GB2380843A

GB2380843A - Vehicle early warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2380843A
Application number: GB0124185A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mchugh; Stewart Denis Mchugh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-09
Filing date: 2001-10-09
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: GB0124185D0

Abstract

The system comprises a transmitter sending a number of encoded signals unique to a particular hazard or incident which has occurred. The received signal is decoded by a receiver which alerts the driver of a vehicle which alerts them to the hazardous situation ahead such as a crash, road works or the presence of an emergency vehicle. The alert may be audible or visual and unique to a particular incident type. The system may be coupled with a GPS system.

Description

Motoring Early Warning System The invention relates to a Motoring Early Warning System for all types of vehicles Every year a needless number of people are killed or seriously injured after being struck by vehicles while they are tending to a roadside incident. The purpose of the invention stems from the need to warn other motorists of

potential dangerous situations ahead such as broken down vehicles, the presence of emergency services, ., ency senrices, accidents or road works.

The invention will provide approaching motorists with an audibleívisual warning of an incident ahead.

The invention will consist of a transmitter that can either be: * Connected into the vehicles Hazard Warning Lights system and so send a signal automatically when the vehicles Hazard Warning Lights are activated.

Operated manually via a switch. This will enable the warning signal to be operated in the event of a complete electrical system failure.

When activated, the transmitter can send a number of different messages giving the receiving motorist an idea of what to expect on the road ahead such as a breakdown, the presence of the emergency services or road works.

Main components (Fig 1.) Transmitter . Transmits a short low power encoded signal when activated by either the vehicles electrics or manually by the transmitting motorist.

. Transmits a short text description to be displayed (if possible) on the receiving unit * The unit will be capable of transmitting a number of different signals (dependant on transmitter model): * Radio frequency transmissions will be low power and compatible with the signal transmitted by local radio stations when a traffic information message is broadcast on the traffic channel.

* Satellite frequency transmissions will be low power and compatible with what a vehicle's satellite navigation system is expecting to receive.

* If a GPS enabled device is fitted, gives the GPS location of the transmitting vehicle.

* Location based transmissions to mobile phones within range of the problem ahead.

* The unit will also be able to transmit an additional signal on another frequency for detection by a receiver other than a vehicle's audio or satellite navigation system.

* Transmitting range should give approaching motorists enough time to react to any possible danger ahead.

. Range would be up to the maximum allowable by the DTI.

* Transmitting User Interface . Provides options for transmitting different emergency alarms depending on user. e Unit can be connected directly to the vehicles electrical system and operated from the Hazard Warning light switch.

. Umt can be used independently from the vehicle electric's as a stand-alone system.

* Auto/manual selection Power supply selection Visual indicators

* Receiver . Any of the following : Vehicle Audio System, Satellite Navigation System, Mobile Phone or an additional receiving unit If capable of displaying text on front panel, then audio/visual message made available to the receiving motorist. s Otherwise just an audio message is received.

Possible usage scenarios A dnver has to stop at the roadside for any reason- For example : A flat tyre, broken windscreen, car breakdown, make a delivery or collection, stopping to ask directions. etc. The driver would switch on the vehicles hazard warning lights. This would automatically activate the Motoring Early Warning System to alert other drivers that there is a possible dangerous situation on the road ahead.

There is something blocking the road.

In these situations, traffic queues tend to build up very quickly. These queues invariable lead to accidents caused by drivers not knowing that traffic has stopped ahead. Most drivers switch on their hazard warning lights as they approach a queue to try and give some warning to the drivers behind that they are slowing quickly. The problem with this is that the hazard warning lights are only viewed by the I or 2 cars directly

behind. The Motoring Early Wammg System would greatly increase the effectiveness of activating your behind. The Motoring Early Waniin.- hazard warning lights in this situation because the warning would be picked up much sooner and by more vehicles behind the queue.

* There is a slow moving vehicle on a country road.

These can be the cause of many accidents in nual areas due to poor visibility on country roads. i. e. twisting

lanes and high hedges. The Motoring Early Warning System would give approaching vehicles the signal to 0 slow down even though there is no obvious problem in sight 'Fog.

Everyone remembers the carnage that happens on our motorways every year. Drivers invariably drive too fast and too close to the vehicle in front in foggy conditions. This situation leads to multiple pile-ups because divers are not able to see any problems ahead The Motoring Early Warning System would alert drivers to accident or queues ahead giving them time to slow down in a controlled manner, so averting further problems behind them.

Anyone working on the road, e. g. road maintenance crews, road sweepers, refuse collections, breakdown services, etc.

As well as a vehicles hazard warning lights, the Motoring Early Warning System could be activated by

turning on the amber warning lights normally fitted to this type of service vehicle. thus giving motorists an early indication that there may be people and machinery working on the road.

* Use by emergency services The Motoring Early Warning System will be able send out a signal to road users to indicate that there was an incident on the road ahead and that the Emergency services where in attendance. This would give drivers time to slow down, reducing the risks to the emergency service personnel.

Claims

Claims 1. The motoring early warning system (Fig 1. ) provides the general public and emergency services the possibility of transmitting and receiving signals, which will then be decoded into audible and visual messages, from a unit fitted in each vehicle. These signals will enable the motorist and emergency services to advise other motorists of roadside problems ahead.
2. The motoring early warning system as claimed in claim 1 can be connected directly into the vehicle battery supply and Hazard warning light system or be used as a stand-alone system.
3. The motoring early warning system as claimed in claim 1 is capable of transmitting more than one signal to enable a variety of messages to be heard or seen in each vehicle.
4. Unlike any traffic system currently in operation, the Motoring Early Warning System will work at a very localise level, giving motonsts the ability to provide immediate and possibly life saving information to other motorists.