Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein

Abstract

An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a handsfree system circuit. Handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center is allowed via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit. A volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker operates for controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher. The volume control circuit may control the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and may inhibit a user from changing the volume level.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a microphone;    a loudspeaker;    a handsfree system circuit;    means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and    a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;    wherein the volume control circuit controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and inhibits a user from changing the volume level.    
   
   
       21 . An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a microphone;    a loudspeaker;    a handsfree system circuit;    means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and    a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;    wherein the volume control circuit comprises means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.    
   
   
       22 . An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a microphone;    a loudspeaker;    a handsfree system circuit;    means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and    a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during two-way speech communication between said emergency report receiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus;    wherein the volume control circuit comprises first means for controlling the volume level at the predetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication, second means for allowing a user to change the volume level after the first means controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving out of a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via the second means.    
   
   
       23 . An emergency reporting network system comprising: 
 an emergency report receiving center;    a communication network; and    emergency reporting apparatuses connectable with the emergency report receiving center via the communication network;    wherein each of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergency reporting apparatus of one of claims  20 - 22 .    
   
   
       24 . An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a microphone    a loudspeaker    a handsfree system circuit;    means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and    a volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher during emergency reporting in response to a desired volume signal.    
   
   
       25 . An emergency reporting apparatus as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising means for preventing the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker from being decreased to less than the predetermined constant level.