Emergency warning system for approach of right of way vehicle

• US 20070046499A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Original Assignee: Neva Products, LLC
• Inventors: McKenna, Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,687 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 common inexpensive device such as an automotive internal rear view mirror, cell phone, CHMBL (center high mounted brake light), license plate or stand-alone housing incorporates an emergency warning system to detect a predefined signal emitted by an right of way vehicle such as an ambulance, police car, fire engine, or train. The right of way vehicle sends out a specific predefined signal to a predefined area. The specific predefined signal is picked up by a receiver of the present emergency warning system. Then, after verification of the specific predefined signal, the emergency warning system emits a warning, preferably an audio warning.

Claims

1. A license plate apparatus for engagement to a vehicle having at least one of a speaker and display in said vehicle, with said license plate apparatus comprising:

a) a license plate adaptable for engagement to the vehicle, with said license plate having a visual identification element thereon;

b) an electrical circuit in the license plate, with said electrical circuit being in communication with said at least one speaker and display in said vehicle;

c) a processor engaged in one of said license plate, a license plate holder, and vehicle and being in communication with said electrical circuit;

d) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal, with the emergency warning system being engaged in one of the license plate, license plate holder and vehicle and being in communication with said electrical circuit, with the emergency warning system comprising a receiver responsive to said right of way vehicle predefined signal, and with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display; and

e) wherein said receiver is engaged with said license plate.

2. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver.

3. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver is responsive to light.

4. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a photocell responsive to light.

5. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is engaged in said license plate.

6. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is adaptable for engagement in said vehicle.

7. An emergency warning apparatus for a vehicle having at least one of a speaker and display, comprising:

a) a license plate having a visual identification element;

b) a receiver responsive to a right of way vehicle predefined signal, with said receiver being engaged with one of said license plate and a license plate holder; and

c) a processor engaged with one of said license plate, license plate holder, and vehicle, with said processor being in communication with said receiver, with said processor being in communication with said at least one speaker and display, with said processor including an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal via said receiver, with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display.

8. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver.

9. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said receiver is responsive to light.

10. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said receiver comprises a photocell responsive to light.

11. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said processor is engaged in said license plate.

12. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 7, wherein said processor is adaptable for engagement in said vehicle.

13. An apparatus shaped generally about a size of a credit card and having incorporated therein an emergency warning apparatus responsive to a predefined right of way signal from an emergency vehicle, with said apparatus comprising:

a) a housing, with the housing having a thickness of between about 1.0 millimeters and about 3.0 centimeters, a length between about 4.0 centimeters and about 8.0 centimeters, and a width between about 1.0 centimeters and about 5.0 centimeters;

b) a processor in the housing and in communication with a circuit;

c) a receiver in the housing and in communication with the circuit; and

d) an emergency warning system in the housing and in communication with the circuit, with the emergency warning system picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal via said receiver, with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via a speaker and a visible warning via a display.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising said speaker, with said speaker being in the housing and in communication with the circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said receiver is a light receiver.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said receiver is a radio receiver.