Abstract:
A method for reporting an emergency to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) ( 200 ) is provided. The method includes: detecting for a condition indicative of an emergency; automatically initiating an interactive communication session ( 310 ) with the PSAP ( 200 ) over a network ( 300 ), the session ( 310 ) being initiated in response to detection of the condition; and, communicating at least one of a type of emergency and a location of the emergency to the PSAP ( 200 ) via the interactive session ( 310 ).

Description:
[0001]     Field  
         [0002]     The present inventive subject matter relates to the telecommunication arts. One particular application is found in conjunction with emergency telecommunication services (e.g., emergency 9-1-1 calls), and the specification makes particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present inventive subject matter are also amenable to other like applications.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , as is known in the art, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  10  includes mechanisms for directing certain calls, such as an emergency 9-1-1 call, to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)  20 . For example, consider an end office (EO)  30  serving a wireline or landline end user device (EUD)  40  (e.g., a telephone) from which a 9-1-1 call is placed. The EO  30  commonly includes a telecommunications switch  32  (e.g., a class 5 switch such as the Lucent Technologies 5ESS or another like switch) that is operatively connected, e.g., via a twisted-pair line or cable, to the EUD  40 . When the switch  32  recognizes a 9-1-1 call, the call is routed, e.g., over the PSTN  10 , to the PSAP  20  serving the geographic region in which the EUD  40  is located.  
         [0004]     Typically, upon receiving a 9-1-1 call, the PSAP  20  queries an Automatic Line Identification (ALI) database (DB) using the telephone or directory number of the calling EUD  40 . The ALI DB provides the PSAP  20  with information associated with the calling EUD  40 , e.g., the geographic and/or physical location of the EUD  40  (i.e., a street address or other positional identification). In this manner, a proper response to the 9-1-1 call can be quickly and readily dispatched to the proper location or otherwise coordinated. In any event, however, the usual 9-1-1 call typically originates with an individual manually placing the call for assistance, and such an approach has certain limitations. For example, this approach is unsuitable when there is no individual available to place the emergency call.  
         [0005]     Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 2 , an individual may subscribe to an emergency or alarm monitoring service provided by a third party, e.g., an alarm monitoring service provider (AMSP)  50 . More specifically, alarm systems (AS)  52  are known to be used in both stationary applications (such as in a subscriber&#39;s home, office or other building  54 ) and mobile applications (such as in a subscriber&#39;s vehicle  56 ). The alarm system  52  detects any of a variety of conditions indicative of an emergency depending upon the application, e.g., fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, intrusion, airbag deployment, collision, theft, etc. Typically, when installed in a stationary location, the alarm system  52  is connected to the landline telephone service already provided to that location such that it has access to the PSTN  10 , and when installed in a mobile application, the alarm system accesses the PSTN  10  via a conventional mobile or wireless telecommunications network  58 . In either case, upon the tripping of an alarm or detecting a given condition, the alarm system  52  places a call over the PSTN  10  to the AMSP  50 . Typically, the call from the alarm system  52  is received by the AMSP  50  where it is handled by an operator. The operator in turn takes one or more designated actions in response to the alarm and/or detected condition which is indicated by a signal transmitted from the alarm system  52  to the AMSP  50  over the connected call. Commonly, when circumstances warrant, the AMSP operator will then make an appropriate emergency call. For example, the AMSP operator may place an emergency 9-1-1 call over the PSTN  10  to the PSAP  20  on behalf of the subscriber or otherwise place an emergency call over the PSTN  10  directly to an emergency responder (ER)  60  (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, etc.). In any event, the actual emergency call to the PSAP  20  or the responder  60  still originates with an individual manually making the call.  
         [0006]     While addressing the previously identified problem, conventional emergency or alarm monitoring services can still have certain limitations and/or drawbacks. For example, use of a monitoring service often involves an added layer of expense for the subscriber, who typically has to pay for the service. Moreover, the use of an AMSP  50  can result in an unwanted delay of the emergency call being placed to the PSAP  20 . That is to say, the emergency call to the PSAP  20  is the second call placed, which is typically only placed by the AMSP operator after the AMSP  50  receives the first call from the alarm system  52 . In emergency situations, even a slight delay (such as the delay experienced by having to place a second telephone call) can be significantly detrimental.  
         [0007]     Additionally, with a conventional monitored alarm system, the PSAP  20  often has little or no ability to request or control the gathering of additional information directly from the scene of the emergency. Rather, the PSAP  20  is limited to receiving the information supplied by the AMSP operator since the 9-1-1 call is originating from the AMSP  50  and not the actual location of the emergency. Moreover, it may at times be beneficial for the PSAP  20  to interact directly with the scene of an emergency so as to assist in a resolution. Typically, a conventional monitored alarm system does not provide this functionality to the PSAP  20 .  
         [0008]     Accordingly, a new and improved method and/or system for automatically establishing emergency calls to a PSAP via an interactive Internet Protocol (IP) session or other like communication session is disclosed that overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     In accordance with one embodiment, a method for reporting an emergency to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is provided. The method includes: detecting for a condition indicative of an emergency; automatically initiating an interactive communication session with the PSAP over a network, the session being initiated in response to detection of the condition; and,  
         [0010]     communicating at least one of a type of emergency and a location of the emergency to the PSAP via the interactive session.  
         [0011]     In accordance with another embodiment, a system for reporting an emergency to a PSAP includes: a sensor that detects for a condition indicative of an emergency; and, a unit that automatically initiates an interactive communication session with the PSAP over a network, the unit being operatively connected to the sensor to thereby monitor the sensor such that the session is initiated by the unit in response to detection of the condition by the sensor. Suitably, the unit communicates at least one of a type of emergency and a location of the emergency to the PSAP via the interactive session.  
         [0012]     Numerous advantages and benefits of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The inventive subject matter may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting. Further, it is to be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional telecommunications network for handling 9-1-1 calls.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional configuration for a telecommunications network whereby an alarm monitoring service is provided by a third party to a subscriber.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an emergency monitoring system suitable for practicing aspects for the present inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     As noted previously in the background section of the present specification, conventionally, calls for emergency assistance are usually directed to a PSAP directly from the person requesting aid, or through a third party that monitors an alarm system to determine if a detected condition or situation warrants a call for aid. In contrast, a suitable embodiment of the present inventive subject matter provides for direct notification to the PSAP whenever a detected condition or situation warrants such contact. Additionally, the PSAP is also optionally provided with the ability to perform additional operations to help determine the nature and/or extent of the emergency and/or to remotely assist in resolving the emergency. For clarity and simplicity, the present specification shall refer to structural and/or functional elements, entities and/or facilities, relevant communication standards, protocols and/or services, and other components and features that are commonly known in the telecommunications art without further detailed explanation as to their configuration or operation except to the extent they have been modified or altered in accordance with and/or to accommodate the embodiment(s) presented herein.  
         [0018]     With reference to  FIG. 3 , an emergency monitoring system (EMS)  100  includes a primary unit  110  that is responsible for: monitoring one or more sensors  112 ; optionally controlling one or more safety devices  114 ; and, communicating with a PSAP  200  over the Internet  300  or another like packet-switched or IP network. As shown, the primary unit  110  is operatively connected to the sensors  112  which are suitably installed throughout a building, vehicle or other environment being monitored by the EMS  100 . Suitably, the EMS  100  monitors for any number of different types of emergency situations, e.g., fire, intrusion, collision, theft, etc. Accordingly, the sensors  112  suitably detect one or more conditions indicative of the various emergency situations and communicate the detected conditions back to the primary unit  110  which is monitoring the sensors  112 . For example, the sensors  112  may optionally detect: heat or smoke; the opening of a door or a window; motion or movement; the breaking of glass; carbon monoxide levels; airbag deployment or sudden impact; exhaust fumes; the running of an engine or motor; tampering with a lock or ignition; etc.  
         [0019]     As shown, the primary unit  110  is also operatively connected to the safety devices  114  which are suitably installed throughout the monitored building, vehicle or other environment so as to be in a position to address emergency situations that may arise. Suitably, the primary unit  110  is able to control the safety devices  114  in response to directions received from the PSAP  200  thereby aiding in the resolution of an emergency situation. For example, the safety devices may optionally be one or more of the following: a sprinkler or fire suppression device; a window or door lock or automatic opening/closing device for the same; etc. Suitably, the primary unit  110  takes the form of a computer or other like device. The computer is optionally a general purpose computer provisioned to act as the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100  as well as performing other unrelated tasks. Alternately, the computer is a dedicated device solely tasked with operating as the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100 .  
         [0020]     In the illustrated embodiment, the primary unit  110  operatively connects to the Internet  300  in any customary manner. Likewise, in addition to its conventional interface to the PSTN  10 , the PSAP  200  is also operatively connected to the Internet  300 . Of course, while the network  300  shown in  FIG. 3  is the Internet, it is to be appreciated the network  300  may in practice be any other suitable IP and/or packet-switched network to which both the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100  and the PSAP  200  have access.  
         [0021]     In operation, the conditions detected by the sensors  112  are communicated to the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100 . Based on the conditions indicated by the monitored sensors  112 , the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100  determines if an emergency or other like situation exists which warrants contacting the PSAP  200 . That is to say, the readings or detected conditions obtained from the sensors  112  are analyzed or otherwise evaluated by the primary unit  110  to determine if they are indicative of an emergency or other like situation, e.g., a fire, intrusion, collision, theft, medical emergency, etc. When an emergency is indicated or the determined situation otherwise warrants, the primary unit  110  of the EMS  100  automatically initiates an interactive IP-based or other like network session  310  directly with the PSAP  200  over the network  300 . Optionally, to initiate the session  310  with the appropriate PSAP  200 , the unit  110  is provisioned with a network address or the like for the PSAP  200 . Alternately, the unit  110  may obtain the appropriate network address in any suitable manner.  
         [0022]     To establish the session  310  over the network  300 , a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invite or other like message is sent from the unit  110  to the PSAP  220  during the initiation and/or set-up of the session  310 . Suitably, this SIP invite or other like message includes relevant data and/or information about the emergency, e.g., the location of the emergency (such as the address being monitored by the EMS  100 ); subscriber information (such as the name of the owner or user of the EMS  100 ); a phone number for the location being monitored; information about the nature of the emergency (such as the type of emergency, i.e., fire, intrusion, etc.); and/or any other relevant information that may be useful to the PSAP  200  in responding to the emergency. In this manner, the PSAP  200  is advised as to the nature and/or location of the emergency or other situation which triggered the unit  110  to establish the session  310 .  
         [0023]     Optionally, once the session  310  has been established, the PSAP  200  or an operator thereof may use the interactive session  310  to probe or query the EMS  100  for additional data that may be desired and/or relevant to the emergency. That is to say, the PSAP  200  optionally signals or otherwise directs the unit  110  via the established interactive session  310  to transmit or send back to the PSAP  200  (again via the session  310 ) one or more readings or measurements obtained by the unit  110  from the one or more sensors  112 . Alternately, other data and/or information maintained by the unit  110  can similarly be retrieved by the PSAP  200  from the unit  110  using the interactive session  310  established over the network  300 . That is to say, the unit  110  optionally maintains information and/or data indicating: how many and/or what types of safety devices the unit  110  has access to; which of the safety devices (if any) have been activated or what the states of the various safety devices  114  are; etc. Accordingly, by using the interactive session  310  to probe and/or query the unit  110 , the PSAP  200  or PSAP operator may optionally obtain as desired any relevant information available from the EMS  100 .  
         [0024]     Suitably, the PSAP  200  or PSAP operator is also able to issue commands to and/or signal the unit  110  via the interactive network session  310  to thereby remotely control the safety devices  114  which are connected to and/or operated by the unit  110 . In this way, the PSAP  200  is able to direct the unit&#39;s operation of the safety devices  114  in order to better aid resolution of the emergency.  
         [0025]     As an example, in the case of a fire alarm, the PSAP  200  or PSAP operator could use the interactive session  310  to probe the unit  110  to determine if any sprinklers had been activated or if fumes or smoke had been or are still being detected. Then depending on the circumstances that triggered the fire alarm or the current situation, the PSAP  200  or the PSAP operator could issue appropriate remote commands via the session  310  to the unit  110  thereby remotely controlling one or more of the safety devices  114 , e.g., so as to unlock selected doors, activate the sprinklers if they have not already been, close fire doors, etc. Additionally, in a suitable embodiment, the sensors  112  and/or safety devices  114  optionally include a video camera or other like device which (like the other sensors  112  and or safety devices  114 ) is monitored and/or operated by the unit  110 . Accordingly, via the interactive session  310  between the PSAP and the unit  110 , the PSAP  200  is optionally able to remotely control the camera and receive the video or pictures obtained therefrom. In this manner, the PSAP  200  is able to directly observe the environment monitored by the EMS  100  and therefore is better able to coordinate a response to any detected emergency.  
         [0026]     Notably, via the interactive session  310  established between the PSAP  200  and the unit  110 , the PSAP  200  is able to receive real-time data and/or information about the scene of an emergency which triggered the EMS  100 . That is to say, the PSAP  200  is able to obtain information and/or data about a current state of an emergency which was initially detected at some earlier time. This can be a substantial benefit considering that in some instances the current state of an emergency may change from the time that it is first detected.  
         [0027]     For example, a small fire may initially trigger an alarm. However, at or near the same time, sprinklers may be activated and the fire quickly extinguished. With a convention monitored alarm service, the AMSP only knows that the fire alarm was tripped and may not be aware that the fire is now extinguished. Accordingly, a response which is otherwise no longer appropriate may be forthcoming. For example, firefighters may be sent to the location even thought the fire is now out. Such a response in this instance is clearly wasteful. Moreover, as the AMSP typically has no way to monitor or control the scene in real-time, the sprinkler may be allowed to continue operating even after the fire has been put out, thereby causing otherwise avoidable water damage. On the contrary, with the present EMS  100 , an interactive session  310  is established directly with the PSAP  200  over the network  300 . Accordingly, the PSAP  200  is able to use the session  310  to probe and/or query the unit  110  in real-time to obtain or determine the current state of the emergency. Moreover, by sending appropriate commands and/or signals to the unit  110  via the session  310 , the PSAP  200  is able to remotely react to the emergency in accordance with the current state of the emergency, for example, to shut off the sprinklers when the fire is extinguished thereby avoiding undue water damage.  
         [0028]     Suitably, outside access to the unit  110  (e.g., via the network  300 ) is only permitted when the unit  110  has initiated the session  310 . This restriction minimizes the possibility of intrusion by unauthorized parties and/or limits access to information on a general computer other than that which is relevant for analyzing and/or responding to the emergency. Additionally, the optional delivery of a telephone number in the SIP invite or other like message allows the PSAP  200  to place a call to the monitored location in an attempt to verify the condition or emergency reported by the EMS  100 . Suitably, if there is no answer, the PSAP  200  can dispatch emergency responders to the site, the address of which is also identified in the session information.  
         [0029]     As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the present inventive subject matter eliminates third party alarm monitoring services, and instead directs emergency assistance requests directly to the PSAP  200 . This reduces the cost to the homeowner, business or other individual seeking this type of protection, but more importantly it also reduces the time it take to get emergency notification to the PSAP  200 . One beneficial aspect is the ability of the local computer or primary unit  110  to initially identify itself, to report the emergency, and to open up the interactive session  310  with the PSAP  200 . Other beneficial aspects include: the ability of the PSAP  200  to request collection of additional data; and, the ability of the PSAP  200  to remotely order the local computer or unit  110  to take additional steps to assist with resolution of the emergency. In short, the present approach can greatly reduce the time taken to contact the PSAP  200  with a request for assistance, and provide the PSAP  200  with the ability to make a more informed determination as to what type of help to dispatch, if any.  
         [0030]     It is to be appreciated that in connection with the particular exemplary embodiments presented herein certain structural and/or function features are described as being incorporated in defined elements and/or components. However, it is contemplated that these features may, to the same or similar benefit, also likewise be incorporated in other elements and/or components where appropriate. It is also to be appreciated that different aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively employed as appropriate to achieve other alternate embodiments suited for desired applications, the other alternate embodiments thereby realizing the respective advantages of the aspects incorporated therein.  
         [0031]     It is also to be appreciated that particular elements or components described herein may have their functionality suitably implemented via hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain elements described herein as incorporated together may under suitable circumstances be stand-alone elements or otherwise divided. Similarly, a plurality of particular functions described as being carried out by one particular element may be carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting independently to carry out individual functions, or certain individual functions may be split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting in concert. Alternately, some elements or components otherwise described and/or shown herein as distinct from one another may be physically or functionally combined where appropriate.  
         [0032]     In short, the present specification has been set forth with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the present specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.