US20050153680A1 - Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein - Google Patents

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• 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.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved emergency reporting network system.
• It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved terminal apparatus in an emergency reporting network system.
• It is a third object of this invention to provie an improved method of reporting an emergency.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller inFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a top view of an automotive vehicle on which the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 7 is mounted.
• FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.
• FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFirst Embodiment
• 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.
• 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.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the emergency reporting apparatus includes a terminal device1, acommunication antenna2, a trigger button3, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna4, amicrophone5, and aloudspeaker6. The terminal device1 is connected to thecommunication antenna2, the trigger button3, the GPS antenna4, themicrophone5, and theloudspeaker6.
• The terminal device1 includes acommunication device11, acontroller12, agyro sensor13, apositional information generator14, amemory15, ahandsfree system circuit16, aGPS receiver17, and avolume control circuit18A. Thecommunication device111 is connected to thecommunication antenna2, thecontroller12, and thehandsfree system circuit16. Thecontroller12 is connected to the trigger button3, thepositional information generator14, thememory15, and thevolume control circuit18A. Thegyro sensor13 is connected to thepositional information generator14. TheGPS receiver17 is connected to the GPS antenna4 and thepositional information generator14. Thehandsfree system circuit16 is connected to themicrophone5 and thevolume control circuit18A. Thevolume control circuit18A is connected to theloudspeaker6.
• The trigger button3 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 button3 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from the trigger button3 to thecontroller12 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
• The GPS antenna4 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. The GPS antenna4 feeds the received GPS signals to theGPS receiver17.
• Thecommunication device11 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by thecontroller12. Thecommunication device11 can output and feed a radio signal to thecommunication antenna2. The radio signal is radiated by thecommunication antenna2. The radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network. Thecommunication antenna2 can receive a radio signal from the base station. The received radio signal is fed from thecommunication antenna2 to thecommunication device11. In this way, thecommunication device11 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis.
• Thecommunication device11 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from thecontroller12. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, thecommunication device11 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 thecommunication device11 to thecommunication antenna2 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. Thecommunication antenna2 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna2 to thecommunication device11. Thecommunication device11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device11 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device11 informs thecontroller12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established.
• Thecommunication device11 can receive, from thecontroller12, 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, thecommunication device11 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, thecommunication device11 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.
• Thecontroller12 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. Thecontroller12 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
• Thegyro sensor13 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor13 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator14. TheGPS receiver17 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from the GPS antenna4. TheGPS receiver17 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator14. Thepositional information generator14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor13 and the output data from theGPS receiver17. 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. Thepositional information generator14 can output the produced positional information data to thecontroller12.
• Thememory15 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. Thememory15 can be accessed by thecontroller12.
• Themicrophone5 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). Themicrophone5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit16. Thehandsfree system circuit16 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to thevolume control circuit18A. Thevolume control circuit18A can subject the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit16 to volume control. Thevolume control circuit18A can output the resultant audio signal to theloudspeaker6. Thevolume control circuit18A is controlled by thecontroller12. Theloudspeaker6 converts the output audio signal of thevolume control circuit18A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user. Thehandsfree system circuit16 can transmit and receive voice information to and from thecommunication device11.
• Thehandsfree system circuit16 cooperates with themicrophone5, theloudspeaker6, thecommunication device11, and thevolume control circuit18A, 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. Thehandsfree system circuit16 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function. Thevolume control circuit18A operates to make constant the output level at theloudspeaker6 over a wide level range of an input signal. In other words, thevolume control circuit18A 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. Thevolume control circuit18A includes, for example, an AGC (automatic gain control) circuit.
• The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 1 operates as follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, the trigger button3 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of the trigger button3 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to thecontroller12. Thecontroller12 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, thecontroller12 starts a process of reporting an emergency.
• During the emergency reporting process, thecontroller12 outputs a signal to thepositional information generator14 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output signal from thecontroller12, thepositional information generator14 gets the current positional information. Then, thepositional information generator14 feeds the current positional information to thecontroller12.
• Specifically, thepositional information generator14 receives the output data from thegyro sensor13. In addition, thepositional information generator14 receives the output data from theGPS receiver17. Thepositional information generator14 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor13 and the output data from theGPS receiver17. 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. Thepositional information generator14 outputs the produced positional information data to thecontroller12 as the current positional information.
• During the emergency reporting process, thecontroller12 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory15. 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). Thecontroller12 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to thecommunication device11. Thecontroller12 requires thecommunication device11 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, thecommunication device11 generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device11 to thecommunication antenna2 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. Thecommunication antenna2 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna2 to thecommunication device11. Thecommunication device11 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device11 changes to the data communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device11 informs thecontroller12 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, thecontroller12 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established.
• Subsequently, thecontroller12 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, thecontroller12 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device11. Thecontroller12 requires thecommunication device11 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, thecommunication device11 generates the radio data signal. The radio data signal is fed from thecommunication device11 to thecommunication antenna2 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, thecontroller12 operates to allow two-way speech communication.
• 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. Thecommunication antenna2 receives the radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication antenna2 to thecommunication device11. Thecommunication device11 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal. Thecommunication device11 is controlled by thecontroller12, outputting the received audio signal to thehandsfree system circuit16. The received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). Thehandsfree system circuit16 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit16 outputs the resultant audio signal to thevolume control circuit18A. Thevolume control circuit18A is controlled by thecontroller12, subjecting the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit16 to volume control to make the resultant audio level constant. In other words, thevolume control circuit18A processes the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit16 into an audio signal having a constant amplitude. The constant amplitude may be equal to or greater than a predetermined amplitude. Thevolume control circuit18A outputs the resultant audio signal to theloudspeaker6. Theloudspeaker6 converts the output audio signal of thevolume control circuit18A into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle).
• During the two-way speech communication, themicrophone5 picks up voice of the user. Themicrophone5 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit16. Thehandsfree system circuit16 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit16 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to thecommunication device11. Thecommunication device11 is controlled by thecontroller12, generating a radio speech signal corresonding to the output audio signal from thehandsfree system circuit16. The radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication device11 to thecommunication antenna2 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).
• As previously mentioned, during the two-way speech communication, thevolume control circuit18A makes constant the output level at theloudspeaker6 over a wide level range of an input audio signal. Preferably, the constant level at which the loudness (volume) of sound produced by theloudspeaker6 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.
• FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for thecontroller12. As shown inFIG. 2, afirst step51 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, thestep51 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program advances from thestep51 to astep53.
• Thestep53 requires thepositional information generator14 to provide current positional information. Then, thestep53 receives the current positional information therefrom.
• Astep54 subsequent to thestep53 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory14. 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).
• Astep55 following thestep54 informs thecommunication device11 of the destination telephone number.
• Astep56 subsequent to thestep55 controls thecommunication device11 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 thecommunication device11 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 thestep56, the program advances to astep57.
• Thestep57 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from thecommunication device11. The connection-related information is generated by thecommunication device11 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, thestep57 is repeated. On the other hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has been established, the program advances from thestep57 to astep58.
• The step158 implements data communication. Specifically, thestep58 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device11. Thestep58 controls thecommunication device11 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party.
• Astep59 following thestep58 controls thecommunication device11 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, thestep59 controls thevolume control circuit18A to execute the volume control on the output sound level at theloudspeaker6. After thestep59, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.
Second Embodiment
• FIG. 3 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a second embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 includes acontroller12B and avolume control circuit18B which replace thecontroller12 and thevolume control circuit18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 3 futher includes avolume adjustment button19 connected to thecontroller12B. Thevolume adjustment button19 may be replaced by a volume adjustment dial or a volume adjustment switch.
• A desired volume (desired sound level or desired loudness) can be set by actuating thevolume adjustment button19. Thevolume adjustment button19 outputs a signal representative of a desired volume to thecontroller12B when being actuated. The desired volume can be changed by operating thevolume adjustment button19. Thecontroller12B can store the desired volume signal to amemory15.
• During operation except speech communication to report an emergency, thecontroller12B adjusts thevolume control circuit18B in response to the desired volume signal to equalize an actual output sound level to the desired volume. In this case, thecontroller12B receives the desired volume signal from thevolume adjustment button19 or thememory15.
• When reporting an emergency is required, thecontroller12B adjusts thevolume control circuit18B 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 thevolume adjustment button19. In this case, it is possible to automatically control output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.
• Thevolume control circuit18B 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.
• Thecontroller12B may monitor a resistance variation or a voltage variation caused by operation of thevolume adjustment button19. In this case, thecontroller12B 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, thecontroller12B outputs a signal to thevolume control circuit18B which inhibits volume change. On the other hand, when the monitored variation exceeds the reference variation, thecontroller12B outputs a signal to thevolume control circuit18B which allows volume change.
Third Embodiment
• FIG. 4 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a third embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 4 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 4 includes acontroller12C and avolume control circuit18C which replace thecontroller12 and thevolume control circuit18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. Thecontroller12C is connected to amicrophone5.
• Themicrophone5 outputs a signal having components which correspond to background sound noise interfering with a user. An input/output port of thecontroller12C includes an A/D converter (analog-to-digital converter) for changing the output signal of themicrophone5 into a corresponding digital signal. Thecontroller12C detects a background noise level in response to the output signal of themicrophone5. Thecontroller12C can adjust thevolume control circuit18C to change a constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by thevolume control circuit18C. Specifically, thecontroller12C changes the constant level in response to the detected background noise level. In more detail, thecontroller12C increases the constant level as the detected background noise level rises.
• During two-way speech communication to report an emergency, when the detected background noise level is relatively great, thecontroller12C operates to provide a large constant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled by thevolume control circuit18C. Therefore, operator's voice reproduced from aloudspeaker6 can be more surely heard by the user.
• The third embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 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
• FIG. 5 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 includes acontroller12D and avolume control circuit18D which replace thecontroller12 and thevolume control circuit18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 5 futher includes a volumecontrol signal extractor20. The volumecontrol signal extractor20 is connected to acommunication device11 and thecontroller12D.
• 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. Thecommunication device11 subjects a received radio signal to demodulation, and outputs a resultant baseband signal to ahandsfree system circuit16 and the volumecontrol signal extractor20. Thedevice20 extracts the volume control signal from the output signal of thecommunication device11. Thedevice20 feeds the volume control signal to thecontroller12D.
• Thecontroller12D adjusts thevolume control circuit18D in response to the volume control signal. Thus, thecontroller12D operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by aloudspeaker6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during the emergency reporting communication, thecontroller12D 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 theloudspeaker6.
• The fourth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 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
• FIG. 6 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 is similar to that inFIG. 1 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 includes acontroller12E and avolume control circuit18E which replace thecontroller12 and thevolume control circuit18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 6 futher includes aninterface21 for connection with an external device. Thecontroller12E is connected to theinterface21.
• The external device generates a volume control signal. The volume control signal is transmitted from the external device to thecontroller12E via theinterface21.
• During emergency reporting communication between the apparatus and an emergency report receiving center (or a police station), thecontroller12E adjusts thevolume control circuit18E in response to the volume control signal. Thus, thecontroller12E operates to adjust the loudness of sound produced by aloudspeaker6 in response to the volume control signal. Specifically, during the emergency reporting communication, thecontroller12E 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 theloudspeaker6.
• The fifth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• As shown inFIG. 7, the emergency reporting apparatus includes aterminal device101, acommunication antenna102, atrigger button103, a GPS (Global Positioning System)antenna104, amicrophone105, and a loudspeaker106. Theterminal device101 is connected to thecommunication antenna102, thetrigger button103, theGPS antenna104, themicrophone105, and the loudspeaker106.
• Theterminal device101 includes acommunication device111, acontroller112, agyro sensor113, apositional information generator114, amemory115, ahandsfree system circuit116, and aGPS receiver117. Thecommunication device111 is connected to thecommunication antenna102, thecontroller112, and thehandsfree system circuit116. Thecontroller112 is connected to thetrigger button103, thepositional information generator114, and thememory115. Thegyro sensor113 is connected to thepositional information generator114. TheGPS receiver117 is connected to theGPS antenna104 and thepositional information generator114. Thehandsfree system circuit116 is connected to themicrophone105 and the loudspeaker106.
• Thetrigger button103 includes a manually-operated button which can be accessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle. When thetrigger button103 is depressed, a trigger signal is transmitted from thetrigger button103 to thecontroller112 as an emergency-occurrence indicating signal.
• TheGPS antenna104 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. TheGPS antenna104 feeds the received GPS signals to theGPS receiver117.
• Thecommunication device111 includes a telephone set such as a mobile telephone set having a radio communication device which can be controlled by thecontroller112. Thecommunication device111 can output and feed a radio signal to thecommunication antenna102. The radio signal is radiated by thecommunication antenna102. The radiated radio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network. Thecommunication antenna102 can receive a radio signal from the base station. The received radio signal is fed from thecommunication antenna102 to thecommunication device111. In this way, thecommunication device111 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis.
• Thecommunication device111 can receive a call requirement signal and a destination-telephone-number signal from thecontroller112. Upon the reception of the call requirement signal, thecommunication device111 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 thecommunication device111 to thecommunication antenna102 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. Thecommunication antenna102 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna102 to thecommunication device111. Thecommunication device111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device111 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device111 informs thecontroller112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established.
• Thecommunication device111 can receive, from thecontroller112, 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, thecommunication device111 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, thecommunication device111 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.
• Thecontroller112 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. Thecontroller112 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.
• Thegyro sensor113 generates data representing the direction of travel of the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor113 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator114. TheGPS receiver117 generates data representative of the position of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed from theGPS antenna104. TheGPS receiver117 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator114. Thepositional information generator114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor113 and the output data from theGPS receiver117. 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. Thepositional information generator114 can output the produced positional information data to thecontroller112.
• Thememory115 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. Thememory115 can be accessed by thecontroller112.
• Themicrophone105 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). Themicrophone105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit116. Thehandsfree system circuit116 can output an audio signal representative of operator's voice in the communication opposite party to the loudspeaker106. The loudspeaker106 converts the output audio signal of thehandsfree system circuit116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user. Thehandsfree system circuit116 can transmit and receive voice information to and from thecommunication device111.
• Thehandsfree system circuit116 cooperates with themicrophone105, the loudspeaker106, and thecommunication device111, 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. Thehandsfree system circuit116 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function.
• The loudspeaker106 uses a loudspeaker in a vehicular audio system. In other words, the emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 7 does not have any exclusive loudspeaker which would occupy a corresponding space in the related vehicle.
• The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 7 operates as follows. In the event of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, thetrigger button103 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle). The depression of thetrigger button103 sends an emergency-occurrence indicating signal to thecontroller112. Thecontroller112 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, thecontroller112 starts a process of reporting an emergency.
• During the emergency reporting process, thecontroller112 outputs a signal to thepositional information generator114 which requires current positional information (information related to the current position of the related vehicle). In response to the output signal from thecontroller112, thepositional information generator114 gets the current positional information. Then, thepositional information generator114 feeds the current positional information to thecontroller112.
• Specifically, thepositional information generator114 receives the output data from thegyro sensor113. In addition, thepositional information generator114 receives the output data from theGPS receiver117. Thepositional information generator114 produces positional information data in response to the output data from thegyro sensor113 and the output data from theGPS receiver117. 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. Thepositional information generator114 outputs the produced positional information data to thecontroller112 as the current positional information.
• During the emergency reporting process, thecontroller112 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory115. 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). Thecontroller112 feeds the information of the destination telephone number to thecommunication device111. Thecontroller112 requires thecommunication device111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite party designated by the destination telephone number. Accordingly, thecommunication device111 generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device111 to thecommunication antenna102 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. Thecommunication antenna102 receives the radio answer signal. The received radio answer signal is fed from thecommunication antenna102 to thecommunication device111. Thecommunication device111 recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with the communication opposite party is established. Then, thecommunication device111 changes to the data communication mode of operation. In addition, thecommunication device111 informs thecontroller112 that the connection with the communication opposite party is established. Thus, thecontroller112 decides that the connection with the communication opposite party has been successfully established.
• Subsequently, thecontroller112 operates to implement data communication. Specifically, thecontroller112 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device111. Thecontroller112 requires thecommunication device111 to generate a radio signal of data of the current positional information. Accordingly, thecommunication device111 generates the radio data signal. The radio data signal is fed from thecommunication device111 to thecommunication antenna102 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, thecontroller112 operates to allow two-way speech communication.
• 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. Thecommunication antenna102 receives the radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication antenna102 to thecommunication device111. Thecommunication device111 recovers an audio signal (a received audio signal) from the radio speech signal. Thecommunication device111 is controlled by thecontroller112, outputting the received audio signal to thehandsfree system circuit116. The received audio signal represents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police station or the emergency report receiving center). Thehandsfree system circuit116 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and an anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit116 outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker106. The loudspeaker106 converts the output audio signal of thehandsfee system circuit116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the related vehicle).
• During the two-way speech communication, themicrophone105 picks up voice of the user. Themicrophone105 outputs an audio signal representative of the picked-up voice to thehandsfree system circuit116. Thehandsfree system circuit116 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel process and the anti-howling process. Thehandsfree system circuit116 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to thecommunication device111. Thecommunication device111 is controlled by thecontroller112, generating a corresponding radio speech signal. The radio speech signal is fed from thecommunication device111 to thecommunication antenna102 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).
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for thecontroller112. As shown inFIG. 8, afirst step251 of the program segment decides whether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received. When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, thestep251 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received, the program advances from thestep251 to astep253.
• Thestep253 requires thepositional information generator114 to provide current positional information. Then, thestep253 receives the current positional information therefrom.
• Astep254 subsequent to thestep253 reads out information of a destination telephone number from thememory114. 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).
• Astep255 following thestep254 informs thecommunication device111 of the destination telephone number.
• Astep256 subsequent to thestep255 controls thecommunication device111 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 thecommunication device111 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 thestep256, the program advances to astep257.
• Thestep257 decides whether or not connection with the communication opposite party has been established by referring to information fed from thecommunication device111. The connection-related information is generated by thecommunication device111 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, thestep257 is repeated. On the other hand, when connection with the communication opposite party has been established, the program advances from thestep257 to astep258.
• Thestep258 implements data communication. Specifically, thestep258 feeds the current positional information to thecommunication device111. Thestep258 controls thecommunication device111 to transmit the current positional information to the communication opposite party.
• Astep259 following thestep258 controls thecommunication device111 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 thestep259, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.
• FIG. 9 shows anautomotive vehicle151 on which the emergency reporting apparatus ofFIG. 7 is mounted. As shown inFIG. 9, theautomotive vehicle151 has a right front door D1, a right rear door D2, a left front door D3, and a left rear door D4. Theautomotive vehicle151 also has a rear seat152. Theautomotive vehicle151 is equipped with a vehicular audiosystem having loudspeakers106a,106b,106c,106d,106e, and106f. Theloudspeakers106a,106b,106c, and106dare located in the doors D1, D2, D3, and D4 respectively. Theloudspeakers106eand106fare located in right and left portions of the rear seat152, respectively. The loudspeaker106 inFIG. 7 uses one of the audio-system loudspeakers106a,106b,106c,106d,106e, and106f.
Seventh Embodiment
• A seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106awhich is located in the right front door D1.
Eighth Embodiment
• An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106cwhich is located in the left front door D3.
Ninth Embodiment
• A ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106bwhich is located in the right rear door D2.
Tenth Embodiment
• A tenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106dwhich is located in the left rear door D4.
Eleventh Embodiment
• An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106ewhich is located in the right portion of the rear seat152.
Twelfth Embodiment
• A twelfth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodiment thereof (seeFIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker106 uses the audio-system loudspeaker106fwhich is located in the left portion of the rear seat152.
Thirteenth Embodiment
• FIG. 10 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 is similar to that inFIG. 7 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 includesloudspeakers106P and106Q which replace the loudspeaker106 (seeFIG. 7). Theloudspeakers106P and106Q use first one and second one of audio-system loudspeakers106a,106b,106c,106d,106e, and106f(seeFIG. 9), respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 10 includes a switch circuit118 connected to theloudspeakers106P and106Q and ahandsfree system circuit116.
• The switch circuit118 selects one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q, and transmits an audio signal from the handsfree system circuit118 to the selected loudspeaker. The selected loudspeaker converts the audio signal into corresponding sound which can be heard by a user. The switch circuit118 may include a manually-operated switch.
• In the case where one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is damaged or out of order, the switch circuit118 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.
• The switch circuit118 may include a section for automatically detecting whether each of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is normal or wrong. In this case, when one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is detected to be wrong, the switch circuit118 selects the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker).
Fourteenth Embodiment
• FIG. 11 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 is similar to that inFIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 includescontroller112A and aswitch circuit118A which replace thecontroller112 and the switch circuit118 (seeFIG. 10) respectively. Thecontroller112A is connected to theswitch circuit118A. Theswitch circuit118A can be controlled by thecontroller112A. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 11 also includessensors119P and119Q. Thesensors119P and119Q are associated withloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively. Thesensors119P and119Q are connected to thecontroller112A.
• Thesensor119P detects a condition of theloudspeaker106P, for example, the input imedance of theloudspeaker106P or the level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106P. Thesensor119P outputs a signal to thecontroller112A which represents the detected condition of theloudspeaker106P. Thesensor119Q detects a condition of theloudspeaker106Q, for example, the input imedance of theloudspeaker106Q or the level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106Q. Thesensor119Q outputs a signal to thecontroller112A which represents the detected condition of theloudspeaker106Q.
• Thecontroller112A periodically decides whether each of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is normal or wrong on the basis of the output signals from thesensors119P and119Q. In the case where one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is decided to be wrong, thecontroller112A controls theswitch circuit118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Fifteenth Embodiment
• FIG. 12 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus) according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 is similar to that inFIG. 10 except for design changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 includes controller112B and aswitch circuit118A which replace thecontroller112 and the switch circuit118 (seeFIG. 10) respectively. The controller112B is connected to theswitch circuit118A. Theswitch circuit118A can be controlled by the controller112B. The emergency reporting apparatus inFIG. 12 also includes anoperation unit107 which can be accessed by a user. Theoperation unit107 is connected to the controller112B.
• Theoperation unit107 outputs a loudspeaker change requirement signal to the controller112B when being operated. Theoperation unit107 may include a manually-operated switch.
• In the case where currently-used one ofloudspeakers106P and106Q becomes damaged or out of order, theoperation unit107 is actuated by the user so that a loudspeaker change requirement signal is fed to the controller112B. The controller112B controls theswitch circuit118A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Sixteenth Embodiment
• A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 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 acommunication device111. The DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. Thecommunication device111 includes a DTMF receiver which recovers the DTMF control signal. Thecommunication device111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the recovered DTMF control signal.
• In the case where currently-used one ofloudspeakers106P and106Q becomes damaged or out of order, the emergency report receiving center (or the police station) transmits a DTMF control signal to thecommunication device111. The DTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal. Thecommunication device111 extracts the loudspeaker change requirement signal from the DTMF control signal. Thecommunication device111 outputs the loudspeaker change requirement signal to a controller112B. The controller112B controls aswitch circuit118A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Seventeenth Embodiment
• A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the seventeenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement signal outputted by a controller112B.
Eighteenth Embodiment
• An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the eighteenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Nineteenth Embodiment
• A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the nineteenth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker106blocated in a right rear door D2 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twentieth Embodiment
• A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twentieth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106blocated in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-First Embodiment
• A twenty-first embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-first embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Second Embodiment
• A twenty-second embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-second embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Third Embodiment
• A twenty-third embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-third embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker106blocated in a right rear door D2 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Fourth Embodiment
• A twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106blocated in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Fifth Embodiment
• A twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 to an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Sixth Embodiment
• A twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 to an audio-system loudspeaker106alocated in a right front door D1 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Seventh Embodiment
• A twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 to an audio-system loudspeaker106dlocated in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Eighth Embodiment
• A twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design change. According to the twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention, aswitch circuit118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-system loudspeaker106blocated in a right rear door D2 to an audio-system loudspeaker106clocated in a left front door D3 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller112B.
Twenty-Ninth Embodiment
• A twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design changes. The twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the levels of sounds generated byloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively. The sensors are connected to a controller112B. The sensors output signals to the controller112B which represent the detected levels of sounds generated by theloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively. Thus, the controller112B is informed of the detected levels of sounds generated by theloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively.
• The controller112B compares the detected level of sound generated by each of theloudspeakers106P and106Q with a predetermined reference level. When the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106P is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106Q is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106Q is normal. When the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106P is lower than the reference level, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected level of sound generated by theloudspeaker106Q is lower than the reference level, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106Q is wrong.
• In the case where one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is decided to be wrong, the controller112B controls theswitch circuit118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.
Thirtieth Embodiment
• A thirtieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenth embodiment thereof (seeFIG. 12) except for the following design changes. The thirtieth embodiment of this invention includes sensors for detecting the impedances (the input impedances) ofloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively. The sensors are connected to a controller112B. The sensors output signals to the controller112B which represent the detected impedances of theloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively. Thus, the controller112B is informed of the detected impedances of theloudspeakers106P and106Q respectively.
• The controller112B decides whether or not the detected impedance of each of theloudspeakers106P and106Q exists in a predetermined reference range (a predetermined normal-impedance range). When the detected impedance of theloudspeaker106P exists in the reference range, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106P is normal. Similarly, when the detected impedance of theloudspeaker106Q exists in the reference range, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106Q is normal. When the detected impedance of theloudspeaker106P exists outside the reference range, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected impedance of theloudspeaker106Q exists outside the reference range, the controller112B decides that theloudspeaker106Q is wrong.
• In the case where one of theloudspeakers106P and106Q is decided to be wrong, the controller112B controls theswitch circuit118A to select the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, theswitch circuit118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.

Claims (7)

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 claims20-22.

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 inclaim 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.

Images