US Patent 6873837 Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein

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.