GB2330989A

GB2330989A - Emergency vehicle having RDS transmitter for transmitting a warning signal to vehicles in the vicinity

Info

Publication number: GB2330989A
Application number: GB9823706A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive William Dunster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-30
Filing date: 1998-10-30
Publication date: 1999-05-05
Also published as: GB9722902D0; GB9823706D0

Abstract

A method of signalling an emergency warning in which a limited range VHF/FM transmitter 10 capable of broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) messages is installed in an emergency vehicle 12 and operated so as to broadcast an emergency warning as an RDS message directly to other vehicles having RDS-equipped VHF/FM radio receivers (i.e. any other radio programme is automatically over-ridden by the emergency warning). Only vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle receive the warning. An operator in the emergency vehicle may select an appropriate warning from a number of pre-recorded warning messages stored in an electronic memory. Otherwise the operator may also use a microphone for transmitting a live spoken message to the transmitter. The transmitter aerial 13 may be directional to maximise reception ahead of the car.

Description

Emergency Wamina Svstem Emergency vehicles, for example police cars, ambulances and fire engines, are currently equipped with systems for warning the drivers and passengers of other vehicles of their presence, both visibly and audibly, by the use of sirens and various flashing lights which may be blue or amber or alternately flashing headlights.

However, such visible warning systems are frequently ineffective in poor visibility, or dense traffic, or on a high speed road, such as a motorway, when the emergency vehicle is travelling at a much higher speed than the traffic ahead of it that is to receive the warning. Such audible warning systems are frequently totally ineffective because drivers and passengers are in noisy vehicles with their radios on and the windows closed.

Early warning is of paramount importance to gain the driver's attention and give him or her the maximum time possible to locate the emergency vehicle, determine what action to take, and then safely manoeuvre in the local traffic situation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved emergency warning system.

In accordance with the present invention, a method of signalling an emergency warning comprises taking a limited range VHF/FM transmitter capable of broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) messages and installed in an emergency vehicle and operating the transmitter to broadcast the emergency warning as a RDS message directly to other vehicles having RDS-equipped VHF/FM radio receivers such that only said other vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle receive the emergency warning.

Preferably the transmitter is operable by an operator in the emergency vehicle and the method includes the operator selecting the emergency warning before transmitting it.

Preferably also the transmitter is provided with a number of pre-recorded emergency warnings capable of being selected by the operator.

Preferably further the transmitter is provided with a microphone for the operator to use in transmitting an emergency warning.

The invention also consists in an emergency warning system comprising a limited range VHF/FM transmitter capable of broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) messages, adapted to be installed in an emergency vehicle and operable to broadcast the emergency warning as a RDS message directly to other vehicles having RDS equipped VHF/FM radio receivers such that only said vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle receive the emergency warning.

Preferably the transmitter is provided with a number of pre-recorded emergency warnings capable of being selected by the operator.

Preferably also the transmitter is provided with a microphone for the operator to use in transmitting an emergency warning.

The invention zither consists in an emergency vehicle in which has been installed an emergency warning system comprising a limited range VHF/FM transmitter according to the preceding statements of invention.

The VHF/FM transmitter used, in all aspects of the present invention, to broadcast the Radio Data System (RDS) messages may broadcast the signals in either a digital or an analogue mode.

Other preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

The invention will now be described, merely by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a police car in which has been installed an emergency warning system according to a preferred example ofthe invention, and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the control panel for the emergency warning system of Figure 1.

Before the drawings are referred to in detail, it may be helpful to explain the Radio Data System (or RDS as it is normally referred to throughout this specification) inherent in the present invention.

Available in many countries, and in the UK since 1987, a VHF/FM radio receiver equipped with RDS is able to be switched to a mode in which any radio programme that it is receiving is automatically over-ridden by travel information or a traffic announcement for as long as that information or announcement is being broadcast. Consequently a local radio station is able to keep all listeners within its broadcasting range, typically a radius of 50 kilometres from its transmitting aerial, tuned to whatever programmes they choose, up-do-date with such information or announcements with minimum disruption to the radio programmes preferred by the listeners. The information or announcement is indirectly broadcast from its source to the listeners via the local radio station.

Clearly RDS is particularly suitable for radio receivers in vehicles, and a rapidly increasing number of RDS-equipped radios are being fitted in cars and commercial vehicles.

Referring now to Figure 1, a limited range VHF/FM transmitter 10 capable of broadcasting RDS messages is installed in the boot 11 of a police car 12 and connected to an aerial 13 and a control panel 14 located for easy use by an operator in the car 12. The transmitter 10 is adapted for such installation in being vibration- and shock-proof, of light weight, and powered by the twelve volt battery of the car. The limited range of the transmitter 10 is chosen so that only other vehicles in the vicinity of the police care 12 receive the RDS messages from the transmitter 10, typically between 100 meters and one kilometre. The aerial 13 may be slightly directional to maximise reception ahead of the car and minimise reception in other directions, particularly to the rear of the police car 12.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, the control panel 14 is provided with "on" and "off' switches 15,16, a "repeat" switch 17, a "speak/mute" rocker switch 18 and a bank 19 of twelve numbered push-button switches 20. Each of these push-button switches is self-illuminated, when engaged, for monitoring purposes.

The push-button switches are numbered 1-9, "star,', 0 and "hash". The control panel 14 is also provided with a speaker 20 and has a microphone 21 on a flexible lead 22, activated by the push-button switch numbered "0". when the "on" switch 15 is activated, the transmitter 10 is ready to transmit any message through the aerial. The transmitter 10 may be arranged to transmit the message as either a digital or analogue signal. As many of the push-button switches as are required, are each provided with a pre-recorded warning message in an integrated chip electronic memory system, so that the operator can select the message required and feed it to the transmitter by pressing the push-button concerned. Typical messages are as follows: - 1 = CAUTION EMERGENCY VEHICLE IN YOUR AREA.

2 = CAUTION ACCIDENT IN YOUR AREA.

3 = CAUTION WIDE LOAD IN YOUR AREk The selected message is then transmitted on the RDS system to all drivers who have their RDS radios operating. The police car also uses sirens and flashing lights to alert other drivers and any pedestrians.

The use of the "repeat" switch 17 enables the message to be continuously repeated automatically until the switch 17 is disengaged. The "speak/mute" rocker switch enables the message to be either audible in the police car through the speaker 20, or silent, as required. The microphone 21 can be used by the operator to give a live spoken message to the transmitter.

Drivers and passengers in vehicles in the vicinity of the police car then receive the earliest possible audible and understandable warning through their radios, and the maximum time to understand the emergency situation and to take any avoiding action that is necessary.

Other emergency vehicles can be equipped with the system, such as fire vehicles, ambulances and police helicopters. In addition, the system can be used with the emergency vehicle stationary, for example beside a road traffic accident, giving warning messages to approaching traffic.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of signalling an emergency warning comprising taking a limited range VHF/FM transmitter capable of broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) messages and installed in an emergency vehicle and operating the transmitter to broadcast the emergency warning as a RDS message directly to other vehicles having RDS equipped VHFIFM radio receivers such that only said other vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle receive the emergency warning.
2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the transmitter is operable by an operator in the emergency vehicle and the method includes the operator selecting the emergency warning before transmitting it.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the transmitter is provided with a number of pre-recorded emergency warnings capable of being selected by the operator.
4. A method according to Claim 2 wherein the transmitter is provided with a microphone for the operator to use in transmitting an emergency warning.
5. An emergency warning system comprising a limited range VHF/FM transmitter capable of broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) messages, adapted to be installed in an emergency vehicle and operable to broadcast the emergency warning as a RDS message directly to other vehicles having RDS-equipped VHF/FM radio receivers such that only said other vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency vehicle receive the emergency warning.
6. A system according to Claim 5 in which the transmitter is provided with a number of pre-recorded emergency warnings capable of being selected by the operator.
7. A system according to Claim 5 or 6 in which the transmitter is provided with a microphone for the operator to use in transmitting an emergency warning.
8. An emergency vehicle in which has been installed an emergency warning system comprising a limited range VHF/FM transmitter according to any one of Claims 5 to7.
9. A method of signalling an emergency warning system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. An emergency warning system substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
11. An emergency vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.