GB2408371A

GB2408371A - Emergency vehicle warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2408371A
Application number: GB0318040A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain James Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-01
Filing date: 2003-08-01
Publication date: 2005-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-01
Also published as: GB0318040D0; GB2408371B

Abstract

A system for warning vehicle drivers of the proximity of road incidents and emergency vehicles includes an RDS transmitter 2, an RDS receiver and a transmitting antenna 3. Both text and audio messages may be transmitted using programmed messages or live input. The directional antenna is designed to produce a stronger transmission forward than to the sides.

Description

240837 1 Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) t1)

Description of Invention.

Title: Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS)

1. Background.

Currently if Emergency vehicles (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Paramedics, Bomb Disposal, Coast guard etc) are deployed in an emergency, they can forewarn other vehicle drivers, cyclists and pedestrians of their approach, through the use of flashing lights, sirens and perhaps bells. Whilst this may be satisfactory for cyclist and pedestrian who can hear the sirens it requires vigilance on the part ofthe other vehicle drivers who, due to sound proofing technology, can not hear the sirens and often fail to see the flashing lights behind them.

2. Aim of invention This invention provides the capability of alerting vehicle drivers to the approach of an emergency vehicle, or to the possibility of an accident or other incident by using the RDS functionality ofthe in-car radio. It provides the same functionality to a hand held radio with RDS capability if it is in the range of the emergency transmission.

3. Description of The Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) 3.1 System Over view (See diagram in section 4) I he system consists of; I) RDS converter & data storage device 2) Programmable fixed or spread spectrum radio transmitter 3) Directional Antenna 4) An Audio input device 5) A PC/Laptop, and/or 6) A PDA 7) An enclosure for items (I) and (2), with Open industry standards interfaces (shown in section 5) for; a. 12 V DC Power input (8) b. Antenna (9) c. Microphone Audio input (10) d. Data input ( I I) 3.2 Overview of operation of EVAS A message in text and/or audio format, is stored in an RDS converter & data storage device ( I), this is connected to a programmable fixed or spread spectrum radio transmitter (2), which is connected to a directional antenna (3).

An audio input (4) is also available on the radio transmitter for direct audio input from the users microphone.

A laptop PC (5) or PDA device (6) can be used as a data input device.

The RDS converter & Data storage device along with the transmitter are housed in a metallic enclosure (7), which suppresses radio interference to/*om the EVAS system.

l he EVAS device will be externally powered from either the operational vehicle or a battery pack for the hand held device.

3.3 Functionality The EVAS system provides the following functionality; I) Transmits a message on public radio broadcast frequencies in the FM band, typically -120Mhz, 2) The message warns recipients of approaching emergency vehicles, road conditions, obstructions or other messages as required by the transmitting party.

3) The message is transmitted using the features and functionality ofthe RDS/RBDS radio system 4) The message can be pre-programmed and stored on the device or on a suitable memory media or a computer device prior to transmission.

5) The message has a text and or an audio element; these can be in any language.

6) The text appears on the display ofthe RDS receiver, the audio is heard through the audio channel ofthe receiver. (On loudspeakers and/or headphones) 7) The message overrides any audio/video system being used. Once the message transmission (S) have been completed the audio/video system returns to its previous state.

8) The transmitter can be static or mobile through f xture to a vehicle or a hand held device.

9) The transmitter can be programmed to generate the message on a single frequency or on a *equency-hopping mode, across the Public radio FM band. JO.

10) The transmitter power output can be varied for the vehicle on which EVAS is mounted, this is set at the time of installation, and can be determined by the transmitting authority. The reason for this is explained in 3.4.

l l)The antenna system provides for a narrow forward facing beam, with small side lobes.

3.4. Discussion on Transmission Power The range needs to be variable to accommodate the maximum speed of a Fire Engine and that of a Police Pursuit vehicle. The braking distances of each type of vehicle must also be taken in to account.

Typically for a Fire engine the range needs to be 880 yards, this represents the distance travelled in 30 Seconds at 60 MPH. 880 yards is also sufficient distance for the Fire engine to stop in the event that the vehicle in front does not move out of the way.

Typically for a Police Pursuit vehicle the range needs to be 1466 yards, this represents the distance travelled in 30 Seconds at 100 MPH.1466 yards is also sufficient distance for the Police Pursuit vehicle to stop in the event that the vehicle in front does not move out of the way.

As the system can be operated to alert approaching vehicle of an incident it must also have a range, which gives the drivers time to slow down. The setting for the Police Pursuit vehicle should suffice.

The power output can therefore be adjusted, at the time of installation, to provide a maximum transmission range of 2000 yards.

3.5 Discussion on Antenna characteristics The design aim for the antenna is for low power and direction. It is essential that the alert system gives drivers sufficient warning that a vehicle is approaching, which can then be validated by checking in mirrors. At the same time it should not interfere with all RDS equipment on a 360-degree radiation pattern.

The Antenna has a radiation pattern, which covers both the Fire engine travelling at 60 mph and the Police Pursuit vehicle at l OOmph. The beam width must cover the distance represented by a four lane motorway and the hard shoulder, typically 30 yards each side of centre. This radiation pattern is shown in figure 3.5, in this figure; a (shown in (green) represents the side lobes b (shown in red) shows the desirable beam width required at 880 yards c (shown in blue) shows the desirable beam width required at 1466 yards d (shown in Yellow) shows the practical beam width when the system is optimised for a vehicle travelling at 60 mph.

Is the beam transmission angle

Claims

Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) - CLAIMS

Claim Description of claim

Number The display of an 8-character text message on a radio-receiving device equipped with RDS functionality.

The sounding of an audio message on a radio-receiving device equipped with RDS functionality.

Ability to transmit the message in claim I and claim 2 over the public FM frequency band in a fixed frequency mode.

4 Ability to transmit the message in claim I and claim 2 over the public FM frequency band in a frequency-sweeping mode.

Ability to transmit the message in claim 1 and claim 2 over the public FM frequency band in a programmable frequency hopping mode.

Ability to transmit a pre-programmable message, text and or audio, in any language supported by RDS functionality.

Ability to transmit a pre-programmable message, text and or audio, from a static transmitter to a static receiver Ability to transmit a preprogrammable message, text and or audio, from a static transmitter to a mobile receiver Ability to transmit a pre-programmable message, text and or audio, from a mobile transmitter to a static receiver Ability to transmit a pre-programmable message, text and or audio, from a mobile transmitter to a mobile receiver Ability to control radiation distance through power adjustments on static and mobile transmitters.

12 Ability to programme any 8-character message using a suitably equipped data input device for display as in claim I. 13 Ability to programme any 8-character message using a suitably equipped data input device for transmission as in claims 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10.

14 Ability to programme and store and audio message using a suitably equipped audio input device for transmission as in claims 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10.

Ability to permit free speech as an audio message using a suitably equipped audio input device for transmission as in claims 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) - CLAlMS Sheet

Claim Description of claim

I A portable warning device capable of operation outside of an emergency vehicle, or inside an emergency vehicle, which when correctly configured and activated transmits a data message and or an audio message over a selected carrier frequency in the public radio FM band using RDS/RBDS formats.

2 The warning device in claim 1, when activated transmits a data message and or an audio message over the public radio FM band in a fixed frequency mode, or a frequency-sweeping mode, or a programmable frequency hopping mode.

3 The warning device in claim 1, when activated transmits a preprogrammable data message and or an audio message, from a static and or a mobile transmitter to a correctly configured RDS receiver within range of the transmission.

4 The warning device in claim 1, when activated transmits a preprogramrnable and or stored data message in any language supported by RDS functionality.

The warning device in claim I, which as a result of claim 4 causes the display of an 8-character text message on a correctly configured RDS equipped radio receiving device.

6 The warning device in claim I; which as a result of claim 2 causes the sounding of an audio message on a correctly configured RDS equipped radioreceiving device.

7 The warning device in claim 1, which has capability to control radiation distance through power adjustments on static and mobile transmitters to be less than 3200 metros.

8 The warning device in claim I, which has the capability to programme and store any 8-character data message using a suitably equipped data input device for transmission as in claims 2 and 3.

9 The warning device in claim 1, which has the capability to programme and or store an audio message using a suitably equipped audio input device for transmission as in claims 2 and 3.

T he warning device in claim 1, which has the capability to permit free speech as an audio message using a suitably equipped audio input device for transmission as in claims 2 and 3.

11 The warning device in claim 1, which as a result of claim 5 causes the correctly configured RDS device to change function to accept the incoming warning signal.

12 The warning device in claim I, which as a result of claim 5 causes the correctly configured RDS device to restore to the original function when the warning signal terminates correctly.