Network and connected devices for emergency response and roadside operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10244564-B2
Application number	US-201815942628-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2018
Priority date	Nov 7, 2016
Publication date	Mar 26, 2019
Grant date	Mar 26, 2019

Abstract

A self-assembling network is configured to automatically and dynamically connect devices used in operations carried out on or near roads bearing vehicle and pedestrian traffic. An automatic, ad hoc network connecting existing and new devices can be used to enhance safety by gathering and exchanging safety critical information. In some cases, existing equipment can be augmented with a network controller and radio frequency communications to permit the devices to join a wireless local network and exchange information over the network. New devices, including wearable devices, can be configured to act as nodes on the wireless local network. Establishing the relative position of vehicles, sensors, wearables, and other nodes on the disclosed ad hoc wireless network allows the coordination of functions based on position.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A warning system for multiple emergency vehicles comprising: a first warning device for an associated emergency vehicle having a first plurality of warning functions controlled by a first control module comprising a first controller and including a first processor which communicates with a first transceiver; a second warning device for an associated emergency vehicle having a second plurality of warning functions controlled by a second control module comprising a second controller and including a second processor which communicates with a second transceiver; wherein the transceivers of the first and second warning device function as nodes in a wireless mesh network and said processors process data from said transceivers to indicate the relative positions and speeds of said associated emergency vehicles and each said controller activates a warning function in response to the relative positions and speeds of said associated emergency vehicles.

2. The warning system of claim 1 , wherein said warning functions of each said first and second warning devices each include a front facing emergency indicator function and a rear facing emergency indicator function.

3. The warning system of claim 2 , wherein the controller of said first warning device activates a front emergency indicator function and the controller of the second warning device activates a rear facing emergency indicator function.

4. The warning system of claim 1 , wherein a controller of one said warning device activates a collision indicator warning function.

5. The warning system of claim 1 , wherein each of said control modules comprises a security key and further comprising a third warning device for an associated emergency vehicle having a plurality of warning functions controlled by a third control module having a security key wherein said third device security key is communicated to said first and second warning devices to allow said third warning device to function as a node in a wireless mesh network.

6. The warning system of claim 5 , wherein said security key allows police emergency vehicle devices and fire vehicle warning devices to function as nodes in the same wireless mesh network.

7. The warning system of claim 1 , wherein said warning functions comprise two or more signal modules selected from the group consisting of warning signal lights, traffic directing lights, collision avoidance indicators, front facing light signals and rear facing light signals.

Assignees

• Whelen Eng

Inventors

• Jackson Cole
• Garrett Caleb

Classifications

• G08B25/10

  using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G08B21/0453

  worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing (detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00) · CPC title

• B60Q5/006

  indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians · CPC title

• B60Q2300/47

  Direct command from other road users, i.e. the command for switching or changing the beam is sent by other vehicles or road devices · CPC title

• G08B5/002

  Distress signalling devices, e.g. rescue balloons (vehicle optical signalling for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52) · CPC title