Emergency notification device for vehicles

Abstract

To notify the outside of a vehicle of execution of an emergency call when a vehicle accident, etc., occurs, and promptly and accurately report an emergency state, the situation thereof, etc., by simultaneously performing a voice call, a confirmation of the situation outside of the vehicle, etc.SOLUTION: An emergency call device for vehicles comprises: an emergency call unit which performs an emergency call to an emergency call center upon occurrence of an emergency state in a vehicle or upon input of an emergency call instruction; and a call notification unit which notifies the outside of the vehicle that the call is being performed to the emergency call center, during the emergency call by the emergency call unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle emergency notification device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when a vehicle accident occurs, a vehicle emergency notification device mounted on the vehicle is used to notify the accident situation to emergency notification destinations such as police stations and fire departments, or to notify other vehicles and pedestrians in the vicinity of the accident occurrence point of the accident occurrence. Such technologies are known (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, for example, a vehicle emergency notification device communicates with an emergency notification center, and a function is known in which a passenger or the like in the vehicle interior notifies an operator at the emergency notification center of the fact that an emergency such as an accident has occurred and the situation thereof by voice call.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even if the occurrence of an accident is notified to surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, for example, when the passenger is unconscious or the passenger is having a voice call with the operator in the vehicle interior and thus the passenger remains in the vehicle interior, it may not be possible to understand the state of the passenger in the vehicle from the outside. For this reason, the state of the passenger and whether a notification has been made are unknown, which may cause misunderstandings such as the passenger neglecting to check the situation outside the vehicle. In addition, if the passenger goes out of the vehicle to check the situation, the voice call with the operator in the vehicle interior cannot be continued, and there may be a delay in providing information such as the accident situation to the emergency notification center.

[0006] On the other hand, there has also been proposed a technique for making a notification by a vehicle emergency notification device via a mobile phone of an occupant or the like. For example, it is necessary to register the mobile phone in advance with the vehicle emergency notification device so that the mobile phone and the vehicle emergency notification device can be connected using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. Even if the mobile phone is registered, it may be difficult to check the external situation or assist the injured while holding the mobile phone and continuing the call.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to address such a situation. That is, when a vehicle accident or the like occurs, to notify the outside that an emergency notification is being made, to enable simultaneous voice calls and external situation checks, etc., and to quickly and accurately report the emergency situation and its details.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve such problems, the vehicle emergency notification device according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, one aspect of the present invention provides an emergency notification unit that makes an emergency notification to an emergency notification center according to the occurrence of an emergency state in a vehicle or the input of an emergency notification instruction, and a notification notification unit that notifies the outside of the vehicle that it is in the process of making a notification to the emergency notification center during the emergency notification by the emergency notification unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the vehicle emergency notification device having such characteristics, when a vehicle accident or the like occurs, it is possible to notify the outside that an emergency notification is being made, to enable simultaneous voice calls and external situation checks, etc., and to quickly and accurately report the emergency situation and its details.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different figures indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate descriptions in each figure are omitted as appropriate.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle emergency notification device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention functions as part of the control system 2 of the vehicle 1. The control system 2 includes, in addition to the vehicle emergency notification device 10, various electronic devices necessary for the running of the vehicle, and a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for controlling these electronic devices. These electronic devices and in-vehicle ECUs are communicably connected to each other by an in-vehicle network 3 such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network). In the following description, the description and illustration of electronic devices and in-vehicle ECUs that are not directly involved in the vehicle emergency notification device 10 are omitted.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 2 of the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle emergency notification device 10, a communication ECU 20, a collision detection ECU 21, an occupant monitoring ECU 22, a display unit 23, a speaker 24, a microphone 25, and a camera 26 that are connected to each other via an in-vehicle network 3. The vehicle emergency notification device 10 is connected to an emergency notification center 5, which is the emergency response destination, via a communication network 7 by the communication ECU 20.

[0014] The vehicle emergency notification device 10 includes an emergency notification unit 101, an audio processing unit 102, and a notification informing unit 103. When the emergency notification unit 101 acquires a collision detection signal output when a collision is detected by the collision detection ECU 21 described later, it outputs a start command signal for starting an emergency notification to the communication ECU 20. Note that an emergency notification may be manually performed by an occupant or the like. In this case, for example, an emergency notification instruction can be given by a switch provided in the vehicle interior.

[0015] When communication between the vehicle emergency notification device 10 and the emergency notification center 5 is started, the audio processing unit 102 enables a voice call with an operator of the emergency notification center via the speaker 24 and the microphone 25. For this purpose, as an input / output interface, the audio processing unit 102 is connected to a speaker 24 (an in-vehicle speaker 241 and an out-vehicle speaker 242) that outputs the operator's voice and a microphone 25 (an in-vehicle microphone 251 and an out-vehicle microphone 252) that converts the occupant's voice into an electrical signal.

[0016] The audio processing unit 102 converts the transmitted voice collected by the microphone 25 into a digital signal to generate a transmission signal, and converts the digital received signal acquired from the communication ECU 20 into an analog signal to generate a received voice and output it from the speaker 24. Thereby, the occupant of the vehicle can make a hands-free voice call with the operator of the emergency notification center.

[0017] The voice processing unit 102 appropriately switches the speaker 24 and the microphone 25 used for voice calls according to the position of the occupant (e.g., inside or outside the vehicle cabin) detected by the occupant monitoring ECU 22. That is, when the occupant stays inside the vehicle cabin, the voice processing unit 102 performs a voice call using the in-vehicle speaker 241 and the in-vehicle microphone 251, and when the occupant goes outside the vehicle, the voice processing unit 102 performs a voice call using the outside-vehicle speaker 242 and the outside-vehicle microphone 252. Thereby, for example, even when an occupant who was making a call inside the vehicle cabin goes outside during the call, the voice call can be continued.

[0018] Figures 3 and 4 show an example of the mounting positions of the outside-vehicle speaker 242 and the outside-vehicle microphone 252. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outside-vehicle speaker 242 and the outside-vehicle microphone 252 can be provided along the pillars in front of and behind the vehicle 1. By arranging the outside-vehicle speaker 242 and the outside-vehicle microphone 252 in this way, it is possible to collect sound from all directions outside the vehicle 1 and to hear the voice emitted from the speaker in all directions outside the vehicle. In addition, it becomes easy to notify the position of the outside-vehicle speaker 242 and the outside-vehicle microphone 252 to the outside of the vehicle by the display unit 23 described later.

[0019] Note that when it is possible to continue a voice call with an occupant who has gone outside the vehicle without using the outside-vehicle speaker 242, such as when the sound amplification area of the in-vehicle speaker 241 is wide and the sound amplification performance is high, it is not always necessary to switch to the outside-vehicle speaker 242. Similarly, when it is possible to continue a voice call with an occupant who has gone outside the vehicle without using the outside-vehicle microphone 252, such as when the sound collection area of the in-vehicle microphone 251 is wide and the sound collection performance is high, it is not always necessary to switch to the outside-vehicle microphone 252.

[0020] When an emergency call is initiated by the emergency call unit 101, the notification unit 103 notifies the outside that the vehicle 1 is in an emergency call. Here, the notification to the outside can be, for example, causing the display unit 23 described later to display that it is in an emergency call, outputting sound or voice to the outside of the vehicle 1 by the outside speaker 242 described later, or notifying that it is in an emergency call by performing voice output in combination with the display on the display unit 23.

[0021] In addition to the above, the notification unit 103 can notify the occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians having communication terminals, etc. existing within a predetermined range from the vehicle 1 that the vehicle 1 is in an emergency call via the communication network 7 or short-range communication. Note that the notification unit 103 may notify that a voice call is in progress.

[0022] When the communication unit ECU 20 receives a start command signal from the emergency call unit 101 or an incoming call from the emergency call center 5, it performs wireless communication with the emergency call center 5. While the communication line with the emergency call center 5 is connected, the communication ECU 20 transmits the information acquired from the in-vehicle network 3 to the emergency call center 5 via the communication network 7. Also, the communication ECU 20 receives information from the emergency call center 5 via the communication network 7 and outputs the received information to the in-vehicle network 3. Thereby, a voice call between the operator of the emergency call center 5 and the occupant of the vehicle 1 executed by the voice processing unit 102 of the vehicle emergency call device 10 is realized.

[0023] The collision detection ECU 21 detects that a collision has occurred in the vehicle 1 as an example of an emergency situation. An acceleration sensor, etc. that detects the impact applied to the vehicle 1 based on the acceleration of the vehicle 1, for example, is connected to the collision detection ECU, and the collision of the vehicle 1 is detected when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle 1 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. When the collision detection ECU 21 detects a collision of the vehicle 1, it outputs a collision detection signal to the in-vehicle network 3.

[0024] The occupant monitoring ECU 22 is connected to a microphone 25, a camera 26, a seating sensor (not shown) provided on the seat, a door opening / closing sensor (not shown), etc., and monitors the state of the occupant and whether the occupant is seated or not. When the occupant monitoring ECU 22 detects, for example, that the occupant has exited the vehicle, it outputs information regarding the occupant to the in-vehicle network 3 as necessary.

[0025] The display unit 23 is composed of, for example, a HUD (Head-Up Display), etc., and can display a speed display, a navigation image, etc. on the windshield of the vehicle 1 for the occupants in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1, particularly the driver. In addition, in accordance with a display instruction from the notification unit 103 of the vehicle emergency notification device 10, it is possible to display on the windshield or the rear windshield of the vehicle 1 that the occupants of the vehicle 1 are in the process of making an emergency call so that it can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle.

[0026] The speaker 24 can output a voice response from the emergency notification center 5 or output a voice indicating that an emergency call is in progress or a predetermined ringing sound, etc. to the outside of the vehicle in accordance with a notification instruction from the notification unit 103. The speaker 24 does not necessarily have to be provided exclusively for emergency calls, and for example, it can be shared with the speakers of an in-vehicle audio device or a navigation system. The speaker 24 includes an in-vehicle speaker 241 that mainly outputs voice into the vehicle interior and an out-vehicle speaker 242 that mainly outputs voice to the outside of the vehicle. The in-vehicle speaker 241 is arranged, for example, facing the vehicle interior side on the driver's door. The out-vehicle speaker 242 can be arranged, for example, near the side mirror or near the base end of the wiper.

[0027] The microphone 25 is used for voice calls by the occupants. In particular, it preferably has a sound collection area near the driver and collects only the voice uttered by the driver while excluding the voices of other occupants and the noise outside the vehicle. The microphone 25 includes an in-vehicle microphone 251 that mainly collects voice in the vehicle interior and an out-vehicle microphone 252 that mainly collects voice outside the vehicle.

[0028] The camera 26 includes an in-vehicle camera 261 that images the interior of the vehicle and an out-vehicle camera 262 that images the exterior of the vehicle. The images captured by the in-vehicle camera 261 and the out-vehicle camera 262 are output to the vehicle-mounted network 3. The images captured by the in-vehicle camera 261 and the out-vehicle camera 262 are used, for example, when the occupant monitoring ECU 22 monitors the position of the occupant.

[0029] Subsequently, the processing flow in the vehicle emergency notification device configured as described above will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing in the vehicle emergency notification device 10. When a collision of the vehicle 1 is detected by the collision detection ECU 21 and a collision detection signal is output to the vehicle-mounted network 3 (step S101), an start command signal for starting an emergency notification is output to the communication ECU 20 by the emergency notification unit 101 (step S102). When the emergency notification is started, the notification informing unit 103 starts informing that the vehicle 1 is in an emergency notification to the outside of the vehicle 1 (step S103).

[0030] When a communication line with the emergency notification center 5 is connected, a voice call between the occupant of the vehicle 1 and the operator of the emergency notification center 5 is started by the voice processing unit 102 (step S104). During the call, the position of the occupant is monitored by the occupant monitoring ECU 22 (step S105). When the occupant stays in the vehicle interior, the voice call using the in-vehicle speaker 241 and the in-vehicle microphone 251 is continued.

[0031] On the other hand, when it is detected that the occupant has gone outside the vehicle, the voice processing unit 102 switches the speaker and microphone used for the voice call to the out-vehicle speaker 242 and the out-vehicle microphone 252 (step S106).

[0032] The in-vehicle occupant monitoring ECU 22 monitors the situation of an out-of-vehicle call (step S107). When the out-of-vehicle call ends, the out-of-vehicle speaker 242 and the out-of-vehicle microphone 252 are turned off (step S108), and the in-vehicle speaker 241 and the in-vehicle microphone 251 are switched to. When the voice call ends and the emergency call ends (step S109), the notification by the notification notification unit 103 that the call is in progress ends (step S110).

[0033] Wait for an incoming call from the emergency call center 5 for a certain period of time after the notification by the notification notification unit 103 ends (step S111). If there is an incoming call, return to step S103 and repeat the above-described process. If there is no incoming call, wait for an incoming call until a predetermined incoming call waiting time ends (step S112). If there is no incoming call during the incoming call waiting time, end this process.

[0034] As described above, according to this embodiment, when an emergency call is started, the fact that the call is in progress is notified outside the vehicle. Therefore, even when the occupant stays inside the vehicle, it is possible for an external party to grasp that the call is being properly made. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent misunderstandings such as a situation where the occupant cannot make an emergency call or neglecting to check the surrounding situation.

[0035] In addition, since voice calls with the emergency call center are enabled using the speakers and microphones mounted on the vehicle, so-called hands-free calls can be made, and the situation confirmation and notification in the event of an accident or the like can be performed simultaneously. In particular, by appropriately switching the speakers and microphones provided inside and outside the vehicle compartment, even when the occupant goes outside the vehicle compartment to check the surrounding situation, the voice call can be continued, so that information such as the accident situation can be provided quickly and accurately.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a vehicle accident or the like occurs, it is possible to notify the outside that an emergency call is being made, and to perform voice calls and confirmation of the outside situation simultaneously, so that it is possible to quickly and accurately report the emergency situation and its situation.

[0037] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In addition, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose and configuration of each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to cross-use and combine their technologies with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0038] 1: Vehicle, 2: Control system, 3: In-vehicle network, 5: Emergency notification center, 7: Communication network, 10: Vehicle emergency notification device, 20: Communication ECU, 21: Collision detection ECU, 22: Occupant monitoring ECU, 23: Display unit, 24: Speaker, 25: Microphone, 26: Camera, 101: Emergency notification section, 102: Audio processing section, 103: Notification informing section, 241: Interior speaker, 242: Exterior speaker, 251: Interior microphone, 252: Exterior microphone, 261: Interior camera, 262: Exterior camera

Claims

1. An emergency reporting unit that makes an emergency report to an emergency reporting center in accordance with the occurrence of an emergency state in the vehicle or the input of an emergency reporting instruction; A reporting notification unit that notifies the outside of the vehicle that a report is being made to the emergency reporting center during the emergency report by the emergency reporting unit; An audio processing unit for making a voice call with the emergency reporting center via a speaker and a microphone during the emergency report by the emergency reporting unit; Comprising: The speaker is capable of amplifying sound in all directions inside and outside the vehicle cabin; The microphone is capable of collecting sound from all directions inside and outside the vehicle cabin; The audio processing unit continues the voice call even when an occupant of the vehicle moves from inside the vehicle cabin to outside the vehicle. An emergency reporting device for a vehicle.

2. An emergency reporting unit that makes an emergency report to an emergency reporting center in accordance with the occurrence of an emergency state in the vehicle or the input of an emergency reporting instruction; A reporting notification unit that notifies the outside of the vehicle that a report is being made to the emergency reporting center during the emergency report by the emergency reporting unit; An audio processing unit for making a voice call with the emergency reporting center via a speaker and a microphone during the emergency report by the emergency reporting unit; Comprising: The speaker has an in-vehicle speaker provided inside the vehicle cabin and an out-vehicle speaker provided outside the vehicle; The microphone has an in-vehicle microphone provided inside the vehicle cabin and an out-vehicle microphone provided outside the vehicle; The audio processing unit switches between the in-vehicle speaker or the out-vehicle speaker according to the position of the occupant of the vehicle, and switches between the in-vehicle microphone or the out-vehicle microphone for use in the voice call. An emergency reporting device for a vehicle.

3. An emergency reporting unit that makes an emergency report to an emergency reporting center in accordance with the occurrence of an emergency state in the vehicle or the input of an emergency reporting instruction; A reporting notification unit that notifies the outside of the vehicle that a report is being made to the emergency reporting center during the emergency report by the emergency reporting unit; Comprising: The reporting notification unit notifies the occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians within a predetermined range from the vehicle that the vehicle is in an emergency report via the communication terminals they possess. An emergency reporting device for a vehicle.

4. The reporting notification unit notifies the occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians within a predetermined range from the vehicle that the vehicle is in an emergency report via the communication terminals they possess. The emergency reporting device for a vehicle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. The vehicle emergency notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the outside of the vehicle that an emergency notification is in progress by outputting a voice toward the outside of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle emergency notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the outside of the vehicle that an emergency notification is in progress by causing a display unit mounted on the vehicle to display characters or images visible from the outside of the vehicle.

Images