Abstract:
A method is provided for conducting an emergency communication session with public safety answering point ( 54 ) over a public switched telephone network ( 50 ). The method includes: storing in a device ( 60 ) used to initiate the emergency communication session, a current location of the device ( 60 ); initiating the emergency communication session responsive to a selection of a function supported by the device ( 60 ); establishing the emergency communication session between the device ( 60 ) and the public safety answering point ( 54 ) over the public switched telephone network ( 50 ); and, transmitting the stored location from the device ( 60 ) to the public safety answering point ( 54 ).

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     The present inventive subject matter relates to the telecommunication arts. 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 applications.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     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.  
         [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     While generally acceptable for the landline EUD  40 , advances in the telecommunications field have given rise to many situations where the foregoing approach has certain limitations. For example, there are now a wide variety of different types of EUDs employed by various end users or subscribers to engage in communications. These different EUDs have different capabilities and different characteristics. For example, mobile telephones and other mobile EUDs are different from landline telephones and EUDs insomuch as their location is generally not fixed like the landline EUDs. Accordingly, the PSAP  20  may not be able to readily determine the location of a mobile EUD simply from its telephone number. Additionally, packet switched networks (such as the Internet or a managed private network) are being used to route voice telephone calls. Generally, this is known as voice-over-packet telephony, which includes, but is not limited to, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). One of the advantages of voice-over-packet telephony is the ability for users to access the PSTN  10  through a telecommunications switch other than their current local switch. Various types of EUDs are available for end users to participate in voice-over-packet telephony, e.g., an IP telephone, which may be a hardphone or a softphone running on a laptop computer or other like platform. Furthermore, various EUDs may be equipped to communicate using a variety of different modes and/or telecommunication services. For example, common EUDs (e.g., landline telephones, desktop or laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile telephones or mobile stations, etc.) may support any one or more of a voice-based service, text messaging, instant messaging, short message service (SMS), electronic mail (e-mail), etc.  
         [0005]     In short, the various EUDs now in use have a range of differing portability and a range of different communication modes. For example, the EUD may have limited portability, such a desktop computer that may be moved from location to location and reconnected to a local area network (LAN), or it may have may limited mobility, such as a handheld terminal with in-building or on-campus access to a WiFi access point. Alternately, the EUD may have extensive mobility and be connected by wireless access to the public cellular or wireless network. The common element is that there is no fixed, permanent location associated with the EUDs as had been the case with traditional wireline or landline EUDs, and there are now a plurality of optional communication modes available to the EUDs. Nevertheless, it remains desirable to permit users of these various types of EUDs and various services to take advantage of the emergency calling network infrastructure already in place, i.e., the PSAPs and the 9-1-1 emergency calling feature.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, a new and improved function supported on an end user telecommunications device for handling emergency calls is disclosed that overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for conducting an emergency communication session with public safety answering point over a public switched telephone network. The method includes: storing in a device used to initiate the emergency communication session, a current location of the device; initiating the emergency communication session responsive to a selection of a function supported by the device; establishing the emergency communication session between the device and the public safety answering point over the public switched telephone network; and, transmitting the stored location from the device to the public safety answering point.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another embodiment, an end user telecommunication device includes: location storing means for storing in the device a current location of the device; initiation means for initiating an emergency communication session responsive to a selection of a function supported by the device such that the emergency communication session is established between the device and a public safety answering point over a public switched telephone network; and, transmission means for transmitting the stored location from the device to the public safety answering point.  
         [0009]     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  
       [0010]     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.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional telecommunications network for handling 9-1-1 calls.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary telecommunications network and end user device suitable for practicing aspects of the present inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     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 preferred embodiment(s) presented herein.  
         [0014]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a telecommunications network including a PSTN  50  and an optional access network  52 . Suitably, the access network  52  may be a wireless or cellular network, an IP or packet-switched network, a LAN, etc., operatively interconnected with the PSTN  50  in the usual manner to provide access to and/or communication with and/or over the PSTN  50 . As shown, a PSAP  54  is operatively connected to the PSTN  50  in the usual manner to receive 9-1-1 or other like emergency calls.  
         [0015]     A telecommunications EUD  60  is selectively used by an end user  70  to access the PSTN  50  via the optional access network  52 , for example, to communicate across the same. The EUD  60  operatively connects with the access network  52  in the usual manner, e.g., via a LAN, a wireless interface, a WiFi access point, etc., depending upon the particular EUD  60  being used by the subscriber  70 . Suitably, the EUD  60  is a mobile or wireless EUD  60 , but may be a landline or wireline based EUD  60 . The EUD  60  is optionally a computer, e.g., a desktop or laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile telephone or other mobile station, a landline telephone, etc. The EUD  60  is optionally an IP or packet-switch based device, e.g., an IP-based hardphone or a softphone running on a computer or other like platform. Alternately, the EUD  60  is a circuit-switch based device. In still another embodiment, the EUD  60  may support both packet and circuit-switched communication protocols. The EUD  60  optionally supports a plurality of communication modes, including, e.g., one or more of the following modes: voice communications, SMS, instant messaging, e-mail, text messaging, etc. Suitably, in the case of a wireline or landline based EUD  60 , the EUD  60  may be connected directly to the PSTN  50 , e.g., via a twist-pair cable or line operatively connected to a node of the PSTN  50 , such as an end office&#39;s telecommunications switch.  
         [0016]     As is known in the art for different types of EUDs, the EUD  60  optionally includes a variety of input and/or output devices through which the subscriber  70  interfaces with the EUD  60 . For example, the EUD  60  optionally, includes a display, a touch screen, a keyboard or keypad, a number of soft and/or hard buttons or keys, a mouse or other pointing device, a speaker, a microphone, etc. The EUD  60  also includes a memory, and a central processing unit (CPU) that regulates its operation. Additionally, the EUD  60  optionally includes one or more storage devices, such as a hard disk drive, a magnetic floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, etc.  
         [0017]     The EUD  60  is provisioned with an emergency calling feature or function (ECF). The ECF is optionally invoked in by dialing a selected number, e.g., 9-1-1. Suitably, however, the EUD  60  is also provisioned with an activation button or key  62  that the subscriber  70  employees to selectively invoke the ECF. The activation button or key  62  is optionally a hard button or alternately a soft button programmed to invoke the ECF. Alternately, the ECF may be selected by the subscriber  70  from a pull-down menu or other like directory or list presented on the EUD&#39;s display. Invoking the emergency calling feature or function generates a call or message from the EUD  60  which is directed over the PSTN  50  in the usual manner to the PSAP  54 .  
         [0018]     In a suitable embodiment, a profile  64  for the subscriber  70  and/or EUD  60  is maintained in a database or memory resident on or in the EUD  60 . Information maintained in the profile  64  may optionally be entered or obtained via a number of different mechanisms depending on the form of the EUD  60 , e.g., the information may be downloaded from a computer, obtained via a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, etc. Suitably, the profile  64  includes a variety of subscriber information, e.g., maintained in a subscriber information record  64   a.  The subscriber information record  64   a  may include, e.g., the subscriber&#39;s home address and/or home telephone number, an emergency contact number, a list of medical conditions and/or prescriptions, other medical information and/or records, such as a sample electrocardiogram (ECG), etc.  
         [0019]     Additionally, the profile  64  also contains the current location information for the EUD  60 , e.g., in a location record  64   b,  which is updated periodically. As shown, the EUD  60  is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS)  66  such that it is self-aware of its current location. Accordingly, the location determined by the GPS  66  is used to periodically update the location maintained in the current location record  64   b  of the profile  64 . Alternately, if the EUD  60  is not self-aware of its location, any one or more of a number of other mechanisms are optionally employed to obtain this information. For example, for a wireless or mobile EUD  60 , the wireless access network  52  may in a known manner triangulate the EUD&#39;s position and transmit this position back to the EUD  60 . Alternately, for an EUD  60  connected to a LAN, the connection point may be used to derive the corresponding physical location of the EUD  60 . In still another case, if the connection is by WiFi, the coordinates associated with the WiFi hot spot may provide the location information. Suitably, when the EUD  60  first registers on or with the access network  52  and/or the PSTN  50 , the location of the EUD  60  is determined, e.g., through an exchange of messages, signaling or otherwise.  
         [0020]     Suitably, the profile  64  also includes a connection or communication mode preference, e.g., maintained in a preference record  64   c.  The preference record  64   c  is consulted to determine the communication mode preference of the subscriber  70  for making 9-1-1 or other similar emergency calls. Suitably, when the EUD  60  supports a plurality of communication modes, the preference record  64   c  includes a list of those communication modes in the order preferred by the subscriber  70  for making 9-1-1 or other similar emergency calls. For example, if the EUD  60  were a mobile or wireless telephone supporting voice, SMS and e-mail communication modes. The record  64   c  may include one or more of the three listed in the order preferred by the subscriber  70 . Optionally, included along with each mode in the preference record  64   c,  is any routing and/or connection information that may be appropriate for aiding routing and/or connecting the call and/or message with the PSAP  54 .  
         [0021]     When the ECF is invoked, the EUD  60  determines if the first listed communication mode in the preference record  64   c  is possible at the particular point in time, i.e., if the serving system or appropriate access network is available. If the first preferred mode is available, a communication session is set up with the access network  52  or otherwise as appropriate to reach the PSAP  54  with a call or message, if not next preferred mode in the ordered list is attempted. This process continues until all the listed modes have been tried. In the situation where the end of the ordered list has been reached without success, the EUD  60  will loop back through the list again until a successful connection is made with the PSAP  54  or until the subscriber  70  manually ends the ECF. Alternatively, a menu of supported or available communication modes could be displayed for the subscriber  70  to select from at the time the ECF is invoked. However, since it is likely an emergency situation, if no preference is selected, e.g., before a timer expires, the default ordered list from the preference record  64   c  would be used.  
         [0022]     Once a connection and/or communication session has been established with the PSAP  54 , the EUD  60  optionally transmits one or more of the profile records or selected information therein to the PSAP  54 , either automatically or upon request from the PSAP  54 . Significantly, for a mobile or otherwise non-fix location EUD  60 , the PSAP  54  optionally obtains the current location information from the location record  64   b.  Similarly, the PSAP  54  may receive pertinent medical information about the subscriber  70  from the subscriber information record  64   a,  which can then be conveyed to any dispatched medical professionals that would be responding to the call.  
         [0023]     Depending upon the communication mode or connection type ultimately established, the subscriber  70  is also able to communicate with the PSAP  54 . For example, if a voice mode is used, the subscriber  70  may speak with the PSAP operator in the usual manner. If a text-based mode was established, the subscriber  70  may optionally send a contemporaneously drafted or a pre-stored text massage, e.g., “send an ambulance” or the like, or the subscriber  70  may optionally enter into an exchange of messages with the PSAP operator about the nature of the emergency. Suitably, if the EUD  60  where, e.g., a mobile or wireless camera-phone or other multimedia device, the subscriber  70  may optionally send a picture or video of the emergency scene to the PSAP  54 .  
         [0024]     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.  
         [0025]     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.  
         [0026]     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.