GB2291995A

GB2291995A - Audio/visual warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2291995A
Application number: GB9415844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Friedrich Theodor Meuschke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-05
Filing date: 1994-08-05
Publication date: 1996-02-07
Also published as: GB9415844D0

Abstract

The audio/visual warning system consists of a transmitter and receiver of signals of the same type and frequency. The transmitter transmits signals from danger points in the direction of any approaching vehicles with a range calculated so as to give the operator of the approaching vehicle enough time to avoid a collision. The signals will be strong enough to pass through obstructions and cover a safe distance. The transmitter can (if carried by a vehicle) adiust its range to the velocity of the carrying vehicle as well as adjust its directional output should the need arise. It could also have the ability to send out coded signals which will be read by the receiver to give the operator specific audio or visual information of the type of danger approaching.

Description

AUDIO@VISUAL WARNING SYSTEM 1) This invention relates to an audio/visual warning system 2) All indications of danger and instructions to operators of any type of vehicle are normally in the form of signs and or light signals requ@ring him or her to constantly scan their present environment. Momentary lack of concentration,bad visibility due to fog, rain, obstructions due to trees, other vehicles, bends and corners does lead to accidents. A very high percentage of these accidents are caused because the operator does not have sufficient time to react and bring his vehicle to a standstill before a collision occurs.

3) An object of the invention is to mount a simple directional transmitter which will send signals in the directions of oncoming traffic from or adjacent to the point of danger and a directional receiver which will receive signals from the point of danger lying directly in its path fitted in each vehicle which will give off a warning signal which will alert the operator of any danger ahead and provide the additional time needed to avoid collision even ifthe operator has falled to see the danger for whatever reason.

4) The warning signal could be either audio or visual or both and would be heard or seen by the operator in his immediate vicinity, even if the danger lies outside his line of sight.

5) All transmitters and receivers in one environment( land,water and air) will operate on the same frequency using the same mode of transmitting 6) Transmitters could be mounted on all danger points Activated by the brake-lights in road transport it would alert all following vehicles within the range of the transmitter @receiver. On or adjacent to traffic lights when the light turns yellow or red. Before hospitals, schools on dangerous bends, steep hills and where ever warning signs are normally posted.

7) The same would be effective in rail transport while at sea buoys bridges, piers and other vessels could be equipped while in the air tall masts, buildings and other airships would transmit the signal.

8) The signal would be transmitted either continuously or in frequent intervals as long as the danger exists and it would be received continuously or in frequent intervals until the operator of the receiving vehicle takes evasive action by activating his own brake system or by moving out of the range of the transmitter receiver,thereby avoiding collision.

9) By activating his own braking system he would automatically set off his transmitter thus warning all 11 f@ following traffic within the range of his transmitter 10) The direction and range of the transmitters and receivers will be engineered to suit the operating environment so as as to avoid receiving signals from danger points which would not normally lie in the path of the vehicle's movement. They would also be adjustable to suit any change of direction and can be engineered to increase or decrease in strength according to the velocity of the vehicle either permanently or during acceleration or deceleration. Emitted signals could also be coded to represent specific warnings.

1) Figure 1 shows fixed, permanent or intermittent transmitter used in conjunction with any warning sign and recelver mounted on vehicle.

2) Figure 2 shows fixed, permanent or intermittent transmitter transmitting signals through 360 degrees in all directions.

3) Figure 3 shows transmitter mounted on vehicle and receiver mounted on another vehicle. Direction of transmitter and receiver adjusted to be received by following vehicles while travelling in a straight line.A third vehicle between the two would normally obstruct the vision of the operator in the last vehicle.

4) Figure 4 shows positon of transmitter and receiver mounted on vehicles and adjusted to transmit and receive while turning a corner 5) Figure 5 shows comparison between line of sight to point of danger and line of transmission and reception of signals to point of danger 6) In figure 1 is shown a transmitter mounted on or adjacent to traffic signals and adapted to transmit a directional beam 13 when the traffic signal turns to red. the range "r" of the transmitter may be adjusted to the expected or measured speed of the approaching vehicle and the calculated distance to bring the vehicle to a standstill. Transmission is directed towards oncoming vehicles such as 14.

7) The vehicle 14 has a receiver 16 adapted to pick up signals directionally within the receiving beam 15. It will give the operator a visible and or audible warning. If this vehicle is also fitted with a transmitter it will activate this through it's braking system and thereby warn any following traffic which is also fitted with this devise.

8) In figure 2, a radio mast 20 carries a transmitter sending out signals 360 degrees in every direction 21 9) An aircraft 22 has a receiver with a beam 24. Receipt of the signal will cause a visual and or audible warning in the cockpit even though the mast might not have been seen.

10) In figure 3 the vehicle 25 has set off a transmitting beam 26 by activating his brake system. Vehicle 28 picks up this signal through it's receiving beam 29, even though his sight is obscured by vehicle 27 The operator of vehicle 27 will only be able to react if his vision is not blocked due to fog or rain.

11) In figure 4 the vehicles 30 and 32 have adjusted their transmitting bc-am 31 and receiving beam 33 in such a way as to still be able to interact even though going round a bend 34. In this way they will still give and receive warning despite. obstruction through trees 35 and or other objects.

12) In figure 5 line of sight 36 between vehicles 30 and 32 has been drawn in to demonstrate the advantage of using sioinals rather then relying on vision.

Claims

1) A vehicle ha@ard warning system comprising a transmitter located on or adjacent a potential hazard and a receiver on the vehicle adapted to provide the vehicle operator with an audible and or visual warning of the hazard 2) A transmitter receiver assembly according to claim 1 where the transmitter is fixed in a permanent position and gives off continuous or intermittent signals whether coded or otherwise and the receiver is mounted on a moving vehicle.

3) A transmitter receiver assembly according to claim 1 and where the transmitter is fitted to one vehicle and the receiver is fitted to any other vehicle which will audibly and or visually warn the operator of any possible danger 4) A transmitter receiver assembly according to claim 2 and 3 and where the transmitter and or receiver are mounted in such a way as to change its direction of transmitting and or receiving according to their direction of travel.

5) A transmitter receiver assembly according to claim 2, 3 and 4 and which adjusts it's transmitting and or receiving strength according to the velocity of the venticle.

6) A transmitter receiver assembly as claimed in any proceeding claim and where the transmitter is activated when the operator of this vehicle uses his brake system to slow down.

7) A transmitter receiver assembly as claimed in any proceeding claim where the transmitter is activated by the brake system and the receiver is inactivated by either the brake system or manually through a separate switch gear.

8) A transmitter or receiver unit produced separately and independently from each other but engineered to perform either one or all of the operations mentioned in claims 1-7 9) A transmitter receiver warning system substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.