WO2015136558A1

WO2015136558A1 - Warning system about possible emergency situations to road users

Info

Publication number: WO2015136558A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michele Claudio GIACALONE
Original assignee: Giacalone Michele Claudio
Priority date: 2014-03-14
Filing date: 2014-03-14
Publication date: 2015-09-17

Abstract

It is describes a warning system (10) about possible emergency situations to be housed in an automobile (20). Suitably, such a system comprises at least one display (13) equipped with at least one microprocessor (11) with transmitting receiving function and connected to at least one signal amplifier (12), said microprocessor (11) being intended for transmitting and receiving at least one warning message, of the text or audiovisual type and relating to a possible emergency situation, such a warning message being selected or input through the display (13) and amplified through the signal amplifier (12).

Description

Title: "Warning system about possible emergency situations to road users"

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention refers to a warning system about possible emergency situations to road users.

More specifically, the invention refers to a system to be housed in an automobile, in particular a public utility vehicle, and the following description is given with reference to this field of application with the sole purpose of simplifying its explanation.

Background Art

As is well known, all emergency and rescue vehicles, generically indicated as service or public utility vehicles, such as police, fire or ambulance service vehicles, are equipped with sound and/ or light devices capable of informing the other road users, in particular private vehicles, of their presence, normally linked to an emergency situation, such as a dangerous or unforeseen situation to which the other users should pay particular attention.

There are multiple light devices used with warning function, like for example the illuminated or flashing bars, mounted in a fixed or removable manner on the roof of the service vehicle so as to be visible in 360°, but also the directional and perimeter warning means and more generically the so-called working lights, usually arranged at the sides and in particular at the top of the automobile.

On the other hand, there is mainly just one sound warning device currently used, in other words the siren. The siren is a sound apparatus capable of emitting sounds within very precise frequency ranges, and according to clearly defined schemes of duration of the sound cycle and of the pause.

In particular, in order to warn about emergency situations it is known to use sound signals having the following characteristics:

- low-high frequency in hertz (Hz): 392-660;

- duration of the sound cycle: 3 seconds;

- low frequency duration: 0,8/ 1 seconds; - high frequency duration: 0,16/0,8 seconds; and

- duration of the pause:≤ 0,2 seconds.

Since 1980 the so-called two-tone siren has also been in use as additional sound warning means, with the purpose of better identifying where the emergency vehicle is coming from, of causing less of a sound disturbance and of differentiating the warning from that of public safety vehicles.

Among sound sirens currently on the market, electronic sirens are widely used, usually made up of a control unit that has the sequence of tones stored inside it, and one or more loud speakers connected to this unit.

In particular such electronic sirens are found to be particularly suitable for continuous operation since they absorb little current and require little maintenance.

More specifically, the latest generation of electronic sirens use very powerful loud speakers (Neodymium) that allow them to be heard better and are thus more effective.

Despite recent developments, the actual action radius of sound sirens does not exceed 50/ 100 metres, thus allowing a warning to the private vehicles of road users only in close proximity to the event being warned about, for example the crossing of an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, without giving them enough time to carry out the actions needed, for example to free up the road and allow the approaching emergency vehicle to pass easily or to slow down or stop or even change route, before being too close to a jam or an accident even signalled.

It is also undeniable how much such danger or warning sound signals contribute to the already serious noise pollution, particularly in big cities.

The technical problem of the present invention is that of providing a warning system about emergency situations, such as dangerous or unexpected situations, for service vehicles, in particular emergency or public utility vehicles, having structural and functional characteristics such as to make it possible to overcome the limitations and drawbacks that still affect the systems made according to the prior art, in particular limiting noise pollution and at the same time allowing timely warning to road users.

Disclosure of Invention

The idea of solution at the basis of the present invention is that of using a warning system comprising a transmission of warning messages, of the text and/ or voice type, thanks to wireless connections between the vehicles travelling on the road.

Based on such an idea of solution the technical problem is solved by a warning system about possible emergency situations to be housed in an automobile characterised in that it comprises at least one display equipped with at least one microprocessor with transmitting/ receiving function and connected to at least one signal amplifier, such a microprocessor being intended for transmitting and receiving at least one warning message, of the text or audiovisual type and relating to a possible emergency situation, such a warning message being selected or input through the display and amplified through the signal amplifier.

More specifically, the invention comprises the following additional and optional features, taken individually or in combination if needed.

According to one aspect of the invention, the warning system may comprise at least one further signal amplifier connected to the display.

According to another aspect of the invention, the signal amplifier may be positioned in a front part of the automobile and the further signal amplifier may be positioned in a rear part of the automobile.

Such a signal amplifier may transmit an amplification signal with a transmission angle that may be modified according to requirements.

According to another aspect of the invention, the warning system may also comprise at least one receiver/ actuator installed and connected to a traffic light, capable of switching a message received into a stop of such a traffic light.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the display may be made through an interactive screen of the touch type having at least one keypad and a display of messages input through the keypad.

Such an interactive screen may also comprise a plurality of keys, each associated with a pre-set warning message.

Moreover, such an interactive screen may comprise at least one first selection button and a second selection button used to activate, in an alternate manner or simultaneously, the signal amplifier, positioned at the front or rear of the automobile.

According to another aspect of the invention, the interactive screen may comprise a stop key, which activates a transmission of a warning message to receivers/ actuators connected to traffic lights.

Furthermore, the warning system may comprise a synthesiser capable of converting text messages into voice messages.

In particular, such a synthesiser may be connected to a sound system of the automobile and be able to interrupt a transmission by the sound system upon receiving a warning message to be translated into a voice message.

According to another aspect of the invention, the display may comprise a telephone SIM.

Furthermore, the warning system may be connected to an electrical system of the automobile in which it is mounted and be connected to suitable sensors connected with the display, in particular with the microprocessor, so as to activate an automatic sending of a danger warning message when there is an accident.

Finally, the warning system may comprise a suitable program to be installed on portable devices to make it possible for user being not on board automobiles to receive warning messages generated by the microprocessor of the display.

The technical problem is also solved by a method for warning about emergency situations from a vehicle in alarm state equipped with a warning system made as indicated above to other road users characterised in that it comprises the steps of:

- generating a warning message by the vehicle in alarm state, such a warning message being of the text or audiovisual type and relating to a possible emergency situation;

amplifying and transmitting such a warning message by the vehicle in alarm state; and receiving such a warning message by other road users, also equipped with the warning system.

The characteristics and advantages of the warning system according to the invention will become clearer from the description, made hereafter, of an example embodiment thereof given for indicating and not limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

In such drawings:

Figure 1 schematically shows a warning system according to the invention installed on a vehicle, in particular a service vehicle;

Figure 2 schematically shows the operation of the warning system of Figure 1 at a road intersection; and

Figure 3 schematically shows a detail of the warning system of Figure 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

With reference to such figures, and in particular to Figure 1, reference numeral 10 wholly indicates a warning system made according to the invention to be installed on board an automobile 20.

It should be noted that the figures represent schematic views of the warning system according to the invention and are not drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to highlight the important characteristics of the invention.

More specifically, the warning system 10 comprises at least one display 13 equipped with at least one microprocessor 11 with transmitting/ receiving function and connected to at least one signal amplifier 12. More specifically, the microprocessor 11 of the display 13 is able to transmit and receive warning messages, of the text or audiovisual type, such messages being linked to an emergency situation to warn road users about, such as a dangerous or unexpected situation. The display 13 may be compared to a smart phone with a touch screen or to a tablet.

The display 13 is placed in a stable form in a position visible to the driver of the automobile 20, for example on a front dashboard of such an automobile 20. In an embodiment, the automobile 20 may be a local police, national police or any other police automobile or even a fire truck or a medical rescue vehicle, such as an emergency response vehicle or an ambulance. The warning system 10 may be equally installed in a private automobile, possibly even for transporting third parties, like a bus or a taxi.

In particular, the warning system 10 operates through wireless transmission of signals that are amplified by the signal amplifier 12, for example positioned in the front part of the automobile 20, so as to maximise the scope of the signal as transmitted by the automobile 20 towards other road vehicles according to its direction of travel. Such wireless signals correspond to text and/ or sound or generically multimedia warning messages.

In particular, the signal amplifier 12 transmits an amplification signal with a transmission angle a equal to 60°, with respect to the position of the automobile 20 equipped with the warning system 10 that emits it. Advantageously according to the invention, the transmission angle a may be modified according to the various requirements up to a maximum of 360°.

The warning system 10 may also comprise a further signal amplifier 14 positioned in the rear part of the automobile 20, so as to allow the signal to be transmitted even in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the automobile 20.

The rear signal amplifier 14 also transmits an amplification signal with a transmission angle a preferably equal to 60° and that may be modified according to the various requirements up to a maximum of 360°.

It is immediately obvious that the front signal amplifier 12 may be used by service vehicles to warn that they are approaching, so as to allow the vehicles in front of them to quickly free up the roadway. It is equally clear that the rear signal amplifier 14 may, on the other hand, be used to warn of a jam or an accident to vehicles that approach the vehicle giving the warning from behind. Of course, the indicated examples of use should not be considered to be limiting. The signal amplifiers 12 and 14 may be, in particular, wireless signal amplifiers. For example, it is possible to use conventional wireless amplifiers, or Bluetooth type system or even conventional communication systems using mobile telephone connections.

The operation of the warning system 10 is schematically illustrated in Figure 2.

A first automobile 20A equipped with a warning system 10 according to the invention emits a warning message through the front signal amplifier 12 in the direction of a second automobile 20B, in turn equipped with a warning system 10 according to the invention.

Such a warning message may be, for example, a text message that is displayed on the display 13 of the automobiles that receive it, in particular of the automobile 20B, and which are thus able, for example, to quickly free the roadway, allowing the automobile 20A that sent the warning message to pass.

In its most general form, the warning system 10 thus allows the operators of the medical or police emergency services to communicate with the other vehicles moving on the road, or possibly even with the stopped ones, by sending suitable warning messages and without any sound alarm system. With the warning system 10 according to the invention a service vehicle is able to warn other private vehicles 500/ 1000m and more in advance, in other words really much earlier than what may be obtained using sound warnings like a siren.

Furthermore, the warning system 10 may also comprise suitable receivers/actuators associated with the traffic lights.

In this case, near to a road junction, such a receiver/ actuator 15 being installed and connected to a traffic light 16 switches a message received into a stop of the traffic light, turning on the RED and thus stopping the traffic in all directions, freeing up the road junction itself, so that the automobile 20 that sent the warning message may continue its journey as quickly as possible.

More specifically, as schematically illustrated in Figure 3, the warning system 10 comprises a display 13 in turn made through an interactive screen 30 of the touch type. More specifically, the interactive screen 30 comprises at least one keypad 31 and a display 32 of the messages being input through the keypad 31.

The interactive screen 30 of the display 13 also comprises a plurality of keys 33, each associated with a pre-set warning message.

In particular, the display 13 of the warning system 10 according to the invention may be prepared as a function of the type of automobile 20 on which it will be installed.

For example, the keys 33 may be configured so as to generate a warning message of the type: "DANGER WARNING, AMBULANCE APPROACHING, CLEAR THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY", suitable for being transmitted in front of the automobile 20, or "WARNING: ROADWAY BLOCKED DUE TO ACCIDENT, suitable for being transmitted behind the automobile 20.

The interactive screen 30 may thus also comprise buttons for selecting the direction of transmission. For example, the interactive screen 30 comprises a first selection button 35 and a second selection button 36 used to activate, in an alternate manner or simultaneously, the signal amplifiers 12 and 14, positioned at the front and rear of the automobile 20, respectively, and thus carry out a transmission of the warning messages in front of or behind the automobile 20.

It should be emphasised that it is also possible to transmit a warning message behind the automobile 20 that makes it possible to warn in advance to other vehicles on the road of a possible problem, like for example the presence of an accident, particularly important when there is snow or when there is a tunnel or even immediately after a bend, thus avoiding pile-ups even with many cars.

Moreover, the interactive screen 30 of the display 13 may also comprise a stop key 37, able to transmit the warning message also to the receivers/ actuators 15 and thus to stop the traffic lights 16 that comprise them.

Furthermore, the display 13 may comprise a synthesiser 38 capable of converting the text messages into voice messages, possibly connected to a sound system of the automobile 20 and equipped with a function stopping the transmission from such a sound system upon receiving a warning message to be translated into a voice message.

Finally, advantageously according to the invention, the display 13 may also comprise a telephone SIM 39, capable of also giving the warning system 10 the conventional mobile telephone functions.

Of course, as well as the pre-set messages, the warning system 10 allows personalised messages to be inserted through the keypad 31 of the interactive screen 30 of the display 13.

For example, in the case of a chase by a police vehicle, the warning system 10 would make it possible to transmit a warning message of the type: "WARNING POLICE, BLOCK THE BLACK BMW THAT IS APPROACHING; OR STOP AND BLOCK ALL TRAFFIC IN THE VARIOUS DIRECTIONS".

It should be highlighted that any warning message received through the warning system 10 is displayed on the display 13, in particular on the display 32 of the interactive screen 30, and may be possibly converted into a voice message by the synthesiser 38.

The warning system 10 may be also connected to an electrical system of the automobile 20 in which it is mounted, and in particular connected to suitable sensors connected with the display 13, in particular with the microprocessor 11 with transmitting/ receiving function, so as to activate automatic sending of a danger warning message to approaching vehicles when there is an accident, avoiding further dangers and collisions.

The warning system 10 would also allow messages, photos and videos to be exchanged among the different users of the system itself.

It is also possible to use suitable repeaters and receivers to be arranged for example in strategic points of the road network, such as traffic light junctions, also to increase the transmitting power of the system as a whole.

Finally, the warning system 10 may also comprise a suitable program to be installed on portable devices of possible pedestrians, such as mobile telephones, palmtops, smartphones or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant). Such a program allows the warning messages to be received also by users not on board an automobile 20, still warning them of a potentially dangerous situation for them, for example the approaching of emergency vehicles at high speed.

In this way, the warning system 10 makes it possible to implement an effective method for warning about emergency situations by a vehicle in alarm state equipped with such a warning system to other road users.

In particular, the warning method essentially comprises the steps of:

generating a warning message by the vehicle in alarm state 20A, such a warning message being of the text or audiovisual type and relating to a possible emergency situation;

amplifying and transmitting the warning message by the vehicle in alarm state 20A; and

receiving the warning message by other road users 20B, also equipped with such a warning system 10.

In conclusion, the warning system according to the invention makes it possible to warn, much in advance, of an approaching vehicle in alarm state, such as an emergency vehicle or public utility vehicle; in this way, all road users have more time to move and/ or stop, allowing the service vehicles in alarm state to pass more smoothly, eliminating slowing down, jams and accidents, all without the help of sirens.

It is thus totally clear that adopting a warning system as described in the present patent application makes it possible to innovate, if not revolutionise, transportation, both in terms of improving road safety, and in terms of reducing noise pollution, obtaining urgent communication between public safety workers and drivers of vehicles that are in the action radius of the system, replacing the sound sirens. In particular, thanks to the warning system according to the invention it is possible to warn road users earlier than the sound warnings of sirens.

The use of such a system thus makes it possible in particular for the medical and police emergency service workers (including firemen) to communicate with moving vehicles, but also with the stopped ones, without any sound alarm system, but through written and "spoken" communications/ warnings, transmitted in advance, with respect to their road position, even by more than 1000 metres before the position of the vehicle in alarm state.

All of this makes it possible to substantially reduce noise pollution in cities and outside residential areas and to improve traffic flow, as well as the safety of road users.

Of course, a man skilled in the art may bring numerous modifications and variants to the warning system described above, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all of which are covered by the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Warning system (10) about possible emergency situations to be housed in an automobile (20) characterised in that it comprises at least one display (13) equipped with at least one microprocessor (11) with transmitting/ receiving function and connected to at least one signal amplifier (12), said microprocessor (11) being able to transmit and receive at least one warning message, of the text or audiovisual type and relative to a possible emergency situation, said warning message being selected or input through said display (13) and amplified through said signal amplifier (12).

2. Warning system (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one further signal amplifier (14) connected to said display (13).

3. Warning system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said signal amplifier (12) is positioned in a front part of said automobile (20) and said further signal amplifier (14) is positioned in a rear part of said automobile (20).

4. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said signal amplifier (12, 14) transmits an amplification signal with a transmission angle (a) that may be modified according to the needs.

5. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it also comprises at least one receiver/ actuator (15) installed and connected to a traffic light (16), capable of switching a message received into a stop of said traffic light (16).

6. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said display (13) is made through an interactive screen (30) of the touch type having at least one keypad (31) and a display (32) of messages being input through said keypad (31).

7. Warning system (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that said interactive screen (30) further comprises a plurality of keys (33), each associated with a preset warning message.

8. Warning system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that said interactive screen (30) comprises at least one first selection button (35) and a second selection button (36) used to activate, in an alternate manner or simultaneously, the signal amplifier (12, 14), positioned at the front or rear of said automobile (20).

9. Warning system (10) according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said interactive screen (30) comprises a stop key (37), which activates a transmission of a warning message to receivers/ actuators (15) connected to traffic lights (16).

10. Warning system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a synthesiser (38) capable of converting text messages into voice messages.

11. Warning system (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that said synthesiser (38) is connected to a sound system of said automobile (20) and is able to interrupt a transmission by said sound system upon receiving a warning message to be translated into a voice message.

12. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said display (13) comprises a telephone SIM (39).

13. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is connected to an electrical system of said automobile (20) in which it is mounted, and in that it is connected to suitable sensors connected with said display (13), in particular with said microprocessor (11), so as to activate an automatic sending of a danger warning message when there is an accident.

14. Warning system (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a suitable program to be installed on portable devices to allow warning messages generated by said microprocessor (11) of said display (13) to be received by users being not on board automobiles.

15. Method for warning about emergency situations from a vehicle in alarm state equipped with a warning system (10) made according to any one of the previous claims to other road users characterised in that it comprises the steps of: generating a warning message by said vehicle in alarm state (20A), said warning message being of the text or audiovisual type and relating to a possible emergency situation;

amplifying and transmitting said warning message by said vehicle in alarm state (20A); and

receiving said warning message by other road users (20B), also equipped with said warning system (10).