Abstract: Alert systems provide increased functionality and interactive operation by use of subsystems (240, 250, 260) that are coupled between the GUI/rules engine (220, 210) and the alert devices (248, 258, 268), wherein the subsystems (240, 250, 260,) provide for bidirectional flow of information. Therefore, in one aspect, the GUI (220) displays functional and operational parameters of associated alert devices (248, 258, 268) in real time and thus allows an administrator rule building without knowledge of installed devices. In another aspect, as the alert system displays and controls all associated alert devices (248, 258, 268) via the GUI (220), contemplated alert systems allows activation of multiple and distinct alert devices (248, 258, 268) using a single user interface. Viewed from another perspective, contingency and area specific alerts can be triggered from the GUI (220) using only point and click action.

Abstract: Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.

Abstract: Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.

Abstract: Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.

Abstract: Alert systems provide increased functionality and interactive operation by use of subsystems (240, 250, 260) that are coupled between the GUI/rules engine (220, 210) and the alert devices (248, 258, 268), wherein the subsystems (240, 250, 260,) provide for bidirectional flow of information. Therefore, in one aspect, the GUI (220) displays functional and operational parameters of associated alert devices (248, 258, 268) in real time and thus allows an administrator rule building without knowledge of installed devices. In another aspect, as the alert system displays and controls all associated alert devices (248, 258, 268) via the GUI (220), contemplated alert systems allows activation of multiple and distinct alert devices (248, 258, 268) using a single user interface. Viewed from another perspective, contingency and area specific alerts can be triggered from the GUI (220) using only point and click action.

Abstract: Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals.