Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Radar for meteorological use
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-10
2001-06-26
Blum, Theodore M. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Radar for meteorological use
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252539
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to weather forecasting and reporting. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus which is capable of automatically (1) collecting and processing weather data; and (2) generating and broadcasting alerts when conditions warrant.
II. Discussion of the Prior Art
Since World War II, substantial technological advances have been made both in the field of radio and television broadcasting and in the field of weather forecasting. For many years, these two technologies have been used in tandem to provide weather information to the general public.
Today, nearly every American home is equipped with at least one radio and television. Virtually every car, truck and bus used to transport people is also equipped with a radio. As such, radio and television have become an important means by which members of the public receive local, national and world news. Weather reports are routinely broadcast over radio and television. Radio and television are also excellent tools for transmitting weather alerts when threatening weather conditions exist. Radio and television allow such alerts to be quickly and effectively broadcast to the population in a particular reception area.
Technological advances in weather forecasting have kept pace with those in radio and television broadcasting. Various radar systems, for example, have made it possible to collect important weather data over a wide area.
Despite these and other technological advances, certain problems associated with providing meaningful weather information to the general public continue to exist. For example, weather forecasting to date continues to ultimately be a human endeavor subject to human error. Weather forecasters are flooded with information that must all be analyzed and synthesized in order to assess and predict future weather conditions. This is often a difficult task, made even more difficult when conditions are threatening. Any delay in generating timely weather warnings can have severe consequences including loss of life.
Other problems arise given the vast reception areas covered by most television and radio broadcasters. Often, those located in only a small isolated portion of the broadcast area are threatened by a particular storm. Thunder, lightning, high winds and even tornadoes may be present in one portion of the broadcast area while the sky is clear and there are no impending weather threats in other portions of the broadcast area. If general warnings are broadcast too often, they tend to be ignored. Also, those paying attention have difficulty determining what weather conditions are likely to affect them and what actions should therefore be taken.
The present invention is believed to be an improvement over prior art weather forecasting and alert systems. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with the prior art by automatically processing weather information and generating specific, meaningful alerts without delay.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method which facilitates the automatic collection and processing of weather data and the automatic generation and broadcast of meaningful alert messages. The apparatus comprises a digital computer which is connected to the Nexrad Information Dissemination Network operated by the National Weather Service. Via the connection, the digital computer is able to periodically receive from the National Weather Service a file known as the Combined Attribute Table. The Combined Attribute Table is a compilation of data for all storms identified by a single 1988 Doppler Weather Service Surveillance (WSR) Radar. Provided in the Combined Attribute Table for each storm are data indicative of the precise location of the centroid of the storm, the direction and speed of the storm, along with other parameters used to describe the nature and intensity of the storm cell.
The digital computer, which is the heart of the apparatus, is programmed to interpret and process the Combined Attribute Table data. For example, the computer can be programmed to establish certain pass/fail thresholds for all storms detected by radar and reported in the Combined Attribute Table. These thresholds may include values for storm intensity, speed and the probability that certain features exist within the storm. If the storm does not contain attributes which meet or exceed the programmed thresholds, the computer disregards the storm.
Alternatively, if the storm contains attributes which do meet or exceed the programmed thresholds, further processing takes place. Using data from the Combined Attribute Table related to the location, speed and direction of the storm, the computer determines the cities the storm will impact and calculates the estimated time of storm arrival at each city likely to be impacted. The computer then creates a message which can be an audio message, a test message, a graphics message, or a combined message which is then broadcast via television and/or radio. The message includes information related to the nature of the storm, the cities in the path of the storm as well as the projected arrival time of the storm at each city. All of this occurs automatically without human intervention.
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“A Guide
Chenevert Douglas P.
Phillips Floyd
Sappanos Peter K.
Sznaider Ronald J.
Blum Theodore M.
Kavouras, Inc.
Nikolai Mersereau & Dietz, P.A.
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