Patent ID: 7784072

Claim:
A television signal receiving apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising: tuning means for tuning a channel frequency that provides emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event; processing means for enabling an alert output responsive to said emergency alert signals; and a single user input button for receiving tactile user inputs to control said emergency alert function, wherein said single user input button is the only tactile user input means integral with said apparatus that is capable of controlling said emergency alert function; wherein, responsive to a first depression of said single user interface button when said television signal receiver is in an “off” state and said emergency alert function is activated, said processing means perform steps comprising turning said television signal receiver to an “on” state and presenting information based on said emergency alert signals, and wherein, responsive to a second depression of said single user input button, said processing means cause said television signal receiving apparatus to be returned to an “off” state wherein said single user input button includes: a plurality of different states; and said apparatus performs one or more operations responsive to each of said states based on user programming.