EP2155540A1

EP2155540A1 - Transmission of an emergency call from a motor cycle

Info

Publication number: EP2155540A1
Application number: EP08750269A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Emmerich; Thomas Bauer; James Remfrey
Original assignee: Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Current assignee: Continental Teves AG and Co OHG
Priority date: 2007-05-30
Filing date: 2008-05-13
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Also published as: WO2008145510A1; US20100302029A1; DE102008023243A1

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a control unit detects whether a motor cycle accident has occurred by analysing corresponding measurement data from a sensor system. A fully automatic emergency call is then emitted. The emergency call is transmitted over a voice channel after the emergency call data has been subjected to media conversion.

Description

Transmission of an emergency call from a motorcycle

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the emergency call and safety technology for motorcycles.

In particular, the invention relates to an emergency call device for a motorcycle for transmitting an emergency call, an emergency call system for a motorcycle, the use of an emergency call device in a motorcycle, a method, a program element, and a computer-readable medium.

Technological background

Car emergency radio systems enable the transmission of position data of the injured vehicle to an emergency call center. From DE 299 11 590 Ul is the emergency call by airbag sensors triggering, permanently installed in a car

Device known. The device has a hands-free phone with which the center can contact the driver. The emergency call is automatic when one of the airbags in the car is triggered.

This device is intended for cars and not for use in motorcycles.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide an automatable transmission of emergency calls from a motorcycle.

An emergency call device for a motorcycle for transmitting an emergency call, an emergency call system, a use, a method, a program element and a computer-readable medium are given according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The described embodiments equally relate to the emergency call device, the emergency call system, the use, the method, the program element and the computer-readable medium.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an emergency call device for a motorcycle for transmitting an emergency call is specified, wherein the emergency call device comprises a detection unit for acquiring measured data, a control unit for

Analyzing the measurement data and deciding whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred, a position detection unit for detecting a position of the motorcycle, and a communication unit for transmitting an emergency call to a receiver when the analysis of the measurement data reveals that an accident has occurred, having. Here, the emergency call contains the determined position of the motorcycle.

In other words, the emergency call device is able to recognize by an analysis of the measurement data that an accident has occurred. For this purpose, for example, measured data are analyzed, which are passed from a position sensor for detecting a tilt angle of the motorcycle to the control unit. Additionally or alternatively, data from an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration of the motorcycle may be consulted, as well as speed data measured by a speed sensor. In particular, the history of the collected data can be evaluated. For example, if a very strong (negative) acceleration has occurred and then the speed of the motorcycle has decreased to zero, the control unit could conclude an accident. Another possibility is that the position sensor determines that the motorcycle lies flat on the ground or takes an unnatural angle to the horizontal, which does not correspond to a normal driving condition of the motorcycle. Also in this case, the control unit can close to an accident.

Also, for example, temperature sensors may be provided which measure a current temperature at a certain point on or in the motorcycle. If a certain threshold temperature is exceeded, a malfunction or even the outbreak of a fire can be concluded.

Also, a sensor may be provided which measures whether the driver is still on the motorcycle. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, to provide touch sensors or pressure sensors on the steering wheel as well as on the seat surface and / or the footrests. If the driver is thrown from the motorcycle in an accident, this process is detected by the sensors. If, at a later time, the speed of the motorcycle has dropped to zero and / or the motorcycle is taking an unnatural angle, the control unit may infer an accident of the motorcycle.

Other combinations of sensor data (measured data), which are taken into account in the analysis, are also possible.

The analyzed and evaluated measurement data can be sent together with the emergency call (if necessary after a corresponding preparation). In this way, the rescuers are able to get more detailed information about the accident. For example, rescue workers can determine how severe the Accident was (for example, by the strength of the acceleration forces occurred) or, for example, has developed a fire (by the evaluation of the temperature data).

In this way, the initiation of appropriate rescue measures can be optimized, which ultimately a faster and more effective rescue operation can be guaranteed.

For example, the rider and possibly the passenger may carry with them a wireless sensor or direction finder (such as integrated in the jacket or pants). This sensor sends a signal to the control unit, which can be used to determine the current location of the driver or front passenger. In this way, the driver or passenger can be quickly found by the rescue workers. The sensor is, for example, a direction finder that can be targeted by the sensor in the motorcycle. The sensor then determines the location of the driver or passenger, possibly using the digital map and the current position data of the motorcycle.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the emergency call device is designed for fully automatic transmission of the emergency call. An intervention by the driver is not required, so that the emergency call can be transmitted even if the driver is, for example, unconscious.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the detection unit has a position sensor for detecting a tilt angle of the

A motorcycle, an acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration of the motorcycle, a speed sensor for detecting a speed of the motorcycle, an ABS sensor (to detect braking interventions) and / or a touch sensor on. Also, for example spring travel sensors can be provided which detect the force with which the motorcycle is pressed onto the road. All of these sensors can help to accurately reconstruct the course of the accident, and determine whether or not an accident has occurred (or how severe the accident is).

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control unit is designed to implement the data to be transmitted with the emergency call by means of a media conversion.

The term media conversion generally refers to the transfer, conversion or conversion of a file from one file format to another. This applies to the transfer of data between different media and file systems as well as for the transfer of data from one storage medium to another.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control unit for carrying out the media conversion is equipped with a speech synthesizer, which is designed to implement the data to be transmitted with the emergency call by means of speech synthesis.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the receiver is a mobile terminal.

For example, the receiver may be a mobile phone that receives the edited, media-converted emergency call data as voice information.

It is also possible that the emergency call data are sent alternatively or additionally to the voice information in textual form or in the form of a video. For example, the receiver may decide whether to use the data as audio data, video data or in textual form, e.g. B. as SMS, would like to have sent. It is also possible that the receiver selects that the determined position of the motorcycle is to be transmitted in textual form, whereas address information (which correspond to the determined position and have been determined with the aid of a digital map) is transmitted in speech.

In this way, the automated emergency call can be received from a variety of mobile receiver, which then possibly forward the emergency call to other mobile receiver or to a central office.

Also, the receiver may be a permanently installed Network Access Device (NAD).

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the communication connection for the transmission of the converted data (for example the voice information) is a narrowband communication connection. In this way, inexpensive, narrow-band receiving devices, such as mobile phones, can be used.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the emergency call contains further voice information which corresponds to an acoustic voice input of the driver of the motorcycle, wherein the communication unit is designed to transmit all data in the same transmission channel.

It is therefore possible that the motorcyclist or his passenger additionally deliver voice messages, which are then transmitted by the emergency call device. The transmission of all information takes place serially in the same transmission channel. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the position detection unit is designed for determining the position of the motorcycle on the basis of satellite data or on the basis of data from a mobile radio network.

If there is no satellite reception, the control unit may determine the position, for example by performing a map matching, after the control unit has determined the probable location from the last GPS position and further measurement data, for example from a distance sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor. In order to make this position measurement or position forecast even more accurate, it is additionally possible to fall back on data from a mobile radio network. Also, the position determination can be based entirely on the data from the mobile network.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, an emergency call system for motorcycles is specified which has an emergency call device as described above and a receiver for receiving the emergency call issued by the emergency call device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the receiver is adapted to automatically make a callback upon receipt of an emergency call if no further message from the driver of the motorcycle is received within a predetermined period of time, the receiver then initiating appropriate rescue action (e.g., alerting emergency services). The emergency call device is designed so that it can be recalled and can accept this callback.

In this way, a fully automatic emergency call system is provided. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the use of an emergency call device described above in a motorcycle is specified.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for transmitting an emergency call from a motorcycle, in which measurement data are recorded, the measurement data are analyzed, it is decided whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred, a position of the motorcycle is determined and an emergency call is transmitted to a receiver if the analysis of the measurement data reveals that an accident has occurred. The emergency call contains the determined position of the motorcycle.

In particular, the emergency call may also include address information (in the sense of a postal delivery address) in order to make it easier for the emergency services to locate the injured motorcycle. The determination of the address is made by the control unit using the GPS position data and the digital map.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a program element is specified which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the method steps described above.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program element which, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the method steps specified above.

It should be noted that in the context of the present invention GPS is representative of all global navigation satellite systems (GMSS) such. GPS, Galileo, GLONASS (Russia), Compass (China), IRNSS (India), ... The term "digital maps" should also be understood to mean maps for advanced driver assistance systems without navigation.

A fundamental consideration of the invention is the fact that an automated emergency call for a crashed motorcycle is discontinued, without the intervention of the driver is required. For example, the transmission of the emergency call takes place on a narrowband voice channel. For example, it is possible for a rescue worker after receiving the emergency call certain questions to the driver or the control unit. Also, the rescuer can retrieve certain sensor data on his own if he needs additional information. In order to determine the position of the driver, the driver carries a suitable sensor, which can determine the position of the driver, or a direction-finding transmitter, which can be located by the control unit of the emergency call device.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an emergency call device according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 shows a schematic representation of an emergency call system according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

In the following description of the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar elements.

1 shows a schematic representation of components of an emergency call device 100 for installation in a motorcycle. The emergency call device 100 serves to transmit an automated emergency call to a rescue control center or else to individual mobile receivers.

The emergency call device 100 has a sensor system 119, a control unit 140 and a communication unit 122 with an antenna 123.

The data to be transmitted, which is transmitted to the communication unit 122 by the control unit 140, which is embodied, for example, in the form of a CPU, can be encrypted via an encryption device 121.

Likewise, the received data transmitted from the communication unit 122 to the control unit 140 may be decrypted by the encryption unit 121.

In this way, the risk of abuse can be reduced.

An input unit 126 is connected to the control unit 140. By means of the input unit 126, various settings of the communication device and possibly also of a navigation unit 120 associated therewith can be made.

Furthermore, an optical output unit 128 is provided in the form of a monitor, on which, for example, route guidance information can be output. In addition, the guidance information can also be on the acoustic Output unit 127 are output. The output via the acoustic output unit 127 has the advantage that the driver is less distracted from the current traffic situation.

Furthermore, an acoustic input unit (see reference numeral 212) may also be provided. With the speaker 127 and the acoustic input unit 212, the driver and the rescue workers can communicate acoustically.

In a memory element 124 which is connected to the control unit 140 or integrated in the control unit 140, digital map data (eg as

Navigation map data) in the form of data records. For example, in the memory element 124, additional information about

Traffic restrictions, infrastructure facilities and the like stored and assigned to the records.

Furthermore, a driver assistance system 125 is provided, which with the digital

Map data or other information is supplied.

To determine the current motorcycle position, the emergency call device 100 has a navigation unit 120 with a satellite navigation receiver 106, which is designed to receive positioning signals from, for example, Galileo satellites or GPS satellites. Of course, the positioning unit with the satellite navigation receiver 106 may be implemented for other satellite navigation systems.

The positioning unit 106 is connected to the control unit 140. Also, the navigation unit 120 is connected to the control unit 140. Furthermore, there is a direct connection between the navigation unit 120 and the positioning unit 106. Thus, the GPS signals can be transmitted directly to the control unit 140. Since the positioning signals are not always receivable, for example, in the inner city area, the sensor system 119 of the emergency call device 100 also has a direction sensor 107, a distance sensor 108, a position sensor 109, a spring travel sensor 102, an ESP sensor 103 and optionally an optical device for performing dead reckoning Detector 104, for example in the form of a camera on. A beam sensor 105 (radar or lidar sensor) may also be provided. Furthermore, the sensor 119 has a speedometer 101.

The signals of the GPS receiver 106 and the remaining sensors are processed in the control unit 140. The vehicle position determined from these signals is matched to the road maps via map matching. In this way, at any time, a precise indication of the current position of the motorcycle is possible.

The data provided for the transmission of the emergency call can be converted by the control unit 140, which has a speech synthesizer, by voice synthesis into voice information and then transmitted via a corresponding (voice) communication channel.

In particular, the sensor 119 is able to provide to the control unit 140 measurement data, based on which the control unit can decide exactly whether an accident has occurred or not.

The automation of the emergency call system is important because motorcyclists often crash so badly that they can not make a stand-alone emergency call.

From the information, for example, the position and / or acceleration sensors and the driving speed can be closed to a possible accident. The sensors already existing on the motorcycle can be evaluated. However, sensors can also be provided directly in the electronic control device 140. Access to airbag control units is not required.

In the event of a detected accident or fall while driving a telephone emergency call is sent via the emergency call device. The GPS data or the data from mobile networks for locating the motorcycle are provided.

2 shows a schematic representation of an emergency call system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which has a crashed motorcycle 201 with an emergency call device 100 as well as a control center 202 and a plurality of mobile receivers 206, 207, 208 and 210.

The center 200 has a communication unit 203 in the form of a central server and an antenna 204 for transmitting and receiving data and information to or from the crashed motorcycle or mobile emergency services. The data is sent via the radio transmission link 211.

Furthermore, a speaker 205 is provided, via which the received

Voice information can be played. For playing video files, a monitor 209 is provided. Via the microphone 211 voice messages can be directed to the rescue workers or the motorcyclist.

The center 200 is a rescue control center, which can perform the rescue line fully automatically.

For example, upon receipt of the automated emergency call, the center 200 transmits instructions to the individual receivers 206, 207, 208. Furthermore, the emergency call may also be transmitted directly to a single receiver 209, which may be the same Emergency call then to the individual receiver 206, 207, 208 and / or the center 200 forwards. In this way, the emergency call can be effectively distributed to a variety of recipients even in areas with short-range reception.

According to the invention, an electronic emergency call (eCall) can be transmitted, which is directly understandable to the rescue personnel. For this purpose, a digital map is needed in the motorcycle, from the GPS position, the street including house number is determined at the emergency call is placed. This address will be transmitted instead of or in combination with the GPS position.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method in which measurement data is acquired by a sensor in step 301. In step 302, these measurement data are analyzed by a control unit, and in step 303, the control unit judges from the analysis result whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred or not. In the event that the analysis result indicates that an accident has occurred, an emergency call is sent to a receiver in step 304, the u. a. the current position of the injured motorcycle has. The emergency call can be sent via a voice channel.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" and "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be understood that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of others described above

Embodiments can be used. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

claims

1. emergency call device for a motorcycle for transmitting an emergency call, the emergency call device comprising: a detection unit (101, 107, 109) for acquiring measured data; a control unit (140) for analyzing the measurement data and deciding whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred; a position detecting unit (106, 120) for detecting a position of the motorcycle; a communication unit (122) for transmitting an emergency call to a receiver when the analysis of the measurement data reveals that an accident has occurred; wherein the emergency call contains the determined position of the motorcycle.

2. Emergency call device according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call device is designed for fully automatic transmission of the emergency call.

An emergency call device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a position sensor (109) for detecting a tilt angle of the motorcycle, a acceleration sensor (107) for detecting acceleration of the motorcycle, and a speed sensor (101 ) for detecting a speed of the motorcycle.

4. Emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (140) is designed to implement the data to be transmitted with the emergency call by means of a media conversion.

5. Emergency call device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (140) for performing the media conversion comprises a speech synthesizer, which is designed to implement the data to be transmitted with the emergency call by means of speech synthesis.

6. Emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver is a mobile terminal.

7. Emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication connection for transmitting the converted data is a narrow-band communication connection.

8. Emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the emergency call contains further information which corresponds to an acoustic speech input of a driver of the motorcycle; wherein the communication unit (115, 116) is adapted to transmit all data in the same transmission channel.

9. emergency call device according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the converted data at least one data type selected from the

Group consisting of video data and audio data.

10. Emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the one position detecting unit (106, 120) for determining the position of the motorcycle is carried out on the basis of satellite data or data from a mobile network.

11. Emergency call system for motorcycles, comprising: an emergency call device according to one of the preceding claims; and a receiver for receiving the distress call issued by the emergency call device.

12. Emergency call system according to claim 11, wherein the receiver for automatically making a callback when

Receiving an emergency call is executed if within a predetermined period of time no further message of the driver of the motorcycle is received, the receiver then initiates appropriate rescue measures; wherein the emergency call device is designed so that it can be called back and can accept this callback.

13. Use of an emergency call device according to one of claims 1 to 10 in a motorcycle.

14. A method of communicating an emergency call from a motorcycle, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring measurement data; Analyzing the measurement data;

Deciding whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred; Determining a position of the motorcycle;

Transmitting an emergency call to a receiver if the analysis of the measurement data reveals that an accident has occurred; wherein the emergency call contains the determined position of the motorcycle.

15. A program element that, when executed on a processor, instructs the processor to perform the following steps: acquiring measurement data;

Analyzing the measurement data and deciding whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred; Determining a position of the motorcycle; Transmitting an emergency call to a receiver if the analysis of the measurement data reveals that an accident has occurred; wherein the emergency call contains the determined position of the motorcycle.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program element that, when executed on a processor, directs the processor to perform the following steps:

Acquiring measured data;

Analyzing the measurement data and deciding whether an accident of the motorcycle has occurred;

Determining a position of the motorcycle;