Driver's emergency alert system

• US 6,417,782 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Dean Darnall
• Original Assignee: Larry Dean Darnall
• Inventors: Darnall, Larry Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/602,094
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/902, 340/904, 455/404
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

The specification relates to a method for alerting a personal, moving vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle comprising trarnsmitting an emergency signal from an emergency vehicle, receiving the emergency signal in a personal vehicle, and alerting the driver of the personal vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching; and the underlying process for an Emergency Alert System comprising a transmitting means located in an emergency vehicle for transmitting an emergency signal indicating that the emergency vehicle is approaching, a receiving means located in a personal vehicle for receiving the emergency signal from the transmitting means, and an alert means triggered by the receiving means to alert the driver of the personal vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching.

Claims

1. A method for alerting a moving vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle comprising:

transmitting a first emergency signal from an emergency vehicle;

receiving the first emergency signal in a relay station;

transmitting a second emergency signal from the relay station;

receiving the second emergency signal in the moving vehicle; and

alerting the driver of the moving vehicle that the emergency vehicle is approaching.

2. A method for alerting a moving vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

the transmission and reception of the emergency signals, including the emergency signal, the first emergency signal and the second emergency signal, is accomplished by utilizing Global Position System Technology.

3. A method for alerting a moving vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

the transmission and reception of the first emergency signal and the second emergency signal is accomplished by utilizing Global Position System Technology;

and the relay station is a satellite.

4. A method for alerting a moving vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

the transmission and reception of the first emergency signal and the second emergency signal, is accomplished by utilizing Global Position System Technology;

the relay station is a satellite; and

alerting the driver is accomplished by an Auditory Alert, including the sounding of the door chime and sounding of an additional Auditory Alarm, and is also accomplished by a Visual Alert, including the lighting of all or some of the lights already present in the personal vehicle, and the lighting of an additional Visual Display solely for the purpose of alerting the driver of personal vehicle driver of approaching emergency vehicle.

5. An Emergency Alert System comprising:

a First Transmitting Means located in an Emergency Vehicle for transmitting a First Emergency Signal indicating that the Emergency Vehicle is approaching;

a Relay Station having a First Receiving Means for receiving the First Emergency Signal, and having a Second Transmitting Means being capable of transmitting a Second Emergency Signal indicating that the Emergency Vehicle is at a particular location;

a Second Receiving Means located in a Moving Vehicle for receiving the Second Emergency Signal; and

an Alerting Means triggered by the Second Receiving Means to alert the driver of the Moving Vehicle that the Emergency Vehicle is approaching.

6. The Emergency Alert System according to claim 5 wherein

the First Transmitting Means, the First Receiving Means, the Second Transmitting Means, the Second Receiving Means, the First Emergency Signal, the Second Emergency Signal, and the Relay Station utilize the Global Position System Technology; and

the Relay Station is a satellite.

7. The Emergency Alert System according to claim 5 wherein

the First Transmitting Means, the First Receiving Means, the Second Transmitting Means, the Second Receiving Means, the First Emergency Signal, the Second Emergency Signal, and the Relay Station utilize the Global Position System Technology;

and

the Relay Station is a satellite; and

the Alerting Means consists of an Auditory Alert, including the sounding of the door chime and the sounding of an additional Auditory Alarm, and also consists of a Visual Alert, including the lighting of all or some of the lights already present in the personal vehicle, and the lighting of an additional Visual Display solely for the purpose of alerting the driver of personal vehicle driver of approaching emergency vehicle.