Bio-threat alert system

Abstract

In a bio-threat alert infrastructure system and method, an analyzing processor applies statistical algorithms to the collected quantitative data to precisely estimate event data, including time and position data, associated the development of a bio-threat. An encoding processor encodes the event data into a bio-threat alert signal. A transmitting element transmits the signal for reception by a bio-threat alert device. In the bio-threat alert device, and an associated method, a receiving element receives the signal. A decoding processor decodes the signal into the event data. A presentation element presents the event data to a user of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bio-threat alert device, for use with a bio-threat alert signal, the device comprising:
 (a) a receiving element operatively receiving the alert signal;   (b) a decoding processor to decode the alert signal into event data, wherein the event data comprises time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat; and   (c) a presentation element operatively presenting at least a portion of the event data to a user of the device.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a location element operative to identify a location of the device, and wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element comprises (a) a display element to visually present, and/or (b) an audio element for audible presentation of, the portion of the event data to the user. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one said event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: (a) a biological or environmental test reader element operative to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting element to remotely transmit a result of said test. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving element, the decoding processor, and the presentation element of the device are together embodied within: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (l) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving element is adapted to operatively receive, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices. 
     
     
         14 . A bio-threat alerting method, for use with a bio-threat alert signal, of alerting a user of a bio-threat alert device, the method comprising:
 (a) a receiving step of using the device to receive the alert signal;   (b) a decoding step of using a decoding processor, onboard the device, to decode the alert signal into event data, wherein the event data comprises time data and position data associated with an event in the development of a bio-threat; and   (c) a presentation step of using a presentation element onboard the device to present at least a portion of the event data to the user.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or position data of at least one said event which (a) occurred at a then previous time at or after a beginning of the bio-threat, (b) is occurring substantially in a then present time, and/or (c) is predicted to occur at a then future time. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a locating step, before the presentation step, of using the device to identify a location of the device, and wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data of at least one said event which has occurred, is occurring, and/or is predicted to occur substantially local and/or regional to the device. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event which is personalized to the device and/or to the user based on personal data associated with the device and/or with the user. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element visually presents the portion of the event data (a) textually, (b) graphically, and/or (c) using one or more colored indicator lights. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element visually and/or audibly presents the portion of the event data to the user. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the position data of at least one said event (a) descriptively using place names, (b) numerically using a co-ordinate system, and/or (c) graphically using a map and/or drawing. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of at least one said event on a local, regional, national, international and/or worldwide scale. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of: (a) a progression of the bio-threat towards and/or through a location; (b) a rate of expansion and/or propagation of the bio-threat; (c) an evolution and/or mutation of one or more strains of the bio-threat; (d) an efficacy of one or more bio-markers in identifying the bio-threat; and/or (e) one or more intensities of bio-threat infection and/or a most infected area. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the presentation step, the presentation element operatively presents the time data and/or the position data of an efficacy of one or more treatments for the bio-threat, and/or a resistance of the bio-threat to said one or more treatments. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising (a) a biological or environmental test step of using the device to test for presence of the bio-threat in a biological or environmental test sample; and (b) a transmitting step of using the device to remotely transmit a result of said test. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the receiving step, the decoding step, and the presentation step are together performed using: (a) a biological or environmental test reader device; (b) a disposable, consumable and/or reusable biological or environmental test device; (c) an integrated cell phone and biological or environmental test reader device; (d) a cellular telephone; (e) a mobile communications device; (f) a personal digital assistant; (g) a desktop computer; (h) a laptop computer; (i) a navigation device; (j) a digital audio player; (k) a camera; (l) a gaming device; (m) a television; and/or (n) a radio. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein in the receiving step, the device operatively receives, via a wireless communication network, the alert signal from one or more peer devices.