Abstract:
In one embodiment, an emergency radio includes a processor in data communication with a radio receiver, electronic memory, an input device, an output device, and electronic instructions. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, perform steps for: (a) automatically obtaining a SAME code and at least one initial frequency setting for a given location; (b) sampling each of the at least one initial frequency settings using the radio receiver and disregarding any initial frequency setting that fails to meet predetermined criteria, whereby any remaining initial frequency setting is a potential frequency setting; (c) identifying a selected frequency setting from all of the potential frequency settings; (d) storing the SAME code and the selected frequency setting in the electronic memory; and (e) causing all alert data associated with the SAME code and the selected frequency setting to be output.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a continued increase in the severity of weather-related impacts. See http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/faqs.html. For example, a growing population and trends such as urban sprawl and conversion of rural land to suburban landscapes increase the likelihood a tornado will impact densely populated areas. Id. And enhanced overlap in the U.S. economy means that a single weather event can have a significant effect on several industries. Id. 
         [0002]    When properly used, emergency radios (or “weather radios”) have proven to be effective in warning of emergency situations. However, the initial programming of emergency radios can be difficult. Typically, a 6-digit NWR Specific Area Message Encoding county code (generally referred to as “SAME county code” or “SAME county number”, and sometimes referred to herein simply as “SAME code”) associated with a desired (or “primary”) location (typically a county) is identified from a table and input into an emergency radio&#39;s memory. Then, the user must input a frequency or channel associated with that SAME code that has a clear transmission to the radio. The radio will become linked to one transmitter associated with the primary location, and updates from that transmitter for the chosen county will be received and presented. Moreover, a user may often be interested in the weather from nearby locations as well, and can typically choose to input additional SAME county codes into the emergency radio&#39;s memory. If the additional locations are also associated with the linked transmitter, updates for the additional locations may similarly be received and emitted. If the additional locations are not associated with the linked transmitter, no updates for those locations will be received; radios only become linked with one transmitter. Thus, a false sense of security may result if a user believes that he is monitoring weather in a nearby county but actually is not. 
         [0003]    The current invention relates to devices that warn of emergency situations, such as those caused by weather events. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, an emergency radio includes a radio receiver, electronic memory, an input device, an output device, a processor, and electronic instructions. The processor is in data communication with the radio receiver, the electronic memory, the input device, and the output device. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, perform steps for: (a) automatically obtaining a SAME code and at least one initial frequency setting for a given location; (b) sampling each of the at least one initial frequency settings using the radio receiver and disregarding any initial frequency setting that fails to meet predetermined criteria, whereby any remaining initial frequency setting is a potential frequency setting; (c) identifying a selected frequency setting from all of the potential frequency settings; (d) storing the SAME code and the selected frequency setting in the electronic memory; and (e) causing all alert data associated with the SAME code and the selected frequency setting to be output. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, an emergency radio includes a radio receiver, electronic memory, an input device, an output device, a processor, and electronic instructions. The processor is in data communication with the radio receiver, the electronic memory, the input device, and the output device. The electronic instructions, when executed by the processor, perform steps for: (a) automatically obtaining a SAME code and at least one initial frequency setting for a given location; (b) identifying one of the initial frequency settings as a selected frequency setting; (c) storing the SAME code and the selected frequency setting in the electronic memory; and (d) causing all alert data associated with the SAME code and the selected frequency setting to be output. No SAME code is provided through the input device. 
         [0007]    In still another embodiment, a module for use in an emergency radio includes instructions stored in electronic memory. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions perform steps for: (a) automatically obtaining from electronic memory a SAME code and at least one initial frequency setting for a given location; (b) identifying one of the initial frequency settings as a selected frequency setting; (c) storing the SAME code and the selected frequency setting in electronic memory; and (d) causing all alert data associated with the SAME code and the selected frequency setting to be output. The given location is selected through at least one of: a user input device, a GPS device, and a near field communication device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing components of an emergency radio according to one embodiment of the current invention, in use. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2 through 6  are a flow chart showing an exemplary set of steps performed by the emergency radio of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a tabulation of SAME county codes for certain exemplary counties and the transmitters associated therewith. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing components of an emergency radio according to another embodiment of the current invention, in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Emergency radios and methods of programming and operating such emergency radios are set forth herein.  FIG. 1  shows a schematic overview of an emergency radio  1000  according to an embodiment of the current invention. In broad terms, the emergency radio  1000  includes a processor  1100  in data communication with electronic memory  1200 , a radio receiver  1300 , an input device  1400 , a GPS device  1500 , a speaker  1600 , and a display  1700 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various elements discussed herein may be separated into multiple elements or portions, or may alternately be combined into fewer elements and portions. For example, the processor  1100  may in use be either one processor or multiple processors in communication with one another, or the speaker  1600  may in use be either one speaker or multiple speakers in communication with the processor  1100 . Or the input device  1400  and the display  1700  may either be separate devices (for example, the input device  1400  may be a button or keypad, while the display  1700  may be a display) or combined into a single device (e.g., a touchscreen). Such integration and separation is insignificant unless otherwise set forth herein or as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0013]    The electronic memory  1200  may include volatile and nonvolatile memory, and any appropriate data storage devices whether now existing or later developed may be used (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, et cetera). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic memory  1200  may store a software file (or “program”)  1210  and a database  1250 , which may be any electronic file or combination of electronic files in which data is stored for use by the processor  1100 . Among other data, the database  1250  may include a hierarchy of locations (e.g., countries, states, counties), GPS mapping data, SAME county codes, and transmitter frequencies associated with each SAME code. The program  1210  and the database  1250  are each discussed in further detail below. Further, while the country/state/county hierarchy of locations is generally used herein for illustration, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other categories could instead (or additionally) be used, such as city, parish, province, or region. 
         [0014]    The radio receiver  1300  may be configured to receive, amplify, and demodulate radio waves from a respective radio transmitter  10  at radio frequencies used for emergency broadcasts (e.g., from 161.650 MHz to 163.275 MHz), and to provide the appropriate demodulated radio waves to the processor  1100  and/or to the speaker  1600 . Any such radio receiver  1300 , whether now known or later developed, may be used, and some of the functionality of the radio receiver  1300  may be performed by the processor  1100 . 
         [0015]    The input device  1400  is in data communication with the processor  1100  for providing data from the user to the processor  1100 . The GPS device  1500 , when utilized, communicates position data (typically latitude and longitude) directly to the processor  1100 . The speaker  1600  and the display  1700  are in data communication with the processor  1100  for providing data from the processor  1100  to the user. The input device  1400  may be, for example, one or more buttons, knobs, microphones, et cetera. The display  1700  may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, a LED display, et cetera. 
         [0016]    Focus is now directed to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , which illustrate various steps that the program  1210  causes the processor  1100  to undertake. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various steps shown and described can occur in different orders, and that some steps may be omitted or combined. Further, steps such as selecting language and setting a clock may of course be incorporated in the setup process; the discussed steps do not foreclose additional steps. 
         [0017]    At step S 102 , shown at  FIG. 2 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request a selection of “single-location” mode, “multi-location” mode, or “any” mode. At step S 104 , the processor  1100  determines if single-location mode has been selected (through the input device  1400 ), at step S 124  the processor  1100  determines if multi-location mode has been selected (through the input device  1400 ), and at step S 144  the processor  1100  determines if any mode has been selected (through the input device  1400 ). The process continues to loop through steps S 104 , S 124 , S 144  until a selection is received. If the processor  1100  determines at step S 104  that single-location mode has been selected, the process moves to step S 106 ; if the processor  1100  determines at step S 124  that multi-location mode has been selected, the process moves to step S 126 ; and if the processor  1100  determines at step S 144  that any mode has been selected, the process moves to step S 146 . 
         [0018]    At step S 106 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request setup type. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 108  that automatic setup has been selected (through the input device  1400 ), the process moves to step S 202  which is described in additional detail below. If the processor  1100  instead determines at step S 108  that automatic setup has not been selected, the process continues to step S 110 . 
         [0019]    At step S 110 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request country selection. The process then continues to step S 112 , where the processor  1100  determines whether a country selection has been received (from the input device  1400 ). If no country selection has been received, the processor  1100  again causes the display  1700  to request country selection at step S 110 . This continues until the processor  1100  determines that a country selection has been made at step S 112 . From step S 112 , the process continues to step S 114 . 
         [0020]    At step S 114 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request state selection. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 116  that a state selection has been made (through the input device  1400 ), the process continues to step S 302  ( FIG. 4 ). If no selection has been received, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request state selection at step S 114 ; this continues until the processor  1100  receives a state selection at step S 116 . 
         [0021]    At step S 302  ( FIG. 4 ), the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request county selection. If the processor  1100  determines at step S 304  that a county selection has been made, the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  to obtain a SAME county code and associated frequencies at step S 306 ; the process then continues to step S 308 . If no county selection has been received at step S 304 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request county selection at step S 302 . 
         [0022]    At step S 308 , the processor  1100  uses the receiver  1300  and scans the frequencies associated with the SAME county code for a signal meeting predetermined criteria (e.g., at least a minimum strength or a strongest signal). The processor  1100  then determines whether a sufficient signal has been found (step S 310 ). If a sufficient signal has not been found, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message at step S 312 . The process may then end at step S 312 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 308 ). If a sufficient signal has been found, the process moves from step S 310  to step S 314 , where the processor  1100  communicates the signal data (e.g., the SAME county code and the signal frequency) to the electronic memory  1200  for storage. The process then continues to step S 316 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  includes a dashed line between steps S 314 , S 316  to distinguish generally between setting up the emergency radio  1000  and later operational use of the emergency radio  1000 . At step S 316 , the processor  1100  determines whether valid alert data is received (via the receiver  1300 ). If so, the processor  1100  causes the speaker  1600  and the display  1700  to output the alert data, as shown in step S 318 . The process may then typically return to step S 316  from step S 318 . If valid alert data is not received at step S 316 , the processor continues to step S 320  where it determines if the receiver  1300  has failed to receive a valid data signal  10  for a pre-determined amount of time, such as ten days. If so, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message (step S 322 ). The process may then end at step S 322 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 316 ). If the processor  1100  does not determine an error condition at step S 320 , the process returns to step S 316 . In addition to failing to receive a valid data signal  10  for a predetermined amount of time, an error condition may also include such things as determining the strength of the signal  10  is below a certain threshold, or determining that a battery powering the processor  1100  is low on power. 
         [0024]    Returning now to step S 124  at  FIG. 2 , if multi-location mode has been selected, the process continues to step S 126  where the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request setup type. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 128  that automatic setup has been selected (through the input device  1400 ), the process moves to step S 202 ′ which is described in additional detail below. If the processor  1100  instead determines at step S 128  that automatic setup has not been selected, the process continues to step S 130 . 
         [0025]    At step S 130 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request country selection. The process then continues to step S 132 , where the processor  1100  determines whether a country selection has been received (from the input device  1400 ). If no country selection has been received, the processor  1100  again causes the display  1700  to request country selection at step S 130 . This continues until the processor  1100  determines that a country selection has been made at step S 132 . From step S 132 , the process continues to step S 134 . 
         [0026]    At step S 134 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request state selection. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 136  that a state selection has been made (through the input device  1400 ), the process continues to step S 402  ( FIG. 5 ). If no selection has been received, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request state selection at step S 134 ; this continues until the processor  1100  receives a state selection at step S 136 . 
         [0027]    At step S 402  ( FIG. 5 ), the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request county selection. If the processor  1100  determines at step S 404  that a county selection has been made, the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  to obtain a SAME county code and associated frequencies at step S 406 ; the process then continues to step S 408 . If no county selection has been received at step S 404 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request county selection at step S 402 . 
         [0028]    At step S 408 , the processor  1100  uses the receiver  1300  and scans the frequencies associated with the SAME county code for a signal meeting predetermined criteria (e.g., at least a minimum strength or a strongest signal). The processor  1100  then determines whether a sufficient signal has been found (step S 410 ). If a sufficient signal has not been found, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message at step S 412 . The process may then end at step S 412 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 408 ). If at least one sufficient signal has been found, the process continues from step S 410  to step S 414 . 
         [0029]    At step S 414 , the processor  1100  determines whether more than one sufficient signal  10  has been found. If only one signal  10  has been found, the process moves to step S 420 . If more than one signal has been found, the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  at step S 416  and causes the display  1700  to output a listing of transmitters with their associated counties and a request for transmitter selection. Once the processor  1100  determines at step S 418  that a transmitter selection has been received, the process moves to step S 420 ; otherwise, the process returns to step S 416 . 
         [0030]    At step S 420 , the processor  1100  directs the electronic memory  1200  to store the channel and selected county. The process then continues to step S 422 . 
         [0031]    At step S 422 , the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  and causes the display  1700  to output a listing of counties associated with the stored channel and request another county selection. Once the processor  1100  determines at step S 424  that another county selection has been made, the process moves to step S 426  where the processor  1100  communicates the additional county selection to the electronic memory  1200  for storage; otherwise, the process returns to step S 422 . The process continues from step S 426  to step S 428 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  includes a dashed line between steps S 426 , S 428  to distinguish generally between setting up the emergency radio  1000  and later operational use of the emergency radio  1000 . At step S 428 , the processor  1100  determines whether valid alert data is received (via the receiver  1300 ). If so, the processor  1100  causes the speaker  1600  and the display  1700  to output the alert data, as shown in step S 430 . The process may then typically return to step S 428  from step S 430 . If valid alert data is not received at step S 428 , the processor continues to step S 432  where it determines if the receiver  1300  has failed to receive a valid data signal  10  for a pre-determined amount of time, such as ten days. If so, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message (step S 434 ). The process may then end at step S 434 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 428 ). If the processor  1100  does not determine an error condition at step S 432 , the process returns to step S 428 . In addition to failing to receive a valid data signal  10  for a predetermined amount of time, an error condition may also include such things as determining the strength of the signal  10  is below a certain threshold, or determining the battery powering the processor  1100  is low on power. 
         [0033]    Returning once again to  FIG. 2 , if the processor  1100  determines at step S 144  that “any” mode (i.e., that the user wants as many alerts as possible) has been selected, the process continues to step S 146  where the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request setup type. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 148  that automatic setup has been selected (through the input device  1400 ), the process moves to step S 202 ″ which is described in additional detail below. If the processor  1100  instead determines at step S 148  that automatic setup has not been selected, the process continues to step S 150 . 
         [0034]    At step S 150 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request country selection. The process then continues to step S 152 , where the processor  1100  determines whether a country selection has been received (from the input device  1400 ). If no country selection has been received, the processor  1100  again causes the display  1700  to request country selection at step S 150 . This continues until the processor  1100  determines that a country selection has been made at step S 152 . From step S 152 , the process continues to step S 154 . 
         [0035]    At step S 154 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request state selection. If the processor  1100  then determines at step S 156  that a state selection has been made (through the input device  1400 ), the process continues to step S 502  ( FIG. 6 ). If no selection has been received, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request state selection at step S 154 ; this continues until the processor  1100  receives a state selection at step S 156 . 
         [0036]    At step S 502  ( FIG. 6 ), the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to request county selection. If the processor  1100  determines at step S 504  that a county selection has been made, the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  to obtain frequencies associated with the county at step S 506 ; the process then continues to step S 508 . If no county selection has been received at step S 504 , the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to re-request county selection at step S 502 . 
         [0037]    At step S 508 , the processor  1100  uses the receiver  1300  and scans various frequencies for a signal meeting predetermined criteria (e.g., at least a minimum strength or a strongest signal). The processor  1100  then determines whether a sufficient signal has been found (step S 510 ). If a sufficient signal has not been found, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message at step S 512 . The process may then end at step S 512 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 508 ). If at least one sufficient signal has been found, the process continues from step S 510  to step S 514 . 
         [0038]    At step S 514 , the processor  1100  determines whether more than one sufficient signal  10  has been found. If only one signal  10  has been found, the process moves to step S 520 . If more than one signal has been found, the processor  1100  queries the database  1250  at step S 516  and causes the display  1700  to output a listing of transmitters with their associated counties and a request for transmitter selection. Once the processor  1100  determines at step S 518  that a transmitter selection has been received, the process moves to step S 520 ; otherwise, the process returns to step S 516 . 
         [0039]    At step S 520 , the processor  1100  directs the electronic memory  1200  to store the channel. The process then continues to step S 522 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  includes a dashed line between steps S 520 , S 522  to distinguish generally between setting up the emergency radio  1000  and later operational use of the emergency radio  1000 . At step S 522 , the processor  1100  determines whether valid alert data is received (via the receiver  1300 ). If so, the processor  1100  causes the speaker  1600  and the display  1700  to output the alert data, as shown in step S 524 . The process may then typically return to step S 522  from step S 524 . If valid alert data is not received at step S 522 , the processor continues to step S 526  where it determines if the receiver  1300  has failed to receive a valid data signal  10  for a pre-determined amount of time, such as ten days. If so, the processor  1100  causes the display  1700  to output an error message (step S 528 ). The process may then end at step S 528 , or may return to a prior step (e.g., step S 522 ). If the processor  1100  does not determine an error condition at step S 526 , the process returns to step S 522 . In addition to failing to receive a valid data signal  10  for a predetermined amount of time, an error condition may also include such things as determining the strength of the signal  10  is below a certain threshold, or determining the battery powering the processor  1100  is low on power. 
         [0041]    Attention is now directed back to  FIG. 2 , and specifically to steps S 108 , S 128 , S 148  in the “single-location”, “multi-location”, and “any” modes, respectively. If the processor  1100  determines that automatic setup was selected in either step S 108 , S 128 , or S 148 , the steps described above are altered as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   c . Because the alternate steps in the three modes may generally correspond to one another, they are discussed concurrently herein. 
         [0042]    Once automatic setup is detected at either step S 108 , step S 128 , or step  148 , the processor  1100  references position data (typically latitude and longitude) directly from the GPS device  1500  (S 202 , S 202 ′, S 202 ″) and queries the database  1250  to obtain country, state, and county data using the position data (S 204 , S 204 ′, S 204 ″). The processor  1100  then causes the display  1700  to request confirmation of country, state, and county data (S 206 , S 206 ′, S 206 ″). The process proceeds to enter a loop (S 208 , S 210 , S 206 ; S 208 ′, S 210 ′, S 206 ′; S 208 ″, S 210 ″, S 206 ″) to determine if responsive input has been received, and if so, how to continue. If the processor  1100  determines that confirmation has not been received (at steps S 208 , S 208 ′, S 208 ″), and that confirmation has instead been denied (at steps S 210 , S 210 ′, S 210 ″), the process returns to step S 110  in  FIG. 2  for the single-location mode, to step S 130  in  FIG. 2  for the multi-location mode, and to step S 150  in  FIG. 2  for the any mode, and continues as discussed above (as if automatic setup had not been selected at step S 108 , S 128 , S 148 ). If the processor  1100  instead determines that confirmation has been received, the process moves to step S 306  ( FIG. 4 ) for the single-location mode, to step S 406  ( FIG. 5 ) for the multi-location mode, and to step S 506  ( FIG. 6 ) for the any mode. 
         [0043]    Exemplary operation of the emergency radio  1000  in the single-location mode, the multi-location mode, and the any mode is now set forth with additional reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  includes a spreadsheet outlining frequencies (Column D) associated with particular radio transmission locations (Column C) in certain counties (Column A) in the State of Kansas of the United States, and the SAME codes (Column B) for these counties. To facilitate discussion of the three modes, it may be helpful to identify certain rows, columns, and discrete cells of the spreadsheet of  FIG. 7 . The discrete cells will be referred to herein by their Column number and Row number. For example, Row 9 outlines that Douglas County (Cell A9) has a SAME code of 20045 (Cell B9), and that the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) associated with Douglas County transmits at a frequency of 162.425 MHz (Cell D9). People of skill in the art will appreciate that  FIG. 7  provides only an exemplary grouping, and that a particular state may include any number of counties, each being associated with any number of transmitters. 
         [0044]    Assume now, for example, that a user of the emergency radio  1000  desires to receive alert data from Douglas County, Kansas. The user may select the single-location mode (step S 104 ), and if the user does not opt for automatic setup (at step S 106 ), the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request country selection (step S 110 ) from the user. The user may select the United States via the input device  1400 , and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request state selection (step S 114 ) from the user. The user may use the input device  1400  to select the State of Kansas, and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request county selection (step S 302 ) from the user. The user may select Douglas County. 
         [0045]    The processor  1100  may then query the database  1250  to obtain the SAME code for Douglas County and the transmitter frequencies associated therewith (step S 306 ). For example, the processor  1100  may query the database  1250  and obtain the SAME code 20045 (Cells B9, B10, and B11) for Douglas County, and the frequencies 162.425 MHz (Cell D9 of the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9)), 162.55 MHz (Cell D10, associated with the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel at Cell C10), and 162.475 MHz (Cell D11, associated with the Topeka radio transmission channel at Cell C11) associated with the SAME code 20045. The processor  1100  may use the receiver  1300  to scan the signal at each of these frequencies (step S 308 ) to determine whether a signal meets predetermined criteria (e.g., meets a minimum requirement or is the strongest signal). For purposes of this illustration, we shall assume that the signal being transmitted at 162.55 MHz from the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (Cell C10) is stronger at the reception location than the signals being transmitted by the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) and the Topeka radio transmission channel (Cell C11). If the processor  1100  determines that the signal being transmitted at 162.55 MHz from the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (Cell C10) is of sufficient strength (step S 310 ), it may store its settings (e.g., SAME code 20045 and frequency 162.55 MHz) in electronic memory  1200  (step S 314 ). Then, if valid alert data is received via the receiver  1300  for the SAME code 20045 at the 162.55 MHz frequency (step S 316 ), the processor  1100  may cause the speaker  1600  and/or the display  1700  to output this alert data (step S 318 ). If, conversely, valid alert data is not received for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., ten days), the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  (and/or the speaker  1600 ) to output an error message (step S 322 ). 
         [0046]    Assume now that the user selects the multi-location mode (step S 124 ) instead of the single-location mode, and does not opt for automatic setup (step S 128 ). The processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request country selection (step S 130 ) from the user. The user may select the United States via the input device  1400 , and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request state selection (step S 134 ) from the user. The user may use the input device  1400  to select the State of Kansas, and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request county selection (step S 402 ) from the user. The user may select Douglas County. 
         [0047]    The processor  1100  may then query the database  1250  to obtain the SAME code for Douglas County and the transmitter frequencies associated therewith (step S 406 ). For example, the processor  1100  may query the database  1250  and obtain the SAME code 20045 (Cells B9, B10, and B11) for Douglas County, and the frequencies 162.425 MHz (Cell D9, associated with the Halls Summit radio transmission channel Cell C9), 162.55 MHz (Cell D10, associated with the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel Cell C10), and 162.475 MHz (Cell D11, associated with the Topeka radio transmission channel Cell C11) associated with the SAME code 20045. The processor  1100  may use the receiver  1300  to scan the signal at each of these frequencies (step S 408 ) to determine whether one or more signals meet predetermined criteria. For this example, we shall assume that the processor  1100  determines that the signals being transmitted by the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) at 162.425 MHz (Cell D9), and the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (Cell C10) at 162.55 MHz (Cell D10) are of sufficient strength when received. The processor  1100  may query the database  1250  and output on the display  1700  these transmission channels and any additional counties associated with these transmission channels. For example, the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to output that the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (Cell C10) transmitting at a frequency of 162.55 MHz (Cell D10) is also associated with Johnson County (Row 15), Miami County (Row 18) and Wyandotte County (Row 22), and that the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) transmitting at a frequency of 162.425 MHz is further associated with Allen County (Row 2), Anderson County (Row 4), and Woodson County (Row 21). 
         [0048]    Assume now that the user selects the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel. The processor  1100  may cause the settings for this transmission channel (e.g., SAME code 20045 and frequency 162.55 MHz) to be stored in electronic memory (step S 420 ). Then, the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to output a listing of other counties associated with the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (step S 422 ) and ask the user to select from these additional counties. For example, the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to list that the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel is also associated with Johnson County (Row 15), Miami County (Row 18) and Wyandotte County (Row 22). Assume that the user selects Johnson County. Once the processor  1100  determines that an additional county has been selected (step S 424 ), it may store the new settings (e.g., the SAME code 20091 for Johnson County) in the electronic memory  1200  (S 426 ). Then, if valid alert data is received via the receiver  1300  for the SAME code 20045 at the 162.55 MHz frequency and/or the SAME code 20091 at the 162.55 MHz frequency, the processor  1100  will cause the speaker  1600  and the display  1700  to output this alert data (step S 430 ). Alternatively, if valid alert data is not received for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., ten days), the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  (and/or the speaker  1600 ) to output an error message (step S 434 ). 
         [0049]    Continuing, we shall now assume now that the user selects the any mode (step S 144 ) instead of the single-location mode or the multi-location mode, and does not opt for automatic setup (step S 148 ). The processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request country selection (step S 150 ) from the user. The user may select the United States via the input device  1400 , and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request state selection (step S 154 ) from the user. The user may use the input device  1400  to select the State of Kansas, and the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to request county selection (step S 502 ) from the user. The user may select Douglas County. 
         [0050]    The process  1100  may then query the database  1250  to obtain the SAME code for Douglas County and the transmitter frequencies associated therewith (step S 506 ). For example, the processor  1100  may query the database  1250  and obtain the SAME code 20045 (Cells B9, B10, and B11), and the frequencies 162.425 MHz (Cell D9, associated with the Halls Summit radio transmission channel Cell C9), 162.55 MHz (Cell D10, associated with the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel Cell C10), and 162.475 MHz (Cell D11, associated with the Topeka radio transmission channel Cell C11) associated with the SAME code 20045. The processor  1100  may use the receiver  1300  to scan the signal at each of these frequencies (step S 508 ) to determine whether one or more signals meet predetermined criteria. Assume that the processor  1100  determines (at step S 514 ) that the signals being transmitted by the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) at 162.425 MHz (Cell D9), and the Kansas City, Mo. radio transmission channel (Cell C10) at 162.55 MHz (Cell D10) are of sufficient strength. The processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  to output these radio channels (step S 516 ). Assume that the user selects the Halls Summit radio transmission channel (Cell C9) via the input device  1400 . The processor  1100  may cause the corresponding frequency to be stored in the electronic memory  1250  (step S 520 ). Then, if valid alert data is received via the receiver  1300  for any SAME code on this frequency, the speaker  1600  and display  1700  will output the alert data (step S 524 ). Alternatively, if valid alert data is not received for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., five days), the processor  1100  may cause the display  1700  (and/or the speaker  1600 ) to output an error message (step S 528 ). 
         [0051]    If automatic setup had been selected (at step S 108 , S 128 , or S 148 ), the GPS device would have obtained position data (in the above example, the latitude and longitude for Douglas County, Kansas) at step S 202 ,  202 ′,  202 ″, and the database  1250  would have been queried to obtain country/state/county data (step S 204 , S 204 ′, S 204 ″). The user then could have confirmed (S 208 ,  208 ′,  208 ″) or rejected (S 210 ,  210 ′,  210 ″) the location. Confirmation would take the user further into the setup process (step S 306 , S 406 , or S 506 ), while rejection would send the user back to make manual selections (steps SS 110 , S 130 , S 150 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows another emergency radio  2000  that is substantially similar to the embodiment  1000 , except as specifically noted and/or shown, or as would be inherent. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment  1000  (and thus the embodiment  2000 ) may be modified in various ways, such as through incorporating all or part of any of the various described features and embodiments, for example. For uniformity and brevity, reference numbers between 2000 and 2999 may be used to indicate parts corresponding to those discussed above numbered between 1000 and 1999 (e.g., housing processor  2100  corresponds generally to the processor  1100 ), though with any noted or shown deviations. 
         [0053]    In embodiment  2000 , the GPS device  1500  is replaced by a near field communication device  2510 . A radio frequency (RF) transceiver, transmitter-receiver, or any other appropriate device  2510 , whether now existing or later developed, that allows communication with another apparatus (e.g., a cellular telephone) having a complementary near field communication device may be used. “Near field communication” is used herein to refer to communication that only occurs when complementary devices are touched or in close proximity (usually no more than a few centimeters). 
         [0054]    In operation, the emergency radio  2000  functions in automatic setup—and specifically steps S 202 , S 202 ′,  5202 ″—by interacting with an external GPS device (e.g., housed in a cellular telephone) through the near field communication device  2510 . Thus, providing the GPS device  1500  in the emergency radio  2000  may be unnecessary. 
         [0055]    The emergency radio  2000  may further include a transmission port  2410  in data communication with the processor  2100 . The transmission port  2410  may be a USB port, a memory card slot, or any other appropriate port, whether now existing or later developed. In use, the port  2410  may be used to transfer settings to the processor  2100  (for storage in the memory  2200 ), and/or from the processor  2100  (and ultimately the memory  2200 ). The transferred settings may be stored, for example, on a USB drive or a memory card, and the settings may include various types of data. In some cases, the settings may be limited to general operational settings such as language and other user preferences. In other cases, the settings may include location data or even all settings required to setup the emergency radio  2000  for operation. 
         [0056]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Various steps in described methods may be undertaken simultaneously or in other orders than specifically provided. While various programming has been described as enabling specific functions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that files and software may be commingled or further segregated, and that specific file or software labels are used for convenience.