Patent attributes
An emergency vehicle intersection preemption beacon/heading system and method that relies on the use of highly localized, low-power communication system. The system can be implemented in a “car-active” mode or a “car-passive” mode. In the “car-active” mode, the system includes a low-power transmitter providing a beacon channel for all emergency vehicles that allow them to separately communicate with each intersection for a very short period of time and within very close proximity. The localized low-power transmitter continuously transmits the emergency vehicle ID and heading every second. When within range, receivers at each intersection are able to lock the signal and begin receiving ID and heading data. In the “car-passive” system, each intersection will have a low-power, highly localized transmitter. In this embodiment, the intersection constantly sends out pulses of data. Thus when an emergency vehicle with a receiver encounters an intersection signal, it records the latitude/longitude location of that intersection and waits for the signal to disappear. Information regarding the emergency vehicle is transmitted to all surrounding intersections.
