Patent US6914525B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6914525B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alert system and method for geographic or natural disasters utilizing a telecommunications network
Assignee: Far Eastone Telecommunications Co Ltd
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Filing: 2002-10-29
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Granted: 2005-07-05
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Expires: 2022-10-29
Abstract
Abstract The invention advantageously provides an alert system and method for geographic or natural disasters that utilize a telecommunications network for monitoring geographic data in disaster-prone areas and accordingly issuing warnings against potential disasters to people inside the monitored area. An alert system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a telecommunications service network, one or more wireless sensor modules and a control center. The telecommunications network according to this particular embodiment includes service coverage over the monitored areas. The wireless sensor modules are installed to selected locations inside monitored areas. Each of the sensor modules further comprises at least one sensor for collecting geographic or geodetic data and a wireless communications unit for sending collected geographic data to the control center via the telecommunications network. The control center then receives and processes the monitored geographic or geodetic data sent by the wireless sensor modules for further algorithmic analysis. The control center accordingly issues alerts for imminent geographic or natural disasters if the processing of the geographic or geodetic data produces adverse results.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman Rao
- 👤 Ching-Hsiang Hsu
- 👤 Jung Nan Hung
- 👤 Chih-Kung Lee
- 👤 Wen-Jong Wu
- 👤 Wen-Hsin Hsiao
- 👤 Chun-Kuang Chen
- 👤 Yih-Fan Chen
- 👤 Yi-Chun Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:42
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B27/00; G08B27/005; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/10; G08B27/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An alert system for monitoring disasters in at least one monitored area, the system comprising: a telecommunications network having service coverage over said at least one monitored area; at least one wireless sensor module provided at a selected location inside said at least one monitored area, each of said at least one module further comprising: at least one sensor configured to collect geographic and geological data; a microcontroller configured to convert the collected data into a suitable transmission format; and a wireless communications unit configured to transmit said collected data in an unstructured supplementary service data transmission mode; and a control center, implementing an alert control system including: a data processing system configured to process said collected data from said at least one wireless sensor module to determine the likelihood of disaster; and an alert and rescue management subsystem operable to issue a disaster alert signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An alert system for monitoring disasters in at least one monitored area, the system comprising: a telecommunications network having service coverage over said at least one monitored area; at least one wireless sensor module provided at a selected location inside said at least one monitored area, each of said at least one module further comprising: at least one sensor configured to collect geographic and geological data; a microcontroller configured to convert the collected data into a suitable transmission format; and a wireless communications unit configured to transmit said collected data in an unstructured supplementary service data transmission mode; and a control center, implementing an alert control system including: a data processing system configured to process said collected data from said at least one wireless sensor module to determine the likelihood of disaster; and an alert and rescue management subsystem operable to issue a disaster alert signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said telecommunications network is a Global System for Mobile communications network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless sensor module further comprises a mobile communications device supporting Global System for Mobile communications service.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one alert issue station relaying said disaster alert throughout said at least one monitored area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said telecommunications network further comprises a long-distance radio telecommunications system for providing communications coverage for said at least one monitored area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one wireless sensor module further comprising photo interrupters, proximity switches, sliding switches, mercury switches, ultrasonic sensors and strain gauges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said collected data further comprising water level, earth movement, position shifts, vibration and acceleration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , said at least one wireless sensor module further comprising a power supply providing operational power thereto.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
21 words
The system of claim further comprising: a user interface; and a geographic information system providing operating information for said alert system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensory and communication control setting operating parameters for said at least one wireless sensor module and overseeing maintenance operations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a decision and support subsystem setting processing priorities for said collected data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a weather data receiving subsystem gathering weather information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a database and web server subsystem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein said operating information further comprising location of mudflow, geological conditions in said at least one monitored area, location of said at least one wireless sensor module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system claim 13 , wherein said database and web service subsystem stores information comprising subscriber information to said alert system, location and total number of said at least one wireless sensor module, geographic and geological conditions of said at least one monitored area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein said database and web service subsystem hosts a web service allowing access to said alert system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for monitoring disasters in at least one geographic areas comprising: providing communications coverage over said at least one monitored area with a telecommunications network; providing at least one wireless sensor module in said at least one monitored area; collecting geographic and geological data in said at least one monitored area; transmitting said geographic and geological data in the form of unstructured supplementary service data transmission mode or general packet radio service transmission mode to a control center; processing said collected data at a the control center; determining a likelihood of disaster based on said collected data; and issuing a disaster alert if the likelihood of disaster is determined to be relatively high.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for monitoring disasters in at least one geographic areas comprising: providing communications coverage over said at least one monitored area with a telecommunications network; providing at least one wireless sensor module in said at least one monitored area; collecting geographic and geological data in said at least one monitored area; transmitting said geographic and geological data in the form of unstructured supplementary service data transmission mode or general packet radio service transmission mode to a control center; processing said collected data at a the control center; determining a likelihood of disaster based on said collected data; and issuing a disaster alert if the likelihood of disaster is determined to be relatively high.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said telecommunications network is a Global System for Mobile communications network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising relaying said disaster alert throughout said at least one monitored area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising relaying said collected data to said control center using a microcontroller connected to said at least one wireless sensor module.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said collected data further comprising water level, earth movement, position shifts, vibration and acceleration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising providing operating information for said alert system using a geographic information system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 22 , said operating information further comprising location of mudflow, geological conditions in said at least one monitored area, location of said at least one wireless sensor module.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising setting operating parameters for said at least one wireless sensor module and overseeing maintenance operations using a sensory and communication control.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising gathering weather information using a weather data receiving subsystem.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising setting processing priorities for said collected data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising providing subscriber information to said alert system, location and total number of said at least one wireless sensor module, geographic and geological conditions of said at least one monitored area in a database and web service subsystem.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising hosting a web service for allowing access to said alert system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
146 words
An alert system for monitoring disasters in at least one monitored area, the system comprising: a telecommunications network having service coverage over said at least one monitored area; at least one wireless sensor module provided at a selected location inside said at least one monitored area, each of said at least one module further comprising: at least one sensor configured to collect geographic and geological data; a microcontroller configured to convert the collected data into a suitable transmission format; and a wireless communications unit configured to transmit said collected data in a general packet radio service transmission mode; and a control center, implementing an alert control system including: a data processing system configured to process said collected data from said at least one wireless sensor module to determine the likelihood of disaster; and an alert and rescue management subsystem operable to issue a disaster alert signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
146 words
An alert system for monitoring disasters in at least one monitored area, the system comprising: a telecommunications network having service coverage over said at least one monitored area; at least one wireless sensor module provided at a selected location inside said at least one monitored area, each of said at least one module further comprising: at least one sensor configured to collect geographic and geological data; a microcontroller configured to convert the collected data into a suitable transmission format; and a wireless communications unit configured to transmit said collected data in a general packet radio service transmission mode; and a control center, implementing an alert control system including: a data processing system configured to process said collected data from said at least one wireless sensor module to determine the likelihood of disaster; and an alert and rescue management subsystem operable to issue a disaster alert signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-07-04 | 2009-01-03 | 2009-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-07-04 | 2013-01-03 | 2013-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-07-04 | 2017-01-03 | 2017-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |