Abstract:
A system for simultaneously routing a special number call from a mobile unit to a plurality of agencies includes (a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network and a radio access network communicating with the mobile unit; (b) a mobile switch coupled with at least one of the networks; (c) a call receiver coupled with the mobile switch; at least one of the call receiver and the mobile switch being coupled for communication with respective of the agencies; and (d) a locator coupled with at least one of the mobile switch and the call receiver. After receiving the special number call, the call receiver cooperates with at least one of the locator and the mobile switch to effect routing of the special number call to one or more included agency. Determination which agency is an included agency is made at the call receiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation from Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/594,584, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ROUTING OF A SPECIAL NUMBER CALL TO A PLURALITY OF AGENCIES,” filed on Feb. 3, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to telecommunication systems, and especially to routing a special number call among a plurality of call recipients during the special number call. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Special Number calls may be placed using a variety of mobile communication devices. By way of example and not by way of limitation, special number calls maybe placed using mobile telephones, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices, “Smart” phones, automatic crash notification (ACN) units, mobile radio devices and similar communication devices. The mobile nature of such communication devices may sometimes result in a caller placing a special number call being in a location requiring assistance from one or more additional entities than a special number call receiving facility that originally receives the special number call. 
         [0004]    Changing locations, conditions or other circumstances may require that the routing of the special number call may need to be reevaluated so that routing to new or additional agencies may need to be effected during the special number call. 
         [0005]    Examples of such special number calls are 9-1-1 calls for seeking emergency services and other abbreviated number calls for non-emergency special services, such as “N-1-1” systems. Examples of such N-1-1 systems include “3-1-1” (urgent but not emergency calls) and “5-1-1” (traffic inquiry calls). Special number calls may also include, by way of further example and not by way of limitation, abbreviated numbers for calling commercial services, such as “*820” (calling a radio station) or “GOTIX” (calling for tickets). 
         [0006]    For purposes of illustration, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the present invention will be described in the context of an emergency service network in the United States, commonly referred to as a 9-1-1 network. The teachings of the present invention are equally applicable, useful and novel in other special number calling systems, such as maintenance service networks, college campus security networks, abbreviated number networks for calling commercial services and other networks. 
         [0007]    A user engaged in a 9-1-1 call seeking emergency services relies on an emergency service call taker or receiver, such as an operator at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP; sometimes referred to as a Public Safety Answering Position), to marshal appropriate and sufficient assets to handle an extant emergency situation. Such marshalling is often best carried out by conferring with asset holders, such as first responders (e.g., fire, police and emergency personnel) and the like. Direct communications among an emergency service caller and responding agencies rather than relaying information among participants can be an effective and efficient mode of operation for handling a situation. 
         [0008]    There is a need for a system and method for simultaneous routing of a special number call to a plurality of agencies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A system for substantially simultaneously routing a special number call from a mobile calling unit to a plurality of receiving agencies includes (a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network and a radio access network configured and situated for communicative coupling with the mobile calling unit; (b) a mobile switching facility coupled with at least one of the unlicensed mobile access network and the radio access network; (c) a special number call receiving facility coupled with the mobile switching facility; at least one of the special number call receiving facility and the mobile switching facility being coupled for selective communication with respective receiving agencies of the plurality of receiving agencies; and (d) a location determining facility coupled with at least one of the mobile switching facility and the special number call receiving facility. After receiving the special number call, the special number call receiving facility cooperates with at least one of the location determining facility and the mobile switching facility to effect routing of the special number call to one or more included receiving agency of the plurality of receiving agencies. Determination which receiving agencies of the plurality of receiving agencies is an included receiving agency is made at the special number call receiving facility. 
         [0010]    A method for substantially simultaneously routing a special number call from a mobile calling unit to a plurality of receiving agencies includes: (a) receiving the special number call at a special number call receiving facility via a mobile switching facility; (b) if location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit is received with the special number call, proceeding to step (d); (c) if no location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit is received with the special number call, obtaining the location information from a location determining facility coupled with at least one of the mobile switching facility and the special number call receiving facility; (d) evaluating service required by caller placing the special number call; (e) evaluating location of one or more included receiving agency of the plurality of receiving agencies; (f) routing the special number call to one or more included receiving agency of the plurality of receiving agencies; (g) if treatment necessitated by the special number call is complete, proceed to step (k); (h) if treatment necessitated by the special number call is not complete, in no particular order: (1) determining whether a change in the treatment has occurred; and (2) determining whether a change in the locus has occurred; (i) if a change has occurred in the treatment or in the locus, repeating steps (d) through (h); (j) if no change has occurred in the treatment or in the locus, repeating steps (g) through (h); and (k) terminating the method. 
         [0011]    It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide a system and method for simultaneous routing of a special number call to a plurality of agencies. 
         [0012]    Further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a system for effecting the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating call routing for a system configured according to the teaching of the present invention deployed in a representative multi-network arrangement. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    For purposes of illustration, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the present invention will be discussed in the context of an emergency service network in the United States, commonly referred to as an E9-1-1 network. The teachings of the present invention are equally applicable, useful and novel in other special number calling systems, such as maintenance service networks, college campus security networks and other networks. 
         [0017]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0018]    When the terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, are used herein, it should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” is used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” is used to indicated that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect (with other intervening elements between them) physical or electrical contact with each other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other (e.g., as in a cause-and-effect relationship). 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a system for effecting the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a telecommunication system  10  includes an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Network (UMAN)  12  and a Radio Access Network (RAN)  14 . UMAN  12  may be embodied in, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth network or another type of UMAN. RAN  14  may be embodied in, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a cellular network or a Personal Communication System (PCS) network employing any of several communication protocols including, by way of further example and not by way of limitation, GSM or another protocol using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or another coding scheme. UMAN  12  and RAN  14  are configured for wireless communication with a wireless calling unit or instrument  16 . Wireless calling unit  16  may be embodied in a wireless calling device including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, mobile telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices, “Smart” phones, automatic crash notification (ACN) units, mobile radio devices and similar communication devices. 
         [0020]    UMAN  12  includes an access unit  20  coupled with an Internet Protocol (IP) access network  22 . Access unit  20  facilitates communication between wireless communicating unit  16  and IP network  22 . IP network  22  is coupled with a UMA Network Controller (UNC)  24 . UNC  24  is coupled with a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  30 . MSC  30  is coupled with a communication network  32 . Communication network  32  is coupled with a PSAP  34 . MSC  30  is also coupled with a location center  36 . 
         [0021]    PSAP  34  may be connected with MSC  30  via an IP network  38  to permit communication between PSAP  34  and MSC  30  without involving communication network  32 . PSAP  34  may be directly coupled with location center  36  via a direct connection  37  to permit communication between PSAP  34  and location center  36  without traversing an intervening network. 
         [0022]    RAN  14  includes an access unit  40  that includes a radio antenna embodied in a radio tower  42  and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS)  44  coupled with radio tower  42 . BTS  44  is coupled with a private network  46 . Private network  46  may be embodied in, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a cellular network or a PCS network employing any of several communication protocols including, by way of further example and not by way of limitation, GSM or another protocol using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or another coding scheme. Access unit  40  facilitates communication between wireless communicating unit  16  and private network  46 . Private network  46  is coupled with a Base Station Controller (BSC)  48 . BSC  48  is coupled with MSC  30 . 
         [0023]    At least one of MSC  30  and PSAP  34  is coupled for selectively communicating with various agencies  50  such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a fire agency  52 , an emergency medical service (EMS)  54 , the forestry service  56 , the US Secret Service  58 , a University Police Command Center  60 , other PSAPs  62  and other agencies  64 . Either of PSAP  34  and MSC  30  may be communicatively coupled with agencies  50  via IP network  38 , via communication network  32 , via location center  36  or via another network. Such alternate connections and networks are understood by those skilled in the art of telecommunication system design, but are not shown in  FIG. 1  in order to avoid cluttering  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    Calling unit  16  may wirelessly access UMAN  12  to place an emergency 9-1-1 call via access unit  20  to establish communication with PSAP  34  via IP network  22 , UNC  24 , MSC  30  and one or both of communication network  32  and IP network  38 . 
         [0025]    Calling unit  16  may instead wirelessly access RAN  14  to place an emergency 9-1-1 call via BTS  44  to establish communication with PSAP  34  via BSC  48 , MSC  30  and one or both of communication network  32  and IP network  38 . 
         [0026]    When communication is established between calling unit  16  and PSAP  34 , PSAP  34  may inquire of calling unit  16  or inquire of a user of calling unit  16  regarding the circumstance or circumstances that are the occasion for the call. PSAP  34 , or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  34  can evaluate or triage the situation described by calling instrument  16  (e.g., in the case of an ACN unit) or a user of calling unit  16  and may be able to identify the nature of the circumstances. 
         [0027]    PSAP  34  or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  34  can also inquire of the caller as to the locus of the caller, or the location may be ascertained using other means such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, Global Positioning System (GSM) satellite information accompanying the call signal and cell-and-tower information or other information obtained involving location center  36 . 
         [0028]    Once the caller&#39;s locus is determined, PSAP  34  or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  34  may determine that certain of agencies  50  should be involved in the call to aid in coordinating assistance rendered in response to the call. Communications may be established by PSAP  34 , by MSC  30 , by cooperation between PSAP  34  and MSC  30  or via another arrangement so that appropriate agencies  50  may be included agencies participating in the emergency service call originally placed to PSAP  34 . Preferably PSAP  34  may control which agency or agencies  50  remain involved in the emergency service call. PSAP  34  or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  34  may change participants in the call during the call as assistance requirements, caller locus or other circumstances change. Preferably, a voice link between mobile unit  16  and the first-connected party to the call, such as PSAP  34 , remains a priority connection throughout the duration of the emergency service call. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating call routing for a system configured according to the teaching of the present invention deployed in a representative multi-network arrangement. In  FIG. 2 , a telecommunication system  110  includes an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Network (UMAN)  112  and a Radio Access Network (RAN)  114 . UMAN  112  may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth network or another type of UMAN. RAN  114  may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a cellular network or a Personal Communication System (PCS) network employing any of several communication protocols including, by way of further example and not by way of limitation, GSM or another protocol using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or another coding scheme. UMAN  112  and RAN  114  are configured for wireless communication with a wireless calling unit or instrument  116 . 
         [0030]    UMAN  112  includes access units  120   1 ,  120   2 ,  120   3 ,  120   m  coupled for call routing via an Internet Protocol (IP) network (not shown in  FIG. 2 ; see IP network  22 ,  FIG. 1 ). The indicator “m” is employed to signify that there can be any number of access units in telecommunication system  110 . The inclusion of four access units  120   1 ,  120   2 ,  120   3 ,  120   m  in  FIG. 2  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of access units that may be included in a telecommunication system employing the present invention. 
         [0031]    Access units  120   1 ,  120   2 ,  120   3 ,  120   m  facilitate communication with a wireless communicating unit  116 . Calls from access units  120   1 ,  120   2  may be placed with a UMA Network Controller (UNC)  124   1 . Calls from access units  120   3 ,  120   m  may be placed with a UMA Network Controller (UNC)  124   1 . The indicator “s” is employed to signify that there can be any number of UNCs in telecommunication system  110 . The inclusion of two UNCs  124   1 ,  124   s  in  FIG. 2  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of UNCs that may be included in a telecommunication system employing the present invention. UNCs  124   1 ,  124   s  are coupled with a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  130 . MSC  130  is coupled for call routing with a receiving or called party such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, PSAP  134  via a communication network (not shown in  FIG. 2 ; see, e.g., communication network  32  or IP network  38 ,  FIG. 1 ). MSC  130  is also coupled with a location center  136 . 
         [0032]    RAN  114  includes access units represented in  FIG. 2  by Base Transceiver Stations (BTS)  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n . The indicator “n” is employed to signify that there can be any number of BTSs in telecommunication system  110 . The inclusion of four BTSs  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n  in  FIG. 2  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of BTSs that may be included in a telecommunication system employing the present invention. 
         [0033]    BTSs  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n  are coupled for call routing with MCS  130  via a private network (not shown in  FIG. 2 ; see private network  46 ,  FIG. 1 ). BTSs  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n  facilitate communication with wireless communicating unit  116 . BTSs  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n  are coupled with a Base Station Controllers (BSC)  148   1 ,  148   r . Calls from BTSs  144   1 ,  144   2  may be placed with BSC  148   1 . Calls from BTSs  144   3 ,  144   n  may be placed with a BSC  148   r . The indicator “r” is employed to signify that there can be any number of BSCs in telecommunication system  110 . The inclusion of two BSCs  148   1 ,  148   r  in  FIG. 2  is illustrative only and does not constitute any limitation regarding the number of BSCs that may be included in a telecommunication system employing the present invention. BSCs  148   1 ,  148   r  are coupled with MSC  130 . 
         [0034]    At least one of MSC  130  and PSAP  134  is coupled for selectively communicating with various agencies  150  such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a fire agency  152 , an emergency medical service (EMS)  154 , the forestry service  156 , the US Secret Service  158 , a University Police Command Center  160 , other PSAPs  162  and other agencies  164 . 
         [0035]    Calling unit  116  may wirelessly access UMAN  112  to place an emergency 9-1-1 call via an access unit  120   1 ,  120   2 ,  120   3 ,  120   m  to establish communication with PSAP  134  via a UNC  124   1 ,  124   s  and MSC  130 . 
         [0036]    Calling unit  116  may instead wirelessly access RAN  114  to place an emergency 9-1-1 call via a BTS  144   1 ,  144   2 ,  144   3 ,  144   n  to establish communication with PSAP  134  via a BSC  148   1 ,  148   r  and MSC  130 . 
         [0037]    When communication is established between calling unit  116  and PSAP  134 , PSAP  134  may inquire of calling unit  116  or inquire of a user of calling unit  116  regarding the circumstance or circumstances that are the occasion for the call. PSAP  134 , or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  134  can evaluate or triage the situation described by calling instrument  116  (e.g., in the case of an ACN unit) or a user of calling unit  116  and may be able to identify the nature of the circumstances. 
         [0038]    PSAP  134 , or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  134  can also inquire of the caller as to the locus of the caller, or the location may be ascertained using other means such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, Global Positioning System (GSM) satellite information accompanying the call signal and cell-and-tower information or other information obtained involving location center  136 . 
         [0039]    Once the caller&#39;s locus is determined, PSAP  134  or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  134  may determine that certain of agencies  150  should be involved in the call to aid in coordinating assistance rendered in response to the call. Communications may be established by PSAP  134 , by MSC  130 , by cooperation between PSAP  134  and MSC  130  or via another arrangement so that appropriate agencies  150  may be included agencies participating in the emergency service call originally placed to PSAP  134 . Preferably PSAP  134  may control which agency or agencies  150  remain involved in the emergency service call. PSAP  134  or an operator or evaluator manning PSAP  134  may change participants in the call during the call as assistance requirements, caller locus or other circumstances change. Preferably, a voice link between mobile unit  116  and the first-connected party to the call, such as PSAP  134 , remains a priority connection throughout the duration of the emergency service call. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , a method  200  for substantially simultaneously routing a special number call from a mobile calling unit to a plurality of receiving agencies begins at a START locus  202 . 
         [0041]    Method  200  continues with receiving the special number call at a special number call receiving facility via a mobile switching facility, as indicated by a block  204 . 
         [0042]    Method  200  continues with posing a query whether location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit is received with the special number call, as indicated by a query block  206 . If location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit is received with the special number call, method  200  proceeds from query block  206  via a YES response line  208  to evaluate service required by the caller placing the special number call, including determining which agencies may be available to assist and, based upon agency capabilities and location, which agencies should be included in the special number call, as indicated by a block  214 . 
         [0043]    If no location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit is received with the special number call, method  200  proceeds from query block  206  via a NO response line  210  to obtain location information relating to locus of the mobile calling unit from a location determining facility coupled with at least one of the mobile switching facility and the special number call receiving facility, as indicated by a block  212 . Method  200  thereafter proceeds from block  212  to evaluate service required by the caller placing the special number call, including determining which agencies may be available to assist and, based upon agency capabilities and location, which agencies should be included in the special number call, as indicated by a block  214 . 
         [0044]    Method  200  continues with routing the special number call to one or more included receiving agency of the plurality of receiving agencies, as indicated by a block  216 . 
         [0045]    Method  200  continues with posing a query whether the situation occasioning the special number call has been resolved, as indicated by a query block  218 . If the situation occasioning the special number call has been resolved, method  200  proceeds from query block  218  via a YES response line  220  and method  200  terminates, as indicated by an END locus  222 . 
         [0046]    If the situation occasioning the special number call has not been resolved, method  200  proceeds from query block  218  via a NO response line  224  and, in no particular order, poses queries indicated by query blocks  226 ,  234 . Only for purposes of illustration of method  200 , query block  226  first poses a query whether the locus of the mobile calling unit has changed. If the locus of the mobile calling unit has changed, method  200  proceeds from query block  226  via a YES response line  228  to a juncture  230 , and method  200  thereafter repeats steps indicated by blocks  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  226 . 
         [0047]    If the locus of the mobile calling unit has not changed, method  200  proceeds from query block  226  via a NO response line  232  and method  200  poses a query whether assistance required by the caller placing the special number call has changed, as indicated by a query block  234 . If assistance required by the caller placing the special number call has changed, method  200  proceeds from query block  234  via a YES response line  236  to juncture  230 , and method  200  thereafter repeats steps indicated by blocks  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  226 ,  234 . 
         [0048]    If assistance required by the caller placing the special number call has not changed, method  200  proceeds from query block  234  via a NO response line  238  and method  200  thereafter repeats the step indicated by block  218 . 
         [0049]    It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe embodiments of the invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the system and method of the invention are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims: