Uniform emergency interconnect access in a multi-modal device

A wireless communication device (102) includes a processor (406) and a wireless network interface (404, 407), communicatively coupled with the processor (406), for determining the presence of a network providing wireless communication service. The device (102) also includes a memory (408) for storing a plurality of emergency service connection profiles. One of the profiles is selected based on the network determined to be present. The selected profile is then presented via a user interface (302) to a user of the wireless communication device (102) as a single emergency call model that is uniform among the profiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to a wireless device and method for placing emergency calls from such a wireless device, and more particularly to a wireless device provided with an emergency service call model that is uniform regardless of the particular modem utilized to place an emergency call in a multi-modal device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wireless communication devices with interconnect signaling capability are required by the FCC to provide emergency interconnect services, i.e., 911 calls. e911 is short for Enhanced 911, a location determining technology advanced by the FCC that enables mobile, or cellular, phones to place 911 emergency calls and enables emergency services to determine the geographic position of the calling device. When a person places a 911 call using a traditional phone with landlines, the call is routed to the nearest public safety answering point (PSAP) that then distributes the emergency call to the proper services. The PSAP receives the caller's phone number and the exact location of the phone from which the call was made.

Prior to 1996, in the United States, 911 callers using a mobile phone would have to access their own service providers and get verification of subscription service before the call was routed to a PSAP. In 1996 the FCC ruled that service providers must allow a 911 to go directly to the PSAP without regard to verification of service. Under this ruling, a 911 call must be handled by any available service carrier even if the caller is not a paying subscriber of that particular service carrier.

A host of service providers are available today, many with their own unique frequency range and communication protocols. Compatible hardware and/or software is needed to communicate with each provider. Direct broadcast satellite, GPS, WiFi, and mobile phones all use wireless modems to communicate, as do most other wireless services today. Wireless modems come in a variety of types, bandwidths, and speeds. Frequently, the modems used to allow these devices to communicate are standard devices over which the portable device developer has limited or no access to evoke changes.

To allow a single device the flexibility to communicate on a variety of networks, many devices are now provided with multiple modems. However, portable devices with multiple modems encounter significant e911 capability differences depending on the particular modems and protocols used. For instance, an iDEN modem is configured to automatically redial an emergency call number if the initial dial attempt fails. In contrast, a GSM modem does not have this feature and requires input from the user before it will retry the call. A caller that is used to an automatically redialing iDEN modem that is in an area where their e911 call is processed through a GSM network would not expect that they need to manually retry the call in the event the initial attempt fails. Other such differences between the modems in a multi-modal device confuse or annoy the user at a time when they can least afford it—at the time of an emergency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a wireless communication device capable of accessing emergency services, where the device has a plurality of emergency service connection profiles stored in memory. The device utilizes a wireless network interface to determine the presence of a network providing wireless communication services and then uses an emergency service selector for selecting, based on the network determined to be present, one of the profiles.

In accordance with an added feature, the present invention also includes a user interface for presenting a representation of any of the plurality of emergency service connection profiles via the user interface to a user of the wireless communication device as a single emergency call model that is uniform among the profiles.

In accordance with yet another feature, the wireless communication device further includes a plurality of modems, each corresponding to a different wireless network type, wherein each one of the profiles comprises a selection of an operation of one of the plurality of modems.

In accordance with still a further feature, each profile within the plurality of profiles corresponds to a different one of a plurality of network types.

In accordance with yet an added feature, the invention includes an interface adapted for accepting inputs, wherein the inputs are used to define one or more of the profiles.

In accordance with another feature, the invention includes a control signal output that controls peripheral devices based on instructions within the profile selected.

In accordance with yet another added feature of the invention, the defined profiles are defined for a text-based emergency service and/or a packet-based emergency service.

Other features of the invention provide an input for receiving a destination calling number and a comparator for comparing a received destination calling number with at least one number stored in the memory for determining if the received destination calling number matches a number stored in the memory and defined as an emergency contact number.

In accordance with still one more feature of the invention, one of the plurality of profiles defines an incoming call handling procedure, a redial procedure, a destination number call upgrade procedure, and/or a location determining procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. 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 language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for presenting a uniform emergency call model to users of a multi-modal wireless device. Embodiments of the invention are able to simulate modem features that are not available on a particular modem being used to place the emergency call. The present invention can be utilized for situations in which the originating wireless device is within coverage of one or more wireless networks, including networks to which the wireless device does not subscribe to.

Carrier Services

Carrier networks operate on cellular networks or Wide Area Networks (WAN) and are controlled by cellular carriers including, but not limited to, Cingular Wireless, Sprint PCS, Metro PCS, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile Wireless. Cellular carriers are independent business entities that generally require a subscription to one or more services offered by that carrier in order for a user to obtain service. The services available on each carrier network include voice communication, text messaging, voice mail, caller identification, internet access, data access, and others. The services also vary in quantity, such as number of minutes or amount of data uploaded and/or downloaded.

Generally, each carrier varies from each other carrier in terms of the technology used to build and operate the networks. The variances include frequency band, protocols, interfaces, and others. Carrier networks typically employ an analog-based air interface and/or one or more digital-based air interfaces. Digital-based air interfaces utilize digital communication technologies including, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access-3rd Generation (CDMA2000), frequency hopping, and the like. The communication units or devices that operate within these networks have wireless communication capabilities, such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, or Hyper-Lan, and the like.

The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is the most popular standard for mobile phones. GSM service is currently used by over 2 billion people across more than 210 countries and territories. The ubiquity of the GSM standard makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world. The standard also provides network operators with the ability to deploy equipment from different vendors due to the fact that the open standard allows easy inter-operability.

Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) is an also a widely-used mobile communications technology, developed by Motorola, Inc., which provides its users the benefits of a trunked radio and a cellular telephone. Through use of a single proprietary handset, iDEN supports voice in the form of both dispatch radio and PSTN interconnection, numeric paging, Short Message Service (SMS) for text, data, and fax transmission. iDEN uses a combination of Vector Sum Excited Linear Prediction (VSLP) and 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) for compression, and TDMA. It places more users in a given spectral space, compared to analog cellular systems, by using time division multiple access (TDMA). Using iDEN technology, up to six communication channels are placed within only a 25 kHz space.

Newer iDEN phones use a SIM card that is compatible with GSM phones for roaming. However, iDEN is a very different standard from GSM.

System Diagram

The following drawings will be helpful in understanding the present invention. Turning now toFIG. 1, a diagram of one embodiment of a network100, in accordance with the present invention is shown. A wireless device, or “subscriber unit”102is illustrated. The subscriber unit102communicates with a Base Station Subsystem (BSS)104to link to other subscriber units103as well as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)106. The BSS104is the section of a network that is responsible for handling traffic and communication between a mobile phone102and a Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)108. The BSS104performs allocation of radio channels to mobile phones, transcoding of speech channels, paging, quality management of transmission and reception over the wireless link110, and many other tasks related to the radio network.

A Base Transceiver Station (BTS)112establishes service areas in the vicinity of the base station to support wireless mobile communication, as is known in the art. Each BTS112contains transceiver equipment, including a transmitter and a receiver coupled to an antenna, for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The BTS112also includes equipment for encrypting and decrypting communication with a Base Station Controller (BSC)114. Typically a BTS112will have multiple transceivers (TRXs) that allow it to serve a plurality of frequencies and sectors of a cell.

The functions of a BTS112vary from carrier to carrier. There are carriers in which the BTS112is a plain transceiver which receives information from the subscriber units through the wireless link110and then converts it to an interface and sends it towards the BSC114. There are carriers that have BTSs112that preprocess the information, generate target cell lists and even handle intracell handover.

The BTS112is controlled by a BSC114. The BSC114is the brains behind the BTSs112and handles allocation of radio channels, receives measurements from the mobile phones, and controls handovers from BTS to BTS. A BSC114often controls 10 s or even 100 s of BTSs112. Additionally, databases for the sites, including information such as carrier frequencies, frequency hopping lists, power reduction levels, receiving levels for cell border calculation, are stored in the BSC114.

Networks are often structured to have multiple BSCs114distributed into regions near their respective BTSs112, which are then connected to a large centralized Mobile Switching Center (MSC)118within the NSS108. MSCs118are sophisticated telephone exchanges that provides circuit-switched calling, mobility management, and GSM services to the mobile phones roaming within the area that it serves. These services include data and fax, as well as SMS, call divert and others.

The NSS108is the component of a wireless network system that carries out switching functions and manages the communications between mobile phones102and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)120. The PSTN120is the concentration of the world's public circuit-switched telephone networks and is in many ways similar to the Internet, which is the concentration of the world's public IP-based packet-switched networks. The PSTN120is largely governed by technical standards and uses E.163/E.164 addresses (known more commonly as “telephone numbers”) for addressing.

The MSC118is coupled to a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Core Network122, which provides mobility management, session management and transport for Internet Protocol packet services. The GPRS122includes a GPRS Gateway Support Node124, which is an interface between the GPRS wireless data network122and other networks such as the Internet126or private networks.

Cells

GSM and iDEN networks are “cellular,” which means that mobile phones connect to it by searching for cells in the immediate vicinity. Generally, cells are categorized into four different cell sizes—macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage area of each cell varies according to the environment in which it is implemented. Macro cells can be regarded as cells where the base station antenna is installed on a mast or larger building structures that are taller than an average roof-top level. Micro cells are cells whose antenna height below average roof top level and are typically used in urban areas. Picocells are small cells whose diameter is only few dozen meters; they are used mainly in indoor applications. Lastly, umbrella cells are used to cover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

A cell's radius varies greatly depending on a variety of factors, such as antenna height, antenna type, frequency, antenna gain, landscape, weather, and other propagation conditions. Typically, cells are no larger than 20 miles.

FIG. 2illustrates a cellular pattern200, consisting of a group of cells202a-n. The cells202a-nare within coverage of a communication network204. The communication network204has deployed a set of BTSs204a-n, each serving one of the cells202a-nwithin the cellular pattern200. Therefore, wireless devices that subscribe to a carrier operating network204are able to connect to any of BTSs204a-nand receive wireless services provided by that carrier. However, at least one of the cells,202n, does not have a BTS. A device subscribing to services from the network204will not receive service from network204once it enters cell202nbecause it is out of range of any BTSs deployed by that network.

Multiple Network Communication

As stated above, many subscriber units (wireless devices)102have the ability to operate over any of a plurality of networks using a plurality of air interface technologies each defined by the carrier operating that network. The mechanisms that enable this ability of the subscriber units are explained in detail in the following section.

Referring again toFIG. 2, a second network206is shown operating within a portion of the coverage area of the first network204. The second network206can be any network utilizing any available technology to provide service to a set of subscribers. For instance, the first network204may be the Sprint network, while the second network206is the Cingular Wireless network. The present invention is not limited to any specific network(s).

The second network206has deployed a set of BTSs208a-nthat provide wireless coverage to at least a portion of cells202a,202d, and202n. Therefore, a wireless device102within either cell202aor202dis able to receive signals from the first network204and the second network206. On the other hand, a wireless device within cell202breceives service from the first network204only and a device102within cell202nwill receive service from the second network206only.

In typical real-world applications, each cell202a-nis serviced by three or more carriers, so at any given time a device is within coverage of multiple competing networks.

In addition to other efforts to promote coordinated emergency services, the FCC has adopted wireless 911 emergency calling rules. These rules are aimed at improving the reliability of wireless 911 services and identifying the location of wireless 911 callers to enable emergency response personnel to provide assistance to them much more quickly. The FCC's wireless 911 rules apply to all wireless licensees, broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS) licensees, and certain Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees. The FCC's Basic 911 rule requires wireless carriers to transmit all 911 calls to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)106, regardless of whether the caller subscribes to the carrier's service or not.

Therefore, each carrier must accept a request for connection to a PSAP106from any requesting device, regardless of whether a user of the device is a subscriber to that service or not. In order for wireless devices102to be able to communicate with multiple carriers, each employing differing technologies, the devices102themselves must be equipped with the ability to transmit and receive on those networks using the language spoken by the respective networks.

Subscriber Unit

Referring now toFIG. 3, an example of a wireless device102is shown. The specific wireless device102depicted inFIG. 3is a cellular telephone. As will be clear however, the present invention is not so limited and can also be used with other wireless devices, including, but are not limited to, PDA's, SmartPhones, Laptops, Pagers, Two-way Radios, satellite phones, and other communication devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless device102is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals over a communication channel under a communications protocol such as CDMA, FDMA, TDMA, GPRS, and GSM or the like. For the purposes of illustration and ease of discussion, a wireless telephone, its structures, and functions will be referred to throughout the specification.

The cellular telephone102includes a display302for viewing information and commands, command buttons304for controlling modes and commands of the device, buttons306for entering information and dialing numbers, an earpiece speaker308for generating voice and messaging information, audible alerts, and any other audio in a private manner, one or more high audio speakers309for generating voice and messaging information, audible alerts, and any other audio at arms length, a microphone310for capturing and converting audible sounds to proportionate voltages, a light source320for visual indications, an antenna312for wirelessly communicating with a remote sender or receiver, a jack314for connecting external audio playback devices, such as a headphone or speaker, a battery charger jack316, and input/output (IO) ports318for accessing the phone's internal circuitry for purposes such as inputting and outputting data.

The wireless device102interfaces with provider equipment via a wireless communication link110established with base stations112. The wireless device102, according to the present example, works in conjunction with the provider equipment to provide a user with services such as telephone interconnect, short message service, dispatch or instant conferencing, circuit data, packet data, and combinations thereof, as well as emergency services.

Subscriber Device Internal Circuits

Referring now toFIG. 4, a simplified schematic of a wireless communication unit102, shown inFIG. 3, that is capable of facilitating communication with multiple wireless communication networks, is shown. The communication unit102is generally known, thus the known functions and structure of such devices will not be described in detail other than as related to the inventive principles and concepts disclosed and discussed below.

The communication unit102includes an antenna312or antenna structure that operates as both an input and an output to couple radio frequency signals between a transceiver404and at least a first and second network204,206. The transceiver404acts as a wireless network interface to allow the communication unit102to detect the presence of one or more available networks and communicate with one of the detected networks. The transceiver404includes a transmitter403and a receiver402. The transmitter403and receiver402are coupled via an antenna switch405to the antenna312. For transmit operations, the antenna switch405couples the transmitter403to the antenna312. Similarly, for receive operations, the antenna switch405couples the antenna312to the receiver402. For example, radio signals that are transmitted from BTSs204aand208aare absorbed by the antenna312and coupled to the receiver402by the switch405.

The transceiver404is inter coupled and interactively operates with a processor406. The processor406is a known processor-based element with functionality that will depend on the specifics of the air interfaces with the networks in communication, as well as various network protocols for voice and data traffic. The processor406is able to execute program instructions stored in a memory408and to store data received from the transceiver404in memory408and is able to operate to encode and decode voice and data messages to provide signals suitable for the transceiver404, a transducer, or further processing by the controller410.

A memory408is present and can be a combination of known RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), FLASH, or magnetic memory. The memory408is used to store various items or programs, an operating system, or software and data, such as caller lists, for execution or use by the processor406. This operating software when executed by the processor406will result in the processor performing the requisite functions of the communication unit102such as interfacing with a user interface, which includes any of the elements shown inFIG. 3, and transceiver(s)404. The memory408further includes call processing routines not specifically shown for supporting voice and data calls that will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill and that will vary depending on an air interface, call processing, and service provider or network specifics.

Additionally, the memory408includes packet data processes424that are provided for formulating appropriate packets for transport according to the specifics of the communication networks. Furthermore various data is provided in the memory, specifically unit information426, including identification information to identify the communication unit102, and call information428. Collectively this information can be used to identify a particular unit and a particular call.

A further memory location430is used to store device, system, or user specified information. One example of such information is a call list used to facilitate communication to a PSAP106or other devices103within the network or within other networks to which the originating device102is not a member. This information can also be stored in other locations in memory408or other memories that are a part of the wireless device102or are external to the wireless device102.

The controller410selects between incoming-call notification modes in response to instructions provided from the processor406. The processor406and controller410can be separate, discrete components or can be a single integrated unit. The processor406may include one or more generally available microprocessors, digital signal processors, and other integrated circuits depending on the responsibilities of the controller410with respect to signal processing duties or other unit features.

Accordingly, the transceiver404, as controlled by, and in cooperation with, the controller410and functions thereof, provide the communication unit102with multi or dual operating mode capability. More particularly, the communication unit102is capable of registering with and obtaining service from the first204and second206communication networks. The controller410can operate to determine whether the wireless device is within coverage or outside the coverage of a particular wireless network in many different ways, as should be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion. For example, and without limitation, some transceivers use a received signal strength indication (RSSI) signal to indicate whether the wireless device is in coverage of a wireless network. As another example, and without limitation, a signal coding scheme such as used for CDMA type wireless communication systems can be received and decoded by a transceiver to indicate whether the wireless device is in coverage. As a third example, and without limitation, a wireless device may utilize a location detection means to detect the location of the wireless device in a geographic area. A location detection means may include use of a GPS receiver or other signal receiver that indicates location of the device within a geographic area. The location of the wireless device in a geographic area may be used to determine whether the wireless device is within coverage or outside of the coverage of a wireless network. Other equivalent forms of determination of in-network or outside-of-network coverage for the wireless device should be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion.

Embodiments of the present invention utilize multiple modems for communicating with multiple networks. A subscriber unit's modem(s)411a-nis the interface between that subscriber unit and the network. The modem converts signals produced by the subscriber unit to a form compatible with a network(s) to which it is designed to communicate, and vice versa. In accordance with one of several of these embodiments, the modems411a-nare software routines comprised of instructions stored in memory208, hardware, or a combination of the two, but however realized, enables the subscriber unit to communicate with a carrier network.

Frequently, the modems used are standard devices over which the portable device developer has limited or no access to evoke changes. Portable devices with multiple modems encounter significant e911 capability differences depending on the modems and protocols used. These differences result in an inconsistent user experience, which in turn, can result in confusion at a time when a user can tolerate it the least—during an emergency.

For instance, an iDEN modem is capable of automatically redialing the call if the initial dial attempt fails. A GSM modem does not automatically redial. Therefore, a user that is used to an iDEN modem might assume that her call is being retried until connection with emergency services is reached, but instead the GSM modem is sitting idle and waiting for additional input from her. Additionally, an iDEN modem is designed to block all other calling services, such as incoming messages and call waiting features that interrupt the current call to inform a user that another call is incoming. This blocking feature allows the user to concentrate solely on obtaining emergency assistance. GSM modems do not have this feature. A user that is used to the call blocking feature may become confused when using a GSM modem and is suddenly notified of an incoming call.

Another example of a modem difference is call upgrading. iDEN phones recognize certain numbers other than the three digits 911 as an emergency number and begin 911 modem features, such as the above described call service blocking and automatic redial attempts. Some GSM phones, on the other hand, only recognize the numbers112and 911 as emergency calling strings.

Some embodiments of the present invention can provide that the transceiver404is configurable to support simultaneous air interfaces with multiple communication networks according to the conventions and protocols of each. Other embodiments of the present invention provide additional transceivers407and/or antennas409, each suited for a particular type of network. In these embodiments, the modems411a-nwork with or are contained within additional transceivers407that work in conjunction with additional antennas409. Multiple transceivers407and antennas409are used to communicate with networks operating on widely varying frequency bands. In other embodiments, the same transceiver operates on multiple antennas. In the present invention, a modem can be a set of software instructions, a piece of hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The particular systems, which vary in terms of frequency and modulation techniques, among other things, dictate the specifics of a modem.

For instance, iDEN operates in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1.5 GHz bands and is based on time division multiple access (TDMA) and GSM architecture. It uses Motorola's Vector Sum Excited Linear Predictors (VSELP) vocoder for voice compression and QAM modulation to deliver 64 Kbps over a 25 KHz channel. In the 900 MHz band the uplink frequency band is 890-915 MHz, and the downlink frequency band is 935-960 MHz. This 25 MHz bandwidth is subdivided into 124 carrier frequency channels, each spaced 200 kHz apart. Time division multiplexing is used to allow eight speech channels per radio frequency channel. There are eight radio timeslots (giving eight burst periods) grouped into what is called a TDMA frame. The channel data rate is 270.833 kbit/s, and the frame duration is 4.615 ms.

GSM networks, on the other hand, operate in the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. The modulation used in GSM is Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK), a kind of continuous-phase frequency shift keying. In GMSK, the signal to be modulated onto the carrier is first smoothed with a Gaussian low-pass filter prior to being fed to a frequency modulator, which greatly reduces the interference to neighboring channels (adjacent channel interference).

These different techniques require hardware and software that can support them. In any event, a modem411a-n, in accordance with the present invention, provides a communication link between the subscriber device102and one or more networks204,206regardless of the specifics of implementation. In addition, the modems411a-nare not limited only to those that are compatible to the networks described herein.

A timer module412provides timing information to the processor406. The processor406utilizes the time information from the timer module412to keep track of scheduling or executing tasks. The wireless device102also includes a power source414, such as a DC battery.

The controller410also couples the processor406to a global positioning system (GPS) receiver424. The GPS receiver424receives signals from satellites via GPS antenna426in a well-known manner to enable the device102to determine its geographic location on the earth. Many GPS units are accurate to within four feet or less.

The controller410is coupled to and generally operates in a known manner with a user interface, such as that shown inFIG. 3. Elements of a user interface are known and typically include, for example, audio transducers, such as an earphone or speaker308,309and microphone310, a display302, and a keypad306,308. The transceiver and user interface are each intercoupled and the controller410provides overall operational command and control for the communication unit102. The elements of the user interface include one or more means for providing output to a user, such as the graphics display screen302, the speaker, display lights320, tactile feedback devices416, and others as should be obvious to those of skill in the art in view of the present discussion. The user interface also includes one or more means for providing input to the device, such as the keypad buttons306,304, the microphone310, a display302that is functional as a touch screen, a data port318, and others as should be obvious to those of skill in the art in view of the present discussion.

In addition, the device102has a timer412for synchronization, determining elapsed time, and for time of day. The timer412can be used in conjunction with memory408to provide a calendar for the device for tracking and differentiating days, months, and years.

Subscriber Unit Operation

As described above, due at least in part to FCC rules, discovery of e911 service is present in all cellular handsets. The discovery is not just of the subscriber's own network, but of any available network through which an emergency call can be placed. For example, the iDEN i2000 handset includes a system search algorithm which allows it to search for available e911 service on either the iDEN protocol or GSM protocol.

Some embodiments of the present invention can utilize the subscriber device's current system search algorithm to a) quickly find an available system capable of providing a connection to emergency services, b) discover the capabilities of the network and the modem being used to access that network, and, in accordance with the present invention, c) present the e911 calling capabilities to the user in a consistent emergency call model that is uniform regardless of the system providing service. In other words, the subscriber device utilizes the device's resources to mimic a selected call model regardless of the network he is connected to and modem being used. The selected call model can be the normal behavior of the modem when connected to the subscriber's home network, or can be a custom configuration selected by the user.

FIG. 5shows a process flow of an embodiment of the present invention. The flow starts at step500and moves directly to step502, where a user initiates an e911 call. Upon user initiation of the e911 dialing sequence, the handset checks to see, in step504, if it has system connectivity. If it does not, the process moves to step506, where it invokes its system search routine to find a suitable system for e911 service. The flow alternates back and forth between steps504and506until a service becomes available. Once service becomes available, the type of system is determined in step508. A capability profile for the type of system and/or type of modem is loaded in step510. The emergency service selector for performing this function is the processor406by itself or in conjunction with any other component of the wireless device, such as memory408and controller410. In the next step,512, an e911 call is immediately placed. When the call is connected, the capability profile is used in step514to tailor the user interface and/or automatically invoke additional services. Finally, in step516, the call is terminated and the process ends.

The additional services invoked in step514ofFIG. 5are any feature of any modem selected by a user of the wireless device placing the e911 call or can be features that are not part of any standard modem, but are specified by the user of the e911 calling device.

Following the flowchart ofFIG. 5, the handset in one embodiment of the present invention determines if the protocol used is GSM or iDEN. In the case of an iDEN call, if a call failure is detected, the user interface merely tells the user the e911 call is proceeding, and allows the modem to make subsequent redial attempts. Once connected to a call, routines to block extraneous incoming services are disabled, as the modem is capable of providing this functionality. Routines which allow notification of assist data and/or e911 call upgrades are activated, since the modem can provide this information to the user.

In the case of a GSM call, if a call failure is detected, the user interface invokes redialing routines, since the modem is incapable of automatically redialing a failed call. Routines which allow notification of assist data and/or e911 call upgrades are deactivated, since the capability is not present. Finally, routines to block extraneous incoming services are activated, to prevent user distraction during the emergency call period.

FIGS. 6a-6eand7a-7eshow examples of screen shots of an emergency call being placed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The specific graphics displayed on the display302illustrated in the screen shots shown inFIGS. 6a-eare an example of an implementation of emergency interconnect calling for the i930/i920 products on a Nextel network. The invention is not, however, limited to any specific network(s) or carrier(s). InFIG. 6a, the emergency number 911 is dialed and is displayed on the display302.FIG. 6bshows the display302after the “enter” key is depressed, which caused the number to be called. The display302indicates to the user that the call is being connected. InFIG. 6c, the handset acknowledges that the number is an emergency number by displaying the emergency call screen. At this time, the device implements whatever capability profile has been specified. The capability profile in this embodiment is specified by the manufacturer. However, nothing prevents specification by the carrier, the network or by the user. For instance, all incoming calls will now be disregarded while in emergency mode. The phone then sends data indicating its location to emergency services. This screen is shown inFIG. 6d, but looks the same as the screen shown inFIG. 6b. Finally, as shown inFIG. 6e, the emergency number is connected and the user is able to obtain emergency services.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a monitoring routine provides data on the current RF state of the phone. For example, the user may currently be in an RF-disabled mode to utilize the handset as a PDA only. Other cases may include powering up the handset in a roaming scenario, where the handset is no longer in its home system coverage (e.g. powering on the phone when disembarking a plane in Europe). This scenario is shown inFIGS. 7a-7e. InFIG. 7aa screenshot of a wireless device shows the device in an off-network mode—flight mode in this example. A user in need of emergency services is able to dial an emergency number while in the off-network mode. Once the user presses the “send” button, the display302looks like that depicted inFIG. 7b. InFIG. 7cthe handset acknowledges that the number is an emergency number. A call connecting screen, as shown inFIG. 7d, indicates to the user that the call is proceeding. The handset then searches and finds an available system. In this embodiment of the invention, the screen does not change for this operation. Once the system is found, the call information is sent to the system and then the device's location data is transferred to the system. Again, a change in the display does not occur during these steps. Finally, the device connects to emergency services and the screen shown inFIG. 7eis shown on the device.