Device and system to alert vehicles and pedestrians of approaching emergency vehicles and emergency situations
First Claim
1. A system for alerting drivers of non-emergency vehicles that emergency vehicles are approaching from outside the visual or auditory range of said drivers by placing within their forward visual range at least one flashing alert, each containing a sensor able to detect optical signals emanating from said emergency vehicles and a microphone able to detect acoustic signals emanating from said emergency vehicles and logic able to discriminate between said detected optical and acoustic signals and ambient noises and lights from non-emergency sources, with said logic controlling a power switch that applies battery power to a flashing alert generator, with said battery connected to a charging source such as common grid power or a photovoltaic cell, so that detection by the device of an oncoming emergency vehicle triggers a local flashing signal, and if multiple said devices are installed on the corners of buildings or on lamp posts in the forward visual range of drivers, and one or more said devices detect an oncoming emergency vehicle, drivers are warned earlier than they would be if they depended solely upon the alerting mechanisms carried upon the emergency vehicles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and system to alert traffic and pedestrians of an approaching emergency vehicle or an emergency condition, comprised of a solar-charged battery that powers acoustic and optical detectors of approaching sirens and flashing lights or of appropriate transmitters, circuitry to validate the source as an emergency vehicle or authorized transmitter, and local strobe lights and noise emitters to alert vehicles and pedestrians.
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Citations
6 Claims
- 1. A system for alerting drivers of non-emergency vehicles that emergency vehicles are approaching from outside the visual or auditory range of said drivers by placing within their forward visual range at least one flashing alert, each containing a sensor able to detect optical signals emanating from said emergency vehicles and a microphone able to detect acoustic signals emanating from said emergency vehicles and logic able to discriminate between said detected optical and acoustic signals and ambient noises and lights from non-emergency sources, with said logic controlling a power switch that applies battery power to a flashing alert generator, with said battery connected to a charging source such as common grid power or a photovoltaic cell, so that detection by the device of an oncoming emergency vehicle triggers a local flashing signal, and if multiple said devices are installed on the corners of buildings or on lamp posts in the forward visual range of drivers, and one or more said devices detect an oncoming emergency vehicle, drivers are warned earlier than they would be if they depended solely upon the alerting mechanisms carried upon the emergency vehicles.
Specification