System to warn of an approaching emergency vehicle

• US 20070216539A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jennifer D'Antoni, Robert Millar
• Original Assignee: Jennifer D'Antoni, Robert Millar
• Inventors: D'ANTONI, Jennifer, MILLAR, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/548,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20070216539A1
• 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 system for warning an occupant of a non-emergency vehicle of the approach of an emergency vehicle has a means for transmitting a signal, installed in the emergency vehicle, and a means for receiving the signal, installed in the non-emergency vehicle. The receiver is integrated into the electrical system of the non-emergency vehicle so that it is energized whenever an ignition system of the vehicle is engaged. When a transmitted signal, preferably a radio frequency signal, received by the receiver has a strength that exceeds a threshold strength, the receiver causes at least one of a visible or audible indicator in the non-emergency vehicle to be activated and remain activated as long as the signal is received at a strength above the threshold level. In many embodiments, the transmitter is activated anytime the emergency lights on the emergency vehicle are activated.

Claims

1. A system for warning an occupant of a non-emergency vehicle of the approach of an emergency vehicle, the system comprising:

a means for transmitting a signal, the transmitting means installed in the emergency vehicle; and

a means for receiving the signal, installed in the non-emergency vehicle, the receiver being integrated into the electrical system of the non-emergency vehicle such that the receiver is energized whenever an ignition system of the vehicle is engaged.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitted signal is in the radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the receiver is adapted to scan a band of radio frequencies for receiving signals from emergency vehicles.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

upon receipt of the signal from an emergency vehicle, the receiver causes a signal to be transmitted to the electrical system of the non-emergency vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the signal transmitted to the electrical system causes the hazard warning flashers of the non-emergency vehicle to be activated.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the signal transmitted to the electrical system either mutes an audio system of the non-emergency vehicle or de-energizes the audio system.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the signal transmitted to the electrical system activates a visible indicator inside a cabin of the non-emergency vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

the visible indicator is positioned in a normal sight line of a driver of the non-emergency vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the receiver is integrated into an audio system of the non-emergency vehicle.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the signal transmitted to the electrical system commences once the received signal from the emergency vehicle exceeds a pre-determined threshold strength and continues so long as the signal remains above the threshold strength.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the receiver comprises a means for the driver to acknowledge the signal transmitted to the electrical system and to suppress the transmitted signal to the electrical system for a pre-determined period of time after the acknowledging means is actuated.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitted signal has a power level such that it exceeds a pre-determined threshold reception strength only in receivers located within about 1 mile of the emergency vehicle.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the transmitter emits the signal whenever a set of emergency lights on the emergency vehicle are activated.

14. A method for warning an occupant of a non-emergency vehicle of the approach of an emergency vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing the emergency vehicle with a means for transmitting a signal, the transmitting means selectively activated by an operator of the emergency vehicle;

providing the non-emergency vehicle with a means for receiving the signal, the receiver being integrated into the electrical system of the non-emergency vehicle such that the receiver is energized whenever an ignition system of the vehicle is engaged; and

configuring the receiver so that it transmits a signal to the electrical system of the non-emergency vehicle whenever the received signal from the emergency vehicle exceeds a pre-determined threshold strength, the signal transmitted to the electrical system so long as the transmitted signal remains above the threshold strength.