`purposes only, disposable and/or rechargeable batteries and/
`or may be connected to receive power via a home security
`system power source. Receiver 30 of weather radio con-
`verter 20 preferably enables generally ongoing reception of
`NCAA NWS signals, wherein receipt of a message incor-
`porating the appropriate and/or pre—selected SAME activates
`telephone line status interface 40.
`
`[0050] Telephone line status interface 40 of system,
`method and device for warning notification 10 preferably
`enables assessment of at
`least one pre-designated line,
`wherein results of said assessment enable telephone line
`status interface 40 to initiate at least one of a plurality of
`subroutincs 100 (not shown). A first subroutine 102 (not
`shown) of plurality of subroutines 100 is initiated following
`assessment results indicating the telephone line is not in use,
`wherein first subroutine 102 preferably cooperatively uti—
`lizes command execution circuitry 60, signal generator 70
`and call initiator 80 to generate a preferably distinct ringing
`tone through any and/or all receiving devices communica—
`tively linked to the telephone line. Preferably, user response
`to the ringing tone engages audible data transmitter 90,
`wherein transmission of an audible warning message to the
`user occurs.
`
`[0051] Preferably, storage module 50 enables at least one
`of a plurality of user-initiated and/or automated response
`options 110 to the audible message transmission from
`audible data transmitter 90. A first response option 112 of
`said plurality of user-initiated and/or automated response
`options 110 is preferably generation a first DTMF tone
`sequence, wherein connection to a real-time broadcast from
`NOAA is enabled. A second response option 114 of said
`plurality of user-initiated and/or automated response options
`110 is preferably generation of a second DTMF tone
`sequence, wherein connection to a second user is enabled for
`conversation with the first user and/or subsequent transmis-
`sion of the audible message. A third response option 116 of
`said plurality of user-initiated and/or automated response
`options 110 is preferably generation of a third DTMF tone
`scqucncc, whcrcin connection to a series of prcprogrammcd
`numbers, retrieved from storage module 50, is enabled for
`transmission of the audible message thereto.
`
`[0052] Preferably, the plurality of numbers programmed
`within storage module 50 includes any type of telephone
`number such as, for exemplary purposes only, numbers on a
`public switched network, a cellular network and/or a radio
`pager network. Preferably, data transmitter 90 enables the
`transmission of a variety of signals, wherein the signals are
`multi-filnctionally identifiable and/or specific to the type of
`dcvicc that will rcccivc thc mcssagc alcrt call. The identi-
`fication and/or specificity of the signal to the device estab-
`lishes the response thereto and the format of the message
`received. For example, a text-enabled device receives and
`
`transmits textual message alert data to the user and/or an
`audible device receives and transmits audible message alert
`data to the user.
`
`[0053] The foregoing premise based model for individual
`reception and utilization of the system, method and device
`for warning notification 10 is preferred, however in an
`alternate embodiment, the system, method and device for
`warning notification 10 incorporates service provider 140, as
`depicted in FIG. 2. The service provider 140 monitors the
`NOAA NWS broadcasts and utilizes the SAME technology
`to distinguish among the various types of warning signals,
`thus supplementing and/or
`replacing receiver 30 and
`weather radio converter 20. Service subscribers 150 provide
`targeted information to service provider 140, whereby ser-
`vice provider 140 identifies appropriate service subscribers
`150 for reception of warning notification.
`
`[0054] Warnings are proactively transmitted via service
`provider 140 via any appropriate means of communication
`such as, for exemplary purposes only, a public telephone
`network, a paging network, a cellular network, electronic
`mcssaging or mail systcm, satellite communication systcm
`and any other wired or wireless communication system.
`Targeted information provided by service subscribers 150
`directs the selection of user—preferred communication means
`and/or
`series of communication mode
`attempts. For
`example, per a user’s preprogrammed direction, a warning
`message could initiate a telephone call, and wherein the
`telephone call was unsuccessful, could initiate a page, etc.
`Service provider 140 could receive a return signal from a
`user indicating the successful receipt of the warning mes-
`sage, wherein subsequent attempts at communication could
`be aborted.
`
`In another alternate embodiment, system, method
`[0055]
`and device for warning notification 10 could initiate an
`alarm via a user’s home sccurity system, wherein a fault
`message could be displayed to indicate the nature of the
`warning and/or to offer a user directions to receive additional
`information.
`
`In another alternate embodiment, system, method
`[0056]
`and device for warning notification 10 could email a user
`with an emergency message, wherein a user’s messaging
`system could override the user’s activities to enable warning
`message display.
`
`In another alternate embodiment, system, method
`[0057]
`and device for warning notification 10 could email a user
`with an emergency message, wherein at least one hyperlink
`could be provided therein to enable reception of real-time
`NOAA data.
`
`In another alternate embodiment, system, method
`[0058]
`and device for warning notification 10 could email a user
`with an emergency message, wherein at
`least one data
`storage means could enable a user to selectively and/or
`automatically forward a warning message to pre-selected
`recipients.
`
`In another alternate embodiment, system, method
`[0059]
`and device for warning notification 10 could receive signals
`and transmit warnings regarding homeland defense issues
`and/or law cnforccmcnts nccds such as, for cxcmplary
`purposes only, a cooperative information broadcast effort in
`response to an “Amber Alert” situation involving a child
`abduction, wherein such warnings and/or alerts could be
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 2003/0022684 A1
`
`Jan. 30, 2003
`
`transmitted via expanded utilization of the 1050 Hz EBS
`signal and/or through designation of an additional signal or
`signals for specifically recognized emergency situations.
`
`[0060] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of
`the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in
`the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and
`that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifica—
`tions may be made within the scope of the present invention.
`Accordingly,
`the present invention is not
`limited to the
`specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only
`by the following claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A system for notification, comprising:
`
`at least one signal receiver;
`
`a telephone line status interface, said telephone line status
`interface activated in response to a signal received by
`said at least one signal receiver and said telephone line
`status interface assessing at least one telephone line;
`
`a data storage module;
`
`command execution circuitry, said command execution
`circuitry commanding at least one signal generator in
`response to assessment data from said telephone line
`status interface;
`
`at
`
`least one signal
`least one signal generator, said at
`generator initiating at least one signal in response to a
`command from said command execution circuitry;
`
`at least one call initiator, said at least one call initiator
`receiving data from said data storage module and
`initiating at
`least one telephone transmission in
`response thereto; and
`
`at least one data transmitter, said at least one data trans-
`mitter engaging in the transmission of data upon con-
`nection completion.
`2. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said at
`least one signal receiver comprises a weather radio con-
`verter.
`
`3. The system for notification of claim 2, wherein said
`weather radio converter receives National Oceanic and
`
`Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service sig-
`nals.
`
`4. The system for notification of claim 3, wherein said
`National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National
`Weather Service signals incorporate Specific Area Message
`Encoding and wherein said data storage module enables
`pre-programmed, selective reception thereof.
`5. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said at
`least one signal receiver is a VHF FM receiver, said VHF
`FM receiver capable of Specific Area Message Encoding
`interpretation.
`6. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein power
`for said at least one signal receiver is at least partially
`derived from at least one battery.
`7. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said
`system is electrically and communicatively linked to a
`security system.
`8. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said at
`least one telephone transmission of said at least one call
`initiator generates a specific ringing tone emission from a
`receiving device.
`
`9. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said
`data transmitted via said at least one data transmitter is an
`
`audible warning.
`10. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said
`data storage module enables storage of public switched
`telephone numbers, cellular network telephone numbers and
`radio pager network telephone numbers.
`11. The system for notification of claim 1, wherein said
`data transmitter enables the transmission of multi-fune-
`tional, device-identifiable signals.
`12. Amethod for proactive warning notification, compris-
`ing the steps of:
`
`a) obtaining a notification system and device having a
`signal receiver, a telephone line status interface, a data
`storage module, command execution circuitry, a signal
`generator, a call initiator, and a data transmitter;
`
`b) receiving a warning signal via said signal receiver;
`
`c) interfacing with a telephone line;
`
`d) determining the status of the telephone line;
`
`e) if the telephone line is in use, generating an interrupting
`signal via said signal generator;
`
`f) if the telephone line is not in use, initiating a call via
`said call initiator per stored data in said data storage
`module;
`
`g) completing the call connection with a user; and
`
`h) transmitting warning data to the user.
`13. The method for proactive warning notification of
`claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
`
`i) generating a first DTMF tone sequence;
`
`j) connecting the user to a National Oceanic and Atmo-
`spheric Administration broadcast.
`14. The method for proactive warning notification of
`claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
`
`k) generating a second DTMF tone sequence;
`
`1) connecting the user to a second user.
`15. The method for proactive warning notification of
`claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
`
`m) generating a third DTMF tone sequence;
`
`n) connecting to a plurality of preprogrammed telephone
`lines;
`
`o) transmitting warning data to e