METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADAPTIVE TARGET VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for notifying communications device users of the presence of an emergency vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining position and probably route of the emergency vehicle;
determining at least one probable zone that the emergency vehicle will pass through en route to an emergency;
determining which communications devices are within the at least one probable zone based upon location of the communications devices;
selecting which communications devices within the at least one probable zone should be contacted to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle to produce a group of selected communications devices; and
transmitting a signal to the selected communications devices within the at least one probable zone to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are described to improve emergency vehicle deployment by automatically alerting all other nearby vehicles on the road as to the presence and intention of the emergency vehicle. Since the use of audible sirens has somewhat marked effectiveness, in selecting the most practical automated method to notify most drivers a review is given of the various data-links that are available today, including plans for new standards. The invention focuses on the ubiquitous cellular telephone and methods are described to relay an emergency vehicle'"'"'s siren through the device to help clear the road ahead for the emergency services vehicle. Furthermore, the method uses techniques to determine which cell users are in the path of the vehicle and targets only those cell devices to relay the siren. The relaying is virtual as it may use siren or similar ring-tones that respond to the emergency notification to the user'"'"'s cell phone number. The invention makes use of calls, broadcasts, SMS messaging, text messaging, Push to Talk (PTT), e mails, and other means of cell phone communication.
103 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for notifying communications device users of the presence of an emergency vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining position and probably route of the emergency vehicle; determining at least one probable zone that the emergency vehicle will pass through en route to an emergency; determining which communications devices are within the at least one probable zone based upon location of the communications devices; selecting which communications devices within the at least one probable zone should be contacted to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle to produce a group of selected communications devices; and transmitting a signal to the selected communications devices within the at least one probable zone to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for notifying communications device users of the presence of an emergency vehicle, said system comprising:
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means for determining position and probably route of the emergency vehicle; means for determining at least one probable zone that the emergency vehicle will pass through en route to an emergency; means for determining which communications devices are within the at least one probable zone based upon location of the communications devices; means for selecting which communications devices within the at least one probable zone should be contacted to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle to produce a group of selected communications devices; and means for transmitting a signal to the selected communications devices within the at least one probable zone to notify of the presence of an emergency vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification