FR2887064A1 - Emergency call system for motor vehicle, has mobile telephone transmitting identity and geographical location of vehicle and images maintained in buffer during preset time to call center after detection of emergency - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a camera taking images of an interior of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (10). Activation units activate the camera since the movement of the vehicle. A storage unit stores the images maintained in a non-volatile buffer during a preset time interval. A mobile telephone having an antenna (16) transmits the images maintained in the buffer and an identity and geographical location of the vehicle via a relay station (22) to an emergency call center (20) after a detection of an emergency e.g. accident of the vehicle. An independent claim is also included for an emergency call method for a motor vehicle.

Description

EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

  The present invention relates to an emergency call system and method for a motor vehicle, the system automatically or manually calling a call center when an emergency is detected for the vehicle, for example following an accident involving the vehicle automobile.

  There are already emergency call systems on board motor vehicles or, generally, means of transport. These systems comprise cell-type mobile telephone communication means, an emergency detection device, such as a decelerometer, for example, which indicates a sudden decrease in the speed of the vehicle, as well as a geographical location device, of the following type: satellite, for example GPS ("Global Positioning System"). The system then automatically sends a distress message, for example an SMS type message, to an operator located on a support platform, indicating in particular the geographical position and the identification of the vehicle. The operator can then quickly send help to the place of the accident. A message can also be sent manually by the driver or a passenger, for example in case of aggression. The message also includes the cell phone number of the vehicle that allows the operator to call the vehicle and interact with the driver or a passenger if they can, or anyone else near the vehicle.

  Patent application EP 1 418 556 A1 describes a system whose main purpose is to determine the circumstances of an automobile accident. In the event of an impact, the device memorizes the conditions at the time of the accident, such as the speed of the vehicle, the angle of the steering wheel and the environment outside the vehicle. For this purpose, the system comprises a collision detector, a video camera located outside the vehicle for photographing the vehicle (s) and the scene of the accident, a GPS geographical positioning unit and means for storing the information as well as obtained.

  Patent EP 1 280 120 relates to an emergency location and emergency call system, more specifically designed for public transport means and for audio communication with the police. In the event of an accident, an SMS message including the identification of the means of transport and its geographical location is automatically sent to a police center. The sending of the message can also be manual. The means of transport is equipped with video cameras inside the different compartments. The images taken by these cameras are also sent to the police.

  Existing systems acquire information, such as images, only after the accident has occurred, which is a significant disadvantage. Indeed, if the cameras are destroyed in the accident and therefore no longer work, no image is transmitted to the rescue center. Moreover, in the system of patent EP 1 280 120, the images relate only to the inside of the compartments whereas obtaining images on the environment of the accident, and thus visualizing the situation, can be extremely important for the delivery of relief supplies and to determine the appropriate relief for the situation, for example if the vehicle to be rescued is in a ravine or tunnel.

  It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages by providing a more reliable emergency call system and method than existing systems and methods.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to an emergency call system intended to equip a motor vehicle, said system comprising: means for locating the vehicle geographically, video recording means for at least the interior of the passenger compartment of said vehicle, - means of communication to an emergency call center of the identity and geographical location of the vehicle and images taken by said video means, and - means emergency detecting means actuating said communication means.

  The call system is characterized in that it further comprises: means for actuating said video means as soon as the vehicle is started up, and means for storing the images taken by said video means, said images being stored in memory for a predetermined time interval and said communication means sending to the call center immediately after the emergency detection the images stored during said time interval preceding the detection of said urgency.

  The video means comprise at least one camera, preferably several, taking pictures of the interior of the passenger compartment and also advantageously of the environment of the vehicle.

  According to a preferred embodiment, several cameras are placed inside the passenger compartment so as to cover the spaces of the passenger compartment dedicated to the driver and the passengers. These cameras are preferably placed in the upper parts of the passenger compartment, such as the area of the rear view mirror and the amounts of the windshield and rear windows. These cameras can be fixed or mobile to cover a larger area to watch.

  2887064 4 The camera may have a function other than the emergency call and may for example be a back-up camera, assist with night vision, obstacle detection, ground mark detection, surveillance of blind spots or monitoring the position of passengers.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the image storage means comprise a buffer memory storing the images taken during said time interval, a new image stored at the end of the interval replacing the oldest image stored at the beginning of said interval. of time.

  The memory can be contained in the video means or in the communication means or be independent of these means.

  According to one embodiment, the means for storing the images are independent of the video means and the communication means and a high-speed digital connection network connect the video means, the communication means, the storage means and the means together. detection of an emergency.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the communication means comprise cell-type mobile telephone connection means automatically calling the emergency call center when an emergency is detected by the emergency detection means, the connection means communicating to the emergency call center the identification, the geographical position and the telephone number of the vehicle. The telephone link means send a message, preferably SMS type, to the emergency call center.

  Preferably, after having sent to the emergency call center the images taken during the time interval preceding the detection of the emergency, the communication means continuously send the images taken by the video means after the detection of the emergency.

  When the vehicle is equipped with at least one airbag, the emergency detection means are advantageously connected to the device for triggering inflation of the cushion.

  When the vehicle is equipped with at least one seatbelt pretensioner system, the emergency detection means can also advantageously be connected to the preactimer's tripping device.

  The invention also relates to an emergency call method for a motor vehicle in which a message and video images are automatically sent to a call center when an emergency is detected, the message including the geographical location and the vehicle identification. According to the method of the invention, the video images relate to the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and are taken as soon as the vehicle is started, the images are stored and stored in memory for a determined period of time, and - the stored images are automatically transmitted to the emergency call center as soon as said emergency is detected.

  Preferably, the video images are also taken after detection of said emergency and they are transmitted to the emergency call center after the transmission of the images taken before the detection of the emergency.

  Video images are also advantageously taken from the vehicle environment.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates the method of the invention, FIG. various solutions for placing the video cameras inside and outside the vehicle, FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c schematically represent different electrical / electronic architectures of the system according to the invention, and FIG. block form diagrams the logic 5 of system operation.

  Figure 1 illustrates the emergency call process. In the case shown, the urgency is constituted by the accident of a vehicle 10 following a collision with a tree 12. The urgency could have another cause, such as aggression. When an emergency is detected, an alarm is triggered. This triggering can be performed manually by the driver of the vehicle, a passenger or a witness of the accident, by actuating an emergency call button located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, preferably on the dashboard. The witness may either use the call button of the accident vehicle or use the call system of his own vehicle if he has such a system. However, manual triggering is not always possible due to personal injury or the absence of a witness. The system then comprises means for automatically triggering the call. These means may for example comprise an independent decelerometer which indicates a sudden change in the speed of the vehicle and which delivers a signal when the deceleration reaches a predetermined level or, when the vehicle comprises at least one airbag 14, be constituted by the mechanism for triggering the inflating of the safety cushion, the actuation signal of the cushion being used for the emergency call, or when the vehicle comprises at least one seat-belt pretensioner system, being constituted by the triggering mechanism of the pretensioner, the pre-actuator actuation signal being used for the emergency call.

  The system on board the vehicle 10 comprises a mobile telephone, of the GSM type for example, with an antenna 16, as well as a device for the geographical location of the vehicle by means of a satellite 18, of the GPS type. example. In addition, the system comprises video means for taking pictures of the interior of the passenger compartment, such as a camera attached to the interior of the passenger compartment and directed towards this interior. Preferably, the video means comprise several cameras placed inside the passenger compartment so as to completely cover the space occupied by the driver and the passengers, and also cameras for filming the environment outside the vehicle, such as the scene of the accident.

  According to the invention, the video means are actuated by actuating means as soon as the vehicle is started. The camera or cameras begin to record images from the start of the engine, the actuating means of the cameras can be in this case constituted by the starting device of the engine which sends a signal to a contactor start of the means video. Alternatively, the actuating means of the cameras may consist of a displacement sensor connected to the ignition switch of the video means, the cameras recording images as soon as the vehicle begins to roll.

  The images are stored in a nonvolatile buffer for a predetermined time interval, for example for five seconds. When this time interval expires, the last image is erased and a new image stored. In other words, at a given moment the memory contains the images taken during the time interval preceding this instant. More particularly, at the time of the detection of an emergency, the memory contains the images taken and recorded during the time interval preceding the moment of the emergency detection. The memory may be of the type designated by the terms "First in, 2887064 8 First out" ("first to go in, first out") or circular type. Using the example of a time interval of 5 seconds and assuming a frame acquisition rate of 25 frames per second, the memory contains 125 frames.

  When an emergency is detected, the means for detecting an emergency emit a call trigger signal to the cellular telephone. The latter then sends a message, preferably of the SMS type, to an emergency call center 20. The message comprises the identification of the vehicle 10, the geographical position of the vehicle provided by the GPS tracking device on board the aircraft. vehicle and the vehicle's telephone number. The message also includes the images taken by the different cameras and stored in the memory of the calling system. These images were therefore taken during the predetermined time interval just before the detection of the emergency. The message is transmitted by the mobile phone via a relay 22 close to the accident site and possibly by a satellite 18 (only one satellite 18 is shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of simplicity of the presentation, although the satellites used in the GPS system and in the GSM system may be different).

  A voice call can then be established between an operator 24 of the call center and the driver or a passenger of the accident vehicle, if they are able to have a conversation, or even a person located outside the vehicle. If this is not the case, this operator nevertheless has the information contained in the SMS message sent by the accident vehicle's call system and in particular the images that are displayed on a screen 28. The operator can therefore easily evaluate the situation and in particular the seriousness of the accident, the number of injuries and the accessibility of the accident site for rescue. If necessary, the operator then contacts a public service, such as the police or the fire brigade, or a service provider 2887064 9 emergency services to send emergency 26 to the scene of the accident. Stakeholders are warned of the situation and can therefore carry with them the necessary means to deal with the situation. An emergency physician 28 from the call center can contribute to the assessment of the situation and provide advice remotely.

  If the onboard cameras continue to operate after the accident, which is not always the case, the images taken after the accident continue to be sent to the call center 20, after course that the images taken and stored just before the accident were sent. If the images taken after the accident are not stored in memory but are sent directly to the emergency call center, the images taken in the time interval immediately after the outbreak of the emergency (time interval during which images taken before the accident are sent) are lost. If one does not wish to lose these images, all the images taken after the triggering of the emergency can be stored beforehand in the memory during the predetermined time interval and sent continuously to the call center with a slight delay corresponding to the predetermined time interval.

  The calling system could have only one camera filming the interior of the cabin. However, it is advantageous to have several cameras in order to obtain more information for the operator of the assistance center. Figure 2 illustrates different possibilities of locations of cameras on a vehicle 32 and the areas covered by these cameras.

  First of all, on the outside of the vehicle, a camera can be installed in the number plate light, in the traffic lights or in the brake light 34 (stop light) with a Covered area 36. This camera can also be used as a backup camera. The exterior mirrors can also each accommodate a camera 38 or 40 facing the rear of the vehicle and covering an area respectively 42 or 44 ("dead angle" zone) .These cameras can in fact perform the function of a rearview mirror, the driver then having a screen to see the areas 42 and 44. The camera 40 or an additional camera can be turned towards the front of the vehicle and cover an area 46. The same remark applies to the camera 38 which can cover a zone symmetrical to the zone 46. At the front of the vehicle, in the shield or in the grille, cameras 48, 50 and 52 may be installed to cover front zones, respectively 54 (only in part), 56 and 58 These cameras may also perform one or more other functions such as night vision or line detection, and cameras 60 and 62, turned laterally, provide lateral vision and cover the respective areas 64 and 66.

  Fixed inside the vehicle 32, a camera 68 may be located between the windshield and the rearview mirror to cover an area 70, to view the outside scene towards the front of the vehicle. Near the interior rearview mirror, a camera 72 turned towards the interior of the passenger compartment covers an area 74. Four other cameras 76, 78, 80 and 82 located in the upper parts of the passenger compartment, such as the windscreen pillars or rear windows, cover most of the cockpit, at least that occupied by the driver and passengers.

  As car manufacturers start equipping their vehicles with cameras for previously mentioned uses such as rear-view, night vision and line detection or occupant detection, it is particularly economical and practical to use these cameras for the calling function. emergency. Any type of camera can be used because images can be created in black and white or in color: for example, CCD or CMOS cameras for wavelengths in the visible 2887064 11 or near infrared or thermal imaging cameras for the wavelength band of 3 to 5 micrometers or 8 to 12 or even 14 micrometers.

  Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show different possible configurations for the electrical / electronic architecture of the emergency call system. One or more cameras 9Oa, 9Ob and 9Oc realize the acquisition of images of the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and, preferably, also of the environment in which it is located. Emergency detecting means 92, such as the trigger mechanism of an airbag, or pretensioners of seat belts, detect the occurrence of an emergency. An emergency call button, not shown, makes it possible to manually actuate the emergency detection means 92. Communication means 94, connected to the emergency detection means 92 and actuated by them, send information, including the images taken by the cameras, to the emergency call center. These communication means may consist, for example, of a mobile telephone system operating according to the GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA or UMTS standard.

  In order to increase the reliability of the system, one or more subsystems of the system, or the system as a whole, can be supplied with electrical energy, permanently or only in case of vehicle battery failure, by a source independent operation of the vehicle, for example an auxiliary battery integrated in the call system.

  The memory storing the images can be either directly in the cameras 90, or included in the communication means 94, or in the means of detecting an emergency 92, or in additional equipment 96 dedicated to storing the images.

  The different subsystems constituting the system are connected to each other in various ways: In the case where the images are not stored in the cameras 90, each camera must be connected to the image storage means. This connection can be made either by an analog link (in this case the image is digitized in the image storage means), or by a high-speed digital network (of the MOST or 1394 type for example), or by a connection without thread.

  - In the case where the images are not stored in the communication means 94, the latter must be connected to the image storage equipment, for example with a high-speed digital network, or a wire link.

  The accident detection means 92 must be connected to the communication means 94, either by a communication network or by a wired link.

  Three embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3. In FIG. 3a, a single camera 90a is connected by an analog link 98 to the communication means 94, which comprise the storage memory of the images. The means for detecting an emergency 92 are connected by a wire link 100 to the communication means 94.

  In FIG. 3b, several cameras 90a, 90b and 90c are connected in parallel with the communication means 94 by a high-speed communication network 102. The detection and communication means 92 and 94 are interconnected by a wired link 104. The storage memory of the images is included in the communication means 94.

  In Figure 3c, specific equipment 96 is used to store the images. A high-speed network 106 interconnects all subassemblies 90, 92, 94 and 96.

  The operation of the system is illustrated in FIG. 4. According to one characteristic of the invention, the video means are actuated (the cameras begin to take pictures) by means of actuation as soon as the vehicle is put into operation. walk (110).

  These means detect starting the engine using the starter or moving the vehicle using a specific displacement sensor. The actuation means of the cameras send a start signal to the cameras which then begin to acquire images. The images are stored in memory, one by one as they are acquired, and each stored in memory for a predetermined time interval (112). When the system detects an emergency (114), for example an accident, it sends (116) to an emergency call center a message containing the images stored in memory, as well as other information such as the geographical location and the location. identity of the vehicle. In the absence of an emergency detection, the system continues to acquire and store images. If at least one of the cameras still functions after the accident (118), the images taken after the accident by the still operational camera (s) are continuously sent to the call center (122) until sending by the call center of a message asking the system to stop sending images (124). This is the end of the communication between the emergency call system and the call center (126). If no camera still operates after the crash, the sending of images to the call center stops (120).

  Embodiments other than those described and shown may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (24)

  1. Emergency call system intended to equip a motor vehicle, said system comprising: - means for geographical location (18) of the vehicle, - video taking means (34, 38, 40, 48, 50, 52, 60, 62, 68, 72, 76, 78, 80, 82, 90) of at least the interior of the passenger compartment of said vehicle, - communication means (16, 22, 94) at a emergency call center (20) of the identity and geographical location of the vehicle and images taken by said video means, and - emergency detection means (14, 92) actuating said means for communication, said call system being characterized in that it further comprises: means for actuating said video means as soon as the vehicle is started, and storage means (96) for the images taken by said video means, said images being stored in memory for a predetermined time interval and said communication means sending to the between call immediately after the emergency detection the stored images during said time interval preceding the detection of said emergency.   2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that said video means comprise at least one camera (72, 76, 78, 80, 82) 25 taking pictures of the interior of the passenger compartment.   3. System according to claim 2 characterized in that several cameras (72, 76, 78, 80, 82) are placed inside the passenger compartment so as to cover the spaces of the passenger compartment dedicated to the driver and passengers .   2887064 15 4. System according to claim 3 characterized in that the cameras are placed in the upper parts of the passenger compartment, such as the area of the rear view mirror and the amounts of the windshield and rear windows.   5. System according to one of claims 2 and 3 characterized in that it further comprises at least one camera (34, 38, 40, 48, 50, 52, 60, 62) taking pictures of the environment of the vehicle.   6. System according to claim 5 characterized in that said camera is placed at a location of the vehicle selected from the scout of the rear registration plate, the rear traffic lights, the brake light central (34), the outside mirrors. (38, 40), the grille (48, 60, 62), the front bumper (50, 52) and the front lighting and signaling devices.   7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that said camera is also a rear view camera (34), night vision assist (48, 50, 52), obstacle detection (48, 50, 52). , 60, 62), detection of ground markings (48, 50, 52, 60, 62), or blind spot monitoring (38, 40).   8. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said image storage means (96) comprise a buffer memory storing the images taken during said time interval, a new image taken at the end of said interval is stored and the image recorded at the beginning of said time interval being deleted.   9. System according to claim 8 characterized in that said memory is contained in said video means (90).   10. System according to claim 8 characterized in that said memory is contained in said communication means (94).   2887064 16 11. The system of claim 10 characterized in that said video means (90a) are connected to said communication means (94) by an analog link (98), said system comprising means for digitizing the images connected to said communication means.   12. System according to one of claims 3 to 8 and according to claim 10 characterized in that said cameras (90) are connected in parallel to said communication means (94) by a network (102) of high speed digital connection.   13. System according to one of claims 3 to 8 characterized in that said means (96) for storing the images are independent of said video means (90) and said communication means (94) and in that said video means (90) ), said communication means (94), said storage means (96) and said emergency detection means (92) are interconnected by a high speed digital connection network (106).   14. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said communication means (94) comprise cell type mobile telephone link means automatically calling said emergency call center (20) when an emergency is detected by said emergency detection means (92), said connecting means communicating to said emergency call center the identification, the geographical position and the telephone coordinates of the vehicle.   15. System according to claim 14 characterized in that said telephone link means send an SMS type message to the emergency call center.   2887064 17 16. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after having sent to the emergency call center (20) the images taken during said time interval preceding the emergency detection, said communication means ( 94) continuously sends the images taken by said video means (90) after the emergency detection.   17. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that, said vehicle (10) being equipped with at least one airbag (14), said emergency detection means are connected to the inflation triggering device. cushion.   18. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, said vehicle (10) being equipped with at least one seatbelt pre-tensioner, said emergency detection means are connected to the triggering device of the pretensioner. 19. An emergency call method for a motor vehicle (10, 32) in which a message and video images are automatically sent to a call center (20) when an emergency is detected, said message comprising the location geographical and identification of the vehicle, the method being characterized in that: - said video images relate to the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and are taken from the start of the vehicle, -the images are stored and stored in memory during a specified time interval, and - the stored images are automatically transmitted to the emergency call center as soon as said emergency is detected.   2887064 18 20. The method of claim 19 characterized in that video images are also taken after detection of said emergency and in that they are transmitted to the emergency call center after the transmission of the images taken before the detection of said emergency. .   21. Method according to one of claims 19 and 20 characterized in that video images are also taken from the environment of the vehicle.   22. Method according to one of claims 19 to 21 characterized in that, the vehicle being equipped with at least one airbag (14), the emergency is detected by the triggering of said airbag.   23. A method according to one of claims 19 to 21 characterized in that, the vehicle being equipped with at least one pretensioner safety belt, the urgency is detected by the trigger pretensioner.   24. Method according to one of claims 19 to 23 characterized in that said message is of the SMS type and is routed to the emergency call center (20) by a telephone network of the cellular type.