Vehicle eCall Subscription Switching Based on Accident Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles equipped with a low capability OEM subscription may struggle to place an emergency call (eCall) in areas where the available networks are unavailable, leading to significant delays due to network scanning and corrective actions, which can waste precious time after an accident.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system predicts the likelihood of an accident using sensor data and machine learning, proactively switching the OEM subscription from a low capability to a high capability subscription before an accident occurs, ensuring immediate network access for eCall initiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the OEM subscription is set to low capability subscription to reduce costs, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to place eCall in areas with limited network availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubscription capabilityVSAvoideCall placement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the OEM subscription between low capability and high capability modes based on real-time network availability assessment and accident probability prediction. When networks are unavailable and accident risk is high, the system transitions to high capability subscription to ensure eCall reliability, otherwise it operates in low capability mode to minimize complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary network scanning and accident probability assessment before an accident occurs. When networks are found to be unavailable, it proactively switches to high capability subscription in advance, ensuring immediate eCall capability when needed without waiting for the accident to happen first.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the vehicle scans for networks and takes corrective action after an accident to ensure eCall placement, then eCall reliability is improved, but the time required to place the eCall increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeCall placement successVSAvoideCall placement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously scans for network availability and assesses accident probability before accidents occur. When networks are unavailable and accident risk is high, it pre-switches to high capability subscription, so that when an accident happens, the eCall can be placed immediately without post-accident scanning or corrective actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from network scanning results and sensor data to dynamically adjust subscription capability. Network availability status and predicted accident probability continuously feed into the decision logic, triggering automatic subscription switching to ensure optimal eCall readiness without manual intervention or post-accident delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the OEM subscription is set to high capability subscription to ensure network access, then eCall reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidsubscription capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts subscription capability based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining high capability constantly. It switches to high capability only when network unavailability is detected and accident probability is high, otherwise operating in low capability mode to minimize complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the subscription (capability level) based on environmental conditions and risk assessment. By adjusting the subscription capability parameter dynamically according to network availability and accident probability, it achieves high reliability only when necessary while minimizing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4331244B1Subscription switching for vehicle emergency calls based on a predicted probability of an accident
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4331244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4331244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4331244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an aspect, a method includes determining, by a processor of a vehicle, that an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) subscription of the vehicle is set to a low capability subscription. The method includes determining, by the processor, that the low capability subscription is unable to access a network at a current location of the vehicle based on the low capability subscription. The method also includes determining, by the processor and based on sensor data received from one or more sensors of the vehicle, a probability of an accident occurring to the vehicle. The method further includes determining, by the processor, that the probability satisfies a threshold. The method includes switching, by the processor, the OEM subscription from the low capability subscription to a high capability subscription.