Telematics terminal and method for notifying emergency conditions using the same
A telematics device and method for notifying emergency conditions associated with a motor vehicle. The method includes sensing an occurrence of at least one predetermined event and generating a corresponding notification signal; activating a camera in or on the motor vehicle based on the notification signal; and transmitting an image captured by the camera to a remote server.
1. A method for notifying emergency conditions associated with a motor vehicle, comprising:
sensing an occurrence of at least one predetermined event and generating a corresponding notification signal;
sensing an audio signal through a microphone in or on the motor vehicle based on the notification signal;
transmitting the audio signal to a remote server;
receiving a camera activation signal from the remote server, the camera activation signal being generated by the remote server based on the audio signal;
activating a camera in or on the motor vehicle based on the camera activation signal; and
transmitting an image captured by the camera to a remote server,
wherein the at least one predetermined event comprises a predetermined abnormality of a physical condition of a passenger of the motor vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one predetermined event further comprises at least one of:
a crash of the motor vehicle with an object;
a motor vehicle component malfunction;
an unauthorized intrusion into the motor vehicle; and
a theft of the motor vehicle; and
wherein the predetermined abnormality further comprises at least one of:
a detected change in a passenger's voice;
a detected change in pupil size;
a detected change in blood pressure;
a detected change in a respiration frequency per minute;
a detected change in a heart rate per minute;
a detected change in a passenger's perspiration; and
a detected change in a passenger's body temperature.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing an occurrence of at least one predetermined event and generating a corresponding notification signal comprises:
transmitting information to the remote server based on the notification signal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a camera comprises at least one of:
not receiving a user input within a predetermined time after the notification signal is generated, and
receiving a user input authorizing image capturing by the camera after the notification signal is generated.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a camera comprises one of:
selectively illuminating or not illuminating a light indicating that the camera is activated, and
selectively issuing or not issuing an audible signal indicating that the camera is activated.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a camera in or on the motor vehicle comprises:
activating the camera based on a detection or non-detection of a predetermined audio signal.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is one of an automobile and a truck.
8. A telematics terminal configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a camera and a sensor mounted in or on the motor vehicle, the sensor configured to sense an occurrence of at least one predetermined event and to generate a corresponding notification signal, the telematics terminal comprising:
a wireless transceiver; and
a controller operatively connected to the sensor, the camera and the wireless transceiver, the controller configured to
sense an audio signal through a microphone in or on the motor vehicle based on the notification signal;
transmit the audio signal to a remote server via the wireless transceiver;
receive a camera activation signal from the remote server, the camera activation signal being generated by the remote server based on the audio signal;
activate the camera based on the camera activation signal; and
transmit an image captured by the camera to the remote server,
wherein the at least one predetermined event comprises a predetermined abnormality of a physical condition of a passenger of the motor vehicle.
9. The telematics terminal of claim 8 ,
wherein the at least one predetermined event further comprises at least one of:
a crash of the motor vehicle with an object;
a motor vehicle component malfunction;
an unauthorized intrusion into the motor vehicle; and
a theft of the motor vehicle; and
wherein the predetermined abnormality further comprises at least one of:
a detected change in a passenger's voice;
a detected change in pupil size;
a detected change in blood pressure;
a detected change in a respiration frequency per minute;
a detected change in a heart rate per minute;
a detected change in a passenger's perspiration; and
a detected change in a passenger's body temperature.
10. The telematics terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit information to the remote server based on the notification signal.
11. The telematics terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the camera based on at least one of:
not receiving a user input within a predetermined time after the notification signal is generated, and
receiving a user input authorizing image capturing by the camera after the notification signal is generated.
12. The telematics terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to one of
selectively illuminate or not illuminate a light device indicating that the camera is activated, and
selectively issue or not issue an audible signal indicating that the camera is activated.
13. The telematics terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the camera based on a detection or non-detection of a predetermined audio signal.
14. The telematics terminal of claim 8 , wherein the motor vehicle is one of an automobile and a truck.
15. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a camera mounted in or on the motor vehicle;
a sensor mounted in or on the motor vehicle, the sensor configured to sense an occurrence of at least one predetermined event and to generate a corresponding notification signal; and
a telematics ten Anal including
a wireless transceiver, and
a controller operatively connected to the sensor, the camera and the wireless transceiver, the controller configured to
sense an audio signal through a microphone in or on the motor vehicle based on the notification signal;
transmit the audio signal to a remote server via the wireless transceiver;
receive a camera activation signal from the remote server, the camera activation signal being generated by the remote server based on the audio signal;
activate the camera based on the notification signal; and
transmit an image captured by the camera to a remote server,
wherein the at least one predetermined event comprises a predetermined abnormality of a physical condition of a passenger of the motor vehicle, the predetermined abnormality comprising one of
a detected change in pupil size, and
a detected change in a passenger's perspiration.
16. The motor vehicle of claim 15 ,
wherein the at least one predetermined event further comprises at least one of:
a crash of the motor vehicle with an object;
a motor vehicle component malfunction;
an unauthorized intrusion into the motor vehicle; and
a theft of the motor vehicle; and
wherein the predetermined abnormality further comprises at least one of:
a detected change in a passenger's voice;
a detected change in blood pressure;
a detected change in a respiration frequency per minute;
a detected change in a heart rate per minute; and
a detected change in a passenger's body temperature.