Emergency vehicle warning system
First Claim
1. A method for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising steps of:
- transmitting a signal which indicates the presence of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for transmitting signals concerning the location of an emergency vehicle to other cars traveling in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle alert the other vehicles to the presence of the emergency vehicle. A transmitter unit which is desirably automatically switched on whenever the flashing lights and sirens of the emergency vehicle are activated. transmits a signal preferably only within a limited range adjacent or near the emergency vehicle. The transmitted signal preferably identifies the present location and direction of the emergency vehicle. The location and direction information of the emergency vehicle is preferably provided by GPS data generated by a GPS system associated with the emergency vehicle. Automobiles and other vehicles are outfitted with receivers for receiving the signals transmitted by emergency vehicles as described above. Once a signal is received which indicates that an emergency vehicle is operating nearby, the receiver unit processes the signal and then ultimately triggers an alert to the mechanism that is in the vehicle and may be included within the receiver unit. The alert mechanism may be comprised of a flashing light or an audible tone or a recorded message that plays back a statement that indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle nearby.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising steps of:
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transmitting a signal which indicates the presence of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising steps of:
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transmitting a signal which indicates the location of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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12. A method for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising steps of:
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transmitting a signal which indicates the location and direction of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle.
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18. A system for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising:
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a means for transmitting a signal which indicates the presence of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
a means for receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
a means for generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle in the vehicle.
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23. A system for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising:
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a means for transmitting a signal which indicates the location of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
a means for receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
a means for generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle.
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29. A system for alerting vehicles to the presence of an emergency vehicle comprising:
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a means for transmitting a signal which indicates the location and direction of an emergency vehicle to a plurality of vehicles;
a means for receiving the signal in a vehicle traveling near an emergency vehicle; and
a means for generating an alarm signal which indicates the presence of the emergency vehicle.
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Specification