DE102021201552A1 - Method and emergency call device for the transmission of emergency data - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for the transmission of emergency data from a vehicle with an emergency call device to an emergency call center, based on an at least sectional transmission of the emergency data via a packet-switched communication network. According to the invention, in a specified transmission mode of the emergency call device, the emergency data is transmitted at least in sections via a packet channel of the communication network using at least one specified packet-oriented transmission protocol, in particular a transport protocol.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting emergency data from a vehicle with an emergency call device to an emergency call center via a communications network and to an emergency call device for a vehicle for transmitting emergency data to an emergency call center via a communications network.

Emergency call devices for vehicles are known from the prior art.

In the event of an accident, the emergency call function should automatically establish a voice connection to a public rescue control center or an appropriately authorized emergency call center (hereinafter also referred to simply as a call center). In order to be able to initiate appropriate rescue measures as quickly as possible and to provide help to the victims, data such as the number of occupants, type of vehicle and position of the vehicle are transmitted to the call center when the emergency call is triggered. Since this data is essential for rapid assistance, it must be ensured that the call center receives this data. Various options are used for transmission, e.g. transmission via in-band modem, as prescribed for the statutory emergency call "eCall". An alternative to this is sending an SMS that contains the data in coded form.

An in-band modem is currently used for the statutory emergency call function eCall, which transmits the data to a rescue control center. This option assumes that the remote station has an appropriate modem and can receive the data. The successful transmission and decoding are acknowledged by specified messages. Further developments of eCall provide for a different transmission path, which, however, is only possible in packet-switched mobile networks (PS, Packet Switched). Here the call setup is established via the SIP protocol. In the so-called SIP INVITE message for the call setup, the emergency data is transmitted in coded form and is decoded by the remote station and acknowledged in the response to the SIP INVITE. Another way to transfer the data is to send an SMS with the corresponding encoded content. Here the transmission of the SMS is confirmed by the mobile network. There is no confirmation from the remote station.

Fallback mechanisms are often installed. This means that if there is no confirmation that the data has been transferred, the system switches to another method and tries to send the data again, provided the system is still technically able to send the data.

Data transmission via in-band modem takes a relatively long time. No voice communication can take place during this time. In addition, the type of transmission leads to errors, which means that the transmission may have to be carried out several times. In addition, this form only works reliably in circuit-switched mobile radio networks (CS/Circuit Switched). Since the circuit-switched networks will probably be switched off in the next few years, this form of transmission will then no longer be possible or only possible to a limited extent.

If in-band transmission is used in packet-oriented networks, packets can be lost or arrive with a delay, which means that the modulation can no longer be demodulated.

Data transmission via SIP protocol can only take place in PS networks and requires end-to-end support for this technology. This means both the responsible system in the vehicle, all mobile radio cells that route the call to a call center and the call center itself must support this technology. As this is not the case at the moment, this technique cannot yet be applied.

Experience shows that the transmission of emergency data via SMS can sometimes take a long time and that the SMS is sometimes not transmitted successfully. Since reception and decoding are not confirmed directly by the call center, it may happen that the call center does not have any emergency data at first. It is possible to request the data from the vehicle again, provided the vehicle is still accessible and technically capable of sending data. In addition, valuable time is wasted during the rescue.

Due to the fact that SMS technology is limited to 160 characters, only a limited amount of data can be transmitted.

Future requirements for sending multimedia data (such as still images, photos, geoposition images from Google, and video streams, etc.) can only be realized in PS networks due to the large amount of data.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art and to provide a fast and secure method for transmitting emergency data and an emergency call device for a vehicle, which can ensure reliable transmission of the emergency data.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A method according to the invention for the transmission of emergency data from a vehicle with an emergency call device to an emergency call center is based on an at least sectional transmission of the emergency data via a packet-switched communication network. The communication network is preferably a mobile radio network. The emergency call center can be a rescue control center and/or an (OEM) call center and/or a public safety answering point (PSAP).

According to the invention, the emergency data is transmitted in a predetermined transmission mode, at least in sections, via a packet channel of the communication network using at least one predetermined packet-oriented transmission protocol, in particular a transport protocol.

The packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably a connectionless or connection-oriented protocol belonging to the transport layer of the Internet protocol family. The preferred transmission protocol proposed is the use of a transmission protocol from the Internet, in particular its transport layer, within the framework of a mobile radio network with regard to the transmission of emergency data.

In other words, the emergency data (at least some and preferably all emergency data to be transmitted) is transmitted or transmitted via the packet-switched communication network according to a packet-oriented transmission protocol, with the transmission (in contrast to a transmission using a SIP protocol) via a packet channel of the communication network he follows. In other words, a packet-switching subnetwork or a direct packet-switching level of the packet-switched communication network is used in order to transmit the (or at least a subgroup of) emergency data via the communication network using the packet-oriented transmission protocol.

The present invention proposes a new and alternative transmission technique for emergency data for at least indirect transmission to an emergency call center. This offers the advantage of a diversification of the transmission properties using an alternative transmission protocol based on a different network technology.

In particular, a new and alternative transmission technology is thus proposed, which can advantageously be added to the previous transmission technologies and transmission paths as an additional redundancy level(s). This offers the advantage of being able to ensure that emergency data reaches its destination. Based on the previously known three emergency transmission techniques explained above in the context of the prior art, one or more can be added. This can take place additionally, simultaneously or sequentially as an alternative and/or as a substitute.

The emergency data is preferably characteristic of an emergency situation, preferably for a number of occupants of the vehicle and/or a vehicle type and/or a position of the vehicle and/or a type of triggering of the transmission of the emergency data (e.g. with automatic triggering, e.g. by which sensor the emergency situation was registered; or manual operation) and/or a time of the emergency situation and/or a code characteristic of a vehicle (e.g. a vehicle identification number) and/or a direction of travel of the vehicle and/or a drive type of the vehicle (e.g . Petrol, diesel, gas, electric). The emergency data can be in the form of the so-called “MSD” (“minimum set of data”), in which in particular a data size or amount of emergency data is specified. In addition to the "MSD", the emergency data can also have other optional emergency data, the so-called "ESD"("Extended Set of Data"). Overall, the amount of emergency data of the "MSD" including the "ESD" is in the range of up to 140 whole bytes. The “MSD” and/or are preferred "ESD" standard-compliant following an ASN.1 format. In the following, the emergency data is also referred to as emergency call data.

A predetermined transmission mode can be understood to mean a transmission mode which is selected from a large number of possible transmission modes, with the emergency call device being suitable and intended for the purpose, in each of these transmission modes, the emergency data (at least in part and preferably in their entirety) from the emergency call center (directly or indirectly) to be transmitted via the communication network.

Activation of a transmission mode may be triggered by an emergency situation (sensed by the vehicle and/or recognized by an occupant). Automatic triggering by a control device of the vehicle and/or by the emergency call device is possible. In addition (or alternatively), manual triggering can preferably take place, in particular by an occupant of the vehicle and/or an assistant and/or by rescue workers, for example by actuating a haptic element.

The emergency call device preferably has a multiplicity of redundant and/or parallel (in particular in pairs different from one another) transmission modes. The transmission modes can differ from one another in terms of their transmission technology and/or their transmission route or transmission path. In this case, it is preferably possible for the emergency call device to be able to carry out and/or start transmission of the emergency data at least temporarily at the same time in accordance with a large number of transmission modes. It is also conceivable, however, for the emergency data to be transmitted in accordance with some of the large number of redundant transmission modes with a time offset to one another and/or one after the other and in particular only after a previous transmission attempt has failed in accordance with a different transmission mode, for example after there has been no confirmation of a (taken place and/or complete) data transmission .

Essentially the same emergency data (which are characteristic of the same information) are preferably transmitted (at least indirectly to the emergency call center) in at least two different transmission modes, one of which is preferably one of the predefined transmission modes.

However, it is also conceivable that in at least two different transmission modes, one of which is preferably a predetermined transmission mode, at least partially different emergency data and/or different subgroups of the emergency data are transmitted (at least indirectly to the emergency call center).

The specified transmission mode can preferably be a transmission mode which, for example in accordance with a specified sequence stored in particular in a memory device of the emergency transmission device, is selected by the emergency call device if the previous attempt to transmit the emergency data (at least in part or in its entirety) failed . In other words, the predefined transmission mode can be used as a fallback mechanism for a further, different transmission mode, for example in the event that there is no confirmation of a (successful and/or complete) data transmission from the emergency center.

However, it is also conceivable that only exactly one (the one predefined) transmission mode is present and in particular is therefore predefined by default. Activation of the (specified) transmission mode can preferably be triggered by an emergency situation.

At least partial transmission of the emergency data via the communication network is understood to mean, in particular, that the emergency data take at least part of their transmission path via the communication network. This is preferably a first section of a transmission to the emergency call center. The emergency facility preferably transmits the emergency data directly to the communication network or to an access point of the (packet-switched) communication network.

The emergency data is preferably transmitted directly to the emergency center. However, indirect transmission is also conceivable, for example via an external server, on which the emergency data is stored and is not transmitted immediately but preferably only after a request signal has been received to the emergency center. Under an external server is one in particular on the vehicle and in particular the emergency call center of external servers, in particular a backend server.

In a preferred method, the at least one transmission protocol is a fire & forget transmission protocol. This can be a UDP protocol (“User Datagram Protocol”), for example. Specifically, the UDP protocol is a minimal, connectionless network protocol that belongs to the transport layer of the Internet protocol family.

This offers the advantage that (e.g. in addition to SMS) another (different) fire & forget system, such as a transmission system based on the UDP protocol, for the transmission of emergency data from a vehicle and/or an emergency call device (directly or indirectly via an external server explained in a section below) to an emergency call center (or call center/PSAP) or is available. The indirect transmission leads in particular to a detour via the external server or a backend.

A fire & forget transmission protocol (such as the UDP protocol) offers the advantage of fast data transmission and high availability due to low protocol overheads, ie advantageous in (communication) networks with limited bandwidth or high utilization. Furthermore, the use of a Fire & Forget transmission protocol saves energy due to the low protocol overhead, ie it is advantageous for energy management in control units.

In a further preferred method, the at least one (packet-oriented) transmission protocol is a request/response transmission protocol. The TCP protocol and/or HTTP/TCP (with HTTP as a possible application protocol) is preferably used for this purpose.

This offers the advantage that (for example in addition to the SIP protocol or SIP info and in addition to an in-band transmission technology) another (different) request/response system, such as a transmission system based on the TCP protocol or HTTP/ TCP, for the transmission of emergency data from a vehicle and/or an emergency call device (directly or indirectly via an external server explained in a section below) to an emergency call center (or call center/PSAP) is provided or available. The indirect transmission leads in particular to a detour via the external server or a backend.

The use of the request/response transmission protocol, such as TCP or HTTP(TCP), offers the advantage that transmission errors can be detected and corrected by re-transmit (retransmission). The request/response transmission protocol preferably enables encrypted and/or signed transmission.

Using a request/response transmission protocol such as TCP or HTTP(TCP) offers the advantage of ensuring successful transmission compared to using a fire & forget transmission protocol such as UDP. This is based on the property of the TCP protocol, according to which an automatic retransmission is carried out in the event of lost data or an incorrect checksum.

In a further preferred method, the at least one transmission protocol is a UDP protocol and/or TCP protocol. Both transmission protocols are packet-oriented. As a result, the so-called PS ("Packet Switched") network is (or should be) preferably used in a voice-oriented communication network or mobile radio network, for example a 2G/3G mobile radio network (GSM/EDGE/UMTS). A 4G mobile network (LTE) is inherently data-oriented and implements this in most countries according to the so-called IMS (IP Mobility Network) standard. But deviations from this are also conceivable in more exotic surroundings.

When using the UDP protocol, a payload field of the UDP datagram (so-called “data field”) is preferably used for the emergency data. In particular, the data field (always) consists of an even number of octets. Specifically, it can hold up to 65,507 bytes. Octets that remain free at the end are preferably filled with zeros.

When using the UDP protocol, the emergency data is preferably in the format of the so-called “MSD” (“minimum set of data”), in which a data size or amount of emergency data is specified in particular. In addition to the "MSD", the emergency data can also include additional optio nal emergency data, the so-called “ESD” (“Extended Set of Data”). Overall, the amount of emergency data of the "MSD" including the "ESD" is in the range of up to 140 whole bytes. The "MSD" and/or "ESD" are preferably standard-compliant following an ASN.1 format.

• - Bevorzugt kann (muss aber nicht) der Source Port (Quellport) den UDP-Port des Absenders (also insbesondere der eCall-Funktion im Fahrzeug) enthalten.
• - Insbesondere soll der Destination Port (Zielport) den UDP-Port der Applikation am Client des Empfängers (Empfängeranwendung) enthalten, also wahlweise den der Notrufzentrale bzw. des Callcenters (bzw. PSAPs) oder den des externen Server / Backends (zum externen Server/Backend siehe nähere Ausführung folgend an einem unteren Abschnitt).
• - Bevorzugt kann ein Zeitstempel (Timestamp) befüllt werden. Dieser beschreibt dann (anders als der Zeitstempel des Vorfalls bzw. der Notfallsituation, der im MSD/ESD enthalten ist) den Absendezeitpunkt des UDP-Pakets. Es hilft zu erkennen, ob diese Dateneinheit noch aktuell ist oder bereits von einer neueren überholt wurde (was bei UDP-Kommunikation vorkommen kann). Weiterhin hilft es auch Dopplung (im Netz) zu detektieren.

The other fields of the UDP protocol are preferably used or occupied as follows (individually or in combination with one another):

• - The source port (source port) can preferably (but does not have to) contain the UDP port of the sender (i.e. in particular the eCall function in the vehicle).
• - In particular, the destination port should contain the UDP port of the application on the recipient's client (recipient application), i.e. either that of the emergency call center or call center (or PSAPs) or that of the external server / backend (to the external server / Backend see a more detailed explanation below in a section below).
• - Preferably, a time stamp (timestamp) can be filled. This then describes (in contrast to the time stamp of the incident or the emergency situation contained in the MSD/ESD) the time at which the UDP packet was sent. It helps to recognize whether this data unit is still current or has already been overtaken by a newer one (which can happen with UDP communication). It also helps to detect duplication (in the network).

The UDP packet generated in this way is preferably transmitted using the so-called Internet protocol (preferably IPv4 or IPv6) via at least one packet switching network or the (packet-switched) communication network, in particular in accordance with the standard. The vehicle preferably receives the IP address of the sender. The emergency call center or call center/PASP or external server or data server/backend preferably receives the IP address of the recipient.

A so-called re-transmit request can and/or is preferably set up as a separate point-to-point connection. Here, in particular, the sender and receiver UDP ports and IP addresses are simply swapped over.

The emergency data is preferably packaged with TCP or with HTTP/TCP.

A handshake for establishing a connection (and synchronizing it) is preferably part of the TCP standard. In particular, the actual user data transmission, in particular the transmission of the emergency data, takes place using so-called TCP segments. A TCP segment can hold up to 1452 bytes of user data, especially emergency data.

As part of packaging with HTTP/TCP and/or when using the TCP transmission protocol, the emergency data is preferably in the format of the so-called "MSD" ("minimum set of data"), in which a data size or amount of emergency data is specified in particular is. In addition to the "MSD", the emergency data can also have other optional emergency data, the so-called "ESD" ("Extended Set of Data"). Overall, the amount of emergency data of the "MSD" including the "ESD" is in the range of up to 140 whole bytes. The "MSD" and/or "ESD" are preferably standard-compliant following an ASN.1 format.

HTTP is preferably used as the application protocol (when using the TCP transmission protocol) (keyword “HTTP request). A proprietary data encapsulation is also conceivable as an application protocol, in particular as an alternative.

• - Bevorzugt kann (muss aber nicht) der Quellport den TCP-Port des Absenders (also insbesondere der eCall-Funktion im Fahrzeug) enthalten.
• - Insbesondere soll der Zielport den TCP-Port der Empfängeranwendung (Applikation am Client des Empfängers) enthalten, also wahlweise den der Notrufzentrale bzw. des Callcenters (bwz. PSAPs) oder den des externen Servers /Backends (zum externen Server/Backend siehe nähere Ausführung folgend an einem unteren Abschnitt).
• - Bevorzugt wird für die Notfalldaten nur ein einzelnes Segment gebraucht. Insbesondere werden daher eine Sequenznummer und ACK-Nummer nicht gebraucht.
• - Bevorzugt wird eine Prüfsumme verwendet, welche zur Erkennung von Übertragungsfehlern dient und standardgemäß berechnet wird.
• - Wie oben angeführt sind insbesondere die (zu paketierenden und/oder zu übertragenden) Daten die Nutzdaten, hier die Notfalldaten.

The other fields of the TCP protocol are preferably used or occupied as follows (individually or in combination with one another):

• - The source port can preferably (but does not have to) contain the TCP port of the sender (i.e. in particular the eCall function in the vehicle).
• - In particular, the target port should contain the TCP port of the recipient application (application on the recipient's client), i.e. either that of the emergency call center or call center (or PSAPs) or that of the external server/backend (for the external server/backend, see more details). following at a lower section).
• - Only a single segment is preferably used for the emergency data. In particular, therefore, a sequence number and ACK number are not needed.
• - A checksum is preferably used, which is used to detect transmission errors and is calculated in accordance with the standard.
• - As stated above, the data (to be packaged and/or transmitted) is the user data, in this case the emergency data.

The TCP packet generated in this way is preferably transmitted in accordance with the standard using the so-called Internet protocol (preferably IPv4 or IPv6) via at least one packet switching network or the communication network. The vehicle preferably receives the IP address of the sender. The emergency call center or call center/PASP or external server or data server/backend preferably receives the IP address of the recipient. The combination of IP addresses and TCP ports is also referred to as a socket or quadruple.

A so-called re-transmit request can and/or is preferably set up as a separate point-to-point connection or can and/or preferably optionally run via the same socket/quadruple, since TCP is bidirectional. Here, in particular, the sender and recipient are clearly assigned via TCP ports and IP addresses. The TCP protocol also offers automatic retransmission (especially within a specified time) if the TCP segments are lost, so it uses an ACK mechanism in particular.

The communication network is preferably a network, in particular a cellular network, for wireless and/or mobile communication.

In a further preferred method, the communication network is selected from a group which includes a GSM network, a UMTS network, a 2G network, a 3G network, an EDGE network, an HSDPA network, an LTE network 5G network and the like. The communication network is preferably a public network.

In a further preferred method, the emergency data is transmitted and/or transmitted at least partially (and preferably in its entirety), in particular selectively and/or after an unsuccessful or at least partially failed transmission attempt, circuit-switched and/or packet-switched via the communication network. The circuit-switched transmission of the emergency data preferably takes place via a channel-switched subnet (preferably CS). The circuit-switched transmission of the emergency data preferably takes place via a voice channel of the communication network.

A transmission mode that is redundant to a circuit-switched transmission mode, in particular via a voice channel, is preferably provided with the predefined transmission mode via a packet-switched transmission via a packet channel of the communication network.

This offers the advantage that an alternative system can be used if the voice channel of the channel-switched subnetwork (preferably CS) of the communication network fails.

In a further preferred method, the emergency data are at least partially (and preferably in their entirety), in particular optionally and/or after an unsuccessful or at least partially failed transmission attempt and/or after the lack of confirmation of the data transmission, in a packet channel of the communication network and/or via a SIP protocol transmitted and/or transmitted in a packet-switched manner via the communication network.

At least two redundant transmission modes are preferably provided in this case. The at least one specified transmission mode is packet-switched in a packet channel of the communication network and the at least second transmission mode is (likewise packet-switched) using an SIP protocol (but not in a packet channel of the communication network). A transmission technology that is redundant to a transmission taking place according to the SIP protocol offers the advantage that, for example, data can be transmitted to an emergency call center or rescue control center that does not (yet) follow the CEN TS 17184 standard. A transmission mode based on the SIP protocol can be selected as the first transmission mode and the specified transmission mode (based on transmission in a packet channel using a packet-oriented transmission protocol) can be selected as the fallback mechanism, or vice versa.

The vehicle and/or the emergency call device preferably transmits the emergency data at least partially directly and/or exclusively to the emergency call center. In this case there is preferably the possibility that the emergency call center has missing data in the event of incomplete and/or failed data transmission again from the vehicle and/or the vehicle's emergency call device and/or from an external server (e.g. with regard to (purely) vehicle-related data such as information about a drive type of the vehicle). An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

In a further preferred method, the emergency call device transmits the emergency data via the communication network (preferably directly) to a server, in particular an external server, which is suitable and intended for keeping the emergency data ready for transmission to the emergency call center. In other words, there is preferably no direct transmission of the emergency data to the emergency call center, but rather an indirect transmission of the emergency data to the emergency call center via an external server. An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

The external server is, for example, a backend of a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider that is set up to manage emergency data relating to a large number of vehicles and/or emergency call devices. The functions of the backend or the external server can be performed on (external) server farms. The (external) server can be a distributed system. The external server and/or the backend can be cloud-based.

None of the aforementioned (classic or new) transmission techniques or transmission modes provide for buffering in the event of a connection loss. (Emergency) data is not sent again, but is lost. This problem can be solved advantageously by using an external server or a data center (backend).

The emergency call data are preferably stored on the external server in a memory device.

The emergency call center preferably checks the emergency data for completeness. Based on this check, the emergency call center preferably transmits a request signal (in particular with regard to detected missing emergency data) to the external server. Triggered by a request signal transmitted by the emergency call center, the external server preferably transmits at least part and/or a subgroup of the emergency call data to the emergency call center.

The emergency call center or the control centers can retrieve (emergency) data from the backend that they did not receive from the vehicle or from the emergency call device, but should have. It is conceivable that the transmission paths of the known techniques fail or fail at times, e.g. B. by overloaded mobile networks (busy channels) or defective antenna on the vehicle due to the crash. In this case, a second way is useful for the emergency call center or for the control centers. If the vehicle can no longer be reached (e.g. for the reasons mentioned above or because the battery has run out), the data is available on the external server or on the backend. The emergency call center or the control center should therefore have several options for accessing the life-saving (emergency) data. This also advantageously results in redundancy.

In the event that the emergency call center or the rescue control center has not yet implemented modern communication technologies (such as data transmission using the SIP protocol), common paths can preferably be followed. The (missing or requested) emergency data could preferably be transmitted (from the external server to the emergency call center) via e-mail and/or a call to a recorded message (in particular having data read out).

An additional advantage of the data held centrally by an OEM (vehicle manufacturer) or service provider (e.g. via an external server) is the adaptability to applicable data protection guidelines: The OEM (vehicle manufacturer) or service provider retains control over which (emergency ) Data of the accident event are passed on to a "third person" (in this case the operator of the emergency call center). Furthermore, it is preferred to retain control over when the (emergency) data is passed on and how long it remains available. As long as (emergency) data is sent directly from the vehicle to the rescue coordination center or emergency call center, the OEM (vehicle manufacturer) or service provider cannot intervene here if data protection guidelines (e.g. internationally) change or if there is a technical defect in the vehicle is discovered late and would lead (or has already led) to a data breach. Remedial measures could only be carried out directly on the vehicle and would mean an extensive and costly recall to the workshops. If a change can be made centrally on the server, the remedial measures can be carried out much faster and more cost-effectively. Advantageously, recall campaigns are saved.

The table below illustrates possible combinations of different transmission technologies and their advantages. The provision of possible redundancy levels (tolerance level 1, .., tolerance level 4) by combining different transmission technologies is also illustrated. classic/historic/legacy Failure Tolerance/Fault Tolerance method Characteristic Simple tolerance level 1 Tolerance level 2 UDP Tolerance level 3 HTTP Tolerance level 4 backend 2G/3G Inband (CS) + SMS R/R + F&F Yes +PS +R/R storage LTE SIP + SMS R/R + F&F Yes -SIP + R/R storage R/R = Request/Response +PS = "Packet Switched" method as a supplement (UDP) F&F = Fire & Forget -SIP = UDP can replace missing SIP. +R/R = an additional R/R system as an extension (HTTP).

The emergency call device preferably provides a transmission mode based on a communication network such as a mobile network, for example a 2G/3G network (in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA), which transmits emergency call data via a circuit-switched voice channel (CS, in particular via inband ) transmits. The emergency call device preferably provides at least one further (additional) transmission mode based on this communication network (e.g. 2G/3G network, in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA network), which transmits emergency call data using a packet-switching subnet (of the communication network ) using a Fire & Forget transfer protocol. This offers the advantage that if the voice channel of the channel-switched subnet (CS) fails, the risk of SMS loss is compensated. This improves the error tolerance of a 2G/3G network (in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA network) based emergency call data transmission system.

The emergency call device preferably provides a transmission mode based on a communication network such as a mobile network, for example a 2G/3G network (in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA), which transmits emergency call data via a circuit-switched voice channel (CS, in particular via inband ) transmits. The emergency call device preferably provides at least one further (additional) transmission mode based on this communication network (e.g. 2G/3G network, in particular also in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA), which transmits emergency call data using a packet-switching subnetwork (of the communication network ) using a request/response transmission protocol. This offers the advantage that if the voice channel of the channel-switched subnet (CS) fails, an alternative system with the same transmission properties can be used. This improves the error tolerance of an emergency call data transmission system based, for example, on a 2G/3G network (in particular also GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA network).

The emergency call device preferably provides a transmission mode (as an alternative transmission mode and/or as a single and/or preselected transmission mode) based on a (packet-switched) communication network such as a mobile network, for example an LTE network, which transmits emergency call data under (in particular additional) in particular direct Transfers using a packet switching level of the communication network using a Fire & Forget transmission protocol. This offers the advantage that (emergency) data transmission to emergency call centers or rescue control centers that do not (yet) follow the CEN TS 17184 standard is made possible. This advantageously improves the failure tolerance of an emergency call data transmission system, for example based on an LTE network.

The emergency call device preferably provides a transmission mode (as an alternative transmission mode and/or as a single and/or preselected transmission mode) based on a (packet-switched) communication network such as a mobile network, for example an LTE network, which transmits emergency call data under (in particular additional) particular direct use of a packet switching level of the communication network using a request/response transmission protocol transmits. This offers the advantage that if the voice channel of the VoIP subnet (of the communication network or the LTE network) fails, an alternative system with the same transmission properties is or can be used. This improves the failure tolerance of an emergency call data transmission system, for example based on an LTE network.

The emergency call device preferably provides a transmission mode in which the emergency call data is transmitted via an SMS via the communication network.

The emergency call device preferably provides at least two, preferably at least three and particularly preferably at least four of the aforementioned transmission modes. A sequence is preferably stored in particular in a storage device, according to which the transmission modes are activated (in particular in the case of failed previous attempts via at least one different transmission mode). A sequence of the fallback mechanisms is thus preferably defined. The transmission preferably takes place according to the different transmission modes using a different transmission protocol in each case.

The additional possibility of the various protocols to transmit data increases the bandwidth of the transmission method. This offers an advantage insofar as not every vehicle supports every type of network and/or every transmission and/or every transmission method (inband, SMS, SIP info).

Depending on what is desired or the network requirements, different transmission modes or different transmission technologies can be replaced and/or supplemented and/or combined with one another.

An emergency call device preferably provides a first redundancy level in which there is preferably at least one transmission mode and particularly preferably at least one transmission mode according to a request/response transmission protocol and a transmission mode according to a fire & forget transmission protocol. Different transmission protocols can be provided for different network types (e.g. 2G/3G or LTS). For example, a transmission mode can be provided for a 2G/3G network which transmits the emergency data via a circuit-switched voice channel (via in-band (CS)). A transmission mode which transmits the emergency data via an SIP transmission protocol can be provided for an LTE network. In addition, a transmission mode can be provided in this rudandancy level, in which the emergency data is transmitted via SMS (via GSM/UMTS). This redundancy level is preferably a direct transmission of the data from the emergency call device to the emergency call center.

The emergency call device is preferably set up to have or provide at least one further redundancy level. This preferably provides a transmission mode in which the emergency data can be transmitted or is transmitted in a packet channel of a packet-switched communication network using a packet-oriented transmission protocol.

In a preferred embodiment of this further redundancy level, the packet-oriented transmission protocol can be a fire & forget transmission protocol, such as a UDP protocol. This redundancy level is preferably a direct transmission of the data from the emergency call device to the emergency call center.

Another preferred embodiment of the aforementioned further redundancy level or a (again) further redundancy level can have at least one transmission mode or be formed by it, which as a packet-oriented transmission protocol for transmitting the emergency data in a packet-switched communication network is a request/response protocol, such as an application protocol HTTP , which is based on the TCP transport protocol. This redundancy level is preferably a direct transmission of the data from the emergency call device to the emergency call center.

A further redundancy level can be formed by a transmission mode in which, based on an aforementioned transmission mode (a transmission technique), the emergency data or part of the emergency data is transmitted to the external server for the purpose of making the emergency data available to a (or the) external server. At least part of the emergency data is preferably transmitted indirectly to the external server in this redundancy level. The external server can preferably transmit the (or at least part of) the emergency data to the emergency call center.

This level of redundancy offers the advantage that, for example, in a 2G/3G network (particularly GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA network) and/or LTE network-based emergency call data transmission system via mediation and storage by an external server ( or data center, back-end server) and with the help of the aforementioned techniques and thus an indirect transmission, the failure tolerance is further increased.

The various redundancy stages can preferably be combined with one another as desired or depending on the network type and/or vehicle type and/or emergency call device, and their sequence as fallback mechanisms can also be selected in any way with respect to one another.

The strongest failure tolerance is achieved by combining all of the above-mentioned transmission technologies and/or transmission modes and/or redundancy levels.

The present invention is also aimed at a method for transmitting emergency data from a vehicle with an emergency call device to an emergency call center, based on an at least sectional transmission of the emergency data via a preferably packet-switched communication network.

According to the invention, the emergency call device transmits the emergency data via the communication network to an external server which is suitable and intended for holding the emergency data ready for transmission to the emergency call center. An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

In other words, instead of directly transmitting the emergency data to the emergency call center, an indirect transmission of the emergency data to the emergency call center via an external server is proposed. This offers the advantage, as explained above, that emergency data can be buffered on the external server and, in the event of incomplete emergency data available from the emergency call center, can be supplemented by transmission of the missing emergency data from the external server to the emergency call center.

The method can be equipped with all of the features disclosed above in connection with the method for transmitting emergency data, individually or in combination with one another, and vice versa.

The present invention is also directed to an emergency call device for a vehicle for the transmission of emergency data to an emergency call center based on a packet-switched communication network for at least sectional transmission of the emergency data.

According to the invention, the emergency call device is suitable and intended in a predetermined transmission mode to provide the emergency data to the communication network in such a way that the emergency data is transmitted via a packet channel of the communication network using at least one predetermined packet-oriented transmission protocol, in particular a transport protocol.

It is therefore also proposed within the scope of the invention that a new transmission mode different from the transmission techniques previously known in the prior art is provided. This can either be operated independently or in combination with other (already known) transmission modes can be operated redundantly and/or in parallel.

The emergency call device is preferably set up, suitable and/or intended to carry out at least one of the methods described above (and preferably both methods described above) and all method steps already described above in connection with the method individually or in combination with one another. Conversely, each of the two methods can be equipped with all of the features described in the context of the emergency call facility, either individually or in combination with one another.

In an advantageous embodiment, the emergency call device is suitable and intended and configured to transmit the emergency data to an external server which is suitable and intended to keep the emergency data ready for transmission to the emergency call center. This offers the advantage that, in contrast to the transmission techniques from the prior art, the emergency data is buffered or stored. The emergency call center can preferably request missing emergency data from the external server. An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

The present invention is also directed to an emergency call device for a vehicle for transmitting emergency data to an emergency call center based on a packet-switched communication network for at least sectional transmission of the emergency data (to the emergency call center).

According to the invention, the emergency call device is suitable and intended as well as configured to transmit the emergency data to an external server which is suitable and intended to keep the emergency data ready for transmission to the emergency call center. The emergency call device is preferably suitable and intended and configured to transmit the emergency data (at least in part and preferably in its entirety) indirectly to the emergency call center via the external server. The emergency call data are preferably transmitted both directly to the emergency call center and indirectly to the emergency call center via the external server. An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

This offers the advantage of a parallel path via an external server or a backend, including the provision of (especially all) (emergency) data.

The emergency call device and in particular also the external server can have all the features described above in connection with the emergency call device individually or in combination with one another. Conversely, the emergency call device described above or the external server can be equipped with all of the features described in the context of the emergency call device or the external server, either individually or in combination with one another.

As described above, the external server can be a backend (of an OEM, in particular a vehicle manufacturer and/or a service provider). Using an OEM backend (server/data center), the same data relevant to the emergency call or a subgroup of them or additional vehicle data can be sent and/or transmitted to the emergency call center through an additional transmission path. This data can therefore reach the intended destination in various ways or be collected from a central location or on the central server (backend). This measure advantageously increases the error tolerance of the transmission.

The present invention is also aimed at an emergency call transmission system having an external server which receives emergency data from an emergency call device via a preferably packet-switched communication network. According to the invention, the external server stores the received emergency data on a memory device of the external server and forwards at least a portion of the emergency data to the emergency call center, preferably upon receipt of a request signal sent by an emergency call center. An external server is to be understood in particular as an external server in relation to the vehicle and in particular to the emergency call center, in particular a backend server.

The external server can be equipped with all of the features described above in connection with the method or the emergency call device, either individually or in combination.

The present invention is also aimed at a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an emergency call device according to one embodiment as described above. The emergency call device is preferably a fixed part of the vehicle (that is to say it cannot be removed without destroying it).

The vehicle can in particular be a (motorized) road vehicle. A vehicle can be a motor vehicle which, in particular, is a motor vehicle controlled by the driver himself (“driver only”), a semi-autonomous, autonomous (e.g. autonomy level 3 or 4 or 5 (of the SAE J3016 standard)) or self-driving motor vehicle is. Autonomy Level 5 designates fully automated vehicles. The vehicle can also be a driverless transport system. The vehicle can be controlled by a driver or drive autonomously. In addition to a road vehicle, the vehicle can also be an air taxi, an airplane and another means of transportation or another type of vehicle, for example an air vehicle, water vehicle or rail vehicle.

The present invention is also aimed at a computer program or computer program product, comprising program means, in particular a program code, which represents or encodes at least the method steps of at least one of the two and preferably both methods according to the invention and preferably one of the preferred embodiments described and is designed to be executed by a processor device .

The present invention is also aimed at a data memory on which at least one embodiment of the computer program according to the invention or a preferred embodiment of the computer program is stored.

Further advantages and embodiments result from the attached drawings:

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einer Notfalleinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Notfalleinrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Notfalleinrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

Show in it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with an emergency device according to the prior art;
• 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with an emergency device according to the invention according to a first embodiment; and
• 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with an emergency device according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1 with an emergency call device 2 according to the prior art for transmitting emergency call data from the vehicle 1 to an emergency call center, which is identified by reference number 30 . The emergency call center can be a rescue control center or an (OEM) call center.

The reference number 10 symbolizes a communication network, for example a mobile radio network, via which emergency data can be transmitted from the emergency call device 2 and thus from the vehicle 1 to the emergency call center 30 in the event of an emergency call being triggered.

The reference numerals 22, 24, 26 and 28 designate the various emergency data transmission techniques known from the art.

The reference number 28 designates a circuit-switched transmission of the (emergency) data via a voice channel (“voice”). (Emergency) data can be transmitted to the emergency call center 30 via inband (channel-switching subnetwork CS). This transmission technique is identified by reference number 26 .

Another emergency data transmission technique is identified by reference number 24 . In this, the (emergency) data are transmitted to the emergency call center 30 via SMS (for example via a GSM and/or UMTS network, in particular also a GSM, UMTS, EDGE and/or HSDPA network).

Finally, reference number 22 denotes a transmission of the (emergency) data via SIP info (for example in an LTE network).

Reference number 20 denotes an emergency data transmission system which is suitable and intended for transmitting emergency data from an emergency call device 2 of a vehicle 1 to an emergency call center 30 using a communication network 10 .

2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1 according to the invention with an emergency call device 2 according to a first embodiment for transmitting emergency call data from the vehicle 1 or its emergency call device 2 to an emergency call center, which in turn is identified by reference number 30 .

In this case, the emergency call device 2 is suitable and intended and configured to use the same data transmission techniques from the prior art, which are identified by the same reference symbols and the explanation of which is included here.

The same reference numbers in the figures denote elements or functions that have the same or similar effect.

In contrast to the transmission techniques known from the prior art, in 1 illustrated, a further (in particular direct) transmission technique between the vehicle 1 and/or the emergency call device 2 and the emergency call center 30 is proposed, which is identified by reference number 32 . This uses a packet channel of the communication network and transmits the (emergency) data using a packet-oriented transmission protocol such as UDP or TCP (PS in GSM/UMTS, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) in LTE).

Such a newly proposed transmission technique can be used by the emergency call device 2 independently (without being supplemented by other transmission techniques).

The newly proposed transmission technique 32 is preferably combined with at least one and preferably several transmission techniques 22, 24, 26/28 known from the prior art by transmitting the emergency data in a packet channel of a packet-switched communication network 10 using a packet-oriented transmission protocol. The strongest failure tolerance is achieved by combining all transmission technologies.

In 2 is also illustrated that the emergency call center 30 or the rescue control center or OEM call center, the vehicle 1 or the emergency call device 2, which has transmitted the emergency data to the emergency call center 30, additional data (“additional data”) from an external server 40 ( here OEM backend) can request. Preferably in response to such a request, the external server 40 transmits additional data 42 to the emergency call center 30. The additional data is in particular (exclusively) (purely) vehicle-related data (in particular no emergency call-related data) such as a vehicle color, vehicle make or a vehicle type.

3 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with an emergency call device 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention for the transmission of emergency call data from the vehicle 1 to an emergency call center, which in turn is identified by reference numeral 30 .

In this case, the emergency call device 2 is suitable and intended and configured to use the same data transmission techniques from the prior art, which are identified by the same reference symbols and the explanation of which is included here.

In contrast to the in 2 The embodiment of an emergency call transmission system 20 and/or an emergency call device 2 illustrated here does not involve (emergency) data transmission between the vehicle 1 and/or the emergency call device 2 and the emergency call center 30 directly (as in 2 ) but indirectly via the external server 40 (here an OEM backend).

Reference number 34 designates a transmission between the emergency call device 2 or the vehicle 1 and the external server 40, in which data is transmitted to the external server 40 in a packet channel of the packet-switched communication network 10 using a packet-oriented transmission protocol. For example, the data can be transmitted via UDP or TCP (PS in GSM/UMTS, IMS in LTE).

However, it would also be conceivable to transmit the data to the external server 40 using one of the other transmission technologies.

The emergency data can be buffered in the external server 40 . Additional data 42 and/or the emergency data (at least part of the emergency data) assigned in particular to the vehicle can be transmitted from the external server 40 to the emergency call center 30 via a proprietary transmission.

A transmission via the external server 40 compared to the in 2 shown transmission represents an indirect transmission path, while in 2 there is a direct transmission path.

Combinations of all of the above techniques provide the strongest failure tolerance.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided they are new compared to the prior art, either individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that the individual figures also describe features which can be advantageous in and of themselves. The person skilled in the art recognizes immediately that a specific feature described in a figure can also be advantageous without adopting further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art recognizes that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual figures or in different figures.

Reference List

1

vehicle

2

emergency call facility

10

communication network

20

emergency transmission system

22

Data transmission via SIP Info (LTE)

24

Data transmission via SMs (GSM/UMTS)

26

Data transmission via in-band (CS)

28

voice channel

30

emergency call centre

32

direct data transmission via e.g. UDP or TCP

34

indirect data transmission via e.g. UDP or TCP

40

External Server

42

additional data

44

Data transmission via proprietary

Claims (11)

Method for transmitting emergency data from a vehicle (1) with an emergency call device (2) to an emergency call center (30), based on an at least sectional transmission of the emergency data via a packet-switched communication network (10), characterized in that in a predetermined transmission mode of the emergency call device (2) the emergency data are transmitted at least in sections via a packet channel of the communications network (10) using at least one predetermined packet-oriented transmission protocol, in particular a transport protocol. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one transmission protocol is a Fire & Forget transmission protocol. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transmission protocol is a request/response transmission protocol. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transmission protocol is a UDP protocol and/or TCP protocol. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication network is selected from a group which includes a GSM network, a UMTS network, a 2G network, a 3G network, an EDGE network, an HSDPA network, an LTE network, a 5G network and the like. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency data are transmitted via the communications network (10) in a circuit-switched and/or packet-switched manner, in particular selectively and/or after an at least partially failed transmission attempt. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency data are transmitted via the communications network (10), in particular optionally and/or after an at least partially failed transmission attempt, in a packet channel of the communications network (10) and/or via an SIP protocol in packet-switched form . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency call device (2) transmits the emergency data via the communications network (10) to an external server (40) which is suitable and intended for transmitting the emergency data to the emergency call center (30) ready. Emergency call device (2) for a vehicle (1) for transmitting emergency data to an emergency call center (30) based on a packet-switched communication network for at least sectional transmission of the emergency data, characterized in that the emergency call device (2) is suitable for this in a predetermined transmission mode (32). and is intended to provide the emergency data to the communication network (10) in such a way that the emergency data is transmitted via a packet channel of the communication network (10) using at least one predetermined packet-oriented transmission protocol, in particular a transport protocol. Emergency call device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the emergency call device is suitable and intended and configured to transmit the emergency data to an external server (40), which is suitable and intended to transmit the emergency data to the emergency call center ready. Vehicle (1), in particular motor vehicle, comprising an emergency call device (2) according to one of the two preceding claims.

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