Emergency informing apparatus and an emergency informing system

• US 6,985,717 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshioka, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHARMA, SUJATHA R
• Application Number:
  US09/534,441
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/521, 455/456
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

An ordinary telephone communication circuit is provided in addition to the emergency informing circuit in an emergency informing apparatus. In the non-emergency condition, ordinary telephone communication is provided through a wireless communication network. In the emergency condition, the emergency data is transmitted to a predetermined station through the wireless communication network. An interface for transmitting and receiving data is further provided. A data converter for converting data may be provided as a data communication adapter. An automatic dialing circuit may be provided. An emergency informing system including the emergency informing apparatus, the wireless network, and a terminal of a predetermined station for receiving the emergency data from the emergency informing apparatus is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An emergency informing apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

A position detection unit for detecting a position of said emergency informing apparatus;

A data generation unit for generating emergency data including at least identification data of said vehicle, called party data and said position;

An emergency communication unit for making a wireless communication and transmitting said emergency data to a called party indicated by said called party data when an emergency condition is detected; and

A control unit for operating said emergency communication unit, wherein said control unit operates said emergency communication unit for making an ordinary communication with a desired party when an emergency condition is not detected;

Wherein said emergency informing apparatus is mounted to and is part of said vehicle; and

Wherein said emergency informing apparatus is configured to effect said ordinary communication without said position detecting unit and/or said data generation unit having to be disconnected; and

Wherein said emergency communication unit further makes an ordinary communication with a desired party, and said control unit disconnects ordinary communication of said emergency communication unit when an emergency condition is detected, and operates said emergency communication unit for making an emergency communication with said called party.

2. An emergency informing apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a position detecting unit for detecting a position of said emergency informing apparatus;

a data generation unit including a memory for generating emergency data including at least identification data of said vehicle, at least one emergency called party, and the position from said memory;

a communication unit for allowing a user in said vehicle to communicate telephonically with a desired party when there is no emergency and for communicating with said emergency called party and transmitting said emergency data to said emergency called party when there is an emergency;

an operation circuit for operating said communication unit to effect a telephonic link with said desired party when a communication request is input to said operation circuit by at least one of said user and the desired party; and

a control unit for operating said communication unit to disconnect the link to said desired party if said user is communicating with said desired party when an emergency is detected, and to connect to and inform said emergency called party of the emergency.

3. The emergency informing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said emergency apparatus is mounted to said vehicle.

4. The emergency informing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a switch which when activated by said user causes said control unit to operate said communication unit to transmit to said emergency called party at least data indicative of the occurrence of the emergency.