US20050153680A1 - Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein - Google Patents
Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050153680A1 US20050153680A1 US11/075,280 US7528005A US2005153680A1 US 20050153680 A1 US20050153680 A1 US 20050153680A1 US 7528005 A US7528005 A US 7528005A US 2005153680 A1 US2005153680 A1 US 2005153680A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- loudspeaker
- emergency
- signal
- communication
- controller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
- G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
- G01S19/13—Receivers
- G01S19/14—Receivers specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S19/17—Emergency applications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
- B60Q1/52—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking for indicating emergencies
Definitions
- This invention relates to an emergency reporting network system for vehicles such as automotive vehicles.
- This invention also relates to a terminal apparatus used in an emergency reporting network system.
- this invention relates to a method of reporting an emergency.
- a conventional emergency communication apparatus for a vehicle is started when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After the start, the conventional apparatus tries to connect with a police station or an emergency report receiving center via a mobile telephone network. When connection has been established, the conventional apparatus allows speech communication between a user of the apparatus and an operator in the police station or the emergency report receiving center.
- a vehicular emergency communication apparatus with a handsfree system circuit which allows handsfree speech communication between a user of the apparatus and an operator in a police station or an emergency report receiving center.
- the user it is possible for the user to adjust the volume (the loudness) of sound generated from a loudspeaker used by the handsfree system circuit. Therefore, if the volume level is erroneously preset to a minimum, the user can not hear reproduced operator's voice during handsfree speech communication.
- the loudspeaker is designed for the exclusive use of the handsfree system circuit. The exclusive loudspeaker occupies a corresponding space in a related vehicle.
- Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-20578 discloses a present position emergency informing device mounted on an automobile.
- the emergency informing device in Japanese application 5-20578 includes a crash sensor, a position detector, and an automobile telephone.
- the crash sensor detects a related impact force.
- the position detector is operated.
- an emergency section such as police is automatically contacted through the automobile telephone. Then, the accident and the position where the accident occurs are automatically notified to the emergency section.
- Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-5626 discloses a navigation system which is designed so that data of emergency numbers fed from a CD-ROM, and its own position data of a vehicle estimated by means of a location device are stored in a FIFO memory. In addition, voices produced in the vehicle are stored in a voice storing device, and personal information about the driver of the vehicle and his fellow passengers is stored in an ID card device.
- the occurrence of an accident is detected by comparing a change in the signal of an acceleration sensor with a predetermined change in accident-caused impact acceleration. Upon detection of the occurrence of an accident, the information is outputted from the FIFO memory, the voice storing device, and the ID card device to an external via a communication unit.
- a first aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle.
- the emergency reporting apparatus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher.
- a second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and inhibits a user from changing the volume level.
- a third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit comprises means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.
- a fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit comprises first means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, second means for allowing a user to change the volume level after the first means controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving out of a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via the second means.
- a fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for detecting a level of background sound noise inputted via the microphone, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the detected level of background sound noise.
- a sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for receiving a volume level control signal from the emergency report receiving center, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received volume level control signal.
- a seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for receiving a volume level control signal from an external device, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received volume level control signal.
- An eighth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting network system comprising emergency report receiving center; a communication network; and emergency reporting apparatuses connectable with the emergency report receiving center via the communication network; wherein each of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting apparatus of one of the first to seventh aspects of this invention.
- a ninth aspect of this invention provides a method of reporting an emergency in a vehicle including an audio system.
- the method comprises the steps of allowing handsfree speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via a microphone and a loudspeaker; and using a loudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- a tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein one of an audio-system loudspeakers located in a right front door, a right rear door, a left front door, a left rear door, a right portion of a rear seat, and a left portion of the rear seat of the vehicle is used as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides a method further comprising the step of, in cases where the loudspeaker of the audio system is wrong, replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system and thereby using another loudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- a twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to user's manual operation.
- a thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal transmitted from the emergency report receiving center.
- a fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the thirteenth aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein a DTMF signal is used as the loudspeaker change requirement signal.
- a fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the steps of detecting a level of sound generated by the loudspeaker of the audio system, and replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to the detected sound level.
- a sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the steps of detecting an impedance of the loudspeaker of the audio system, deciding whether the loudspeaker of the audio system is normal or wrong in response to the detected impedance of the loudspeaker, and replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system when the loudspeaker of the audio system is decided to be wrong.
- a seventeenth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle including an audio system.
- the emergency reporting appratus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; and means for allowing handsfree speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; wherein the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker uses a loudspeaker of the audio system.
- An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the seventeenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- a nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighteenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the selecting means comprises a unit manually operable by a user, and means for selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker in response to manual operation of the unit by the user.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a top view of an automotive vehicle on which the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 is mounted.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.
- An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotive vehicles) respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatuses are terminal apparatuses.
- the emergency reporting network system also includes a police station or an emergency report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus.
- the emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
- FIG. 1 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a first embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle.
- the emergency reporting apparatus includes a terminal device 1 , a communication antenna 2 , a trigger button 3 , a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 4 , a microphone 5 , and a loudspeaker 6 .
- the terminal device 1 is connected to the communication antenna 2 , the trigger button 3 , the GPS antenna 4 , the microphone 5 , and the loudspeaker 6 .
- the terminal device 1 includes a communication device 11 , a controller 12 , a gyro sensor 13 , a positional information generator 14 , a memory 15 , a handsfree system circuit 16 , a GPS receiver 17 , and a volume control circuit 18 A.
- the communication device 111 is connected to the communication antenna 2 , the controller 12 , and the handsfree system circuit 16 .
- the controller 12 is connected to the trigger button 3 , the positional information generator 14 , the memory 15 , and the volume control circuit 18 A.
- the gyro sensor 13 is connected to the positional information generator 14 .
- the GPS receiver 17 is connected to the GPS antenna 4 and the positional information generator 14 .
- the handsfree system circuit 16 is connected to the microphone 5 and the volume control circuit 18 A.
- the volume control circuit 18 A is connected to the loudspeaker 6 .
- the trigger button 3 includes a manually-operated button which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle. When the trigger button 3 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button 3 to the controller 12 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
- the GPS antenna 4 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites.
- the GPS antenna 4 feeds the received GPS signals to the GPS receiver 17 .
- the communication device 11 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by the controller 12 .
- the communication device 11 can output and feed a radio signal to the communication antenna 2 .
- the radio signal is radiated by the communication antenna 2 .
- the radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network.
- the communication antenna 2 can receive a radio signal from the base station.
- the received radio signal is fed from the communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11 . In this way, the communication device 11 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis.
- the communication device 11 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from the controller 12 . Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, the communication device 11 generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the radio call signal contains a dial signal.
- the radio call signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio call signal propagates to a base station.
- the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal.
- the received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11 .
- the communication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, the communication device 11 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, the communication device 11 informs the controller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established.
- the communication device 11 can receive, from the controller 12 , positional information data representing the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication mode of operation, the communication device 11 transmits the positional information data to the communication opposite party via the base station.
- the communication opposite party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report receiving center.
- the communication device 11 allows two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party via the base station.
- the controller 12 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM.
- the controller 12 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
- the gyro sensor 13 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle.
- the gyro sensor 13 outputs the generated data to the positional information generator 14 .
- the GPS receiver 17 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna 4 .
- the GPS receiver 17 outputs the generated data to the positional information generator 14 .
- the positional information generator 14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 13 and the output data from the GPS receiver 17 .
- the produced positional information data represent the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle.
- the positional information generator 14 can output the produced positional information data to the controller 12 .
- the memory 15 stores information representing the telephone numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receiving centers, the registration number of the related vehicle, and the registrant.
- the memory 15 can be accessed by the controller 12 .
- the microphone 5 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle).
- the microphone 5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit 16 .
- the handsfree system circuit 16 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to the volume control circuit 18 A.
- the volume control circuit 18 A can subject the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 16 to volume control.
- the volume control circuit 18 A can output the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker 6 .
- the volume control circuit 18 A is controlled by the controller 12 .
- the loudspeaker 6 converts the output audio signal of the volume control circuit 18 A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user.
- the handsfree system circuit 16 can transmit and receive voice information to and from the communication device 11 .
- the handsfree system circuit 16 cooperates with the microphone 5 , the loudspeaker 6 , the communication device 11 , and the volume control circuit 18 A, thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party.
- the handsfree system circuit 16 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function.
- the volume control circuit 18 A operates to make constant the output level at the loudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input signal. In other words, the volume control circuit 18 A acts to hold the loudspeaker output sound level at a constant level.
- the constant level may be equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
- the volume control circuit 18 A includes, for example, an AGC (automatic gain control) circuit.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 1 operates as follows.
- the trigger button 3 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle).
- the depression of the trigger button 3 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to the controller 12 .
- the controller 12 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, the controller 12 starts a process of reporting an emergency.
- the controller 12 outputs a signal to the positional information generator 14 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle).
- the positional information generator 14 gets the current positional information. Then, the positional information generator 14 feeds the current positional information to the controller 12 .
- the positional information generator 14 receives the output data from the gyro sensor 13 . In addition, the positional information generator 14 receives the output data from the GPS receiver 17 . The positional information generator 14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 13 and the output data from the GPS receiver 17 . The produced positional information data represent the current position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related vehicle. The positional information generator 14 outputs the produced positional information data to the controller 12 as the current positional information.
- the controller 12 reads out information of a destination telephone number from the memory 15 .
- the designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center).
- the controller 12 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to the communication device 11 .
- the controller 12 requires the communication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 11 generates the radio call signal.
- the radio call signal contains a dial signal.
- the radio call signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio call signal propagates to a base station.
- the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal.
- the received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11 .
- the communication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, the communication device 11 changes to the data communication mode of operation.
- the communication device 11 informs the controller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller 12 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established.
- the controller 12 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, the controller 12 feeds the current positional information to the communication device 11 .
- the controller 12 requires the communication device 11 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, the communication device 11 generates the radio data signal.
- the radio data signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio data signal propagates to the base station.
- the corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. In this way, the current positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center) on a data communication basis.
- the controller 12 operates to allow two-way speech communication.
- an audio signal representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 2 receives the radio speech signal.
- the received radio speech signal is fed from the communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11 .
- the communication device 11 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal.
- the communication device 11 is controlled by the controller 12 , outputting the received audio signal to the handsfree system circuit 16 .
- the received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center).
- the handsfree system circuit 16 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process.
- the handsfree system circuit 16 outputs the resultant audio signal to the volume control circuit 18 A.
- the volume control circuit 18 A is controlled by the controller 12 , subjecting the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 16 to volume control to make the resultant audio level constant.
- the volume control circuit 18 A processes the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 16 into an audio signal having a constant amplitude.
- the constant amplitude may be equal to or greater than a predetermined amplitude.
- the volume control circuit 18 A outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker 6 .
- the loudspeaker 6 converts the output audio signal of the volume control circuit 18 A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle).
- the microphone 5 picks up voice of the user.
- the microphone 5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit 16 .
- the handsfree system circuit 16 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process.
- the handsfree system circuit 16 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to the communication device 11 .
- the communication device 11 is controlled by the controller 12 , generating a radio speech signal corresonding to the output audio signal from the handsfree system circuit 16 .
- the radio speech signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio speech signal propagates to the base station.
- the corresponding speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party.
- the volume control circuit 18 A makes constant the output level at the loudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input audio signal.
- the constant level at which the loudness (volume) of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6 is controlled is preset so that reproduced operator's voice can be surely heard by the user.
- the constant level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the controller 12 .
- a first step 51 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, the step 51 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program advances from the step 51 to a step 53 .
- the step 53 requires the positional information generator 14 to provide current positional information. Then, the step 53 receives the current positional information therefrom.
- a step 54 subsequent to the step 53 reads out information of a destination telephone number from the memory 14 .
- the designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center).
- a step 55 following the step 54 informs the communication device 11 of the destination telephone number.
- a step 56 subsequent to the step 55 controls the communication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the radio call signal is transmitted from the communication device 11 to a base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the program advances to a step 57 .
- the step 57 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from the communication device 11 .
- the connection-related information is generated by the communication device 11 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party in response to the call signal.
- the step 57 is repeated.
- the program advances from the step 57 to a step 58 .
- the step 158 implements data communication. Specifically, the step 58 feeds the current positional information to the communication device 11 . The step 58 controls the communication device 11 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party.
- a step 59 following the step 58 controls the communication device 11 to allow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center).
- the step 59 controls the volume control circuit 18 A to execute the volume control on the output sound level at the loudspeaker 6 .
- FIG. 3 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a second embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 includes a controller 12 B and a volume control circuit 18 B which replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18 A (see FIG. 1 ) respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 futher includes a volume adjustment button 19 connected to the controller 12 B.
- the volume adjustment button 19 may be replaced by a volume adjustment dial or a volume adjustment switch.
- a desired volume (desired sound level or desired loudness) can be set by actuating the volume adjustment button 19 .
- the volume adjustment button 19 outputs a signal representative of a desired volume to the controller 12 B when being actuated.
- the desired volume can be changed by operating the volume adjustment button 19 .
- the controller 12 B can store the desired volume signal to a memory 15 .
- the controller 12 B adjusts the volume control circuit 18 B in response to the desired volume signal to equalize an actual output sound level to the desired volume.
- the controller 12 B receives the desired volume signal from the volume adjustment button 19 or the memory 15 .
- the controller 12 B adjusts the volume control circuit 18 B to equalize an actual output sound level to a predetermined constant level regardless of the desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from the predetermined constant level by operating the volume adjustment button 19 . In this case, it is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
- the volume control circuit 18 B may be provided with a circuit for preventing an actual output sound level from being set improper as a result of volume readjustment by a user.
- the controller 12 B may monitor a resistance variation or a voltage variation caused by operation of the volume adjustment button 19 . In this case, the controller 12 B decides whether or not the monitored variation exceeds a predetermined reference variation. When the monitored variation is equal to or less than the reference variation, the controller 12 B outputs a signal to the volume control circuit 18 B which inhibits volume change. On the other hand, when the monitored variation exceeds the reference variation, the controller 12 B outputs a signal to the volume control circuit 18 B which allows volume change.
- FIG. 4 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a third embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 4 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 4 includes a controller 12 C and a volume control circuit 18 C which replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18 A (see FIG. 1 ) respectively.
- the controller 12 C is connected to a microphone 5 .
- the microphone 5 outputs a signal having components which correspond to background sound noise interfering with a user.
- An input/output port of the controller 12 C includes an A/D converter (analog-to-digital converter) for changing the output signal of the microphone 5 into a corresponding digital signal.
- the controller 12 C detects a background noise level in response to the output signal of the microphone 5 .
- the controller 12 C can adjust the volume control circuit 18 C to change a constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by the volume control circuit 18 C. Specifically, the controller 12 C changes the constant level in response to the detected background noise level. In more detail, the controller 12 C increases the constant level as the detected background noise level rises.
- the controller 12 C operates to provide a large constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by the volume control circuit 18 C. Therefore, operator's voice reproduced from a loudspeaker 6 can be more surely heard by the user.
- the third embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 .
- an actual output sound level is held to a constant level which is determined in accordance with the detected background noise level, and which is independent of the desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from the previously-indicated constant level by operating a volume adjustment button. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
- FIG. 5 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 includes a controller 12 D and a volume control circuit 18 D which replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18 A (see FIG. 1 ) respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 futher includes a volume control signal extractor 20 .
- the volume control signal extractor 20 is connected to a communication device 11 and the controller 12 D.
- the center transmits a radio signal containing a volume control signal.
- the communication device 11 subjects a received radio signal to demodulation, and outputs a resultant baseband signal to a handsfree system circuit 16 and the volume control signal extractor 20 .
- the device 20 extracts the volume control signal from the output signal of the communication device 11 .
- the device 20 feeds the volume control signal to the controller 12 D.
- the controller 12 D adjusts the volume control circuit 18 D in response to the volume control signal.
- the controller 12 D operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by a loudspeaker 6 in response to the volume control signal.
- the controller 12 D adjusts the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, the emergency report receiving center (or the police station) can adjust the loudness of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6 .
- the fourth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 .
- an actual output sound level is determined by the volume control signal.
- operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
- FIG. 6 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 includes a controller 12 E and a volume control circuit 18 E which replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18 A (see FIG. 1 ) respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 futher includes an interface 21 for connection with an external device.
- the controller 12 E is connected to the interface 21 .
- the external device generates a volume control signal.
- the volume control signal is transmitted from the external device to the controller 12 E via the interface 21 .
- the controller 12 E adjusts the volume control circuit 18 E in response to the volume control signal.
- the controller 12 E operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by a loudspeaker 6 in response to the volume control signal.
- the controller 12 E adjusts the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, the external device can adjust the loudness of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6 .
- the fifth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 .
- an actual output sound level is determined by the volume control signal.
- operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
- the volume control signal may be contained in a communication signal transmitted from the external device.
- Examples of the communication signal are an asynchronous serial signal, a synchronous serial signal, a parallel signal, a LAN communication signal of an IE-BUS type or an ARCNET type, an infrared signal, a wireless signal, and a radio signal.
- the synchronous serial signal uses a synchronizing signal such as a frame signal or a clock signal.
- the parallel signal is a bus communication signal.
- An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotive vehicles) respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatuses are terminal apparatuses.
- the emergency reporting network system also includes a police station or an emergency report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus.
- the emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
- FIG. 7 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a sixth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle.
- the emergency reporting apparatus includes a terminal device 101 , a communication antenna 102 , a trigger button 103 , a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 104 , a microphone 105 , and a loudspeaker 106 .
- the terminal device 101 is connected to the communication antenna 102 , the trigger button 103 , the GPS antenna 104 , the microphone 105 , and the loudspeaker 106 .
- the terminal device 101 includes a communication device 111 , a controller 112 , a gyro sensor 113 , a positional information generator 114 , a memory 115 , a handsfree system circuit 116 , and a GPS receiver 117 .
- the communication device 111 is connected to the communication antenna 102 , the controller 112 , and the handsfree system circuit 116 .
- the controller 112 is connected to the trigger button 103 , the positional information generator 114 , and the memory 115 .
- the gyro sensor 113 is connected to the positional information generator 114 .
- the GPS receiver 117 is connected to the GPS antenna 104 and the positional information generator 114 .
- the handsfree system circuit 116 is connected to the microphone 105 and the loudspeaker 106 .
- the trigger button 103 includes a manually-operated button which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle. When the trigger button 103 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button 103 to the controller 112 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
- the GPS antenna 104 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites.
- the GPS antenna 104 feeds the received GPS signals to the GPS receiver 117 .
- the communication device 111 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by the controller 112 .
- the communication device 111 can output and feed a radio signal to the communication antenna 102 .
- the radio signal is radiated by the communication antenna 102 .
- the radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network.
- the communication antenna 102 can receive a radio signal from the base station.
- the received radio signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111 . In this way, the communication device 111 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis.
- the communication device 111 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from the controller 112 . Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, the communication device 111 generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the radio call signal contains a dial signal.
- the radio call signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio call signal propagates to a base station.
- the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal.
- the received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111 .
- the communication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, the communication device 111 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, the communication device 111 informs the controller 112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established.
- the communication device 111 can receive, from the controller 112 , positional information data representing the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication mode of operation, the communication device 111 transmits the positional information data to the communication opposite party via the base station.
- the communication opposite party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report receiving center.
- the communication device 111 allows two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party via the base station.
- the controller 112 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM.
- the controller 112 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
- the gyro sensor 113 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle.
- the gyro sensor 113 outputs the generated data to the positional information generator 114 .
- the GPS receiver 117 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna 104 .
- the GPS receiver 117 outputs the generated data to the positional information generator 114 .
- the positional information generator 114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 113 and the output data from the GPS receiver 117 .
- the produced positional information data represent the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle.
- the positional information generator 114 can output the produced positional information data to the controller 112 .
- the memory 115 stores information representing the telephone numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receiving centers, the registration number of the related vehicle, and the registrant.
- the memory 115 can be accessed by the controller 112 .
- the microphone 105 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle).
- the microphone 105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit 116 .
- the handsfree system circuit 116 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to the loudspeaker 106 .
- the loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user.
- the handsfree system circuit 116 can transmit and receive voice information to and from the communication device 111 .
- the handsfree system circuit 116 cooperates with the microphone 105 , the loudspeaker 106 , and the communication device 111 , thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party.
- the handsfree system circuit 116 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function.
- the loudspeaker 106 uses a loudspeaker in a vehicular audio system.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 does not have any exclusive loudspeaker which would occupy a corresponding space in the related vehicle.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 operates as follows.
- the trigger button 103 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle).
- the depression of the trigger button 103 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to the controller 112 .
- the controller 112 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, the controller 112 starts a process of reporting an emergency.
- the controller 112 outputs a signal to the positional information generator 114 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle).
- the positional information generator 114 gets the current positional information. Then, the positional information generator 114 feeds the current positional information to the controller 112 .
- the positional information generator 114 receives the output data from the gyro sensor 113 . In addition, the positional information generator 114 receives the output data from the GPS receiver 117 . The positional information generator 114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 113 and the output data from the GPS receiver 117 . The produced positional information data represent the current position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related vehicle. The positional information generator 114 outputs the produced positional information data to the controller 112 as the current positional information.
- the controller 112 reads out information of a destination telephone number from the memory 115 .
- the designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center).
- the controller 112 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to the communication device 111 .
- the controller 112 requires the communication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 111 generates the radio call signal.
- the radio call signal contains a dial signal.
- the radio call signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio call signal propagates to a base station.
- the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal.
- the received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111 .
- the communication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, the communication device 111 changes to the data communication mode of operation.
- the communication device 111 informs the controller 112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller 112 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established.
- the controller 112 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, the controller 112 feeds the current positional information to the communication device 111 .
- the controller 112 requires the communication device 111 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, the communication device 111 generates the radio data signal.
- the radio data signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio data signal propagates to the base station.
- the corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. In this way, the current positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center) on a data communication basis.
- the controller 112 operates to allow two-way speech communication.
- an audio signal representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.
- the corresponding radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station.
- the communication antenna 102 receives the radio speech signal.
- the received radio speech signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111 .
- the communication device 111 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal.
- the communication device 111 is controlled by the controller 112 , outputting the received audio signal to the handsfree system circuit 116 .
- the received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center).
- the handsfree system circuit 116 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process.
- the handsfree system circuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker 106 .
- the loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of the handsfee system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle).
- the microphone 105 picks up voice of the user.
- the microphone 105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit 116 .
- the handsfree system circuit 116 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process.
- the handsfree system circuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to the communication device 111 .
- the communication device 111 is controlled by the controller 112 , generating a corresponding radio speech signal.
- the radio speech signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby.
- the radio speech signal propagates to the base station.
- the corresponding speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the controller 112 .
- a first step 251 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received.
- the step 251 is repeated.
- the program advances from the step 251 to a step 253 .
- the step 253 requires the positional information generator 114 to provide current positional information. Then, the step 253 receives the current positional information therefrom.
- a step 254 subsequent to the step 253 reads out information of a destination telephone number from the memory 114 .
- the designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center).
- a step 255 following the step 254 informs the communication device 111 of the destination telephone number.
- a step 256 subsequent to the step 255 controls the communication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the radio call signal is transmitted from the communication device 111 to a base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
- the program advances to a step 257 .
- the step 257 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from the communication device 111 .
- the connection-related information is generated by the communication device 111 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party in response to the call signal.
- the step 257 is repeated.
- the program advances from the step 257 to a step 258 .
- the step 258 implements data communication. Specifically, the step 258 feeds the current positional information to the communication device 111 . The step 258 controls the communication device 111 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party.
- a step 259 following the step 258 controls the communication device 111 to allow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). After the step 259 , the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.
- FIG. 9 shows an automotive vehicle 151 on which the emergency reporting apparatus of FIG. 7 is mounted.
- the automotive vehicle 151 has a right front door D 1 , a right rear door D 2 , a left front door D 3 , and a left rear door D 4 .
- the automotive vehicle 151 also has a rear seat 152 .
- the automotive vehicle 151 is equipped with a vehicular audio system having loudspeakers 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , 106 d , 106 e , and 106 f .
- the loudspeakers 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , and 106 d are located in the doors D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , and D 4 respectively.
- the loudspeakers 106 e and 106 f are located in right and left portions of the rear seat 152 , respectively.
- the loudspeaker 106 in FIG. 7 uses one of the audio-system loudspeakers 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , 106 d , 106 e , and 106 f.
- a seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 a which is located in the right front door D 1 .
- An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 c which is located in the left front door D 3 .
- a ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 b which is located in the right rear door D 2 .
- a tenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 d which is located in the left rear door D 4 .
- An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 e which is located in the right portion of the rear seat 152 .
- a twelfth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 f which is located in the left portion of the rear seat 152 .
- FIG. 10 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 10 is similar to that in FIG. 7 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 10 includes loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q which replace the loudspeaker 106 (see FIG. 7 ).
- the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q use first one and second one of audio-system loudspeakers 106 a , 106 b , 106 c , 106 d , 106 e , and 106 f (see FIG. 9 ), respectively.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 10 includes a switch circuit 118 connected to the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q and a handsfree system circuit 116 .
- the switch circuit 118 selects one of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q, and transmits an audio signal from the handsfree system circuit 118 to the selected loudspeaker.
- the selected loudspeaker converts the audio signal into corresponding sound which can be heard by a user.
- the switch circuit 118 may include a manually-operated switch.
- the switch circuit 118 is controlled to select the other loudspeaker. Accordingly, during two-way speech communication between the user of the apparatus and an operator in an emergency report receiving center (or a police station), the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the selected loudspeaker, that is, the normal loudspeaker.
- the switch circuit 118 may include a section for automatically detecting whether each of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q is normal or wrong. In this case, when one of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q is detected to be wrong, the switch circuit 118 selects the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
- FIG. 11 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 is similar to that in FIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 includes controller 112 A and a switch circuit 118 A which replace the controller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10 ) respectively.
- the controller 112 A is connected to the switch circuit 118 A.
- the switch circuit 118 A can be controlled by the controller 112 A.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 also includes sensors 119 P and 119 Q.
- the sensors 119 P and 119 Q are associated with loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the sensors 119 P and 119 Q are connected to the controller 112 A.
- the sensor 119 P detects a condition of the loudspeaker 106 P, for example, the input imedance of the loudspeaker 106 P or the level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 P.
- the sensor 119 P outputs a signal to the controller 112 A which represents the detected condition of the loudspeaker 106 P.
- the sensor 119 Q detects a condition of the loudspeaker 106 Q, for example, the input imedance of the loudspeaker 106 Q or the level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 Q.
- the sensor 119 Q outputs a signal to the controller 112 A which represents the detected condition of the loudspeaker 106 Q.
- the controller 112 A periodically decides whether each of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q is normal or wrong on the basis of the output signals from the sensors 119 P and 119 Q. In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q is decided to be wrong, the controller 112 A controls the switch circuit 118 A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, the switch circuit 118 A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
- FIG. 12 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 is similar to that in FIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 includes controller 112 B and a switch circuit 118 A which replace the controller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10 ) respectively.
- the controller 112 B is connected to the switch circuit 118 A.
- the switch circuit 118 A can be controlled by the controller 112 B.
- the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 also includes an operation unit 107 which can be accessed by a user.
- the operation unit 107 is connected to the controller 112 B.
- the operation unit 107 outputs a loudspeaker change requirement signal to the controller 112 B when being operated.
- the operation unit 107 may include a manually-operated switch.
- the operation unit 107 is actuated by the user so that a loudspeaker change requirement signal is fed to the controller 112 B.
- the controller 112 B controls the switch circuit 118 A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
- the switch circuit 118 A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
- a sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for design changes mentioned hereinafter.
- an emergency report receiving center or a police station
- the DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal.
- the communication device 111 includes a DTMF receiver which recovers the DTMF control signal.
- the communication device 111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the recovered DTMF control signal.
- the emergency report receiving center transmits a DTMF control signal to the communication device 111 .
- the DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal.
- the communication device 111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the DTMF control signal.
- the communication device 111 outputs the loudspeaker change requirement signal to a controller 112 B.
- the controller 112 B controls a switch circuit 118 A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
- the switch circuit 118 A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
- a seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal outputted by a controller 112 B.
- An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D 2 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D 2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-first embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-second embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-third embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D 2 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D 2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D 1 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D 4 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change.
- a switch circuit 118 A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D 2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D 3 (see FIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112 B.
- a twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design changes.
- the twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the levels of sounds generated by loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the sensors are connected to a controller 112 B.
- the sensors output signals to the controller 112 B which represent the detected levels of sounds generated by the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the controller 112 B is informed of the detected levels of sounds generated by the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the controller 112 B compares the detected level of sound generated by each of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q with a predetermined reference level. When the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 P is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 P is normal. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 Q is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 Q is normal. When the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 P is lower than the reference level, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106 Q is lower than the reference level, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 Q is wrong.
- the controller 112 B controls the switch circuit 118 A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
- the switch circuit 118 A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
- a thirtieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12 ) except for the following design changes.
- the thirtieth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the impedances (the input impedances) of loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the sensors are connected to a controller 112 B.
- the sensors output signals to the controller 112 B which represent the detected impedances of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the controller 112 B is informed of the detected impedances of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q respectively.
- the controller 112 B decides whether or not the detected impedance of each of the loudspeakers 106 P and 106 Q exists in a predetermined reference range (a predetermined normal-impedance range). When the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106 P exists in the reference range, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 P is normal. Similarly, when the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106 Q exists in the reference range, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 Q is normal. When the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106 P exists outside the reference range, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106 Q exists outside the reference range, the controller 112 B decides that the loudspeaker 106 Q is wrong.
- a predetermined reference range a predetermined normal-impedance range
- the controller 112 B controls the switch circuit 118 A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
- the switch circuit 118 A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Alarm Systems (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
Abstract
An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a handsfree system circuit. Handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center is allowed via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit. A volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker operates for controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher. The volume control circuit may control the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and may inhibit a user from changing the volume level.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to an emergency reporting network system for vehicles such as automotive vehicles. This invention also relates to a terminal apparatus used in an emergency reporting network system. In addition, this invention relates to a method of reporting an emergency.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A conventional emergency communication apparatus for a vehicle is started when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After the start, the conventional apparatus tries to connect with a police station or an emergency report receiving center via a mobile telephone network. When connection has been established, the conventional apparatus allows speech communication between a user of the apparatus and an operator in the police station or the emergency report receiving center.
- It is known to provide a vehicular emergency communication apparatus with a handsfree system circuit which allows handsfree speech communication between a user of the apparatus and an operator in a police station or an emergency report receiving center. In such a known apparatus, it is possible for the user to adjust the volume (the loudness) of sound generated from a loudspeaker used by the handsfree system circuit. Therefore, if the volume level is erroneously preset to a minimum, the user can not hear reproduced operator's voice during handsfree speech communication. In the known apparatus, the loudspeaker is designed for the exclusive use of the handsfree system circuit. The exclusive loudspeaker occupies a corresponding space in a related vehicle.
- Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-20578 discloses a present position emergency informing device mounted on an automobile. The emergency informing device in Japanese application 5-20578 includes a crash sensor, a position detector, and an automobile telephone. When the automobile causes a crash, the crash sensor detects a related impact force. At the same time as the moment of detection of the impact force, the position detector is operated. Subsequently, an emergency section such as police is automatically contacted through the automobile telephone. Then, the accident and the position where the accident occurs are automatically notified to the emergency section.
- Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-5626 discloses a navigation system which is designed so that data of emergency numbers fed from a CD-ROM, and its own position data of a vehicle estimated by means of a location device are stored in a FIFO memory. In addition, voices produced in the vehicle are stored in a voice storing device, and personal information about the driver of the vehicle and his fellow passengers is stored in an ID card device. In the navigation system of Japanese application 5-5626, the occurrence of an accident is detected by comparing a change in the signal of an acceleration sensor with a predetermined change in accident-caused impact acceleration. Upon detection of the occurrence of an accident, the information is outputted from the FIFO memory, the voice storing device, and the ID card device to an external via a communication unit.
- It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved emergency reporting network system.
- It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved terminal apparatus in an emergency reporting network system.
- It is a third object of this invention to provie an improved method of reporting an emergency.
- A first aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle. The emergency reporting apparatus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher.
- A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and inhibits a user from changing the volume level.
- A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit comprises means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.
- A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume control circuit comprises first means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, second means for allowing a user to change the volume level after the first means controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving out of a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via the second means.
- A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for detecting a level of background sound noise inputted via the microphone, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the detected level of background sound noise.
- A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for receiving a volume level control signal from the emergency report receiving center, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received volume level control signal.
- A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for receiving a volume level control signal from an external device, and means for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received volume level control signal.
- An eighth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting network system comprising emergency report receiving center; a communication network; and emergency reporting apparatuses connectable with the emergency report receiving center via the communication network; wherein each of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting apparatus of one of the first to seventh aspects of this invention.
- A ninth aspect of this invention provides a method of reporting an emergency in a vehicle including an audio system. The method comprises the steps of allowing handsfree speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via a microphone and a loudspeaker; and using a loudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein one of an audio-system loudspeakers located in a right front door, a right rear door, a left front door, a left rear door, a right portion of a rear seat, and a left portion of the rear seat of the vehicle is used as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof, and provides a method further comprising the step of, in cases where the loudspeaker of the audio system is wrong, replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system and thereby using another loudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to user's manual operation.
- A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal transmitted from the emergency report receiving center.
- A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the thirteenth aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein a DTMF signal is used as the loudspeaker change requirement signal.
- A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the steps of detecting a level of sound generated by the loudspeaker of the audio system, and replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to the detected sound level.
- A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises the steps of detecting an impedance of the loudspeaker of the audio system, deciding whether the loudspeaker of the audio system is normal or wrong in response to the detected impedance of the loudspeaker, and replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system when the loudspeaker of the audio system is decided to be wrong.
- A seventeenth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle including an audio system. The emergency reporting appratus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; and means for allowing handsfree speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; wherein the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker uses a loudspeaker of the audio system.
- An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the seventeenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising means for selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
- A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighteenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the selecting means comprises a unit manually operable by a user, and means for selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker in response to manual operation of the unit by the user.
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a top view of an automotive vehicle on which the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 7 is mounted. -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention. - An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotive vehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatuses are terminal apparatuses. The emergency reporting network system also includes a police station or an emergency report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus. The emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
-
FIG. 1 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a first embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the emergency reporting apparatus includes a terminal device 1, acommunication antenna 2, a trigger button 3, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 4, amicrophone 5, and aloudspeaker 6. The terminal device 1 is connected to thecommunication antenna 2, the trigger button 3, the GPS antenna 4, themicrophone 5, and theloudspeaker 6. - The terminal device 1 includes a
communication device 11, acontroller 12, agyro sensor 13, apositional information generator 14, amemory 15, ahandsfree system circuit 16, aGPS receiver 17, and avolume control circuit 18A. Thecommunication device 111 is connected to thecommunication antenna 2, thecontroller 12, and thehandsfree system circuit 16. Thecontroller 12 is connected to the trigger button 3, thepositional information generator 14, thememory 15, and thevolume control circuit 18A. Thegyro sensor 13 is connected to thepositional information generator 14. TheGPS receiver 17 is connected to the GPS antenna 4 and thepositional information generator 14. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 is connected to themicrophone 5 and thevolume control circuit 18A. Thevolume control circuit 18A is connected to theloudspeaker 6. - The trigger button 3 includes a manually-operated button which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle. When the trigger button 3 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button 3 to the
controller 12 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal. - The GPS antenna 4 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. The GPS antenna 4 feeds the received GPS signals to the
GPS receiver 17. - The
communication device 11 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by thecontroller 12. Thecommunication device 11 can output and feed a radio signal to thecommunication antenna 2. The radio signal is radiated by thecommunication antenna 2. The radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network. Thecommunication antenna 2 can receive a radio signal from the base station. The received radio signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 2 to thecommunication device 11. In this way, thecommunication device 11 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis. - The
communication device 11 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from thecontroller 12. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, thecommunication device 11 generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 11 to thecommunication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 2 to thecommunication device 11. Thecommunication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device 11 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device 11 informs thecontroller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. - The
communication device 11 can receive, from thecontroller 12, positional information data representing the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication mode of operation, thecommunication device 11 transmits the positional information data to the communication opposite party via the base station. The communication opposite party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report receiving center. During the speech communication mode of operation, thecommunication device 11 allows two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party via the base station. - The
controller 12 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM. Thecontroller 12 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. - The
gyro sensor 13 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor 13 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator 14. TheGPS receiver 17 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna 4. TheGPS receiver 17 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator 14. Thepositional information generator 14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor 13 and the output data from theGPS receiver 17. The produced positional information data represent the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thepositional information generator 14 can output the produced positional information data to thecontroller 12. - The
memory 15 stores information representing the telephone numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receiving centers, the registration number of the related vehicle, and the registrant. Thememory 15 can be accessed by thecontroller 12. - The
microphone 5 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). Themicrophone 5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit 16. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to thevolume control circuit 18A. Thevolume control circuit 18A can subject the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit 16 to volume control. Thevolume control circuit 18A can output the resultant audio signal to theloudspeaker 6. Thevolume control circuit 18A is controlled by thecontroller 12. Theloudspeaker 6 converts the output audio signal of thevolume control circuit 18A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 can transmit and receive voice information to and from thecommunication device 11. - The
handsfree system circuit 16 cooperates with themicrophone 5, theloudspeaker 6, thecommunication device 11, and thevolume control circuit 18A, thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function. Thevolume control circuit 18A operates to make constant the output level at theloudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input signal. In other words, thevolume control circuit 18A acts to hold the loudspeaker output sound level at a constant level. The constant level may be equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Thevolume control circuit 18A includes, for example, an AGC (automatic gain control) circuit. - The emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 1 operates as follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, the trigger button 3 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of the trigger button 3 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to thecontroller 12. Thecontroller 12 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, thecontroller 12 starts a process of reporting an emergency. - During the emergency reporting process, the
controller 12 outputs a signal to thepositional information generator 14 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output signal from thecontroller 12, thepositional information generator 14 gets the current positional information. Then, thepositional information generator 14 feeds the current positional information to thecontroller 12. - Specifically, the
positional information generator 14 receives the output data from thegyro sensor 13. In addition, thepositional information generator 14 receives the output data from theGPS receiver 17. Thepositional information generator 14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor 13 and the output data from theGPS receiver 17. The produced positional information data represent the current position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related vehicle. Thepositional information generator 14 outputs the produced positional information data to thecontroller 12 as the current positional information. - During the emergency reporting process, the
controller 12 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory 15. The designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center). Thecontroller 12 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to thecommunication device 11. Thecontroller 12 requires thecommunication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, thecommunication device 11 generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 11 to thecommunication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 2 to thecommunication device 11. Thecommunication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device 11 changes to the data communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device 11 informs thecontroller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, thecontroller 12 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established. - Subsequently, the
controller 12 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, thecontroller 12 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device 11. Thecontroller 12 requires thecommunication device 11 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, thecommunication device 11 generates the radio data signal. The radio data signal is fed from thecommunication device 11 to thecommunication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio data signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. In this way, the current positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center) on a data communication basis. After the data communication has been completed, thecontroller 12 operates to allow two-way speech communication. - During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station. The
communication antenna 2 receives the radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 2 to thecommunication device 11. Thecommunication device 11 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal. Thecommunication device 11 is controlled by thecontroller 12, outputting the received audio signal to thehandsfree system circuit 16. The received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). Thehandsfree system circuit 16 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 outputs the resultant audio signal to thevolume control circuit 18A. Thevolume control circuit 18A is controlled by thecontroller 12, subjecting the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit 16 to volume control to make the resultant audio level constant. In other words, thevolume control circuit 18A processes the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit 16 into an audio signal having a constant amplitude. The constant amplitude may be equal to or greater than a predetermined amplitude. Thevolume control circuit 18A outputs the resultant audio signal to theloudspeaker 6. Theloudspeaker 6 converts the output audio signal of thevolume control circuit 18A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle). - During the two-way speech communication, the
microphone 5 picks up voice of the user. Themicrophone 5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit 16. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit 16 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to thecommunication device 11. Thecommunication device 11 is controlled by thecontroller 12, generating a radio speech signal corresonding to the output audio signal from thehandsfree system circuit 16. The radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication device 11 to thecommunication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio speech signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. Thus, two-way speech communication is implemented between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). - As previously mentioned, during the two-way speech communication, the
volume control circuit 18A makes constant the output level at theloudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input audio signal. Preferably, the constant level at which the loudness (volume) of sound produced by theloudspeaker 6 is controlled is preset so that reproduced operator's voice can be surely heard by the user. The constant level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. -
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for thecontroller 12. As shown inFIG. 2 , afirst step 51 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, thestep 51 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program advances from thestep 51 to astep 53. - The
step 53 requires thepositional information generator 14 to provide current positional information. Then, thestep 53 receives the current positional information therefrom. - A
step 54 subsequent to thestep 53 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory 14. The designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center). - A
step 55 following thestep 54 informs thecommunication device 11 of the destination telephone number. - A
step 56 subsequent to thestep 55 controls thecommunication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. As previously mentioned, the radio call signal is transmitted from thecommunication device 11 to a base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. After thestep 56, the program advances to astep 57. - The
step 57 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from thecommunication device 11. The connection-related information is generated by thecommunication device 11 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party in response to the call signal. When connection with the communication opposite party has not yet been established, thestep 57 is repeated. On the other hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has been established, the program advances from thestep 57 to astep 58. - The step 158 implements data communication. Specifically, the
step 58 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device 11. Thestep 58 controls thecommunication device 11 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party. - A
step 59 following thestep 58 controls thecommunication device 11 to allow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). In addition, thestep 59 controls thevolume control circuit 18A to execute the volume control on the output sound level at theloudspeaker 6. After thestep 59, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends. -
FIG. 3 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a second embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 includes acontroller 12B and avolume control circuit 18B which replace thecontroller 12 and thevolume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1 ) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 futher includes avolume adjustment button 19 connected to thecontroller 12B. Thevolume adjustment button 19 may be replaced by a volume adjustment dial or a volume adjustment switch. - A desired volume (desired sound level or desired loudness) can be set by actuating the
volume adjustment button 19. Thevolume adjustment button 19 outputs a signal representative of a desired volume to thecontroller 12B when being actuated. The desired volume can be changed by operating thevolume adjustment button 19. Thecontroller 12B can store the desired volume signal to amemory 15. - During operation except speech communication to report an emergency, the
controller 12B adjusts thevolume control circuit 18B in response to the desired volume signal to equalize an actual output sound level to the desired volume. In this case, thecontroller 12B receives the desired volume signal from thevolume adjustment button 19 or thememory 15. - When reporting an emergency is required, the
controller 12B adjusts thevolume control circuit 18B to equalize an actual output sound level to a predetermined constant level regardless of the desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from the predetermined constant level by operating thevolume adjustment button 19. In this case, it is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level. - The
volume control circuit 18B may be provided with a circuit for preventing an actual output sound level from being set improper as a result of volume readjustment by a user. - The
controller 12B may monitor a resistance variation or a voltage variation caused by operation of thevolume adjustment button 19. In this case, thecontroller 12B decides whether or not the monitored variation exceeds a predetermined reference variation. When the monitored variation is equal to or less than the reference variation, thecontroller 12B outputs a signal to thevolume control circuit 18B which inhibits volume change. On the other hand, when the monitored variation exceeds the reference variation, thecontroller 12B outputs a signal to thevolume control circuit 18B which allows volume change. -
FIG. 4 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a third embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 4 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 4 includes acontroller 12C and avolume control circuit 18C which replace thecontroller 12 and thevolume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1 ) respectively. Thecontroller 12C is connected to amicrophone 5. - The
microphone 5 outputs a signal having components which correspond to background sound noise interfering with a user. An input/output port of thecontroller 12C includes an A/D converter (analog-to-digital converter) for changing the output signal of themicrophone 5 into a corresponding digital signal. Thecontroller 12C detects a background noise level in response to the output signal of themicrophone 5. Thecontroller 12C can adjust thevolume control circuit 18C to change a constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by thevolume control circuit 18C. Specifically, thecontroller 12C changes the constant level in response to the detected background noise level. In more detail, thecontroller 12C increases the constant level as the detected background noise level rises. - During two-way speech communication to report an emergency, when the detected background noise level is relatively great, the
controller 12C operates to provide a large constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by thevolume control circuit 18C. Therefore, operator's voice reproduced from aloudspeaker 6 can be more surely heard by the user. - The third embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 3 . In this case, during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound level is held to a constant level which is determined in accordance with the detected background noise level, and which is independent of the desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from the previously-indicated constant level by operating a volume adjustment button. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level. -
FIG. 5 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 includes acontroller 12D and avolume control circuit 18D which replace thecontroller 12 and thevolume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1 ) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 futher includes a volumecontrol signal extractor 20. The volumecontrol signal extractor 20 is connected to acommunication device 11 and thecontroller 12D. - During emergency reporting communication between the apparatus and an emergency report receiving center (or a police station), the center transmits a radio signal containing a volume control signal. The
communication device 11 subjects a received radio signal to demodulation, and outputs a resultant baseband signal to ahandsfree system circuit 16 and the volumecontrol signal extractor 20. Thedevice 20 extracts the volume control signal from the output signal of thecommunication device 11. Thedevice 20 feeds the volume control signal to thecontroller 12D. - The
controller 12D adjusts thevolume control circuit 18D in response to the volume control signal. Thus, thecontroller 12D operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by aloudspeaker 6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during the emergency reporting communication, thecontroller 12D adjusts the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, the emergency report receiving center (or the police station) can adjust the loudness of sound produced by theloudspeaker 6. - The fourth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 3 . In this case, during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound level is determined by the volume control signal. Thereafter, operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level. -
FIG. 6 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 includes acontroller 12E and avolume control circuit 18E which replace thecontroller 12 and thevolume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1 ) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 futher includes aninterface 21 for connection with an external device. Thecontroller 12E is connected to theinterface 21. - The external device generates a volume control signal. The volume control signal is transmitted from the external device to the
controller 12E via theinterface 21. - During emergency reporting communication between the apparatus and an emergency report receiving center (or a police station), the
controller 12E adjusts thevolume control circuit 18E in response to the volume control signal. Thus, thecontroller 12E operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by aloudspeaker 6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during the emergency reporting communication, thecontroller 12E adjusts the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, the external device can adjust the loudness of sound produced by theloudspeaker 6. - The fifth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 3 . In this case, during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound level is determined by the volume control signal. Thereafter, operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level. - The volume control signal may be contained in a communication signal transmitted from the external device. Examples of the communication signal are an asynchronous serial signal, a synchronous serial signal, a parallel signal, a LAN communication signal of an IE-BUS type or an ARCNET type, an infrared signal, a wireless signal, and a radio signal. The synchronous serial signal uses a synchronizing signal such as a frame signal or a clock signal. The parallel signal is a bus communication signal.
- An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotive vehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatuses are terminal apparatuses. The emergency reporting network system also includes a police station or an emergency report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus. The emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
-
FIG. 7 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a sixth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , the emergency reporting apparatus includes aterminal device 101, acommunication antenna 102, atrigger button 103, a GPS (Global Positioning System)antenna 104, amicrophone 105, and a loudspeaker 106. Theterminal device 101 is connected to thecommunication antenna 102, thetrigger button 103, theGPS antenna 104, themicrophone 105, and the loudspeaker 106. - The
terminal device 101 includes acommunication device 111, acontroller 112, agyro sensor 113, apositional information generator 114, amemory 115, ahandsfree system circuit 116, and aGPS receiver 117. Thecommunication device 111 is connected to thecommunication antenna 102, thecontroller 112, and thehandsfree system circuit 116. Thecontroller 112 is connected to thetrigger button 103, thepositional information generator 114, and thememory 115. Thegyro sensor 113 is connected to thepositional information generator 114. TheGPS receiver 117 is connected to theGPS antenna 104 and thepositional information generator 114. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 is connected to themicrophone 105 and the loudspeaker 106. - The
trigger button 103 includes a manually-operated button which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle. When thetrigger button 103 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from thetrigger button 103 to thecontroller 112 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal. - The
GPS antenna 104 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. TheGPS antenna 104 feeds the received GPS signals to theGPS receiver 117. - The
communication device 111 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by thecontroller 112. Thecommunication device 111 can output and feed a radio signal to thecommunication antenna 102. The radio signal is radiated by thecommunication antenna 102. The radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network. Thecommunication antenna 102 can receive a radio signal from the base station. The received radio signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 102 to thecommunication device 111. In this way, thecommunication device 111 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis. - The
communication device 111 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from thecontroller 112. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, thecommunication device 111 generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 111 to thecommunication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 102 to thecommunication device 111. Thecommunication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device 111 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device 111 informs thecontroller 112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. - The
communication device 111 can receive, from thecontroller 112, positional information data representing the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication mode of operation, thecommunication device 111 transmits the positional information data to the communication opposite party via the base station. The communication opposite party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report receiving center. During the speech communication mode of operation, thecommunication device 111 allows two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party via the base station. - The
controller 112 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM. Thecontroller 112 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. - The
gyro sensor 113 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor 113 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator 114. TheGPS receiver 117 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from theGPS antenna 104. TheGPS receiver 117 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator 114. Thepositional information generator 114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor 113 and the output data from theGPS receiver 117. The produced positional information data represent the position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thepositional information generator 114 can output the produced positional information data to thecontroller 112. - The
memory 115 stores information representing the telephone numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receiving centers, the registration number of the related vehicle, and the registrant. Thememory 115 can be accessed by thecontroller 112. - The
microphone 105 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). Themicrophone 105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit 116. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to the loudspeaker 106. The loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 can transmit and receive voice information to and from thecommunication device 111. - The
handsfree system circuit 116 cooperates with themicrophone 105, the loudspeaker 106, and thecommunication device 111, thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite party. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function. - The loudspeaker 106 uses a loudspeaker in a vehicular audio system. In other words, the emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 7 does not have any exclusive loudspeaker which would occupy a corresponding space in the related vehicle. - The emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 7 operates as follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, thetrigger button 103 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of thetrigger button 103 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to thecontroller 112. Thecontroller 112 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, thecontroller 112 starts a process of reporting an emergency. - During the emergency reporting process, the
controller 112 outputs a signal to thepositional information generator 114 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output signal from thecontroller 112, thepositional information generator 114 gets the current positional information. Then, thepositional information generator 114 feeds the current positional information to thecontroller 112. - Specifically, the
positional information generator 114 receives the output data from thegyro sensor 113. In addition, thepositional information generator 114 receives the output data from theGPS receiver 117. Thepositional information generator 114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor 113 and the output data from theGPS receiver 117. The produced positional information data represent the current position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related vehicle. Thepositional information generator 114 outputs the produced positional information data to thecontroller 112 as the current positional information. - During the emergency reporting process, the
controller 112 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory 115. The designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center). Thecontroller 112 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to thecommunication device 111. Thecontroller 112 requires thecommunication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, thecommunication device 111 generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 111 to thecommunication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 102 to thecommunication device 111. Thecommunication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device 111 changes to the data communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device 111 informs thecontroller 112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, thecontroller 112 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established. - Subsequently, the
controller 112 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, thecontroller 112 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device 111. Thecontroller 112 requires thecommunication device 111 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, thecommunication device 111 generates the radio data signal. The radio data signal is fed from thecommunication device 111 to thecommunication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio data signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. In this way, the current positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center) on a data communication basis. After the data communication has been completed, thecontroller 112 operates to allow two-way speech communication. - During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station. The
communication antenna 102 receives the radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 102 to thecommunication device 111. Thecommunication device 111 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal. Thecommunication device 111 is controlled by thecontroller 112, outputting the received audio signal to thehandsfree system circuit 116. The received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). Thehandsfree system circuit 116 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker 106. The loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of thehandsfee system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle). - During the two-way speech communication, the
microphone 105 picks up voice of the user. Themicrophone 105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit 116. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to thecommunication device 111. Thecommunication device 111 is controlled by thecontroller 112, generating a corresponding radio speech signal. The radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication device 111 to thecommunication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio speech signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. Thus, two-way speech communication is implemented between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for thecontroller 112. As shown inFIG. 8 , afirst step 251 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, thestep 251 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program advances from thestep 251 to astep 253. - The
step 253 requires thepositional information generator 114 to provide current positional information. Then, thestep 253 receives the current positional information therefrom. - A
step 254 subsequent to thestep 253 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory 114. The designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency report receiving center). - A
step 255 following thestep 254 informs thecommunication device 111 of the destination telephone number. - A
step 256 subsequent to thestep 255 controls thecommunication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. As previously mentioned, the radio call signal is transmitted from thecommunication device 111 to a base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. After thestep 256, the program advances to astep 257. - The
step 257 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from thecommunication device 111. The connection-related information is generated by thecommunication device 111 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party in response to the call signal. When connection with the communication opposite party has not yet been established, thestep 257 is repeated. On the other hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has been established, the program advances from thestep 257 to astep 258. - The
step 258 implements data communication. Specifically, thestep 258 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device 111. Thestep 258 controls thecommunication device 111 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party. - A
step 259 following thestep 258 controls thecommunication device 111 to allow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). After thestep 259, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends. -
FIG. 9 shows anautomotive vehicle 151 on which the emergency reporting apparatus ofFIG. 7 is mounted. As shown inFIG. 9 , theautomotive vehicle 151 has a right front door D1, a right rear door D2, a left front door D3, and a left rear door D4. Theautomotive vehicle 151 also has a rear seat 152. Theautomotive vehicle 151 is equipped with a vehicular audiosystem having loudspeakers loudspeakers loudspeakers FIG. 7 uses one of the audio-system loudspeakers - A seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 a which is located in the right front door D1. - An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 c which is located in the left front door D3. - A ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 b which is located in the right rear door D2. - A tenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 d which is located in the left rear door D4. - An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 e which is located in the right portion of the rear seat 152. - A twelfth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (see
FIGS. 7-9 ) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106 f which is located in the left portion of the rear seat 152. -
FIG. 10 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 is similar to that inFIG. 7 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 includesloudspeakers FIG. 7 ). Theloudspeakers system loudspeakers FIG. 9 ), respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 includes a switch circuit 118 connected to theloudspeakers handsfree system circuit 116. - The switch circuit 118 selects one of the
loudspeakers - In the case where one of the
loudspeakers - The switch circuit 118 may include a section for automatically detecting whether each of the
loudspeakers loudspeakers -
FIG. 11 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 is similar to that inFIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 includescontroller 112A and aswitch circuit 118A which replace thecontroller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (seeFIG. 10 ) respectively. Thecontroller 112A is connected to theswitch circuit 118A. Theswitch circuit 118A can be controlled by thecontroller 112A. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 also includessensors sensors loudspeakers sensors controller 112A. - The
sensor 119P detects a condition of theloudspeaker 106P, for example, the input imedance of theloudspeaker 106P or the level of sound generated by theloudspeaker 106P. Thesensor 119P outputs a signal to thecontroller 112A which represents the detected condition of theloudspeaker 106P. Thesensor 119Q detects a condition of theloudspeaker 106Q, for example, the input imedance of theloudspeaker 106Q or the level of sound generated by theloudspeaker 106Q. Thesensor 119Q outputs a signal to thecontroller 112A which represents the detected condition of theloudspeaker 106Q. - The
controller 112A periodically decides whether each of theloudspeakers sensors loudspeakers controller 112A controls theswitch circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker. -
FIG. 12 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 is similar to that inFIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 includes controller 112B and aswitch circuit 118A which replace thecontroller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (seeFIG. 10 ) respectively. The controller 112B is connected to theswitch circuit 118A. Theswitch circuit 118A can be controlled by the controller 112B. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 also includes anoperation unit 107 which can be accessed by a user. Theoperation unit 107 is connected to the controller 112B. - The
operation unit 107 outputs a loudspeaker change requirement signal to the controller 112B when being operated. Theoperation unit 107 may include a manually-operated switch. - In the case where currently-used one of
loudspeakers operation unit 107 is actuated by the user so that a loudspeaker change requirement signal is fed to the controller 112B. The controller 112B controls theswitch circuit 118A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker. - A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. In the sixteenth embodiment of this invention, an emergency report receiving center (or a police station) can transmit a DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) control signal to acommunication device 111. The DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. Thecommunication device 111 includes a DTMF receiver which recovers the DTMF control signal. Thecommunication device 111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the recovered DTMF control signal. - In the case where currently-used one of
loudspeakers communication device 111. The DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. Thecommunication device 111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the DTMF control signal. Thecommunication device 111 outputs the loudspeaker change requirement signal to a controller 112B. The controller 112B controls aswitch circuit 118A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker. - A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the seventeenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal outputted by a controller 112B. - An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the eighteenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the nineteenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twentieth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-first embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-first embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-second embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-second embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-third embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-third embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9 ) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B. - A twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design changes. The twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the levels of sounds generated byloudspeakers loudspeakers loudspeakers - The controller 112B compares the detected level of sound generated by each of the
loudspeakers loudspeaker 106P is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker 106Q is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is normal. When the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker 106P is lower than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker 106Q is lower than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is wrong. - In the case where one of the
loudspeakers switch circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker. - A thirtieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see
FIG. 12 ) except for the following design changes. The thirtieth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the impedances (the input impedances) ofloudspeakers loudspeakers loudspeakers - The controller 112B decides whether or not the detected impedance of each of the
loudspeakers loudspeaker 106P exists in the reference range, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected impedance of theloudspeaker 106Q exists in the reference range, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is normal. When the detected impedance of theloudspeaker 106P exists outside the reference range, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected impedance of theloudspeaker 106Q exists outside the reference range, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is wrong. - In the case where one of the
loudspeakers switch circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Claims (7)
1-19. (canceled)
20. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a microphone;
a loudspeaker;
a handsfree system circuit;
means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and
a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;
wherein the volume control circuit controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and inhibits a user from changing the volume level.
21. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a microphone;
a loudspeaker;
a handsfree system circuit;
means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and
a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;
wherein the volume control circuit comprises means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.
22. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a microphone;
a loudspeaker;
a handsfree system circuit;
means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and
a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;
wherein the volume control circuit comprises first means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, second means for allowing a user to change the volume level after the first means controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving out of a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via the second means.
23. An emergency reporting network system comprising:
an emergency report receiving center;
a communication network; and
emergency reporting apparatuses connectable with the emergency report receiving center via the communication network;
wherein each of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting apparatus of one of claims 20-22.
24. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a microphone
a loudspeaker
a handsfree system circuit;
means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and
a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during emergency reporting in response to a desired volume signal.
25. An emergency reporting apparatus as recited in claim 24 , further comprising means for preventing the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker from being decreased to less than the predetermined constant level.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/075,280 US20050153680A1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2005-03-09 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2665699A JP3142262B2 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-02-03 | Emergency call device and emergency call system |
JP11-26656 | 1999-02-03 | ||
JP11-36104 | 1999-02-15 | ||
JP03610499A JP3194725B2 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-02-15 | Emergency call method and emergency call system terminal equipment |
US09/492,288 US6873837B1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2000-01-27 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
US11/075,280 US20050153680A1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2005-03-09 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/492,288 Division US6873837B1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2000-01-27 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050153680A1 true US20050153680A1 (en) | 2005-07-14 |
Family
ID=26364464
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/492,288 Expired - Fee Related US6873837B1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2000-01-27 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
US11/075,280 Abandoned US20050153680A1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2005-03-09 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/492,288 Expired - Fee Related US6873837B1 (en) | 1999-02-03 | 2000-01-27 | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6873837B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100382131B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10004406A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TWM253017U (en) |
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040224701A1 (en) * | 2003-02-12 | 2004-11-11 | Lewis-Evans Jonathan P. | Wireless communication device, system and communication method |
US20050085257A1 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2005-04-21 | Laird Mark D. | Mobile emergency notification system |
US20060052120A1 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2006-03-09 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Communication terminal |
US20070042713A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Ayed Mourad B | Portable health monitoring system |
US20070067436A1 (en) * | 2005-09-16 | 2007-03-22 | Heather Vaughn | Social error prevention |
US20080143497A1 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2008-06-19 | General Motors Corporation | Vehicle Emergency Communication Mode Method and Apparatus |
WO2008109477A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-09-12 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US20090098855A1 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2009-04-16 | Cellblock Telecommunications Company, Inc. | Method and system for provisioning communication service to a mobile communication device to restrict use when operating a vehicle |
US20090110185A1 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2009-04-30 | Shinichi Yamamoto | Vehicle call device, call system, center, and calling method |
US20090215466A1 (en) * | 2008-02-22 | 2009-08-27 | Darcy Ahl | Mobile phone based system for disabling a cell phone while traveling |
US20100029270A1 (en) * | 2006-04-04 | 2010-02-04 | David John Kiddie | Mobility call management |
US20100144324A1 (en) * | 2008-09-05 | 2010-06-10 | Wright Andrew S | Bypassing enhanced services |
US20100284290A1 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2010-11-11 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Context based data mediation |
US20110117877A1 (en) * | 2009-11-14 | 2011-05-19 | Ohanes Der Ghazarian | Impact sensing mobile communication device |
US8107920B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2012-01-31 | Mourad Ben Ayed | Emergency detection and notification system |
US8224353B2 (en) | 2007-09-20 | 2012-07-17 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users |
US8761821B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2014-06-24 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US9386447B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2016-07-05 | Scott Ferrill Tibbitts | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device |
US9466205B2 (en) | 2015-02-17 | 2016-10-11 | Ohanes D. Ghazarian | Impact sensing mobile communication apparatus |
US9615213B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2017-04-04 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors |
US9699301B1 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2017-07-04 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Methods, devices and systems supporting driving and studying without distraction |
USRE47216E1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2019-01-29 | Katasi Llc | System for selective prevention of non-emergency use of an electronic device |
US11310590B2 (en) | 2018-05-02 | 2022-04-19 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Emergency reporting device in a motor vehicle |
JP7487712B2 (en) | 2021-07-05 | 2024-05-21 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Information processing device, vehicle, and information processing method |
Families Citing this family (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7127229B2 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2006-10-24 | Uniden Corporation | Emergency report cellular phone, cellular connection switching method and GPS positioning method |
DE10155550C1 (en) * | 2001-11-12 | 2003-10-02 | Harman Becker Automotive Sys | Method and emergency call device for triggering an emergency call from a vehicle |
US7039386B2 (en) * | 2002-04-18 | 2006-05-02 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Cellular base station broadcast method and system |
JP2003333132A (en) * | 2002-05-15 | 2003-11-21 | Denso Corp | Telephone equipment with emergency call function |
US7398209B2 (en) * | 2002-06-03 | 2008-07-08 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | Systems and methods for responding to natural language speech utterance |
US7693720B2 (en) * | 2002-07-15 | 2010-04-06 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | Mobile systems and methods for responding to natural language speech utterance |
US20050026568A1 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-02-03 | Hawker Larry E. | System and method of acoustically safe automatic handsfree volume adjustment |
US7469051B2 (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2008-12-23 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for maintaining audio level preferences in a communication device |
JP4260046B2 (en) * | 2004-03-03 | 2009-04-30 | アルパイン株式会社 | Speech intelligibility improving apparatus and speech intelligibility improving method |
DE102004035988A1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-02-16 | Volkswagen Ag | Emergency call system for a passenger transport system, in particular for a motor vehicle, and method for the automatic transmission of an emergency call |
DE102004040696B4 (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2007-10-31 | Siemens Ag | emergency call device |
US7508298B2 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2009-03-24 | Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. | Automatic crash notification using prerecorded messages |
WO2007004999A1 (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2007-01-11 | Agere Systems Inc. | Mobile phone comprising a personal locator beacon transmitter |
US7640160B2 (en) | 2005-08-05 | 2009-12-29 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | Systems and methods for responding to natural language speech utterance |
US7620549B2 (en) | 2005-08-10 | 2009-11-17 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method of supporting adaptive misrecognition in conversational speech |
US7949529B2 (en) | 2005-08-29 | 2011-05-24 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | Mobile systems and methods of supporting natural language human-machine interactions |
US8077028B2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2011-12-13 | Abl Ip Holding Llc | System and apparatus with self-diagnostic and emergency alert voice capabilities |
US8073681B2 (en) | 2006-10-16 | 2011-12-06 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface |
US7818176B2 (en) | 2007-02-06 | 2010-10-19 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based input |
US8548686B2 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2013-10-01 | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. | Automatic crash notification using WiMAX |
US8140335B2 (en) | 2007-12-11 | 2012-03-20 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method for providing a natural language voice user interface in an integrated voice navigation services environment |
US9305548B2 (en) | 2008-05-27 | 2016-04-05 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method for an integrated, multi-modal, multi-device natural language voice services environment |
US8589161B2 (en) * | 2008-05-27 | 2013-11-19 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method for an integrated, multi-modal, multi-device natural language voice services environment |
US8326637B2 (en) | 2009-02-20 | 2012-12-04 | Voicebox Technologies, Inc. | System and method for processing multi-modal device interactions in a natural language voice services environment |
US9171541B2 (en) | 2009-11-10 | 2015-10-27 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method for hybrid processing in a natural language voice services environment |
US9838784B2 (en) | 2009-12-02 | 2017-12-05 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Directional audio capture |
US8798290B1 (en) | 2010-04-21 | 2014-08-05 | Audience, Inc. | Systems and methods for adaptive signal equalization |
US9558755B1 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2017-01-31 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Noise suppression assisted automatic speech recognition |
US9923534B2 (en) | 2014-07-31 | 2018-03-20 | E.F. Johnson Company | Automatic volume control for land mobile radio |
DE112015004185T5 (en) | 2014-09-12 | 2017-06-01 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Systems and methods for recovering speech components |
EP3195145A4 (en) | 2014-09-16 | 2018-01-24 | VoiceBox Technologies Corporation | Voice commerce |
WO2016044321A1 (en) | 2014-09-16 | 2016-03-24 | Min Tang | Integration of domain information into state transitions of a finite state transducer for natural language processing |
US9747896B2 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2017-08-29 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method for providing follow-up responses to prior natural language inputs of a user |
US10431214B2 (en) | 2014-11-26 | 2019-10-01 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method of determining a domain and/or an action related to a natural language input |
US10614799B2 (en) | 2014-11-26 | 2020-04-07 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method of providing intent predictions for an utterance prior to a system detection of an end of the utterance |
US9668048B2 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2017-05-30 | Knowles Electronics, Llc | Contextual switching of microphones |
DE102015224327A1 (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2017-06-08 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Audio device for a vehicle and method for controlling the audio device |
US9998892B2 (en) * | 2015-12-11 | 2018-06-12 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Determining vehicle user location following a collision event |
DE102016006382A1 (en) * | 2016-05-24 | 2017-11-30 | Audi Ag | Method for operating an emergency call device for a motor vehicle and associated motor vehicle |
US10331784B2 (en) | 2016-07-29 | 2019-06-25 | Voicebox Technologies Corporation | System and method of disambiguating natural language processing requests |
JP6632043B1 (en) * | 2019-03-13 | 2020-01-15 | Necプラットフォームズ株式会社 | Telephone device and method of controlling telephone device |
DE102020201629A1 (en) | 2020-02-10 | 2021-08-12 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Emergency call system for a vehicle |
DE102022116171A1 (en) * | 2021-07-21 | 2023-01-26 | Subaru Corporation | EMERGENCY REPORTING VEHICLE, AND SERVER |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4633229A (en) * | 1982-07-12 | 1986-12-30 | Federal Signal Corporation | Electronic outdoor warning siren |
US4829565A (en) * | 1987-10-20 | 1989-05-09 | Goldberg Robert M | Telephone with background volume control |
US5361305A (en) * | 1993-11-12 | 1994-11-01 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Automated system and method for automotive audio test |
US5734315A (en) * | 1995-11-17 | 1998-03-31 | Skeen; Wayne D. | Track alert system for automobile racing |
US5736962A (en) * | 1996-02-28 | 1998-04-07 | Tendler Cellular, Inc. | Time since last fix annunciation system for GPS-based wireless rescue system |
US5890061A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1999-03-30 | Ford Motor Company | Vehicular emergency message system with call restriction defeating |
US6199045B1 (en) * | 1996-08-15 | 2001-03-06 | Spatial Adventures, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing position-related information to mobile recipients |
US6356641B1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 2002-03-12 | New Transducers Limited | Vehicular loudspeaker system |
US6359987B1 (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 2002-03-19 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Multimedia speaker detection circuit |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3678202A (en) * | 1969-11-24 | 1972-07-18 | Nelson J Rose | Loudspeaker balancing system |
US4232390A (en) * | 1977-09-01 | 1980-11-04 | Mcevilly Jr Richard V | Mobile radio vehicle control system |
JPS614821A (en) * | 1984-06-15 | 1986-01-10 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Intake device for internal-combustion engine |
US4683591A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1987-07-28 | Emhart Industries, Inc. | Proportional power demand audio amplifier control |
JPS626793A (en) * | 1985-07-03 | 1987-01-13 | Mitsubishi Metal Corp | Pb alloy powder for solder paste |
JP2573389B2 (en) * | 1990-03-23 | 1997-01-22 | 晴夫 浜田 | Electronic silencing method and device |
JPH04276900A (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 1992-10-01 | Fujitsu Ltd | Automatic broadcasting processor for emergency car traveling |
JP3058942B2 (en) | 1991-06-27 | 2000-07-04 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Navigation device |
JPH0520578A (en) | 1991-07-12 | 1993-01-29 | Max:Kk | Present position emergency informing device |
US5589818A (en) | 1993-08-27 | 1996-12-31 | Queen; Andrew | Personal response system with remotely adjustable microphone sensitivity |
US5949886A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1999-09-07 | Nevins; Ralph J. | Setting a microphone volume level |
US5659622A (en) | 1995-11-13 | 1997-08-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for suppressing noise in a communication system |
JPH09307988A (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1997-11-28 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Speaker equipment and checking device for disconnection of speaker |
JP3119182B2 (en) | 1996-12-04 | 2000-12-18 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Emergency call system |
KR19980044965A (en) * | 1996-12-09 | 1998-09-15 | 김영환 | Rescue signal transmission device and method for automobile using mobile phone repeater |
KR19980068220A (en) * | 1997-02-17 | 1998-10-15 | 정태기 | Audio output control device when using mobile phone in vehicle |
US6188891B1 (en) * | 1997-06-14 | 2001-02-13 | Yaesu Musen Co., Ltd., | Radio communication apparatus and method for radio communication |
US6275590B1 (en) * | 1998-09-17 | 2001-08-14 | Robert S. Prus | Engine noise simulating novelty device |
-
2000
- 2000-01-27 US US09/492,288 patent/US6873837B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-01-27 TW TW092209314U patent/TWM253017U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-02-02 DE DE10004406A patent/DE10004406A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-02-02 KR KR10-2000-0005115A patent/KR100382131B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2005
- 2005-03-09 US US11/075,280 patent/US20050153680A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4633229A (en) * | 1982-07-12 | 1986-12-30 | Federal Signal Corporation | Electronic outdoor warning siren |
US4829565A (en) * | 1987-10-20 | 1989-05-09 | Goldberg Robert M | Telephone with background volume control |
US5361305A (en) * | 1993-11-12 | 1994-11-01 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Automated system and method for automotive audio test |
US5734315A (en) * | 1995-11-17 | 1998-03-31 | Skeen; Wayne D. | Track alert system for automobile racing |
US5890061A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1999-03-30 | Ford Motor Company | Vehicular emergency message system with call restriction defeating |
US5736962A (en) * | 1996-02-28 | 1998-04-07 | Tendler Cellular, Inc. | Time since last fix annunciation system for GPS-based wireless rescue system |
US6199045B1 (en) * | 1996-08-15 | 2001-03-06 | Spatial Adventures, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing position-related information to mobile recipients |
US6356641B1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 2002-03-12 | New Transducers Limited | Vehicular loudspeaker system |
US6359987B1 (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 2002-03-19 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Multimedia speaker detection circuit |
Cited By (65)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE47216E1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2019-01-29 | Katasi Llc | System for selective prevention of non-emergency use of an electronic device |
US20040224701A1 (en) * | 2003-02-12 | 2004-11-11 | Lewis-Evans Jonathan P. | Wireless communication device, system and communication method |
US20050085257A1 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2005-04-21 | Laird Mark D. | Mobile emergency notification system |
US7221928B2 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2007-05-22 | Laird Mark D | Mobile emergency notification system |
US20060052120A1 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2006-03-09 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Communication terminal |
US20070042713A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Ayed Mourad B | Portable health monitoring system |
US7565132B2 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2009-07-21 | Mourad Ben Ayed | Portable health monitoring system |
US8107920B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2012-01-31 | Mourad Ben Ayed | Emergency detection and notification system |
US7991138B2 (en) * | 2005-09-16 | 2011-08-02 | Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. | Social error prevention |
US20070067436A1 (en) * | 2005-09-16 | 2007-03-22 | Heather Vaughn | Social error prevention |
US8923826B2 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2014-12-30 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Mobility call management |
US8045976B2 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2011-10-25 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Mobility call management |
US20100029270A1 (en) * | 2006-04-04 | 2010-02-04 | David John Kiddie | Mobility call management |
US8526942B2 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2013-09-03 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Mobility call management |
US20080143497A1 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2008-06-19 | General Motors Corporation | Vehicle Emergency Communication Mode Method and Apparatus |
US20080305780A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-12-11 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8385901B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2013-02-26 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | System and methods for monitoring the context associated with a mobile communication device |
US8948784B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2015-02-03 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Monitoring geospatial context of a mobile device |
US9094533B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2015-07-28 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8781491B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2014-07-15 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8000689B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2011-08-16 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | System and methods for monitoring the context associated with a mobile communication device |
US20080318562A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-12-25 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | System and methods for monitoring the context associated with a mobile communication device |
US20080299959A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-12-04 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8160560B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2012-04-17 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8983412B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2015-03-17 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Monitoring mobile device context |
US8738005B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2014-05-27 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8634788B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2014-01-21 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | System and methods for monitoring the context associated with a mobile communication device |
WO2008109477A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-09-12 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Management of mobile device communication sessions to reduce user distraction |
US8532667B2 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2013-09-10 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | System and methods for monitoring the geospatial context associated with a mobile communication device |
US8626201B1 (en) | 2007-09-20 | 2014-01-07 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users |
US8285308B1 (en) | 2007-09-20 | 2012-10-09 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users |
US8224353B2 (en) | 2007-09-20 | 2012-07-17 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users |
US20090098855A1 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2009-04-16 | Cellblock Telecommunications Company, Inc. | Method and system for provisioning communication service to a mobile communication device to restrict use when operating a vehicle |
US8542818B2 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2013-09-24 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle call device, call system, center, and calling method |
US20090110185A1 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2009-04-30 | Shinichi Yamamoto | Vehicle call device, call system, center, and calling method |
US20090215466A1 (en) * | 2008-02-22 | 2009-08-27 | Darcy Ahl | Mobile phone based system for disabling a cell phone while traveling |
US20100144324A1 (en) * | 2008-09-05 | 2010-06-10 | Wright Andrew S | Bypassing enhanced services |
US8942686B2 (en) | 2008-09-05 | 2015-01-27 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Providing and managing bypass of enhanced services |
US20100284290A1 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2010-11-11 | Aegis Mobility, Inc. | Context based data mediation |
US11638198B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2023-04-25 | Katasi Inc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US11767020B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2023-09-26 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors |
US10506091B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2019-12-10 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device |
US9386447B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2016-07-05 | Scott Ferrill Tibbitts | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device |
US9451447B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2016-09-20 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US11533395B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2022-12-20 | Katasi, Inc. | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device |
US9615213B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2017-04-04 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors |
US8761821B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2014-06-24 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US11751124B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2023-09-05 | Katasi Inc. | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US11643088B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2023-05-09 | Katasi, Inc. | Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors |
US11021164B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2021-06-01 | Katasi, LLC | Method and system for controlling and modifying driving behaviors |
US10172070B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2019-01-01 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US8787936B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 | 2014-07-22 | Katasi Llc | Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle |
US8849239B2 (en) * | 2009-11-14 | 2014-09-30 | Ohanes Der Ghazarian | Impact sensing mobile communication device |
US20110117877A1 (en) * | 2009-11-14 | 2011-05-19 | Ohanes Der Ghazarian | Impact sensing mobile communication device |
US9466205B2 (en) | 2015-02-17 | 2016-10-11 | Ohanes D. Ghazarian | Impact sensing mobile communication apparatus |
US10819843B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2020-10-27 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Scheduling with distractions disabled |
US10362164B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2019-07-23 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Scheduling with distractions disabled |
US11601544B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2023-03-07 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Setting devices in focus mode to reduce distractions |
US9992328B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2018-06-05 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Tracking driving without mobile phone distraction |
US9832307B1 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2017-11-28 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Methods, devices and systems supporting scheduling focused events |
US9781250B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2017-10-03 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Methods, devices and systems supporting driving without distraction |
US9699301B1 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2017-07-04 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Methods, devices and systems supporting driving and studying without distraction |
US11963082B2 (en) | 2015-05-31 | 2024-04-16 | Emma Michaela Siritzky | Scheduling for focus without distraction |
US11310590B2 (en) | 2018-05-02 | 2022-04-19 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Emergency reporting device in a motor vehicle |
JP7487712B2 (en) | 2021-07-05 | 2024-05-21 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Information processing device, vehicle, and information processing method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100382131B1 (en) | 2003-05-01 |
US6873837B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 |
DE10004406A1 (en) | 2000-11-30 |
KR20000057874A (en) | 2000-09-25 |
TWM253017U (en) | 2004-12-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6873837B1 (en) | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein | |
US6711399B1 (en) | Device and method for emergency call | |
US6337641B1 (en) | Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein | |
US6617979B2 (en) | Emergency informing terminal, emergency informing system, and method for controlling emergency informing terminal | |
US6377165B1 (en) | Mayday system equipment and mayday system | |
US7580697B2 (en) | Method and emergency call device for triggering an emergency call from a vehicle | |
JP3300705B2 (en) | In-vehicle communication terminal and information service center that communicates with the in-vehicle communication terminal | |
US6934365B2 (en) | Emergency call device and method for controlling emergency call | |
US20090129607A1 (en) | Vehicle call device and calling method | |
CN101206787A (en) | Vehicle emergency communication mode method and apparatus | |
US7957774B2 (en) | Hands-free communication system for use in automotive vehicle | |
JP2003333132A (en) | Telephone equipment with emergency call function | |
US8542818B2 (en) | Vehicle call device, call system, center, and calling method | |
US20050090226A1 (en) | Emergency call system | |
US20040075345A1 (en) | On-vehicle radio-communication terminal apparatus and emergency reporting network system | |
US20060030349A1 (en) | Emergency calling system for a passenger transporting system, especially for a motor vehicle and a method for automatically transmitting an emergency call | |
EP0383277A2 (en) | Operating system of a mobile radio telephone | |
EP1897767A1 (en) | Vehicle emergency system | |
US7680519B2 (en) | Handsfree apparatus including volume control | |
JP3323158B2 (en) | Accident reporting system and accident reporting method | |
CN212148749U (en) | Vehicle alarm system | |
JP2002254987A (en) | Information device for vehicle | |
JP3716698B2 (en) | In-vehicle communication apparatus and communication method | |
JP3194725B2 (en) | Emergency call method and emergency call system terminal equipment | |
JP3156304B2 (en) | Telephone equipment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |