Emergency vehicle warning system

• US 7,551,102 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carson Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Carson Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Carson, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US11/457,028
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 340/902, 340/474, 340/936, 340/937
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices

Abstract

A system for controlling the alert and response indictors of an emergency vehicle permits the operation of one alert device, such as a police vehicle lightbar, to automatically initiate the operation of a video camera, thus providing a record of an emergency event without requiring the operator of the vehicle to specifically turn on the camera. The system also provides isolating diagnostic functionality that simplifies system troubleshooting.

Claims

1. A multi-device controller for an emergency vehicle warning system comprising:

a control panel comprising a plurality of activation switches for receiving input from the operator of the emergency vehicle;

control circuitry responsive to said activation switches for generating control signals for a plurality of first devices, said first devices being indicative of the presence of an emergency;

an output module having a plurality of first outputs for providing said control signals to said first devices and a dedicated second output for providing a trigger signal to at least one second device being indicative of a response to said emergency; and

a signal generator configured to generate said trigger signal when a predetermined one or more of said first devices are activated, whereby the controller prevents the operator of the emergency vehicle from activating a first device without triggering activation of the second device.

2. A warning system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

the multi-device controller of claim 1 in combination with;

a plurality of said first devices, the operation of said first devices being indicative of the presence of an emergency; and

one or more of said second devices, said second devices operating in response to said trigger signal.

3. The warning system of claim 2, wherein said dedicated output is coupled to a plurality of second devices.

4. The warning system of claim 3, wherein said dedicated output is coupled to said plurality of second devices via an optical connector.

5. The warning system of claim 4, wherein said optical connector comprises a light emitting diode and a photo sensor.

6. The warning system of claim 3, wherein said dedicated output is coupled to said plurality of second devices via a wireless connector.

7. The warning system of claim 6, wherein said wireless connector operates using Bluetooth technology.

8. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first devices comprises a siren.

9. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first devices comprises a gun lock.

10. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first devices comprises warning lights.

11. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first devices comprises a trunk lock.

12. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said second devices comprises a video camera.

13. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said second devices comprises a radio.

14. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said second devices comprises an audio recorder.

15. The warning system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said second devices comprises a vehicle locator.

16. The warning system of claim 2, wherein said signal generator is programmable.

17. The warning system of claim 16, wherein said signal generator is programmable via the control panel upon activation of a switch internal to said controller.

18. The multi-device controller of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one diagnostic device functionally located between said control circuitry and said output module.

19. The warning system of claim 18, wherein said at least one diagnostic device comprises a fuse.

20. The warning system of claim 18, wherein said at least one diagnostic device comprises a plurality of visual indicators.

21. The warning system of claim 20, wherein said visual indicators comprise light emitting diodes.

22. The warning system of claim 20, wherein the particular pattern of said visual indicators in operation is indicative of a particular operating status of said warning system.

23. The warning system of claim 18, wherein said at least one diagnostic device comprises an audible indicator.

24. The multi-device controller of claim 1, wherein said plurality of first devices includes a plurality of warning lights and said second device comprises a video camera.

25. A warning system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

a plurality of first devices, the operation of said first devices being indicative of the presence of an emergency;

one or more second devices, said second devices operating in response to an input signal, the operation of said second devices being indicative of a response to said emergency;

a control panel for receiving input from the operator of the emergency vehicle; and

a controller configured to control the operation of said plurality of first devices based on the input from the operator of the emergency vehicle, wherein said controller includes a signal generator and a dedicated output for selectively applying said input signal to at least one of said second devices in response to the initiation of operation of a predetermined one or more of said first devices;

wherein said controller further comprises;

at least one circuit for operating said plurality of first devices;

at least one output device for coupling said at least one circuit to said plurality of first devices; and

at least one diagnostic device functionally located between said at least one circuit and said at least one output device.