Emergency warning system for approach of right of way vehicle

• US 7,446,674 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Original Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Inventors: McKenna, Louis H
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/435,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20060255966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/905, 340/901, 340/902, 701/35, 701/36, 701/29
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

A common inexpensive device such as an automotive internal rear view mirror, cell phone, or CHMBL (center high mounted brake light) incorporates an emergency warning system to detect a predefined signal emitted by an right of way vehicle such as an ambulance, police car, fire engine, or train. The right of way vehicle sends out a specific predefined signal to a predefined area. The specific predefined signal is picked up by a receiver of the present emergency warning system, which is preferably housed in a rear view mirror or cell phone, and which is always on, whether the internal rear view mirror, cell phone, or CHMBL is powered on or powered off. Then, after verification of the specific predefined signal, the internal rear view mirror, cell phone or CHMBL emits a warning, preferably an audio warning from a speaker housed in the internal rear view mirror, cell phone, or CHMBL. The emergency warning system can be incorporated into a telematics unit.

Claims

1. An automotive telematics unit that is capable of being in communication with a call center, comprising:

a) a processor;

b) a global positioning system in communication with the processor;

c) a microphone in communication with the processor;

d) a speaker in communication with the processor;

e) an embedded automotive cellular phone in communication with the processor;

f) an emergency warning system capable of picking up a right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, which includes pulses of light, with the emergency warning system comprising a photocell responsive to said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal has been picked up, an audio warning via said speaker, with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way predefined strobe light signal by counting pulses of the predefined strobe light signal; and

g) an automotive telematics system in communication with said processor, global positioning system, microphone, speaker, embedded automotive cellular phone, and emergency warning system.

2. A cell phone comprising:

a) a housing;

b) an electrical circuit in the housing;

c) a processor in the housing and being in communication with the circuit;

d) a cell phone antenna engaged to the housing;

e) a display engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit;

f) a keyboard engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit;

g) a microphone engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit;

h) at least one speaker engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit;

i) a cell phone receptor responsive to a cell phone signal and being in communication with the circuit and the cell phone antenna;

j) a cell phone transmitter for sending a cell phone signal and being in communication with the circuit and the cell phone antenna;

k) at least a first battery engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit; and

l) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, which includes pulses of light, with the emergency warning system engaged to the housing and being in communication with the circuit, with the emergency warning system comprising an emergency warning system photocell, with said emergency warning system photocell being responsive to said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display, with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way vehicle predefined strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way predefined strobe light signal by counting pulses of the predefined strobe light signal.

3. An emergency warning apparatus, comprising:

a) a processor;

b) at least one of a speaker and display;

c) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined signal, which includes pulses of light, with the emergency warning system engaged being in communication with the processor, with the emergency warning system comprising a receiver responsive to said right of way vehicle predefined signal, and with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display, with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way vehicle predefined signal;

d) wherein said emergency warning system is housed in an apparatus selected from the group of apparatus consisting of an automotive telematics unit and a cell phone;

e) wherein said receiver is photocell;

f) wherein said right of way vehicle predefined signal includes a strobe light signal; and

g) wherein the emergency warning system verifies said right of way vehicle predefined signal, by counting pulses of the predefined strobe light signal.