Public advance warning system for emergency vehicles

• US 20060022843A1
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Sommers
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Sommers
• Inventors: Sommers, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/902,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022843A1
• 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

The present invention relates to warning systems, and more particularly to public advance warning system to occupants of non-emergency vehicles of the presence of an active emergency vehicle in the vicinity. The present invention can be used to enhance the awareness of drivers and passengers of non-emergency vehicles who travelling near or in the path of emergency vehicles that are active in response to an emergency. The present invention utilizes audio-visual warning in order to indicate that active emergency vehicles are in the vicinity. The present invention is particularly adaptable to be integrated into the instrument panel of non-emergency automobiles or as a stand-alone warning system inside the non-emergency automobile.

Claims

1. A public advance warning system comprising:

a transmitter aboard an emergency vehicle that is capable of transmitting an emergency signal, said transmitter adapted to transmit said emergency signal when said emergency vehicle is active during an emergency; and

a receiver aboard a non-emergency vehicle that is capable of receiving said emergency signal from said transmitter when said transmitter is transmitting said emergency signal, said receiver comprising an audio-visual means for generating a warning to the occupants of said non-emergency vehicle that said active emergency vehicle is in the vicinity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said emergency signal comprises a radio frequency.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the strength of said radio frequency is adapted to cover an area of about one mile to about two miles in all directions.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is powered by said emergency vehicle'"'"'s battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is powered by one or more disposable batteries.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises a stand-alone unit and is activated by personnel of said emergency vehicle by way of a switching means.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is adapted to be connected to and activated by said emergency vehicle'"'"'s emergency lights and/or emergency siren.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is powered by said non-emergency vehicle'"'"'s battery.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is powered by one or more disposable batteries.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is integrated into the instrument panel of said non-emergency vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio-visual means comprises a colored light source and a means for producing a buzzing sound or an alarm type sound.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said colored light source comprises an amber colored lens and a light source behind said amber colored lens.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said an amber colored lens comprises a warning message.

14. A public advance warning system comprising:

means for transmitting an emergency signal aboard an emergency vehicle, said means for transmitting adapted to transmit said emergency signal when said emergency vehicle is active during an emergency; and

means for receiving said emergency signal aboard a non-emergency vehicle when said means for transmitting is transmitting said emergency signal, said means for receiving comprising an audio-visual means for generating a warning to the occupants of said non-emergency vehicle that said active emergency vehicle is in the vicinity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said emergency signal comprises a radio frequency.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the strength of said radio frequency is adapted to cover an area of about one mile to about two miles in all directions.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein means for transmitting comprises a stand-alone unit and is activated by personnel of said emergency vehicle by way of a switching means.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for transmitting is adapted to be connected to and activated by said emergency vehicle'"'"'s emergency lights and/or emergency siren.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for receiving is integrated into the instrument panel of said non-emergency vehicle.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said audio-visual means comprises a colored light source and a means for producing a buzzing sound or an alarm type sound.