Warning system for emergency vehicles

• US 5,889,475 A
• Filed: 03/19/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Don Fuller, Stefan Klosinski
• Original Assignee: Don Fuller, Stefan Klosinski
• Inventors: Klosinski, Stefan, Fuller, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/825,133
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/904, 340/906
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

A system for warning of an approaching emergency vehicle comprising of a transmitter, a receiver, an audio and visual indicator. The transmitter transmitting a broad ban of AM and FM frequencies that are broadcasted of a short range to audible warn vehicles and pedestrian through existing radios of an approaching emergency vehicle. The transmitter also sending a signal to the receiver having circuitry to activate and deactivate audible and visual warning indicators of an approaching emergency vehicle. The audible and visual indicators are normally affixed to typical traffic signal located at street intersections.

Claims

1. A system for warning of an approaching emergency vehicle, said system comprising:

(a) a transmitter transmitting a specific electromagnetic frequency signal,

(b) a receiver observing said signal, said receiver determining if said signal is higher or lower than a set specific frequency signal, said receiver activating a visual and audio indicator if said signal has a higher frequency than said set frequency signal, said reciiver deactivating said indicator if said signal is lower than said set frequency signal, whereby said indicator warns of an approaching emergency vehicle,

(c) a means for modulating an amplitude of said transmitter, said modulating means dependent upon said speed of said vehicle, said transmitter emitting in the AM FM bandwidth, said amplitude of said transmitter increasing in amplitude when said speed of said vehicle increases,

(d) a positioning device for giving the location, speed and direction of said emergency vehicle,

(e) a means for determining the quickest route to a emergency scene, and

(f) a means for changing all traffic signals from red to green along said quickest route at specific time periods depending upon said location, speed, and direction of said emergency vehicle,

(g) a means for activating said indicator to an on and off position when said emergency vehicle is approaching and leaving a reception region for a transmitted signal, respectively, whereby said signals are all green prior to the arrival of said emergency vehicle thereby allowing said emergency vehicle to get to said emergency scene as quickly as possible.

2. A system for warning of an approaching emergency vehicle, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic frequency is in the micro wave range.

3. A system for warning of an approaching emergency vehicle, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic frequency is coherent.