Emergency warning system for approach of right of way vehicle

• US 7,538,687 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louis H. Mckenna
• Original Assignee: Neva Products, LLC
• Inventors: McKenna, Louis H
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US11/504,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20070046499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 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, CHMBL (center high mounted brake light), license plate or stand-alone housing 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. Then, after verification of the specific predefined signal, the emergency warning system emits a warning, preferably an audio warning.

Claims

1. A license plate apparatus for engagement to a vehicle having at least one of a speaker and display in said vehicle, with said license plate apparatus comprising:

a) a license plate adaptable for engagement to the vehicle, with said license plate having a visual identification element thereon;

b) an electrical circuit in the license plate, with said electrical circuit being in communication with said at least one speaker and display in said vehicle;

c) a processor engaged in one of said license plate, a license plate holder, and vehicle and being in communication with said electrical circuit;

d) an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal which includes pulses of light, with the emergency warning system being engaged in one of the license plate, license plate holder and vehicle and being in communication with said electrical circuit, with the emergency warning system comprising a photocell receiver responsive to said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display;

e) wherein said photocell receiver is engaged with said license plate; and

f) with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way predefined direct strobe light signal by counting pulses of the right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal.

2. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is engaged in said license plate.

3. The license plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is adaptable for engagement in said vehicle.

4. An emergency warning apparatus for a vehicle having at least one of a speaker and display, comprising:

a) a license plate having a visual identification element;

b) a photocell receiver responsive to a right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal which includes pulses of light, with said photocell receiver being engaged with one of said license plate and a license plate holder;

c) a processor engaged with one of said license plate, license plate holder, and vehicle, with said processor being in communication with said photocell receiver, with said processor being in communication with said at least one speaker and display, with said processor including an emergency warning system for picking up a right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal via said photocell receiver, with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via said speaker and a visible warning via said display; and

d) with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way vehicle predefinod direct strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way predefined direct strobe light signal by counting pulses of the right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal.

5. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processor is engaged in said license plate.

6. The emergency warning apparatus of claim 4, wherein said processor is adaptable for engagement in said vehicle.

7. An apparatus shaped generally about a size of a credit card and having incorporated therein an emergency warning apparatus responsive to a predefined right of way direct strobe light signal from an emergency vehicle, with said apparatus comprising:

a) a housing, with the housing having a thickness of between about 1.0 millimeters and about 3.0 centimeters, a length between about 4.0 centimeters and about 8.0 centimeters, and a width between about 1.0 centimeters and about 5.0 centimeters;

b) a processor in the housing and in communication with a circuit;

c) a photocell receiver in the housing and in communication with the circuit;

d) an emergency warning system in the housing and in communication with the circuit, with the emergency warning system picking up a right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light, signal, which includes pulses of light, via said photocell receiver, with the emergency warning system emitting, when said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal has been picked up, at least one of an audio warning via a speaker and a visible warning via a display; and

e) with the emergency warming system verifying said right of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal, and with the emergency warning system verifying said right of way predefined direct strobe light signal by counting pulses of the riqht of way vehicle predefined direct strobe light signal

8. The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising said speaker, with said speaker being in the housing and in communication with the circuit.