Abstract:
A vehicle emergency system includes an accident detection unit for detecting a collision strength to generate an accident signal, a telematics unit for generating a flag signal in response to the accident signal and for storing the flag signal, and a call center server for recognizing an emergency situation when the flag signal is delivered, and for executing an emergency procedure after emergency call, wherein the telematics unit, even when reset by the accident signal, checks the flag signal stored before reset, and automatically transmits at least one of the flag signal and an accident message generated based on the flag signal into the call center server.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0164257, filed on Nov. 24, 2014 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a method and a system for car emergency, and more particularly to a system, emergency system and method, adapted in a vehicle, operable to detect an emergency situation when the vehicle is involved in an accident and to handle an emergency measure service. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Generally, an automobile accident causes damage or human life. Procedures and costs to determine the cause of the accident, and to deal with the aftermath, may become complicated. 
         [0004]    For example, the procedures and the costs may be difficult to determine because no eye witness exists or all drivers and passengers have passed away after the accident. 
         [0005]    To solve the above-described issues, on a telematics device in a vehicle, an emergency handling apparatus capable of detecting an automobile accident and automatically connecting to a call emergency center has been installed. 
         [0006]    However, since it occasionally occurs that the telematics device is reset by detecting the automobile accident, the emergency handing apparatus cannot properly operate. Accordingly, it is a problem that the procedures to determine the cause of the accident, and to deal with the aftermath, may not address. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the disclosure can be directed to a system, an emergency handling method and an emergency handling apparatus operable to turn on an emergency call unit included in a telematics device in order to automatically inform the status into a call emergency center, even when the telematics device is reset by an impact or a contact caused by automobile accident such as collision or crash. 
         [0008]    A vehicle emergency system can include an accident detection unit configured to detect collision strength to generate an accident signal. Engaged with the accident detection unit, a telematics unit can generate a flag signal in response to the accident signal and to store the flag signal. A call center server, engaging with the telematics unit, can recognize an emergency situation when the flag signal is delivered, or configured to execute an emergency procedure after emergency call. Even when reset by the accident signal, the telematics unit checks the flag signal stored before reset, and automatically transmits at least one of the flag signal and an accident message generated based on the flag signal into the call center server. 
         [0009]    The accident detection unit can include at least one of an airbag sensor, an impact sensor and an acceleration sensor for sensing the collision strength. 
         [0010]    The telematics unit further includes a non-volatile memory configured to store at least one of the flag signal and the accident message. 
         [0011]    The telematics unit automatically transmits, into the call center server, at least one of the flag signal containing a flag state for emergency call and the accident message containing location of accident, time, and a type of fuel. 
         [0012]    The telematics unit, if rebooting when reset, automatically transmits at least one of the flag signal and the accident message into the call center server at the timing of rebooting. 
         [0013]    An emergency handling method for vehicle emergency system can include the step, performed at an accident detection unit, of detecting collision strength to generate an accident signal. At a telematics unit, a flag signal can be generated in response to the accident signal and storing the flag signal. At a call center server, an emergency situation can be recognized when the flag signal is delivered, or running an emergency procedure after emergency call. Further, even when reset by the accident signal, the flag signal stored before reset can be checked or confirmed to automatically transmit at least one of the flag signal and an accident message generated based on the flag signal into the call center server. 
         [0014]    At the accident detection unit, at least one of an airbag sensor, an impact sensor and an acceleration sensor for sensing the collision strength can be used. 
         [0015]    At least one of the flag signal and the accident message can be stored in a non-volatile memory. 
         [0016]    At least one of the flag signal containing a flag state for emergency call and the accident message containing location of accident, time, and a type of fuel can be automatically transmitted from the telematics unit into the call center server. 
         [0017]    If the telematics unit is rebooted after reset, at least one of the flag signal and the accident message can be automatically transmitted into the call center server in response to rebooting. 
         [0018]    A telematics terminal can include an accident signal receiver configured to receive an accident signal generated from an accident detection unit sensing collision strength. Engaged with the accident signal receiver, a flag signal generator can generate a flag signal in response to the accident signal and to store the flag signal. Even when a reset is occurred in response to the accident signal, a flag signal confirmation unit can check or confirm the flag signal stored before the reset. Engaging with flag signal confirmation unit, the signal transmitter can automatically transmit at least one of the flag signal and an accident message generated based on the flag signal into the call center server. 
         [0019]    The accident signal receiver can receive the accident signal regarding the collision strength from an airbag. 
         [0020]    At least one of the flag signal and the accident message can be stored in a non-volatile memory. 
         [0021]    The non-volatile memory can store at least one of the flag signal containing a flag state for emergency call and the accident message containing location of accident, time, and a type of fuel. 
         [0022]    If a rebooting is occurred by the reset, the flag signal confirmation unit can check the stored flag signal in response to the rebooting. 
         [0023]    The signal transmitter can transmit the checked flag signal into the call center server according to the flag state or the rebooting. 
         [0024]    In an emergency handling method for vehicle emergency system, an accident signal generated from an accident detection unit sensing an impact or collision strength can be delivered at an accident signal receiver. At a flag signal generator, a flag signal in response to the accident signal can be generated and stored. At a flag signal confirmation unit, even when a reset is occurred in response to the accident signal, the flag signal stored before the reset can be confirmed or checked. At a signal transmitter, at least one of the flag signal and an accident message generated based on the flag signal can be automatically transmitted into the call center server 
         [0025]    At least one of the flag signal containing a flag state for emergency call and the accident message containing location of accident, time, and a type of fuel can be stored in a non-volatile memory. 
         [0026]    When a rebooting is occurred by the reset, at least one of the flag signal and the accident message stored in the flag signal generator can be checked by the flag signal confirmation unit in response to rebooting. 
         [0027]    The flag signal checked according to the flag state or the rebooting can be transmitted from the signal transmitter into the call center server. 
         [0028]    Advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle emergency system ; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are flowcharts describing an emergency handling method in the vehicle emergency system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a vehicle emergency system; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing an emergency handling method in the vehicle emergency system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a repeated explanation thereof will not be given. The suffixes “module” and “unit” of elements herein are used for convenience of description and thus can be used interchangeably and do not have any distinguishable meanings or functions. 
         [0035]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open transition). The term “coupled” or “operatively coupled” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0036]    Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present disclosure. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component. 
         [0037]    In the description of the disclosure, certain detailed explanations of related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the disclosure. The features of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the accompanying drawings and should not be limited by the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure are encompassed in the disclosure. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle emergency system. 
         [0039]    As shown, the vehicle emergency system  100  may include an accident detection unit  110 , a telematics unit  120 , and a call center  130 , in order to quickly handle an automobile accident. 
         [0040]    First, the accident detection unit  100  may include at least one of a detection sensor  111  for sensing a collision or collision strength. In vehicle operation, the detection sensor  111  can sense a collision with another vehicle or object and generate an accident signal. Accordingly, the accident detection unit  110  can output the accident signal generated from the detection sensor  111 . 
         [0041]    By way of example but not limitation, the accident detection unit  110  can include an airbag sensor, an impact sensor, or an acceleration sensor, for detecting an airbag&#39;s impact or impact strength. Further, the accident detection unit  110  can include any sensor capable of detecting collision, collision strength, impact, or impact strength. 
         [0042]    The telematics unit  120  receives the accident signal generated from the accident detection unit  110 , and generates a flag signal in response to a received accident signal to store the flag signal. 
         [0043]    Herein, the flag signal can be stored in a non-volatile memory  121 . Accordingly, the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  121  is not deleted. The flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  121  can include a flag state for emergency call. 
         [0044]    Further, the telematics unit  120  can generate an accident message based on the generated flag signal. The accident message is a kind of information collected by the telematics unit  120  in response to the flag signal. The accident message can include a location of an accident, time and a type of fuel used in the vehicle, among other data points. The accident message can be stored in the non-volatile memory  121 . 
         [0045]    When the vehicle collides with another object or vehicle, the telematics unit  120  can be reset in response to the accident signal, or rebooted according to a reset procedure. 
         [0046]    If a reset occurs, the telematics unit  120  can check the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  121  in order to automatically transfer the flag signal and/or the accident message stored in the non-volatile memory  121  into the call center server  130 . Or, on or after reboot followed by reset, the telematics unit  120  can check the flag signal and/or the accident message stored in the non-volatile memory  121  to transmit them into the call center server  130 . 
         [0047]    The call center server  130 , receiving the flag signal from the telematics unit  120 , can recognize an emergency situation to report it to a manager, and try to connect an emergency call with the telematics unit  120 . Or, the call center server  130  can run an emergency procedure when receiving the flag signal and/or the accident message. 
         [0048]    The call center server  130  can precede an emergency call with the telematics unit  120  in response to the flag signal and/or the accident message, and handle or perform plural emergency actions after the emergency call in order to provide an accident sequence analysis regarding a vehicle after the automobile accident. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are flowcharts describing an emergency handling method in the vehicle emergency system. 
         [0050]    As shown, the emergency handling method S 100  for use in the vehicle emergency system  100  can include following steps S 110 , S 120 , S 121 , S 130  in order to quickly handle an automobile accident. 
         [0051]    In the step of S 110 , the detection sensor  111  included in the accident detection unit  110  can be used to sense an impact or a collision strength and generate the accident signal. When the accident signal is generated, the accident detection unit  110  can output the accident signal generated from the detection sensor  111 . 
         [0052]    In the step of S 120 , the accident signal generated in the step of S 110  can be delivered into the telematics unit  120 . In response to the accident signal, the flag signal can be generated by the telematics unit  120 . 
         [0053]    The generated flag signal can be stored in the non-volatile memory  121 . The flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  121  can include the flag state for emergency call. 
         [0054]    In the step of S 120 , the accident message can be generated based on the flag signal. The accident message can include information collected by the telematics unit  120  in response to the flag signal. By way of example but not limitation, the accident message can include a location of an accident, time and a type of fuel used in the vehicle, among other data points. The accident message can be stored in the non-volatile memory  121 . 
         [0055]    In the step of S 120 , if the vehicle collides with another object or vehicle, a reset in response to the accident signal can occur in the telematics unit  120 , or a rebooting according to a reset procedure can occur (S 121 ). 
         [0056]    If a reset occurs in the step of S 120 , the telematics unit  120  can check the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  121  in order to automatically transfer the flag signal and/or the accident message stored in the non-volatile memory  121  into the call center server  130 . Further, on or after reboot followed by reset, the telematics unit  120  can check the flag signal and/or the accident message stored in the non-volatile memory  121  to transmit them into the call center server  130 . 
         [0057]    In the step of S 130 , when the call center server  130  receives the flag signal from the telematics unit  120 , the call center server  130  can recognize an emergency situation to report it to a manager, and try to connect an emergency call with the telematics unit  120 . 
         [0058]    Further, in the step of S 130 , when the flag signal and/or the accident message is delivered from the telematics unit  120 , the call center server  130  can run an emergency procedure after the emergency call between the telematics unit  120  and the call center server  130 . 
         [0059]    In the step of S 130 , the emergency call between the telematics unit  120  and the call center server  130  can be achieved in response to the flag signal and/or the accident message. Further, at the call center server  130 , plural emergency actions can be performed after the emergency call in order to provide an accident sequence analysis regarding a vehicle after the automobile accident. 
         [0060]    At that time, if the telematics unit  120  is connected with the call center server  130  via the emergency call (bi-directional call), the telematics unit  120  can delete the stored flag signal. This deletion is for overcoming a boundary of capacity in the nonvolatile memory  121 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  shows a vehicle emergency system. 
         [0062]    As shown, the vehicle emergency system  200  may include an accident detection unit  210 , a telematics unit  220 , and a call center  230 , in order to quickly handle an automobile accident. The telematics unit  200  may include an accident detection unit  210 , a flag signal generator  222 , a flag signal confirmation unit  223 , and a signal transmitter  224 . Hereinafter, the telematics unit  220  is described in detail. 
         [0063]    The accident detection unit  221  can receive the accident signal generated from the accident detection unit  210  which senses an impact or collision strength. Herein, in order to sense an impact or collision strength, the accident detection unit  210  can include at least one of a detection sensor  211 . 
         [0064]    By way of example but not limitation, the accident detection unit  210  can include an airbag sensor, an impact sensor, or an acceleration sensor, for detecting an airbag&#39;s impact or impact strength. Further, the accident detection unit  210  can include any sensor capable of detecting a collision, collision strength, an impact, or impact strength. 
         [0065]    The detection sensor  211  can sense a crash or a collision with another vehicle or object while a vehicle operates and generate an accident signal. Accordingly, after the detection sensor  211  generates the accident signal, the accident detection unit  210  can transmit the accident signal to the accident signal receiver  211 . 
         [0066]    The flag signal generator  222  generates the flag signal in response to the accident signal received by the accident signal receiver  211 . At this time, the flag signal can be stored in the non-volatile memory  225 . 
         [0067]    Accordingly, the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can be not deleted. The flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can include a flag state for emergency call. 
         [0068]    The flag signal confirmation unit  223  can check the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  even when a reset occurs in response to the accident signal delivered in the flag signal generator  222 . 
         [0069]    If the reset occurs, a rebooting can be automatically performed. In this case, on or after reboot followed by reset, the flag signal confirmation unit  223  can check the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225 . 
         [0070]    The signal transmitter  224  can automatically transfer the flag signal confirmed by the flag signal confirmation unit  223  or the accident message generated based on the flag signal into the call center server  230  through a wireless network. 
         [0071]    The accident message can be stored in the non-volatile memory  225 . The accident message stored in the non-volatile memory  225  is a type of information collected by the telematics unit  220 . The accident message can include a location of an accident, time and a type of fuel used in the vehicle, among other data points. 
         [0072]    The flag signal and/or the accident message confirmed in response to the flag state or rebooting can be transferred to the call center server  230  via a wireless network. The wireless network can include a mobile radio communication network. 
         [0073]    The call center server  230 , receiving the flag signal and/or the accident message from the telematics unit  220 , can recognize an emergency situation to report it to a manager, and try to connect an emergency call with the telematics unit  220 . Or, the call center server  230  can run an emergency procedure when receiving the flag signal and/or the accident message from the telematics unit  220 . 
         [0074]    The call center server  230  can precede an emergency call with the telematics unit  220  in response to the flag signal and/or the accident message, and handle or perform plural emergency actions after the emergency call in order to provide an accident sequence analysis regarding a vehicle after the automobile accident. 
         [0075]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing an emergency handling method in the vehicle emergency system. 
         [0076]    As shown, the emergency handling method S 200  for use in the vehicle emergency system  200  can include following steps S 210 , S 220 , S 230 , S 240  in order to quickly handle an automobile accident. 
         [0077]    In the step of S 210 , the accident signal generated from the accident detection unit  210  sensing an impact or collision strength is delivered at the accident signal receiver  221 . 
         [0078]    In the step of S 220 , the flag signal is generated by the flag signal generator  222  in response to the accident signal received by the accident signal receiver  221 . Herein, the generated flag signal can be stored in the non-volatile memory  225 . 
         [0079]    Accordingly, the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can be not deleted. The flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can include the flag state for emergency call. 
         [0080]    In the step of S 230 , even if a reset occurs in response to the accident signal generated by the flag signal generator  222 , the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can be checked by the flag signal confirmation unit  223 . 
         [0081]    If a reset occurs, a rebooting can be automatically performed. In the step of S 230 , when a rebooting occurs by a reset, the flag signal stored in the non-volatile memory  225  can be confirmed by the flag signal confirmation unit  223 . 
         [0082]    In the step of S 240 , the flag signal confirmed in the step of S 230  or the accident message generated based on the flag signal can be automatically transmitted from the signal transmitter  224  to the call center server  230  via the wireless network. 
         [0083]    Herein, the accident message can be stored in the non-volatile memory  225 . The accident message can include information collected by the telematics unit  220  in response to the flag signal. By way of example but not limitation, the accident message can include a location of an accident, time and a type of fuel used in the vehicle. 
         [0084]    The flag signal checked in response to the flag state or rebooting and/or the accident message generated based on the flag signal can be transmitted to the call center server  230  by the signal transmitter  224  via the wireless network. The wireless network can include a mobile radio communication network. 
         [0085]    When the flag signal and/or the accident message is delivered at the call center server  230  from the telematics unit  220 , the call center server  130  can recognize an emergency situation to report it to a manager, and try to connect an emergency call between the call center server  130  and the telematics unit  220 . 
         [0086]    Further, when the flag signal and/or the accident message is delivered at the call center server  230  from the telematics unit  220 , the call center server  130  can execute an emergency procedure after the emergency call between the telematics unit  220  and the call center server  230 . 
         [0087]    In response to the flag signal and/or the accident message, the emergency call between the telematics unit  120  and the call center server  130  can be achieved. Further, at the call center server  130 , plural emergency actions can be performed after the emergency call in order to provide an accident sequence analysis regarding a vehicle after the automobile accident. 
         [0088]    The aforementioned embodiments are achieved by combination of structural elements and features of the present disclosure in a predetermined manner. Each of the structural elements or features should be considered selectively unless specified separately. Each of the structural elements or features may be carried out without being combined with other structural elements or features. Also, some structural elements and/or features may be combined with one another to constitute the embodiments of the present disclosure. The order of operations described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed. Some structural elements or features of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment, or may be replaced with corresponding structural elements or features of another embodiment. Moreover, it will be apparent that some claims referring to specific claims may be combined with another claims referring to the other claims other than the specific claims to constitute the embodiment or add new claims by means of amendment after the application is filed. 
         [0089]    Various embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform various methods presented herein. Examples of possible machine-readable mediums include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, the other types of storage mediums presented herein, and combinations thereof. If desired, the machine-readable medium may be realized in the form of a carrier wave (for example, a transmission over the Internet). 
         [0090]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosures. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.