Radio apparatus

• US 9,786,135 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2017
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICOM Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICOM Incorporated
• Inventors: Sekiyama, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/449,154
• Time in Patent Office: 221 Days
• Field of Search: 340 75, 340988, 34042614, 34042619, 3404262, 34042621, 34042628
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• 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 29/181 due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1016 using wireless transmission calling systems using transmission by inductive loop H04B5/00

Abstract

A radio apparatus includes a control unit, a power unit, a distress key and a transmission unit. When the distress key is manipulated, a distress key manipulation signal is output to the control unit and the power unit. When the power unit receives the distress key manipulation signal during a power supply is stopped, the power unit supplies power to the control unit and the transmission unit. When the control unit receives power from the power unit, the control unit starts setting up the radio apparatus and counts a time that the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal. When the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal for a preset time or longer, the control unit outputs a power supply maintenance signal to the power unit, generates the distress signal, and causes the transmission unit to send the distress signal.

Claims

1. A radio apparatus comprising:

a control unit configured to generate a distress signal including at least an ID code and position information of the radio apparatus;

a power unit configured to supply power to an entire of the radio apparatus;

a distress key to be manipulated for transmission of the distress signal; and

a transmission unit configured to send the distress signal,

wherein the distress key is configured to output a distress key manipulation signal to the control unit and the power unit in response to a manipulation of the distress key,

wherein the power unit is configured to supply power to at least the control unit and the transmission unit in response to receiving the distress key manipulation signal in a state that a power supply to the entire of the radio apparatus is stopped,

wherein the control unit is configured to start setting up the radio apparatus and to count a time during which the control unit continues to receive the distress key manipulation signal, in response to receiving power from the power unit, and

wherein the control unit is configured to output a power supply maintenance signal to the power unit, to generate the distress signal, and to cause the transmission unit to send the distress signal, in response to continuous receiving the distress key manipulation signal for a preset time or longer.

2. The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power unit is configured to continue to supply power to the entire of the radio apparatus in response to receiving the power supply maintenance signal.

3. The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set up the radio apparatus to perform minimum necessary setup for transmission of the distress signal, and configured to perform setup for enabling ordinary functions of the radio apparatus after completing the minimum necessary setup.

4. The radio apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to set up the radio apparatus to perform minimum necessary setup for transmission of the distress signal, and configured to perform setup for enabling ordinary functions of the radio apparatus after completing the minimum necessary setup.

5. A method of sending a distress signal in a radio apparatus, the method comprising:

outputting a distress key manipulation signal to a control unit and a power unit when a distress key is manipulated;

supplying power to the control unit and a transmission unit when the power unit receives the distress key manipulation signal in a state that a power supply to an entire of the radio apparatus is stopped;

starting setting-up the radio apparatus and counting a time during which the control unit continues to receive the distress key manipulation signal, when the control unit receives power from the power unit; and

outputting a power supply maintenance signal from the control unit to the power unit, and generating the distress signal so that the transmission unit sends the distress signal, when the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal for a preset time or longer.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

continuing to supply power to the entire of the radio apparatus when the power unit receives the power supply maintenance signal.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

setting up the radio apparatus to perform minimum necessary setup for transmission of the distress signal, and performing setup for enabling ordinary functions of the radio apparatus after completing the minimum necessary setup.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

setting up the radio apparatus to perform minimum necessary setup for transmission of the distress signal, and performing setup for enabling ordinary functions of the radio apparatus after completing the minimum necessary setup.