JP2015160566A - Emergency notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to promptly, surely notify an emergency call center even in an emergency.SOLUTION: An emergency notification device 1 mounted in a vehicle for communicating and notifying an emergency call center in an emergency, comprises: a first switch 30 communicating and notifying the emergency call center; and a second witch 40 stopping communication if the communication with the emergency call center is underway, and confirming a communication state with the emergency call center in a case of no communication with the emergency call center.

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency call device mounted on an automobile.

  Some automobiles are equipped with an emergency call device so that an emergency call center can communicate and notify (report) in an emergency such as a vehicle accident. According to the emergency call device, information such as the current position of the vehicle and an identification code is transmitted to the emergency call center as an emergency call, and voice communication is performed so that the user can talk to the operator of the emergency call center. Made. In the emergency call center, in addition to the transmitted vehicle information, the operator of the emergency call center can hear details of the accident etc. by talking to the caller in response to the emergency call, so respond appropriately be able to.

  For emergency calls by the emergency call device, an automatic call mode that automatically reports to the emergency call center when a large impact occurs on the vehicle due to an accident, etc., and a manual call mode that allows the user to call the emergency call center manually The emergency call device is provided with an accident detection means for detecting an accident or the like for the automatic notification mode, and an emergency call switch for the manual notification mode.

JP 2002-254986 A

  As a technique related to an emergency call device mounted on a car, for example, there is Patent Literature 1. In the vehicle notification device described in Patent Document 1, the occurrence of an emergency is detected by a signal from an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle, the emergency notification center is notified, and is provided near the center of the vehicle near the driver's seat. The emergency call center can also be notified by pressing a push button. Further, a push button for reporting to the road service center and a push button for canceling the report are provided in the vicinity of the center of the vehicle in the vicinity of the driver's seat, along with a push button for reporting to the emergency call center. That is, in Patent Document 1, an acceleration sensor that is conventionally provided as an accident detection means is used, and three push buttons are provided in the passenger compartment as an emergency call switch or the like.

  As an emergency call device, there are cases where it is necessary to provide not only a push button for emergency call center notification as in Patent Document 1 and a push button for canceling a report, but also various other switches. For example, a communication confirmation switch for confirming whether or not communication with the emergency call center is possible (communication state) at a predetermined location may be provided according to a customer request or the like.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, if a new push button is provided as the communication confirmation switch, a large number of push buttons are arranged side by side, so that it takes time for the user to search for an emergency call push button. There is a possibility that the emergency call center cannot be promptly notified. In addition, there is a possibility that the user accidentally presses a push button other than the emergency call push button, and there is a possibility that the report to the emergency call center cannot be performed reliably. In particular, in an emergency, it may be noticeable because the user may be swayed rather than calm.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to promptly and reliably report to an emergency call center even in an emergency.

  An emergency call device according to a first invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an emergency call device that is mounted on a vehicle and communicates with an emergency call center in the event of an emergency to notify the emergency call center. The first switch that performs communication with the emergency call center is stopped when communicating with the emergency call center, and the communication status to the emergency call center is confirmed when not communicating with the emergency call center. The switch is provided in the vehicle interior.

  An emergency call device according to a second invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the emergency call device according to the first invention, comprising a calling means as a means for notifying the emergency call center, and calling the emergency call center. If there is, the second switch is disabled.

  The emergency call device according to a third invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the emergency call device according to the first or second invention, wherein the first switch and the second switch are located in front of the driver's seat of the automobile. The first switch is installed in a position closer to the driver's seat than the second switch.

  An emergency call device according to a fourth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the emergency call device according to any one of the first to third inventions, comprising a first cover member that covers the first switch. It is characterized by that.

  An emergency call device according to a fifth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the emergency call device according to the fourth invention, further comprising a second cover member covering the second switch, wherein the first cover member Is formed thinner than the second cover member.

  According to the emergency call device according to the first invention, since the number of switches installed as the emergency call device is small, it does not take time for the user to select the switch, and the call to the emergency call center can be made quickly. It can be carried out. In addition, since the number of switches installed as an emergency call device is small, it is unlikely that the user will accidentally operate (press down, etc.) a second switch other than the first switch. It is possible to reliably report to the reporting center.

  According to the emergency call device according to the second invention, the call means can make a call with the operator of the emergency call center, and the second switch is disabled, so that Never end a call accidentally during a call.

  According to the emergency call device according to the third aspect of the invention, the user of the emergency call device can operate the second switch even while driving or in a state where the user cannot move from the driver's seat. Even in an emergency, the user (driver) can easily operate the first switch, and the user (driver) fails to operate the first switch. That is, the user accidentally operates the second switch. The possibility of being lost can be reduced.

  According to the emergency notification device pertaining to the fourth invention, the first cover member covering the first switch is provided, thereby preventing the user from operating the first switch by mistake. be able to. Further, when the first cover member that covers the first switch is formed to have a strength that can be easily broken by the user, the first cover member can be removed without being removed (not opened). The first switch can be operated by breaking the cover member. Therefore, in an emergency, the user can quickly operate the first switch to make an emergency call without taking the trouble of removing (opening) the first cover member.

  According to the emergency call device pertaining to the fifth invention, since the second cover member that covers the second switch is provided, when the first switch is broken and the first switch is operated, an error may occur. Thus, it is possible to prevent the second switch from being operated. The first cover member is formed thinner than the second cover member, that is, the second cover member is formed thicker than the first cover member. Since the second cover member cannot be easily broken as compared with the above, it is possible to prevent the second cover member from being accidentally broken and operating the second switch.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the emergency call button and test button in the emergency call apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation of the emergency call button in the emergency call apparatus which concerns on Example 1, and a test button. It is a block diagram which shows the emergency call apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the manual notification mode by the emergency call apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an emergency call device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The configuration of the emergency call apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  The emergency call device according to the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile, and when a large impact occurs in the vehicle due to an accident or the like, the emergency call device automatically communicates with the emergency call center to notify (report), otherwise Can also be notified to the emergency call center by manual operation of the user (for example, the driver of the vehicle).

  Here, the report to the emergency call center, that is, the emergency call is to transmit vehicle information to the emergency call center and to communicate so that the user can talk to the operator of the emergency call center. When the emergency call center responds to the communication, the user of the emergency call device 1 can make a call with the operator of the emergency call center.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the emergency notification device 1, the control unit 10 that controls emergency notification includes an airbag ECU 20 that operates an airbag (not shown), and an emergency notification button (SOS button, first Switch) 30, a test button (TEST button, second switch) 40 for canceling communication with the emergency call center and checking the communication state with the emergency call center, and sound in the passenger compartment (user's voice) And the like, a GPS antenna 60 for obtaining vehicle position information, an engine ECU 70 storing vehicle type information such as a vehicle identification code, and an emergency call A TEL antenna 80 for communicating with the center, an indicator 31 provided on the emergency call button 30 for displaying the status of the emergency call, and a test button 4 And Injigeta 41 for displaying the status of the communication confirmation provided, the current signal from the emergency call center speaker 90 for converting the (audio signal) the sound (call means), and are electrically connected.

  The control unit 10 of the emergency call device 1 includes an emergency call request control unit (input detection unit) 11 that detects that an emergency call or the like is requested, and an emergency call control unit (operation control unit) that performs an operation command such as an emergency call. ) 12 is provided. Signals from the airbag ECU 20, the emergency notification button 30, and the test button 40 (request signals for emergency notifications) are input to the emergency notification request control unit 11 of the control unit 10, and are input to the emergency notification control unit 12 of the control unit 10. Are signals from the emergency call request control unit 11, the microphone 50, the GPS antenna 60, and the engine ECU 70, and the emergency call control unit 12 of the control unit 10 receives a TEL antenna 80, indicators 31, 41, and a speaker 90. Signal (operation signal for emergency call etc.) is output.

  The air bag ECU 20 activates an air bag (not shown) provided in the vehicle when a large impact occurs on the vehicle due to an accident or the like, and is used as an emergency notification requesting unit in the automatic notification mode of the emergency notification device 1. The When a large impact occurs on the vehicle due to an accident or the like, the airbag ECU 20 activates an airbag (not shown). When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects the operation of an airbag (not shown) by the airbag ECU 20, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12, and the emergency call is started. Yes (automatic report mode). At this time, vehicle type information such as a vehicle identification code stored in the engine ECU 70 is notified to the emergency call center.

  The emergency call button 30 is an emergency call start means for making an emergency call, and is used as an emergency call request means in the manual call mode of the emergency call device 1. The user presses (operates) the emergency call button 30 when a report to the emergency call center is required. When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects that the emergency call button 30 has been pressed, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12 to start an emergency call. (Manual report mode).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the emergency call button 30 is provided with an indicator 31 so that the user can know whether or not an emergency call is made by the emergency call device 1. For example, when an automobile is in a place where communication to the emergency call center is possible and an emergency call is made in the automatic call mode or the manual call mode described above, the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 lights up in green. It has become. On the other hand, when an emergency call is made by the emergency call device 1, if the emergency call device 1 is out of order or the vehicle is not in a place where communication to the emergency call center is possible, the emergency call button 30 The indicator 31 is lit red. The installation location of the indicator 31 is not limited to the inside of the emergency call button 30 as long as it can be recognized by the user.

  The test button 40 is a communication confirmation means for confirming (checking) whether or not the emergency call apparatus 1 can communicate with the emergency call center, and is an emergency call stop means for stopping the emergency call. Specifically, when the emergency call device 1 is not in the automatic call mode or the manual call mode, that is, when the emergency call communication and call by the emergency call device 1 are not started, the test button 40 is a communication confirmation unit. When the emergency call device 1 is in the manual call mode, that is, when the user presses the emergency call button 30 and communication with the emergency call center by the emergency call device 1 is started. The button 40 functions as an emergency call canceling means.

  When the emergency notification device 1 is in the automatic notification mode, that is, when the operation of the airbag (not shown) by the airbag ECU 20 is detected and communication with the emergency notification center by the emergency notification device 1 is started, The test button 40 is configured so that neither the communication confirmation means nor the emergency call stop means functions. Further, even when the emergency call device 1 is in the manual call mode, the test button 40 does not function as an emergency call stop unit when the emergency call device 1 is in a call state. As described above, when the emergency call device 1 is in the automatic call mode and during a call with the operator of the emergency call center, the test button 40 is invalidated so that the user can mistakenly call the automatic call and the emergency call center. Can be prevented from being canceled.

  When the emergency call device 1 is not in the automatic call mode or the manual call mode, when the user wants to check the communication state such as whether or not the vehicle is in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible, the user presses the test button 40. Press. When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects that the test button 40 is pressed (see FIG. 3), the detection result is sent to the emergency call control unit 12 as an input signal, and the emergency call request is sent via the TEL antenna 80. Whether or not communication to the reporting center is possible is confirmed (communication confirmation mode).

  In the case where the emergency call device 1 is in the manual call mode, the user presses the test button 40 when the started emergency call becomes unnecessary or when the started emergency call is incorrect. When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects that the test button 40 is pressed, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12, and communication with the emergency call center is canceled (cancelled). It has become so.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the test button 40 is provided with an indicator 41 so that the user can determine whether or not communication with the emergency call center is possible by pressing the test button 40. Yes. For example, if the user presses the test button 40 and confirms whether or not communication to the emergency call center is possible, if communication to the emergency call center is possible, the indicator 41 of the test button 40 Is lit in green, and the indicator 41 of the test button 40 is lit in red when the emergency call device 1 is broken and cannot make an emergency call to the emergency call center or when communication to the emergency call center is not possible It is supposed to be. The installation location of the indicator 41 is not limited to the inside of the test button 40 as long as it can be recognized by the user.

  The emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 are positions that the user can press while sitting in the driver's seat, for example, the upper part in front of the driver's seat in the interior of the automobile and near the center of the vehicle (shown in the figure). It is installed adjacent to the map lamp 100 in the vicinity of the room mirror (see FIG. 2). Further, the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1), and the emergency call button 30 is located on the side close to the driver's seat (left side in FIG. 1). The test button 40 is located on the side far from the driver's seat (the side closer to the passenger seat, the right side in FIG. 1).

  Since the user of the emergency call device 1 is often the driver of the vehicle, the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 are installed at a position where the user can press the button while sitting in the driver's seat. Thus, the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 can be pressed even during driving or in a state where the driver cannot move from the driver's seat.

  Further, by arranging two switches of the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 so that the emergency call button 30 is located on the side closer to the driver's seat and the test button 40 is located on the side far from the driver's seat, Even at times, it is easy for the user (driver) to press the emergency call button 30, and the user (driver) may fail to press the emergency call button 30, that is, the test button 40 may be pressed by mistake. Can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, a button that can be opened and closed by a hinge portion (not shown) provided in front of the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 so that the driver of the car or the like does not accidentally press the emergency call button 30 or the test button 40. Covers (first cover member, second cover member) 32 and 42 are provided. During normal times when the emergency call device 1 is not used, the button covers 32 and 42 are closed, and the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 are covered with the button covers 32 and 42. 40 is not pressed (not shown). On the other hand, when using the emergency call device 1 (in case of emergency or communication confirmation), the button covers 32 and 42 are opened, and the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 are not covered by the button covers 32 and 42. By setting the state, the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40 can be pressed (see FIG. 3).

  The button covers 32 and 42 are formed with different thicknesses, and the button cover (first cover member) 32 of the emergency call button 30 is more than the button cover (second cover member) 42 of the test button 40. Thinly formed. By forming the button cover 32 of the emergency call button 30 thin, the emergency call button 30 can be pressed by breaking the button cover 32 without opening the button cover 32. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, the user can quickly press the emergency call button 30 to make an emergency call without taking the trouble of opening the button cover 32, and erroneously test the button instead of the emergency call button 30. It is possible to prevent the test button 40 from being pressed by breaking the 40 button covers 42.

  Of course, the first cover member and the second cover member in the emergency call device according to the present invention include the button cover 32 that covers the emergency call button 30 and the button cover 42 that covers the test button 40 as in this embodiment. Are not limited to those provided separately, and may be a button cover (cover member) that is an integral part that covers both the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40. Even in the case of an integral button cover, by forming the button cover partially thin, it is possible to press the emergency call button while breaking a part of the button cover as in this embodiment.

  Next, operation | movement of the emergency call apparatus 1 which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  The operation of the emergency call device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation for checking whether communication to the emergency call center is possible (communication check mode), and when a large impact occurs on the vehicle due to an accident or the like. There are an operation to automatically notify the emergency call center (automatic notification mode) and an operation to report to the emergency call center by manual operation of a user (for example, the driver of the vehicle) (manual notification mode).

  First, the communication confirmation mode of the emergency call device 1 will be described.

  When the emergency call device 1 is not in the automatic call mode or the manual call mode, when the user wants to check whether the vehicle is in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible, the user is in the upper part in front of the driver's seat. Then, the test button 40 (see FIG. 1) installed adjacent to the map lamp 100 near the center of the vehicle (near the room mirror not shown) is pressed. When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects that the test button 40 has been pressed, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12 to determine whether communication with the emergency call center is possible. (See FIG. 3).

  When the vehicle is in a location where communication with the emergency call center is possible, the communication state of the emergency call device 1 is a state where communication with the emergency call center is possible, and the indicator 41 of the test button 40 is lit in green. To do. On the other hand, when the vehicle is not in a location where communication with the emergency call center is possible, or when communication with the emergency call center is not possible due to a failure of the emergency call device 1, the communication state of the emergency call device 1 is emergency. The indicator 41 of the test button 40 is lit red, not in a state where communication to the reporting center is possible.

  The emergency call device 1 according to the present embodiment does not have a function of canceling communication confirmation in the communication confirmation mode. For example, when the test button 40 is pressed again during the communication confirmation mode, the communication confirmation mode 1 The communication confirmation by may be canceled.

  Next, the automatic notification mode of the emergency notification device 1 will be described.

  When a large impact occurs on the vehicle due to an accident or the like, the airbag ECU 20 activates an airbag (not shown). When the emergency notification request control unit 11 detects the operation of an airbag (not shown) by the airbag ECU 20, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency notification control unit 12 (see FIG. 3).

  When the vehicle is in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible, emergency call in the automatic call mode of the emergency call device 1 is started, and the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 is lit in green (see FIG. 1). ). On the other hand, when the emergency call device 1 is out of order or when the vehicle is not in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible, the emergency call in the automatic call mode is not started, and the emergency call button 30 The indicator 31 is lit red.

  In addition, although the emergency call device 1 according to the present embodiment does not have a function to stop communication with the emergency call center in the automatic call mode so that the emergency call in the automatic call mode is not erroneously stopped, For example, by pressing the test button 40 during the automatic notification mode, communication with the emergency call center in the automatic notification mode may be stopped (cancelled).

  Next, the manual notification mode of the emergency call device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user needs to report to the emergency call center, the emergency call button 30 installed adjacent to the map lamp 100 in the upper part of the front of the driver's seat and in the vicinity of the center of the vehicle (near the room mirror not shown). Is pressed (step S1). When the emergency call request control unit 11 detects that the emergency call button 30 (see FIG. 2) is pressed, the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12 (see FIG. 3).

  The emergency call control unit 12 checks the communication state such as whether or not the vehicle is in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible via the TEL antenna 80 (step S2). If the vehicle is in a location where communication with the emergency call center is possible, communication with the emergency call center in the manual call mode of the emergency call device 1 is started (step S3). At this time, the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 is lit in green.

  On the other hand, when the emergency call device 1 is out of order, or when the vehicle is not in a place where communication with the emergency call center is possible, the emergency call in the manual call mode is terminated (step S4). At this time, the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 is lit red.

  After an emergency call in manual call mode has been started, the user must confirm that the emergency call that has been started is unnecessary or incorrect, i.e. at the top in front of the driver's seat in order to stop communication with the emergency call center. It is then determined whether or not the test button 40 installed adjacent to the map lamp 100 near the center of the vehicle (near the room mirror not shown) is pressed (step S5).

  When the user determines that the started emergency call is unnecessary or incorrect and presses the test button 40 during dialing (communication) to the emergency call center, the emergency call request control unit 11 causes the test button 40 (FIG. 2). It is detected that the reference is pressed, and the detection result is sent as an input signal to the emergency call control unit 12 (see FIG. 3), and the emergency call is terminated (step S4). At this time, the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the started emergency call is not unnecessary and is not an error, the user continues communication with the emergency call center without pressing the test button 40, and the emergency call center responds to the communication. A call is started (step S6). At the same time, vehicle information such as a vehicle identification code stored in the engine ECU 70 is notified to the emergency call center. Then, the user communicates the details of the emergency call to the operator of the emergency call center through a voice call through the microphone 50 and the speaker 90, and if the operator determines that the call may be terminated, the operator's operation Is terminated (step S7), and the emergency call by the emergency call device 1 is terminated (step S8). That is, once the voice call with the operator is started, the operation of the test button 40 is invalidated during the call. When the emergency call by the emergency call device 1 is finished, the indicator 31 of the emergency call button 30 is turned off.

  The emergency call device according to the present embodiment communicates with the emergency call center by pressing the emergency call button 30, and the user of the emergency call device 1 can communicate with the operator of the emergency call center, that is, The microphone 50 and the speaker 90 (calling means) are provided as means for notifying the emergency call center. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration may be used as long as it communicates and notifies the emergency call center. For example, when the user presses the emergency call button 30, the user communicates with the emergency call center, and a notification that the emergency call button 30 of the vehicle is pressed and vehicle type information are displayed on the receiving unit in the emergency call center. It may be a thing.

  In the emergency call device according to the present embodiment, only two switches, the emergency call button 30 and the test button 40, are provided in the passenger compartment as an emergency call switch or the like, so that the user selects the switch. It takes no time to search for the button 30 and can promptly report to the emergency call center. In addition, it is unlikely that the user accidentally presses a button other than the emergency call button 30 (test button 40), and the emergency call center can be reliably notified even in an emergency.

1 emergency call device 10 control part 11 emergency call request control part (input detection part)
12 Emergency call control unit (operation control unit)
20 Airbag ECU
30 Emergency call button (first switch)
31 Emergency call button indicator
32 Button cover for emergency call button (first cover member)
40 Test button (second switch)
41 Test button indicator
42 Button cover of test button (second cover member)
50 Microphone (calling means)
60 GPS antenna 70 Engine ECU
80 TEL antenna 90 Speaker (calling means)
100 Map lamp

Claims (5)

An emergency call device that is mounted on a car and communicates to an emergency call center in the event of an emergency,
A first switch that communicates to and alerts the emergency call center;
When communicating with the emergency call center, stop the communication, and when not communicating with the emergency call center, a second switch for confirming the communication state to the emergency call center is placed in the passenger compartment. An emergency call device characterized by comprising. Comprising a calling means as means for notifying the emergency call center;
The emergency call device according to claim 1, wherein the second switch is disabled when a call is made to the emergency call center. The first switch and the second switch are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in front of the driver's seat of the automobile,
The emergency notification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first switch is installed at a position closer to the driver's seat than the second switch. The emergency notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first cover member that covers the first switch. A second cover member covering the second switch;
The emergency notification device according to claim 4, wherein the first cover member is formed thinner than the second cover member.

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