Communications: electrical – External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm – Transmitter in one vehicle only
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-25
2003-10-07
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
Transmitter in one vehicle only
C340S901000, C340S905000, C340S907000, C340S929000, C340S436000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06630892
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a system for warning a site of the relative approach of a dangerous situation, such as an emergency vehicle or another emergency situation such as a fire. More specifically, this relates to a site, such as an emergency vehicle, equipped with an electronic signal transmitter emitting an signal containing a message. Preferably, this signal is an electromagnetic frequency signal, preferably a radio frequency. Another site, such as another vehicle, is equipped with a receiver alert system that warns an operator of the other site when a probability of a dangerous situation, such as a collision, exists.
For example, to assure right-of-way to approaching emergency vehicles, these emergency vehicles are equipped with audible and visual warning devices such as sirens and flashing red lights. Other motor vehicles nearby an approaching emergency motor vehicle can act accordingly and provide a safe right-of-way for the emergency vehicle once the drivers of those other vehicles are aware of the siren and/or flashing lights of the approaching emergency vehicle.
A timely warning especially depends on upon a driver's ability to hear an emergency vehicle siren that is external to and disconnected from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to be warned. Improved vehicle construction with respect to passenger compartment soundproofing, an increased ambient noise within the passenger compartment due to car radios and stereos, ventilation fans, and alike, have made it more difficult for the driver to hear the audible siren warning of an approaching emergency vehicle. This increases the probability that a clear right-of-way may be delayed for the emergency vehicle. Further, dangerous traffic conditions can arise when an unwarned driver obstructs an emergency vehicle that is often traveling at high speed.
In addition, other dangerous situations do not give notice to vehicles of the dangers associated with them. For example, an operator of a vehicle has no way of knowing that he is approaching a toxic fire or other hazard. A way of warning sites of dangerous situations their relative location, and a relative velocity is needed.
PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,560, Max, et al., reveals a vehicle alerting system comprising a transmitter in an emergency vehicle and a receiver in another vehicle. The receiver has a single antenna, which is designed to pick up a transmitted code from the transmitter on the emergency vehicle. Response to the signal from the emergency vehicle transmitter include both visual and audible outputs.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,349, Keister, et al., reveals another emergency warning system. Keister discloses a transmitter mounted in an emergency vehicle. The transmitter transmits a specific code sequence of signals.
A receiver in each private car is designed to respond only to these signals. Response to these signals includes both light and audio indication. The receiver also includes a way to decode the incoming signals. Each separate decoded signal has a distinct alarm signal associated with a different emergency situation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,970, Simpkin, et al., discloses a range-controlled emergency vehicle warning system with a directional radio frequency transmitter. The transmitter transmits general warning and advisory information on a radio frequency signal. The transmitter is limited to a controlled zone in front of the vehicle having a transmitter.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,868, Ribnick, et al., an emergency vehicle contains a transmitter. The transmitter is connected to a directional device such as a compass. Depending upon the orientation of the directional travel of the emergency vehicle, the device generates a tone indicating the direction of travel of the emergency in an omni-directional manner. A receiver in another vehicle receives the radio frequency generated by the transmitter in the emergency vehicle. A particular tone frequency activates a set of lights carried by the receiving vehicle and indicates the direction of travel of the emergency vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle can then determine the relative direction of the emergency vehicle by comparing the emergency vehicle travel direction with his own travel direction.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,778, Oshumi, discloses an electronic transmitter receiver system for warning a motor vehicle driver of the approach of an emergency motor vehicle. The emergency vehicle is equipped with a short range radio frequency transmitter. The transmitter is omni-directional. Oshumi uses the amplitude of the signal to initiate a warning signal within the second vehicle. As the relative distance between the two vehicles decreases, the strength of the warning signal increases, and vice versa. The entire apparatus only warns a second vehicle when the received radio signal is above a predetermined intensity.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,208, Hodgson, discloses a vehicle warning system. Hodgson discloses a means for using the Doppler effect of a transmitted signal to indicate whether the vehicle carrying the transmitter is approaching or receding. When the transmitted radio frequency bearer is determined as receding from the receiver, the unit will shut it out. Hodgson also discloses a means by which the warning in the second vehicle is activated based upon the velocity of the transmitter towards the receiver.
However, Hodgson gives no indication of the velocity, meaning a speed and direction, of the transmitting vehicle. It only gives a relative distance, and no indication of the direction or location of the transmitting vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,394, Halstead, discloses emergency vehicle proximity warning system. Halstead discloses a transmitter carried on an emergency vehicle and receiver carried onboard a second vehicle. The transmitter modulates and transmits a continuing stream of equally timed spaced pulses. The receiver on the second vehicle receives the radio signal. It determines then whether the continuous stream of equally timed space pulses from the transmitter is present. If the timed spaced pulses are present, they start an alarm within the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,060, Prevulsky, et al., discloses an emergency vehicle alert system whereby an emergency vehicle contains a transmitter. The emergency vehicle transmits an alert signal including an emergency vehicle type code. The second vehicle contains a receiver for receiving the radio pulses from the transmitter contained in the emergency vehicle. The second vehicle system then stores the codes to a stored set of type signals and alerts the driver accordingly.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,201, Graham, et al., discloses another alerting device for abnormal situations. Again, an emergency vehicle contains an active radio transmitter. The transmitter emits a range limited signal. The transmitter onboard the emergency vehicle includes an automatic gain control that responds to the speed of the emergency vehicle to control the range of the transmitted signals in relation to the speed of the vehicle. Graham also discloses a way to shape the radiation pattern of the emergency signals broadcast by the transmitter, especially backwards and forwards. Graham also discloses sensors onboard emergency vehicles providing information regarding the speed, direction, and instantaneous position of the vehicle. This information is relayed and decoded to provide a visual display of the position, direction, and speed of the transmitting vehicle. Graham discloses the emergency vehicle receiving information describing the directional heading of the emergency vehicle from a compass. This information is encoded and transmitted to other emergency vehicles for other vehicles containing a receiver equipped to decode it.
All of the noted prior art deals with only half of the true picture of the situation. Both the transmitting and receiving vehicles have velocities, meaning a speed and a direction. A more accurate determination of the possibility of collision is available when one knows the location of the transmitting vehicle. In ad
Crockford Bruce E.
Speller Kevin
Crockford Bruce E.
Hudson III James E.
Keeling Kenneth A.
Pope Daryl
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