Programmable emergency signalling system for a vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A signalling system alternatively operable in programming and operating modes, said signalling system comprising:
- an array of manually operable switches;
a control means responsive to actuations of the switches in the array for alternatively operating in the programming and operating modes;
a plurality of signalling devices selectively activated by the control means in the operating mode in order to generate a plurality of different signalling configurations;
first means of the control means responsive to a first set of actuations of the switches in the array for first placing the system in the programming mode and also responsive to a subsequent second set of actuations of the switches in the array for selecting the signalling devices that comprise each of the said signalling configuration, which may be generated by actuating switches in the array when the system is in the operating mode;
a memory in communication with said first means for storing the signalling configurations;
second means of the control means in communication with the memory and responsive to a third set of actuations of the switches in the array when the system is in the operating mode for activating different ones of the signalling configurations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A signalling system is provided that is alternatively operable in programming and operating modes. The signalling system includes a keypad, control head, control unit and a plurality of signalling features selectively activated by the control unit in the operating mode. The system provides for keystrokes to the keypad placing the system in the programming mode and selecting the signalling features to be activated by the control unit in the operating mode.
182 Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A signalling system alternatively operable in programming and operating modes, said signalling system comprising:
-
an array of manually operable switches; a control means responsive to actuations of the switches in the array for alternatively operating in the programming and operating modes; a plurality of signalling devices selectively activated by the control means in the operating mode in order to generate a plurality of different signalling configurations; first means of the control means responsive to a first set of actuations of the switches in the array for first placing the system in the programming mode and also responsive to a subsequent second set of actuations of the switches in the array for selecting the signalling devices that comprise each of the said signalling configuration, which may be generated by actuating switches in the array when the system is in the operating mode; a memory in communication with said first means for storing the signalling configurations; second means of the control means in communication with the memory and responsive to a third set of actuations of the switches in the array when the system is in the operating mode for activating different ones of the signalling configurations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An emergency signalling system alternatively operable in programming and operating modes, the system including:
-
a power source; a speaker; an array of switches; a memory for storing a plurality of alternative emergency tones for the speaker; a public address microphone for generating voice signals and a push-to-talk (PTT) control signal; a control unit and control head comprising, (1) a first means responsive to a first set of actuations of the switches in the array of switches for placing the system in the programming mode and for programming the system to select which one of the plurality of alternative emergency tones will be enabled in the operating mode upon application of power from the power source; (2) a second means responsive to a second set of actuations of the switches in the array of switches to select the one of the plurality of alternative emergency tones to be delivered to the speaker in the operating mode; and (3) third means responsive to the PTT control signal for delivering the voice signals to the speaker. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of using an emergency signalling system installed in a vehicle, the system including an array of switches mounted to an interior structure of the vehicle, a programmable control circuit operable in a programming or an operating mode and responsive to actuations of switches in the array of switches, at least two groups of warning lights, and a plurality of tones for a speaker and auxiliary functions, the method comprising the steps of:
-
placing the control circuit in the programming mode; enabling selected ones of the at least two groups of warning lights and at least one of the plurality of tones while in the programming mode for activation in the operating mode of the control circuit; selecting a type of response to be provided by the auxiliary functions when in the operating mode by way of the actuations of the switches in the array of switches while the control circuit is in the programming mode; switching the programmable control circuit to the operating mode; and operating the system in the operating mode in accordance with the selections made in the programming mode.
-
-
23. An emergency signalling system comprising:
-
a speaker; a plurality of warning lights divided into groups, each group being independently operable; a memory for storing a plurality of alternative tones for the speaker; an array of switches; a first means responsive to actuations of the switches in the array of switches for generating difficult signalling configurations, wherein each configuration comprises a selected one of the plurality of tones for the speaker and/or selected ones of the groups of warning lights and; a second means responsive to actuations of the switches in the array of switches for determining which ones of the groups of warning lights and which ones of the plurality of tones for the speaker, if any, comprise each of the signalling configurations generated by the first means. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
-
25. A signalling system for use with an emergency vehicle comprising:
-
at least two groups of warning lights; a speaker; a plurality of tones for generation by the speaker; an array of switches mounted to an area of the vehicle within reach of an operator of the vehicle; a control unit and control head responsive to actuations of the switches in the array of switches for controlling operation of the signalling system in each of an operating mode, an idle mode and a programming mode; a first signalling configuration in the operating mode of the system generated by the control unit and control head in response to a first set of actuations of the switches in the array of switches and comprising a first predetermined one of the at least two groups of warning lights and one of the plurality of tones for the speaker. a second signalling configuration in the operating mode of the system generated by the control unit and control head in response to a second set of actuations of the switches in the array of switches and comprising a second predetermined one of the at least two groups of warning lights; the control head and control unit including first means responsive to a third set of actuations of switches in the array of switches for transferring the signalling system between modes; and the control head and control unit including a second means responsive to a fourth set of actuations of switches in the array of switches when the system is in the programming mode for programming which ones of the at least two groups of warning lights are to be enabled in each of the signalling configurations of the operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
Specification