Patent Publication Number: US-2021165110-A1

Title: Event detection for vehicles

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The technical field generally relates to vehicles, and more particularly relates to event detection for vehicles. 
     Many vehicles today include telematics units that provide detection of and responsive actions for vehicle events, such as when a vehicle contacts another vehicle or object. However, such event detection may be difficult in certain scenarios, for example when communication is unavailable with an event module or system of the vehicle and/or global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data is unavailable. 
     Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide improved methods and systems for detecting events in vehicles, for example when global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data is unavailable and/or communication is unavailable with an event module. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes: receiving a first indication of a possible event having occurred for a vehicle; upon receiving the first indication, determining, via a processor, whether the vehicle is moving; and transmitting an emergency call from the vehicle to a remote server, via instructions provided by the processor, when both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: the first indication has been received; and the vehicle is not moving. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of receiving the first indication includes receiving an indication of a loss of communications with a system of the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of receiving the first indication includes receiving an indication of a loss of communications with an event detection system of the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of receiving the first indication further includes receiving an additional indication of a loss of communications with a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of determining whether the vehicle is moving includes determining, via the processor, whether the vehicle is moving based on sensor data obtained from one or more wheel sensors for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of determining whether the vehicle is moving includes determining, via the processor, whether the vehicle is moving based on sensor data obtained from one or more speedometers for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of determining whether the vehicle is moving includes determining, via the processor, whether the vehicle is moving based on sensor data obtained from one or more accelerometers for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the step of determining whether the vehicle is moving includes determining, via the processor, whether the vehicle is moving based on a signal obtained from an external global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a system for a vehicle is provided, the system including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: receiving a first indication of a possible event having occurred for a vehicle; upon receiving the first indication, determining whether the vehicle is moving; and providing instructions for transmitting an emergency call from the vehicle to a remote server, when both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: the first indication has been received; and the vehicle is not moving. The transceiver is coupled to the processor, and is configured for transmitting the emergency call in accordance with the instructions from the processor. 
     Also in an embodiment, the first indication includes an indication of a loss of communications with a system of the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the first indication includes an indication of a loss of communications with an event detection system of the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the first indication further includes an additional indication of a loss of communications with a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on sensor data obtained from one or more wheel sensors for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on sensor data obtained from one or more speedometers or accelerometers for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on a signal obtained from an external global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes an event detection system, one or more sensors, a processor, and a transceiver. The one or more sensors are configured to generate sensor data. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: receiving a first indication of a possible event having occurred for a vehicle, based at least in part on a loss of communications with the event detection system; upon receiving the first indication, determining whether the vehicle is moving, based at least in part on the sensor data; and providing instructions for transmitting an emergency call from the vehicle to a remote server, when both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: the first indication has been received; and the vehicle is not moving. The transceiver is coupled to the processor, and is configured for transmitting the emergency call in accordance with the instructions from the processor. 
     Also in an embodiment, the first indication further includes an additional indication of a loss of communications with a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for the vehicle. 
     Also in an embodiment, the vehicle sensors include one or more wheel sensors configured to generate wheel sensor data; and the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on the wheel sensor data. 
     Also in an embodiment, the vehicle sensors include one or more receivers configured to receive a signal from an external global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device; and the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on the signal. 
     Also in an embodiment, the vehicle sensors include one or more accelerometers configured to generate accelerometer data for the vehicle; and the processor is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the vehicle is moving based on the accelerometer data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a communications system that includes a vehicle having a telematics unit, and that is configured to provide detection of and response for a vehicle event, in accordance with exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process for providing detection of and response for a vehicle event, and that can be implemented in connection with the communications system and vehicle of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments; and 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary control system of the vehicle of the communications system of  FIG. 1  for implementing the process of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a communications system  10 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As described in greater detail further below, the communications system  10  generally includes a vehicle  12 , along with one or more wireless carrier systems  14 , one or more land networks  16 , and one or more remote servers  18 . As described in greater detail further below, in various embodiments, the communications system  10  provides for detection of vehicle events, and the providing of emergency calls accordingly, when a vehicle event is determined to be likely, based on a first indication of a potential vehicle event (e.g., including loss of communication with one or more vehicle systems) in combination with a determination that the vehicle is stationary (i.e., not moving). 
     It should be appreciated that the overall architecture, setup and operation, as well as the individual components of the illustrated system are merely exemplary and that differently configured communications systems may also be utilized to implement the examples of the method disclosed herein. Thus, the following paragraphs, which provide a brief overview of the illustrated communications system  10 , are not intended to be limiting. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  12  may be any type of mobile vehicle such as a motorcycle, car, truck, recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane, farm equipment, or the like, and is equipped with suitable hardware and software that enables it to communicate over communications system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , in various embodiments the vehicle hardware  20  is disposed within a body  19  of the vehicle  12 , and includes a telematics unit  24 , a microphone  26 , a speaker  28 , and buttons and/or controls  30  connected to the telematics unit  24 . Operatively coupled to the telematics unit  24  is a network connection or vehicle bus  32 . In various embodiments, the vehicle  12  has an engine (or motor)  90  that is started by an ignition system  91  (or other starting system), and that powers one or more wheels  13  of the vehicle  12 . Examples of suitable network connections include a controller area network (CAN), a media-oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), an Ethernet, and other appropriate connections such as those that conform with known ISO (International Organization for Standardization), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and/or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards and specifications, to name a few. 
     The telematics unit  24  is an onboard device, embedded within the vehicle  12 , that provides a variety of services through its communication with the remote server  18 , and generally includes an electronic processing device (processor)  38 , one or more types of electronic memory  40 , a cellular chipset/component  34 , a transceiver  35 , a wireless modem  36 , a dual mode antenna  70 , and a navigation unit containing a GPS chipset/component  42 . In one example, the wireless modem  36  includes a computer program and/or set of software routines adapted to be executed within electronic processing device  38 . Also in various embodiments, the transceiver  35  is configured to transmit, to one or more remote destinations (e.g., the remote server  18  of  FIG. 1 ), data pertaining to the vehicle  12 , including an emergency call for assistance when a vehicle event has occurred. 
     In various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  is embedded and installed (and built-in) within the vehicle  12  at the time of manufacture. In various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  enables voice and/or data communications over one or more wireless networks (e.g., wireless carrier system  14 ), and/or via wireless networking, thereby allowing communications with the remote server  18  and/or other vehicles and/or systems. 
     In various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  may use radio transmissions to establish a voice and/or data channel with the wireless carrier system  14  so that both voice and data transmissions can be sent and received over the voice and/or data channels. Vehicle communications are enabled via the cellular chipset/component  34  for voice communications and the wireless modem  36  for data transmission. Any suitable encoding or modulation technique may be used with the present examples, including digital transmission technologies, such as TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), W-CDMA (wideband CDMA), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), and the like. In one embodiment, dual mode antenna  70  services the GPS chipset/component  42  and the cellular chipset/component  34 . In various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  utilizes cellular communication according to industry standards, such as LTE, 5G, or the like. In addition, in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  carries out wireless networking between the vehicle  12  and one or more other network devices, for example using one or more wireless protocols such as one or more IEEE 802.11 protocols, WiMAX, or Bluetooth. 
     The telematics unit  24  may offer a number of different services for users of the vehicle  12 , including providing data pertaining to the vehicle  12 , and operation, tracking, and control thereof (and of various components thereof). In various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  communicates with a user via an electronic device  15  (e.g., a smart phone). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  15  includes one or more built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer  16 . In addition, in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  communicates with the remote server  18 , for example in providing information regarding the vehicle  12 , including making emergency calls for assistance in the case of a vehicle event. 
     In addition, in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  also obtains vehicle-related information from various vehicle sensors  72 , connected to various sensor interface modules  44  are operatively connected to the vehicle bus  32 . In various embodiments, the vehicle sensors  72  include wheel sensors  74 , accelerometers  76 , speedometers  77 , and gear selection sensors  78 . 
     In certain embodiments, the wheel sensors  74  include one or more wheel position sensors and/or wheel speed sensors that detect and/or measure positions and movements of one or more wheels  13  of the vehicle  12 , for use in determining whether the vehicle  12  is moving and for calculating a velocity for the vehicle  12  (for example, with respect to a path or roadway on which the vehicle  12  is travelling). Also in certain embodiments, the accelerometers  76  measure an acceleration for movement of the vehicle  12  with respect to a path or roadway on which the vehicle  12  is travelling. Also in certain embodiments, the speedometers  77  measure a speed of movement of the vehicle  12  with respect to a path or roadway on which the vehicle  12  is travelling. In addition, in certain embodiments, the gear selection sensors  78  detect a selected transmission gear from a transmission system  82  for the vehicle  12  for operation of the vehicle  12 , such as park, reverse, neutral, and drive (PRND), and so on. In various embodiments, the sensor data for the vehicle  12  is provided by the various sensors  72  on the vehicle bus  32 , and is received therefrom by the processor  38  described herein. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle sensors  72  may also include any number of other sensors, such as by way of example, steering angle sensors, braking system sensors, gyroscopes, magnetometers, emission detection, and/or control sensors, and the like. Example sensor interface modules  44  include powertrain control, climate control, and body control, to name but a few. 
     Also in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  is coupled to an event detection system  81  that detects and/or determines when a vehicle event has taken place. In certain embodiments, the event detection system  81  comprises an airbag system for the vehicle  12 . As set forth in greater detail further below, in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  makes emergency calls to the remote server  18  when it is determined that a vehicle event is likely to have occurred, based on information received (or failed to be received) from the event detection system  81 , in combination with an additional determination as to whether the vehicle  12  is moving (e.g., with respect to a path or roadway on which the vehicle  12  has been traveling, as determined using sensor data from the vehicle sensors  72  and/or from the electronic device  15  described herein). 
     In addition, in various embodiments, the telematics unit  24  may also provide other services, such as, by way of example: turn-by-turn directions and other navigation-related services provided in conjunction with the GPS chipset/component  42 , other emergency assistance services, information requests from the users of the vehicle  12  (e.g., regarding points of interest en route while the vehicle  12  is travelling), and/or infotainment-related services, for example in which music, internet web pages, movies, television programs, videogames, and/or other content are downloaded by an infotainment center  46  that may be part of the telematics unit  24  and/or operatively connected to the telematics unit  24  via vehicle bus  32  and audio bus  22 , among various other types of possible services. 
     With respect to other electronic components utilized in connection with the telematics unit  24 , the microphone  26  provides the driver or other vehicle occupant with a means for inputting verbal or other auditory commands, and can be equipped with an embedded voice processing unit utilizing a human/machine interface (HMI) technology known in the art. Conversely, speaker  28  provides audible output to the vehicle occupants and can be either a stand-alone speaker specifically dedicated for use with the telematics unit  24  or can be part of a vehicle audio component  64 . In either event, microphone  26  and speaker  28  enable vehicle hardware  20  and remote server  18  to communicate with the occupants through audible speech. The vehicle hardware also includes one or more buttons and/or controls  30  for enabling a vehicle occupant to activate or engage one or more of the vehicle hardware components  20 . For example, one of the buttons and/or controls  30  can be an electronic pushbutton used to initiate voice communication with remote server  18  (whether it be a human such as advisor  58  or an automated call response system). In another example, one of the buttons and/or controls  30  can be used to initiate emergency services. 
     The audio component  64  is operatively connected to the vehicle bus  32  and the audio bus  22 . The audio component  64  receives analog information, rendering it as sound, via the audio bus  22 . Digital information is received via the vehicle bus  32 . The audio component  64  provides amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) radio, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), and multimedia functionality independent of the infotainment center  46 . Audio component  64  may contain a speaker system, or may utilize speaker  28  via arbitration on vehicle bus  32  and/or audio bus  22 . In various embodiments, the audio component  64  includes radio system  65  (which also includes antenna  70 , as well as amplifiers, speakers, and the like, in certain embodiments). 
     The wireless carrier systems  14  may be any number of cellular telephone systems, satellite-based wireless systems, and/or any other suitable wireless systems, for example that transmits signals between the vehicle hardware  20  and land network  16  (and/or, in certain embodiments, that communicate directly with the vehicle  12  and/or the remote server  18 ). According to certain examples, wireless carrier system  14  may include and/or be coupled to one or more cell towers  48 , satellites  49 , base stations and/or mobile switching centers (MSCs)  50 , as well as any other networking components required to connect the wireless carrier system  14  with land network  16 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, various cell tower/base station/MSC arrangements are possible and could be used with wireless carrier system  14 . 
     The land network  16  can be a conventional land-based telecommunications network that is connected to one or more landline telephones, and that connects wireless carrier system  14  to remote server  18 . For example, the land network  16  can include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or an Internet protocol (IP) network, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art. Of course, one or more segments of the land network  16  can be implemented in the form of a standard wired network, a fiber or other optical network, a cable network, other wireless networks such as wireless local networks (WLANs) or networks providing broadband wireless access (BWA), or any combination thereof. 
     The remote server  18  is designed to provide the vehicle hardware  20  with a number of different system back-end functions and, according to the example shown here, generally includes one or more switches  52 , servers  54  (e.g., including one or more processors), databases  56 , advisors  58 , as well as a variety of other telecommunication/computer equipment  60 . These various call center components are suitably coupled to one another via a network connection or bus  62 , such as the one previously described in connection with the vehicle hardware  20 . Switch  52 , which can be a private branch exchange (PBX) switch, routes incoming signals so that voice transmissions are usually sent to either advisor  58  or an automated response system, and data transmissions are passed on to a modem or other piece of telecommunication/computer equipment  60  for demodulation and further signal processing. Additionally, as noted above, the remote server  18  is configured to receive emergency calls from the vehicle  12  when a vehicle event is detected. 
     The transceivers  35 , and/or modem or other telecommunication/computer equipment  60  may include an encoder, as previously explained, and can be connected to various devices such as a server  54  and database  56 . In various embodiments, the database  56  of the remote server  18  comprises a computer memory that stores information, including regarding operation of the vehicle. Although the illustrated example has been described as it would be used in conjunction with a remote server  18  that is manned, it will be appreciated that the remote server  18  can be any central or remote facility, manned or unmanned, mobile or fixed, to or from which it is desirable to exchange voice and data. In various embodiments, the transceiver  35  facilitates communications between the telematics unit  24  and both the user&#39;s electronic device  15  and the remote server  18 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process  200  for providing detection of and response for a vehicle event, in accordance with exemplary embodiments. In various embodiments, the process  200  can be implemented in connection with the communications system and vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments the process  200  begins at step  202 . In certain embodiments, the process  200  begins when the vehicle  12  is turned on and/or begins travelling, and/or when one or more users of the vehicle  12  approach or enter the vehicle  12 , when a user request has been received, and/or when use or operation of the vehicle  12  is expected. In certain other embodiments, the steps of the process  200  are performed continuously during operation of the vehicle  12 . 
     In various embodiments, vehicle sensor data is obtained at  204 . In various embodiments, the vehicle sensor data is obtained from the vehicle sensors  72  of  FIG. 1 . Specifically, in various embodiments, the vehicle sensor data is obtained via the wheel sensors  74 , accelerometers  76 , speedometers  77 , and gear sensors  78  of  FIG. 1 , as to the position or movement of the wheels  13 , acceleration of the vehicle  12  (e.g., with respect to a path or road on which the vehicle  12  has been travelling), velocity of the vehicle  12  (e.g., with respect to a path or road on which the vehicle  12  has been travelling), and a current or selected gear from the transmission system  80  of  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
     In addition, in certain embodiments, sensor data is also obtained from or regarding the electronic device  15 , for example a signal strength from the electronic device  15  (e.g., as measured and/or obtained via the antenna  70 ) and/or sensor data from the electronic device  15  (e.g., from an accelerometer  16  of the electronic device  15  and/or pertaining to additional GPS data from the electronic device  15 ). In certain embodiments, the sensor data is obtained, directly or indirectly, via the processor  38  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Also in various embodiments, additional data is obtained at  206 . In certain embodiments, the additional data is obtained via communications from various systems of the vehicle  12 , specifically including the event detection system  81  of the vehicle and a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) system of the vehicle (e.g., the GPS component or system  42  of  FIG. 1 ). In various embodiments, the additional data comprises communications with the event detection system and GNSS system at regular intervals (e.g., receiving a “heartbeat” from such systems). 
     In various embodiments, a first indication is received as to a potential vehicle event at  208 . In certain embodiments, the first indications comprises a loss of communications from one or both of the event detection system and the GNSS system (e.g., a failure to receive expected signals or “heartbeats” from one or both of these systems). In one exemplary embodiment, the first indication comprises a loss of communications from the event detection system (e.g., a failure to receive expected signals or “heartbeats” from the event detection system, such as via the antenna  70  and/or via the vehicle bus  32 ). In another exemplary embodiment, the first indication is satisfied when there is a loss of communications from both the event detection system and the GNSS system (e.g., a failure to receive expected signals or “heartbeats” from both of these systems, such as via the antenna  70  and/or via the vehicle bus  32 ). In certain embodiments, the processor  38  determines when the first indication of the potential vehicle event has been received. 
     Also in various embodiments, an evaluation is conducted at  210  as to additional inputs for verification of the potential vehicle event. In various embodiments, the processor  38  of  FIG. 1  evaluates various sensor data  212  from the vehicle sensors  72  and from the electronic device  15  from step  204 , including vehicle dead reckoning sensor data  214  and signal strength data  216  for the electronic device  15  of  FIG. 1 , and/or device GPS data  218  and/or device sensor data  219  from the electronic device  15  of  FIG. 1  and/or from one or more other electronic devices and/or global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). For example, in certain embodiments, during step  210 , the processor  38  of  FIG. 1  conducts analysis regarding one or more of the following: (i) wheel position data and/or wheel speed data from the wheel sensors  74  (e.g., from the vehicle dead reckoning data  214 ); (ii) vehicle acceleration data from the vehicle accelerometers  76  (e.g., from the vehicle dead reckoning data  214 ); (iii) vehicle speed data from the speedometers  77  (e.g., from the vehicle dead reckoning data  214 ); (iv) vehicle transmission gear data from the transmission gear sensors  78  (e.g., from the vehicle dead reckoning data  214 ); (v) signal strength data of signals from the electronic device (e.g., as measured via the antenna  70  as part of the signal strength data  216 ); (vi) additional GPS data from the electronic device  15  (e.g., as received via the antenna  70  as part of the device GPS data  218 ) and/or from one or more other external global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices, such as of a user onboard the vehicle (e.g., in certain embodiments, that is not part of the vehicle  12  itself but that may be presently onboard the vehicle  12 ); and (vii) accelerometer data from an accelerometer  16  of the electronic device (e.g., as received via the antenna  70  as part of the from the device sensor data  219 ). 
     In various embodiments, a determination is made at  220  as to whether the vehicle is stationary. In various embodiments, the processor  38  of  FIG. 1  determines whether the vehicle is stationary (i.e., not moving) with respect to a path or road on which the vehicle  12  has been travelling, based on one or more of the various types of sensor data  212  described above in connection with the evaluation of step  210 . Specifically, in various embodiments, the vehicle is determined to be stationary (i.e., not moving) if any of the following criteria are satisfied, namely: (i) the wheel position data and/or wheel speed data from the wheels sensor  74  show the wheels  13  to be not moving; (ii) the vehicle acceleration data from the vehicle accelerometers  76  shows the vehicle  12  to be not moving; (iii) the vehicle speed data from the speedometers  77  shows the vehicle  12  to be not moving; (iv) the vehicle transmission gear data from the transmission gear sensors  78  show the vehicle to be in “park”; (v) the signal strength data from the electronic device shows the vehicle  12  to be not moving (e.g., when the signal strength is not changing); (vi) additional GPS data from the electronic device  15  shows the electronic device  15 , and therefore the vehicle  12 , to be not moving; and/or (vii) the accelerometer data from an accelerometer  16  of the electronic device shows the electronic device  15 , and therefore the vehicle  12 , to be not moving. 
     If it is determined at step  220  that the vehicle is stationary (i.e., not moving, for example with respect to a path or road on which the vehicle has been travelling), then an emergency call is placed at  222 . Specifically, in various embodiments, the processor  38  of  FIG. 1  provides instructions for the transceiver  35  of  FIG. 1  to place an emergency call with the remote server  18  of  FIG. 1 . In various embodiments, the emergency call provides an indication to the remote server  18  that a vehicle event is believed to have occurred (or has likely occurred) for the vehicle  12 . In various embodiments, the remote server  18  then may provide further communications with emergency authorities (e.g., ambulance, fire department, police department, or the like), as well as with occupants of the vehicle  12  (e.g., to obtain and/or provide additional information and/or instructions, and so on). In certain embodiments, the process then terminates at  226 . 
     Conversely, if it is instead determined at step  220  that the vehicle is not stationary (i.e., is moving), then an emergency call is not placed (step  224 ). Specifically, in various embodiments, the processor  38  of  FIG. 1  provides instructions for the transceiver  35  of  FIG. 1  to not place an emergency call with the remote server  18  of  FIG. 1 . In certain embodiments, the process then terminates at  226 . 
     Accordingly, in accordance with various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for detecting vehicle events, and for making emergency calls to a remote server when it is believed that a vehicle event has occurred. Specifically, in various embodiments, a first indication is received regarding a potential event, when communications are lost with a vehicle detection system of the vehicle (and, in certain embodiments, provided further that communications with a GNSS system are also lost). In various embodiments, in such circumstances, various additional sensor data is evaluated to determine whether the vehicle is stationary (i.e., not moving, for example with respect to a path or road on which the vehicle is travelling). Once the first indication of a potential vehicle event has been received, a vehicle event is determined to have taken place, and an emergency call is placed with the remote server, if the vehicle is stationary (i.e., not moving). Conversely, if the vehicle is not stationary (i.e., is moving), then a vehicle event has been determined to not have taken place, and therefore no emergency call is made. 
     With respect to  FIG. 3 , a functional block diagram is provided of an exemplary control system  300  of the vehicle  12  of the communications system  10  of  FIG. 1  for implementing the process  200  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the control system  300  includes sensors  71 , a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) (e.g., GPS)  42 , an event detection system (e.g., airbag system)  81 , a processor  38 , and a transceiver  35 , with features and functions as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In certain embodiments, the process  200  may be implemented via the system  300  of  FIG. 3  either alone or in combination with other apparatus, such as other components of the vehicle  12  and/or the communications system  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     It will be appreciated that the systems and methods may vary from those depicted in the Figures and described herein. For example, the communications system of  FIG. 1 , including the vehicle, telematics unit, the electronic device, the remote server, the communications networks, and/or components thereof, may vary from that depicted in  FIG. 1  and/or described herein, in various embodiments. It will similarly be appreciated that the process (and/or subprocesses) disclosed herein may differ from those described herein and/or depicted in  FIG. 2 , and/or that steps thereof may be performed simultaneously and/or in a different order as described herein and/or depicted in  FIG. 2 , among other possible variations. It will similarly be appreciated that the control system of  FIG. 1 , and/or components thereof, may also vary from that depicted in  FIG. 3  and/or described herein, in various embodiments. 
     While at least one example has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the example or examples are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the example or examples. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof