Emergency call terminal and emergency call system for motorcycles

Abstract

To provide an emergency call terminal and emergency call system for a motorcycle capable of achieving automatic immediate emergency call if a motorcycle turns over.SOLUTION: An emergency call system for a motorcycle includes a portable information terminal 3 held by a vehicle rider and a vehicle management server 5 communicatable with the portable information terminal 3. The portable information terminal 3 includes: a riding recognition section 301 for recognizing that a rider is riding on a vehicle; an overturning detection section 302 for detecting overturning of a vehicle; and a communication control section 304 which periodically transmits, while the rider is recognized as riding a vehicle, its position information to the vehicle management server 5 and when overturning is detected while the rider is recognized as riding the vehicle, makes an emergency call to the emergency call center. The vehicle management server 5 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center when a disconnection of communication with the portable information terminal 3 is detected while periodically receiving the position information from the portable information terminal 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency notification terminal and an emergency notification system for motorcycles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an emergency notification terminal and an emergency notification system that perform an emergency notification to an emergency notification center when a motorcycle falls over.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to improve traffic safety, the installation of emergency notification devices in automobiles has been promoted. When an accident occurs, the emergency notification device can quickly arrange for emergency vehicles by manually operating or automatically notifying an emergency notification center by the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Such an emergency notification device requires a communicator, a battery, etc., and thus has already been widely popularized in four-wheel automobiles, but has not been widely popularized in motorcycles. The emergency notification device installed in a four-wheel automobile often automatically makes an emergency notification when, for example, an airbag is deployed, but a motorcycle does not have an airbag installed. In addition, the emergency notification device installed in a four-wheel automobile can also make an emergency notification by operating a button provided, for example, on the driver's seat, but it may be difficult for a motorcycle rider to operate the button during riding or when falling over.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency notification terminal and an emergency notification system for motorcycles that can automatically and quickly make an emergency notification when the motorcycle falls over.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The emergency call terminal according to the present invention is for a motorcycle and is mounted on a vehicle that is a motorcycle or held by the rider of the vehicle, and is characterized by comprising: a riding recognition means for recognizing that the rider is riding the vehicle; a fall detection means for detecting that the vehicle has fallen over; and a communication control means for making an emergency call to an emergency call center when a fall is detected while the rider is recognized as riding the vehicle.

[0007] (2) In this case, the emergency call terminal further comprises a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or rider, and a storage medium for storing vehicle-specific information and rider-specific information, and the communication control means preferably transmits the location information, the vehicle-specific information and the rider-specific information to the emergency call center when making the emergency call.

[0008] (3) In this case, when the communication control means makes the emergency call, it is preferable that it pronounces the operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center through the speaker and transmits the rider voice information acquired by the microphone to the emergency call center.

[0009] (4) In this case, the emergency call terminal further comprises location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or rider, and the riding recognition means preferably recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle based on at least one of the sound acquired by the microphone, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor, and the speed of movement calculated based on the location information.

[0010] (5) In this case, the emergency call terminal further comprises a storage medium that stores at least one of sound data relating to a standard driving sound and vibration data relating to a standard driving vibration, and the rider recognition means preferably recognizes that a rider is riding in the vehicle based on at least one of the comparison result between the sound acquired by the microphone and the standard driving sound, and the comparison result between the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor and the standard driving vibration.

[0011] (6) In this case, the emergency call terminal further comprises a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or rider, and a false detection determination means for determining whether the fall detection by the fall detection means was a false detection based on the location information immediately after the fall is detected, wherein the fall detection means detects the fall when the impact level acquired by the impact sensor is greater than a predetermined impact level threshold, and if the false detection determination means determines that the fall detection was a false detection, it is preferable to change the impact level threshold to a larger value.

[0012] (7) The emergency call system for motorcycles according to the present invention comprises a portable information terminal mounted on a vehicle which is a motorcycle or held by the rider of the vehicle, and a vehicle management server capable of communicating with the portable information terminal. The portable information terminal comprises a riding recognition means for recognizing that the rider is riding the vehicle, a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or the rider, and a communication control means for periodically transmitting the location information to the vehicle management server while the rider is recognized as riding the vehicle, and the vehicle management server, while periodically receiving the location information from the portable information terminal, makes an emergency call to an emergency call center if it detects a disruption in communication with the portable information terminal.

[0013] (8) In this case, the portable information terminal further comprises a remaining charge acquisition means for acquiring the remaining charge of the battery, and the communication control means preferably sends a request to the vehicle management server to stop monitoring the vehicle when the remaining charge of the battery is less than a predetermined remaining charge threshold, and then stops transmitting the location information to the vehicle management server.

[0014] (9) In this case, the vehicle management server further comprises a storage medium for storing vehicle-specific information and rider-specific information, and when making the emergency call, it is preferable that the server transmits the location information, vehicle-specific information, and rider-specific information received immediately before detecting a disruption in communication to the mobile information terminal to the emergency call center. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] (1) The emergency call terminal according to the present invention is mounted on a motorcycle or held by a rider, and comprises a rider recognition means, a fall detection means, and a communication control means. The rider recognition means recognizes that the rider is riding the vehicle, and the fall detection means detects when the vehicle falls over. The communication control means also makes an emergency call to an emergency call center when the rider recognition means recognizes that the rider is riding the vehicle and the fall detection means detects a fall. Thus, according to the present invention, if the motorcycle falls over while the rider is riding it, an emergency call is automatically made to the emergency call center without any operation by the rider, thereby improving the traffic safety of motorcycle riders.

[0016] (2) When an emergency call is made, the communication control means transmits the location information of the vehicle or rider, vehicle-specific information, and rider-specific information to the emergency call center. As a result, according to the present invention, the emergency call center that receives the emergency call can quickly dispatch an emergency vehicle to the location where the motorcycle has fallen and transmit the information necessary to rescue the rider to the emergency call center automatically, without requiring any operation or response from the rider, thereby improving the traffic safety of motorcycle riders.

[0017] (3) When an emergency call is made, the communication control means pronounces operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center through a speaker and transmits rider voice information acquired by the microphone to the emergency call center. According to the present invention, if a motorcycle falls over, voice communication can be facilitated between the operator at the emergency call center and the rider of the motorcycle, so that the emergency call center can accurately determine whether or not to dispatch an emergency vehicle, and in turn, improve the traffic safety of the motorcycle rider.

[0018] (4) The riding recognition means recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle based on at least one of the sound acquired by the microphone, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor, and the speed of movement calculated based on the position information. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically recognize that the rider is riding without any operation by the rider, thereby improving the convenience of the rider.

[0019] (5) The riding recognition means recognizes that the rider is riding the motorcycle based on at least one of the following: the result of comparing the sound acquired by the microphone with the reference driving sound, and the result of comparing the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor with the reference driving vibration. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to recognize with high accuracy that the rider is riding, and thus misrecognition by the riding recognition means can be prevented.

[0020] (6) The false detection determination means determines whether the fall detection by the fall detection means was a false detection based on the position information immediately after the fall detection means detects a fall. That is, if the position information continues to change immediately after the fall detection means detects a fall, it can be determined that this was a false detection. The fall detection means also detects a fall when the impact intensity acquired by the impact sensor is greater than a predetermined impact intensity threshold, and if the false detection determination means determines that the fall detection was a false detection, it changes the impact intensity threshold to a larger value. This prevents further false detections.

[0021] (7) The emergency call system according to the present invention comprises a portable information terminal mounted on a motorcycle or held by the rider, and a vehicle management server capable of communicating with the portable information terminal. The portable information terminal also comprises a riding recognition means for recognizing that the rider is riding, a location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or the rider, and a communication control means for periodically transmitting location information to the vehicle management server while the rider is recognized as riding. The vehicle management server, while periodically receiving location information from the portable information terminal, detects a communication interruption to the portable information terminal, determines that the motorcycle has fallen over and the portable information terminal has malfunctioned due to the impact of the fall, rendering it unable to communicate, and makes an emergency call to the emergency call center. As a result, even if the portable information terminal, which is moving with the motorcycle, malfunctions and is unable to make an emergency call to the emergency call center from the portable information terminal, the vehicle management server can still make an emergency call to the emergency call center, thereby improving the traffic safety of motorcycle riders.

[0022] (8) When the battery level of the mobile information terminal falls below a predetermined remaining charge threshold, the communication control means of the mobile information terminal sends a request to the vehicle management server to stop monitoring the vehicle, and then stops transmitting location information to the vehicle management server. As a result, according to the present invention, if the battery level of the mobile information terminal drops to a level where it is no longer possible to operate its communication control means normally, and communication between the mobile information terminal and the vehicle management server is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the vehicle management server from mistakenly determining that the vehicle being monitored has overturned and mistakenly making an emergency call to the emergency call center.

[0023] (9) When the vehicle management server makes an emergency report, it transmits the location information, vehicle-specific information, and rider-specific information received immediately before detecting the communication interruption to the emergency reporting center. According to the present invention, the emergency reporting center that has received the emergency report can quickly arrange an emergency vehicle to the location where the motorcycle has fallen, and further, the information necessary to rescue the rider can be automatically transmitted to the emergency reporting center without going through the operations and responses of the rider. Therefore, the traffic safety of the rider of the motorcycle can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an emergency reporting system for a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the configurations of a portable information terminal and a vehicle management server. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the process realized in the portable information terminal by executing an emergency reporting application program. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the riding recognition process. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the fall detection process. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the false detection determination process. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the post-fall process. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the process realized in the management server by executing a vehicle monitoring program.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, the configuration of an emergency reporting system for a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the emergency call system 1 for motorcycles according to this embodiment. The emergency call system 1 comprises a portable information terminal 3 that moves with the vehicle 2, which is a motorcycle; a vehicle management server 5 that can communicate wirelessly with the portable information terminal 3 via a network NW; and an emergency call center 6 that can communicate wirelessly with the portable information terminal 3 and the vehicle management server 5 via a network NW. When the vehicle 2 falls over, the emergency call system 1 makes an emergency call from the portable information terminal 3 or the vehicle management server 5 to the emergency call center 6, and the emergency call center 6 arranges for emergency vehicles to rescue the parties involved in the accident caused by the vehicle 2 falling over (the rider of the vehicle 2, people around the vehicle 2, etc.). As will be explained below, in the emergency call system 1, an emergency call can be made directly from the portable information terminal 3 to the emergency call center 6, so the portable information terminal 3 can function as an emergency call terminal on its own.

[0027] The personal information terminal 3 is a computer such as a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device that is capable of making voice calls and wireless data communication. When the rider of vehicle 2 is in vehicle 2 and traveling to a destination, they can hold the personal information terminal 3 in a way that does not interfere with driving (for example, by inserting it into a pocket of their clothing or bag, or by wearing it on their wrist), or mount it in vehicle 2 (for example, by attaching it to a holder provided in vehicle 2, or by storing it in a storage compartment provided in vehicle 2).

[0028] As explained below, in this invention, there is no need to connect the portable information terminal 3 to the vehicle's onboard equipment (such as a speedometer or inertia meter) when it functions as an emergency call terminal. Therefore, as mentioned above, a communication device such as a smartphone that the rider uses even when not in the vehicle can be used as the portable information terminal 3.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile information terminal 3 and the vehicle management server 5.

[0030] The portable information terminal 3 is a computer comprising a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a sensor unit 33, a display unit 34, an input unit 35, a speaker 36, and a battery 37.

[0031] The control unit 30 is composed of a processing unit such as a microprocessor. The configuration and functions of this control unit 30 will be described in detail later.

[0032] The memory unit 31 is composed of a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory. The memory unit 31 stores various information, including a program for an application that enables the portable information terminal 3 to function as an emergency call terminal (hereinafter also referred to as the "emergency call application"), vehicle-specific information, user-specific information, standard driving sound data, standard driving vibration data, and a user ID assigned to each registered user who uses the emergency call application.

[0033] Vehicle-specific information refers to multiple pieces of information unique to the vehicle 2 used by the user. This vehicle-specific information includes, for example, the make, model, chassis number, engine displacement, and weight of vehicle 2, which is a motorcycle. This vehicle-specific information is used, for example, when the user first uses the emergency call application, by registering the information via the input unit 35.

[0034] User-specific information refers to multiple pieces of information unique to the user who is also the rider of vehicle 2. This user-specific information includes, for example, gender, age, height, weight, blood type, and underlying medical conditions. This user-specific information is used, for example, when the user first uses the emergency call application, by registering the information via the input unit 35.

[0035] Reference driving sound data refers to sound data related to the driving sounds generated by vehicle 2 while it is in motion (for example, sounds generated from power sources such as the engine or motor of vehicle 2, or sounds generated by vibrations transmitted from the road surface to the tires). This reference driving sound data is used, for example, when a user uses the emergency call application for the first time, by acquiring sound data by the user actually driving vehicle 2 while using the microphone 333 described later.

[0036] Reference driving vibration data refers to vibration data related to vibrations that occur in vehicle 2 while it is in motion (for example, vibrations generated from the power source of vehicle 2, vibrations transmitted from the road surface to the tires, etc.). This reference driving vibration data is used, for example, when a user uses the emergency call application for the first time, by acquiring vibration data using the acceleration sensor 332 described later while the user is actually driving vehicle 2.

[0037] The communication unit 32 has a DSP and other components, and complies with standards such as 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and enables wireless communication with other devices (such as the vehicle management server 5 and the emergency call center 6) via the network under the control of the control unit 30.

[0038] The sensor unit 33 includes a GPS sensor 331, an acceleration sensor 332, and a microphone 333, among other things.

[0039] The GPS sensor 331 determines the location information of the mobile information terminal 3 (i.e., the location information of vehicle 2 or the rider when the rider is riding in vehicle 2) by receiving GPS satellite signals.

[0040] The acceleration sensor 332 measures the acceleration acting on the main body of the portable information terminal 3. Furthermore, when an impact acts on the main body of the portable information terminal 3, a large acceleration is applied to the main body in a very short time; therefore, the acceleration sensor 332 can also be used as an impact sensor to detect the degree of impact acting on the main body.

[0041] The microphone 333 generates sound data by converting sounds generated around the main body of the portable information terminal 3 (for example, the sound of a vehicle 2 driving or the sound of a rider) into electrical signals.

[0042] The display unit 34 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent panel. Images corresponding to commands from the control unit 30 are displayed on the display unit 34.

[0043] The input unit 35 is comprised of an input device such as a touch panel mounted on top of the display surface of the display unit 34. By outputting signals corresponding to operation input from the input unit 35, such as touch operations by the user on the touch panel, to the control unit 30, user selection and input operations can be realized.

[0044] The speaker 36 emits sound in response to a command from the control unit 30.

[0045] The battery 37 is a secondary battery that supplies the power necessary to operate all the electrical equipment included in the portable information terminal 3, such as the control unit 30, the memory unit 31, and the communication unit 32, and a lithium-ion battery is used, for example.

[0046] The control unit 30 is composed of a microprocessor having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and I / O (Input / Output). The CPU executes a program read from the ROM or storage unit 31, writes information to the RAM and storage unit 31, and exchanges signals with the communication unit 32, sensor unit 33, display unit 34, input unit 35, and speaker 36.

[0047] When the input unit 35 receives a user's operation to activate the emergency call application, the control unit 30 reads the emergency call application program stored in the storage unit 31 and executes it. The control unit 30 also includes a battery level acquisition unit 300, a rider recognition unit 301, a fall detection unit 302, a false detection determination unit 303, and a communication control unit 304 as functional blocks realized by executing the emergency call application program. The functions of the rider recognition unit 301, the fall detection unit 302, the false detection determination unit 303, and the communication control unit 304 will be described in order below.

[0048] The battery level acquisition unit 300 calculates the remaining charge level of the battery 37, expressed as a percentage, using a known algorithm that utilizes the detection values ​​of a battery sensor (not shown) that detects the current, voltage, temperature, etc., of the battery 37.

[0049] The rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 by using information acquired by the microphone 333, the acceleration sensor 332, and the GPS sensor 331. More specifically, the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 based on at least one of the sound acquired by the microphone 333, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor 332, and the movement speed of the mobile information terminal 3 calculated based on the location information acquired by the GPS sensor 331. In this embodiment, the case in which the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 by using all of the sound acquired by the microphone 333, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor 332, and the movement speed calculated based on the location information is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0050] More specifically, the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 based on the sound comparison result based on a known algorithm between the sound acquired by the microphone 333 and the reference driving sound reproduced from the reference driving sound data stored in the memory unit 31, the vibration comparison result based on a known algorithm between the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor 332 and the reference driving vibration reproduced from the reference driving vibration data stored in the memory unit 31, and the speed comparison result between the moving speed of the mobile information terminal 3 calculated from the time-series data of the location information and a predetermined speed threshold.

[0051] The following describes a case in which the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in vehicle 2 when the sound comparison result, vibration comparison result, and speed comparison result are all positive, that is, when the degree of agreement between the sound acquired by microphone 333 and the reference driving sound is higher than a predetermined threshold, the degree of agreement between the vibration acquired by acceleration sensor 332 and the reference driving vibration is higher than a predetermined threshold, and the movement speed of the portable information terminal 3 is higher than a predetermined speed threshold, but the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, the following describes a case in which the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is not riding in vehicle 2 when at least one of the sound comparison result, vibration comparison result, and speed comparison result is negative, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0052] The fall detection unit 302 detects when the vehicle 2, on which the rider is riding, falls over by using information acquired by the acceleration sensor 332. More specifically, the fall detection unit 302 calculates the degree of impact acting on the main body of the portable information terminal 3 based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 332 while the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding on the vehicle 2, and detects that the vehicle 2 has fallen over if the calculated degree of impact is greater than a predetermined impact threshold. As described above, when an impact acts on the main body of the portable information terminal 3, a large acceleration acts on the main body in a very short time. For this reason, the fall detection unit 302 calculates the degree of impact by multiplying the weight of the portable information terminal 3 by the maximum change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 332 over a predetermined time.

[0053] As described above, the fall detection unit 302 detects a fall of the vehicle 2 based on a comparison between the impact intensity calculated based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 332 and the impact intensity threshold. Therefore, it is preferable to set the impact intensity threshold to a value slightly smaller than the impact intensity that acts on the main body of the portable information terminal 3 when the vehicle 2 falls over. However, since the vehicle 2 and the portable information terminal 3 are subjected to impact even when they run over slight bumps in the road surface while in motion, setting the impact intensity threshold too low may result in a false detection of a fall of the vehicle 2. Therefore, the fall detection unit 302 is equipped with a function to learn the impact intensity threshold according to the judgment result of the false detection determination unit 303, which will be described later. That is, if the false detection determination unit 303 determines that the detection of a fall of the vehicle 2 was a false detection, the fall detection unit 302 changes the impact intensity threshold to a larger value. In this way, the fall detection unit 302 can automatically correct the impact intensity threshold to a value slightly smaller than the impact intensity that acts on the main body of the portable information terminal 3 when the vehicle 2 falls over, without actually causing the vehicle 2 to fall over.

[0054] The false detection determination unit 303 determines whether the vehicle 2's detection of the vehicle 2 was a false detection when the vehicle 2's is a false detection. In other words, the false detection determination unit 303 determines that the fall detection by the fall detection unit 302 was a false detection if there was no change in the vehicle's speed before and after the fall detection that was greater than a predetermined speed threshold, and determines that the fall detection by the fall detection unit 302 was not a false detection if there was a change in the vehicle's speed that was greater than the speed threshold.

[0055] The communication control unit 304 is responsible for communication processing between the mobile information terminal 3 and the vehicle management server 5 (hereinafter also referred to as "terminal-server communication processing") and communication processing between the mobile information terminal 3 and the emergency call center 6 (hereinafter also referred to as "terminal-center communication processing").

[0056] In terminal-center communication processing, if the rider is recognized as being in vehicle 2 by the aforementioned riding recognition unit 301 and the fall detection unit 302 detects that vehicle 2 has fallen over, the communication control unit 304 automatically makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 without any operation by the rider. Also, when an emergency call is made from the mobile information terminal 3 to the emergency call center 6, the communication control unit 304 transmits to the emergency call center 6 information necessary for the emergency call center 6 to quickly arrange for emergency vehicles and quickly rescue the rider, such as location information, vehicle-specific information, and user-specific information. Furthermore, when an emergency call is made from the mobile information terminal 3 to the emergency call center 6, the communication control unit 304 pronounces the operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center 6 through the speaker 36 and transmits the rider voice information acquired by the microphone 333 to the emergency call center 6 in order to facilitate voice communication between the rider and the operator at the emergency call center 6. This allows the Rider to communicate details about themselves and their surroundings to an operator at the emergency call center, enabling the operator to accurately determine whether or not emergency vehicles are needed.

[0057] In terminal-server communication processing, the communication control unit 304, upon receiving the user's operation to activate the emergency call application from the input unit 35, sends a monitoring start request to the vehicle management server 5 along with the user ID, requesting that vehicle 2 be designated as a target for monitoring by the vehicle management server 5. In terminal-server communication processing, while the rider is recognized as being in vehicle 2 by the aforementioned passenger recognition unit 301, the communication control unit 304 periodically sends location information and the vehicle's speed calculated from the time-series data of this location information (hereinafter also referred to as "monitoring target data") along with the user ID to the vehicle management server 5. Note that since the vehicle's speed can also be calculated on the vehicle management server 5 side based on the time-series data of the location information, the communication control unit 304 may only periodically send location information to the vehicle management server 5. Furthermore, while the communication control unit 304 recognizes that the rider is riding in vehicle 2, it monitors the remaining battery level of battery 37 calculated by the battery level acquisition unit 300. If the remaining battery level is below a predetermined remaining battery threshold, it sends a request to the vehicle management server 5 to stop monitoring vehicle 2 along with the user ID, in order to prevent the vehicle management server 5 from making an emergency call based on incorrect information, and stops sending location information and other data from the mobile information terminal 3 to the vehicle management server 5 thereafter.

[0058] The vehicle management server 5 is a computer comprising a control unit 50, a storage unit 51, and a communication unit 52.

[0059] The storage unit 51 is composed of a storage medium such as semiconductor memory. The storage unit 51 stores information about multiple registered users who use the emergency call application described above (hereinafter also referred to as "registered user information"), a vehicle monitoring program that monitors vehicles associated with registered users, and map data containing information about areas where the communication function of the mobile information terminal 3 cannot be used. The storage unit 51 also stores vehicle-specific information and user-specific information registered by each registered user as registered user information, associated with the user ID.

[0060] The communication unit 52 has a DSP, etc., and complies with standards such as 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and under the control of the control unit 50, it realizes wireless communication with other devices (such as the mobile information terminal 3 and the emergency call center 6) via the network NW.

[0061] The control unit 50 is composed of a microprocessor having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and I / O. The CPU executes a program read from the ROM or storage unit 51, writes information to the RAM and storage unit 51, and exchanges signals with the communication unit 52.

[0062] Upon receiving a monitoring start request and its user ID transmitted from the registered user's mobile information terminal 3, the control unit 50 recognizes the registered user's mobile information terminal 3 and vehicle 2 associated with this user ID as monitoring targets, and starts monitoring these targets by establishing data communication between the communication unit 32 and communication unit 52 of the monitored targets. Furthermore, upon receiving a monitoring stop request and its user ID from the monitored targets, the control unit 50 stops monitoring these targets.

[0063] While monitoring the target, the control unit 50 receives periodic data transmitted from the target (location information, speed, etc.) and determines the target's current location and speed. If the control unit 50 detects a disruption in data communication between the communication unit 52 and the target's communication unit 32 while periodically receiving data from the target, it sends an emergency notification to the emergency call center 6 regarding the target.

[0064] More specifically, if the control unit 50 detects a disruption in data communication with the monitored object while periodically receiving data from the monitored object, it estimates the current location of the monitored object based on the data received immediately before detecting the disruption, and determines whether this estimated location is within a communication-disabled area in the map data stored in the storage unit 51. If the estimated location of the monitored object is within a communication-disabled area, the control unit 50 waits until data from the monitored object is transmitted again. If the estimated location of the monitored object is outside a communication-disabled area, it makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 regarding the monitored object.

[0065] If data communication with the monitored target is interrupted even though the estimated location of the monitored target is outside the communication-disabled area, the monitored target may fall over for some reason, and its mobile information terminal 3 may malfunction, making it impossible for the monitored target to directly make an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 from its mobile information terminal 3. Therefore, the control unit 50 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 on behalf of the monitored target, who is unable to make an emergency call directly to the emergency call center 6. When the control unit 50 makes an emergency call on behalf of the monitored target in this manner, it transmits to the emergency call center 6 the monitored target data (location information and movement speed, etc.) received immediately before detecting the interruption of communication with the monitored target, along with vehicle-specific information and user-specific information stored in the storage unit 51 in association with the monitored target's user ID.

[0066] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the process implemented on the mobile information terminal 3 by executing the emergency call application program. The process shown in Figure 3 starts, for example, when a registered user, Rider, gets into their vehicle 2 and starts moving toward a predetermined destination, and the Rider operates the mobile information terminal 3 to activate the emergency call application. This process is then repeatedly executed under a predetermined control cycle.

[0067] First, in step ST1, the control unit 30 sends a monitoring start request to the vehicle management server 5 along with the user ID in order to make vehicle 2 a target for monitoring by the vehicle management server 5, and then proceeds to step ST2.

[0068] Next, in step ST2, the control unit 30 determines whether the current battery charge level is above a predetermined charge threshold. If the result of the determination in step ST2 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST3.

[0069] Next, in step ST3, the control unit 30 determines whether or not it has received a termination operation for the emergency call application by the lid. If the result of the determination in step ST3 is NO, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST4.

[0070] Furthermore, if the determination result of step ST2 is NO, that is, if the remaining charge level is below the remaining charge threshold, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST15 in order to prevent sudden data communication interruptions due to insufficient battery charge and false reports from the vehicle management server 5 due to these data communication interruptions. In step ST15, the control unit 30 sends a monitoring stop request along with the user ID to the vehicle management server 5 and terminates the emergency notification application shown in Figure 3. Also, if the determination result of step ST3 is YES, that is, if the rider indicates their intention to terminate the emergency notification application, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST15 and sends a monitoring stop request along with the user ID to the vehicle management server 5 and terminates the emergency notification application shown in Figure 3.

[0071] Next, in step ST4, the control unit 30 performs a riding recognition process to recognize that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2, and then proceeds to step ST5.

[0072] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the specific steps involved in the passenger recognition process. First, in step ST31, the control unit 30 acquires ambient sound from the mobile information terminal 3 using the microphone 333, and then proceeds to step ST32.

[0073] In step ST32, the control unit 30 performs a sound comparison process that compares the sound acquired in step ST31 with the reference running sound reproduced from the reference running sound data stored in the memory unit 31 based on a known algorithm, calculates a sound matching degree value, and then proceeds to step ST33.

[0074] In step ST33, the control unit 30 determines whether the sound matching value calculated in step ST32 is higher than a predetermined sound threshold. If the determination result in step ST33 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST34; otherwise, it moves to step ST41.

[0075] In step ST34, the control unit 30 acquires vibrations transmitted to the main body of the portable information terminal 3 using the acceleration sensor 332, and then proceeds to step ST35.

[0076] In step ST35, the control unit 30 performs a vibration comparison process that compares the vibration acquired in step ST34 with the reference driving vibration reproduced from the reference driving vibration data stored in the memory unit 31 based on a known algorithm, calculates a vibration agreement value, and then proceeds to step ST36.

[0077] In step ST36, the control unit 30 determines whether the vibration agreement value calculated in step ST35 is higher than a predetermined vibration threshold. If the determination result in step ST36 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST37; otherwise, it proceeds to step ST41.

[0078] In step ST37, the control unit 30 calculates the movement speed of the mobile information terminal 3 based on the time-series data of the location information, and then proceeds to step ST38. In step ST38, the control unit 30 determines whether the calculated movement speed is faster than a predetermined speed threshold (for example, set to the walking speed of a typical pedestrian). If the determination result in step ST37 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST39; otherwise, it proceeds to step ST41.

[0079] In step ST39, the control unit 30 recognizes that the rider is riding in vehicle 2 and proceeds to step ST40. In step ST40, the control unit 30 sends a riding notification to the vehicle management server 5 indicating that the rider is riding in vehicle 2, along with monitored data including location information and speed, and proceeds to step ST5 in Figure 3.

[0080] In step ST41, the control unit 30 recognizes that the rider is not in vehicle 2 and proceeds to step ST42. In step ST42, the control unit 30 sends a non-boarding notification to the vehicle management server 5 indicating that the rider is not in vehicle 2, and proceeds to step ST5 in Figure 3.

[0081] Returning to Figure 3, in step ST5, the control unit 30 determines whether the rider is recognized as being in a vehicle based on the results of the riding recognition process. If the result of the determination in step ST5 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST6; otherwise, it returns to step ST2. In other words, if the riding recognition process determines that the rider is not in the vehicle, the control unit 30 does not execute the processes in steps ST6 to ST11.

[0082] Next, in step ST6, the control unit 30 performs a fall detection process to detect that the vehicle 2, on which the rider is riding, has fallen over, and then proceeds to step ST7.

[0083] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the fall detection process. First, in step ST51, the control unit 30 calculates the degree of impact acting on the main body of the portable information terminal 3 based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 332, and then proceeds to step ST52.

[0084] Next, in step ST52, the control unit 30 determines whether the impact intensity calculated in step ST51 is greater than a preset impact intensity threshold. If the result of the determination in step ST52 is NO, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST7 in Figure 3 without executing the subsequent processes (steps ST53 to ST54). If the result of the determination in step ST52 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST53.

[0085] In step ST53, the control unit 30 detects that the vehicle 2 on which the rider is riding has fallen over, and proceeds to step ST54. In step ST54, the control unit 30 sends a fall detection notification to the vehicle management server 5 indicating that it has detected the fall of vehicle 2, and proceeds to step ST7 in Figure 3.

[0086] Returning to Figure 3, in step ST7, the control unit 30 determines whether or not it has detected that vehicle 2 has overturned as a result of the overturning detection process. If the result of the determination in step ST7 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST8; otherwise, it returns to step ST2. In other words, if the overturning detection process does not detect that vehicle 2 has overturned, the control unit 30 does not execute the processes in steps ST8 to ST11.

[0087] In step ST8, the control unit 30 performs a false detection determination process to determine whether the fall detection performed by the fall detection process was a false detection, and then proceeds to step ST9.

[0088] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the specific steps involved in the false positive detection process. First, in step ST61, the control unit 30 acquires time-series data of position information immediately before and immediately after a fall is detected by the fall detection process, and then proceeds to step ST62.

[0089] In step ST62, the control unit 30 calculates the movement speed immediately before detecting a fall and the movement speed immediately after detecting a fall based on the time-series data of position information acquired in step ST61, and then proceeds to step ST63.

[0090] In step ST63, the control unit 30 determines whether there was a significant change in movement speed before and after detecting a fall by determining whether the absolute value of the difference between the movement speed immediately before and immediately after detecting a fall, calculated in step ST62, is greater than or equal to a predetermined fall detection threshold. If the result of the determination in step ST63 is NO, the control unit 30 moves to step ST64; if it is YES, it moves to step ST65.

[0091] In step ST64, the control unit 30 determines that the fall detection by the fall detection process is not a false detection and proceeds to step ST9 in Figure 3. In step ST65, the control unit 30 determines that the fall detection by the fall detection process is a false detection and proceeds to step ST66. In step ST66, the control unit 30 changes the impact threshold in the fall detection process to a larger value and proceeds to step ST9 in Figure 3.

[0092] Returning to Figure 3, in step ST9, the control unit 30 determines, based on the result of the false detection determination process, whether the fall detection by the fall detection process was a false detection or not. If the result of the determination in step ST9 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST10; otherwise, it returns to step ST2. In other words, if the control unit 30 determines, based on the result of the false detection determination process, that the fall detection by the fall detection process was a false detection, it does not execute the subsequent processes (steps ST10 to ST11).

[0093] In step ST10, the control unit 30, having determined that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2, detects that the vehicle 2 has fallen over, and has determined that this fall detection was not a false positive, sends an emergency call from the communication unit 32 to the emergency call center 6 and initiates a call connection with an operator at the emergency call center 6, then proceeds to step ST11. When the control unit 30 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 in step ST10, it transmits information necessary for the emergency call center 6 to quickly arrange for emergency vehicles and rescue the rider, such as the current location information, vehicle-specific information, and user-specific information.

[0094] In step ST11, the control unit 30 performs post-tipping processing and then returns to step ST2.

[0095] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the specific steps for handling a fall.

[0096] In step ST71, the control unit 30 determines whether the call connection to the operator of the emergency call center 6, which was initiated in step ST10, has been completed, that is, whether a state has been reached where conversational communication is possible between the rider and the operator.

[0097] If the determination result of step ST71 is NO, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST72. In this case, if the determination result of step ST71 is NO, it is assumed that there is a malfunction in the communication function of the portable information terminal 3 for some reason (for example, an impact due to a fall), and an emergency call has not been properly made to the emergency call center 6.

[0098] In step ST72, the control unit 30 considers the possibility that there may be an abnormality in the communication function of the mobile information terminal 3, but that communication with the vehicle management server 5 is still possible. To ensure that the emergency call from the vehicle management server 5 to the emergency call center 6 is reliably executed, the control unit 30 sends a connection failure notification to the vehicle management server 5, along with the user ID, indicating that the call connection failed, and then proceeds to step ST73. In step ST73, the control unit 30 terminates the communication connection with the vehicle management server 5 and terminates the process shown in Figure 7 and the emergency call application shown in Figure 3.

[0099] If the result of the determination in step ST71 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST74. In step ST74, the control unit 30 turns on the speaker 36 and plays the operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center 6, and proceeds to step ST75. In step ST75, the control unit 30 turns on the microphone 333 and transmits the Rider voice information acquired by this microphone 333 to the emergency call center 6, and proceeds to step ST76. From this point onward, voice communication becomes possible between the operator of the emergency call center 6 and the Rider. For this reason, the operator of the emergency call center 6 comprehensively considers whether or not there is a voice response from the Rider or those around them (hereinafter referred to as "Rider, etc."), the Rider, etc.'s intentions expressed in voice, and the Rider, etc.'s explanations expressed in voice, etc., to determine whether or not it is necessary to dispatch an emergency vehicle.

[0100] In step ST76, the control unit 30 determines whether it has received an operation from the input unit 35 to request the termination of the call connection with the emergency call center 6. If the result of the determination in step ST76 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST77, terminates the call connection with the emergency call center 6, and then moves to step ST2 in Figure 3. Here, a result of the determination in step ST76 being YES is assumed to be, for example, when a rider or the like has finished communicating to the operator via voice communication whether or not an emergency vehicle needs to be dispatched.

[0101] If the result of the determination in step ST76 is NO, the control unit 30 moves to step ST78. In step ST78, the control unit 30 determines whether or not there has been a request to terminate the call connection from the operator of the emergency call center 6. If the result of the determination in step ST78 is YES, the control unit 30 moves to step ST77, terminates the call connection to the emergency call center 6, and then moves to step ST2 in Figure 3. Here, a result of the determination in step ST78 being YES is assumed to be, for example, when the operator has completed the determination of whether or not to arrange for an emergency vehicle, or when voice communication with the rider, etc., was not established and the operator determined that arranging for an emergency vehicle was not necessary.

[0102] If the determination result of step ST78 is NO, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST79. In step ST79, the control unit 30 determines whether the movement of vehicle 2 has resumed based on the position information. If the determination result of step ST78 is NO, the control unit 30 returns to step ST76 in order to continue voice communication between the rider and the operator.

[0103] If the determination result of step ST79 is YES, the control unit 30 proceeds to step ST80. Here, a YES determination result of step ST79 is assumed to be, for example, a case where an emergency call was automatically made to the emergency call center 6 in response to vehicle 2 overturning, but because the damage was minor, the rider got back on vehicle 2 and resumed moving without responding to the operator's voice call. In step ST80, the control unit 30 sends a notification to the vehicle management server 5 indicating that the damage from the overturning was minor and an emergency call was unnecessary, and proceeds to step ST77. As described above, in step ST77, the control unit 30 disconnects the call connection to the emergency call center 6 and then proceeds to step ST2 in Figure 3.

[0104] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the process implemented in the vehicle management server 5 by executing the vehicle monitoring program. The process shown in Figure 8 is initiated by the control unit 50 in response to a registered user launching the emergency call application installed on the mobile information terminal 3, and receiving a monitoring start request (see step ST1 in Figure 3) and user ID transmitted from the mobile information terminal 3.

[0105] First, in step ST101, the control unit 50 identifies the vehicle 2 and the mobile information terminal 3 associated with the received user ID as monitoring targets, begins monitoring these targets, and then proceeds to step ST102. More specifically, the control unit 50 establishes data communication between the monitoring targets and the communication unit 52, and begins monitoring the monitoring targets by making it possible to receive various data and information transmitted from the monitoring targets. Therefore, from step ST101 onward, the vehicle management server 5 becomes able to receive monitoring target data (location information, speed of movement, etc.), non-occupancy notifications, occupancy notifications, fall detection notifications, connection failure notifications, notifications not to report, and requests to stop monitoring, etc., transmitted from the monitoring targets.

[0106] In step ST102, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has received a monitoring stop request from the monitored object. If the result of the determination in step ST102 is YES, the control unit 50 proceeds to step ST120; otherwise, it proceeds to step ST103.

[0107] In step ST103, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has received a notification that the rider is in the vehicle from the monitored vehicle. If the result of the determination in step ST103 is NO, that is, if the monitored vehicle recognizes that the rider is not in the vehicle 2, the control unit 50 returns to step ST102 without executing the subsequent processes (steps ST104 to ST110). Therefore, while the monitored vehicle recognizes that the rider is not in the vehicle, the vehicle management server 5 will not send an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 for this monitored vehicle. The control unit 50 also proceeds to step ST104 only if the result of the determination in step ST103 is YES, that is, if the monitored vehicle recognizes that the rider is in the vehicle 2 and is periodically receiving monitored data from the monitored vehicle (see step ST40 in Figure 4).

[0108] In step ST104, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has detected a disruption in data communication between the communication unit 52 and the monitored communication unit 32. If the result of the determination in step ST104 is YES, the control unit 50 proceeds to step ST105; otherwise, it proceeds to step ST107.

[0109] In step ST105, the control unit 50 estimates the current location of the monitored object based on the monitored object data received immediately before detecting a disruption in data communication with the monitored object, and determines whether this estimated location is within a communication-disabled area in the map data stored in the storage unit 51. If the result of the determination in step ST105 is NO, the control unit 50 proceeds to step ST106.

[0110] As described above, if the battery level of the monitored mobile information terminal 3 is below the remaining charge threshold, the monitored device sends a request to stop monitoring to the vehicle management server 5, and the vehicle management server 5 stops monitoring this monitored device (see step ST15 in Figure 3). Therefore, if the result of the determination in step ST105 is NO, it is assumed that data communication has been interrupted due to factors other than the battery level and communication area of ​​the monitored mobile information terminal 3, namely a failure of the mobile information terminal caused by the monitored vehicle overturning. For this reason, in step ST106, the control unit 50 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 on behalf of the monitored device and proceeds to step ST120. When the control unit 50 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 in step ST106, it transmits information necessary for the emergency call center 6 to quickly arrange for emergency vehicles or quickly rescue the monitored rider, such as location information and movement speed included in the monitored device data received immediately before detecting the interruption of data communication, vehicle-specific information associated with the monitored device, and user-specific information.

[0111] In step ST120, the control unit 50 terminates monitoring of the target and ends the process shown in Figure 8.

[0112] If the determination result of step ST105 is YES, the control unit 50 returns to step ST102 to wait until the monitored object leaves the communication-disabled area.

[0113] In step ST107, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has received a fall detection notification from the monitored object. If the result of the determination in step ST107 is NO, the control unit 50 returns to step ST102; if it is YES, it proceeds to step ST108.

[0114] In step ST108, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has detected a disruption in data communication between the communication unit 52 and the monitored communication unit 32. If the result of the determination in step ST108 is YES, the control unit 50 proceeds to step ST106; otherwise, it proceeds to step ST109. Here, a YES result in step ST108 is assumed to be when the communication function of the monitored mobile information terminal malfunctions due to the impact when the monitored vehicle overturns. In this case, it may not be possible for the monitored vehicle to directly make an emergency call to the emergency call center 6. Therefore, the control unit 50 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 on behalf of the monitored vehicle (see step ST106).

[0115] In step ST109, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has received a connection failure notification from the monitored vehicle. If the result of the determination in step ST109 is NO, the control unit 50 proceeds to step ST110; if it is YES, it proceeds to step ST106. Here, a YES result in step ST109 is assumed to be when the communication connection between the monitored vehicle's mobile information terminal and the emergency call center 6 fails due to the impact of the vehicle overturning. In this case as well, the control unit 50 makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 on behalf of the monitored vehicle (see step ST106).

[0116] In step ST110, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it has received a notification from the monitored vehicle that emergency notification is not required. If the result of the determination in step ST110 is NO, the control unit 50 returns to step ST108; if it is YES, it proceeds to step ST120. Here, a YES result in step ST108 is assumed to be when it has been determined that the damage caused by the monitored vehicle's fall is minor and emergency notification is not required. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 50 terminates monitoring of the monitored vehicle without sending an emergency notification from the vehicle management server 5 (see step ST120).

[0117] The portable information terminal 3 according to this embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The portable information terminal 3 is mounted on the vehicle 2, which is a motorcycle, or held by the rider, and comprises a rider recognition unit 301, a fall detection unit 302, and a communication control unit 304. The rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding the vehicle, and the fall detection unit 302 detects when the vehicle falls over. The communication control unit 304 also makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 when the rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding the vehicle and the fall detection unit 302 detects a fall. Thus, with the portable information terminal 3, if the vehicle 2 falls over while the rider is riding it, an emergency call is automatically made to the emergency call center 6 without any operation by the rider, thereby improving the traffic safety of the rider of the vehicle 2.

[0118] (2) When an emergency call is made, the communication control unit 304 transmits the location information of the vehicle 2 or rider, vehicle-specific information, and rider-specific information to the emergency call center 6. As a result, the portable information terminal 3 can automatically transmit to the emergency call center 6 the information necessary for the emergency call center 6 to quickly dispatch an emergency vehicle to the location where the vehicle 2 has fallen and to rescue the rider, without requiring any operation or response from the rider, thereby improving the traffic safety of the rider in vehicle 2.

[0119] (3) When an emergency call is made, the communication control unit 304 pronounces the operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center 6 through the speaker 36 and transmits the rider voice information acquired by the microphone 333 to the emergency call center 6. As a result, if the vehicle 2 falls over, the portable information terminal 3 can facilitate voice communication between the operator at the emergency call center 6 and the rider of the vehicle 2, so that the emergency call center 6 can accurately determine whether or not to dispatch an emergency vehicle, and in turn improve the traffic safety of the rider of the vehicle 2.

[0120] (4) The rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 based on at least one of the sound acquired by the microphone 333, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor 332, and the speed of movement calculated based on the location information. As a result, the portable information terminal 3 can automatically recognize that the rider is riding without any operation by the rider, thereby improving the convenience of the rider.

[0121] (5) The rider recognition unit 301 recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle 2 based on at least one of the following: the comparison result between the sound acquired by the microphone 333 and the reference driving sound, and the comparison result between the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor 332 and the reference driving vibration. As a result, the portable information terminal 3 can accurately recognize that the rider is riding in the vehicle, thus preventing misrecognition by the rider recognition unit 301.

[0122] (6) The false detection determination unit 303 determines whether the fall detection by the fall detection unit 302 was a false detection based on the position information immediately after the fall detection unit 302 detects a fall. That is, if the position information continues to change immediately after the fall detection unit 302 detects a fall, it can be determined that this was a false detection. The fall detection unit 302 also detects a fall when the impact intensity acquired by the acceleration sensor 332 is greater than a predetermined impact intensity threshold, and if the false detection determination unit 303 determines that the fall detection was a false detection, it changes the impact intensity threshold to a larger value. This prevents further false detections.

[0123] (7) The emergency call system 1 comprises a portable information terminal 3 mounted on a motorcycle vehicle 2 or held by the rider, and a vehicle management server 5 capable of communicating with the portable information terminal 3. The portable information terminal 3 also comprises a rider recognition unit 301 that recognizes that the rider is riding, a GPS sensor 331 that acquires location information of the vehicle 2 or the rider, and a communication control unit 304 that periodically transmits location information to the vehicle management server 5 while the rider is recognized as riding. If the vehicle management server 5 detects a communication interruption to the portable information terminal 3 while periodically receiving location information from the portable information terminal 3, it determines that the vehicle 2 has fallen over and the portable information terminal 3 has malfunctioned due to the impact of the fall and is unable to communicate, and makes an emergency call to the emergency call center 6. This means that even if the portable information terminal 3, which travels with the vehicle 2, malfunctions and becomes unable to make an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 from the portable information terminal 3, the vehicle management server 5 can still make an emergency call to the emergency call center 6, thereby improving the traffic safety of the rider in vehicle 2.

[0124] (8) When the remaining charge level of the battery 37 of the portable information terminal 3 falls below a predetermined remaining charge threshold, the communication control unit 304 of the portable information terminal 3 sends a request to the vehicle management server 5 to stop monitoring the vehicle 2, and then stops sending location information to the vehicle management server 5. This prevents the emergency call system 1 from mistakenly determining that the vehicle 2 being monitored has overturned and mistakenly making an emergency call to the emergency call center 6 if the remaining charge level of the battery 37 of the portable information terminal 3 falls to a level that prevents its communication control unit 304 etc. from operating normally, causing communication between the portable information terminal 3 and the vehicle management server 5 to be interrupted.

[0125] (9) When an emergency call is made, the vehicle management server 5 transmits vehicle-specific information and rider-specific information to the emergency call center 6 along with the location information received immediately before detecting a communication interruption. As a result, according to the emergency call system 1, the emergency call center 6, upon receiving the emergency call, can quickly dispatch an emergency vehicle to the location where the vehicle 2 has fallen and automatically transmit the information necessary to rescue the rider to the emergency call center 6 without requiring any operation or response from the rider, thereby improving the traffic safety of the rider of vehicle 2.

[0126] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, the details of the configuration may be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 1…Emergency call system 2…Vehicles (motorcycles) 3… Mobile information terminal (emergency call terminal) 30…Control Unit 300...Battery level acquisition unit (means for acquiring remaining charge) 301... Passenger recognition unit (passenger recognition means) 302...Tip detection unit (tip detection means) 303... False detection determination unit (false detection determination means) 304...Communication control unit (communication control means) 31...Storage unit (storage medium) 32… Communications Department 33...Sensor unit 331…GPS sensor (means of acquiring location information) 332...Accelerometer 333... Mike 36...Speaker 37…Battery 5…Vehicle management server (vehicle management server) 50…Control Unit 51...Storage section 52... Communications Department 6…Emergency Call Center

Claims

1. An emergency call terminal for a motorcycle, which is mounted on a motorcycle or held by the rider of the said vehicle, A rider recognition means that recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle, A tipping detection means for detecting the tipping of the vehicle, A communication control means that, when the rider is recognized as being on a vehicle and the aforementioned fall is detected, makes an emergency call to the emergency call center, Location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or rider, The system includes a storage medium that stores vehicle-specific information, rider-specific information, and at least one of sound data relating to a standard driving sound and vibration data relating to a standard driving vibration, When making an emergency call, the communication control means transmits the location information, the vehicle-specific information, and the rider-specific information to the emergency call center. The aforementioned rider recognition means is characterized by recognizing that a rider is riding the vehicle based on either the result of comparing the sound acquired by the microphone with the reference driving sound, or the result of comparing the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor with the reference driving vibration. This is an emergency call terminal for motorcycles.

2. An emergency call terminal for a motorcycle, which is mounted on a vehicle that is a motorcycle or held by the rider of the vehicle, A rider recognition means that recognizes that the rider is riding in the vehicle, A tipping detection means for detecting the tipping of the vehicle, A communication control means that, when the rider is recognized as being on a vehicle and the aforementioned fall is detected, makes an emergency call to the emergency call center, Location information acquisition means for acquiring location information of the vehicle or rider, A storage medium for storing vehicle-specific information and rider-specific information, The system includes a false detection determination means that determines whether the detection of the fall by the fall detection means was a false detection, based on the position information immediately after the fall is detected. When making an emergency call, the communication control means transmits the location information, the vehicle-specific information, and the rider-specific information to the emergency call center. The aforementioned fall detection means detects a fall when the impact intensity acquired by the impact sensor is greater than a predetermined impact intensity threshold, and if the false detection determination means determines that the fall detection was a false detection, it changes the impact intensity threshold to a larger value, characterized in that it is an emergency call terminal for motorcycles.

3. The communication control means, when making the emergency call, is characterized in that it pronounces operator voice information transmitted from the emergency call center through a speaker and transmits rider voice information acquired by a microphone to the emergency call center, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The emergency call terminal for a motorcycle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the riding recognition means recognizes that a rider is riding the vehicle based on the sound acquired by the microphone, the vibration acquired by the acceleration sensor, and the speed of movement calculated based on the position information.

5. An emergency call terminal according to claim 1 or 2, An emergency call system for motorcycles comprising an emergency call terminal and a vehicle management server capable of communicating with the aforementioned emergency call terminal, The communication control means periodically transmits the location information to the vehicle management server while the rider is recognized as being in a vehicle. An emergency notification system for motorcycles, characterized in that the vehicle management server, while periodically receiving location information from the emergency notification terminal, detects a communication interruption to the emergency notification terminal and makes an emergency notification to the emergency notification center.

6. The emergency call terminal further comprises a means for obtaining the remaining battery level, The communication control means, when the remaining battery level is below a predetermined remaining level threshold, sends a request to the vehicle management server to stop monitoring the vehicle, and then stops transmitting the location information to the vehicle management server, as described in claim 5, for the emergency notification system for motorcycles.

7. The vehicle management server further comprises a storage medium for storing vehicle-specific information and rider-specific information, and when making an emergency call, transmits the location information, vehicle-specific information, and rider-specific information received immediately before detecting a communication interruption to the emergency call terminal to the emergency call center, as described in claim 5 or 6.

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