System for dynamically tracking the location of network devices to enable emergency services

Abstract

A system and / or method to determine the location within a building of an apparatus, such as a personal computer, coupled to a computer network. A communication facility of the apparatus is configured to source and sink messages in the computer network via at least one network port coupled to the computer network. A radio frequency (RF) receiver of the apparatus is configured to receive beacon signals transmitted by a plurality of base stations, the base stations located in the building, each beacon signal encoded with location information descriptive of the location of one of the base stations. Also, a location determination engine of the apparatus is configured to compute a location of the apparatus based on the location information encoded in the beacon signals, the computed location being a point within the building.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 908,341, which was filed on Jul. 18, 2001, by David Oran and Silvano Gai, for a SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY TRACKING THE LOCATION OF NETWORK DEVICES TO ENABLE EMERGENCY SERVICES. [0002] The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 884,239, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,611, which was filed on Jun. 19, 2001, by David Oran and Silvano Gai for a SYSTEM FOR DISCOVERING AND MAINTAINING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION IN A COMPUTER NETWORK TO ENABLE EMERGENCY SERVICES, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention relates to computer networks, and more specifically, to a system for dynamically discovering and reporting the location of network entities or devices. [0005] 2. Background Information [0006] Computer networks typically comprise...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This system dynamically and accurately tracks network device locations, reducing manual errors and enabling precise location data retrieval during emergency calls, thus enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of emergency services.

Problems solved by technology

Because the creations of such manual inventories are so time consuming, they are rarely performed.

They are also error-prone, resulting in the data base having incorrect information.

For organizations using a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone switch, however, subscriber information is often limited to the organization's name and its main address.

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