U.S. patent application number 11/075280 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein.
This patent application is currently assigned to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nakama, Yasutoshi, Yamamoto, Masashi, Yoshioka, Kenji.
Application Number | 20050153680 11/075280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26364464 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050153680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshioka, Kenji ; et
al. |
July 14, 2005 |
Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein
Abstract
An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle includes a
microphone, a loudspeaker, and a handsfree system circuit.
Handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report
receiving center is allowed via the microphone, the loudspeaker,
and the handsfree system circuit. A volume control circuit
connected to the loudspeaker operates for controlling a volume
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined
constant level or higher. The volume control circuit may control
the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and may
inhibit a user from changing the volume level.
Inventors: |
Yoshioka, Kenji;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Nakama, Yasutoshi;
(Ikoma-shi, JP) ; Yamamoto, Masashi;
(Sagamihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOUIS WOO
LAW OFFICE OF LOUIS WOO
717 NORTH FAYETTE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
26364464 |
Appl. No.: |
11/075280 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11075280 |
Mar 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
09492288 |
Jan 27, 2000 |
|
|
|
6873837 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/404.1 ;
455/404.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 1/52 20130101; G01S
19/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/404.1 ;
455/404.2 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00; H04M
009/00; H04M 011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 1999 |
JP |
11-26656 |
Feb 15, 1999 |
JP |
11-36104 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means for
allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency
report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and
the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit
connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined
constant level or higher during two-way speech communication
between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency
reporting apparatus; wherein the volume control circuit controls
the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and inhibits
a user from changing the volume level.
21. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means for
allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency
report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and
the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit
connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined
constant level or higher during two-way speech communication
between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency
reporting apparatus; wherein the volume control circuit comprises
means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined
constant level during emergency reporting communication, and means
for allowing a user to change the volume level.
22. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means for
allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency
report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and
the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit
connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined
constant level or higher during two-way speech communication
between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency
reporting apparatus; wherein the volume control circuit comprises
first means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined
constant level during emergency reporting communication, second
means for allowing a user to change the volume level after the
first means controls the volume level at the predetermined constant
level, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving
out of a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via
the second means.
23. An emergency reporting network system comprising: an emergency
report receiving center; a communication network; and emergency
reporting apparatuses connectable with the emergency report
receiving center via the communication network; wherein each of the
emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting
apparatus of one of claims 20-22.
24. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
microphone a loudspeaker a handsfree system circuit; means for
allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency
report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and
the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit
connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined
constant level or higher during emergency reporting in response to
a desired volume signal.
25. An emergency reporting apparatus as recited in claim 24,
further comprising means for preventing the volume level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker from being decreased to less than the
predetermined constant level.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an emergency reporting network
system for vehicles such as automotive vehicles. This invention
also relates to a terminal apparatus used in an emergency reporting
network system. In addition, this invention relates to a method of
reporting an emergency.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional emergency communication apparatus for a
vehicle is started when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After
the start, the conventional apparatus tries to connect with a
police station or an emergency report receiving center via a mobile
telephone network. When connection has been established, the
conventional apparatus allows speech communication between a user
of the apparatus and an operator in the police station or the
emergency report receiving center.
[0005] It is known to provide a vehicular emergency communication
apparatus with a handsfree system circuit which allows handsfree
speech communication between a user of the apparatus and an
operator in a police station or an emergency report receiving
center. In such a known apparatus, it is possible for the user to
adjust the volume (the loudness) of sound generated from a
loudspeaker used by the handsfree system circuit. Therefore, if the
volume level is erroneously preset to a minimum, the user can not
hear reproduced operator's voice during handsfree speech
communication. In the known apparatus, the loudspeaker is designed
for the exclusive use of the handsfree system circuit. The
exclusive loudspeaker occupies a corresponding space in a related
vehicle.
[0006] Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-20578
discloses a present position emergency informing device mounted on
an automobile. The emergency informing device in Japanese
application 5-20578 includes a crash sensor, a position detector,
and an automobile telephone. When the automobile causes a crash,
the crash sensor detects a related impact force. At the same time
as the moment of detection of the impact force, the position
detector is operated. Subsequently, an emergency section such as
police is automatically contacted through the automobile telephone.
Then, the accident and the position where the accident occurs are
automatically notified to the emergency section.
[0007] Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-5626
discloses a navigation system which is designed so that data of
emergency numbers fed from a CD-ROM, and its own position data of a
vehicle estimated by means of a location device are stored in a
FIFO memory. In addition, voices produced in the vehicle are stored
in a voice storing device, and personal information about the
driver of the vehicle and his fellow passengers is stored in an ID
card device. In the navigation system of Japanese application
5-5626, the occurrence of an accident is detected by comparing a
change in the signal of an acceleration sensor with a predetermined
change in accident-caused impact acceleration. Upon detection of
the occurrence of an accident, the information is outputted from
the FIFO memory, the voice storing device, and the ID card device
to an external via a communication unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is a first object of this invention to provide an
improved emergency reporting network system.
[0009] It is a second object of this invention to provide an
improved terminal apparatus in an emergency reporting network
system.
[0010] It is a third object of this invention to provie an improved
method of reporting an emergency.
[0011] A first aspect of this invention provides an emergency
reporting apparatus for a vehicle. The emergency reporting
apparatus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system
circuit; means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication
with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the
loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control
circuit connected to the loudspeaker for controlling a volume level
of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant
level or higher.
[0012] A second aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
wherein the volume control circuit controls the volume level at the
predetermined constant level, and inhibits a user from changing the
volume level.
[0013] A third aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
wherein the volume control circuit comprises means for controlling
the volume level at the predetermined constant level during
emergency reporting communication, and means for allowing a user to
change the volume level.
[0014] A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
wherein the volume control circuit comprises first means for
controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level
during emergency reporting communication, second means for allowing
a user to change the volume level after the first means controls
the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and third
means for preventing the volume level from moving out of a
predetermined range after the volume level is changed via the
second means.
[0015] A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
further comprising means for detecting a level of background sound
noise inputted via the microphone, and means for controlling the
volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker in response to the detected level of
background sound noise.
[0016] A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
further comprising means for receiving a volume level control
signal from the emergency report receiving center, and means for
controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volume level
of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received
volume level control signal.
[0017] A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first
aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus
further comprising means for receiving a volume level control
signal from an external device, and means for controlling the
volume control circuit to adjust the volume level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker in response to the received volume
level control signal.
[0018] An eighth aspect of this invention provides an emergency
reporting network system comprising emergency report receiving
center; a communication network; and emergency reporting
apparatuses connectable with the emergency report receiving center
via the communication network; wherein each of the emergency
reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting apparatus
of one of the first to seventh aspects of this invention.
[0019] A ninth aspect of this invention provides a method of
reporting an emergency in a vehicle including an audio system. The
method comprises the steps of allowing handsfree speech
communication with an emergency report receiving center via a
microphone and a loudspeaker; and using a loudspeaker of the audio
system as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
[0020] A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth
aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein one of an
audio-system loudspeakers located in a right front door, a right
rear door, a left front door, a left rear door, a right portion of
a rear seat, and a left portion of the rear seat of the vehicle is
used as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.
[0021] An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth
aspect thereof, and provides a method further comprising the step
of, in cases where the loudspeaker of the audio system is wrong,
replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with another
loudspeaker of the audio system and thereby using another
loudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech
communication loudspeaker.
[0022] A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh
aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step
comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system
with another loudspeaker of the audio system in response to user's
manual operation.
[0023] A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the
replacing step comprises the step of replacing the loudspeaker of
the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system in
response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal transmitted
from the emergency report receiving center.
[0024] A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
thirteenth aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein a DTMF
signal is used as the loudspeaker change requirement signal.
[0025] A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the
replacing step comprises the steps of detecting a level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker of the audio system, and replacing the
loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the
audio system in response to the detected sound level.
[0026] A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
eleventh aspect thereof, and provides a method wherein the
replacing step comprises the steps of detecting an impedance of the
loudspeaker of the audio system, deciding whether the loudspeaker
of the audio system is normal or wrong in response to the detected
impedance of the loudspeaker, and replacing the loudspeaker of the
audio system with another loudspeaker of the audio system when the
loudspeaker of the audio system is decided to be wrong.
[0027] A seventeenth aspect of this invention provides an emergency
reporting apparatus for a vehicle including an audio system. The
emergency reporting appratus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker;
a handsfree system circuit; and means for allowing handsfree speech
communication with an emergency report receiving center via the
microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit;
wherein the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker uses a
loudspeaker of the audio system.
[0028] An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
seventeenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting
apparatus further comprising means for selecting one from among
loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech
communication loudspeaker.
[0029] A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the
eighteenth aspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting
apparatus wherein the selecting means comprises a unit manually
operable by a user, and means for selecting one from among
loudspeakers of the audio system as the handsfree speech
communication loudspeaker in response to manual operation of the
unit by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a
controller in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a
controller in FIG. 7.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a top view of an automotive vehicle on which the
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 is mounted.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this
invention.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of this
invention.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting
apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of this
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0042] An emergency reporting network system includes emergency
reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example,
automotive vehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting
apparatuses are terminal apparatuses. The emergency reporting
network system also includes a police station or an emergency
report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus. The
emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host
apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a first embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an
automotive vehicle.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the emergency reporting apparatus
includes a terminal device 1, a communication antenna 2, a trigger
button 3, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 4, a microphone
5, and a loudspeaker 6. The terminal device 1 is connected to the
communication antenna 2, the trigger button 3, the GPS antenna 4,
the microphone 5, and the loudspeaker 6.
[0045] The terminal device 1 includes a communication device 11, a
controller 12, a gyro sensor 13, a positional information generator
14, a memory 15, a handsfree system circuit 16, a GPS receiver 17,
and a volume control circuit 18A. The communication device 111 is
connected to the communication antenna 2, the controller 12, and
the handsfree system circuit 16. The controller 12 is connected to
the trigger button 3, the positional information generator 14, the
memory 15, and the volume control circuit 18A. The gyro sensor 13
is connected to the positional information generator 14. The GPS
receiver 17 is connected to the GPS antenna 4 and the positional
information generator 14. The handsfree system circuit 16 is
connected to the microphone 5 and the volume control circuit 18A.
The volume control circuit 18A is connected to the loudspeaker
6.
[0046] The trigger button 3 includes a manually-operated button
which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant
of the related vehicle. When the trigger button 3 is depressed, a
trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button 3 to the
controller 12 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
[0047] The GPS antenna 4 can receive GPS signals from GPS
satellites. The GPS antenna 4 feeds the received GPS signals to the
GPS receiver 17.
[0048] The communication device 11 includes a telephone set such as
a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which
can be controlled by the controller 12. The communication device 11
can output and feed a radio signal to the communication antenna 2.
The radio signal is radiated by the communication antenna 2. The
radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related
radio telephone network. The communication antenna 2 can receive a
radio signal from the base station. The received radio signal is
fed from the communication antenna 2 to the communication device
11. In this way, the communication device 11 can communicate with
the base station by radio on a two-way basis.
[0049] The communication device 11 can receive a call requirement
signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from the
controller 12. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal,
the communication device 11 generates a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The
radio call signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the
communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio
call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call
signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication
opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is
transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base
station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from
the base station. The communication antenna 2 receives the radio
answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from the
communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11. The
communication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal
that connection with the communication opposite party is
established. Then, the communication device 11 changes to a data
communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of
operation. In addition, the communication device 11 informs the
controller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite
party is established.
[0050] The communication device 11 can receive, from the controller
12, positional information data representing the position of the
related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle,
and the orientation of the related vehicle. During the data
communication mode of operation, the communication device 11
transmits the positional information data to the communication
opposite party via the base station. The communication opposite
party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report
receiving center. During the speech communication mode of
operation, the communication device 11 allows two-way speech
communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the
related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite
party via the base station.
[0051] The controller 12 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a
similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a
signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM. The controller 12
operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
[0052] The gyro sensor 13 generates data representing the direction
of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related
vehicle. The gyro sensor 13 outputs the generated data to the
positional information generator 14. The GPS receiver 17 generates
data representative of the position of the related vehicle in
response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna 4. The GPS
receiver 17 outputs the generated data to the positional
information generator 14. The positional information generator 14
produces positional information data in response to the output data
from the gyro sensor 13 and the output data from the GPS receiver
17. The produced positional information data represent the position
of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the related
vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. The positional
information generator 14 can output the produced positional
information data to the controller 12.
[0053] The memory 15 stores information representing the telephone
numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency
report receiving centers, the registration number of the related
vehicle, and the registrant. The memory 15 can be accessed by the
controller 12.
[0054] The microphone 5 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an
occupant of the related vehicle). The microphone 5 outputs an audio
signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree
system circuit 16. The handsfree system circuit 16 can output an
audio signal representative of operator's voice in the
communication opposite party to the volume control circuit 18A. The
volume control circuit 18A can subject the output audio signal of
the handsfree system circuit 16 to volume control. The volume
control circuit 18A can output the resultant audio signal to the
loudspeaker 6. The volume control circuit 18A is controlled by the
controller 12. The loudspeaker 6 converts the output audio signal
of the volume control circuit 18A into corresponding sound which
can be heard by the user. The handsfree system circuit 16 can
transmit and receive voice information to and from the
communication device 11.
[0055] The handsfree system circuit 16 cooperates with the
microphone 5, the loudspeaker 6, the communication device 11, and
the volume control circuit 18A, thereby allowing handsfree two-way
speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the
related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite
party. The handsfree system circuit 16 has an echo cancel function
and an anti-howling function. The volume control circuit 18A
operates to make constant the output level at the loudspeaker 6
over a wide level range of an input signal. In other words, the
volume control circuit 18A acts to hold the loudspeaker output
sound level at a constant level. The constant level may be equal to
or higher than a predetermined level. The volume control circuit
18A includes, for example, an AGC (automatic gain control)
circuit.
[0056] The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 1 operates as
follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a
sudden illness, the trigger button 3 can be depressed by a user (a
driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of
the trigger button 3 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating
signal to the controller 12. The controller 12 recognizes from the
emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and
the emergency should be reported. Then, the controller 12 starts a
process of reporting an emergency.
[0057] During the emergency reporting process, the controller 12
outputs a signal to the positional information generator 14 which
requires current positional information (information related to the
current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output
signal from the controller 12, the positional information generator
14 gets the current positional information. Then, the positional
information generator 14 feeds the current positional information
to the controller 12.
[0058] Specifically, the positional information generator 14
receives the output data from the gyro sensor 13. In addition, the
positional information generator 14 receives the output data from
the GPS receiver 17. The positional information generator 14
produces positional information data in response to the output data
from the gyro sensor 13 and the output data from the GPS receiver
17. The produced positional information data represent the current
position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of
the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related
vehicle. The positional information generator 14 outputs the
produced positional information data to the controller 12 as the
current positional information.
[0059] During the emergency reporting process, the controller 12
reads out information of a destination telephone number from the
memory 15. The designation telephone number is equal to the
telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a
police station or an emergency report receiving center). The
controller 12 feeds the information of the destination telephone
number to the communication device 11. The controller 12 requires
the communication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 11
generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a
dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from the communication
device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated
thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The
corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to
the communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call
signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the
base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted
from the base station. The communication antenna 2 receives the
radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from
the communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11. The
communication device 11 recognizes from the radio answer signal
that connection with the communication opposite party is
established. Then, the communication device 11 changes to the data
communication mode of operation. In addition, the communication
device 11 informs the controller 12 that the connection with the
communication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller
12 decides that the connection with the communication opposite
party has been successfully established.
[0060] Subsequently, the controller 12 operates to implement data
communication. Specifically, the controller 12 feeds the current
positional information to the communication device 11. The
controller 12 requires the communication device 11 to generate a
radio signal of data of the current positional information.
Accordingly, the communication device 11 generates the radio data
signal. The radio data signal is fed from the communication device
11 to the communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby.
The radio data signal propagates to the base station. The
corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to
the communication opposite party. In this way, the current
positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite
party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center)
on a data communication basis. After the data communication has
been completed, the controller 12 operates to allow two-way speech
communication.
[0061] During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal
representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the
communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding
radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station. The
communication antenna 2 receives the radio speech signal. The
received radio speech signal is fed from the communication antenna
2 to the communication device 11. The communication device 11
recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio
speech signal. The communication device 11 is controlled by the
controller 12, outputting the received audio signal to the
handsfree system circuit 16. The received audio signal represents
operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police
station or the emergency report receiving center). The handsfree
system circuit 16 subjects the received audio signal to an echo
cancel process and an anti-howling process. The handsfree system
circuit 16 outputs the resultant audio signal to the volume control
circuit 18A. The volume control circuit 18A is controlled by the
controller 12, subjecting the output audio signal of the handsfree
system circuit 16 to volume control to make the resultant audio
level constant. In other words, the volume control circuit 18A
processes the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit
16 into an audio signal having a constant amplitude. The constant
amplitude may be equal to or greater than a predetermined
amplitude. The volume control circuit 18A outputs the resultant
audio signal to the loudspeaker 6. The loudspeaker 6 converts the
output audio signal of the volume control circuit 18A into
corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or
the occupant of the related vehicle).
[0062] During the two-way speech communication, the microphone 5
picks up voice of the user. The microphone 5 outputs an audio
signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree
system circuit 16. The handsfree system circuit 16 subjects the
audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling
process. The handsfree system circuit 16 outputs the resultant
audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to the communication
device 11. The communication device 11 is controlled by the
controller 12, generating a radio speech signal corresonding to the
output audio signal from the handsfree system circuit 16. The radio
speech signal is fed from the communication device 11 to the
communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio
speech signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding
speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the
communication opposite party. Thus, two-way speech communication is
implemented between the user (the driver or the occupant of the
related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite
party (the police station or the emergency report receiving
center).
[0063] As previously mentioned, during the two-way speech
communication, the volume control circuit 18A makes constant the
output level at the loudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an
input audio signal. Preferably, the constant level at which the
loudness (volume) of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6 is
controlled is preset so that reproduced operator's voice can be
surely heard by the user. The constant level is equal to or higher
than a predetermined level.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the
controller 12. As shown in FIG. 2, a first step 51 of the program
segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating
signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal
is not received, the step 51 is repeated. On the other hand, when
an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program
advances from the step 51 to a step 53.
[0065] The step 53 requires the positional information generator 14
to provide current positional information. Then, the step 53
receives the current positional information therefrom.
[0066] A step 54 subsequent to the step 53 reads out information of
a destination telephone number from the memory 14. The designation
telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desired
communication opposite party (a police station or an emergency
report receiving center).
[0067] A step 55 following the step 54 informs the communication
device 11 of the destination telephone number.
[0068] A step 56 subsequent to the step 55 controls the
communication device 11 to generate a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. As previously mentioned, the radio call signal is
transmitted from the communication device 11 to a base station.
Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base
station to the communication opposite party designated by the
destination telephone number. After the step 56, the program
advances to a step 57.
[0069] The step 57 decides whether or not connection with the
communication opposite party has been established by referring to
information fed from the communication device 11. The
connection-related information is generated by the communication
device 11 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted
from the communication opposite party in response to the call
signal. When connection with the communication opposite party has
not yet been established, the step 57 is repeated. On the other
hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has
been established, the program advances from the step 57 to a step
58.
[0070] The step 158 implements data communication. Specifically,
the step 58 feeds the current positional information to the
communication device 11. The step 58 controls the communication
device 11 to transmit the current positional information to the
communication opposite party.
[0071] A step 59 following the step 58 controls the communication
device 11 to allow two-way speech communication between the user
(the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the
operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or
the emergency report receiving center). In addition, the step 59
controls the volume control circuit 18A to execute the volume
control on the output sound level at the loudspeaker 6. After the
step 59, the current execution cycle of the program segment
ends.
Second Embodiment
[0072] FIG. 3 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a second embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 is similar to that in FIG.
1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 includes a controller 12B and a
volume control circuit 18B which replace the controller 12 and the
volume control circuit 18A (see FIG. 1) respectively. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 futher includes a volume adjustment
button 19 connected to the controller 12B. The volume adjustment
button 19 may be replaced by a volume adjustment dial or a volume
adjustment switch.
[0073] A desired volume (desired sound level or desired loudness)
can be set by actuating the volume adjustment button 19. The volume
adjustment button 19 outputs a signal representative of a desired
volume to the controller 12B when being actuated. The desired
volume can be changed by operating the volume adjustment button 19.
The controller 12B can store the desired volume signal to a memory
15.
[0074] During operation except speech communication to report an
emergency, the controller 12B adjusts the volume control circuit
18B in response to the desired volume signal to equalize an actual
output sound level to the desired volume. In this case, the
controller 12B receives the desired volume signal from the volume
adjustment button 19 or the memory 15.
[0075] When reporting an emergency is required, the controller 12B
adjusts the volume control circuit 18B to equalize an actual output
sound level to a predetermined constant level regardless of the
desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be
changed from the predetermined constant level by operating the
volume adjustment button 19. In this case, it is possible to
automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to
the change-resultant level.
[0076] The volume control circuit 18B may be provided with a
circuit for preventing an actual output sound level from being set
improper as a result of volume readjustment by a user.
[0077] The controller 12B may monitor a resistance variation or a
voltage variation caused by operation of the volume adjustment
button 19. In this case, the controller 12B decides whether or not
the monitored variation exceeds a predetermined reference
variation. When the monitored variation is equal to or less than
the reference variation, the controller 12B outputs a signal to the
volume control circuit 18B which inhibits volume change. On the
other hand, when the monitored variation exceeds the reference
variation, the controller 12B outputs a signal to the volume
control circuit 18B which allows volume change.
Third Embodiment
[0078] FIG. 4 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a third embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 4 is similar to that in FIG.
1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 4 includes a controller 12C and a
volume control circuit 18C which replace the controller 12 and the
volume control circuit 18A (see FIG. 1) respectively. The
controller 12C is connected to a microphone 5.
[0079] The microphone 5 outputs a signal having components which
correspond to background sound noise interfering with a user. An
input/output port of the controller 12C includes an A/D converter
(analog-to-digital converter) for changing the output signal of the
microphone 5 into a corresponding digital signal. The controller
12C detects a background noise level in response to the output
signal of the microphone 5. The controller 12C can adjust the
volume control circuit 18C to change a constant level at which the
loudness of output sound is controlled by the volume control
circuit 18C. Specifically, the controller 12C changes the constant
level in response to the detected background noise level. In more
detail, the controller 12C increases the constant level as the
detected background noise level rises.
[0080] During two-way speech communication to report an emergency,
when the detected background noise level is relatively great, the
controller 12C operates to provide a large constant level at which
the loudness of output sound is controlled by the volume control
circuit 18C. Therefore, operator's voice reproduced from a
loudspeaker 6 can be more surely heard by the user.
[0081] The third embodiment of this invention may also be applied
to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case,
during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound
level is held to a constant level which is determined in accordance
with the detected background noise level, and which is independent
of the desired volume. Thereafter, the actual output sound level
can be changed from the previously-indicated constant level by
operating a volume adjustment button. It is possible to
automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to
the change-resultant level.
Fourth Embodiment
[0082] FIG. 5 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 is similar to that in FIG.
1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 includes a controller 12D and a
volume control circuit 18D which replace the controller 12 and the
volume control circuit 18A (see FIG. 1) respectively. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 futher includes a volume control
signal extractor 20. The volume control signal extractor 20 is
connected to a communication device 11 and the controller 12D.
[0083] During emergency reporting communication between the
apparatus and an emergency report receiving center (or a police
station), the center transmits a radio signal containing a volume
control signal. The communication device 11 subjects a received
radio signal to demodulation, and outputs a resultant baseband
signal to a handsfree system circuit 16 and the volume control
signal extractor 20. The device 20 extracts the volume control
signal from the output signal of the communication device 11. The
device 20 feeds the volume control signal to the controller
12D.
[0084] The controller 12D adjusts the volume control circuit 18D in
response to the volume control signal. Thus, the controller 12D
operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by a loudspeaker
6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during
the emergency reporting communication, the controller 12D adjusts
the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume
control signal. Accordingly, the emergency report receiving center
(or the police station) can adjust the loudness of sound produced
by the loudspeaker 6.
[0085] The fourth embodiment of this invention may also be applied
to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case,
during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound
level is determined by the volume control signal. Thereafter,
operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output
sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control
signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a
suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
Fifth Embodiment
[0086] FIG. 6 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 is similar to that in FIG.
1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 includes a controller 12E and a
volume control circuit 18E which replace the controller 12 and the
volume control circuit 18A (see FIG. 1) respectively. The emergency
reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 futher includes an interface 21 for
connection with an external device. The controller 12E is connected
to the interface 21.
[0087] The external device generates a volume control signal. The
volume control signal is transmitted from the external device to
the controller 12E via the interface 21.
[0088] During emergency reporting communication between the
apparatus and an emergency report receiving center (or a police
station), the controller 12E adjusts the volume control circuit 18E
in response to the volume control signal. Thus, the controller 12E
operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by a loudspeaker
6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during
the emergency reporting communication, the controller 12E adjusts
the loudness of produced sound at a level designated by the volume
control signal. Accordingly, the external device can adjust the
loudness of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6.
[0089] The fifth embodiment of this invention may also be applied
to the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case,
during emergency reporting communication, an actual output sound
level is determined by the volume control signal. Thereafter,
operation of a volume adjustment button enables the actual output
sound level to be changed from one determined by the volume control
signal. It is possible to automatically control output sound at a
suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
[0090] The volume control signal may be contained in a
communication signal transmitted from the external device. Examples
of the communication signal are an asynchronous serial signal, a
synchronous serial signal, a parallel signal, a LAN communication
signal of an IE-BUS type or an ARCNET type, an infrared signal, a
wireless signal, and a radio signal. The synchronous serial signal
uses a synchronizing signal such as a frame signal or a clock
signal. The parallel signal is a bus communication signal.
Sixth Embodiment
[0091] An emergency reporting network system includes emergency
reporting apparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example,
automotive vehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting
apparatuses are terminal apparatuses. The emergency reporting
network system also includes a police station or an emergency
report receiving center which operates as a host apparatus. The
emergency reporting apparatuses can be connected with the host
apparatus via a mobile telephone network.
[0092] FIG. 7 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a sixth embodiment of this invention. The
emergency reporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an
automotive vehicle.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 7, the emergency reporting apparatus
includes a terminal device 101, a communication antenna 102, a
trigger button 103, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 104,
a microphone 105, and a loudspeaker 106. The terminal device 101 is
connected to the communication antenna 102, the trigger button 103,
the GPS antenna 104, the microphone 105, and the loudspeaker
106.
[0094] The terminal device 101 includes a communication device 111,
a controller 112, a gyro sensor 113, a positional information
generator 114, a memory 115, a handsfree system circuit 116, and a
GPS receiver 117. The communication device 111 is connected to the
communication antenna 102, the controller 112, and the handsfree
system circuit 116. The controller 112 is connected to the trigger
button 103, the positional information generator 114, and the
memory 115. The gyro sensor 113 is connected to the positional
information generator 114. The GPS receiver 117 is connected to the
GPS antenna 104 and the positional information generator 114. The
handsfree system circuit 116 is connected to the microphone 105 and
the loudspeaker 106.
[0095] The trigger button 103 includes a manually-operated button
which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant
of the related vehicle. When the trigger button 103 is depressed, a
trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button 103 to the
controller 112 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
[0096] The GPS antenna 104 can receive GPS signals from GPS
satellites. The GPS antenna 104 feeds the received GPS signals to
the GPS receiver 117.
[0097] The communication device 111 includes a telephone set such
as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which
can be controlled by the controller 112. The communication device
111 can output and feed a radio signal to the communication antenna
102. The radio signal is radiated by the communication antenna 102.
The radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a
related radio telephone network. The communication antenna 102 can
receive a radio signal from the base station. The received radio
signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to the
communication device 111. In this way, the communication device 111
can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way
basis.
[0098] The communication device 111 can receive a call requirement
signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from the
controller 112. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal,
the communication device 111 generates a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The
radio call signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the
communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio
call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call
signal is transmitted via the base station to the communication
opposite party designated by the destination telephone number.
Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal is
transmitted from the communication opposite party to the base
station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from
the base station. The communication antenna 102 receives the radio
answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from the
communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111. The
communication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal
that connection with the communication opposite party is
established. Then, the communication device 111 changes to a data
communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of
operation. In addition, the communication device 111 informs the
controller 112 that the connection with the communication opposite
party is established.
[0099] The communication device 111 can receive, from the
controller 112, positional information data representing the
position of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the
related vehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. During
the data communication mode of operation, the communication device
111 transmits the positional information data to the communication
opposite party via the base station. The communication opposite
party is, for example, a police station or an emergency report
receiving center. During the speech communication mode of
operation, the communication device 111 allows two-way speech
communication between a user (a driver or an occupant of the
related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite
party via the base station.
[0100] The controller 112 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a
similar device having a combination of an input/output port, a
signal processing section, a RAM, and a ROM. The controller 112
operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
[0101] The gyro sensor 113 generates data representing the
direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of
the related vehicle. The gyro sensor 113 outputs the generated data
to the positional information generator 114. The GPS receiver 117
generates data representative of the position of the related
vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna
104. The GPS receiver 117 outputs the generated data to the
positional information generator 114. The positional information
generator 114 produces positional information data in response to
the output data from the gyro sensor 113 and the output data from
the GPS receiver 117. The produced positional information data
represent the position of the related vehicle, the direction of
travel of the related vehicle, and the orientation of the related
vehicle. The positional information generator 114 can output the
produced positional information data to the controller 112.
[0102] The memory 115 stores information representing the telephone
numbers of police stations, the telephone numbers of emergency
report receiving centers, the registration number of the related
vehicle, and the registrant. The memory 115 can be accessed by the
controller 112.
[0103] The microphone 105 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or
an occupant of the related vehicle). The microphone 105 outputs an
audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree
system circuit 116. The handsfree system circuit 116 can output an
audio signal representative of operator's voice in the
communication opposite party to the loudspeaker 106. The
loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of the handsfree
system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by
the user. The handsfree system circuit 116 can transmit and receive
voice information to and from the communication device 111.
[0104] The handsfree system circuit 116 cooperates with the
microphone 105, the loudspeaker 106, and the communication device
111, thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communication
between a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and
an operator of the communication opposite party. The handsfree
system circuit 116 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling
function.
[0105] The loudspeaker 106 uses a loudspeaker in a vehicular audio
system. In other words, the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7
does not have any exclusive loudspeaker which would occupy a
corresponding space in the related vehicle.
[0106] The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 operates as
follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a
sudden illness, the trigger button 103 can be depressed by a user
(a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of
the trigger button 103 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating
signal to the controller 112. The controller 112 recognizes from
the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs
and the emergency should be reported. Then, the controller 112
starts a process of reporting an emergency.
[0107] During the emergency reporting process, the controller 112
outputs a signal to the positional information generator 114 which
requires current positional information (information related to the
current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output
signal from the controller 112, the positional information
generator 114 gets the current positional information. Then, the
positional information generator 114 feeds the current positional
information to the controller 112.
[0108] Specifically, the positional information generator 114
receives the output data from the gyro sensor 113. In addition, the
positional information generator 114 receives the output data from
the GPS receiver 117. The positional information generator 114
produces positional information data in response to the output data
from the gyro sensor 113 and the output data from the GPS receiver
117. The produced positional information data represent the current
position of the related vehicle, the current direction of travel of
the related vehicle, and the current orientation of the related
vehicle. The positional information generator 114 outputs the
produced positional information data to the controller 112 as the
current positional information.
[0109] During the emergency reporting process, the controller 112
reads out information of a destination telephone number from the
memory 115. The designation telephone number is equal to the
telephone number of a desired communication opposite party (a
police station or an emergency report receiving center). The
controller 112 feeds the information of the destination telephone
number to the communication device 111. The controller 112 requires
the communication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 111
generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a
dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from the communication
device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated
thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station. The
corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to
the communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call
signal is transmitted from the communication opposite party to the
base station. The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted
from the base station. The communication antenna 102 receives the
radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from
the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111. The
communication device 111 recognizes from the radio answer signal
that connection with the communication opposite party is
established. Then, the communication device 111 changes to the data
communication mode of operation. In addition, the communication
device 111 informs the controller 112 that the connection with the
communication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller
112 decides that the connection with the communication opposite
party has been successfully established.
[0110] Subsequently, the controller 112 operates to implement data
communication. Specifically, the controller 112 feeds the current
positional information to the communication device 111. The
controller 112 requires the communication device 111 to generate a
radio signal of data of the current positional information.
Accordingly, the communication device 111 generates the radio data
signal. The radio data signal is fed from the communication device
111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby.
The radio data signal propagates to the base station. The
corresponding data signal is transmitted via the base station to
the communication opposite party. In this way, the current
positional information is transmitted to the communication opposite
party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center)
on a data communication basis. After the data communication has
been completed, the controller 112 operates to allow two-way speech
communication.
[0111] During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal
representative of operator's voice is transmitted from the
communication opposite party to the base station. The corresponding
radio speech signal is transmitted from the base station. The
communication antenna 102 receives the radio speech signal. The
received radio speech signal is fed from the communication antenna
102 to the communication device 111. The communication device 111
recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio
speech signal. The communication device 111 is controlled by the
controller 112, outputting the received audio signal to the
handsfree system circuit 116. The received audio signal represents
operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police
station or the emergency report receiving center). The handsfree
system circuit 116 subjects the received audio signal to an echo
cancel process and an anti-howling process. The handsfree system
circuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker
106. The loudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of the
handsfee system circuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be
heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related
vehicle).
[0112] During the two-way speech communication, the microphone 105
picks up voice of the user. The microphone 105 outputs an audio
signal representative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree
system circuit 116. The handsfree system circuit 116 subjects the
audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling
process. The handsfree system circuit 116 outputs the resultant
audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to the communication
device 111. The communication device 111 is controlled by the
controller 112, generating a corresponding radio speech signal. The
radio speech signal is fed from the communication device 111 to the
communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio
speech signal propagates to the base station. The corresponding
speech signal is transmitted via the base station to the
communication opposite party. Thus, two-way speech communication is
implemented between the user (the driver or the occupant of the
related vehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite
party (the police station or the emergency report receiving
center).
[0113] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the
controller 112. As shown in FIG. 8, a first step 251 of the program
segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating
signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal
is not received, the step 251 is repeated. On the other hand, when
an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program
advances from the step 251 to a step 253.
[0114] The step 253 requires the positional information generator
114 to provide current positional information. Then, the step 253
receives the current positional information therefrom.
[0115] A step 254 subsequent to the step 253 reads out information
of a destination telephone number from the memory 114. The
designation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of a
desired communication opposite party (a police station or an
emergency report receiving center).
[0116] A step 255 following the step 254 informs the communication
device 111 of the destination telephone number.
[0117] A step 256 subsequent to the step 255 controls the
communication device 111 to generate a radio signal to call the
communication opposite party designated by the destination
telephone number. As previously mentioned, the radio call signal is
transmitted from the communication device 111 to a base station.
Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base
station to the communication opposite party designated by the
destination telephone number. After the step 256, the program
advances to a step 257.
[0118] The step 257 decides whether or not connection with the
communication opposite party has been established by referring to
information fed from the communication device 111. The
connection-related information is generated by the communication
device 111 on the basis of an answer signal which is transmitted
from the communication opposite party in response to the call
signal. When connection with the communication opposite party has
not yet been established, the step 257 is repeated. On the other
hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has
been established, the program advances from the step 257 to a step
258.
[0119] The step 258 implements data communication. Specifically,
the step 258 feeds the current positional information to the
communication device 111. The step 258 controls the communication
device 111 to transmit the current positional information to the
communication opposite party.
[0120] A step 259 following the step 258 controls the communication
device 111 to allow two-way speech communication between the user
(the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the
operator of the communication opposite party (the police station or
the emergency report receiving center). After the step 259, the
current execution cycle of the program segment ends.
[0121] FIG. 9 shows an automotive vehicle 151 on which the
emergency reporting apparatus of FIG. 7 is mounted. As shown in
FIG. 9, the automotive vehicle 151 has a right front door D1, a
right rear door D2, a left front door D3, and a left rear door D4.
The automotive vehicle 151 also has a rear seat 152. The automotive
vehicle 151 is equipped with a vehicular audio system having
loudspeakers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, and 106f. The
loudspeakers 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d are located in the doors
D1, D2, D3, and D4 respectively. The loudspeakers 106e and 106f are
located in right and left portions of the rear seat 152,
respectively. The loudspeaker 106 in FIG. 7 uses one of the
audio-system loudspeakers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, and
106f.
Seventh Embodiment
[0122] A seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the
sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the
loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106a which is
located in the right front door D1.
Eighth Embodiment
[0123] An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the
loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106c which is
located in the left front door D3.
Ninth Embodiment
[0124] A ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth
embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106
uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106b which is located in the
right rear door D2.
Tenth Embodiment
[0125] A tenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth
embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106
uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106d which is located in the left
rear door D4.
Eleventh Embodiment
[0126] An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the
sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the
loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106e which is
located in the right portion of the rear seat 152.
Twelfth Embodiment
[0127] A twelfth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
sixth embodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the
loudspeaker 106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker 106f which is
located in the left portion of the rear seat 152.
Thirteenth Embodiment
[0128] FIG. 10 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.
The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 10 is similar to that in
FIG. 7 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 10 includes loudspeakers 106P
and 106Q which replace the loudspeaker 106 (see FIG. 7). The
loudspeakers 106P and 106Q use first one and second one of
audio-system loudspeakers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, and 106f
(see FIG. 9), respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus in
FIG. 10 includes a switch circuit 118 connected to the loudspeakers
106P and 106Q and a handsfree system circuit 116.
[0129] The switch circuit 118 selects one of the loudspeakers 106P
and 106Q, and transmits an audio signal from the handsfree system
circuit 118 to the selected loudspeaker. The selected loudspeaker
converts the audio signal into corresponding sound which can be
heard by a user. The switch circuit 118 may include a
manually-operated switch.
[0130] In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is
damaged or out of order, the switch circuit 118 is controlled to
select the other loudspeaker. Accordingly, during two-way speech
communication between the user of the apparatus and an operator in
an emergency report receiving center (or a police station), the
user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the selected
loudspeaker, that is, the normal loudspeaker.
[0131] The switch circuit 118 may include a section for
automatically detecting whether each of the loudspeakers 106P and
106Q is normal or wrong. In this case, when one of the loudspeakers
106P and 106Q is detected to be wrong, the switch circuit 118
selects the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal
loudspeaker).
Fourteenth Embodiment
[0132] FIG. 11 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.
The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 is similar to that in
FIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 includes controller 112A
and a switch circuit 118A which replace the controller 112 and the
switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10) respectively. The controller 112A
is connected to the switch circuit 118A. The switch circuit 118A
can be controlled by the controller 112A. The emergency reporting
apparatus in FIG. 11 also includes sensors 119P and 119Q. The
sensors 119P and 119Q are associated with loudspeakers 106P and
106Q respectively. The sensors 119P and 119Q are connected to the
controller 112A.
[0133] The sensor 119P detects a condition of the loudspeaker 106P,
for example, the input imedance of the loudspeaker 106P or the
level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106P. The sensor 119P
outputs a signal to the controller 112A which represents the
detected condition of the loudspeaker 106P. The sensor 119Q detects
a condition of the loudspeaker 106Q, for example, the input
imedance of the loudspeaker 106Q or the level of sound generated by
the loudspeaker 106Q. The sensor 119Q outputs a signal to the
controller 112A which represents the detected condition of the
loudspeaker 106Q.
[0134] The controller 112A periodically decides whether each of the
loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is normal or wrong on the basis of the
output signals from the sensors 119P and 119Q. In the case where
one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is decided to be wrong, the
controller 112A controls the switch circuit 118A to select the
other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this
case, the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from a
handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a
user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal
loudspeaker.
Fifteenth Embodiment
[0135] FIG. 12 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal
apparatus) according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.
The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 is similar to that in
FIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The
emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 includes controller 112B
and a switch circuit 118A which replace the controller 112 and the
switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10) respectively. The controller 112B
is connected to the switch circuit 118A. The switch circuit 118A
can be controlled by the controller 112B. The emergency reporting
apparatus in FIG. 12 also includes an operation unit 107 which can
be accessed by a user. The operation unit 107 is connected to the
controller 112B.
[0136] The operation unit 107 outputs a loudspeaker change
requirement signal to the controller 112B when being operated. The
operation unit 107 may include a manually-operated switch.
[0137] In the case where currently-used one of loudspeakers 106P
and 106Q becomes damaged or out of order, the operation unit 107 is
actuated by the user so that a loudspeaker change requirement
signal is fed to the controller 112B. The controller 112B controls
the switch circuit 118A in response to the loudspeaker change
requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the
normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, the switch circuit 118A
transmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to
the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice
reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Sixteenth Embodiment
[0138] A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for design
changes mentioned hereinafter. In the sixteenth embodiment of this
invention, an emergency report receiving center (or a police
station) can transmit a DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) control
signal to a communication device 111. The DTMF control signal
contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. The communication
device 111 includes a DTMF receiver which recovers the DTMF control
signal. The communication device 111 extracts the loudspeaker
change requirement signal from the recovered DTMF control
signal.
[0139] In the case where currently-used one of loudspeakers 106P
and 106Q becomes damaged or out of order, the emergency report
receiving center (or the police station) transmits a DTMF control
signal to the communication device 111. The DTMF control signal
contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. The communication
device 111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from
the DTMF control signal. The communication device 111 outputs the
loudspeaker change requirement signal to a controller 112B. The
controller 112B controls a switch circuit 118A in response to the
loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other
loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case,
the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from a handsfree
system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can
hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Seventeenth Embodiment
[0140] A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following
design change. According to the seventeenth embodiment of this
invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a
right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in
a left front door D3 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker
change requirement signal outputted by a controller 112B.
Eighteenth Embodiment
[0141] An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following
design change. According to the eighteenth embodiment of this
invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in a left
front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a
right front door D1 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker
change requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Nineteenth Embodiment
[0142] A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following
design change. According to the nineteenth embodiment of this
invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a left
rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106b located in a right
rear door D2 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twentieth Embodiment
[0143] A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following
design change. According to the twentieth embodiment of this
invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106b located in a
right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a
left rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-First Embodiment
[0144] A twenty-first embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-first embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in a left
front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a left
rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Second Embodiment
[0145] A twenty-second embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-second embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a left
rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in a left
front door D3 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Third Embodiment
[0146] A twenty-third embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-third embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a
right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106b located in
a right rear door D2 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker
change requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Fourth Embodiment
[0147] A twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-fourth embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106b located in a
right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a
right front door D1 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker
change requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Fifth Embodiment
[0148] A twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-fifth embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a
right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in
a left rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker
change requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Sixth Embodiment
[0149] A twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-sixth embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a left
rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106a located in a right
front door D1 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Seventh Embodiment
[0150] A twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-seventh embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in a left
front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106d located in a left
rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Eighth Embodiment
[0151] A twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design change. According to the twenty-eighth embodiment
of this invention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used
loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker 106b located in a
right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker 106c located in a
left front door D3 (see FIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change
requirement fed via a controller 112B.
Twenty-Ninth Embodiment
[0152] A twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to
the fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the
following design changes. The twenty-ninth embodiment of this
invention includes sensors for detecting the levels of sounds
generated by loudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively. The sensors
are connected to a controller 112B. The sensors output signals to
the controller 112B which represent the detected levels of sounds
generated by the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively. Thus, the
controller 112B is informed of the detected levels of sounds
generated by the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively.
[0153] The controller 112B compares the detected level of sound
generated by each of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q with a
predetermined reference level. When the detected level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker 106P is equal to or higher than the
reference level, the controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker
106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected level of sound
generated by the loudspeaker 106Q is equal to or higher than the
reference level, the controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker
106Q is normal. When the detected level of sound generated by the
loudspeaker 106P is lower than the reference level, the controller
112B decides that the loudspeaker 106P is wrong. Similarly, when
the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106Q is
lower than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that
the loudspeaker 106Q is wrong.
[0154] In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is
decided to be wrong, the controller 112B controls the switch
circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal
loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, the switch circuit 118A transmits
an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal
loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced
from the normal loudspeaker.
Thirtieth Embodiment
[0155] A thirtieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the
fifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following
design changes. The thirtieth embodiment of this invention includes
sensors for detecting the impedances (the input impedances) of
loudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively. The sensors are connected
to a controller 112B. The sensors output signals to the controller
112B which represent the detected impedances of the loudspeakers
106P and 106Q respectively. Thus, the controller 112B is informed
of the detected impedances of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q
respectively.
[0156] The controller 112B decides whether or not the detected
impedance of each of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q exists in a
predetermined reference range (a predetermined normal-impedance
range). When the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106P exists
in the reference range, the controller 112B decides that the
loudspeaker 106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected impedance
of the loudspeaker 106Q exists in the reference range, the
controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker 106Q is normal. When
the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106P exists outside the
reference range, the controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker
106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected impedance of the
loudspeaker 106Q exists outside the reference range, the controller
112B decides that the loudspeaker 106Q is wrong.
[0157] In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is
decided to be wrong, the controller 112B controls the switch
circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal
loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, the switch circuit 118A transmits
an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to the normal
loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced
from the normal loudspeaker.
* * * * *