GB2360864A

GB2360864A - Vehicle hazard alert

Info

Publication number: GB2360864A
Application number: GB0007455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ezekiel Cousins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-29
Filing date: 2000-03-29
Publication date: 2001-10-03
Also published as: GB0007455D0

Abstract

When enabled a Vehicle Hazard Alert signal is transmitted from a transmitter 12 and encoded 14 in an Emergency/Service Vehicle / Craft which maybe travelling or stationary. The aim of the signal is to be decoded 16 on being received by a receiver 15 over a reasonably safe working distance in the User's Vehicle / Craft. Sequential switching by a programmable logic Processing device 17 enables multiple tasking to take place simultaneously: - data manipulates a visual display 22, a Relay 18 is employed to by-pass the In vehicle entertainment 19 and 20 this will then enable and complement the voice warning circuit 23 to emit a sound or convey an announcement through 24 with an optional link to 20.

Description

1 2360864 TH,Ell V, H A-Z A LER This invention relates to a Vehicle Hazard

Alert.

It has become fairly noticeable that over the years the traffic on our roads has increased considerably. This has given way to traffic congestion leading to slow moving and in a lot of cases stationery vehicles, especially at peak hours. We are therefore fast approaching mayhem on our shrinking roads. Unfortunately this poses a problem not only for the general public that use the roads, but our Emergency 1 Services Vehicles are also finding life difficult, to respond to emergencies due to the sheer volume of daily traffic, which is forever on the increase. The Emergency Services already use a multiple audible signal in tandem with flashing lights coupled to response times, but they mostly rely on the road user to act accordingly to clear the way ahead so making safe a dangerous situation with as little commotion as possible.

Alarming statistical analysis of data has revealed an increase in Road Rage towards our Emergency/ Service Vehicles, some of which can be related to various factors, I shall mention just a few:-the element of surprise placed upon the driver & vehicle, inferior forewarning leading to evasive action being taken, the manufacture of vehicles today being more sound proofed, in vehicle entertainment overpowering any audible penetration from external sources; all of which are part and parcel of today's, modern, fast living.

From the patients point of view the audible sound emitted from the Emergency/ Service Vehicle can lead to over anxiety, where a relaxed atmosphere/surrounding would be more beneficial to health.

According to the present invention there is provided a signal when enabled will be transmitted from a transmitter whose habitation may be sealed or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secured releasable in a strategic location in the Emergency/ Service Vehicle 1 Craft for Air, Land & Sea to be travelling or stationery, which would then be received by a receiver whose habitation may be sealed or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secure releasable in a strategic location in the User's Vehicle 1 Craft in the direction as transmitted by the Emergency/ Service Vehicle 1 Craft utilising either an audio signal or as a visual display or both. The transmitted signal will relay if required which Emergency Service is in need of a clear way ahead. This signal will 1 may be employed along side the current day method of alerting the User's Vehicle 1 Craft.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective a basic block diagram.

Referring to the diagram the transmitter comprises of a device 12 whose habitation may be sealed or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secured releasable in a strategic location in the Emergency/ Service Vehicle.

The signal passes through an encoder 14 before being received by the receiver 15 over a reasonably requested distance whose habitation may be sealed or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secured releasable in a strategic location in the User's Vehicle 1 Craft.

On receiving the signal it is then decoded 16 identifying which Emergency/Service Vehicle if required is transmitting the signal. It is then processed by the programmed logic processor device 17 to perform multiple tasks:- to instruct the visual display 22 to receive data, to instruct the Relay 18 to Bye-pass the In vehicle entertainment 19 audiophonic sound 20, to instruct the voice warning circuit 23 to emit a sound or an announcement through 24,a link between 20 and 24 is optional.

Claims

3 CLAIMS APPLICATION No

1. A Vehicle Hazard Alert comprising a transmitted signal from an Emergency 1 Service Vehicle to be encoded then decoded on being received by a receiver in 1 on a Road User's Vehicle over a reasonably requested safe working distance

2. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in Claim 1 wherein electrical sequential switching by a programmable logic Processing device enables multiple tasking to take place simultaneously: - a Relay is employed to bye-pass the In vehicle entertainment this will then enable and complement the voice warning circuit to emit a sound and or convey an announcement through a strategically place sounding device with an option link to the In vehicle entertainment system.

3. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein electrical sequential switching by cl a programmable logic Processing device enables multiple tasking to take place simultaneously: - data manipulates a visual display / In vehicle display so delivering Message.

4. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any preceding claim whose sound emission and or announcement facility may be part of the vehicle hazard alert system and or to be used as an optional link to the current In vehicle entertainment set up.

5. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any preceding claim whose visual display may be part of the vehicle hazard alert system and or used as a link to the presently employed and or to be employed visual system.

6. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as in any preceding claim whose habitation may be scaled or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secured reIeasable in a strategic location in the Emergency/ Service Vehicle.

7. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as in any preceding claim whose habitation may be sealed or free opening or insular but comfortably housed secured releasable in / on a strategic location in 1 on the Road User's Vehicle.

8. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any proceeding claim will therefore enable a visual announcement to be transmitted and received when the In vehicle entertainment 1 In vehicle display is switched off.

9. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any proceeding claim will therefore enable a sound announcement to be transmitted and received when the In vehicle entertainment is switched off

10. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any proceeding claim whose signal when transmitted may be received by the Road Vehicle User in multiple directions.

11. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any preceding claim which may employ the use of another 1 other device to gain communication.

12. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any preceding claim which may be employed to a Vehicle 1 Craft suitable for Land Sea or Air.

13. A Vehicle Hazard Alert as claimed in any preceding claim which may be used alone without the aid of the present day method of alerting thus reducing the anxiety levels for all concerned.

14. A Vehicle Hazard substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figure.