System for transmitting an emergency signal Technical Field

The object of the present invention is a system that comprises equipment for transmitting an encoded emergency signal. It is typically intended for road use. In particular, it is aimed at improving the signalling of the presence of an emergency assistance vehicle, for example law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, fire engines or dangerous situations in general.

State of the Art

The vehicles indicated above are normally equipped with a siren, which is activated if they are actively involved in emergency operations (to signal their presence to other drivers).

To increase comfort, the vehicles commonly on the market and used by private citizens have soundproofing in the interior, but the levels thereof are such that they delay perception of sirens. For example, this could occur when the windows are closed and the radio is on, especially when the emergency assistance vehicle is still at a distance. Therefore, there is a risk of not perceiving the siren in time.

Moreover, activation of siren may not be convenient in some circumstances, for example at night in populated areas or in the vicinity of hospitals.

Lastly, the use of a siren is currently exclusively reserved to law enforcement agencies and to emergency assistance vehicles, and sirens cannot be used to signal generic situations of risk, such as an accident, a private vehicle that is transporting a wounded person to an emergency assistance facility, etc.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to offer a system that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, an aim of the present invention is to make available a system that makes it possible to improve road safety.

The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a system comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a system as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

-Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention;

-Figures 2, 3 and 4 schematically illustrate details of a system according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

A system indicated by the reference number 1 in the accompanying figures comprises:

i) a first vehicle 2, typically for road use (motor vehicle, articulated lorry, etc.);

ii) equipment 3 for transmitting a preset emergency signal. A preset signal means that when a predetermined situation takes place, the signal is transmitted as it was previously encoded. Therefore, this signal is not a voice message processed by the operator on the spot. Conveniently, the signal is encrypted. It can comprise 64-bit encoding or higher. As shall be explained further herein below, transmission equipment 3 is intended as equipment for communicating a signal between two devices.

The equipment 3 thus comprises an emitter 31 for emitting the emergency signal. This emitter 31 operates by means of radio waves. As indicated above, the radio waves carry an encrypted signal. The emitter 31 emits the emergency signal until it is deactivated by the user. Once the emitter 31 has been activated, the signal is then emitted continuously. The equipment 3 further comprises a device 32 for receiving the signal and located on board the first vehicle 2. The receiving device 32 is a remote device with respect to the emitter 31. It comprises a receiver 321 for receiving the signal. The receiving device 32 further comprises means 322 for signalling to the user that the signal has been received (see for example Figure 3 or 4). The signalling means 322 is activated by said signal being received by the receiver 321.

The means 322 for signalling to the user can comprise visual means 323 and/or audio means 327 (see for example Figure 3). The visual means 322 typically comprises one or more lights. The audio means 327 can comprise a speaker. Advantageously, the visual means 323 (or more generally the signalling means 322) can be located along the upright that delimits the windscreen of the first vehicle 2 (typically on the driver's side). In particular, they can be incorporated in a casing positioned on the upright (conveniently on the driver's side). Alternatively, it can be incorporated in between the warning lights on the dashboard. In a similar manner, the audio means 327 could comprise a dedicated speaker (which could possibly be positioned in the same casing described above for the visual means 323) or the audio means 327 could be incorporated in one or more speakers connected to the car radio in the first vehicle 2. Conveniently, upon ignition of the first vehicle 2, a checking process is comprised for checking proper operation of the signalling means 323. For example, the means 323 could switch on for a brief period of time and/or the means 327 could emit a beep.

As illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 , the system 2 can further comprise a second vehicle 4 on board of which the emitter 31 is located. For example, the second vehicle 4 could be a law enforcement vehicle (a police car) or emergency assistance vehicles (ambulance, fire engine). The receiving device 32 can also comprise means 9 for sending an emergency signal intended to be picked up by other receiving devices 32 located on board the vehicles present nearby. The system 1 comprises an accelerometer and/or a selector 95 (e.g. a button), which, upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, activates the signal sending means 9. Activation of the selector 95 is a definite decision made by the driver, who assumes all responsibility (in this case, the occurrence of said predetermined condition consists in activation of the button by the user). However, in the case of an accident, the accelerometer detects a deceleration greater than a predetermined threshold, which activates the signal sending means 9. The presence of the accelerometer makes it possible for the signal sending means 9 to be activated also in the event that the driver is unconscious (for example in the case of an accident). In this case, the occurrence of an accident could be signalled in real time to approaching vehicles.

The second vehicle 4 typically comprises a siren 41. The emitter 31 is usually activated concurrently with the siren 41. In one particular solution, activation of the siren 41 activates activation of the emitter 31. In this case, upon activation of the siren 41 , the emitter 31 transmits the emergency signal. In this manner, emission of the emergency signal via radio waves is simultaneous with the audio signal of the siren 41.

Advantageously, the receiving device 32 comprises recognition means 328 that analyses the emergency signal so as to recognize the type of vehicle on which the emitter 31 that emitted the emergency signal is installed. In fact, the emergency signal comprises a code that enables the receiving system to understand whether a law enforcement vehicle or an ambulance has emitted it or if it is a generic emergency signal. Moreover, in the emergency signal there is a code uniquely associated with each emitter 31 (and/or with each receiving device 32 if the latter emits an emergency signal via the signal sending means 9) or, in any case, associated with a parameter identifying the vehicle on which it is installed (e.g. the chassis number). Activation of the emitter 31 (or of the signal sending means 9) thus takes place under the full responsibility of the driver of the vehicle on which this emitter is installed. Conveniently, the recognition means 328 is operatively interposed between the receiver 321 and the means 322 for signalling to the user. The means 328 is typically incorporated in a CPU of the receiving system 32. The visual means 3 identifies the type of imminent danger (as a function of the warning light that switches on). It also signals the emission of an emergency signal via the signal sending means 9.

In this regard, the visual means 323 preferably comprises first and second light means 324, 325 (see for example Figure 2). Activation of the first and the second light means 324, 325 takes place upon recognition of a first and a second predetermined signal, respectively, by the recognition means 328. For example, the first light means 324 (e.g. a first LED) could switch on if the emergency signal originates from a law enforcement vehicle, while the second light means 325 (e.g. a second LED) could switch on if the emergency signal originates from an ambulance. Additional LEDs or sources of light could also be provided, each associated with a specific and predetermined meaning.

As mentioned previously, the means 322 for signalling to the user can comprise a speaker 50 that reproduces the sound of a siren. This takes place upon recognition by the recognition means 328 of a predetermined encoding contained in the emergency signal and associated with the emitter 31. In this manner, if the emergency signal originates from a law enforcement vehicle or from an ambulance or from a fire engine, the sound of a siren will be reproduced within the interior of the first vehicle 2. This makes the emergency signal even more intuitive for the driver. Moreover, one will be able to perceive the emergency signal at a greater distance and therefore be prepared for the unexpected event.

The audio intensity of the speaker 50 varies as a function of the distance between the emitter 31 and the receiver 321. In this manner, the driver will be able to obtain additional information on the closeness or distance of the vehicle emitting the emergency signal (for example using the principle of propagation of radio waves). In a similar manner, the receiving device 32 can comprise means that adjusts the intermittence of the visual means 323 as a function of the distance between the emitter 31 and the receiver 321. The closer the emitter 31 , the more frequent the flashing of the visual means 323 becomes. As illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, the emitter 31 comprises means 91 for adjusting the maximum distance at which the emergency signal can be received by the receiver 321.

This adjustment can advantageously be made by the user by means of a command 92 from within the interior of the second vehicle 4. For example, it is adjustable to three levels (500, 1000, 1500 meters). The maximum distance is typically less than 1500 meters. As illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, the emitter 31 conveniently comprises an antenna 93 and a start button 94 (see Figure 2). A speaker could also be present. The receiving device 32 comprises means 329 for storing a predetermined number of received emergency signals (e.g. 10 signals). In this manner, a trace remains of the person who sent the alarm signal received. Advantageously, a trace can also remain concerning the time at which and/or the length of time in which this signal was received. Possibly, by connecting to a GPS system (for example the GPS system of the vehicle in which the receiver 321 is mounted), a trace can also remain of the location in which the emergency signal was received. The above can be of assistance should one wish to reconstruct the scene of an accident and check whether activation of the emitter 31 or of the signal sending means 9 was omitted or if it was activated inappropriately. The receiving device 32 advantageously comprises a backup battery.

In an alternative solution, rather than being positioned on board the second vehicle 4, the emitter 31 could be found in a station placed in a predetermined position to signal danger. For example, it could be placed in the proximity of an area in which there is a sheet of ice, a landslide, etc. In this case, law enforcement agents could temporarily install the emitter 31 in a given area and then retrieve it once the danger is over. The emitter 31 thus defines a mobile station.

Transmission from the emitter 31 to the receiver 321 is typically unidirectional. Bi-directional communication can possibly be provided for the receiving device 32: as input via the receiver 321 and as output via the signal sending means 9.

The present invention offers important advantages.

Above all, it makes it possible to signal an emergency situation better and sooner compared to a siren. Large-scale distribution of the equipment 3 could therefore constitute an advantage for road safety without any negative effects.

The system could be present as standard equipment on new vehicles, but it could also be installed on existing vehicles with limited costs.