Reporting device

Abstract

An object of the present application is to improve a technique for transporting an AED to a prescribed location. A notification device capable of making a notification when a vehicle accident occurs, the notification device performing processing of searching for an AED in the vicinity of an accident vehicle, searching for a nearby vehicle capable of transporting the AED in the vicinity of the AED, and transmitting a transport request to transport the AED to the accident vehicle to the nearby vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a notification device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, technologies for transporting AEDs (automated external defibrillators) to designated locations were known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an AED utilization system, management terminal, and AED, in which, when a person reporting a situation requiring an AED encounters a scenario where the AED is needed, the path to the nearest AED is displayed on the reporter's mobile phone screen. On the other hand, to notify the reporter of the AED's location, the AED is activated by sounding an alarm, emitting light, etc.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-224967 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the management server sends the location of the AED near the notifying terminal to the notifying terminal, and the notifying terminal then transports the AED. However, in situations requiring assistance to the injured or when the number of notifying personnel is small, the notifying personnel may be unable to leave the accident scene. Furthermore, there may not be any notifying personnel at all. In such cases, it is impossible to transport the AED to the accident scene.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to improve the technology used to transport AEDs to designated locations.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a notification device capable of notifying when a vehicle accident occurs, which performs the following processing: searching for an AED near the accident vehicle; searching for a nearby vehicle located near the AED and capable of transporting the AED; and sending a transport request to transport the AED to the accident vehicle to the nearby vehicle.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the technology for transporting AEDs to a designated location is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] (Summary of this implementation method)

[0013] refer to Figure 1 The following is a summary description of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 1 includes a notification device 10, an accident vehicle 20, and nearby vehicles 30. The notification device 10, the accident vehicle 20, and the nearby vehicles 30 are communicatively connected to a network 40, including the Internet or a mobile communication network.

[0014] The notification device 10 includes a server device or multiple computers capable of communicating with each other. The notification device 10 searches for AEDs near the accident vehicle 20 and nearby vehicles 30 near the AEDs, and uses the nearby vehicles 30 to transport the AEDs to the accident vehicle 20.

[0015] The accident vehicle 20 involved in this embodiment is equipped with airbags. When the airbags deploy, the accident vehicle 20 sends an airbag deployment signal indicating this to the notification device 10.

[0016] The adjacent vehicle 30 is a vehicle located near the AED and capable of transporting the AED. The AED can be placed in a designated location or carried on the adjacent vehicle 30.

[0017] The accident vehicle 20 and adjacent vehicles 30 include any means of transportation such as cars and motorcycles. Cars may include gasoline cars, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

[0018] Network 40 includes the Internet, one or more wide area networks (WANs) or one or more metropolitan area networks (MANs), or any combination thereof.

[0019] First, an overview of this embodiment will be given, with detailed descriptions to follow. The notification device 10 involved in this embodiment is capable of issuing notifications when a vehicle accident occurs. The notification device 10 searches for AEDs near the accident vehicle 20, searches for nearby vehicles 30 located near the AED and capable of delivering the AED, and sends a delivery request to the nearby vehicle 30 to deliver the AED to the accident vehicle 20.

[0020] The notification device 10 of this embodiment requests the delivery of an AED to the accident vehicle 20 from a nearby vehicle 30. Therefore, the AED can be delivered to the accident vehicle 20 even if the notifier is unable to leave the accident vehicle 20 or if no notifier is present.

[0021] (Structure of the notification device 10)

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the notification device 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

[0023] The control unit 11 includes one or more processors. The control unit 11 controls each part of the notification device 10 and performs processing related to the operation of the notification device 10.

[0024] The communication unit 12 includes at least one communication interface connected to the network 40. The communication interface may correspond to mobile communication standards such as fourth generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G), or wired local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standards, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0025] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memory units. Each memory unit included in the storage unit 13 can function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory, for example. The storage unit 13 stores any information used to report the operation of the notification device 10. The storage unit 13 can store, for example, system programs, application programs, and embedded software. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 stores an AED map indicating the location of the AED near the accident vehicle 20 and the addresses of nearby vehicles 30.

[0026] (Structure of vehicle 20 involved in the accident)

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the accident vehicle 20 is equipped with a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a positioning unit 23, a display unit 24, and a sensor unit 25.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes one or more processors. The control unit 21 controls the various parts of the accident vehicle 20 while performing processing related to the actions of the accident vehicle 20.

[0029] The communication unit 22 includes at least one communication interface connected to the network 40. The communication interface may correspond to mobile communication standards such as 4G or 5G, wired local area network communication standards, or wireless local area network communication standards, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0030] The positioning unit 23 includes one or more devices for acquiring the location information of the accident vehicle 20. The positioning unit 23 may include a receiver corresponding to a satellite positioning system such as Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

[0031] Display unit 24 includes one or more display interfaces. The display interface is, for example, a monitor that displays information as an image. Display unit 24 displays information obtained from the actions of the accident vehicle 20.

[0032] The sensor unit 25 includes one or more sensors for detecting the state or movement of various parts of the accident vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 25 may include sensors for detecting the movement of airbags. The sensor unit 25 may include a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed, an in-vehicle camera for capturing images inside the vehicle, or millimeter-wave radar. The in-vehicle camera or millimeter-wave radar can be used to detect the number of occupants. The in-vehicle camera can be used to detect any abnormalities in the occupants from the images, such as whether they are conscious or breathing.

[0033] (Structure of adjacent vehicle 30)

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the adjacent vehicle 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a positioning unit 33, a display unit 34, and an input unit 35.

[0035] The control unit 31 includes one or more processors. The control unit 31 controls the various parts of the adjacent vehicles 30 while performing processing related to the actions of the adjacent vehicles 30.

[0036] The communication unit 32 includes at least one communication interface connected to the network 40. The communication interface may correspond to mobile communication standards such as 4G or 5G, wired local area network communication standards, or wireless local area network communication standards, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0037] The positioning unit 33 includes one or more devices for acquiring the location information of nearby vehicles 30. The positioning unit 33 may include a receiver corresponding to a satellite positioning system such as GPS or GNSS.

[0038] The display unit 34 includes one or more display interfaces. The display interface may be, for example, a display that shows information as an image. The display unit 34 displays information obtained through the movement of the adjacent vehicle 30.

[0039] The input unit 35 includes one or more input interfaces. The input unit 35 accepts input information for the operation of the adjacent vehicle 30. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touchscreen integrated with the display of the display unit 34, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input unit 35 can be connected to the adjacent vehicle 30 as an external input device, instead of being installed on the adjacent vehicle 30.

[0040] (Operating procedure of the notification device 10)

[0041] refer to Figure 2 The operation of the notification device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. Hereinafter, communication between the notification device 10, the accident vehicle 20 and the neighboring vehicle 30 is carried out via communication units 12, 22, 32 and network 40.

[0042] S101: The control unit 11 of the notification device 10 receives vehicle information from the accident vehicle 20.

[0043] In this embodiment, vehicle information includes an airbag deployment signal indicating airbag deployment. The notification device 10 can detect the occurrence of a vehicle accident through the airbag deployment signal. Vehicle information may also include information such as vehicle speed at the time of airbag deployment, number of occupants, or images, to determine the rate of serious injury to occupants involved in the accident.

[0044] S102: Control unit 11 determines whether the occupants of the accident vehicle 20 need an AED based on the vehicle information. If an AED is needed (S102 - Yes), the process proceeds to S103. If an AED is not needed (S102 - No), the process ends.

[0045] For example, if the vehicle speed exceeds a threshold when the airbag deploys, or if the control unit 11 deduces from images from the in-vehicle camera that the occupant is not conscious or breathing normally, it can determine that an AED is needed. Alternatively, the control unit 11 can determine the necessity of an AED based on the severity rate of injuries sustained by occupants in an accident. The severity rate can be determined based on factors such as the presence or absence of normal consciousness or breathing, the presence or absence of a heart rate, the extent of trauma, the amount of bleeding, and the color or temperature of the skin. Furthermore, the presence or absence of normal consciousness or breathing can be determined, for example, based on the occupant's posture in the image, the movement of body parts such as the eyes or mouth (e.g., whether the eyes or mouth are constantly open or closed), or the sound of breathing.

[0046] S103: Control unit 11 searches for AEDs near the accident vehicle 20. An AED near the accident vehicle 20 is an AED within a specified distance of the accident vehicle 20. The specified distance could be, for example, 1 km. If multiple AEDs exist within the specified distance of the accident vehicle 20, the AED with the shortest distance to the accident vehicle 20 can be prioritized. The distance to the accident vehicle 20 is not limited to a straight-line distance; it can also be evaluated based on the actual distance of the movement route and the movement time.

[0047] The control unit 11 can search for AEDs from the AED map stored in the storage unit 13. If the AED has a communication function that allows it to communicate with the notification device 10 via the network 40, the control unit 11 can communicate with the AED to search for it.

[0048] S104: The control unit 11 searches for nearby vehicles 30 that are located near the AED and capable of delivering it. "Near the AED" means within a specified distance from the AED. The specified distance could be, for example, 1 km. Whether the AED can be delivered can be determined, for example, based on the driving information of the nearby vehicles 30. For example, it can be determined based on driving information such as driving on a one-way street or on a highway. Furthermore, vehicles other than those requested for AED delivery (vehicles prohibited from AED delivery requests) can be excluded from the search. If multiple nearby vehicles 30 exist within the specified distance from the AED, the nearby vehicle 30 with the shortest distance to the AED can be selected first. The distance to the AED is not limited to a straight-line distance; it can also be evaluated based on the actual travel route distance and travel time. Any method can be used in the search process for nearby vehicles 30. For example, the control unit 11 can search for nearby vehicles 30 capable of delivering the AED based on the location information and driving information of the nearby vehicles 30 received via the network 40.

[0049] S105: Control unit 11 sends a transport request to neighboring vehicle 30 to transport the AED to the accident vehicle 20. The transport request is an instruction to transport the AED near the neighboring vehicle 30 to the location of the accident vehicle 20. The transport request includes the location information of the accident vehicle 20 and the location information of the AED.

[0050] Therefore, even if the person notifying the incident is unable to leave the accident vehicle 20 or there is no person notifying the incident, the AED can still be delivered to the accident vehicle 20. If the AED is mounted on a nearby vehicle 30, the control unit 11 can send the location information of the accident vehicle 20 and the AED delivery request to the nearby vehicle 30.

[0051] S106: The control unit 11 displays the transport request and the estimated time required to transport the AED to the accident vehicle 20 on the display unit 34 of the adjacent vehicle 30.

[0052] The information displayed on the display unit 30 includes the location information of the AED and the location information of the accident vehicle 20. By displaying the location information of the AED, the location information of the accident vehicle 20, and the estimated time on the display unit 30, the drivers of nearby vehicles 30 can determine whether to agree to the delivery request. Here, the estimated time can be calculated based on the distance of the actual moving route based on the location information of the AED, the accident vehicle 20, and the nearby vehicles 30, and the estimated average speed along that route. The control unit 11 can also display the moving route for delivering the AED to the accident vehicle 20 on the display unit 34.

[0053] S107: Control unit 11 determines whether the neighboring vehicle 30 agrees to the transport request based on the information received from the neighboring vehicle 30. If the transport request is agreed to (S107 - Yes), the process proceeds to S108. If the transport request is not agreed to (S107 - No), the process returns to S104.

[0054] In this embodiment, if a delivery request is not approved, the control unit 11 searches for another nearby vehicle 30 near the AED. If a delivery request is not approved, the control unit 11 may search for another AED near the accident vehicle 20.

[0055] S108: The control unit 11 displays a message on the display unit 24 of the accident vehicle 20 indicating that the AED is being transported. This allows the occupants of the accident vehicle 20 to feel at ease.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, those skilled in the art will notice that various modifications and alterations can be made according to the present invention. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each structural part or step can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner, and multiple structural parts or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the structure of the adjacent vehicle 30 can be set in the terminal device of the passenger riding in the adjacent vehicle 30, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal or personal computer, and the operation of the adjacent vehicle 30 can be implemented through the terminal device.

[0058] Symbol Explanation

[0059] 1-System, 10-Notification device, 11-Control unit, 12-Communication unit, 13-Storage unit, 20-Accident vehicle, 21-Control unit, 22-Communication unit, 23-Location unit, 24-Display unit, 25-Sensor unit, 30-Nearby vehicle, 31-Control unit, 32-Communication unit, 33-Location unit, 34-Display unit, 35-Input unit, 40-Network.

Claims

1. A notification device capable of issuing a notification in the event of a vehicle accident, characterized in that it performs the following processing: Search for AEDs near the wrecked vehicle; Search for nearby vehicles located near the AED and capable of delivering it; and A request to deliver the AED to the accident vehicle is sent to the nearby vehicle.

2. The notification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transport request includes the location information of the accident vehicle and the location information of the AED.

3. The notification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The following processing is also performed: The delivery request and the estimated time required to deliver the AED to the accident vehicle are displayed on the display unit of the nearby vehicle.

4. The notification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The following processing is also performed: Upon receiving information from the nearby vehicle indicating agreement to the transport request, a message indicating that the AED is being transported is displayed on the display of the accident vehicle; and If a message indicating disagreement with the delivery request is received from the nearby vehicle, another nearby vehicle located near the AED is searched.

5. The notification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The following processing is also performed: Receive vehicle information of the vehicle involved in the accident; Based on the vehicle information, determine whether the occupants of the accident vehicle require an AED; and If the occupant requires an AED, search for an AED.

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