(12) United States Patent
`Zimmers et al.
`
`(54) ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Steven L. Zimmers, 710 Clinton
`Springs Ave., Cincinnati, OH (US)
`
`45229; Daniel W. Davis, 45229 1602
`
`Berry Farm Rd., Lithia, FL (US) 33547
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No. : 09/503,141
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 11, 2000
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ GOSB 21/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`....................... 709/200; 709/206; 709/217;
`709/218; 340/540
`................................. 709/200, 217,
`709/218
`
`(58) Field of Search
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`......................... 179/6 D
`7/1971 Cole
`3,595,999 A
`8/1980 Birilli et al.
`................ 179/5 P
`4,219,698 A
`2/1983 Hilligoss, Jr. et al.
`...... 179/5 R
`4,371,751 A
`3/1989 Sleevi
`......................... 379/67
`4,811,382 A
`5,034,916 A * 7/1991 Ordish
`....................... 709/204
`5,121,430 A * 6/1992 Ganzer et al.
`.............. 380/258
`5,260,986 A * 11/1993 Pershan ...................... 455/413
`5,515,421 A
`5/1996 Sikand et al. ................. 379/67
`5,528,674 A
`6/1996 Reiss, III .................... 379/102
`5,539,809 A * 7/1996 Mayer et al. .......... 379/210.02
`5,541,980 A
`7/1996 Urewicz ...................... 379/61
`5,559,867 A
`9/1996 Langsenkamp et al. ....... 379/69
`5,663,734 A
`9/1997 Krasner ...................... 342/357
`5,825,283 A * 10/1998 Camhi ........................ 340/438
`5,880,770 A
`3/1999 Ilcisin et al. .................. 348/14
`5,910,763 A * 6/1999 Flanagan ............... 340/286.02
`5,912,947 A * 6/1999 Langsenkamp et al. ....... 379/69
`5,923,733 A
`7/1999 Binns et al. ............. 379/88.23
`5,949,851 A
`9/1999 Mahaffey ..................... 379/48
`6,018,699 A * 1/2000 Baron et al. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... 702/3
`6,021,177 A
`2/2000 Allport ........................ 379/48
`6,169,476 Bl * 1/2001 Flanagan ............... 340/286.02
`6,275,774 Bl
`8/2001 Baron, Sr. et al. .............. 702/3
`6,295,346 Bl * 9/2001 Markowitz et al. .... 379/127.01
`6,304,816 Bl * 10/2001 Berstis ....................... 701/117
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US006816878B 1
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,346,890 Bl *
`6,463,462 Bl
`6,487,495 Bl *
`6,490,525 B2
`6,493,633 B2
`6,523,038 Bl *
`6,594,345 Bl
`
`2/2002
`10/2002
`11/2002
`12/2002
`12/2002
`2/2003
`7/2003
`
`Bellin .. ... ... ... ... .. ... 340/825.52
`Smith et al. ................ 709/206
`Gale et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701/209
`Baron, Sr. et al. .............. 702/3
`Baron, Sr. et al. .............. 702/3
`Iida et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707 /100
`Vinson . ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... 379/48
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Auerbach, Automatic Telephone Notification of Locations in
`
`
`U.S. Patent Publication 2001/0052847
`a Tornado Path,
`Published Dec. 20, 2001.
`Auerbach, Mitchell J., Emergency Management Communi­
`
`Provisional Application 60/111,281 filed
`cations System,
`Dec. 7, 1998.
`Auerbach, Mitchell J., Emergency Management Communi­
`Provisional Application 60/120,096 filed
`cations System,
`Feb. 16, 1999.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner--Rupal Dharia
`
`Assistant Examiner-April L Baugh
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wood, Herron & Evans,
`
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for providing alert notifications to multiple persons
`or to a plurality of related geographic locations. The system
`stores a database of information including a plurality of
`communications identifiers and additional information for
`subscribers having those identifiers, including geographic
`locations and/or school/organization membership informa­
`tion. The system responds to commands identifying alerts to
`be delivered to affected geographic areas or schools/
`organizations, by retrieving communications identifiers in
`the threatened geographic location or associated with the
`named school/organization, establishing a communications
`connection using each retrieved communication identifier,
`and delivering the alert. Alerts may be initiated by autho­
`rized personnel via telephone or Internet interaction with the
`system, or may be generated automatically from data feeds
`such as the EMWIN system of the National Weather Service.
`Alerts may be delivered via telephone, pager (voice or text),
`e-mail, Internet, or other media.
`
`227 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`1/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`REDUNDANT REAL-TIME
`TANDEM
`CONFIGURATION
`SYSTEM SITE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`R( WFUS1 KIWX 010238
`568
`�_T_Qfi]IWX
`INC141-INC099-010305
`
`
`BULLETIN -EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
`
`TORNADO WARNING
`
`
`
`
`NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
`938 PM EST FRI OCT 16 1998
`THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED
`
`
`
`
`
`A
`
`* TORNADO WARNING FOR
`
`RP r.-------------------------------------,
`l[�XJREM� t:!_O_BTH1J�ST�flli��8_51:!�.h.£Q_UN!)' J��R"[tl S��B_� lND�t:!_Aj
`
`
`\... 1 SOUTHWESTERN ST JOSEPH COUNTY
`1
`* UNTIL 1005 PM EST
`* AT 934 PM EST...NATIONAL
`
`
`
`
`WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
`R( WALKERTON
`
`
`
`
`THUNDERSTORM WITH POSSIBLE TORNADO 2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF
`
`... OR ABOUT 14 MILES WEST OF BREMEN ... MOVING
`· If NORf.H}ASJlf 4([�1Jf �R]@ RJ
`
`
`• SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED ...
`�--------,
`1 WALKERTON
`1
`Ro
`"'�NORTH LIBERTY
`I
`:souTH BEND I
`I MISHAWAKA
`I
`---------
`IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE ... SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT ... SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
`SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
`
`
`ST A Y TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE
`
`
`LATEST SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION.
`RP AFFECTED COUNTIES:
`
`\.._NIN lliDIANA��SHAU.LSJ: JQsE�]
`END OF FILE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`/7t?
`
`/7?
`
`/.9t?
`
`PRIORITY TABLE
`
`SUBSCRIBER NOTIFICATION
`PREFERENCES TABLE
`SUBSCRIBER AL TERNA TE
`CONTACT TABLE
`SUBSCRIBER HISTORY
`TABLE
`
`FIG. 3
`
`/7t?
`I'
`
`NOTIFICATION
`TABLE
`PRODUCT ID v
`/7#
`(CHARACTER)
`PRIORITY LEVEL v
`/76"
`(NUMERIC)
`NO Tl FICA TION ID
`/7�
`(NUMERIC)
`v
`FIG. 3A
`
`/7?
`I'
`
`PRIORITY
`TABLE
`PRIORITY LEVEL ,,...-
`(NUMERIC)
`RESOURCE v
`UTILIZATION
`PERCENTAGE
`FIG. 38
`
`4/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`$.9. r-c:;-;;::;::::::::==���
`-. SUBSCRIBER CENSUS
`TABLE
`J2a
`.....---·"""_. CUSTOMER NUMBER
`J22...., (CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER)
`J24-
`FIRST NAME
`J26.:.. LAST NAME
`AGE
`
`$6: rc;;;n.:::::::::===���
`-.. SUBSCRIBER BILLING
`TABLE
`.?ot2_
`- ·
`CUSTOMER NUMBER
`202. (CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER)
`204-
`FIRST NAME
`LAST NAME
`- 200:. PHYSICAL A
`LINE �DRESS
`$#..
`. .....,
`SUBSCRIBER
`..?od.._ PHYSICAL ADDRESS
`INFORMATION TABLE
`.?OtZ.,
`LINE 2
`CUSTOMER NUMBER
`.?02-.._ CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER) i-. .??a._
`(
`PHYSICAL CITY
`..?� I
`SUBSCRIBER
`.?O<_
`ANI
`.?71(.' PHYSICAL STATE AV�
`NOTIFICATION
`EMAIL
`�
`.?7£ , PHYSlCAL ZIP CODE
`JJtZ PREFERENCES TABLE
`�
`TCP/IP
`,,?,. r�B;.::;
`IL;:7,Ll�NG�N� A� M!!,E:E�_J
`7
`0:. BILLING ADDRESS --.... .-.1 CUSTOMER NUMBER
`.?/0-.. POST AL ZIP CODE
`LINE 1 .«e_ (CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER)
`.?h?-.. COUNTY ID -
`STATE ID &f!2._
`NOTIFICATION TYPE
`.£u.
`.?#.
`BILLING ADDRESS
`START HOUR
`..!"$
`LINE 2 .«£:.
`?.>'.?�
`LATITUDE
`ST ART MINUTE
`.?6'¢._ BILLING CITY ..U.:.
`&>' � LONGITUDE
`J�
`END HOUR
`&'17�
`2.96.: BILLING ST ATE
`SCHOOL DISTRICT
`END MINUTE
`SCHOOL/
`.?#� BIWNG ZIP CODE
`��
`ORGANIZATION ID
`2.9'0...., BILLING METHOD
`.?.?4-_
`ELEVATION
`2.9'£.. BILLING PERIOD
`FLOOD ZONE CODE
`....,
`.?.?6.:.., L
`- .?.5¥...., ST ART DATE
`OCATION
`..?.9'0:
`END DATE
`.?.?8-. CLASSIFICATION
`.?.9'£ CARD NUMBER
`.?JO...., CONSTRUCTION
`Joa EXPIRATION DATE
`.?J.?...., BUILDING LEVELS
`CREDIT CARD NAME
`J02.
`2J4-.., SPECIAL NEEDS
`·-.. CREDIT CARD ADDRESS
`2JO:, ADULT COUNT
`LINE 1
`J04-.., CREDIT CARD ADDRESS
`2J.9...., ELDERLY COUNT
`LINE 2
`.?¢a._. CHILD COUNT
`J06.'.
`RESPIRATORY
`JO�:: CREDIT CARD ZIP CODE
`2¢L._ ,
`CONDITION
`J70...., ACH INFO 1
`?¢4- ALLERGIC CONDITION
`JP...., ACH INFO 2
`/.94.. re;;-;;;;::��"":"'."""."�­
`-. SUBSCRIBER HISTORY
`.?¢6-:._ BROADCAST
`ACH INFO 3
`TABLE
`L"¢d.,.
`Joa...F=;��§=:;:====:I
`BASEMENT
`.?50...._ ANSWERING MACHINE
`CUSTOMER NUMBER
`Jo2. (CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER)
`.?5.?-., RING COUNT
`________ _J Jo4--.. NOTIFICATION DATE
`25� LAST NOTIFICATION ID
`Joa:'. NOTIFICATION TIME
`RETRY COUNT
`Jo£ NOTIFICATION TYPE
`J7a._ NOTIFICATION ID
`COMMUNICATIONS
`J�...., ADDRESS
`COMPLETION STATUS
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`/.92.
`-. ALTERNATE CONT ACT
`TABLE
`J5a
`·-., CUSTOMER NUMBER
`J.72. (CUSTOMER IDENTIFIER)
`J5<_
`ANI
`J.70-..., EMAIL
`TCP/IP
`
`FIG. 3C
`
`5/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`INITIALIZE
`DATA FEEDS.
`
`WAIT FOR DATA
`
`400
`I ..
`� FROM FEED.
`402
`J.
`
`READ DATA UNTIL
`"END OF FILE" IS
`RECEIVED.
`
`404
`J,
`
`DETERMINE NWS
`PRODUCT ID.
`
`406
`J,
`
`RETRIEVE DATABASE
`RECORD IN NOTIFICATION
`TABLE FOR PRODUCT ID.
`
`408
`J.
`
`RECORD
`FOUND?
`
`No
`
`410
`J. Yes
`,,
`ARCHIVE
`NOTIFICATION TYPE � RECEIVED FILE. --'
`412
`414
`J,
`
`PARSE FILE FOR
`
`AND AFFECTED AREA.
`
`PARSE FILE FOR
`EXPIRATION TIME,
`CURRENT LOCATION,
`HEADING, AND SPEED.
`
`416
`J,
`
`BUILD DATA PACKET FOR
`AFFECTED AREA
`CONTAINING ALL
`PERTINENT INFORMATION.
`
`418
`J,
`
`SEND DATA
`PACKET TO DQS.
`
`420
`
`J, � ENDDF FILE
`
`REACHED?
`
`422
`
`No
`
`6/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 48
`
`CALL.
`
`I WAIT FOR
`
`I
`
`USER DIALS INTO IVR
`ADMINISTRATIVE
`SYSTEM.
`
`430
`J,
`432
`J.
`
`Not Found
`
`NOTIFY CALLER -
`ACCESS DENIED.
`DISCONNECT.
`
`440
`
`RECEIVE ANI OF
`CALLER FROM
`TELEPHONE NETWORK.
`
`PROMPT CALLER
`TO ENTER ID AND
`PASSWORD.
`
`434
`J.
`436
`J,
`COMPARE ANI, ID
`AND PASSWORD TO
`THOSE OF AUTHORIZED >-F:...: o::..:u:.::n:.=d __ �
`438
`USERS.
`
`DETERMINE ALLOWED
`NOTIFICATION TYPES
`FOR CALLER.
`
`442
`
`PROMPT CALLER
`FOR NOTIFICATION
`
`TYPE. 444
`.L
`
`ALLOWED
`NOTIFICATION
`TYPE?
`
`446
`
`------=-Y.=:es�
`
`�
`
`l
`
`448
`
`PROMPT CALLER FOR
`RELEVANT INFORMATION
`FOR NOTIFICATION.
`
`BUILD DATA PACKET FOR
`IDENTIFIED NOTIFICATION
`CONTAINING PROVIDED
`INFORMATION.
`
`450
`J,
`452
`
`TO DQS.
`
`SEND PACKET I
`
`No
`
`NOTIFY CALLER
`- DISALLOWED.
`
`458
`
`PROMPT CALLER
`FOR ADDITIONAL
`NOTIFICATIONS OR
`AFFECTED AREAS.
`
`�Hre
`
`I DISCONNECT. I>----�
`
`454
`�No More
`456
`I
`
`7/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`�
`,.
`
`WAIT FOR
`CALL.
`460
`�
`
`USER DIALS INTO IVR
`SUBSCRIBER
`REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
`462
`J,
`
`RECEIVE ANI OF
`CALLER FROM
`TELEPHONE NETWORK.
`464
`�
`
`PROMPT CALLER FOR
`ALL REQUIRED
`INFORMATION VIA DTMF
`TONES.
`466
`J,
`
`BUILD DATA PACKET
`FOR TEST NOTIFICATION
`AND SEND TO DQS.
`468
`�
`
`""
`
`DISCONNECT.
`470
`
`8/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 40
`
`WAIT FOR INTERNET
`CONNECTION.
`
`480
`
`USER CONNECTS
`TO SERVER.
`
`482
`
`RECEIVE IP
`ADDRESS FROM
`INTERNET.
`
`484
`
`PROMPT USER TO
`ENTER ID AND
`PASSWORD VIA
`WEB-BASED FORM.
`
`486
`J.
`
`COMPARE IP
`ADDRESS, ID AND
`
`PASSWORD TO THOSE OF rF�o�u=n=d--�
`488
`
`AUTHORIZED USERS.
`
`Not Found
`
`NOTIFY USER -
`ACCESS DENIED.
`DISCONNECT.
`
`490
`
`DETERMINE ALLOWED
`NOTIFICATION TYPES
`FOR USER.
`
`492
`w
`PROMPT USER FOR
`494
`NOTIFICATION TYPE.
`,l.
`496
`
`ALLOWED
`NOTIFICATION
`TYPE?
`
`Yes
`
`No
`
`I NOTIFY USER -1
`
`DISALLOWED.
`
`504
`
`PROMPT USER FOR
`ADDITIONAL
`NOTIFICATIONS OR
`AFFECTED AREAS.
`
`506 iNo More
`I DISCONNECT. I>---�
`I
`508
`
`l
`
`498
`
`PROMPT USER FOR
`RELEVANT INFORMATION
`FOR NOTIFICATION.
`
`BUILD DATA PACKET FOR
`IDENTIFIED NOTIFICATION
`CONTAINING PROVIDED
`INFORMATION.
`
`500
`
`TO DQS.
`
`Y SEND PACKET I
`
`502
`
`9/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 4E
`
`,---)
`
`WAIT FOR INTERNET
`CONNECTION.
`510
`J,
`
`USER CONNECTS
`TO SERVER.
`512
`J,
`
`RECEIVE IP
`ADDRESS OF USER
`FROM INTERNET.
`514
`J,
`
`PROMPT USER FOR ALL
`REQUIRED INFORMATION
`VIA WEB-BASED FORM.
`516
`J,
`
`BUILD DATA PACKET
`FOR TEST NOTIFICATION
`AND SEND TO DQS.
`518
`J,
`
`DISCONNECT.
`520
`
`10/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`FIG.4F
`
`..
`
`WAIT FOR DATA PACKET
`(SEE TABLE I) FROM NPS,
`IVR OR WEB SERVER.
`530
`
`STATIC AREA
`PROCESS
`FIGS. SA, SB
`534
`
`l
`l
`
`FIGS. SA, SB
`536
`
`RADIUS PROCESS I VECTOR PROCESS
`
`FIGS. 7A, 7B
`538
`
`I
`
`.j.
`
`DETERMINE
`TYPE OF
`NOTIFICATION.
`532
`
`l
`
`SHORELINE
`PROCESS
`FIGS. SA, BB
`540
`
`l
`
`SELECT FIRST
`RETURNED STATION
`ID.
`
`� DETERMINE
`
`550 .!.
`
`TYPE OF STATION
`ID.
`
`552 .!.
`
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`TCP/IP ADDRESS
`INTERNET PAGER
`554
`
`.j.
`
`SEND DATA PACKET
`(SEE TABLE Ill) WITH
`STATION ID TO WEB
`SERVER.
`556
`
`No
`
`�
`
`ANOTHER
`STATION ID?
`562
`.!,Yes
`
`SELECT NEXT I
`
`STATION ID.
`564
`
`-
`
`,-.:.
`
`RIVER PROCESS
`FIGS. 9A, 9B
`542
`
`l
`
`TELEPHONE
`NUMBER
`NUMERIC PAGER
`558
`
`SEND DATA PACKET
`(SEE TABLE Ill) WITH
`STATION ID TO SWITCH
`HOST.
`560
`
`ARCHIVE DATA
`
`-----
`
`·1 PACKET.
`
`566
`
`WIND DISPERSION SCHOOUORGA NIZA TION
`PROCESS
`ALERT PROCESS
`FIGS. 10A, 10B
`FIG.11
`544
`546
`
`l
`J
`
`l
`j
`
`d
`•
`\JJ.
`•
`�
`� ...... �
`= ......
`
`z 0
`�
`�� N c c .i;;..
`
`'Jl =­
`� � ..... """" c
`0 ....., N .i;;..
`
`e rJ'J.
`-..a-.. � lo-"
`a-.. � ""-l �
`� lo-"
`
`11/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`FIG. 4G
`
`WEB SERVER RECEIVES
`AND ENQUEUES DATA
`PACKETS FROM DQS
`(BACKGROUND).
`
`I "' \ SELECT DATA
`
`570
`
`No
`
`PACKET HAVING
`HIGHEST PRIORITY
`LEVEL.
`
`572
`,1.Packet Found
`
`GENERATE ALERT
`BASED ON DATA
`PACKET.
`
`573
`.1.
`
`TCP/IP
`ADDRESS
`
`580
`.1.
`
`'
`NUMERIC
`PAGER
`
`586
`
`CONNECT TO ADDRESS
`AND DELIVER TEXT ALERT
`MESSAGE AS APPROPRIATE
`TO APPLICATION IN USE.
`
`582
`.1.
`584
`
`DISCONNECT.
`
`CONNECT TO PAGER
`SERVICE AND DELIVER
`APPROPRIATE NUMERIC
`CODE FOR ALERT.
`
`588
`l
`590
`
`.'---
`
`DISCONNECT.
`
`'
`EMAIL
`ADDRESS
`
`574
`
`GENERATE EMAIL
`MESSAGE TO ADDRESS
`INCLUDING TEXTUAL
`ALERT.
`
`576
`l
`SEND
`'-- MESSAGE.
`578
`
`d
`•
`\JJ.
`•
`�
`� ...... �
`= ......
`
`z 0
`�
`�� N c c .i;;..
`
`'Jl =­
`� � ..... '"""' '"""'
`0 ....., N .i;;..
`
`e rJ'J.
`-..a-.. � lo-"
`a-.. � ""-l �
`� lo-"
`
`ALPHANUMERIC
`PAGER
`
`592
`
`CONNECT TO PAGER
`SERVICE AND DELIVER
`TEXTUAL ALERT.
`
`594
`
`DISCONNECT. L___,
`596
`
`12/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 4H
`
`SWITCH HOST RECEIVES
`AND ENQUEUES DATA
`PACKETS FROM DQS
`(BACKGROUND).
`600
`I ..
`
`� SELECT DATA
`
`N
`
`PACKET HAVING
`HIGHEST PRIORITY
`LEVEL.
`602
`J,Packet Found
`
`WAIT FOR IDLE
`OUT-DIAL CHANNEL.
`604
`J,
`
`SEND COMMAND TO
`SWITCH TO OUT-DIAL
`STATION ID (TELEPHONE
`NUMBER).
`606
`J,
`SWITCH REPORTS
`CALL STATUS TO
`SWITCH HOST.
`608
`J,
`
`CALL
`ANSWERED.
`610
`J,
`
`SEND COMMAND($) TO
`SWITCH TO PLAY
`PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE
`CORRESPONDING TO ALERT
`TYPE AND HANG UP.
`612
`J,
`
`,,
`
`NO ANSWER
`OR BUSY.
`614
`
`,,
`
`MARK PACKET
`FOR RETRY.
`616
`
`INSERT CALL DETAIL RECORD
`IN SUBSCRIBER HISTORY
`'- TABLE INDICATING RESULTS :
`(ANSWER/NO ANSWER/BUSY).
`618
`
`13/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`�RE:.\OU�Y
`
`1
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`MONTGOMERY COUNTY
`
`____ /_
`
`__.,.��
`
`CLINTON COUNTY
`
`----/---
`45068
`
`I I
`45122
`-�--_J
`
`CLERMONT COUNTY
`
`-- ZIP CODE
`== COUNTY
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`14/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 14 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 58
`
`STATIC AREA
`DQS ROUTINE.
`534
`�
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION
`ID'S THAT ARE LOCATED IN
`SPECIFIED AREA (STATE,
`COUNTY, CITY, ZIP CODE).
`620
`�
`PRIORITIZE STATION ID'S
`BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`622
`J,
`DONE.
`
`15/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`I
`
`I 45013
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I __
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`16/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 68
`
`RADIUS DQS
`ROUTINE.
`536
`
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION ID'S
`THAT ARE WITHIN THE
`IDENTIFIED RANGE OF A
`SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC
`POINT.
`624
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION ID'S
`BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`626
`
`DONE.
`
`17/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`,--\;7---
`1
`I
`I
`I
`
`I I 45013
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I __
`
`I
`I
`45122
`I
`____ _J
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`18/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 78
`
`VECTORDQS
`ROUTINE.
`538
`
`DETERMINE MILEAGE RANGE
`THAT CAN BE COVERED IN
`THE IDENTIFIED TIME FRAME
`BASED UPON THE IDENTIFIED
`FORWARD SPEED.
`630
`
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION ID'S
`THAT ARE WITHIN THE
`CALCULATED RANGE OF THE
`IDENTIFIED GEOGRAPHIC
`POINT.
`632
`
`CURRENT GEOGRAPHIC
`POINT = IDENTIFIED
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT.
`634
`
`CALCULATE A GEOGRAPHIC
`REGION BASED UPON BAND
`NUMBER AND CURRENT
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT.
`638
`
`QUEUE ALL STATION ID'S NOT
`PREVIOUSLY ENQUEUED,
`THAT ARE WITHIN
`GEOGRAPHIC REGION.
`640
`
`CALCULATE NEW CURRENT
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT BASED ON
`Y_e_s __ CURRENT GEOGRAPHIC POINT,
`1-
`HEADING, TIME FRAME AND
`
`IDENTIFIED NUMBER OF BANDS.
`646
`
`PRIORITIZE ALL STATION ID'S
`FOR CURRENT BAND
`NUMBER, BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`650
`
`DONE.
`
`No
`
`INCREMENT
`BAND NUMBER.
`654
`
`19/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`32347
`
`32356
`
`FIG. SA
`
`FIG. 9A
`
`20/48
`
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`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 88
`
`SHORELINE
`DQS ROUTINE.
`540
`-i
`
`RETRIEVE ALL
`STATION ID'S WITHIN
`GIVEN COASTAL AREA.
`660
`�
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION
`ID'S BASED UPON
`FLOOD ZONE CODE.
`662
`J,
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION ID'S
`BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`664
`1
`
`DONE.
`
`21/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 98
`
`RIVER DQS
`ROUTINE.
`542
`�
`
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION
`ID'S WITHIN GIVEN
`RIVERBANK AREA.
`670
`�
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION
`ID'S BASED UPON
`FLOOD ZONE CODE.
`672
`�
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION ID'S
`BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`674
`I
`
`22/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`I : 45013
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`'--
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`23/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 108
`
`WIND DISPERSION
`DQS ROUTINE.
`
`644
`
`DETERMINE MILEAGE RANGE
`THAT TOXIC RELEASE WILL
`COVER IN THE IDENTIFIED
`TIME FRAME BASED UPON
`THE IDENTIFIED WIND SPEED.
`
`680
`
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION ID
`RECORDS THAT ARE WITHIN
`THE CALCULATED RANGE OF
`THE IDENTIFIED GEOGRAPHIC
`POINT.
`
`682
`
`CURRENT GEOGRAPHIC
`POINT = IDENTIFIED
`684
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT.
`
`BAND NUMBER
`
`= 1.
`686
`
`CALCULATE A GEOGRAPHIC
`REGION BASED UPON BAND
`NUMBER AND CURRENT
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT.
`
`688
`
`QUEUE ALL STATION ID
`RECORDS NOT PREVIOUSLY
`ENQUEUED, THAT ARE WITHIN
`GEOGRAPHIC REGION.
`
`690
`
`Yes
`
`CALCULATE NEW CURRENT
`GEOGRAPHIC POINT BASED ON
`CURRENT GEOGRAPHIC POINT,
`IDENTIFIED WIND SPEED, TIME
`FRAME AND IDENTIFIED NUMBER
`OF BANDS.
`
`696
`
`PRIORITIZE ALL STATION ID
`RECORDS FOR CURRENT
`BAND NUMBER, BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION.
`
`700
`
`DONE.
`
`No
`
`INCREMENT
`BAND NUMBER.
`
`704
`
`24/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIG. 11
`
`SCHOOUORGANIZATION
`ALERT DQS ROUTINE.
`546
`
`�
`
`RETRIEVE ALL STATION ID'S
`THAT HAVE REGISTERED A
`SCHOOUORGANIZATION ID
`MATCHING IDENTIFIED
`SCHOOUORGANIZA TION ID.
`710
`�
`
`PRIORITIZE STATION ID'S
`BASED UPON
`SUBSCRIBER REGISTERED
`INFORMATION .
`712
`i
`
`DONE.
`
`25/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`1
`ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to the delivery of emergency 5
`information to persons needing to be notified of such infor-
`mation.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Populations are increasing throughout the United States
`and globally. Population concentration increases the impact
`of localized emergencies such as weather, chemical spills,
`floods, etc., and thus increases the importance of notifying
`the public of emergency conditions in a timely manner.
`Emergency services and public safety organizations have
`established technological systems that help to identify and
`communicate emergency situations. For example, emergen­
`cies may be centrally reported via 911 telephone commu­
`nication systems, and disseminated via radio, satellite or
`Internet communications. Prediction methodologies have
`improved early detection of pending threats, particularly
`weather related threats such as tornadoes and floods, and
`communications networks have expanded to assist in the
`dissemination of this information. According to the National
`Weather Service (NWS) report "Reinventing Goals for 2000
`Status B March 1999", the NWS requested $42.1 million in
`FY2000 for it's Natural Disaster Reduction Initiative (NDRI
`2000) to continue to modernize and improve lead-times for
`severe weather events and expand the number of NOAA
`Weather Radio (NWR) stations. Forecasting and detection
`technologies, coupled with almost real-time distribution
`networks, have improved the average lead-time for severe
`weather events dramatically. Statistically, the NWS reports
`average lead-time detections for thunderstorm events are
`currently 17. 9 minutes. This is an improvement of 43% over
`the pre-modernization lead-time lead times detection of 12. 5
`minutes for thunderstorms. Likewise, the improved tornado
`lead-time detection average is currently 11.0 minutes;
`improved by 162% over the pre-modernization lead-time
`average of 4.2 minutes. Furthermore, flash flood detections
`currently stand at 52 minutes of lead-time with an astound­
`ing improvement of 491 %. Substantial increases in lead­
`time detection should contribute to more effective notifica­
`tion and ultimately more lives saved.
`Although these improvements have provided greater
`accuracy and lead time in severe weather notifications, such
`notifications do not seem to be adequately communicated to
`citizens. Preliminary data as of Jul. 13, 1999 for the year
`1999, shows that 99% of the total fatalities for tornadoes 50
`occurred during tornado watches. Statistics for 1998 simi­
`larly show 85% of all fatalities also occurred during tornado
`watches. Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if
`the persons involved had sought adequate shelter. This
`clearly indicates that there is a weakness in the existing 55
`infrastructure for notifying citizens of severe weather con­
`ditions. A review of this infrastructure and its shortfalls is
`thus in order.
`Currently, the National Weather Service (NWS) collects
`and disseminates near real-time weather data to help identify
`and distribute alerts, watches and weather warnings for
`specific geographical regions around-the-clock over various
`distribution networks. For the cost of essential down link
`equipment, virtually anyone may receive nearly all this
`information at no charge. However, identifying what infor­
`mation is personally relevant does require the continuous
`sorting and digestion of the entire data stream 24 hours a day
`
`2
`and seven days per week. Practically speaking, many indi­
`viduals just have no need for the entire data stream. They
`just need to know when an emergency pertains to them
`specifically, no matter where they are and no matter what
`time of day. For this, people rely on local media organiza­
`tions and government organizations to monitor and provide
`notification should an emergency occur. Many public and
`private entities currently receive this data stream, then
`parcel, process, categorize and sometimes enhance this
`information to rebroadcast over various distribution net-
`works so local citizenry, populations and private industry
`may be alerted or informed. Nevertheless, the typical citizen
`must rely upon the vigilance of public and private media
`broadcasters to constantly monitor this data stream and get
`"the word out" in time of emergency.
`To help provide additional insurance and improve the
`likelihood for notification, individuals can purchase a
`NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) receiver. NOAA Weather
`Radio (NWR) is a service of the National Oceanic and
`Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Depart-
`
`20 ment of Commerce. As the "Voice of the National Weather
`
`Service", it provides continuous broadcasts of the current
`weather information as well as hazardous local environmen­
`tal conditions. Furthermore, a NWR receiver can detect
`codes in a NWR broadcast indicative of hazardous weather
`25 conditions, and respond by producing a special alarm signal
`that is separate from normal playback of weather broadcasts.
`Most NOAA weather stations broadcast 24 hours a day,
`but NWR coverage is limited by nature and design to an area
`within 40 miles of the transmitter. Those living in cities
`30 surrounded by large buildings and those in mountain valleys
`with standard receivers get little or no reception at consid­
`
`erably less than 40 miles. As of February 1998, approxi­
`
`mately 70 to 80 percent of the U.S. population are capable
`of receiving NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts. Most
`35 recently, as a result of the "Gore Initiative", there has been
`99 new NWR stations put into operation and funding is
`being sought for 100 new stations to ultimately achieve a
`95% population coverage in each state. Thus, ultimately the
`system will leave at least 5% of the population unable to
`40 hear broadcasts or weather alerts.
`Of course, the 95% coverage figure quoted in the previous
`paragraph, assumes that everyone within the coverage area
`of a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter has purchased a
`NWR receiver and will always have it turned on.
`45 Unfortunately, many people that actually own a NOAA
`Weather Radio often leave it unattended and unmonitored.
`There are several reasons for this, ranging from misuse of
`the equipment to discomfort with leaving any household
`appliance continuously on. Perhaps the most pernicious
`problem is that weather broadcasts must cover a relatively
`large area and so many of the alert signals transmitted by
`those broadcasts will be irrelevant to a large percentage of
`the listening population. For example, flood or tornado
`warnings are typically applicable only to listeners in a
`subsection of a particular county, while the remaining lis­
`teners are not in substantial danger. Unfortunately, however,
`all citizens that are tuned to the weather broadcast will hear
`the alert signal for every localized emergency. This results in
`the situation not unlike the fable of the Boy Who Cried Wolf,
`60 in which citizens decide that the warnings are not normally
`relevant, and either ignore them or turn their NWS receiver
`off. Most particularly, citizens often do not place a NWS
`receiver in their bedroom, because they would rather not be
`disturbed at night unless there is a certain life-threatening
`65 emergency. This perhaps explains why tornadoes and floods
`that occur at night are often the most deadly, because
`citizens do not-receive emergency notifications.
`
`26/48
`
`DOJ EX. 1018
`
`

`
`3
`Local municipalities have sometimes utilized civil
`defense siren systems to sound loud audible alerts in time of
`emergency to help capture the attention of urban residents.
`However, the sounding of an emergency siren can be
`confusing, requiring the notification recipient to seek addi­
`tional information. The siren could mean a severe weather
`emergency, a chemical spill, volcanic eruption, a monthly
`system test or any other condition that local government
`decides to note (such as a "noon whistle"). Many citizens
`will, as a consequence, ignore such sirens rather than invest
`the time to determine their meaning. Furthermore, under the
`best conditions, the effectiveness of a siren is dependent
`upon proximity to the siren. Citizens that live near to the
`siren, live in poorly sound-insulated buildings, have normal
`hearing and/or are light sleepers, are much more likely to be 15
`notified of emergencies than citizens that live far from the
`sound sleepers. As a consequence, it has been found that
`siren, live in quiet buildings, are hearing impaired and/or are
`
`US 6,816,878 Bl
`
`4
`notification system that can not be turned off (short of
`termination of service). This system should not require the
`notification recipient purchase any additional equipment and
`the system should deliver an alert signal with which we have
`5 all been instinctively trained to respond. It is also important
`that the alert notification system have the ability to pinpoint,
`calculate and define dynamically all recipients with respect
`to their notification requirements then systematically notify
`those individuals (and only those individuals) within those
`10 defined geographic locations. The system must provide the
`notification quickly and accurately, with the ability to track
`the progress of the notification process and provide scenario
`resolution status until the notification scenario is completed
`or until the alert has expired.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`many people sleep right through nighttime siren alerts, and
`many severe weather fatalities are attributable to people just
`not hearing a siren. Further diminishing this system's
`effectiveness, many siren systems are over 50 years old and
`plagued with maintenance problems. Furthermore, sirens
`evidence spotty urban population coverage due to urban
`expansion that has outgrown system capacity.
`Similar problems of notifying citizenry arise in non­
`weather related emergencies. For example, when there is a
`chemical spill or explosive threat, appropriate emergency
`services are dispatched to attempt to mitigate the impact to
`human health or property. Often, the full scope of the 30
`emergency can not be ascertained until emergency crews
`actually arrive at the scene. If the emergency has the
`potential to escalate and endanger more lives and other
`communities, emergency organizations must again rely on
`broadcasting for notification.
`The United States Environmental Protection Agency
`(U.S. EPA) requires companies to develop Risk Manage­
`ment Program (RMP) plans. The required RMP plans
`describe chemical risks at industrial sites and the programs
`these facilities use to prevent accidental releases and mini- 40
`mize the impact on human health in the unlikely event that
`a release should occur. When applicable, the RMP includes
`air dispersion modeling to determine the potential off-site
`consequences of a release. Some HAZMAT (Hazardous
`Materials) vehicles also contain portable computers loaded 45
`with software to calculate and plot air dispersion modeling
`on an area map to accurately define impacted areas. These
`tools assist the identification and mitigation planning for fire
`departments and emergency responders during hazardous
`chemical releases. However, in order for these agencies to 50
`take appropriate actions, including ordering evacuation or
`sheltering-in-place, the agency must be able to achieve
`prompt community notification. Unfortunately, community
`notice of evacuation and sheltering-in-place, can only be
`achieved by broadcast notification and/or door to door 55
`notification. However, as noted above, broadcasting requires
`the attention of local citizenry, and furthermore, door-to­
`door notification is time consuming and potentially danger­
`ous to emergency personnel.
`
`supplemental NWR broadcasts are insufficiently effective in
`notifying individuals when danger threatens life or property.
`
`As has been shown, current reliance upon local media and 60
`Citizens must always have their TV on and they must be
`watching; or their radio must be turned on and they must be
`listening for a broadcast alert to be effective. There is thus 65
`a compelling need for an alert notification system that is
`designed to always be available whenever the need arises, a
`
`The invention described in this patent application satisfies
`these fundamental needs. The invention builds from the
`recognition that virtually every office and home already
`20 includes a communication device that meets the above-
`stated requirements: it is always turned on, it produces a
`recognizable alert signal upon remote command, and citi­
`zens have been trained to respond to this signal under all
`circumstances. The device is the telephone. Utilizing prin-
`25 ciples of the present invention, anyone near to a telephone
`(including a wired or cellular telephone) can be notified of
`an emergency or alert that directly threatens or is of interest
`to him or he