EMERGENCY VEHICLE ALERT SYSTEM

• US 20030043056A1
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Siegel
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Siegel
• Inventors: Siegel, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,614,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

A method for an emergency vehicle alert system for transmitting signals from one or more emergency vehicles to a nearby commuter vehicle includes activating an initiation switch in one or more of the emergency vehicles. A transmitter located in each of the emergency vehicles, transmits a uniquely individual signal stamp of a predefined frequency and a GPS signal. Each emergency vehicle can be identified by the uniquely individual signal stamp. Other emergency vehicles and commuter vehicles in the area with the appropriate receiver can detect the transmitted signal stamp.

Claims

1. A method for an emergency vehicle alert system for transmitting signals from one or more emergency first vehicle to a nearby commuter second vehicle, comprising the steps of:

a) activating an initiation switch in one or more of the emergency first vehicles,

b) transmitting a uniquely individual signal stamp of a predefined frequency from a transmitter in each of the emergency first vehicles;

c) receiving each of the predefined frequency signal stamps by a receiver in the commuter second vehicle;

d) actuating by the receiver of a notification warning, for observation by an occupant in the commuter second vehicle;

e) indicating by the receiver the number of emergency first vehicles in the vicinity, based on the uniquely individual signal of each emergency first vehicle; and

f) counting down by the receiver the number of emergency first vehicles in the vicinity, as the emergency first vehicles travel beyond the transmitting range of each of the transmitters.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

a) transmitting a GPS signal of a predefined frequency from the emergency first vehicle, upon transmitting the uniquely individual signal stamp;

b) receiving the GPS signal of the predefined frequency signal by the receiver in the commuter second vehicle;

c) indicating within the commuter second vehicle the position of the emergency first vehicle in relation to the commuter second vehicle, based on the GPS signal; and

d) updating continuously the position of the emergency first vehicle in relation to the commuter second vehicle, based on the GPS signal, such that the occupant can perform appropriate actions to avoid the emergency first vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of sensing by a first sensor, and registering by a first sensor data on the speed and direction of the emergency first vehicle, wherein the first sensor sends the data to the transmitter, wherein the transmitter, having an algorithm that calculates the strength and approximate transmission distance of the signal, based on the speed of the emergency first vehicle;

upon transmitting a GPS signal.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of:

indicating an all clear notification, when all emergency first vehicles have traveled beyond the transmitting range of each of the transmitters, upon counting down by the receiver.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the step of emitting from the transmitter a forward biased signal stamp having a substantially 180 degrees eliptical shaped transmission area, upon transmitting of the signal stamp.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the notification warning is a voice recording.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the warning is selected from a plurality of digitized voice recordings, wherein any one of the digitized voice recordings can be selected based on a user'"'"'s preference.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the warning is a light.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the warning is an alpha-numeric display.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the receiver having a microprocessor circuit.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitter having a microprocessor circuit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the distance the signal is transmitted is less than 500 feet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal.

14. A method for an emergency vehicle alert system for transmitting signals from an emergency first vehicle to a commuter second vehicle, comprising the steps of:

a) activating an initiation switch in one or more emergency first vehicles,

b) transmitting a GPS signal of a predefined frequency from a transmitter in the emergency first vehicle;

c) receiving the GPS signal of the predefined frequency signal by a receiver in the commuter second vehicle;

d) actuating a notification warning in the commuter second vehicle, so that the notification warning can be observed by the driver of the commuter second vehicle;

e) indicating within the commuter second vehicle the position of the emergency first vehicle in relation to the commuter second vehicle, based on the GPS signal; and

f) updating continuously the position of the emergency first vehicle in relation to the commuter second vehicle, based on the GPS signal, such that the occupant can perform appropriate actions to avoid the emergency first vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of:

indicating an all clear notification, when all emergency first vehicles have traveled beyond the transmitting range of each of the GPS signals, upon updating continuously the position of the emergency first vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of emitting from the GPS transmitter a forward biased GPS signal having a substantially 180 degrees eliptical shaped transmission area, upon transmitting of the signal stamp.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein activating the initiation switch in the one or more emergency first vehicles further comprises the step of:

selecting a long-range high-speed setting on the transmitter.