Key information

Title: ALARM SYSTEM FOR WARNING USERS OF A ROAD SYSTEM, ROAD SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DISPATCHING AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Application number: 20221183
Case type: National
Status: 20.01.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 03.11.2022
Effective date: 03.11.2022
Publicly available: 06.05.2024
Next annual fee due: 30.11.2026
Applicant: BR MASKIN AS (NO)
Owner: BR MASKIN AS (NO)
Inventor: Ove Bohnhorst (NO)
Agent: HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted: 20.01.2025
Patent number: 348431
Expiry date: 03.11.2042

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Disclosed is an alarm system for warning users of a road system that an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a location on a path towards an emergency. Also disclosed is a road system and a method of dispatching an emergency vehicle to travel to an emergency. The alarm system includes: a data processing system; at least one first device for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location on the path; and a second device for estimating a current location of the emergency vehicle. Also, the data processing system is configured to: communicate with the second device to receive the current location of the emergency vehicle; estimate a duration until the emergency vehicle passes through the location on the path; and control the at least one first device to warn users at or in the vicinity of the location, if the estimated duration is less than a pre-configured duration.

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Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
22.01.2025	15-01	Saksbehandling	20221183(348431)	UT	PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20221183)
25.10.2024	14-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Intention to grant	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
02.10.2024	13-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20221183)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-07	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Response letter	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-06	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Norwegian translation of the claims	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-05	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended description (mark-up)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-04	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended description (clean)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-03	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (mark-up)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (clean)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
09.08.2024	12-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
12.07.2024	11-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Substantive examination	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2024	10-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Response letter	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
11.06.2024	10-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
19.04.2024	09-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
22.12.2023	08-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	PT report 04:04:38
22.12.2023	08-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Substantive examination	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
24.11.2023	07-04	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Response letter	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
24.11.2023	07-03	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (mark-up)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
24.11.2023	07-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (clean)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
24.11.2023	07-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
18.10.2023	06-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	PT report 01:14:23
18.10.2023	06-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Substantive examination	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-06	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Response letter	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-05	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended description (mark-up)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-04	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended description (clean)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-03	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (mark-up)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Amended claims (clean)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
13.09.2023	05-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
12.04.2023	04-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	PT report 03:43:33
12.04.2023	04-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Substantive examination	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
25.11.2022	03-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00_FormalDrawingsV2_2142517	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
25.11.2022	03-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
04.11.2022	02-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
03.11.2022	01-04	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00_signed General Power of Attorney	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
03.11.2022	01-03	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Figures	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
03.11.2022	01-02	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	P30553NO00 Description claims and abstract	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
03.11.2022	01-01	Saksbehandling	20221183	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

ALARM SYSTEM FOR WARNING USERS OF A ROAD SYSTEM, ROAD SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DISPATCHING AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE

The present invention relates to an alarm system for warning users of a road system that at least one emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a location on a path towards an emergency. The present invention also relates to a road system comprising the alarm system. Also, the present invention relates to a method of dispatching an emergency vehicle to travel to an emergency through the road system.

Background

Nowadays, a road user is usually made aware that an emergency vehicle is approaching by means of audible and visual alarm signals issued from the emergency vehicle itself. For example, an ambulance or a fire truck typically includes a siren and flashing lights to signal any nearby road users that the vehicle is currently traveling to an emergency. Therefore, the road users (e.g. pedestrians or users driving vehicles) can perform preemptive movements for clearing the way and allow an efficient passage of the emergency vehicle without delays.

However, it can still be challenging to provide an effective solution for making road users aware that an emergency vehicle is approaching. In practice, it often happens that some road users do not notice that an emergency vehicle is approaching, and obstructions are often presented to the emergency vehicle. The accumulated delays caused by these obstructions contribute negatively to increasing the overall response times achieved by the emergency vehicles. In the present context, a response time is interpreted as the time between the moment in which an emergency is indicated to a central emergency service and the arrival of an emergency vehicle at the location of the emergency. In some cases, delays in the response time are fatal for the people in distress.

JPH09270092A discloses a light system for road traffic at, for example, an intersection, the system including a detector for detecting that an emergency vehicle is approaching the intersection. The system also includes a red rotating light that is controlled to turn on when the sensor detects that an emergency vehicle is approaching. However, this approach has several disadvantages. Firstly, it requires a lot of installation and maintenance effort, as the system requires not only that the light system is properly set but also that the sensor is properly set. This effort is multiplied by the number of system instances to be installed and maintained. Secondly, the system is static, and it can be quite expensive to do reconfigurations, such as reconfiguring the delay between the emergency vehicle detection and the activation of the red rotating lights. A reconfiguration of this type will typically involve changing the position of the sensor relative to the light system, which requires that a worker travels to the intersection and physically moves the sensor. Therefore, this approach is strict in permitting future reconfigurations. Thirdly, due to the local dependence on the sensor, the system will typically operate with short delays, e.g. less than 1 minute. In practice, it can be necessary to provide longer delays, such at least 1 or 2 minutes.

Figs. 5 and 8 in US2011187559 A1 disclose a system for warning vehicle drivers and pedestrians about an emergency vehicle that is approaching a location near the vehicle drivers and pedestrians. The system generally describes a routing of commands to warning units at specific locations.

US2014210643 A1 discloses an emergency respondence warning system for alerting persons and vehicles near an intersection that an emergency vehicle is approaching. The devices used for warning at the intersection are configured to determine the approximate amount of time that will be required for the emergency vehicle to reach the intersection.

WO 2020/225823 A1 discloses a system for alerting people in the vicinity of a route being about to be travelled by an ambulance. The system includes lamp posts and traffic signals that are modified and equipped with an audio-visual alarming system. The alert lamp posts are disclosed as receiving updates about approximate time of arrivals and as performing tasks based on the received approximate times of arrival. Time thresholds (five and two minutes) are configured in each of the alert lamp posts.

General description of the invention

The invention will now be disclosed and has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the known prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to the known prior art. The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow. The invention is defined by the independent patent claims, and the dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an alarm system for warning users of a road system that an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a location on a path towards an emergency. The alarm system comprises:

- a data processing system comprising a network communication interface;

- at least one first device for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location on the path, the at least one first device being configured to receive control signals from the data processing system; and

- a second device for estimating a current location of the emergency vehicle and for communicating with the data processing system.

Also, the data processing system is configured to carry out the steps of:

- communicating with the second device to receive the current location of the emergency vehicle;

- estimating a duration until the emergency vehicle passes through the location on the path; and

- controlling the at least one first device to warn users at or in the vicinity of the location on the path, if the estimated duration is less than a pre-configured duration.

Thus, the alarm system enables the users at or in the vicinity of the path location, for example an intersection, a roundabout, a road or some other location of the road system, to be warned about an approaching emergency vehicle. The warning effect is independent from the physical conditions between the emergency vehicle and the path location. For example, the users can be warned at the path location before it is physically possible to hear and distinguish a siren of the emergency vehicle at the path location. This capability enables the option of having longer delays between the activation of the at least one first device and the moment on which the emergency vehicle passes through the path location.

Also, the step of controlling the at least one first device on the condition of the estimated duration being less than a pre-configured duration is advantageous in that the alarm system can be configured dynamically. That is, an alarm system instance may be installed and later configured at the data processing system, thus reducing the need to perform maintenance tasks that require traveling to locations on the road system for maintaining instances of the first device.

Optionally, the alarm system comprises:

- at least two first devices for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location on the path, the at least two first devices being installable with a spatial arrangement, wherein the controlling step comprises the step of:

- controlling the at least two devices to warn users at or in the vicinity of the location on the path, the at least two devices being controlled to form a visual pattern for indicating a direction of the expected passing of the emergency vehicle through the location.

Thus, a synergistic effect is achieved: the users at or in the vicinity of the path location will be both warned that an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through the location and warned about the direction of the expected passing of the emergency vehicle through the location. In this way, the users will also be informed about the direction that the emergency vehicle will be taking when passing through the location.

Optionally, the controlling step comprises a pre-configured duration that is specific to the location on the path. Thus, the alarm system allows establishing different warning effects for different locations. For example, a few locations on the road system may require more time to warn the users and/or be more critical to be cleared from obstructions. Thus, the system may be provided with longer pre-configured durations for those locations. This advantage can be further complemented by dynamically configuring the alarm system with low effort, which makes it easy to optimize the alarm system and its pre-configured duration over time.

Optionally, the step of estimating a duration comprises calculating any of:

- a direct distance between the received current location and the location on the path; - a distance along the path between the received current location and the location on the path; and/or

- an estimate of a duration to travel from the received current location to the location on the path.

There are several possibilities for processing if an emergency vehicle is less than a preconfigured duration away from the path location. While calculating distances, such as the direct distance or the distance along a path, one approach may be to assume an approximated relation between the calculated distance and the time it takes to travel that distance. This approach is advantageous in that it requires a simplified implementation. When calculating an estimate of a duration to travel, one approach may be to use data about past trips of a similar distance.

Optionally, the step of communicating with the second device comprises receiving a current velocity of the emergency vehicle. Thus, receiving the velocity allows the data processing system to improve calculations related to the estimate duration until the emergency vehicle passes through the location on the path. Therefore, the alarm system achieves a lower difference between the estimated duration and the duration that it takes between activating a first device and the emergency vehicle passing through the location.

Optionally, the second device comprises a display for showing the path to a driver of the emergency vehicle. Thus, the first device may be used for indicating the road path to be carried out by the driver of the emergency vehicle.

Optionally, the second device comprises a positioning system interface for estimating the current location of the emergency vehicle based on satellite signals. For example, the positioning system interface can be suitable to receive signals from GPS, Galileo, BeiDou satellites, among other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Optionally, the data processing system and the at least one first device are adapted so that the at least one first device wirelessly receives control signals from the data processing system. Thus, the alarm system is easier to install on a road system, by requiring less cable related infrastructure to be in place. Also, the initial costs of installing the alarm system are reduced.

Optionally, the at least one first device comprises at least one light for warning users at or in the vicinity of the path location, the light being omnidirectional. Thus, an instance of a first device emits light in 360 degrees and can, therefore, be visible from all directions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a road system comprising an alarm system as described in the first aspect. The at least one location of the road system comprises at least one first device for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispatching an emergency vehicle to travel to an emergency through a road system as described in the second aspect. The method comprises the steps of:

- receiving a location for the emergency;

- communicating with a second device and obtaining a current location of the emergency vehicle;

- processing a path to the emergency; and

- transmitting the processed path to the second device.

Optionally, the step of processing a path to the emergency comprises the step of:

- processing a path to the emergency wherein the processed path passes through a location having at least one first device installed for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows an elevation view of a first embodiment of a first device;

Fig.2 shows two instances of the first device embodiment shown in Fig.1, the first device instances being active while an emergency vehicle travels towards an emergency;

Fig.3 shows an elevation view of a second embodiment of a first device;

Fig.4 shows two instances of the first device embodiment shown in Fig.3, the two instances being active while an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a tunnel location on a path towards an emergency;

Figs. 5a-5b show a perspective view and a top-perspective view, respectively, of a third embodiment of a first device;

Fig.6 shows three instances of the first device embodiment shown in Figs.5a–

5b, the three instances being in use while an emergency vehicle travels towards an emergency;

Fig.7 shows a schematic diagram of an alarm system embodiment in use when an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a location on a path towards an emergency; and

Fig.8 shows a schematic diagram of another alarm system embodiment in use when an emergency vehicle is expected to pass through a location on a path towards an emergency.

Detailed description

The drawings are shown in a schematic and simplified manner, and features that are not necessary for explaining the invention may be left out. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar features in the drawings. The various features shown in the drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

Fig.1 shows a first embodiment of a first device 120. The first device 120 includes a plurality of lights for emitting light signals to warn users of a road system. A road system can be understood as a set of infrastructures for establishing a network of roads. In this particular embodiment, the first device 120 also includes a fixing means, implemented as a ring mounting bracket 121, for fixing the first device 120 to a pole or a similar supporting structure.

The plurality of lights of the first device 120 is arranged on an outer surface of a cylindrical housing. This allows light signals to be emitted in all directions around the first device 120. Thus, a 360 degrees effect is achieved for warning the users at or in the vicinity of a location 302 of the road system. In alternative embodiments of the cylindrical housing, the device 120 may be configured with other arrangements of light while still achieving the 360 degrees effect, such as by having a globe- or an ellipsoid- shaped housing.

In addition to the plurality of lights, the first device 120 may also include other features for warning the users, such as a siren or a sound speaker for emitting an acoustic alarm. Thus, the intensity of the warning effect produced by the first device 120 may be implemented in various manners, which is advantageous in providing a versatile first device 120 that can be applied to road system locations with different requirements.

The skilled person will know other ways of implementing the plurality of lights while still achieving the 360-degree effect for warning the users. For example, the plurality of lights may be implemented as a single light at the center of a housing of the first device 120 and the housing may include reflective features for reflecting and dispersing emitted light in all directions. The reflective features may be achieved, for example, by providing two cones in vertical alignment with the light and with each of their apexes oriented towards the light, the cones having an outer surface with reflective/mirror properties. The skilled person will find other know alternatives that can achieve the 360-degree warning effect while having one light.

The ring mounting bracket 121 shown is Fig.1 has been drawn in a schematic, simplified manner. The skilled person will find other known embodiments for the ring mounting bracket 121, such as by providing a clamp mechanism in which a part of the ring mounting bracket is movable about a hinge and closable around a pole or another supporting structure.

Fig.2 shows a situation in which an emergency vehicle 200 is passing through a location 302 on a path towards an emergency (not shown). The shown road system location 302 is a segment of road 302 that includes two instances of the first device 120a,120b shown in Fig.1 installed along the road segment.

It can be observed in Fig.2 that the first device instances 120a,120b have been fixed to light poles used for the illumination of the road at night. The light poles are placed at regular longitudinal intervals near one edge of the road. Each of the first device instances 120a,120b is installed with the ring mounting bracket 121 around a respective light pole while having the device lights oriented towards the road. Thus, both the vehicles using the road segment 302 and any users at or in the vicinity of the road segment 302 may be warned by the first devices 120a,120b.

As the emergency vehicle 200 passes through the road segment 302, the users 303a–303c at or in the vicinity of the road segment 302 have cleared the way so that the emergency vehicle may pass through without interruption.

Fig.3 shows a second embodiment of a first device 120’. In contrast to the first device 120 shown in Fig.1, the first device 120’ in Fig.3 implements the fixing means 121’ in a different manner. Specifically, the ring mounting bracket 121 has been replaced by a rod end support bracket 121’. Thus, the first device 120’ can be installed, for example, at the end of a pole or a rod, which may be based on any surface, such as a floor, a wall or a ceiling (e.g. a tunnel ceiling).

Fig.4 shows an example situation in which two instances of a first device 120’a,120’b as shown in Fig.3 have been installed on a ceiling of a tunnel road 302’. The first device instances 120’a,120’b are fixed to a light system of the tunnel, the light system being installed at the center of the tunnel ceiling, thereby being useful for all the lanes of the tunnel road 302’. Also, the first device instances 120’a,120’b are provided at regular longitudinal intervals along the tunnel.

Each first device instance 120’a-120’b is installed in an upside-down manner (compared to Fig.3) and at end of a pole extending from above. Thus, the first device instances 120’a-120’b can be seen by drivers without difficulty.

Fig.5a shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a first device 120’’, and Fig.5b shows a top view of the first device 120’’. The first device 120’’ is provided with a housing that is dividable in two halves that are connectable to each other such that the housing halves enclose a supporting structure, such as a pole. The two halves include an internal surface that, when the two halves are connected, surrounds the supporting structure. The friction between the internal surface 121’’ and the supporting structure form a strong grip, and thus the first device 120’’ becomes fixed to the supporting structure. Thus, the two connectable halves and the internal surface form the fixing means 121’’ of the first device 120’’.

The skilled person will know other options for implementing the fixing means 121’’. For example, the two housing halves of the first device 120’’ may include a hinge on one side of the internal surface and a locking mechanism on the other side of the internal surface. Thus, the two halves may be hinged relative to each other and closed around the supporting structure. This approach is advantageous in that the installation of the device is easier to perform.

The first device 120’’ includes two lights for emitting light signals and warn road users. Each of the lights is provided in a similar manner to a common traffic light. Also, the two lights are provided on opposite sides of the first device 120’’, therefore emitting light signals in two opposing directions. This embodiment of the first device 120’’ can be advantageous in reducing the number of lights needed for two-way roads in which only one of the ways needs to be warned when an emergency vehicle is travelling towards an emergency.

Fig.6 shows part of an alarm system embodiment in use, the alarm system having three instances of first device 120’’a–120’’c as shown in Figs.5a–5b. The three first device instances 120’’a–120’’c are emitting lights and warning road users while an emergency vehicle 200 is traveling towards an emergency (not shown).

Similarly to Fig.2, each of the first device instances 120’’a–120’’c in Fig.6 is installed on a respective light pole. The light poles are placed at regular longitudinal intervals along a road segment 302, thereby providing the first device instances 120’’a–120’’c with a spatial arrangement. Fig.7 shows a schematic diagram of an alarm system embodiment 100 in which an emergency vehicle 200 is expected to pass through a location 302’’ on a path 300 towards an emergency 301. The alarm system 100 is installed as part of a road system. For illustrative purposes, several elements are shown in a schematic and partial manner. For example, the path 300 is shown in a simplified manner to illustrate various turns and directions to be taken by the emergency vehicle 200 while traveling through the road system. If the road system relates to a village or a city, the path 300 can be understood to represent a path through, for example, various roads, intersections, and other parts of the road system.

In the situation shown in Fig.7, the emergency vehicle 200 (see the left lower corner of Fig.7) is traveling along the path 300 towards the emergency 301 (see the right-hand side of Fig.7). Preferably, the path 300 has been planned so that it provides the shortest and/or fastest path for the emergency vehicle 200 to reach the emergency 301 through the road system. At some point, the emergency vehicle 200 is expected to pass through a location 302’’ of the road system. The location 302’’ illustrated in Fig.7 is an intersection 302’’ between two roads (schematically shown in Fig.7).

Both the emergency 301 and the intersection 302’’ are schematically illustrated. In the embodiment in Fig.7, dots 301,302’’a are also illustrated for representing a set of geographical coordinates. The skilled person will find that the use of coordinates allows a versatile application of the alarm system 100. For example, the emergency 301 may be represented with a set of coordinates to indicate the location of a bicycle accident, or to indicate the location of a building's front door, the building having an ongoing fire.

The alarm system 100 includes a data processing system 110 (see left-upper region in Fig. 7) for communicating with other components of the alarm system 100 and processing data. Also, the alarm system 100 includes a first device 120a for warning users that are present at or in the vicinity of the intersection 302’’. The first device 120a is configured to receive control signals from the data processing system 110 and may therefore be activated/deactivated by the data processing system 110. The alarm system 100 may include other first device embodiments, but in Fig.7 only one embodiment is shown to minimize the number of items being shown in the figure. Moreover, the alarm system 100 includes a second device 130 for estimating a current location of the emergency vehicle 200 and for communicating with the data processing system 110.

The data processing system 110 includes a network communication interface for establishing two types of communication link: sending control signals to the first device 120a; and communicating with the second device 130 (see arrows from the data processing system 110 in Fig.7). In the embodiment shown in Fig.7, the data processing system 110 is implemented as a cloud service available on the Internet, and its communication with the first device 120a and the second device 130 is performed wirelessly, for example by using a mobile data connection such as via GPRS, 4G LTE. The first device 120a and the second device 130 are also adapted to achieve wireless communication with the data processing system 110. Thus, this implementation requires a reduced effort in providing a cable infrastructure at the various locations of the road system in which a first device 120a is to be provided. It also allows changing the position of the first device 120 to different points of the location without incurring in high costs to also change the cable infrastructure.

The skilled person will find many known ways for establishing the communication links between the data processing system 110, the first device 120a and the second device 130. In one embodiment, the first device 120a receive control signals from the data processing system 110 via a communication wire.

The data processing system 110 is configured for controlling the first device 120a while the emergency vehicle 200 travels to the emergency. In the embodiment shown in Fig.7, the data processing system 110 is configured to carry out the steps of:

- communicating with the second device 130 to receive the current location of the emergency vehicle 200;

- estimating a duration until the emergency vehicle 200 passes through the intersection 302’’; and

- if the estimated duration is less than a pre-configured duration, controlling the first device 120a to warn users at the intersection 302’’.

The pre-configured duration is useful for establishing a delay to allow the road users at the intersection 302’’ to clear the way in time for the emergency vehicle 200 to pass through. For example, in some embodiment the pre-configured duration may be one, two or four minutes. In one embodiment, the preconfigured configuration is specific to the intersection 302’’. This can be quite advantageous if, for example, the intersection 302’’ is typically congested with traffic, which requires a longer delay to clear the way.

The step of estimating a duration until the emergency vehicle 200 passes through the intersection 302’’ can be implemented in a few ways. In one embodiment, the estimation involves calculating a direct distance between the received current location of the emergency vehicle 200 and the intersection 302’’. In another embodiment, the estimation involves calculating the distance along the path 300 between the received current location of the emergency vehicle 200 and the intersection 302’’. In any of these embodiments, it can be useful to assume an approximated relation between a calculated distance and the time it takes to travel that distance. For example, in a road system of a city’s downtown, it can be estimated that it typically takes 1 minute to travel 1 kilometer. Although with some error, this approach is advantageous in that it requires a simplified implementation. In a further embodiment, the estimation involves estimating a duration for the emergency vehicle 200 to travel from the received current location to the intersection 302’’. In any of the embodiments, it can be advantageous to use data about past trips of a similar distance when calculating an estimate of a traveling duration. Also, the time of day may be used for completing the data about past trips, so that different traffic conditions throughout the day, such as rush-hours and night, are also taken into account.

For illustrative purposes, the second device 130 is shown as being installed on the roof of the emergency vehicle 200, although other ways of installing the second device 130 on the emergency vehicle 200 can be implemented. In one embodiment, the second device 130 may include a display for showing the path 300 to a driver of the emergency vehicle 200. The second device 130 can be installed within the emergency vehicle 200 so that the driver can see the display while driving.

Fig.8 shows a schematic diagram of another alarm system embodiment 100. The shown situation is similar to the situation shown in Fig.7: an emergency vehicle 200 is expected to pass through an intersection 302’’ on a path 300 towards an emergency 301. However, in Fig.8 the alarm system 100 includes four first device embodiments 120a–120d for warning users at or in the vicinity of the intersection 302’’.

As shown in Fig.8, the four first device instances 120a–120d are arranged over four points around the intersection 302’’. This provides the first device instances 120a–120d with a spatial arrangement and increases the ability to warn users at or in the vicinity of the intersection 302’’.

In the embodiment in Fig.8, the data processing system 110 is configured to control the first device embodiments 120a–120d so that these form a visual pattern for indicating a direction of the expected passing of the emergency vehicle 200 through the location 302’’. The skilled person will find known ways to achieve this.

In Fig.8, the first device embodiments 120a–120d at the intersection 302’’ can be activated with a cyclic visual pattern giving a perception of a directed light flow. For example, this can be achieved by activating all four first devices 120a–120d activate first and then having pairs of the first devices 120a–120d being deactivated in an out of phase fashion and in the direction that the emergency vehicle will be passing through the intersection. In the example shown in Fig.8, the pair of first devices 120a,120c at the intersection entry that will be used by the emergency vehicle 200 can be deactivated firstly and the other pair of first devices 120b,120d that at the intersection exit can be deactivated secondly. The skilled person will find other known approaches for achieving an indication of direction or flow and which can be perceived by users being warned.

In Figs.2, 4 and 6, the first device embodiments 120a–120c, 120’a–120’b, 120’’a–120’’c can also be activated with a cyclic visual pattern given a perception of a directed light flow. For example, in the shown perspective of Fig.6, the emergency vehicle 200 is moving towards the horizon and away from the viewpoint of the Fig.6. The first device embodiments 120a–120c can thus be activated in cyclic and out of phase manner flowing light in a direction towards the horizon.

Also, in the figures (e.g. Figs.2 and 6), some road users 303a–303c are illustrated as other vehicles, although a road user may be perceived as any user making use of or interacting with the road system, such as pedestrians, cyclists or e-scooter riders.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. An alarm system (100) for warning users of a road system that an emergency vehicle (200) is expected to pass through a location (302, 302’, 302’’) on a path (300) towards an emergency (301),

wherein the alarm system (100) comprises:

- a data processing system (110) comprising a network communication interface; - at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300), the at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) being configured to receive control signals from the data processing system (110); and

- a second device (130) for estimating a current location of the emergency vehicle (200) and for communicating with the data processing system (110), wherein the data processing system (110) is configured to carry out the steps of: - communicating with the second device (130) to receive the current location of the emergency vehicle (200); and

- estimating a duration until the emergency vehicle (200) passes through the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300), and

characterized in that the data processing system (110) is further configured to carry out the step of:

- controlling the at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) to warn users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’), if the estimated duration is less than a pre-configured duration.

2. Alarm system (100) according to claim 1,

wherein the alarm system (100) comprises:

- at least two first devices (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a– 120’’c) for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300), the at least two first devices (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) being installable with a spatial arrangement,

wherein the controlling step comprises the step of:

- controlling the at least two devices (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) to warn users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300), the at least two devices (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) being controlled to form a visual pattern for indicating a direction of the expected passing of the emergency vehicle (200) through the location (302, 302’, 302’’).

3. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controlling step comprises a pre-configured duration that is specific to the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300).

4. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of estimating a duration comprises calculating any of:

- a direct distance between the received current location and the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300);

- a distance along the path (300) between the received current location and the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300); and/or

- an estimate of a duration to travel from the received current location to the location (302, 302’, 302’’) on the path (300).

5. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of communicating with the second device (130) comprises receiving a current velocity of the emergency vehicle (200).

6. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the second device (130) comprises a display for showing the path (300) to a driver of the emergency vehicle (200).

7. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second device (130) comprises a positioning system interface for estimating the current location of the emergency vehicle (200) based on satellite signals.

8. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing system (110) and the at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) are adapted so that the at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) wirelessly receives control signals from the data processing system (110).

9. Alarm system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) comprises at least one light for warning users at or in the vicinity of the path location (302, 302’, 302’’), the light being omnidirectional.

10. A road system comprising an alarm system (100) as described in any of the preceding claims,

wherein at least one location (302, 302’, 302’’) of the road system comprises at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’).

11. A method of dispatching an emergency vehicle (200) to travel to an emergency (301) through a road system as described in claim 10,

wherein the method comprises the steps of:

- receiving a location for the emergency (301);

- communicating with a second device (130) and obtaining a current location of the emergency vehicle (200);

- processing a path (300) to the emergency (301); and

- transmitting the processed path (300) to the second device (130).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the step of processing a path (300) to the emergency (301) comprises the step of:

- processing a path (300) to the emergency (301) wherein the processed path (300) passes through a location (302, 302’, 302’’) having at least one first device (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) installed for warning users at or in the vicinity of the location (302, 302’, 302’’).

K r a v

1. Et alarmsystem (100) for å varsle brukere av et veisystem om at et utrykningskjøretøy (200) forventes å passere gjennom en lokasjon (302, 302’, 302’’) langs en rute (300) mot en nødssituasjon (301),

der alarmsystemet (100) omfatter:

- et databehandlingssystem (110) som omfatter et nettverkskommunikasjonsgrensesnitt;

- minst én første anordning (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a– 120’’c) for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300), der den minst ene første anordningen (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) er konfigurert til å motta styringssignaler fra databehandlingssystemet (110); og

- en andre anordning (130) for å estimere en aktuell posisjon for utrykningskjøretøyet (200) og for å kommunisere med databehandlingssystemet (110),

der databehandlingssystemet (110) er konfigurert til å utføre følgende trinn:

- kommunisere med den andre anordningen (130) for å motta den aktuelle posisjonen til utrykningskjøretøyet (200); og

- estimere en tid frem til utrykningskjøretøyet (200) passerer gjennom lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300), og

karakterisert ved at databehandlingssystemet (110) videre er konfigurert til å utføre følgende trinn:

- styre den minst ene første anordningen (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) dersom den estimerte tiden er kortere enn en forhåndskonfigurert tid.

2. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til krav 1,

der alarmsystemet (100) omfatter:

- minst to første anordninger (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a– 120’’c) for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300), der de minst to første anordningene (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) kan installeres med en romanordning, der styretrinnet omfatter følgende trinn:

- styre de minst to anordningene (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300), der de minst to anordningene (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) blir styrt for å danne et visuelt mønster for å indikere en retning for den ventede passeringen av utrykningskjøretøyet (200) gjennom lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’).

3. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der styretrinnet omfatter en forhåndskonfigurert tid som er spesifikk for lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300).

4. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der trinnet med å estimere en tid omfatter å beregne enhver av følgende:

- en direkte distanse mellom den mottatte aktuelle posisjonen og lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300);

- en distanse langs ruten (300) mellom den mottatte aktuelle posisjonen og lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300); og/eller

- et tidsestimat for å komme fra den mottatte aktuelle posisjonen til lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’) langs ruten (300).

5. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der trinnet med å kommunisere med den andre anordningen (130) omfatter å motta en løpende hastighet på utrykningskjøretøyet (200).

6. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der den andre anordningen (130) omfatter en skjerm for å vise ruten (300) til en sjåfør av utrykningskjøretøyet (200).

7. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der den andre anordningen (130) omfatter et posisjonssystemgrensesnitt for å estimere den aktuelle posisjonen til utrykningskjøretøyet (200) basert på satellittsignaler.

8. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der databehandlingssystemet (110) og den minst ene første anordningen (120, 120a– 120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) er tilpasset slik at den minst ene første anordningen (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) trådløst mottar styresignaler fra databehandlingssystemet (110).

9. Alarmsystem (100) i henhold til hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, der den minst ene første anordningen (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) omfatter minst ett lys for å varsle brukere som befinner seg på eller i nærheten av rutens lokasjon (302, 302’, 302’’), der lyset er rundtstrålende.

10. Et veisystem som omfatter et alarmsystem (100) som beskrevet i hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene,

der minst én lokasjon (302, 302’, 302’’) på veisystemet omfatter minst én første anordning (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’).

11. En framgangsmåte for å sende et utrykningskjøretøy (200) til en nødssituasjon (301) gjennom et veisystem som beskrevet i krav 10,

der framgangsmåten omfatter følgende trinn:

- motta en lokasjon for nødssituasjonen (301);

- kommunisere med en andre anordning (130) og innhente en aktuell posisjon for utrykningskjøretøyet (200);

- prosessere en rute (300) til nødssituasjonen (301); og

- sende den prosesserte ruten (300) til den andre anordningen (130).

12. Framgangsmåte i henhold til krav 11, der trinnet med å prosessere en rute (300) til nødssituasjonen (301) omfatter følgende trinn:

- prosessere en rute (300) til nødssituasjonen (301) der den prosesserte ruten (300) passerer gjennom en lokasjon (302, 302’, 302’’) som har minst én første anordning (120, 120a–120b, 120’, 120’a–120’b, 120’’, 120’’a–120’’c) installert for å varsle brukere på eller i nærheten av lokasjonen (302, 302’, 302’’).

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

G08G 1/0965

G08G 1/0967

G08B 21/02

CPC classes

G08G 1/0965

G08G 1/0967

G08B 21/02

Citations

US 2011187559 A1 (A1)

US 2018293890 A1 (A1)

US 2017337814 A1 (A1)

US 2014210643 A1 (A1)

US 2019385458 A1 (A1)

US 2008316055 A1 (A1)

WO 2020225823 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

BR MASKIN AS

Hedlo 18

5360 KOLLTVEIT

NO (ØYGARDEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Org. number: 919111569

Inventors

Ove Bohnhorst

Prinsessegata 1 C

3724 SKIEN

NO (SKIEN Municipality, Telemark county)

Agent

HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Postboks 9

4068 STAVANGER

NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

Org. number: 918752900

Reference: P30553NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

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Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.

ALARM SYSTEM FOR WARNING USERS OF A ROAD SYSTEM, ROAD SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DISPATCHING AN EMERGENCY...