Navigation apparatus having emergency warning system

• US 20090174571A1
• Filed: 01/07/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Original Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Inventors: McKenna, Louis H.
• Application Number:
  US12/008,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174571A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

A navigation system having an emergency warning system where the navigation system includes components such as a navigation processor, a GPS, a speaker for providing text-to-voice directions, a display for displaying at least the starting location and final destination, power switch, and a power port that permits connection to the cigarette lighter port of the vehicle, and wherein the emergency warning system includes a component such as a receiver for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal. When the right of way vehicle predefined signal is picked up, the emergency warning system can display various warnings such as a text warning or an audible warning via the display and speaker.

Claims

1. A navigation apparatus comprising:

a) a navigation system, wherein said navigation system includes a processor, a global positioning system, a display, and a speaker; and

b) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal, with the emergency warning system being in communication with said navigation system, with the emergency warning system comprising a first 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 by said first receiver, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display.

2. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a housing having said navigation system and emergency warning system such that said navigation apparatus is a stand alone navigation apparatus.

3. The navigation apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first receiver is engaged with said housing.

4. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first receiver is responsive to light.

5. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first receiver comprises a photocell responsive to light.

6. The navigation apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first receiver projects from the housing of the navigation apparatus.

7. The navigation apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first receiver is disposed on at least one of a top side, front side, rear side, right side, left side, and bottom side of the navigation apparatus.

8. The navigation apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising second, third and fourth receivers, wherein said first, second, third and fourth receivers are respectively disposed on a front side, rear side, right side, and left side of the housing of the navigation apparatus.

9. The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first receiver stands alone apart from the housing of the navigation apparatus.

10. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first receiver stands alone apart from the navigation apparatus.

11. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first receiver is responsive to a signal emanating from a direction forwardly of said navigation apparatus, rearwardly of said navigation apparatus, rightwardly of said navigation apparatus, or leftwardly of said navigation apparatus, or from a direction between said rearwardly, frontwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly directions.

12. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said emergency warning system is responsive to a signal emanating from a direction forwardly of said navigation apparatus, rearwardly of said navigation apparatus, rightwardly of said navigation apparatus, or leftwardly of said navigation apparatus, or from a direction between said rearwardly, frontwardly, rightwardly and leftwardly directions.

13. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a power switch, wherein the power switch is independent of the emergency warning system such that the emergency warning system remains on even when the power switch is turned off.

14. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a power port such that a power source outside of the navigation system may be accessed to power the navigation apparatus.

15. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a computer connection port for connection to a computer such that information can be downloaded into the navigation system.

16. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is a touch screen display.

17. The navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the navigation system provides text-to-speech.

18. The navigation apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising a suction cup and a base for the suction cup, wherein the base is connectable to the housing, whereby the navigation apparatus having the receiver can be fixed in a vehicle at a location where said right of way vehicle predefined signal can be picked up and whereby at the same time the display of the navigation apparatus can be seen by a driver of the vehicle.

19. A stand alone navigation apparatus comprising:

a) a navigation system, wherein said navigation system includes a processor, a global positioning system, a touch screen display, a speaker, a power port such that a power source outside of the navigation system may be accessed to power the navigation apparatus, a computer connection port for connection to a computer such that information can be downloaded into the navigation system, and with the navigation system providing text-to-speech;

b) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal, with the emergency warning system being in communication with said navigation system, with the emergency warning system comprising a first 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 by said first receiver, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display;

c) wherein the navigation system further comprises a power switch that is independent of the emergency warning system such that the emergency warning system remains on even when the power switch is turned off;

d) wherein the navigation system and emergency warning system are housed in a housing; and

e) wherein said first receiver is disposed on the housing and is responsive to a right of way predefined signal that includes a set of 14 pulses of light.