DE102021131135A1 - Radio communication module and method for making an emergency call via radio communication - Google Patents

Abstract

Since 2018, all new vehicles on the European market have been equipped with the eCall service. In the event of an accident, this service automatically triggers an emergency call, which sends a minimum data record directly to an emergency call center (30) and at the same time sets up a voice connection in the event that a passenger in the accident vehicle is still able to speak. This service requires an available second or third generation cellular system. In the meantime, there are efforts on the part of the mobile phone providers to switch off the 2G/3G mobile phone systems. The invention relates to a radio communication module (100) as a retrofit or additional component that can be used in vehicles (10) when the 2G/3G mobile radio networks have been switched off. This then has a gateway function (1026) which carries out a conversion of an emergency call that has been triggered. The emergency call, which is still generated by the legacy vehicle (10) in the format of the 2G/3G mobile radio systems, is converted to the format of one of the 4G/+G mobile radio systems. The components provided in the legacy vehicle (10) for accident detection can continue to be used even though the mobile radio systems that support them are switched off. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for making an emergency call via radio communication.

Description

The invention relates to a radio communication module and a method for making an emergency call via radio communication, in particular for use in a motor vehicle.

An automatic emergency call system has been used in vehicles for several years. These systems are designed to automatically generate an emergency call after an accident occurs and send it to the nearest emergency call center. These emergency call systems were first used in the USA. Later, such emergency call systems were also offered in Europe by individual vehicle manufacturers for certain vehicle models.

According to the will of the EU Parliament, the nationwide introduction of this emergency call service has been required since March 31, 2018. The EU directive 2015/758 provides for this. Since then, all new vehicles in Europe have been equipped with the automatic emergency call system. The automatic emergency call system is known in Europe as the eCall system, corresponding to "emergency call". With the system, a button is also provided in the vehicle in an easily accessible place for the driver, which when pressed causes an emergency call to be made. This means that any driver who has a problem that requires help can trigger the emergency call manually. The eCall infrastructure was built on the second and third generation mobile communications system, which has been in existence for a long time and is available nationwide. The mobile radio system of the second generation is the well-known mobile radio system according to the GSM standard, corresponding to the "Global System for Mobile Communications". The mobile radio system of the third generation is the well-known mobile radio system according to the UMTS standard, corresponding to the "Universal Mobile Telecommunications System". The new service will be made available to all citizens free of charge.

Since new generations of mobile radio systems have become more widespread in the meantime, new vehicles have recently been equipped with an advanced emergency call system that also allows the emergency call to be made using the fourth and fifth generation of mobile radio systems. The mobile radio system of the fourth generation is the well-known mobile radio system LTE, corresponding to "Long Term Evolution". The fifth-generation mobile communications system is commonly known as “5G”.

In any case, motor vehicles today are equipped with radio communication modules that are able to communicate via WLAN or via a mobile radio network. For the scenario of vehicles equipped with radio communication modules that communicate directly with each other on public roads, whether for cooperative driving or autonomous driving, the radio communication module must also be equipped.

In the field of motor vehicle technology, a radio communication module is often also referred to as an on-board unit OBU, online connectivity unit OCU, or as a radio modem. These terms are considered synonymous here. The task of the radio communication module in the field of mobile communications is to guarantee a secure and stable connection between the vehicle and the backend of the mobile network. The following mobile radio technologies are currently used: GSM, 3GPP-based UMTS, HSPA, LTE and 5G.

Accordingly, today's radio communication modules, especially if they are also intended to fulfill the function of a car telephone, are developed in such a way that they allow communication in a number of mobile radio systems.

It is therefore a separate radio modem with one or more mobile antennas which improves mobile reception and also enables a more stable and faster Internet connection. This includes equipping the vehicle with an interface for reading a SIM card. This is often positioned in the vehicle's glove compartment.

The hardware and software equipment of such radio communication modules permanently installed in the vehicle largely corresponds to that of a modern smartphone, apart from the display. The costs for such a radio communication module are correspondingly high.

The functionality of the eCall service is also implemented with such high-quality, permanently installed radio communication modules. In the event of an accident, this service triggers an emergency call to the European emergency number 112, which sends a minimum data set MSD (Minimum Set of Data) directly to an emergency call center (PSAP - Public Safety Answering Point), but at the same time sets up a voice connection for the case that an occupant of the accident car can still speak. This eCall emergency call is made automatically. As mentioned, it can also be triggered manually. This also has the advantage that witnesses to a serious accident can trigger the emergency call by pressing the emergency call button in their vehicle.

The minimum data record contains, among other things, the time of the accident, the exact coordinates of the location of the accident, the direction of travel (important on motorways and in tunnels), the vehicle ID, the service provider ID and an eCall qualifier that indicates whether the emergency call was triggered automatically or manually. Optionally, the transmission of data from on-board safety systems is possible, such as the severity of the accident and the number of occupants, whether the seat belts were fastened, whether the vehicle has rolled over, etc. Recently, mobile phone providers have been developing plans in some countries for 2G /3G cellular systems off. In some countries, eg Switzerland, this has already happened. When this happens, there is a problem that the automatic emergency call systems of vehicles whose radio communication module is only designed for the 2G/3G mobile radio systems no longer work. This currently affects around 10 million vehicles in Europe and more vehicles will be added.

In order to be able to continue to operate these so-called legacy vehicles, it would be necessary to convert them. This would theoretically work with a so-called retrofit solution. For this purpose, the old radio communication module would be exchanged for a new radio communication module. This would have to be done by the original manufacturer of the vehicle, who would have to develop a replacement device for it or have it developed. He would have to ensure that the replacement devices comply with all standards and assume the guarantee. In addition, the removal of the old radio communication module and the installation of the new radio communication module would be necessary, which would have to be carried out in contract workshops and would also be associated with high costs.

Another possibility is to operate a so-called additional device in the vehicle, which offers the eCall functionality as a kind of retrofit device. The old radio communication module would remain in the vehicle. With this solution, the additional device would be operated as a self-sufficient device. It would have to be provided with all the functions it needs for a functioning emergency call system. This includes in particular the detection of an accident. The additional device must therefore be equipped with appropriate acceleration sensors that enable reliable detection of an accident.

There are already such additional devices available commercially for old vehicles, which are often plugged into the connection socket for a cigarette lighter and are also supplied with power via this. With these, however, there is the problem that they are either destroyed themselves in the event of serious accidents or do not ensure reliable accident detection, so that the urgently needed emergency call could not always be generated automatically. Some of these retrofit devices use the occupant's smartphone to communicate with the emergency call center. However, it has been shown that the smartphones of the vehicle occupants themselves are damaged in serious accidents, so that the emergency call is then not sent reliably.

A radio communication module for permanent installation in vehicles that offers eCall functionality is from the DE102014003945A1 known. The accident detection works with the device with the help of information that is transmitted from an airbag control unit to the radio communication module. Both devices are connected to each other via a wired communication bus.

From the EP2735179A1 a solution is known in which a smartphone of a vehicle occupant is connected to the vehicle and is used to make the emergency call. The connection between the vehicle and smartphone can be wired or wireless. Accidents are recognized with the help of a crash sensor installed in the vehicle. It is necessary for the vehicle's on-board electronics to report the accident detection to the smartphone, which then makes the emergency call and maintains the voice connection. However, this has the disadvantage that the smartphone must be switched on and charged at all times. There is also a risk that the smartphone itself will either be destroyed by the accident or that it will slip so that it is out of reach for the injured party and the sound can no longer be transmitted correctly.

From the DE102017203359A1 An implementation of the eCall service with a radio communication module in the form of a 3GPP LTE Narrowband Internet of Things device according to the specification from Release 13 is known. This radio communication module can also be implemented as an additional component with its own power supply.

Thus, there is a need for a cost-effective and secure alternative solution to maintain eCall service in legacy vehicles when 2G/3G cellular system shutdown occurs in some countries. This is the object of the invention.

This object is achieved by a radio communication module according to claim 1 and a method for making an emergency call by radio communication according to claim 14.

The dependent claims contain advantageous developments and improvements Invention according to the following description of these measures.

The solution is to offer an add-on component as an aftermarket device, similar to the retrofit devices currently available. The difference, however, is that no smartphone is required for the function to make the emergency call. Instead, a gateway is provided in the additional component that receives the emergency call sent by the radio communication module permanently installed in the legacy vehicle in accordance with the 2G/3G mobile radio system, and converts it into an emergency call for a newer mobile radio system from the fourth generation and transmits it. The technology installed in the vehicle for accident detection continues to be used. Since the systems permanently installed in the vehicle, such as the airbag control device with the associated acceleration sensors, are installed in such a way that they can detect an accident much more precisely, the proposed solution offers the advantage of greater security with regard to accident detection. False reports are avoided. Another advantage is that the additional component in the connection for a cigarette lighter or for other connection devices, e.g. USB devices, is relatively tight and relatively light, so that it cannot be destroyed as easily in an accident as a smartphone that either only lying on a seat or only attached to a smartphone holder. The solution includes that the additional device is equipped with a transmitter and receiver unit for receiving mobile radio signals of the second or third generation of mobile radio systems and with a transmitter and receiver unit for a mobile radio system from the fourth generation. In the following, the mobile radio systems of the second or third generation are referred to as 2G/3G mobile radio systems and the mobile radio systems from the fourth generation as 4G/+G mobile radio systems. In addition, it is necessary that the processing unit that implements the gateway function and the transmitting and receiving unit are designed in such a way that mobile radio signals are transmitted that simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network of mobile radio systems, in which an external radio communication module, designed for communication in the 2G/3G mobile network. With this variant, the additional device constantly simulates the presence of a 2G/3G mobile network during operation. Even if 2G/3G mobile networks are still available, emergency calls will be implemented and transmitted to the 4G/+G mobile network. This can increase security in some situations. Scenarios with poor 2G/3G network coverage are primarily considered, e.g. in buildings, such as in an underground car park scenario, where the network expansion for 4G/+G mobile radio systems is already better than for 2G/3G, or at least in the future -Mobile systems.

In another variant of the invention, the processing unit and the transmission and reception unit are designed in such a way that they only emit the mobile radio signals, which simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network, when the transmission and reception unit (105) has detected it that no 2G/3G mobile network from an external provider is available. The advantage is that it does not emit its own 2G/3G mobile signals, which may cause interference to other devices or there is interference between its own 2G/3G mobile signals and the 2G/3G mobile signals of the third party. The power consumption can also be reduced in this way.

In another embodiment of the invention, the additional device has a sensor unit having at least one acceleration sensor. In addition, the transmitting and receiving unit for the 2G/3G mobile radio systems is designed in such a way that it only carries out the simulation of the 2G/3G mobile radio network if the sensor unit has measured an acceleration that exceeds a threshold value specified for an impending accident and it has also been determined by the receiving unit for a 2G/3G cellular system that no third-party 2G/3G cellular network is available.

In addition, in an extended embodiment, the additional device can be designed in such a way that it also refrains from logging into the 4G / +G mobile network if the receiving unit for a 2G / 3G mobile network has determined that a 2G / 3G mobile network is a Third party is available, even if the sensor unit has measured an acceleration that exceeds a threshold value set for an impending accident. The conversion of 2G/3G into 4G/+G mobile radio signals then also stops. This has the advantage that in areas where a 2G/3G mobile network is still available, the emergency call can still be made via the permanently installed radio communication module in the Legacy vehicle. This radiation is then not impaired by the solution according to the invention. The omission of constant logging into the 4G/+G network and the omission of implementation has the advantage that the power consumption of the additional device can be minimized. Further advantages offered by the solution according to the invention are that no microphone and no loudspeaker with corresponding signal processing and not necessarily a GNNS module have to be installed in the additional device. Logging into 4G/+G mobile phone networks only takes place when an imminent accident has been detected by your own sensor unit and recognized by your own transmitter and receiver unit for the 2G/3G mobile phone systems confirmed that there is no third-party 2G/3G cellular signals.

This solution according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in a radio communication module for use in a motor vehicle which is equipped with an automatic emergency call system which is designed for placing an emergency call to an emergency call center via the second or third generation mobile radio system, the automatic emergency call system in particular the eCall service according to "Emergency Call" or the ERA-GLONASS service according to "extrennowo reagirowanija pri awarijach - Globalnaja nawigazionnaja sputnikowaja sistema" concerns. The radio communication module according to the invention can then be used as a retrofit device in the so-called legacy vehicles, which are planned shutdown of 2G/3G mobile communications systems would be affected because they would then no longer be able to make emergency calls.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the radio communication module is equipped with a receiving unit for receiving signals from a satellite navigation system GNSS, corresponding to the Global Navigation Satellite System, in particular GPS, corresponding to the Global Positioning System, GLONASS corresponding to the Global Navigation Satellite System, Beidou or Galileo. Precise position data, which is important for the emergency call, can be obtained from this.

An advantageous embodiment consists in configuring the radio communication module as a retrofit module which can be permanently installed in the vehicle at a later date. This is particularly advantageous if the legacy vehicle already has a place where the retrofit module can be installed. In many accidents, the fixed installation prevents the radio communication module from being damaged.

Another advantageous variant is to design the radio communication module as an additional module, which is connected to a slot in the vehicle, in particular a slot for a cigarette lighter, a slot for a USB cable or the slot for an OBD cable, according to on-board diagnostics cable can be plugged in. In this embodiment too, in many cases it can be achieved that the radio communication module is not damaged in the event of an accident. Another advantage is that the radio communication module becomes accessible in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Control elements can then also be placed on it. It is also very advantageous that the radio communication module is connected to the power supply network of the vehicle.

In another variant, it is advantageous for the energy supply of the radio communication module if the radio communication module is equipped with a long-life battery and/or a rechargeable battery as the energy source. A separate energy source has the advantage that the radio communication module remains operational if the power supply in the vehicle was damaged in the accident.

An advantageous extension of the invention is the radio communication module with a software stack for short-range radio communication, in particular a software stack for communication via the Bluetooth, Zigbee, UWB or WLAN communication system and with a correspondingly equipped radio switch as a separate equip additional component. When operated by an operator, the radio switch is used to send a trigger message to the radio communication module via the short-range radio communication system, which, after receipt in the radio communication module, triggers the sending of the emergency call to an emergency call center via the mobile radio system from the fourth generation. In this way, the additional component can also meet the requirement that the emergency call can also be triggered manually by an occupant in the vehicle. With this variant, the gateway function of the radio communication module is not required. Instead, the emergency call is generated by the radio communication module itself and sent to the emergency call center via the mobile radio system from the fourth generation.

With the eCall emergency call system, there is also the requirement that the emergency call message must contain the position data of the vehicle. However, this then requires that the radio communication module is either equipped with a receiving unit for GNSS signals or can call up this data from the legacy vehicle via USB, Bluetooth or another type of communication. Since most legacy vehicles do not support the reading of such data, the option of having your own receiver unit for GNSS signals is advantageous. In order to be able to set up the voice connection with the emergency call center, it is necessary for the radio communication module to also be equipped with a microphone and loudspeaker.

Further information to be contained in the emergency call message relates to the so-called eCall qualifier as a minimum data record MSD, the identification of the vehicle, the identification of the mobile phone provider and the number of occupants in the vehicle. The identifications regarding vehicle and Mobile network providers can be configured when installing the add-on device. The eCall qualifier corresponds to the information as to whether the emergency call was triggered manually or automatically. This is automatically recorded internally in the additional device. The information about the number of occupants cannot be automatically recorded by the additional device. However, this information is supplied by the 2G/3G emergency call system installed in the vehicle and is contained in the emergency call message if the emergency call is converted and forwarded by the additional device via the gateway function.

Another solution to achieve the goal of being able to trigger the emergency call manually is to provide a mechanical button directly on the additional component. When this button is pressed, the radio communication module logs into the fourth-generation mobile network and sends a transmission frame for a second or third-generation mobile network for a specific period of time. The operator must then also press the button of the installed 2G/3G emergency call system installed in the vehicle. The 2G/3G emergency call system permanently installed in the vehicle logs into the 2G/3G emergency call system simulated by the radio communication module. The emergency call then generated by the 2G/3G emergency call system in the vehicle is then received by the additional device, converted by the gateway function and forwarded to the mobile radio system from the fourth generation. This solution makes it possible that no GNSS receiver is required in the additional component to transmit the position data, because these still come from the 2G/3G emergency call system permanently installed in the vehicle. Likewise, in this variant, no microphone or loudspeaker is required in the additional module for the speech connection. In addition, the information in the emergency call message about the number of occupants is also provided. The vehicle can detect this using the seat occupancy sensors, for example.

For setting up the speech connection, it is necessary that the radio communication module, with means for setting up a first speech connection to the emergency call center in the format of the mobile network from the fourth generation after receiving the emergency call; and for establishing a second voice connection to the vehicle in either the second or third generation cellular network format; and is equipped for mutually converting the received voice connection data of the first and second voice connection into the respective other format and for mutually sending out the converted voice connection data to the vehicle and to the emergency call center. However, the means for setting up speech connections are already contained in a software stack for the respective mobile radio communication. It also contains the means for converting the speech information. This can be done by first decoding the digital voice information contained in the eCall emergency call using the voice decoder provided for the 2G/3G mobile radio system and then encoding it again using the voice encoder provided for the 4G/+G mobile radio system. This conversion can also be omitted if the two voice codecs are the same for both mobile radio systems 2G/3G and 4G/+G. As an example, the well-known speech codec G.711 is mentioned, which is used for the eCall service, but can also be transmitted in 4G/5G mobile radio systems.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for placing an emergency call via radio communication in a radio communication module with the steps of receiving an emergency call in the format of a 2G/3G mobile network, converting the received emergency call into a transmission format for a 4G/+G mobile network and Transmission of the converted emergency call in the format of the mobile network from the fourth generation to an emergency call center. The solution includes the further step of sending out cellular signals that simulate the presence of a 2G/3G cellular network, into which an external radio communication module designed for communication in the 2G/3G cellular network can register. This procedure enables the continued use of the 2G/3G emergency call systems installed in the legacy vehicles if the 2G/3G mobile radio systems are to be switched off in some countries in the future. In this way, the emergency call made by the legacy vehicle goes directly to the additional device because the legacy vehicle will log into the network simulated by the additional device. The process runs in a suitably designed radio communication module, which is designed as an additional device and is positioned in the vehicle.

In a further improved embodiment, the further steps, testing the availability of a 2G/3G mobile network; and refraining from transmitting cellular signals simulating the presence of a 2G/3G cellular network and refraining from converting the received emergency call and transmitting the converted emergency call if it is determined that a 2G/3G cellular network from an external provider is already available. In this case, the additional device withdraws and leaves the transmission of the emergency call entirely to the eCall system in the legacy vehicle.

In an expanded form of the method according to the invention, the following steps additionally processed: measuring a measured variable that occurs, in particular an acceleration, with a sensor unit in the radio communication module; Checking whether the measured variable exceeds a threshold value specified for an impending accident, logging into a 4G/+G mobile network, sending out mobile phone signals that simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile network, converting a received emergency call into a transmission format for a 4G/ +G mobile network and transmission of the converted emergency call in the format of the 4G/+G mobile network to an emergency call center (30) only if the measured variable is above the specified threshold value.

An extension of the method according to the invention consists in the fact that the steps of setting up a first voice connection to the emergency call center in the format of the 4G/+G mobile network; Establishing a second voice connection to the vehicle in the format of the 2G/3G mobile network; reciprocally converting the received voice connection data of the first and second voice connection into the respective other format and reciprocally sending out the converted voice connection data to the vehicle and to the emergency call center. In this way, the voice connection required for the eCall emergency call system can also be set up and maintained.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the additional steps are also carried out: manually triggering the sending of the emergency call by pressing an emergency call button on the radio communication module by an operator, then logging into a mobile network from the fourth generation, omitting the steps of sending the transmission frame in second or third generation cellular network format, receiving and converting an emergency call in 2G/3G cellular network format, and sending the converted emergency call if the testing step has determined that a 2G/3G cellular network is available. Instead, the following steps are carried out: generating an emergency call in the transmission format for a mobile network from the fourth generation and sending the emergency call in the transmission format for a 4G/+G mobile network. For this variant, a separate emergency call switch is preferably required in the additional device. This has the advantage that no software stack is required for short-range radio communication. However, it is advantageous if a receiving unit for GNSS signals is integrated in the additional device, which supplies precise position data.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 ein Blockschaltbild eines Infotainmentsystems eines Fahrzeuges;
• 2 das Prinzip der Übertragung eines Notrufs nach dem eCall-Notrufsystem von einem Fahrzeug zu einer Notrufzentrale über ein Mobilfunkkommunikationssystem;
• 3 den Ausfall der Verbindung zwischen Fahrzeug und Mobilfunk-Basisstation für das Szenario, bei dem die Mobilfunksysteme der 2. und 3. Generation abgeschaltet werden;
• 4 eine Ansicht eines Cockpits eines Fahrzeuges bei dem ein Funkkommunikationsmodul gemäß der Erfindung in einem Anschluss für einen Zigarettenanzünder eingesteckt ist;
• 5 das Prinzip der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung zur Aufrechterhaltung des eCall-Notrufsystems mit Hilfe der Positionierung eines Funkkommunikationsmoduls im Fahrzeug, das als Zusatzgerät bzw. Nachrüstgerät ausgebildet ist und den Notruf des 2G/3G-Notrufsystems empfängt, umsetzt und im Format eines Mobilfunksystems ab der 4. Generation wieder ausstrahlt;
• 6 das weitere erfindungsgemäße Prinzip des Unterlassens der Umsetzung und Weiterleitung des Notrufes seitens des Zusatz-Funkkommunikations-moduls, wenn Sich das Fahrzeug in einer Region bewegt, in der noch ein 2G/3G-Mobilfunksystem verfügbar ist;
• 7 ein erstes Blockdiagramm, für ein Funkkommunikationsmodul gemäß der Erfindung;
• 8 ein Diagramm für eine Softwareausstattung des erfindungsgemäßen Funkkommunikationsmoduls gemäß 7;
• 9 ein Flussdiagramm für ein Programm nach dem ein Mikrorechner des Funkkommunikationsmoduls gemäß 7 arbeitet;
• 10 ein zweites Blockdiagramm, für ein Funkkommunikationsmodul gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung;
• 11 ein Diagramm für eine Softwareausstattung des erfindungsgemäßen Funkkommunikationsmoduls gemäß 10; und
• 12 ein Flussdiagramm für ein Programm nach dem ein Mikrorechner des Funkkommunikationsmoduls gemäß 10 arbeitet.

Show it:

• 1 a block diagram of an infotainment system of a vehicle;
• 2 the principle of the transmission of an emergency call according to the eCall emergency call system from a vehicle to an emergency call center via a mobile radio communication system;
• 3 the failure of the connection between the vehicle and the cellular base station for the scenario in which the 2nd and 3rd generation cellular systems are switched off;
• 4 a view of a cockpit of a vehicle in which a radio communication module according to the invention is plugged into a connection for a cigarette lighter;
• 5 the principle of the solution according to the invention for maintaining the eCall emergency call system by positioning a radio communication module in the vehicle, which is designed as an additional device or retrofit device and receives the emergency call from the 2G/3G emergency call system, and in the format of a mobile radio system from the 4th generation re-radiates;
• 6 the further inventive principle of omitting the implementation and forwarding of the emergency call by the additional radio communication module when the vehicle is moving in a region in which a 2G/3G mobile radio system is still available;
• 7 a first block diagram for a radio communication module according to the invention;
• 8th a diagram for software equipment of the radio communication module according to the invention 7 ;
• 9 a flow chart for a program according to a microcomputer of the radio communication module 7 is working;
• 10 a second block diagram for a radio communication module according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• 11 a diagram for software equipment of the radio communication module according to the invention 10 ; and
• 12 a flow chart for a program according to a microcomputer of the radio communication module 10 is working.

This description illustrates the principles of the inventive disclosure. It is thus understood that professionals in the will be able to devise various arrangements which, while not explicitly described herein, embody principles of the inventive disclosure and are intended to be protected within their scope.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of infotainment system 200 and some subsystems or applications of the infotainment system by way of example. The infotainment system includes a number of components for operation. These include the touch-sensitive display unit 65 (touch screen), a computing device 85, an operating unit 50 with various operating elements and a memory 60. The display unit 65 includes both a display surface for displaying variable graphic information and a user interface (touch-sensitive layer) arranged above the display surface Entering commands by a user.

The display unit 65 is connected to the computing device 85 via a data line 70 . The data line can be designed according to the LVDS standard, corresponding to low-voltage differential signaling. The display unit 65 receives control data for driving the display surface of the touchscreen 65 from the arithmetic unit 85 via the data line 70 . The operating unit 50 includes operating elements such as buttons, rotary controls, slide controls, or rotary push controls, etc., with the help of which the operator can make entries. Input is generally understood as selecting a selected menu option that is displayed on the display unit 65, as well as changing a parameter, switching a function on and off, etc. The classic operating elements such as switches and controllers lead to the direct activation of a function such as light On/off, temperature up/down, while the position of other control elements is recorded by the computing device 85 and then converted into a corresponding control command by software.

The memory device 60 is connected to the computing device 85 via a data line 80 . A list of pictograms and/or a list of symbols is stored in the memory 60 with the pictograms and/or symbols for the possible menu overlays for operator guidance.

The other parts of the infotainment system, camera 150, radio 140, navigation device 130, telephone 120 and instrument cluster 115 are connected via data bus 180 to computing device 85 of the infotainment system. The high-speed variant of the CAN bus according to ISO Standard 11898-2 can be used as the data bus 180 . Alternatively, the use of a bus connection based on Ethernet technology or another bus system could also be considered. Bus systems in which data is transmitted via optical fibers can also be used. The MOST bus (Media Oriented System Transport) or the D2B bus (Domestic Digital Bus) are mentioned as examples. The camera 150 can be designed as a reversing camera, for example. It is also mentioned here that the camera 150 can be designed as a conventional video camera. In this case, it records 25 frames/s, which corresponds to 50 fields/s in the interlace recording mode. Alternatively, a special camera can be used that takes more frames/s when it comes to object detection for fast-moving objects or that captures light in a spectrum other than the visible one. Additional cameras can be used to monitor the surroundings. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a radio communication module 160 for wireless communication inside and outside. This module is also often referred to as an on-board unit (OBU). It can be designed for mobile radio communication, for example according to the 2G/3G, 4G or 5G mobile radio standard. It can also be designed for short-range communication, eg WLAN communication, corresponding to wireless LAN, Bluetooth communication or NFC communication, corresponding to near field communication, UWB communication, corresponding to ultra wide band, Zigbee communication, whether for communication with devices of the occupants in the vehicle or for vehicle-to-infrastructure communication V2I, or vehicle-to-vehicle communication V2V, etc. A special feature of this radio communication module is that it also supports the eCall service. The prerequisite, however, is that a 2G/3G network is available in the region in which the vehicle is moving. The corresponding software is installed on the radio communication module 160 for this purpose. The radio communication module 160 is a so-called legacy radio communication module. This is intended to express that it can only make the eCall emergency call if a 2G/3G mobile phone system is available. It is therefore imperative that a 2G/3G mobile radio system is still available. The reference number 162 also designates the unit within the radio communication module 160 which contains the eCall function. When an accident is detected, the connection to the nearest emergency call center 30 is set up by this eCall functional unit and the emergency call is made. Reference number 170 designates an airbag control device. This is not part of the infotainment system. However, there is a communication bus connection between the airbag control unit 170 and the radio communication module 160. This additional communication bus connection is used again Consider using a CAN bus. The airbag control unit 170 is set up to reliably detect an accident that is clearly serious. For this purpose, it is connected to one or more acceleration sensors (not shown), which can also be contained in the airbag control unit itself. Alternatively, it can also be an IMU unit, corresponding to the inertial measuring unit.

The 2 shows the principle of the eCall emergency call system. A so-called legacy vehicle is denoted by the reference number 10 . In this legacy vehicle 10, the radio communication module 160 is permanently installed that in the 1 is shown. As described, this onboard communication module also includes the function of an eCall emergency call system. However, the emergency call is only transmitted via a 2nd generation or 3rd generation cellular network of cellular systems. The radio communication module in the vehicle 10 establishes a connection to a nearby mobile radio base station 20 that serves a mobile radio cell. At the same time, the mobile radio base station 20 maintains the necessary connection to the backend (not shown), from where the data is typically forwarded to the desired subscriber via one or more wired networks. The radio communication module 160 in the vehicle 10 contains a transmitting and receiving unit for mobile radio communication. All messages from the vehicle 10 to the communication partner (uplink) and from the communication partner to the vehicle (downlink) are routed via the base station 20 . The typical scenario is that the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle 10 is within a mobile radio cell, it is registered or logged in with the base station 20 of this mobile radio cell. If the vehicle leaves the mobile radio cell, it is handed over to the neighboring cell (handover) and accordingly logged off or booked out at the previous base station 20 and the vehicle 10 enters, registered or booked in at the base station 20 in the mobile radio cell. The base station 20 also provides access to the Internet 40, so that the vehicle 10 or all other mobile radio users in the mobile radio cell are supplied with Internet data.

The eCall service has been used in all newly registered vehicles in the EU since March 31, 2018. The vehicles require an eCall connection. In today's vehicles, this is usually implemented as a special telephony service. So this is an additional feature that is implemented in the vehicle's on-board communication module. However, the on-board communication module is equipped like a mobile phone in terms of hardware and software, apart from the phone's display. However, the data can be displayed via the display unit 65 installed in the cockpit, via which the legacy radio communication module 160 can also be operated. The antennas do not have to be integrated in the on-board communication module 160, but are typically attached to the vehicle 10 in a favorable position, typically on the roof or on the windows. The radio signals are typically fed in with the appropriate antenna cables.

These techniques are standardized and reference is made to the corresponding specifications of the 2G/3G mobile radio standards. The GSM standard, which corresponds to a 2G standard, was developed in the 1980s. From the early 1990s, the GSM mobile radio systems found worldwide distribution. As an example of a part of the GSM standard, the standard 3GPP TS45.001 is mentioned, which describes the physical layer part of the air interface for the communication between mobile station and base station. Many parts of the GSM standard are publicly accessible, including the part mentioned here.

More recently, the built-in eCall functionality is also being designed for newer mobile phone systems such as 4G and 5G. As a modern example of a mobile radio standard, reference is made to the 3GPP initiative and the LTE standard (Long Term Evolution). This corresponds to the 4G mobile radio system. The associated ETSI specifications are available in version 13 and higher. The following is mentioned as an example: ETSI TS 136 213 V13.0.0 (2016-05); Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures (3GPP TS 36.213 version 13.0.0 Release 13). These ETSI specifications are also publicly accessible.

In particular - in mobile communications - all user activities within a cell are orchestrated by the base station. The scheduler, which is usually a software component in the base station, informs each subscriber at what point in time and on which frequencies of the transmission frame they are allowed to send specific data. Its main task is therefore the fair allocation of the transmission resources to the various participants. This avoids collisions, regulates data traffic in both transmission directions from one participant (uplink) and to another participant (downlink), and enables efficient access for a large number of users. In the GSM mobile radio system, the base station is abbreviated to BTS, corresponding to "base transceiver station". In the LTE mobile radio system, the base station is abbreviated to eNodeB, corresponding to "evolved node base". The handset, for example a mobile phone, is called MS in the GSM standard, corresponding to "mobile station" and in the LTE standard as UE, referred to as "user equipment". A correspondingly designed radio communication module in a vehicle also belongs to this category of devices.

To register a handset with the base station, each mobile radio system provides a registration process that is specified in a corresponding part of the respective mobile radio standard. This requires the handset to be synchronized with the transmission frames sent by the base station. The process of synchronization between mobile part and base station in the GSM standard is described in the ETSI specification ETSI TS 100 912 V8.12.0 (2003-08). In the GSM mobile radio system, a so-called access burst is sent from the mobile part to the base station for logging into a radio cell. The base station measures the propagation time of the signals and then informs the base station in a so-called TA value, corresponding to the "timing advance" value, by how much time it has to bring its transmission forward or back in order for it to match the GSM transmission frame determined by the base station is synchronized. The base station periodically sends out synchronization bursts that are used to synchronize the mobile stations. It essentially contains a long training sequence. With GSM, the actual data is transmitted via the normal burst. This works both in the uplink direction from the mobile station to the base station and in the downlink direction from the base station to the mobile station. There is also the frequency correction burst, which is sent by the base station when required. This contains a 142-bit long data sequence made up entirely of zeros. With demodulation in the mobile station, this results in an unmodulated carrier signal in the form of a sine wave, with which the mobile station can align itself. Finally, a so-called dummy burst is temporarily sent by the base station. This always occurs when there is no user data to send.

The principle of the log-on process is now explained in more detail using the example that is basically valid for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile radio systems. When a mobile station, such as the wireless communication module 160 in the vehicle 10, powers up, it must discover the cellular network and learn about the network in order to contact the network. The device searches for specific transmitted signals from the cell's base station 20 on specific carrier frequencies. Such signals help the mobile station 10 to synchronize with the network, so it can then search for relevant signals and channels to carry out the rest of the operations. After the mobile station has learned sufficient information about the network, it contacts the base station 20 via uplink resources such as the random access channel RACH. Until dedicated resources are allocated to the mobile device 160, the mobile device 160 and the network must respond on specific channels and transmit downlink and uplink signals for communication. Now that the base station 20 is aware of the existence of the mobile station 10, a dedicated radio link between the mobile station 10 and the base station 20 can be established.

However, the mobile device is typically pre-configured with a set of preferred carrier frequencies typically used by a service provider. When observing a particular carrier frequency, the mobile device 160 looks for known technology-specific signals in order to synchronize with the network. For example, the mobile device searches for a primary and secondary synchronization signal in the case of a 3G UMTS network, a 4G LTE network or a 5G network. The sequences of bits or symbols in the signals used for cell search (such as the pilot channel and synchronization signals) are well defined in the standards so that the base station 20 knows what to transmit in a particular cell or sector and the mobile station 10 knows what to look for. Since the technologies transmit signals and channels at specific times using technology-specific radio resources, time and frequency synchronization are quite critical.

After achieving synchronization in the downlink, the mobile 160 continues to monitor the downlink signals to learn more about the configuration of the network. The mobile device then also finds the identity of the mobile network (or the service provider). With UMTS, LTE and 5G, the network identity is represented by the PLMN value, corresponding to "public land mobile network".

Until now, the entire registration process was carried out in the downlink, since the mobile device only observed the signals/channels in the downlink direction. The base station 20 is not yet aware of the existence of the mobile station 10.

Until a mobile device 160 is allocated dedicated resources, common channels or signals are required. In the uplink, the mobile station 10 uses the random access channel to contact the base station 20. Known radio resources are used for the random access channel RACH. The mobile station 10 transmits a known sequence of bits or symbols on the RACH with a transmission power that compensates for the estimated path loss between the mobile station 10 and the base station 20. This sequence is randomly selected from a series of Sequen zen selected to reduce the likelihood of two devices using the same sequence.

The base station 20 is always looking for the random sequences to access the time and frequency resources dedicated to the random access channel RACH. When base station 20 detects one or more random sequences, it sends a response to mobile station 10 on the appropriate downlink channel. This response is linked to the recognized random sequence.

If the mobile station 10 does not detect a response from the base station 20 that matches the transmitted random sequence, it assumes that the base station 20 did not recognize the sequence. It then randomly selects another sequence and broadcasts that sequence at a randomly determined time within a time window. The transmission power level of this sequence is chosen to be higher than in the last transmission of the random sequence. This is intended to increase the likelihood of base station 20 detecting the signals.

If the login to the mobile network is successful, the base station 20 allocates dedicated radio resources for the mobile device in order to ensure reliable communication. If the mobile is unsuccessful in trying to get a response from the base station 20, it normally re-enters the cellular cell acquisition phase.

For the physical connection between on-board communication module 160 and base station 20, GSM channels are used for 2G/3G support, which are realized with GSM mobile radio frequencies. With the eCall emergency call system, a voice connection is established after the emergency call message. Taking into account the required data rate of the eCall service, a data rate of 20 kbit/s is required for a GSM voice call.

3 shows the failure of the connection between the vehicle and the cellular base station for the scenario in which the 2nd and 3rd generation cellular systems are switched off. In the case shown, the base station 20 is only equipped to supply a radio cell with the 4G and 5G network. The attempt made by the legacy vehicle 10 to establish a connection to the 2G/3G network then fails simply because no signals can be received in the associated frequency range with the corresponding transmission frame. The radio communication module 160 in the vehicle 10 does not even get to attempt a connection in the uplink direction. As a result, the emergency call cannot be made and the possibly injured occupants in the vehicle cannot be rescued.

The 4 shows a typical cockpit of the vehicle 10. A passenger car is shown. However, any other vehicles could also be considered as the vehicle 10. Examples of other vehicles are: buses, commercial vehicles, in particular trucks, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, rail vehicles, camping vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, etc. The use of the invention would generally be possible in land vehicles, rail vehicles, water vehicles and aircraft.

Two display units of an infotainment system are shown in the cockpit. It is a touch screen 65 mounted in the center console and the instrument cluster 115 mounted in the dashboard.

The touch-sensitive screen 65 is used in particular to operate functions of the vehicle 10. For example, a radio, a navigation system, playback of stored pieces of music and/or an air conditioning system, other electronic devices or other comfort functions or applications of the vehicle 10 can be controlled. In summary, the term “infotainment system” is often used. In motor vehicles, especially passenger cars, an infotainment system refers to the combination of car radio/music playback system 140, navigation system 130, hands-free device/telephone 120 and other functions in a central control unit. The term infotainment is a portmanteau composed of the words information and entertainment (entertainment). The touch-sensitive screen 65 (“touch screen”) is mainly used to operate the infotainment system, and this screen 65 can be viewed and operated easily by a driver of the vehicle 10 in particular, but also by a passenger of the vehicle 10 . Below the screen 65 there is a classic operating unit 50 in which, for example, mechanical operating elements, for example buttons, switches, rotary controls or combinations thereof, such as for example push-type rotary controls, are arranged. Typically, steering wheel operation of parts of the infotainment system is also possible. This unit is not shown separately but is considered part of the operating unit 50 . Also part of the operating unit 50 is a connection 52 for a cigarette lighter. Plugged into it is the additional device 100 which, according to the invention, is used to maintain the eCall service is used. The additional device 100 is in 4 also shown. It is assumed below that this additional device 100 is plugged into the connection socket 52 for the cigarette lighter. Furthermore, in 4 an emergency call switch 114 is also shown, which is part of an operating unit on the rear-view mirror or on the roof lining of the vehicle. If the driver actuates this emergency call switch 114, an eCall emergency call is triggered manually by the emergency call system in legacy vehicle 10. The emergency call center 30 is contacted and a voice connection is established. In this case, the hands-free device in the vehicle 10 is also switched on. The employee 32 in the emergency call center 30 then inquires what the problem is and can initiate further measures.

5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the additional device 100 is positioned in the legacy vehicle 10 in order to maintain the eCall emergency call system. More precisely, it is a radio communication module in the vehicle 10 that receives the emitted emergency call from the 2G/3G emergency call system 162 permanently installed in the legacy vehicle 10, converts it and broadcasts it again in the format of a mobile radio system from the 4th generation. This emergency call is received and forwarded by the base station 20 because this base station 20 is equipped with a mobile radio system from the 4th generation to supply the radio cell. However, it lacks the equipment for supplying the radio cell with a 2nd and 3rd generation mobile radio system.

5 shows the behavior of the additional device 100 according to the invention in the event that the legacy vehicle 10 is moving in a region in which a 2G/3G mobile network is still available. In this case, the eCall emergency call system 162 permanently installed in the on-board unit 160 of the legacy vehicle 10 can still set up the emergency call as usual. The additional device 100, which is also positioned in the vehicle 10, is equipped in such a way that it does not send its own emergency call in this situation. This is done in such a way that it is determined in the additional device 100 by means of its own acceleration sensor whether an accident situation could exist. If so, it then checks whether it can detect other 2G/3G signals before emitting self-generated 2G/3G signals. If it determines that 2G/3G signals can already be received, it stops transmitting its own 2G/3G signals. If the eCall emergency call system 162 installed in the legacy vehicle 10 has also detected an accident, it will attempt to place the emergency call via the existing 2G/3G network. This is also possible because the additional device 100 does not emit any 2G/3G signals of its own.

The 7 shows a first block diagram of the additional device 100 like, a first embodiment. It is also a radio communication module. In order to make the additional device 100 self-sufficient from the power supply of the vehicle 10, it contains a battery 101. It can be a rechargeable battery. A special variant is a so-called long-term battery. This can be based on a lithium battery. There are different types of lithium batteries. Since the battery is intended to supply the additional device 100 with voltage over a very long period of time, it makes sense to select a lithium battery design that corresponds to a 10-year battery. However, such batteries are not rechargeable.

In another embodiment variant, the battery can be designed as a rechargeable battery, for example as a lithium-ion accumulator. For this purpose, a number of contacts are provided on the additional device 100, via which the connection to the vehicle electrical system 10 is established. It is also advantageous for the additional device 100 to be provided with a plug for connection to a cigarette lighter connection 52 as an additional component. The plug for the cigarette lighter connection 52 of the vehicle 10 is in the 4 shown.

The additional device 100 also contains a microcomputer 102, which in a preferred variant can also be designed as a microcontroller. This microcomputer serves as a processing unit with which the gateway function is also implemented. In addition to the microcomputer 102, the additional device 100 also has a memory chip 103. The memory chip 103 is shown as a separate memory chip. However, an embodiment in which the memory is integrated in the microcomputer 102 would also be possible. The additional device 100 is equipped with a number of antennas 108-111. There are 4 antennas in the example shown. Of these, the first antenna 108 is provided for the reception and transmission of 2G/3G mobile radio signals. The second antenna 109 is provided for the reception and transmission of mobile radio systems/mobile radio signals from the fourth generation of mobile radio systems. These are currently the mobile radio systems 4G and 5G. The third antenna 110 is used to receive and transmit the radio signals for short-range communication, for example using Bluetooth. A variant is also conceivable in which one or more antennas are used jointly. As an example, the antenna 108 for the 2G/3G cellular system could also be used for the 4G/5G cellular system. This succeeds at least when there is a matching circuit in the RF front-end block 105 . Then this antenna 108 can also used for receiving and sending Bluetooth signals. The necessary transceiver units are present in the additional device 100 in order to generate the high-frequency signals which are to be radiated via the antennas 108 - 110 . These transceiver units are in the in the 7 illustrated RF front-end block 105 summarized. The RF signal processing required in each case also takes place there, such as filtering and amplifying the signals. The RF signals are converted to baseband in the backend, which is represented here by the microcomputer 102 . The additional device 100 also includes the emergency call button 113, which is shown as a separate component. It is a radio switch that can be placed anywhere in the vehicle 10 . Bluetooth communication is preferably used for the wireless switch. One placement option is to stick the emergency call button 113 next to the emergency call switch 114 already installed in the vehicle 10 . This can be done with an adhesive masking tape to which the Bluetooth switch 113 is attached. The switch can also be released again when the battery needs to be changed or when the rechargeable battery needs to be charged.

First, the software equipment of the additional device 100 is described. The 8th shows the software equipment of the in 7 illustrated auxiliary device 100. The reference number 1022 designates a software stack which is responsible for communication in the 2G/3G mobile radio system. Reference numeral 1024 designates a software stack responsible for communication in the 4G/5G cellular system. A software stack is also shown, which is responsible for communication in the short-range radio system based on the Bluetooth standard. This software stack is referenced 1028. A software stack is preferably used for communication in the Bluetooth Low Energy standard. This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the additional device somewhat. An important component of the software package of the ancillary device 100 is the software stack, designated by reference number 1026, for the gateway function. This component is used to convert the mobile radio signals. As initially described, the conversion takes place in such a way that the cellular signals are received by the legacy vehicle 10 in the format of the 2G/3G cellular systems and are converted into the format of the 4G/5G cellular systems. The corresponding 4G/5G signals are broadcast from the accessory device 100 to the base station 20 .

Es versteht sich, dass zur möglichst genauen Erkennung eines Unfalls verschiedene Beschleunigungswerte in verschiedenen Richtungen des Fahrzeuges 10 gemessen werden können. Deshalb ist in 7 eine IMU-Einheit 104 dargestellt, die diese Möglichkeit bietet. Allerdings wird die Beschleunigungsmessung so ausgelegt, dass ein frühes Ansprechen des Systems auf gemessene Beschleunigungswerte erfolgt. Die Auslegung ist so gedacht, dass eine frühe Unfallerkennung stattfindet. Dadurch werden eher zu viele Unfallerkennungen stattfinden als zu wenige. Was unbedingt vermieden werden soll, ist das eine Unfallerkennung ausbleibt, obwohl ein schwerwiegender Unfall stattgefunden hat. Es sollte dabei berücksichtigt werden, dass die Unfallerkennung basierend auf der im Zusatzgerät 100 enthaltenen Sensoreinheit 104 nicht so akkurat erfolgen kann, wie bei dem fahrzeugeigenen Unfallerkennungssystem. Dies liegt allein schon daran, dass das Zusatzgerät 10 nicht so fest mit der Karosserie verankert ist, wie die Beschleunigungssensoren des Airbag-Systems. Im nächsten Schritt S3 findet die Suche nach Mobilfunksignalen gemäß des 2G/3G-Mobilfunksystems statt. Dies erfolgt so, wie im Zusammenhang mit dem Einbuchungsvorgang in ein modernes Mobilfunknetz erläutert. Wenn das Zusatzgerät 100 keine Mobilfunksignale in den zugeordneten Frequenzen des 2G/3G Mobilfunksystems findet, wird dies in Programmschritt S3 vermerkt. Der Einbuchungsvorgang ist damit abgebrochen, ohne, dass 2G/3G-Mobilfunksignale seitens des Zusatzgerätes 100 ausgestrahlt werden. Im nachfolgenden Programmschritt S4 findet eine Abfrage statt. Darin wird geprüft, ob die gemessenen Beschleunigungswerte das Kriterium zur Unfallerkennung erfüllen. Dies ist dann gegeben, wenn die Beschleunigungswerte oberhalb eines Grenzwertes oder innerhalb einer Anzahl von Grenzwerten liegt. Falls diese Bedingung nicht erfüllt ist, verzweigt das Programm zum Programmschritt S5. Darin wird geprüft, ob der ECE-Knopf 113, entsprechend Emergency Call Enable-Knopf, betätigt wurde. Falls nein, verzweigt das Programm zurück zum Anfang. Wenn die Unfallerkennung im Schritt S4 stattgefunden hat, aber auch wenn der ECE-Knopf 113 betätigt wurde, wird in Abfrage S6 geprüft, ob Mobilfunk-Signale gemäß des 2G/3G-Mobilfunksystems im Schritt S3 detektiert worden sind. Falls ja, verzweigt das Programm zurück zum Anfang. Falls nein, wird das Programm mit Programmschritt S7 fortgeführt. Darin wird dann ein Einbuchungsvorgang in ein Mobilfunknetz neuerer Generation, das heißt ein 4G- oder 5G-Mobilfunksystem vorgenommen. Der Einbuchungsvorgang in ein Mobilfunksystem dieser Generationen wurde bereits eingangs prinzipiell erläutert. Dieser Einbuchungsvorgang findet an dieser Stelle im Schritt S7 ebenfalls statt. Es wird daher auf eine nochmalige Darstellung der Einzelheiten des Einbuchungsvorgangs an dieser Stelle verzichtet. Für weitere Einzelheiten wird auf den bereits erwähnten 4G-Standard Bezug genommen. Im nächsten Schritt S8 erzeugt das Zusatzgerät 100 in der Art der 2G/3G-Mobilfunk-Basisstation 20 die Übertragungsrahmen, die für den Einbuchungsvorgang in ein 2G/3G-Mobilfunknetz erforderlich sind. Es werden sämtliche Mobilfunksignale von dem Zusatzgerät 100 erzeugt, die für den Einbuchungsvorgang nötig sind. Für weitere Einzelheiten wird auf den obenstehenden Abschnitt verwiesen, in dem der Einbuchungsvorgang in seinen Einzelheiten beschrieben wurde. Das Funkkommunikationsmodul 160 bucht sich dann im Schritt S8 in dieses simulierte 2G/3G-Mobilfunknetz ein. Es setzt anschließend den ausgelösten Notruf ab. Dieser eCall-Notruf wird im Zusatzgerät 100 im Schritt S9 empfangen. Im Schritt S10 erfolgt die Umsetzung in das Format der 4G/5G-Mobilfunksysteme. Im darauffolgenden Schritt S11 wird über das 4G/5G-Mobilfunksystem der Notruf gemäß des neueren eCall-Standards abgesetzt. Der Notruf besteht zuerst in einer Anfrage an den PASP mit dem Hinweis, dass es sich um einen Notruf handelt. Daraufhin fordert der PSAP den Teilnehmer auf den Minimaldatensatz MSD zu senden. Der Teilnehmer sendet den Minmaldatensatz MSD an den PSAP. So wird der bereits erwähnte Minimaldatensatz an die Notrufzentrale 30 übertragen. Der Minimaldatensatz enthält die Daten Fahrzeug-ID, Service Provider-ID, den Unfallzeitpunkt, die genaue Position und die Fahrtrichtung des Fahrzeugs 10 und den eCall-Qualifier. Alle Daten werden bei dieser Variante vom Fahrzeug 10 selbst generiert und vom Zusatzgerät 100 über die Gateway-Funktion 1026 lediglich in das Format für die Unfallmeldung im 4G/5G-Mobilfunksystem umgesetzt. Dies setzt allerdings voraus, dass auch der Notruf-Schalter 114 des Legacy-Fahrzeuges 10 betätigt wird. In der Bedienungsanleitung des Zusatzgerätes, muss deshalb erläutert werden, dass beide Taster, ECE-Taster 113 und Notruf-Taster 114 betätigt werden müssen damit der eCall-Notruf abgeschickt werden kann. Die bevorzugte Reihenfolge der Betätigung ist, dass zuerst der ECE-Taster 113 betätigt wird und danach der Notruf-Taster 114 des Fahrzeuges, weil dann bereits 2G/3G-Mobilfunksignale seitens des Zusatzgerätes ausgestrahlt werden, die für die Absetzung des Fahrzeugseitigen eCalls erforderlich sind. So kann dann auch die Umsetzung seitens des Zusatzgerätes 100 in das 4G/5G-Format erfolgen. Nach dem Eingang des Minimaldatensatzes bestätigt der PSAP den Eingang und fordert zum Aufbau der Sprechverbindung auf. So erfolgt im Schritt S9 die Einrichtung einer Sprechverbindung zu dem Bediensteten 32 in der Notrufzentrale 30. Während der Einrichtung der Sprechverbindung findet mittels der Gatewayfunktion 1026 die Umsetzung der Sprachdaten zwischen beiden Mobilfunksystemen einerseits 2G/3G und 4G/5G auf der anderen Seite statt. Nach Beendigung der Sprechverbindung wird das Programm im Schritt S10 beendet. Dieses Programm wird zeitgesteuert immer wieder neu aufgerufen. Da der Einbuchungsvorgang an einen gewissen Suchvorgang geknüpft ist, sind bestimmte Timeout-Zähler involviert, die den Einbuchungsvorgang nach Überschreiten einer Zeit abbrechen. So besteht auch die Möglichkeit, dass ein Absenden eines eCall-Notrufs auch dann erfolgreich ist, wenn innerhalb gewisser zeitlicher Grenzen beide Notruf-Schalter 113 und 114 nacheinander betätigt werden, auch wenn die empfohlene Reihenfolge nicht eingehalten wird.The operation of the attachment 100 is explained in more detail with the aid of the flow chart in FIG 9 explained. The program start is denoted by the reference symbol S1. In program step S2, microcomputer 102 detects the acceleration value measured by acceleration sensor 104 $\overrightarrow{a}.$

It goes without saying that in order to identify an accident as precisely as possible, different acceleration values can be measured in different directions of the vehicle 10 . That's why it's in 7 an IMU unit 104 is shown which offers this possibility. However, the acceleration measurement is designed in such a way that the system responds early to measured acceleration values. The design is intended so that an early accident detection takes place. As a result, too many accident detections will take place rather than too few. What should be avoided at all costs is that an accident is not recognized even though a serious accident has taken place. It should be taken into account that the accident detection based on the sensor unit 104 contained in the additional device 100 cannot be as accurate as with the vehicle's own accident detection system. This is due to the fact that the additional device 10 is not anchored as firmly to the body as the acceleration sensors of the airbag system. In the next step S3, the search for mobile radio signals according to the 2G/3G mobile radio system takes place. This is done as explained in connection with the log-on process in a modern mobile network. If the additional device 100 does not find any mobile radio signals in the assigned frequencies of the 2G/3G mobile radio system, this is noted in program step S3. The log-on process is thus aborted without the additional device 100 broadcasting 2G/3G mobile radio signals. A query takes place in the subsequent program step S4. This checks whether the measured acceleration values meet the criterion for accident detection. This is the case when the acceleration values are above a limit value or within a number of limit values. If this condition is not met, the program branches to program step S5. This checks whether the ECE button 113, corresponding to the emergency call enable button, has been actuated. If not, the program branches back to the beginning. If the accident was recognized in step S4, but also if the ECE button 113 was actuated, query S6 checks whether mobile radio signals according to the 2G/3G mobile radio system have been detected in step S3. If so, the program branches back to the beginning. If not, the program is continued with program step S7. A log-in process is then carried out in a mobile radio network of a newer generation, ie a 4G or 5G mobile radio system. The registration process in a mobile radio system of these generations has already been explained in principle at the outset. This log-on process also takes place at this point in step S7. It will therefore be repeated The details of the log-in process are not presented here. For more details, reference is made to the 4G standard already mentioned. In the next step S8, the additional device 100 in the form of the 2G/3G mobile radio base station 20 generates the transmission frames that are required for the registration process in a 2G/3G mobile radio network. All of the mobile radio signals required for the log-on process are generated by the additional device 100 . For further details, reference is made to the section above where the login process was described in detail. The radio communication module 160 then logs into this simulated 2G/3G mobile radio network in step S8. It then transmits the triggered emergency call. This eCall emergency call is received in the additional device 100 in step S9. In step S10, conversion into the format of the 4G/5G mobile radio systems takes place. In the subsequent step S11, the emergency call is made via the 4G/5G mobile radio system in accordance with the newer eCall standard. The emergency call consists first of a request to the PASP with the information that it is an emergency call. The PSAP then asks the subscriber to send the minimum data set MSD. The subscriber sends the minimum data record MSD to the PSAP. The minimum data set already mentioned is thus transmitted to the emergency call center 30 . The minimum data record contains the data vehicle ID, service provider ID, the time of the accident, the exact position and the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 and the eCall qualifier. In this variant, all data is generated by the vehicle 10 itself and converted by the additional device 100 via the gateway function 1026 into the format for the accident report in the 4G/5G mobile radio system. However, this presupposes that the emergency call switch 114 of the legacy vehicle 10 is also actuated. In the operating instructions for the additional device, it must therefore be explained that both buttons, ECE button 113 and emergency call button 114, must be pressed so that the eCall emergency call can be sent. The preferred order of actuation is that the ECE button 113 is pressed first and then the emergency call button 114 of the vehicle, because then the additional device is already broadcasting 2G/3G mobile radio signals, which are required for the transmission of the vehicle-side eCall. In this way, the additional device 100 can then also convert to the 4G/5G format. After the minimum data set has been received, the PSAP acknowledges receipt and requests that the voice connection be set up. In step S9, a voice connection is set up with the employee 32 in the emergency call center 30. While the voice connection is being set up, the gateway function 1026 is used to convert the voice data between the two mobile radio systems on the one hand 2G/3G and 4G/5G on the other. After the end of the speech connection, the program is ended in step S10. This program is called up time-controlled again and again. Since the login process is linked to a certain search process, specific timeout counters are involved, which abort the login process after a certain time has elapsed. There is also the possibility that an eCall emergency call can also be sent successfully if both emergency call switches 113 and 114 are pressed one after the other within certain time limits, even if the recommended sequence is not observed.

The 10 shows a second variant of a radio communication module according to the invention as an additional device 100. The same reference numbers designate the same components as previously described. One difference is that a loudspeaker 106 and a microphone 107 are installed in the additional device 100 in this variant. In addition, an emergency call switch 112 is installed in the additional device 100. The mode of operation of the additional device is the same with regard to the triggering of the eCall emergency call by the automatic accident detection using acceleration sensors 104. One difference is how the emergency call is triggered manually. This is done by actuating the emergency call switch 112. In this case, the additional device generates the emergency call autonomously without the involvement of the emergency call system 162 in the legacy vehicle 10. However, the eCall emergency call is transmitted directly via the 4G/5G mobile radio system. Thus, no data then come from the emergency call system 162 installed in the legacy vehicle 10 to the additional device 100. The position of the vehicle is therefore not supplied via the navigation system installed in the vehicle. This makes it necessary for the RF front end 105 to also contain a receiving unit for GNSS signals 116 . The position of the vehicle 10 is therefore additionally then also detected by the auxiliary device 100 itself. The emergency call message that is sent to the emergency center 30 then contains the position data of the GNSS receiving unit 116 in the additional device 100. A receiving antenna 111 for GNSS signals is therefore also provided in the additional device 10.

The software equipment is in 11 shown. The same reference numbers designate the same software components as in 8th . The software stack for Bluetooth communication can be omitted. Instead, however, signal processing for GNSS signals is required in order to be able to provide the position data for the eCall emergency call. The vehicle ID is entered into the device when the additional device 100 is put into operation for the first time. There is a possibility of programming this data. This can be done in a particularly advantageous manner by computer It is then advantageous to equip the additional device 100 with a USB connection.

The mode of operation of this variant of an additional device 100 is shown in the flow chart according to FIG 12 shown. The same reference numbers designate the same work steps as in FIG 9 . The principle of operation is the same, except that if there is no accident and if the emergency button 112 of the additional device 100 is operated manually, steps S6 to S10 are omitted. Instead, the login to the 4G/5G mobile network takes place in step S12. Then, in step S11, an eCall emergency call is generated according to the newer eCall standard and this emergency call is sent via the 4G/5G mobile network.

The disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here. There is room for various adaptations and modifications that those skilled in the art would contemplate based on their skill in the art as well as belonging to the disclosure.

It should be understood that the proposed method and associated devices can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors or a combination thereof. Specialty processors can include Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC), and/or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Preferably, the proposed method and device is implemented as a combination of hardware and software. The software is preferably installed as an application program on a program storage device. Typically, it is a computer platform based machine that includes hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces. An operating system is typically also installed on the computer platform. The various processes and functions described here can be part of the application program or a part that is executed via the operating system.

All examples mentioned herein, as well as conditional language, are intended to be understood as not being limited to such specifically cited examples. For example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagram presented herein represents a conceptual view of exemplary circuitry. Similarly, it will be appreciated that an illustrated flowchart, state transition diagram, pseudo-code, and the like are various variants for representing processes that may be stored substantially on computer-readable media and thus executable by a computer or processor.

Reference List

10

legacy vehicle

20

Cellular base station

30

emergency call centre

32

Employee in emergency call center

40

Internet

50

operating unit

52

Connection socket for cigarette lighter

60

storage unit

65

touch screen

70

1. Data line

80

2. Data line

85

microcomputer

90

3. Data line

100

Additional device as radio communication module

101

battery

102

microcomputer

103

storage unit

104

acceleration sensor unit

105

RF front end

106

speaker

107

microphone

108

2G/3G antenna

109

4G/5G antenna

110

Bluetooth antenna

111

GNSS antenna

112

emergency switch

113

radio switch

114

SOS switch in Legacy vehicle

115

instrument cluster

116

GNSS receiving unit

120

car phone

130

navigation system

140

radio

150

camera

160

On-board communication unit

162

eCall entity

170

Airbag control unit

180

Infotainment system communication bus

190

further communication bus

200

Vehicle infotainment system

1000

Software equipment additional device

1022

2G/3G software stack

1024

4G/5G software stack

1026

gateway function

1028

Bluetooth software stack

1029

GNSS software stack

S1-S13

various program steps of computer programs

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2015/758 [0003]
• DE 102014003945 A1 [0015]
• EP 2735179 A1 [0016]
• DE 102017203359 A1 [0017]

Claims (17)

Radio communication module with a transmitting and receiving unit (105) for transmitting and receiving mobile radio signals of the second or third generation of mobile radio systems, hereinafter referred to as 2G/3G mobile radio systems, characterized in that the radio communication module (100) with a transmitting and receiving unit (105) is equipped for the transmission and reception of mobile radio signals for mobile radio systems from the fourth generation, hereinafter referred to as 4G/+G mobile radio systems, and the radio communication module (100) is equipped with a processing unit (102) with a gateway function (1026), which converts the signals of an emergency call received via the transmitting and receiving unit (105), which was sent with mobile radio signals in the transmission format of the 2G/3G mobile radio systems, into the transmission format for a 4G/+G mobile radio system, and to the Sending and receiving unit (105) for the transmission and reception of mobile radio signals for 4G/+G mobile radio systems, which transmits the converted mobile radio signals in the transmission format of mobile radio signals for 4G/+G mobile radio systems, the processing unit (102) and the transmitting and receiving unit (105) are designed in such a way that mobile radio signals can be emitted which simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network, in which there is a radio communication module (160) designed for communication in the 2G/3G mobile radio network is, can book. radio communication module claim 1 , wherein the processing unit (102) and the transmitting and receiving unit (105) are designed in such a way that they only emit the mobile radio signals, which simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network, when the transmitting and receiving unit (105) it was determined that no 2G/3G mobile network from an external provider was available. radio communication module claim 1 or 2 , wherein the processing unit (102) and the transmitting and receiving unit (105) are designed in such a way that they only emit the mobile radio signals, which simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network, when a sensor unit (104) measures a measured variable was, in particular an acceleration that exceeds a threshold value set for an impending accident. radio communication module claim 3 that the radio communication module (100) is further equipped in such a way that it only carries out a step (S7) of logging into the 4G/+G mobile radio network from the fourth generation onwards when the sensor unit (104) has measured the measured variable that exceeds a threshold value set for an impending accident. Radio communication module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication module (100) is designed for use in a vehicle (10) which is equipped with an automatic emergency call system which is used to place an emergency call to an emergency call center (30) via the mobile radio system of the second or third generation, whereby the automatic emergency call system corresponds in particular to the eCall service corresponding to "Emergency Call" or the ERA-GLONASS service corresponding to "extrennowo reagirowanija pri awarijach - Globalnaja nawigazionnaja sputnikowaja sistema". radio communication module claim 5 , wherein the radio communication module (100) is equipped with a receiving unit (105) for receiving signals from a GNSS satellite navigation system, in particular GPS, according to the Global Positioning System, GLONASS according to the Global Navigation Satellite System, Beidou or Galileo. Radio communication module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication module (100) is designed as a retrofit module which can be permanently installed subsequently in the vehicle (10). Radio communication module according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the radio communication module (100) is designed as an additional device which is inserted into a slot in the vehicle (10), in particular the slot (52) for a cigarette lighter, the slot for a USB connection device or the slot for an OBD connection device, according to On -Board diagnostic device can be plugged in and it is connected to the power supply network of the vehicle (10). Radio communication module according to claim one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the radio communication module (100) is designed as an additional device which can be plugged into a slot in the vehicle (10) and is equipped with a long-life battery (101) and/or a rechargeable battery as an energy source. Radio communication module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication module (100) with a software stack (1028) for short-range radio communication, in particular a software stack for communication via the Bluetooth, Zigbee, UWB or WLAN communication system and is equipped with a correspondingly equipped radio switch (113) as a separate additional component which, when actuated by an operator, sends a trigger message to the radio communication module (100) via the short-range radio communication system, which after receipt in the radio communication module (100) , which triggers the sending of the emergency call to an emergency call center (30) via the mobile radio system from the fourth generation. radio communication module claim 10 , wherein the triggered emergency call contains at least the information about the position of the vehicle (10) and an indication of whether the emergency call was triggered manually or automatically as an emergency call message. radio communication module claim 11 , wherein the triggered emergency call contains additional information as an emergency call message, in particular the vehicle identification and the service provider identification and the number of occupants in the vehicle (10). Radio communication module according to one of Claims 5 until 9 , with means (1024) for setting up a first voice connection to the emergency call center (30) in the format of the mobile network from the fourth generation after the receipt of the emergency call; and means (1022) for establishing a second voice connection to the vehicle (10) in either the second or third generation cellular network format; and means (1026) for reciprocally converting the received voice connection data of the first and second voice connection into the respective other format and for reciprocally transmitting the converted voice connection data to the vehicle (10) and to the emergency call center (30). Method for placing an emergency call via radio communication in a radio communication module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with the steps of transmitting mobile radio signals which simulate the presence of a 2G/3G mobile radio network in which an external radio communication module (160) which is for the communication is designed in the 2G/3G mobile network, receiving an emergency call in the format of a 2G/3G mobile network (S9), converting the received emergency call into a transmission format for a 4G1+G mobile network (S10); and sending the converted emergency call (S11) in the format of the 4G/+G mobile network from the fourth generation to an emergency call center (30). procedure after Claim 14 , characterized by the steps of testing whether a 2G/3G cellular network (S3) from an external provider is already available (S6) and refraining from sending out cellular signals that simulate the presence of a 2G/3G cellular network and refraining from converting the received emergency call ( S10) and sending out the converted emergency call (S11) if it is determined that a 2G/3G mobile network from an external provider is already available. procedure after Claim 14 or 15 , characterized by the steps of measuring a measured variable that occurs, in particular an acceleration, with a sensor unit (104) in the radio communication module (S2); Checking whether the measured variable exceeds a threshold value specified for an impending accident (S4), logging into a 4G/+G mobile network (S7), receiving an emergency call in the format of a 2G/3G mobile network (S9), converting the received emergency call into a transmission format for a 4G/+G mobile network (S10); and sending the converted emergency call (S11) in the format of the 4G/+G mobile network to an emergency call center (30) only when the measured acceleration is above the specified threshold value. Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 16 , characterized by the steps of setting up a first speech connection to the vehicle (10) in the transmission format of the 2G/3G mobile radio network; Setting up a second voice connection to the emergency call center (30) in the transmission format of the 4G/+G mobile network from the fourth generation; reciprocally converting the received voice connection data of the first and second voice connection into the respective other transmission format and reciprocally sending out the converted voice connection data to the vehicle (10) and to the emergency call center (30).

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