GPS-based vehicle warning and location system and method

• US 6,895,332 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Byron King, Drew A. Yancy
• Original Assignee: Byron King, Drew A. Yancy
• Inventors: Yancey, Drew A., King, Byron
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/421,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 382/114, 382/104, 382/113, 345/636, 345/643, 455/456, 455/89, 455/90, 455/128, 455/45, 455/404, 701/301, 701/300, 701/302, 701/213, 340/902, 340/903, 340/905, 340/988, 340/907, 340/937, 340/435, 340/436, 340/904, 342/455, 342/357.08, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

An emergency vehicle alert system includes a first GPS receiving unit provided on the emergency vehicle that determines emergency vehicle location information of the emergency vehicle; a transmitter unit provided on the emergency vehicle that transmits the emergency vehicle location information by way of an emergency vehicle location signal; a second GPS receiving unit provided on the motor vehicle that determines vehicle location information of the motor vehicle; a receiver unit provided on the motor vehicle that receives the emergency location signal output by the transmitter unit of the emergency vehicle; and a map display that displays a current location of the motor vehicle and a current location of the emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicle is shown as an icon on the map, whereby the icon has a different visual characteristic depending on the position of the emergency vehicle with respect to the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An emergency vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of an emergency vehicle to a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the emergency vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine emergency vehicle location information of the emergency vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided on the emergency vehicle and that is configured to transmit the emergency vehicle location information by way of an emergency vehicle location signal that includes the emergency vehicle location information;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine vehicle location information of the motor vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that is configured to receive the emergency location signal output by the transmitter unit of the emergency vehicle; and

a map display, provided on the motor vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the motor vehicle as provided by the vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the emergency vehicle as provided by the emergency vehicle location information obtained from the emergency vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display displays the emergency vehicle as an icon on the map with a different visual characteristic when the emergency vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the motor vehicle.

2. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency vehicle is one of a police vehicle, a fire station vehicle, and a school bus.

3. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audible warning unit that is configured to output an audible alarm within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle when the emergency vehicle location signal is received by the receiver unit.

4. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 3, wherein the audible warning unit is configured to output computer-generated speech that provides information with respect to a particular street location and moving direction of the emergency vehicle with respect to the motor vehicle.

5. An emergency vehicle alert system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

a GPS receiving unit that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine emergency vehicle location information of the emergency vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is configured to transmit the emergency vehicle location information by way of an emergency vehicle location signal that includes the emergency vehicle location information;

a receiving unit that is configured to receive a signal from at least one other emergency vehicle that includes information as to a current location of the other emergency vehicle;

a controller that is configured to determine a latitude and longitude position of the emergency vehicle based on the at least three different GPS signals, and to determine a latitude and longitude position of the other emergency vehicle based on the received signal; and

a map display that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the emergency vehicle and the other emergency vehicle,

wherein the map display displays the other emergency vehicle as an icon on the map with a different visual characteristic when the other emergency vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the emergency vehicle.

6. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 5, wherein the emergency vehicle is one of a police vehicle, a fire station vehicle, and a school bus.

7. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 5, further comprising:

an audible warning unit that is configured to output an audible alarm within a passenger compartment of the emergency vehicle when the signal output by the other emergency vehicle is received by the emergency vehicle.

8. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 7, wherein the audible warning unit is configured to output computer-generated speech that provides information with respect to a particular street location and moving direction of the other emergency vehicle with respect to the emergency vehicle.

9. An emergency vehicle alert system that is provided on a motor vehicle, the system comprising:

a GPS receiving unit that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine vehicle location information of the motor vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is configured to receive an emergency vehicle location signal output by an emergency vehicle; and

a map display that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the motor vehicle as provided by the vehicle location information as determined by the GPS receiving unit, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the emergency vehicle as obtained from the emergency vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the emergency vehicle,

wherein the map display displays the emergency vehicle as an icon on the map with a different visual characteristic when the emergency vehicle is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the motor vehicle as compared to when the emergency vehicle is determined to be greater than the predetermined distance from the motor vehicle.

10. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 9, wherein the emergency vehicle is one of a police vehicle, a fire station vehicle, and a school bus.

11. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an audible warning unit that is configured to output an audible alarm within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle when the emergency vehicle location signal is received by the receiver unit.

12. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 9, wherein the audible warning unit is configured to output computer-generated speech that provides information with respect to a particular street location and moving direction of the emergency vehicle with respect to the motor vehicle.

13. An emergency vehicle alert method that provides information as to a location of an emergency vehicle to a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, by the emergency vehicle, at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites, and determining emergency vehicle location information of the emergency vehicle as a result thereof;

transmitting, by the emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle location information by way of an emergency vehicle location signal;

receiving, by the motor vehicle, at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites, and determining vehicle location information of the motor vehicle as a result thereof;

receiving, when the motor vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the emergency vehicle, the emergency location signal output by the emergency vehicle;

displaying, on a map, a) a current location of the motor vehicle as a first icon on the map as determined by the vehicle location information, and b) a current location of the emergency vehicle as a second icon on the map as determined from information in the emergency vehicle location signal,

wherein the second icon has a different visual characteristic when the emergency vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the motor vehicle.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the emergency vehicle is one of a police vehicle, a fire station vehicle, and a school bus.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

outputting an audible alarm within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle when the emergency vehicle location signal is received by the motor vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the audible alarm provides information with respect to a particular street location and moving direction of the emergency vehicle with respect to the motor vehicle.

17. An emergency vehicle alert system for providing information to a motor vehicle with respect to a particular nonautomotive location, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided at the particular nonautomotive location and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine the particular nonautomotive location as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided at the nonautomotive particular location and that is configured to transmit an output signal including first information corresponding to the particular nonautomotive location and second information corresponding to what type of emergency situation exists at the particular nonautomotive location;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine vehicle location information of the motor vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the motor vehicle and that is configured to receive the output signal of the transmitter unit; and

a map display, provided on the motor vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the motor vehicle as provided by the vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, the particular nonautomotive location as obtained by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display displays an icon at a map location corresponding to the particular nonautomotive location, the icon being representative of the type of emergency situation existing at the particular nonautomotive location.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the type of emergency situation corresponds to a temporary work zone.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the transmitter unit is movable to another nonautomotive location when the temporary work zone moves to the another nonautomotive location, so as to represent a current location of the temporary work zone on the map display.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the map display displays text.

21. A vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of a first vehicle to a second vehicle, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine first vehicle location information of the first vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to transmit the first vehicle location information by way of a first vehicle location signal that includes the first vehicle location information;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine second vehicle location information of the second vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive the first vehicle location signal out nut by the transmitter unit of the first vehicle; and

a map display, provided on the second vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the second vehicle as provided by the second vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the first vehicle as provided by the first vehicle location information obtained from the first vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display includes a visual indicator when the first vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the second vehicle,

wherein the visual indicator corresponds to a red line provided on the map display to indicate a future path of the first vehicle.

22. A vehicle alert system according to claim 21, wherein the first vehicle is an emergency vehicle, and the second vehicle is one of a motor vehicle and another emergency vehicle.

23. A vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of a first vehicle to a second vehicle, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS si signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine first vehicle location information of the first vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to transmit the first vehicle location information by way of a first vehicle location signal that includes the first vehicle location information;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine second vehicle location information of the second vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive the first vehicle location signal output by the transmitter unit of the first vehicle; and

a map display, provided on the second vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the second vehicle as provided by the second vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the first vehicle as provided by the first vehicle location information obtained from the first vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display includes a visual indicator when the first vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the second vehicle, and

wherein the visual indicator corresponds to an icon representing the first vehicle that changes depending on the position of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle.

24. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 23, wherein the icon changes color depending on the position of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle.

25. A vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of a first vehicle to a second vehicle, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine first vehicle location information of the first vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to transmit the first vehicle location information by way of a first vehicle location signal that includes the first vehicle location information;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine second vehicle location information of the second vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive the first vehicle location signal output by the transmitter unit of the first vehicle and

a map display, provided on the second vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the second vehicle as provided by the second vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the first vehicle as provided by the first vehicle location information obtained from the first vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display includes a visual indicator when the first vehicle is determined to be at a particular location relative to the second vehicle,

wherein the visual indicator corresponds to an icon representing the first vehicle that changes depending on a speed of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle.

26. The emergency vehicle alert system according to claim 25, wherein the icon changes color depending on the speed of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle.

27. A vehicle alert system for providing information as to a location of a first vehicle to a second vehicle, the system comprising:

a first GPS receiving unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine first vehicle location information of the first vehicle as a result thereof;

a transmitter unit that is provided on the first vehicle and that is configured to transmit the first vehicle location information by way of a first vehicle location signal that includes the first vehicle location information;

a second GPS receiving unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive at least three different GPS signals from at least three different GPS satellites and to determine second vehicle location information of the second vehicle as a result thereof;

a receiver unit that is provided on the second vehicle and that is configured to receive the first vehicle location signal output by the transmitter unit of the first vehicle; and

a map display, provided on the motor vehicle, that is configured to display, on a map, a current location of the second vehicle as provided by the second vehicle location information, and that is configured to display, on the map, a current location of the first vehicle as provided by the first vehicle location information obtained from the first vehicle location signal received by the receiver unit when the receiver unit is in communication range with respect to the transmitter unit,

wherein the map display displays the first vehicle as an icon on the map with a different visual characteristic when the first vehicle is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the second vehicle.