AU2005204320A1 - Hazard Alerting System - Google Patents

Description

ci) P/00/011I Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Hazard Alerting System The invention is described in the following statement: 1504841_1.DOC 'i Title of Invention: Hazard Alerting System

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0 M Field of Invention: This invention relates generally to a hazard alerting system and method and, more particularly, to an emergency vehicle warning system and method utilizing a radio frequency communication link.

0Background of the Invention: Emergency vehicles, when in an emergency state, often travel at high speed through 0 busy streets. Other vehicles are required to give the fight-of-way to the emergency vehicle. The driver of another vehicle, then, must be aware of the approach of the emergency vehicle within a suitable time to safely allow this right-of-way. In order to alert drivers of the approach of an emergency vehicle in an emergency status, the emergency vehicle usually relies on sight and sound; eg. flashing lights, sirens and horns.

The passenger compartments of most modern vehicles usually are well soundinsulated from engine-noise and other outside noises. Thus, it often is difficult for drivers to hear a siren or horn of an oncoming emergency vehicle. This difficulty is exacerbated if the driver is using the vehicle's radio. Similarly, it often is difficult for drivers to see visual alerting devices.

Similar problems exist in other cases; such as: a train approaching an uncontrolled level crossing, in which the train must rely on its audible horn or bell; road hazard alerts; and roadworks.

The idea of emergency vehicles using radio signals to override standard AM and FM broadcast frequencies is not new. The following patents are disclosed as examples of prior art but are not to be taken as an admission of or indication of common general knowledge in Australia.

-2- 1504841_1.DOC CA2299792 Uses a portion of the radio frequency band, then changes to another

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0portion and so forth to provide coverage of the entire broadcast band, the broadcast band is also changed; thus requiring a complex circuit to operate. The patent discloses an emergency and non-emergency transmitter receivable by broadcast band receivers in nearby vehicles, comprising a first signal generator for simultaneously providing a plurality of selectively spaced carriers having frequency ospacings corresponding to the individual channels of the band to be covered and selectively providing amplitude modulation when used for the AM broadcast band, oand a second signal generator providing an FM modulated signal, which when combined with the signal from the first signal generator, covers various portions of 0 the FM broadcast band to provide complete coverage thereof. A plurality of signals are generated in a portion of a selected band and modulated, according to the selected band mode, with a pre-stored and selectable voice alarm message. The portion of the band is changed to provide coverage of the entire broadcast band, the broadcast band is also changed, and/or the message is changed to provide effective emergency notification to vehicles and/or listeners within a half-mile radius of the emergency vehicle or public facility issuing the alarm transmission.

WO 02/17269 Scans the seven strongest nearby radio signals then transmits only on the seven strong signals utilizing the rds network.

JP60179348 Based on programmed data, a microcomputer assigns to a band-pass filter the first centre frequency band which is characteristically high-level in the frequencies of emergency vehicle's sirens. Also it determines whether or not the signal level of a conversion circuit, which is to converse the input signal of the frequency band passing through the filter to the digital amount corresponding to its level, is higher than the previously stored data. When it is higher, the next centre frequency band is assigned to the filter. When the levels of all the assigned input signals are higher, it determines that an emergency vehicle is approaching, and makes an output device operate.

1504841_1 .DOC U.S. 2,994,765 (Adam) Discloses an electronic system that sweeps a particular 0 band to cause interference on all of the frequencies of the receiver. The interference teither simulates a siren or else broadcasts a message.

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U.S. 3,660,811 (Vail et al) Discloses a radio system in which the frequency of a o transmitter is swept across the receiver band to provide a warning sound. The tuning system of the transmitter is mechanically activated to move tuning slugs.

oBoth AM And FM receivers are affected by the directional jamming signals from o the system.

U.S. 3,673,560 (Barsh et al) Discloses a system that broadcasts to an adapter connected to a standard receiver. The receiver apparatus requires that an adapter be pre-connected to the receiver. The regular radio reception is overridden by the adapter, so that the broadcast message from an emergency vehicle is received. It will be noted that this system requires an adapter, and accordingly vehicles whose radios do not have the adapter will not receive the message from the emergency vehicle.

U.S. 3,710,313 (Kimball et al) Discloses a system which also requires an additional device or adapter connected to a radio receiver in a vehicle. The apparatus is specifically adapted to FM radios. Again, a special adapter is required, and vehicles without the adapter will not receive the broadcast message.

U.S. 3,949,300 (Sadler) Discloses a transmitter which sweeps across a frequency band. Sweeping is accomplished at an audio rate. Both AM and FM frequencies are affected.

U.S. 4,443,790 (Bishop) Discloses a system in which AM and FM transmitters in an emergency vehicle are driven by oscillators which cover the entire AM and FM frequency bands. The sweeping of the bands is accomplished at a predetermined rate.

-4- 1504841_1.DOC

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o Generally, the prior art systems utilize oscillator sweeping, frequency stepping, or signalling on the AM band then FM band, etc. and/or are also microcontroller controlled for storing waveform images or oscillator frequencies. Also the prior art makes no attempt to control multiple alert units in the one operating area to eliminate the possibility of two units overriding the radio broadcast band at the o same time causing interference between the units and the broadcast band receiver in 0 the motor vehicle.

Another problem with prior art is the lack of an ability for the user to have an indication of integrated system functionally and a status, as emergency vehicles drivers generally would not have the standard vehicle radio on whilst responding to emergency calls; therefore they would be unable to ascertain if the alert unit is functioning properly or at all.

Summary of the Invention: This invention accordingly provides a radio warning device which broadcasts an audible alert across the entire commercial AM and FM radio frequency band at a linear output level with no spiking.

The device may be programmed to transmit on both the AM and FM bands together or the AM or FM bands may be selected individually.

Preferred Aspects of the Invention: It is preferred that the radio warning device stores and continuously replays a preset audio alert message, and transmits this message on all channel frequencies in the entire AM and FM radio broadcast band simultaneously.

Preferably the device includes a combined AM broadcast band transmitter and FM broadcast band transmitter that simultaneously transmits on all broadcast band AM frequencies from 531 KHz to 1602 KHz, with 9 KHz carrier spacing, and all FM broadcast band frequencies from 88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz with 200 KHz carrier 1504841_iDOC spacing and the output power of the catrers is linear across the entire AM or FM o broadcast band.

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It is fur-ther preferred that the device is part of a system which includes a multi vehicle wireless control link network that maintains awareness of emergency vehicles within a local zone that have the system operating and provides indicator o status to an operator that other vehicles are close by in emergency mode and Ni ensures that only one system is overriding broadcast band radio at a time and within 0 a defined radius, preferably 600 metres.

o N It is preferred that the control link network includes a vehicle mount transceiver or transmitter and receiver unit that will transmit and receive, preferably on the LH'1) band, and form part of a network of units whereby one unit is current primary and all other units are slaves with the primary being the only unit with its system active and the network will cater for units joining and departing the network as well as networks joining the network.

The system may include a second standalone unit to be sited at a fixed point, such as an emergency vehicle base, mechanical workshop, hospital, where there is a potential for stationary daily vehicle checks as well as siren testing, or emergency vehicles are responding from and to and that unit will always transmit a master signal, so all units within the range will be in slave mode and not override the radio, causing annoyance to people nearby the fixed point.

Preferably, a timer circuit in the radio warning device or a micro-controller from the multi vehicle wireless control link network will cause RIF carriers to be turned on and off in a preset duty cycle, to suit the length of the audio alert message, preferably 3 sec intervals.

The radio frequency output signals are preferred to be transmitted via a single antenna, limiting the aerials on an emergency vehicle already having multiple aerials. The antenna can be a directional or omni-directional antenna to achieve its purpose. The directional antenna could be focused from between 0 and 180 degrees from mounting point, with the centre of radiation in front of the emergency. The -6- 1504841_1.DOC S preferred option is to use a directional antenna, but an omni-directional antenna can also be used.

Specific embodiments in accordance with this invention will now be described by I 5 way of example thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Views of the Drawings: 0 Note, in this specification the following terms are used: ctI EVL (Emergency Vehicle Locator) is the wireless control link and overall 0 controller; EVADE is the AM and FM broadcast band station override facility; and EMERGALERT is the combined product.

Figurel is an overall block diagram to illustrate the interaction of the EVADE unit with the EVL unit; and Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an EMERGALERT embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description with Respect to the Drawings: Figure 1 shows the overall interaction of the EVL function with the EVADE function that results in the EMERGALERT system.

EMERGALERT is an overall emergency vehicle alert system that transmits on the same frequencies as broadcast band AM and FM radio stations, that allows an emergency vehicle with its siren on to alert road traffic, via a standard in-vehicle AM FM radio receiver, that it is approaching.

The EVL system is a multi vehicle wireless control link network that maintains awareness of emergency vehicles within a local zone that have the system operating. It provides indicator status to the driver that other vehicles are close by 1504841_1i.DOC S in emergency mode and ensures that only one system is overriding broadcast band radio at a time and within a defined radius, preferably 600 metres.

The overall purpose of the EVL MASTER system is to reduce the incidences of normal road traffic holding up emergency vehicles in the commission of dealing with emergencies, and to ensure that only one system is operating in the area.

EVL is a vehicle mount transceiver or transmitter and receiver unit that will otransmit and receive, preferably on the LIPD band, and form part of a network of units whereby one unit is current primary and all other units are slaves with the 0 primary being the only unit with its system active. The network will cater for units joining and departing the network as well as networks joining the network.

It will do so in a manner so as to ensure that only one vehicle within a 600 metre radius is ever broadcasting on a system at any one time. Its operation will be autonomous with regard to vehicle operators except for status panel indicating state of operation and indicator and possibly an audible alert as to other emergency vehicles within its current sphere of operation. The combined network will serve to control automatically the use of the system fitted to the emergency vehicles such that only one unit overrides broadcast band radio with emergency vehicle approaching messages. This unit can and may be expanded to hold multiple message facility.

EVL system also includes a second standalone unit to be sited mounted etc. at emergency vehicle bases, mechanical workshops, hospitals etc., where there is a potential for stationary daily vehicle checks as well as siren testing, or emergency vehicles are responding from and to. This part of the unit will always transmit a master signal, so all units within the range will be in slave mode and not override the radio, causing annoyance to people living right next door to a fire station etc.

EVL is operated automatically, preferably when the power to the siren unit is switched, but may in the overall scheme be connected to any switch or power source and adapted to suit. EMERGALERT is controlled when the siren is switched on. This is done via a microcontroller or PIC to run the commands and 1504841_1.DOC S interfaced via RF transceiver of tx/rx pair preferably on the 433 MHz band. This unit sends and receives encoded packets to determine whether or not to transmit the Oil) radio override and also to activate status light for the driver of the overall system current status.

(N EVADE stores and continuously replays a preset audio alert message, and transmits o this message on all channel frequencies in the entire AM and FM radio broadcast

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band simultaneously by the use of components on the printed circuit board and the 0 layout of the printed circuit board. A timer circuit, or the micro-controller from the o 10 EVL will cause the RF carriers to be turned on and off In a preset duty cycle, to suit N the length of the audio alert message, preferably 3 sec intervals. EVADE is intended to be used with the EVL for the combined unit, but EVADE can by design run as a stand alone unit to override radio broadcasts.

The exact transmission frequencies and carrier spacing can be changed at the production stage to meet broadcast band frequencies and cbannel for different countries. In Australia, FM 88.0 to 108.0M4Hz, and AM 531 to 1602K~z are used.

The radio frequency output signals arc preferred to be transmitted via a single antenna, limiting the aerials on an emergency vehicle already having multiple aerials. The antenna can be a directional or omni-directional antenna to achieve its purpose. The directional antenna could be focused from between 0 and 180 degrees from mounting point, with the centre of radiation in front of the emergency. The preferred option is to use a directional antenna, but an omrni-directional antenna can also be used.

A block diagram of an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2. The system includes a combined AM broadcast band transmitter and FM broadcast band transmitter that simultaneously transmits on all broadcast band AM frequencies from 531 KI-z to 1602 KI-z, with 9 K~z carrier spacing, and all FM broadcast band frequencies from 88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz with 200 KHz carrier spacing. The output power of the carriers is linear across the entire AM or FM broadcast band.

1504841_1.DOC The audio message is stored in a pre-programmed non-volatile electronic memory, o and is played continuously on command via a controller or timer.

The FM transmitter section uses a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) and carrier generator to produce multiple RF (Radio Frequency) carriers spaced 200 KHz apart in a bandwidth of preferably 20 MHz from 88.1 MHz to 107.9 MHz. The carriers o are then amplified, and a sample of the output is divided down and phase compared with a digitally generated reference oscillator, and the resulting DC correction 0voltage locks the VCO so all the generated carriers are on the exact centre frequencies of existing FM broadcast band services. The carriers are frequency N modulated by the audio from the internal audio message playback circuitry. The overall FM output is amplified again and fed through a low pass filter to eliminate unwanted outputs including the second harmonic.

The AM transmitter section uses a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) and carrier generator to produce multiple RF (Radio Frequency) carriers spaced 9 KHz apart in a bandwidth of preferably 1.07MHz from 531KHz to 1602KHz.. The carriers are then amplified, and a sample of the output is divided down and phase compared with a digitally generated reference oscillator, and the resulting DC correction voltage locks the VCO so all the generated carriers are on the exact centre frequencies of existing AM broadcast band services. The overall output is then amplitude modulated by the audio from the internal audio message playback circuitry. The AM output is fed through a low pass filter to eliminate unwanted mixing products including the second harmonic.

The internal frequencies used to modulate, mix and phase compare in both the AM and FM stages are preferably all derived from a single internal reference oscillator.

EVL is operated automatically when the power to preferably the siren unit is switched. Once activated, and the system determines there are no other units in the broadcast area, it will allow the system to activate and continue to run whilst there is no primary signal received. This is done via a microcontroller or PlC to run the commands and interfaced via RF transceiver of tx/rx pair preferably on the 433 MHz band (Ant The EVL preferably has a separated antenna to the EVADE, 1504841_1.OOC but can also be changed to have the entire unit run a single tuned antenna for the 3 o bands required. This unit sends and receives encoded packets to determine whether or not to transmit the radio override and also to activate a status light for the driver to indicate the current status of the overall system.

C\ The EVL is the brains and controls whether or not to activate the override o transmitter. When the EVL receives no primary signal it signals with a 1/0 through Cfl a timer program the voice recording and EVADE unit to operate to create a o seamless override facility and activate a led light showing system override 10 operating. This then continues to cycle until the master power, preferably o controlled by the siren on! off switch, is turned off;, when the unit will reset on power on again. The other method for the unit to cease operation is if the EVL unit receives a primary signal from another emergency vehicle of the separate EVL override system mounted at, for example, a fire station base or hospital.

If the EVL receives a primary signal it will put the system into bypass (slave) mode and indicate an appropriate led to indicate this as well as an led to indicate another emergency vehicle approaching or within a bypass area. It will also continue to monitor the network until no further primary signal is received which will then allow the system to return to primary mode and reactivate the system.

Also if the unit receives a primary signal it will then send a slave signal so that the emergency vehicle sending the primary signal will receive this and be alerted to the existence of the other emergency vehicle.

Summary EMERGALERT is a broadcast band transmitter capable of overriding the reception of existing broadcast band radio stations on a general public motor vehicle standard AM FM radio when within the vicinity of an emergency vehicle approaching on route to an emergency.

EMERGALERT has been developed to also ensure that only one emergency vehicle override transmitter is operating at a one time to prevent interference -11 I- 1504841_IDOC between units and the broadcast band. EMERGALERT is also fitted with an EVL o (Emergency Vehicle Locator) to indicate an emergency vehicle on route to an Oil) emergency the approach of another emergency vehicle fitted with EMERGALERT.

This reduces the likelihood of emergency vehicles impeding each other's progress and of accidents between emergency vehicles at intersections.

o EMERGALERT is capable of transmitting on all channel frequencies in the entire AM and FM radio broadcast band simultaneously, or AM and FM broadcast bands o individually, and can be configured during manufacture to suit the radio broadcast o 10 bands of individual countries, as they may differ slightly.

EMERGALERT can also be made compliant with any country's requirements such as the American EAS system. EMERGALERT can be adapted to ensure that if an EAS message is received that the unit will go into bypass mode ensuring the EAS message is not interfered with.

The EVL emergency vehicle locator, which indicates to emergency vehicles the approach of another emergency vehicle within 600 metres, reduces the likelihood of emergency vehicles impeding each other or colliding with each other. The unit also ensures that only one device is overriding the radio bands at a single time. Prior art does not do this and there is a real deficiency with two units broadcasting. In that case, they will attempt to override each other and cause interference and constant disruption of the bands rather than a spaced timed override. The present invention allows for this by stopping other units transmitting when they receive a signal that there is another emergency vehicle within, preferably, 600metres.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

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Claims (1)

1. A radio warning device which broadcasts an audible alert across the entire commercial AM and FM radio frequency band at a linear output level with no spiking. Donald WILKIE o By his Patent Attorneys c Middletons 0 Dated: 26 August, 2005 ,I to' -13-