Focused Sound Safety Warning System

Abstract

A warning system for intersections, particularly those involving a railway crossing is provided. The present invention comprises a triggering mechanism to identify when a target train or vehicle is approaching a target intersection, software to calculate the speed of the target vehicle or train in relation to the target intersection and further comprising sound emission features to emit a desired sound, and an acoustic beam emitter to focus a warning sound in the direction of and local to only the danger zone. Also provided is a supplementary system to provide a warning to pedestrian crossing predetermined danger points.

1 . A wayside warning system comprising: 
 a motion sensing member for detecting when a train passes a first predetermined point; a speed calculation member that provide locomotive/train speed information to the system; at least one acoustic beam emitter for sending a sound throughout a predetermined danger zone; and, a controller for signaling to the acoustic beam emitter that the motion sensing member has detected an oncoming train.    
   
   
       2 . The wayside warning system of  claim 1  wherein the speed calculating member is selected from the group of transducers or radars.  
   
   
       3 . The wayside warning system of  claim 1  wherein the controller further includes software for calculating the speed of the train.  
   
   
       4 . The controller of  claim 2  wherein the software further calculates the time it will take for a train to cross a predetermined point.  
   
   
       5 . The wayside warning system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one acoustic beam emitter emits a signal throughout a predetermined warning zone only.  
   
   
       6 . A wayside warning system comprising: a motion sensing member for detecting when a train passes a first predetermined point; at least one acoustic beam emitter for sending a sound throughout a predetermined danger zone; and, a controller for signaling to the acoustic beam emitter that the motion sensing member has detected an oncoming train.  
   
   
       7 . The wayside warning system of  claim 5  wherein the controller further includes software for calculating the speed of the train.  
   
   
       8 . The controller of  claim 7  wherein the software further calculates the time it will take for a train to cross a predetermined point.  
   
   
       9 . The wayside warning system of  claim 6  wherein the at least one acoustic beam emitter emits a signal throughout a predetermined warning zone only.  
   
   
       10 . The wayside warning system of  claim 6  wherein the vehicle is a train or motor vehicle operating on a roadway.  
   
   
       11 . The wayside warning system of  claim 6  wherein the acoustic beam emitter generates sound in a focused array that can be adjusted to a changing danger zone.  
   
   
       12 . A warning system comprising a sensor to detect the approach of a moving object, a controller that receives a signal from the sensor and activates the warning system, a second sensor placed at a predetermined point for detecting the approach of a pedestrian or vehicle that may collide with the moving object, at least one acoustic beam emitter that emits a warning to a predetermined area if the second sensor is activated.  
   
   
       13 . A method for issuing a warning that an oncoming train or other vehicle is approaching a predetermined point comprising the steps of: placing a motion sensing device for detecting when an oncoming train or other vehicle passes at a predetermined point; activating software for calculating the speed of a vehicle from input received from a speed calculating member; and, activating at least one acoustic beam emitter to send a sound throughout a predetermined danger zone with the software.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of having the software calculate the time before the oncoming train or vehicle will pass the predetermined point.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of using the software to generate a specific sound for a specific situation.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 16  further including the step of specific sound for a specific situation includes a predetermined sequence of sounds.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  including the further steps of: placing at least one supplementary sensor at predetermined locations generally parallel to a direction along which the oncoming train or other vehicle is traveling; associating acoustic beam emitters with the at least one supplementary sensor, the acoustic beam emitters emitting a focused warning sound to a second predetermined danger zone if the at least one supplementary sensor is activated.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  including the further steps of selecting a speed calculating member from the group of transducers or radars.