Multiple emergency vehicle alert system

• US 20040189490A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard T. Halishak
• Original Assignee: Richard T. Halishak
• Inventors: Halishak, Richard T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,236,101 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 warning system for making known the presence of an emergency vehicle. A transmitter is mounted in an emergency vehicle that outputs a digital UHF/LMS signal that is detectable within a range. A receiver responds to the digital UHF/LMS signal from the transmitter and is mounted, most preferably to a dashboard of a motor vehicle. The receiver detects from the digital signal the type of emergency vehicle from which the digital signal is originating. In one embodiment the digital signal also includes a unique identifier for the transmitter rather than simply a generic discipline identifier such as police, fire, emergency etc. A visual indicator mounted to the motor vehicle is activated in response to the digital signal from the transmitter to warn a motorist in the motor vehicle of a presence of the emergency vehicle within the range of the transmitter and to warn the transmitting vehicle of the presence of other emergency vehicles within receiving range.

Claims

1. A method of communicating a warning signal comprising:

mounting a transmitter/receiver to an emergency vehicle that outputs a digital signal that is detectable within a range;

said transmitter/receiver blanked from its own signal but capable of receiving the signal of approaching emergency vehicles;

mounting a receiver in a motor vehicle that responds to the digital signal from the transmitter/receiver of a transmitting emergency vehicle to detect said digital signal; and

displaying a visual warning from a visual indicator mounted to the motor vehicle in response to the digital signal from the transmitter/receiver to warn a motorist and/or an other emergency vehicle of a presence of the transmitting emergency vehicle within said range.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital signal is a UHF/LMS signal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital signal is encoded with information conveying the type of emergency vehicle from which the digital signal is originating.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitter of an emergency vehicle outputs a digital signal that occurs at periodic intervals.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the receiver of said emergency vehicle is turned off during the periodic intervals that the transmitter output occurs.

6. Apparatus for communicating a warning signal comprising:

a transmitter in an emergency vehicle that outputs a digital signal that is detectable within a range;

a receiver that responds to the digital signal from the transmitter in an emergency vehicle to detect said digital signal; and

visual indicator mounted to the motor vehicle that is activated in response to the digital signal from the transmitter to warn a motorist in said motor vehicle of a presence of the emergency vehicle within said range.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the digital signal is a UHF/LMS signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the digital signal is encoded with information conveying the type of emergency vehicle from which the digital signal is originating.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitter of an emergency vehicle outputs a digital signal that occurs at periodic intervals.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the receiver of said emergency vehicle is turned off during the periodic intervals that the transmitter output occurs.

11. Apparatus comprising:

a receiver that responds to detection of a digital signal originating from an emergency vehicle by initiating an output signal; and

a display for displaying a visual warning in response to the output signal from the receiver;

said display including a visual indicator mounted to the motor vehicle in response to the digital signal from the transmitter to warn a motorist and/or an other emergency vehicle of a presence of the emergency vehicle within said range