GB2454711A

GB2454711A - Vehicle warning and reminder system using digital playback of audio messages

Info

Publication number: GB2454711A
Application number: GB0722491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cheryl Moody
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-16
Filing date: 2007-11-16
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Also published as: GB0722491D0

Abstract

A programmable audible warning system uses audio messages for people and is fitted to vehicles and powered through the vehicles 12v DC supply 1 or a rechargeable battery 4. The system processor 6 uses signals 2 from a series of the vehicles switches or additional switches to define when a particular message will be played. The audio is produced by output 7 and sent to a speaker 8. The switches may include those related to doors, temperature sensor, engine ignition, reversing, trailer connections. The messages may also include safety slogans or review risk assessments. The audio messages can be changed by the end user and audio files may be stored on a removable memory 10. The memory 10 may store event data as a log.

Description

Title: Programmable Audible Warning System

Background:

Workers who work out in the field are in an uncontrolled environment and have lots of accidents due to the nature of the site conditions and lack of supervision/management. Part of the problem being that they forget their safety responsibilities and do not observe the changes to conditions around them resulting in numerous accidents and injunes.

Statement of Invention:

The Programmable Audible Warning System (PAWS) is a safety product designed to remind individuals of the importance of safety at specific times dunng work based activities.

In essence continual audible reminders to reduce the potential for accidents.

The product can be sold as an extension to any current work based safety systems and procedures The Programmable Audible Warning System (PAWS) is fitted into vehicles. It plays a series of recordable messages dependent on predefined conditions driven by a series of switches and timescales. Typical switches would include: * Door Access (drivers, rear or side) * External temperature sensor * Engine ignition * Reversing * Trailer connections The messages played would be a number of recordable audio files that could be recorded by the end user, examples of which are: * Company safety slogans * Reminders to get out and look before reversing * Warning of icy conditions * Review risk assessments * Recorded in an individuals voice Advantages: The companies can pre-load messages of their choice into the unit which will be played at specific times dependent on the activity of the employee. This will provide employees of continual audible reminders of the importance of safety and effectively re- programme their culture through subliminal messaging.

Introduction to Drawings:

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

The unit can be installed anywhere within the vehicle and connects to the existing wiring harness or retro fitted switches as required.

Figure 1 demonstrates how the product will receive information via a series of switches and transmit into sound.

Detailed description:

The unit will be constructed on a printed circuit board (9). Inputs will be received via a number of switches (2), these switches will be the vehicle ignition, temperature sensors, load indicators, door sensors, reversing switches and any other switches that the end user defines as appropriate.

The switches (2) will send signals to the micro-processor (6) that will interpret the signals via a predefined set of parameters and the timings (5) of the events. The parameters will define the required outputs which will be sent by the micro-processor to the Audio file output (7) which will select the desired file from the removable memory (10) and play the sound via an output to an external speaker (8).

The removable memory (10) will also store event data generated by the micro-processor (6).

The removable memory (10) will allow the end user to change the sound files to ones of their choice and remove information from the event log.

The unit will be powered by a vehicle 12v DC power supply (1) which will also charge a rechargeable battery (4) to ensure the system works in the event of vehicle battery drain.

The whole unit will be encased in a plastic casing to prevent the ingress of moisture and prevent physical damage.

A serial bus port (3) will be fitted to allow attachment of any further product developments

Claims

Claims: 1. A Programmable audible warning system fitted to a vehicle which uses the vehides systems to receive inputs which are then translated by the unit into outputs.
2. Where programmable according to claim 1 is the facility for the end user to record their own audible messages and define their own parameters
3. Where warnings according to claim 1 are played via an external source such as audio speaker whether attached to the vehicle or not.
4. Where fitted to a vehicle according to claim 1 can be either permanently attached or within a vehicle or wired to the vehicle.
5. Where inputs according to claim us an electrical signal transmitted to the units switches (2)
6. Where outputs according to claim 1 are audible signals transmitted as warning as claimed in daim 3.
7. Where translated by the unit according to claim I means the interpretation of the vehicle signals, as described in claim 5, against a defined set of parameters held within the micro-processor (6)