Alert notification system

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 information. 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 authorized 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for providing a message to a plurality of locations on a geographic basis, comprising:
 a database storing a plurality of communications identifiers registered for persons using the system, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of: 
 i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone, 
 ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and 
 iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer, 
 wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact, 
 a computer system responding to a command identifying a message to be provided to persons, by retrieving from said database, communications identifiers of said persons, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said message via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein said computer system maintains a history record relating to an attempt to contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein said database includes census information for persons using the system, the computer system utilizing the census information for persons using the system to customize the message provided to those persons. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein said communications identifiers are associated with geographic locations, and said system is located in a geographic location distant from at least some of the geographic locations identified within said database. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein said computer system comprises a host computer storing said database, and a host-controlled telephone switch for receiving telephone identifiers and audio messages from said host computer for delivery to said telephone identifiers. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephonic communications system. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7  wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  wherein said computer system further comprises a threat identification system for receiving threat information, said threat identification system evaluating said threat information to identify a geographic area subject to a threat and in response generate said command identifying said geographic area and a warning related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14  wherein said threat identification system identifies weather threats applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15  wherein said threat identification system comprises an communications connection to a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16  wherein said communications connection is an Internet connection, said threat identification system receiving text information describing weather conditions and comprising a parser for parsing said text information to identify weather threats and geographic areas to which said threats apply. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1  wherein said warning signal identifies a weather threat applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18  wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19  wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19  wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 19  wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       23. A system for providing an announcement to a plurality of persons, comprising:
 a database storing a plurality of communications identifiers for persons to receive announcements, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of: 
 i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone, 
 ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and 
 iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer, 
 wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact, 
 a computer system responding to a command identifying an announcement to be provided to persons, by retrieving from said database, communications identifiers of said persons, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said announcement via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers. 
 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 23  wherein said computer system maintains a history record relating to an attempt to contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 23  wherein said database includes census information for persons using the system, the computer system utilizing the census information for persons using the system to customize the announcement provided to those persons. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 23  wherein said system is located in a geographic location distant from at least some of the persons identified within said database. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 23  wherein said computer system comprises a host computer storing said database, and a host-controlled telephone switch for receiving telephone identifiers and audio messages from said host computer for delivery to said persons. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 23  wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephonic communications system. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 28  wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 29  wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 30  wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 23  wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 32  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 23  wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 34  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 23  wherein said computer system further comprises an atmospheric threat identification system for receiving atmospheric threat information, said threat identification system evaluating said atmospheric threat information to identify persons subject to an atmospheric threat and in response generate said command identifying said announcement related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 36  wherein said threat identification system identifies weather threats. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 37  wherein said threat identification system comprises an communications connection to a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 38  wherein said communications connection is an Internet connection, said threat identification system receiving text information describing weather conditions and comprising a parser for parsing said text information to identify weather threats. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 23  wherein said announcement identifies a weather threat applicable to persons receiving the message. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 40  wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 41  wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 41  wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 41  wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       45. A system for providing announcements to a plurality of persons, comprising:
 a database storing a plurality of communications identifiers, and associating each communications identifier with data useful for determining whether particular information is to be communicated to said communications identifier, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of: 
 i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone, 
 ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and 
 iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer, 
 wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact, 
 a computer system responding to a command identifying an announcement to be announced to interested persons, by retrieving from said database, communications identifiers associated with persons to whom said announcement is to be communicated, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said announcement via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers. 
 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 45  wherein said computer system maintains a history record relating to an attempt to contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 45  wherein said database includes census information for persons using the system, the computer system utilizing the census information for persons using the system to customize the message provided to those persons. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 45  wherein said system is located in a geographic location distant from at least some of the locations reached by the communications identifiers identified within said database. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 45  wherein said computer system comprises a host computer storing said database, and a host-controlled telephone switch for receiving telephone identifiers and audio messages from said host computer for delivery to said telephone numbers. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 45  wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephonic communications system. 
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 50  wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 51  wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 52  wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 45  wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 54  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 45  wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 56  wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 45  wherein said computer system further comprises an atmospheric threat identification system for receiving atmospheric threat information, said threat identification system evaluating said atmospheric threat information to identify communications identifiers for locations subject to an atmospheric threat and in response generate said command identifying said announcement related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       59. The system of  claim 58  wherein said threat identification system identifies weather threats. 
     
     
       60. The system of  claim 59  wherein said threat identification system comprises an communications connection to a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       61. The system of  claim 60  wherein said communications connection is an Internet connection, said threat identification system receiving text information describing weather conditions and comprising a parser for parsing said text information to identify weather threats. 
     
     
       62. The system of  claim 45  wherein said atmospheric announcement identifies a weather threat applicable to persons receiving the message. 
     
     
       63. The system of  claim 62  wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       64. The system of  claim 63  wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       65. The system of  claim 63  wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       66. The system of  claim 63  wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       67. The system of  claim 45  wherein said announcement identifies unavailability of a public service at a particular time. 
     
     
       68. The system of  claim 67  wherein said announcement identifies a school closing. 
     
     
       69. The system of  claim 45  wherein said announcement identifies a traffic condition. 
     
     
       70. The system of  claim 45  wherein said announcement identifies an unscheduled closing of a public place. 
     
     
       71. The system of  claim 45  wherein said announcement identifies a change in a regularly scheduled activity. 
     
     
       72. The system of  claim 71  wherein said regularly scheduled activity is the movements of a public transportation system. 
     
     
       73. The system of  claim 71  wherein said regularly scheduled activity is the hours of business of a place of public accommodation. 
     
     
       74. A method for providing a message to a plurality of locations on a geographic basis, comprising:
 storing a plurality of communications identifiers registered for persons, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of:   i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone,   ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and   iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer,   wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact,   responding to a command identifying a message to be provided to persons, by retrieving communications identifiers of said persons, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said message via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers.   
     
     
       75. The method of claim 74 further comprising maintaining a history record relating to an attempt to contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 74 further comprising utilizing census information for persons to customize the message provided to those persons. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 74 wherein said communications identifiers are associated with geographic locations, the method being performed at a geographic location distant from at least some of the geographic locations identified within said database. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 74 performed by a host computer delivering receiving telephone identifiers and audio messages to a host-controlled telephone switch for delivery to said telephone identifiers. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 74 wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephone communications system. 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 79 wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       81. The method of claim 80 wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       82. The method of claim 81 wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       83. The method of claim 74 wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       84. The method of claim 83 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       85. The method of claim 74 wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       86. The method of claim 85 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       87. The method of claim 74 further comprising receiving threat information, evaluating said threat information to identify a geographic area subject to a threat and in response generating a command identifying said geographic area and a warning related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       88. The method of claim 74 wherein said threat is a weather threat applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       89. The method of claim 88 wherein said threat information is received from a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       90. The method of claim 89 wherein said threat information is received via an Internet connection, and includes text information describing weather conditions, further comprising parsing said text information to identify weather threats and geographic areas to which said threats apply. 
     
     
       91. The method of claim 74 wherein said warning signal identifies a weather threat applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       92. The method of claim 91 wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       93. The method of claim 92 wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       94. The method of claim 92 wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       95. The method of claim 92 wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       96. A method for providing an announcement to a plurality of persons, comprising:
 storing a plurality of communications identifiers for persons to receive announcements, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of:   i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone,   ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and   iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer,   wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact,   responding to a command identifying an announcement to be provided to persons, by retrieving from said database, communications identifiers of said persons, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said announcement via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers.   
     
     
       97. The method of claim 96 further comprising maintaining a history record relating to an attempt in contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       98. The method of claim 96 utilizing census information for persons to customize the announcement provided to those persons. 
     
     
       99. The method of claim 96 wherein said method is performed at a geographic location distant from at least some of the persons identified. 
     
     
       100. The method of claim 96 performed by a host computer delivering telephone identifiers and audio messages to a host-controlled telephone switch for delivery. 
     
     
       101. The method of claim 96 wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephonic communications method. 
     
     
       102. The method of claim 101 wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       103. The method of claim 102 wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       104. The method of claim 103 wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       105. The method of claim 96 wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       106. The method of claim 105 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       107. The method of claim 96 wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       108. The method of claim 107 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       109. The method of claim 96 further comprising receiving an atmospheric threat identification, evaluating said atmospheric threat information to identify persons subject to an atmospheric threat and in response generating said command identifying said announcement related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       110. The method of claim 109 wherein said threat identification method identifies weather threats. 
     
     
       111. The method of claim 110 wherein said threat identification is received from a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       112. The method of claim 111 wherein said threat information is received via an Internet connection, and includes text information describing weather conditions, further comprising parsing said text information to identify weather threats. 
     
     
       113. The method of claim 96 wherein said announcement identifies a weather threat applicable to persons receiving the message. 
     
     
       114. The method of claim 113 wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       115. The method of claim 114 wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       116. The method of claim 114 wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       117. The method of claim 114 wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       118. A method for providing announcements to a plurality of persons, comprising:
 storing a plurality of communications identifiers, and associating each communications identifier with data useful for determining whether particular information is to be communicated to said communications identifier, the communications identifiers relating to modes of contact selected from the group consisting of:   i. voice or facsimile communication via a fixed or mobile telephone,   ii. computer network messaging via electronic mail or Internet protocol messaging, and   iii. voice or text messaging via a pager, personal digital assistant, laptop or palmtop computer,   wherein at least one person is registered to communications identifiers representing two different modes of contact,   responding to a command identifying an announcement to be announced to interested persons, by retrieving from said database, communications identifiers associated with persons to whom said announcement is to be communicated, establishing a communications connection using each retrieved communication identifier and delivering said announcement via said communications connection, wherein at least one person is contacted regarding said message via multiple communication identifiers.   
     
     
       119. The method of claim 118 wherein said computer method maintains a history record relating to an attempt to contact a person via a communication identifier, the history record indicating the results of the attempt. 
     
     
       120. The method of claim 118 utilizing census information for persons to customize the message provided to those persons. 
     
     
       121. The method of claim 118 wherein said method is performed at a geographic location distant from at least some of the locations reached by the communications identifiers. 
     
     
       122. The method of claim 118 performed by a host computer delivering telephone identifiers and audio messages to a host-controlled telephone switch for delivery. 
     
     
       123. The method of claim 118 wherein said communications identifiers are identifiers for use with a publicly switched telephonic communications method. 
     
     
       124. The method of claim 123 wherein said communications identifiers are telephone numbers. 
     
     
       125. The method of claim 124 wherein said telephone numbers comprise an area code, exchange number and telephone number. 
     
     
       126. The method of claim 125 wherein said telephone numbers further comprise a country code. 
     
     
       127. The method of claim 118 wherein said communications identifiers are electronic mail addresses for use with a computer network. 
     
     
       128. The method of claim 127 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       129. The method of claim 118 wherein said communications identifiers are Internet protocol addresses for use with an Internet protocol computer network. 
     
     
       130. The method of claim 129 wherein said computer network is the Internet. 
     
     
       131. The method of claim 118 further comprising receiving atmospheric threat information, evaluating said atmospheric threat information to identify communications identifiers for locations subject to an atmospheric threat and in response generating said command identifying said announcement related to the identified threat. 
     
     
       132. The method of claim 131 wherein said threat identification method identifies weather threats. 
     
     
       133. The method of claim 132 wherein said threat identification is received from a National Weather Service information service. 
     
     
       134. The method of claim 133 wherein said threat information is received via an Internet connection, and includes text information describing weather conditions, further comprising parsing said text information to identify weather threats. 
     
     
       135. The method of claim 118 wherein said atmospheric announcement identifies a weather threat applicable to persons receiving the message. 
     
     
       136. The method of claim 135 wherein said warning signal warns of hazardous atmospheric conditions applicable to said geographic area. 
     
     
       137. The method of claim 136 wherein said warning signal warns of poor air quality in said geographic area. 
     
     
       138. The method of claim 136 wherein said warning signal warns of a toxic release in said geographic area. 
     
     
       139. The method of claim 136 wherein said warning signal warns of harmful radiation in said geographic area. 
     
     
       140. The method of claim 118 wherein said announcement identifies unavailability of a public service at a particular time. 
     
     
       141. The method of claim 140 wherein said announcement identifies a school closing. 
     
     
       142. The method of claim 118 wherein said announcement identifies a traffic condition. 
     
     
       143. The method of claim 118 wherein said announcement identifies an unscheduled closing of a public place. 
     
     
       144. The method of claim 118 wherein said announcement identifies a change in a regularly scheduled activity. 
     
     
       145. The method of claim 144 wherein said regularly scheduled activity is the movements of a public transportation method. 
     
     
       146. The method of claim 144 wherein said regularly scheduled activity is the hours of business of a place of public accommodation.