JP4965548B2 - Emergency call system, emergency call device, and emergency call program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency call device for making an emergency call to the outside, an emergency call system using the device, and an emergency call program.

  As a communication technique between a plurality of wireless communication terminals, a service is provided in which the telephone numbers of a mobile phone (communication terminal) and an in-vehicle communication device are logically switched over a network so that the same telephone number can be used (for example, , See Patent Document 1). For example, NTT DoCoMo, Inc. is called Switchphone (registered trademark). By using this service, the user can switch the telephone number of the mobile phone owned by the user to the in-vehicle communication device, communicate using the in-vehicle communication device using the telephone number assigned to the mobile phone, and can make a hands-free call. . In addition, as a telephone function switching technique, a technical idea described in Patent Document 2 is disclosed.

On the other hand, in general, an emergency call service is provided. This emergency call service sends emergency call data such as ID information and location information of the in-vehicle communication device to the emergency call center by pressing the emergency call button or detecting a vehicle collision. It is a service that can receive appropriate relief measures by making voice calls between the two.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-042477 JP 2007-228236 A

However, since the above two services are not considered in relation to each other, there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur when these services are combined.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an emergency call system capable of improving the convenience in an emergency while maintaining the convenience of a service for logically switching telephone numbers. An object is to provide an emergency call device and an emergency call program used in the system.

According to invention of Claim 1, it acts as follows . Vehicle mounting the communication apparatus is set to be the external voice communication connection through the base station in the first telephone number, the communication terminal is set to be the external voice communication connection through the base station in the second telephone number. When a switching instruction is given to the second telephone number of the communication terminal instead of the first telephone number, the in-vehicle communication device can be connected to the outside via the base station by voice communication connection using the second telephone number, and the telephone number is logically The service to switch automatically is realized. In addition, in an emergency, the in-vehicle communication device is determined to have generated an emergency state by detecting a vehicle collision or by a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user while being switched to the second telephone number of the communication terminal. In this case, since the voice communication connection can be established with the emergency voice communication apparatus through the base station using the first telephone number instead of the switched second telephone number, the convenience in an emergency can be improved. The inventions according to claims 4 and 7 also have substantially the same effect.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the emergency call center is provided with the data communication device, and the in-vehicle communication device detects the collision of the vehicle while being switched to the second telephone number of the communication terminal , or When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user , the emergency notification data is communicated to the data communication device and a normal response is received from the data communication device. Since the voice communication connection can be established with the emergency voice communication device of the emergency call center through the base station using the first telephone number instead of the switched second telephone number, the convenience in an emergency can be improved. The inventions according to claims 5 and 8 also have substantially the same effect.

  As in the third aspect of the invention, when the in-vehicle communication device transmits a telephone number switching release command to the base station, the base station replaces the second telephone number as a telephone number that can be connected to the in-vehicle communication device for voice communication. And switch to the first telephone number. The inventions according to claims 6 and 9 are substantially the same.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an emergency call system.
As shown in FIG. 1, an in-vehicle communication module (DCM) 1 as an emergency call device and an in-vehicle communication device includes a radio communication unit 2 as a communication means and a control connected to the radio communication unit 2. Part 3. The control unit 3 functions as a first control unit and a second control unit. An antenna 4 is connected to the wireless communication unit 2, and the wireless communication unit 2 is configured to be able to communicate with a communication device installed outside through the antenna 4 from the wireless communication unit 2 based on the control of the control unit 3. Yes. The control unit 3 of the in-vehicle communication module 1 includes a memory 3a such as a RAM and a ROM, and includes a well-known CPU, an input / output interface, etc. (not shown).

  Outside the in-vehicle communication module 1, a base station 5 and an emergency call center 6 connected to the base station 5 via a network (not shown) are installed. The base station 5 can be wirelessly connected to the in-vehicle communication module 1 using a predetermined radio frequency band.

  The emergency call center 6 includes an emergency communication accepting device, an emergency voice communication device, and a communication device 6a as a data communication device. The base station 5 can be connected to the communication device 6a in the emergency communication center 6 by wired communication. The emergency call center 6 provides a method for dealing with an emergency in the event of an emergency call by voice communication, and also provides a service for providing appropriate relief measures in an emergency, thereby realizing a so-called emergency call service. ing.

  Note that a database (not shown) is installed in the emergency call center 6, and it is determined whether or not the terminal calling the emergency call is in the emergency call service contract period based on the stored contents of the database. In response to the contract period, it provides emergency response methods (such as responses to rescue requests).

  The wireless communication unit 2 of the in-vehicle communication module 1 performs voice communication and data communication with an external communication device via a network (not shown) such as a telephone network and a packet communication network, and a base station 5 (switching station). Wireless communication is performed by communication. The communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 is connected to the base station 5 via the network, whereby the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 and the wireless communication unit 2 of the in-vehicle communication module 1 are connected to the base station 5, Connected through the network.

  The wireless communication unit 2 and the emergency call center 6 of the in-vehicle communication module 1 are capable of voice communication by telephone and data communication by packet. The communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 has a function of an emergency voice communication device as an emergency voice communication terminal, and also serves as a data communication device that accepts emergency call data or the like by packet communication from the in-vehicle communication module 1 or the like. It has a function.

  The in-vehicle communication module 1 is provided with a sensor signal for detecting a vehicle collision such as an airbag activation signal as a vehicle signal 7. In FIG. 1, the vehicle signal 7 is directly given to the in-vehicle communication module 1. However, for example, a sensor signal for collision detection may be directly input to the in-vehicle communication module 1. It may be input via an ECU (not shown), an in-vehicle LAN, or the like.

  The in-vehicle communication module 1 is connected to an operation unit 8, a display unit 9, a microphone 10, and a speaker 11. The operation unit 8 includes a large number of keys and switches. The microphone 10 and the speaker 11 are for hands-free calling. The mobile phone 12 can be wirelessly connected to the base station 5 and the network, and the mobile phone 12 constitutes a communication terminal and a mobile terminal that can communicate with an external general communication device.

  The in-vehicle communication module 1 and the mobile phone 12 are set to be able to use a service that enables communication with the same telephone number. In this service, when the user gives an instruction to switch the telephone number by operating the in-vehicle communication module 1, the in-vehicle communication module 1 causes the telephone number of the mobile phone 12 to be logically switched by the base station 5 side. Thus, voice communication is possible, and the user can make a hands-free call from the in-vehicle communication module 1 via the microphone 10 and the speaker 11. As a result, the user can make a voice call using the mobile phone 12 from a predetermined place, for example, indoors or outdoors, and can make a voice call using the in-vehicle communication module 1 with the telephone number of the mobile phone 12 when boarding the vehicle. It can be carried out.

First, the basic operation of the telephone number switching / switching release function will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows a basic sequence for a logical telephone number switching / switching release function. In the initial state, a “telephone number (# 1)” (for example, AAA-AAAAA-AAA) is assigned to the in-vehicle communication module 1, and the in-vehicle communication module 1 is connected to an external communication device (see FIG. Voice communication connection is possible with a telephone number (# 1) (S1).

  The mobile phone 12 is assigned a telephone number (# 2) (this is a telephone number different from the telephone number (# 1) (for example, BBB-BBBB-BBBB)). The voice communication connection with the external communication device (not shown) is enabled through the telephone number (# 2) (S2), and the voice communication is enabled (S3). The control operation of the in-vehicle communication module 1 described below is mainly performed by the control unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a telephone number switching instruction is given to the in-vehicle communication module 1 by the operation of the operation unit 8 by the user (S 4), the in-vehicle communication module 1 transmits a telephone number switching command to the base station 5. (S5). Upon receiving the switching command, the base station 5 performs a telephone number switching process and transmits a response signal to the in-vehicle communication module 1 (S6). Then, when the in-vehicle communication module 1 makes a call request to the base station 5 or makes an incoming call, voice communication connection can be established with the telephone number (# 2) of the mobile phone 12 (S7). Conversely, even if the user makes a call request to the base station 5 using the mobile phone 12, the base station 5 does not accept the call request and does not receive a call from the base station 5. Voice communication connection disabled (S8). Accordingly, the mobile phone 12 shifts to the sleep state (inactive state) and becomes unable to connect to the voice communication using the telephone number (# 2) (S9).

  Thereafter, when there is a telephone number switching cancellation instruction by the operation of the operation unit 8 by the user (S10), the in-vehicle communication module 1 transmits a telephone number switching cancellation command to the base station 5 (S11). When the base station 5 receives the switching cancellation command, it transmits a response signal to the in-vehicle communication module 1 (S12). Then, the base station 5 performs a telephone number switching cancellation process, and the in-vehicle communication module 1 can be connected by voice communication using a telephone number (# 1) assigned in advance instead of the telephone number (# 2) of the mobile phone 12. (S14). Since the base station 5 performs the telephone number switching cancellation process, when the mobile phone 12 makes a call request, the base station 5 accepts the call request, and the mobile phone 12 can also receive a call through the base station 5, Voice communication connection is possible between the telephone 12 and the base station 5 (S15). Accordingly, the cellular phone 12 shifts to the active state, and voice communication connection by the telephone number (# 2) is enabled (S16).

FIG. 3 shows a phone number switching / switching release sequence according to a modification.
In the modification shown in FIG. 3, the telephone number switching process (S1 to S9) is the same as that in FIG. 2, and the switching cancellation process (S10, S14 to S18) are characteristic.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the user issues a telephone number cancellation instruction to the mobile phone 12 (S10), the mobile phone 12 issues a telephone number switching cancellation command to the base station 5 (S17). ), The base station 5 performs a telephone number switching cancellation process and a response process (S18). Then, the cellular phone 12 shifts to an active state, and voice communication connection by the telephone number (# 2) becomes possible in steps S15 and S16. Even in this case, after canceling the switching of the telephone number, the in-vehicle communication module 1 can be connected by voice communication with the telephone number (# 1) (S14), and the mobile phone 12 can be connected by voice communication with the telephone number (# 2). (S15, S16).

  If the control processing method shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used, there is a risk of causing the following problems. In general emergency call services, the identification information (ID number) of the in-vehicle communication module 1 and the telephone number (# 1) assigned in advance to the in-vehicle communication module 1 are associated with each other in the emergency communication center 6 at the time of contract. This information is stored in association with an installed database (not shown).

  Therefore, an emergency state occurs when the telephone number (# 1) of the in-vehicle communication module 1 is switched to the telephone number (# 2) of the mobile phone 12 by using the telephone number switching function, and the in-vehicle communication module is used as it is. The inventors have confirmed that the following problems may occur when a voice communication connection is made between 1 and the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6.

  First, in order to cope with an emergency, the communication device 6a of the caller's emergency call center 6 is notified of the telephone number of the in-vehicle communication module 1 of the caller, but is notified to the emergency call center 6. Since the telephone number (# 2) is different from the telephone number (# 1) of the in-vehicle communication module 1 associated with the identification information of the in-vehicle communication module 1 in advance, the emergency call center 6 cannot identify the user.

  Second, even if the emergency call center 6 refers to the database and makes a call request by voice to the telephone number (# 1) of the in-vehicle communication module 1 associated with the identification information of the in-vehicle communication module 1, the in-vehicle Since the communication module 1 is switched to the telephone number (# 2) of the mobile phone 12, the in-vehicle communication module 1 cannot receive a call.

  Therefore, if the telephone number is switched at the time of an emergency call, it will be necessary to perform the switching cancellation process of the telephone number. May occur. For this reason, in this embodiment, the in-vehicle communication module 1 automatically issues a telephone number switching cancellation command to the base station 5 side in place of the user at the time of an emergency call.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a communication sequence in consideration of an emergency response corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 schematically shows only a main operation of the in-vehicle communication module in consideration of an emergency response. ing. The operation in the emergency call center 6 is mainly performed by the communication device 6a. The description will be given mainly with reference to FIG. Further, the same operations as those in the steps shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the switch phone switching instruction by the user is given to the in-vehicle communication module 1 (S4), the in-vehicle communication module 1 transmits a telephone number switching command to the base station 5 (FIG. 4). And S5 in FIG. Then, as described above, the in-vehicle communication module 1 can be connected by voice communication with the telephone number (# 2) (S7), and the mobile phone 12 cannot be connected by voice communication (S8, S9).

  The in-vehicle communication module 1 sequentially checks the presence / absence of an emergency call trigger after the telephone number is switched (S20 in FIGS. 4 and 5). This trigger is generated in response to a collision detection trigger based on the vehicle signal 7 or a predetermined operation of the operation unit 8 by the user, and the presence or absence of the trigger in step S20 is confirmed by a predetermined interrupt.

  If it determines with the emergency state having generate | occur | produced (S20: YES), the vehicle-mounted communication module 1 will transmit the switch cancellation command of a telephone number to the base station 5 (S11). The base station 5 cancels the switching of the telephone number and performs a response process (S12), and the in-vehicle communication module 1 enters a state where the switching cancellation of the telephone number has been performed. Then, the in-vehicle communication module 1 can be connected by voice communication with the telephone number (# 1) (S14), and the mobile phone 12 can be connected by voice communication with the telephone number (# 2) (S15, S16).

  Next, the in-vehicle communication module 1 automatically transmits emergency call data to the emergency call center 6 through the base station 5 (S21 and S22 in FIGS. 4 and 5). Upon receiving this data, the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 responds to reception through the base station 5 (S23, S24).

  After the processing of steps S21 to S24, the in-vehicle communication module 1 and the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 can make a voice call (S25 in FIGS. 4 and 5). In this case, since the telephone number of the in-vehicle communication module 1 is switched to the telephone number (# 1) associated with the identification number of the in-vehicle communication module 1 in advance, the emergency call center 6 has the telephone number (# 1). The user can be identified from the identification number of the in-vehicle communication module 1 associated with the emergency communication center 6, and the emergency call center 6 provides the user with a normal service even in the event of an emergency even if the user has no time and emotional margin. be able to.

  Further, when the in-vehicle communication module 1 transmits emergency call data (S21) and the emergency call center 6 receives the emergency call data, the telephone number has already been released (S11 to S16), so the emergency call center 6 Even if a voice call is made to the telephone number (# 1) corresponding to the in-vehicle communication module 1 stored in the database, the in-vehicle communication module 1 can receive a call, and the voice call between the emergency call center 6 and the in-vehicle communication module 1 is possible. Yes (S25).

  According to the present embodiment, when an emergency state occurs in the state where the in-vehicle communication module 1 is switched to the telephone number (# 2) of the mobile phone 12, the telephone number (# 1) is used instead of the telephone number (# 2). ), And the voice communication with the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 is possible through the wireless communication unit 2, so even if the user has no time and emotional allowance, the emergency call center 6 Can provide normal services to users. Thereby, the convenience in an emergency can be improved, maintaining the convenience of the service which changes a telephone number logically.

(Second Embodiment)
6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the previous embodiment is that the emergency call data is packet-communicated to the emergency communication center and a normal response is received from the communication device of the emergency communication center. The telephone number switching cancellation command is issued on the condition that the telephone number switching cancellation is performed, and the communication device of the emergency call center is in voice communication connection. The same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and the same operations are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, different parts will be described.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a communication sequence considering an emergency response, and FIG. 7 schematically shows only a main operation of the in-vehicle communication module considering an emergency response.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the in-vehicle communication module 1 is given a telephone number switching instruction (S4), it transmits a telephone number switching instruction to the base station 5 (S5 in FIGS. 6 and 7). After the number is switched, the presence or absence of an emergency call trigger is sequentially confirmed (S20 in FIGS. 6 and 7).

  When the trigger occurs and an emergency state occurs (S20: YES), the emergency call data is packet-communicated with the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 (S21 to S22). When the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6 receives this data, it responds to the reception (S23 to S24).

  When receiving the reception response information, the in-vehicle communication module 1 determines whether the reception response information is normal (S26 in FIGS. 6 and 7). At this time, the in-vehicle communication module 1 performs the telephone number switching release command processing in step S11 on the condition that the reception response information is normal (S26: YES), and the in-vehicle communication module 1 receives the telephone number (# 1). After the voice communication connection becomes possible (S14) and the cellular phone 12 becomes capable of voice communication connection with the telephone number (# 2) (S15, S16), a voice call is made with the emergency call center 6 (S25). ).

  On the other hand, the in-vehicle communication module 1 may accept an abnormal response when receiving a response in steps S23 to S24. This is the case where the user has canceled the contract with the emergency call center 6. At this time, the communication device 6 a of the emergency call center 6 transmits an abnormal response to the in-vehicle communication module 1. In such a case, the in-vehicle communication module 1 notifies the vehicle (cabinet) that there is an abnormality, for example, without performing the processes of steps S11 and S25 (S27 in FIGS. 6 and 7). Thus, the user can know that the emergency call is not accepted by the emergency call center 6 and is abnormal.

  According to this embodiment, when the emergency state occurs in the state where the telephone number (# 2) is set, the in-vehicle communication module 1 performs packet communication of the emergency call data to the communication device 6a of the emergency call center 6, and is normal. In order to enable voice communication connection with the emergency call center 6 using the telephone number (# 1) by transmitting a telephone number switching release command to the base station 5, for example, on the condition that the response has been accepted. In addition to improving convenience in an emergency, communication reliability can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the following modifications or expansions are possible.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which an in-vehicle communication module 1 and each input / output device 8 to 11 are connected via an external device 13 serving as an interface such as a navigation device. That is, the control operation of the control unit 3 of the in-vehicle communication module 1 of the above-described embodiment may be performed on the external device 13 side, and the external device 13 issues, for example, a telephone number switching command and a telephone number switching cancellation command. You may do it.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an emergency call system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sequence diagram showing the basic operation of switching telephone numbers (part 1) Sequence diagram showing the basic operation of switching telephone numbers (Part 2) Sequence diagram schematically showing telephone number switching operation considering emergency response Flow chart schematically showing main operation of in-vehicle communication module considering emergency response FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the second embodiment of the present invention Figure equivalent to FIG. FIG. 1 equivalent view schematically showing a modification of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is an in-vehicle communication module (emergency call device), 2 is a wireless communication unit (communication means), 3 is a control unit (first control means, second control means), 4 is an antenna, 5 is a base station, 6 Is an emergency call center, 6a is a communication device (emergency voice communication device, data communication device), 7 is a vehicle signal, 8 is an operation unit, 9 is a display unit, 10 is a microphone, 11 is a speaker, 12 is a mobile phone (communication) Terminal).

Claims (9)

A base station,
An in-vehicle communication device set to be capable of voice communication with the outside through the base station at the first telephone number;
A communication terminal that is outside the voice communication connection can be set via the base station at a different second telephone numbers from the previous SL first telephone number,
An emergency voice communication device provided in the emergency call center,
The in-vehicle communication device is capable of voice communication connection to the outside through the base station using the second telephone number when a switching instruction is given to the second telephone number of the communication terminal instead of the first telephone number. When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to detection of a vehicle collision or a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user in a state where the communication terminal is switched to the second telephone number, the switching is performed. An emergency call system that enables voice communication connection with the emergency voice communication apparatus through the base station by the first telephone number instead of the second telephone number. The emergency call center is provided with a data communication device,
The in-vehicle communication device detects an emergency state when a collision of a vehicle is detected or a predetermined operation of the operation unit is performed by a user in a state where the in-vehicle communication device is switched to the second telephone number of the communication terminal. The emergency call is made through the base station by the first telephone number instead of the switched second telephone number on the condition that report data is communicated to the data communication apparatus and a normal response is received from the data communication apparatus. 2. The emergency call system according to claim 1, wherein voice communication connection is possible with an emergency voice communication device in the center.   The in-vehicle communication apparatus transmits a telephone number switching release command to the base station, so that the base station can replace the second telephone number as a telephone number that can be connected to the in-vehicle communication apparatus by voice communication. The emergency call system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the emergency call system is switched to. An in-vehicle emergency call device set to be capable of voice communication with the outside through the base station at the first telephone number,
When a switching instruction is given to a second telephone number of a communication terminal different from the first telephone number instead of the first telephone number, a voice communication connection can be established with the second telephone number via the communication means with the outside. First control means;
When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to detection of a vehicle collision or a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user in a state where the second telephone number of the communication terminal has been switched, Emergency notification, comprising: second control means for enabling voice communication connection with an emergency voice communication device of an emergency call center through the base station by the first telephone number instead of two telephone numbers apparatus. When the second control means detects a collision of the vehicle in a state where the second telephone number of the communication terminal is switched to , or determines that an emergency state has occurred due to a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user. Is replaced with the switched second telephone number on condition that the emergency call data is communicated to the data communication device of the emergency call center and a normal response is received from the data communication device of the emergency call center. 5. The emergency call device according to claim 4, wherein a voice communication connection can be established with the emergency voice communication device of the emergency call center through the base station by one telephone number.   The second control means transmits a telephone number switching cancellation command to the base station, so that the communication device of the emergency call center through the base station by the first telephone number instead of the switched second telephone number 6. The emergency call device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein voice communication connection is possible. While being set to be the external voice communication connection through the base station in the first telephone number, the switching instruction is given to the second telephone number different communication terminals with the first telephone number in place of the first telephone number , An emergency call program installed in an emergency call device that enables voice communication connection with the second telephone number via the communication means with the outside,
As a control means of the emergency call device,
When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to detection of a vehicle collision or a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user in a state where the second telephone number of the communication terminal has been switched, An emergency call program for executing a procedure for enabling voice communication connection with an emergency voice communication device of an emergency call center through the base station using the first telephone number instead of two telephone numbers. In the control means,
When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to detection of a vehicle collision in a state where the communication terminal is switched to the second telephone number or a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user , the emergency notification data is The base station uses the first telephone number instead of the switched second telephone number on the condition that data communication is performed with the data communication apparatus of the emergency call center and a normal response is received from the data communication apparatus of the emergency call center. The emergency call program according to claim 7, wherein a procedure for enabling voice communication connection with the emergency voice communication device of the emergency call center is executed through the program. In the control means,
When it is determined that an emergency state has occurred due to detection of a vehicle collision or a predetermined operation of the operation unit by the user in a state where the second telephone number of the communication terminal has been switched, a telephone call is made to the base station. 9. The emergency notification program according to claim 7, wherein a procedure for transmitting a number switching cancellation command is executed.

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