Location information transmitting device, location information transmitting method, and program

Abstract

To provide a location information transmitting device that can shorten a period during which notification of location information to an emergency information receiving agency cannot be made and which occurs during transition work for replacing the location information transmitting device.SOLUTION: A location information transmitting device includes a receiving agency determination unit that determines a specific emergency call receiving agency based on the emergency call signal of a received emergency call; a network connection determination unit that determines whether the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generating and transmitting unit that generates location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency and transmits the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction unit that causes another location information transmitting device that is connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is not connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a location information transmitting device, a location information transmitting method, and a program for transmitting location information of a communication terminal that has made an emergency call to an emergency information receiving agency. [Background technology]

[0002] An emergency call notification system is already known that notifies an emergency information receiving agency of location information about the originating location of an emergency caller in an emergency (for example, Patent Document 1). In the emergency call notification system, when the caller performs an emergency operation on a communication terminal such as a smartphone, an emergency call signal is transmitted from the communication terminal as an emergency call. The emergency call signal is transmitted to a location information transmitting device via, for example, a wireless telephone line and a base station of a telecommunications carrier. The location information transmitting device obtains location information of the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal and notifies the emergency information receiving agency of the location information via a network. The location information is used by the emergency receiver at the emergency information receiving agency when confirming the content of the call during a call with the caller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-216994 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some emergency call notification systems, the location information transmitting device may need to be replaced with a new device. The migration process for replacing the old device with the new one requires temporarily disconnecting the network from the network connection terminal of the old device and then reconnecting it to the corresponding network connection terminal of the new device.

[0005] However, if an emergency call signal is sent during this transition process, there is a problem that a notification unavailable period occurs during which location information cannot be notified to the emergency information receiving organization in response to the emergency call signal.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to address such issues and provide a location information transmission device, a location information reporting method, and a program that can shorten the period during which location information cannot be notified to emergency information receiving agencies that occurs during the transition work of replacing an old location information transmission device with a new device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The location information transmitting device of the present invention is a location information transmitting device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, and is characterized by comprising: a receiving unit that receives the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination unit that determines a specific emergency call receiving agency from multiple emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination unit that determines whether the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generating and transmitting unit that generates location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency and transmits the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction unit that causes another location information transmitting device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency when the location information transmitting device is not connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal.

[0008] The location information transmission method of the present invention is a location information transmission method of a location information transmitting device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, and is characterized by including: a receiving step of receiving the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination step of determining a specific emergency call receiving agency from among multiple emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination step of determining whether the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generation and transmission step of generating location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency and transmitting the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction step of causing another location information transmitting device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.

[0009] The program of the present invention is a program for a location information transmission method of a location information transmission device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the following steps: a receiving step of receiving the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination step of determining a specific emergency call receiving agency from multiple emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination step of determining whether the location information transmission device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generation and transmission step of generating location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmission device is connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency and transmitting the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction step of causing another location information transmission device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal when the location information transmission device is not connected to the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The location information transmission device, location information transmission method, and computer of the present invention determine whether a network leading to a specific emergency call receiving agency is connected to this location information transmission device, and if the network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency is not connected, an emergency call signal is sent to another location information transmission device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.Therefore, even if an emergency call signal is sent from a communication terminal during the transition work to replace an old location information transmission device with a new device, the period during which location information cannot be notified to a specific emergency information receiving agency can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an emergency call notification system to which a location information transmitting device 10 according to a first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an emergency call notification system including a location information transmitting device 20 of an old device. [Figure 3] 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state at the start of a migration operation from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 10. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a SIP signal distribution unit 101 of the location information transmission device 10. [Figure 5] 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state during a connection change operation from a positional information transmission device 20 to a positional information transmission device 10. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state when the transfer operation from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 10 is completed. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state during a connection change operation from a location information transmission device 20 to a location information transmission device 21 of a conventional device. [Figure 8] 10 is a block diagram illustrating an emergency call notification system to which a location information transmitting device 30 according to a second embodiment is applied. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state at the start of a transition process from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 30. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a SIP signal redirection unit 111 of the location information transmission device 30. [Figure 11] 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state during a connection change operation from a positional information transmission device 20 to a positional information transmission device 30. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a connection state when the transfer operation from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 30 is completed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0013] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an emergency call notification system including a location information transmission device 10 to which the present invention is applied. In this emergency call notification system, a relay device 11 is connected to the location information transmission device 10.

[0014] Relay device 11 is, for example, a wireless base station of a telecommunications carrier, and transmits and receives wireless signals to and from communication terminal 12. Communication terminal 12 is, for example, a smartphone, and transmits a wireless emergency call signal when a caller (reporter) performs an emergency call operation on communication terminal 12. When an emergency call signal is transmitted from communication terminal 12, relay device 11 receives the emergency call signal and relays it to location information transmission device 10. The emergency call signal output from relay device 11 is a signal that complies with the provisions of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).

[0015] The location information transmitting device 10 receives an emergency call signal relayed from the relay device 11 and transmits location information based on the received emergency call signal. The location information is transmitted, for example, as a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packet signal. The location information transmitting device 10 is connectable to a plurality of location information notification networks in order to transmit the location information to one of the location information receiving devices 14A-16A in the emergency information receiving agencies 14-16 via the location information notification networks. The emergency information receiving agencies 14-16 are, for example, police stations, fire stations, and the Japan Coast Guard. The emergency information receiving agency to which the location information is to be reported is selected from the emergency information receiving agencies 14-16 by the caller number and destination number included in the emergency call signal. For example, the caller number is a telephone number assigned by a telecommunications carrier, and the destination number is a three-digit telephone number such as 110 (police station), 119 (fire station), or 118 (Japan Coast Guard). Each of the emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 receives the emergency call signal from the relay device 11 via a telephone line or the like, and the receiver at the emergency information receiving agency is able to communicate with the caller.

[0016] The emergency call notification system of the first embodiment is provided with two location information notification networks 13A and 13B as location information notification networks. The location information notification networks 13A and 13B form a redundant network, and the communication path of the location information notification network 13A and the communication path of the location information notification network 13B are independent of each other. The location information notification network 13A is connected to location information receiving devices 14A and 15A provided in the emergency information receiving agencies 14 and 15, respectively. The location information notification network 13B is connected to the location information receiving device 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 and is also connected to a location information receiving device 16A provided in the emergency information receiving agency 16. Each of the location information receiving devices 14A, 15A, and 16A receives location information and displays the location indicated by the location information, for example, as an address or on a map.

[0017] Location information transmitting device 10 includes SIP signal distribution unit 101, emergency call processing service unit 102, location information notification unit 103, database unit 104, and status management unit 105. Location information transmitting device 10 also has external connection terminal 106 as a connection terminal for connecting to another location information transmitting device, and network connection terminals 107 and 108 for connecting to location information notification networks 13A and 13B, respectively.

[0018] The state management unit 105 manages the network connection state of each of the network connection terminals 107 and 108. That is, the state management unit 105 manages whether or not the location information notifying network 13A is connected to the network connection terminal 107, and whether or not the location information notifying network 13B is connected to the network connection terminal 108. The state management unit 105 may physically detect the network connection state, for example, by using a sensor, or may detect whether or not there is a response from a device in the network 13A or 13B by using a command signal such as ping. The state management unit 105 holds the network connection state of each of the network connection terminals 107 and 108 as information as a management result.

[0019] The SIP signal distribution unit 101 receives an emergency call signal relayed from the relay device 11, and selects a destination of the emergency call signal (a specific emergency call receiving agency) based on the caller number and destination number included in the received emergency call signal. The destination of the emergency call signal is either the emergency call processing service unit 102 or the external connection terminal 106. The registration information in the database unit 104 and the retained information in the state management unit 105 are used to determine the destination of the emergency call signal.

[0020] The information registered in database unit 104 includes emergency information receiving agencies corresponding to the caller number and the destination number, and for each emergency information receiving agency, the IP address of the emergency information receiving agency and the IP address of the network connection terminal used. The IP address of the network connection terminal used indicates which of network connection terminals 107 and 108 it is. In this embodiment, the emergency information receiving agency is identified from the caller number and the destination number, but if the emergency information receiving agency can be identified from the destination number alone, the emergency information receiving agency may be identified in correspondence with the destination number.

[0021] When emergency call processing service unit 102 receives an emergency call signal from SIP signal sorting unit 101, it supplies a location information notification request to location information notification unit 103. The location information notification request specifies the IP address of one of emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 corresponding to the destination number included in the emergency call signal. Furthermore, if the emergency call signal includes location information (e.g., GPS data) indicating the location of communication terminal 12, that location information may be included in the location information notification request. If the emergency call signal does not include location information indicating the location of communication terminal 12, base station information for relay device 11 that relayed the emergency call signal may be extracted from the emergency call signal, and the location of relay device 11 may be identified from the location information of each relay device pre-registered in database unit 104, thereby obtaining the location information and supplying it to location information notification unit 103 together with the location information notification request.

[0022] In response to the location information notification request, the location information notification unit 103 transmits the location information to the specified address. The location information notification unit 103 is connected to the network connection terminals 107 and 108, and transmits the location information from at least one of the network connection terminals 107 and 108 in accordance with the specified address.

[0023] The emergency call signal relayed from relay device 11 is supplied to one of emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 via a SIP server (not shown), allowing a call to be made between the receiver at an extension terminal (not shown) within the emergency information receiving agency and the caller at communication terminal 12.

[0024] Next, in the emergency call notification system of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, it is assumed that the old location information transmitting device 20 was arranged as shown in FIG. 2 until the new location information transmitting device 10 was used. That is, the relay device 11 was connected to the location information transmitting device 20, and the location information transmitting device 20 was connected to the location information notification networks 13A and 13B, respectively. The location information transmitting device 20 has network connection terminals 207 and 208 for connecting to the location information notification networks 13A and 13B, respectively. The location information transmitting device 20 is configured to transmit, upon receiving an emergency call signal relayed from the relay device 11, location information based on the emergency call signal to one of the location information receiving devices 14A to 16A in the emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 via the location information notification network 13A or 13B.

[0025] Now, assume that location information transmission device 20 is replaced with location information transmission device 10. When the transition from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 10 begins, as shown in Fig. 3 , first, relay device 11 is disconnected from location information transmission device 20, and relay device 11 is connected to location information transmission device 10, so that the emergency call signal relayed by relay device 11 is supplied to location information transmission device 10. In addition, external connection terminal 106 of location information transmission device 10 is connected to the emergency call signal input terminal of location information transmission device 20.

[0026] In the connection state at the start of the transition work in Figure 3, when an emergency call signal is sent from communication terminal 12, the emergency call signal relayed by relay device 11 is supplied to SIP signal distribution unit 101 of location information transmission device 10.

[0027] 4, when the SIP signal distribution unit 101 receives an emergency call signal in step S10, it refers to the registered information in the database unit 104 based on the caller number and the destination number included in the emergency call signal and identifies an emergency information receiving agency (or the IP address of the emergency information receiving agency) from among the emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 (step S11). Step S10 corresponds to the receiving unit, and step S11 corresponds to the receiving agency determination unit.

[0028] Then, SIP signal distribution unit 101 determines whether or not location information can be reported from location information transmitting device 10 to the emergency information receiving agency identified in step S11 (step S12). In step S12, it determines whether or not the location information transmitting device 10 is connected to the location information notification network used by the identified emergency information receiving agency, based on information on the network connection status of each of network connection terminals 107 and 108 managed by status management unit 105. Step S12 corresponds to a network connection determination unit.

[0029] If it is determined in step S12 that reporting of location information is not possible, the SIP signal distribution unit 101 supplies an emergency call signal to the external connection terminal 106 (step S13). As a result, the emergency call signal is supplied from the external connection terminal 106 to the location information transmission device 20. Step S13 corresponds to an instruction unit.

[0030] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that reporting of location information is possible, the SIP signal distribution unit 101 supplies an emergency call signal to the emergency call processing service unit 102 (step S14). Step S14 corresponds to the location information generation and transmission unit.

[0031] 3, when SIP signal distribution unit 101 receives an emergency call signal, neither location information notification network 13A nor 13B is connected to network connection terminals 107 and 108, and therefore SIP signal distribution unit 101 determines that reporting of location information is not possible. Therefore, by executing step S13, the emergency call signal is supplied from external connection terminal 106 to location information transmission device 20 of the old device. As a result, location information transmission device 20 transmits location information from either network connection terminal 207 or 208, and the location information is transmitted to the location information receiving device (any of 14A to 16A) of the emergency information receiving agency identified in step S11 via at least one of information notification networks 13A and 13B.

[0032] As the migration work from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 10 progresses, as shown in Figure 5, the connection change work first disconnects information notification network 13B from network connection terminal 208 of location information transmission device 20 and connects it to network connection terminal 108 of location information transmission device 10.

[0033] When SIP signal distribution unit 101 receives an emergency call signal in the connection state during the connection change operation in FIG. 5, location information notification network 13B is connected to network connection terminal 108, and location information notification network 13A is not connected to network connection terminal 107. In step S12, state management unit 105 determines, based on the management information, whether information notification network 13B is available for reporting location information corresponding to the received emergency call signal. If information notification network 13B is available for reporting location information, SIP signal distribution unit 101 executes step S14 to supply the emergency call signal to emergency call processing service unit 102. In this case, the destination IP address of the location information is the address of location information receiving device 14A of emergency information receiving agency 14 or location information receiving device 16A of emergency information receiving agency 16. Therefore, the location information sent from location information notification unit 103 is transmitted to location information receiving device 14A or 16A via network connection terminal 108 and information notification network 13B.

[0034] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that information notification network 13B is unavailable for reporting the location information, SIP signal distribution unit 101 executes step S13, supplying the emergency call signal from external connection terminal 106 to location information transmission device 20 of the old device. As a result, location information transmission device 20 transmits the location information from network connection terminal 207, and the location information is supplied to location information reception device 15A of emergency information receiving agency 15 identified in step S11 via information notification network 13A.

[0035] Since the location information receiving device 14A of the emergency information receiving agency 14 is connected to both the information notification networks 13A and 13B, the information notification network 13B is used in the connection state during the connection change operation in Figure 5, but it is of course also possible to use the information notification network 13A.

[0036] Next, the migration work from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 10 is completed, and as shown in Fig. 6, the connection change work causes information notification network 13A to be disconnected from network connection terminal 207 of location information transmission device 20 and connected to network connection terminal 107 of location information transmission device 10. In other words, the connections of information notification networks 13A and 13B to network connection terminals 107 and 108 of location information transmission device 10 are completed.

[0037] 6, when SIP signal distribution unit 101 receives an emergency call signal in the connection state at the completion of the migration work, location information notification networks 13A and 13B are connected to network connection terminals 107 and 108, respectively. In step S12, based on the management information, state management unit 105 determines that information notification network 13A or 13B is available for reporting location information corresponding to the received emergency call signal. As a result, SIP signal distribution unit 101 supplies the emergency call signal to emergency call processing service unit 102 by executing step S14. In this case, if the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 14A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 14A of the emergency information receiving agency 14 identified in step S11 via network connection terminal 107 and information notification network 13A, or via network connection terminal 108 and information notification network 13B. If the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 15A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 identified in step S11 via network connection terminal 107 and information notification network 13A. If the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 16A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 16A of the emergency information receiving agency 16 identified in step S11 via network connection terminal 108 and information notification network 13B.

[0038] In the first embodiment described above, it is possible to shorten the period during which location information cannot be notified to the location information receiver of the emergency call receiving agency during migration from the location information transmission device 20 of the old device to the location information transmission device 10 of the new device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , during the connection change from the location information transmission device 20 to the conventional location information transmission device 21 of the new device, the information notification network 13A remains connected to the network connection terminal 207 of the location information transmission device 20, while the information notification network 13B is disconnected from the network connection terminal 208 of the location information transmission device 20 and connected to the network connection terminal 218 of the location information transmission device 21. During such connection change, if an emergency call signal is relayed from the relay device 11 to the location information transmission device 21, the location information corresponding to the emergency call signal cannot be notified from the location information transmission device 21 to the location information receiver 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 using the information notification network 13A. On the other hand, when the location information transmitting device 10 of the first embodiment is used, the emergency call signal is supplied from the location information transmitting device 10 to the location information transmitting device 20 as in the case of the connection change operation of Figure 5, and the location information corresponding to the emergency call signal can be reported from the location information transmitting device 20 to the location information receiving device 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 using the information notification network 13A.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the connection change work for each location information notification network can be performed while checking each location information notification network, which allows the monitoring period for stable operation of the emergency call notification system by the location information transmission device 10 to be extended, thereby improving the safety of the transition work from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 10. [Example]

[0040] 8 is a block diagram illustrating an emergency call notification system including a location information transmission device 30 to which the present invention is applied. In addition to the location information transmission device 30, this emergency call notification system includes a relay device 11, a communication terminal 12, information notification networks 13A and 13B, and location information receiving devices 14A to 16A. The relay device 11, the communication terminal 12, the information notification networks 13A and 13B, and the location information receiving devices 14A to 16A are the same as those with the same reference numerals in the first embodiment.

[0041] The location information transmitting device 30 includes a SIP signal redirection unit 111, an emergency call processing service unit 102, a location information notification unit 103, a database unit 104, and a state management unit 105. The emergency call processing service unit 102, the location information notification unit 103, the database unit 104, and the state management unit 105 are the same as those denoted by the same reference numerals in the location information transmitting device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0042] Here, explanations will be omitted for components with the same reference numerals as in embodiment 1. When an emergency call signal is directly supplied from relay device 11 to emergency call processing service unit 102, it can receive the emergency call signal.

[0043] The SIP signal redirect unit 111 receives an emergency call signal relayed from the relay device 11, and based on the caller number and destination number included in the received emergency call signal, selects a destination for the emergency call signal by referring to the registration information in the database unit 104 and the management and retention information in the state management unit 105, and supplies a redirect response signal indicating the destination to the relay device 11.

[0044] Next, in the emergency call notification system of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, it is assumed that location information transmitting device 20, which is an old device, was arranged as shown in FIG. 9 until location information transmitting device 30, which is a new device, was used. That is, relay device 11 was connected to location information transmitting device 20, which was connected to location information notification networks 13A and 13B, respectively. Location information transmitting device 20 has network connection terminals 207 and 208 for connecting to location information notification networks 13A and 13B, respectively. It is assumed that, upon receiving an emergency call signal relayed from relay device 11, location information transmitting device 20 is configured to transmit location information based on the emergency call signal to one of location information receiving devices 14A to 16A in emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 via location information notification network 13A or 13B.

[0045] Now, assume that location information transmission device 20 is replaced with location information transmission device 30. When the migration from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 30 begins, first, relay device 11 is connected to location information transmission device 30 together with location information transmission device 20, as shown in Fig. 9. In location information transmission device 30, relay device 11 is connected to SIP signal redirect unit 111.

[0046] In the connection state at the start of the transition work in Figure 9, when an emergency call signal is sent from communication terminal 12, the emergency call signal relayed by relay device 11 is supplied to SIP signal redirect unit 111 of location information transmission device 11.

[0047] 10, when the SIP signal redirect unit 111 receives the emergency call signal in step S20, it refers to the registered information in the database unit 104 based on the caller number and the destination number included in the emergency call signal and identifies an emergency information receiving agency (or the IP address of the emergency information receiving agency) from among the emergency information receiving agencies 14 to 16 (step S21). Step S20 corresponds to the receiving unit, and step S21 corresponds to the receiving agency determining unit.

[0048] Then, SIP signal redirection unit 111 determines whether or not location information can be reported from location information transmission device 30 to the emergency information receiving agency identified in step S21 (step S22). In step S22, it determines whether or not the location information transmission device 30 is connected to the location information notification network used by the identified emergency information receiving agency, based on information on the network connection status of each of network connection terminals 107 and 108 managed by status management unit 105. Step S22 corresponds to a network connection determination unit.

[0049] If it is determined in step S22 that reporting of location information is not possible, SIP signal redirection unit 111 supplies relay device 11 with a redirection response signal indicating location information transmission device 20 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal (step S23). When relay device 11 receives the redirection response signal by executing step S23, it supplies the emergency call signal to location information transmission device 20 in response to the redirection response signal. Step S23 corresponds to an instruction unit.

[0050] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that reporting of location information is possible, SIP signal redirection unit 111 supplies to relay device 11 a redirection response signal indicating emergency call processing service unit 102 of location information transmission device 30 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal (step S24). Upon receiving the redirection response signal by executing step S24, relay device 11 supplies the emergency call signal to emergency call processing service unit 102 in response to the redirection response signal. Step S24 corresponds to the location information generation and transmission unit.

[0051] 9, when SIP signal redirection unit 111 receives an emergency call signal, neither location information notification network 13A nor 13B is connected to network connection terminals 107 and 108, and therefore SIP signal redirection unit 111 determines that reporting of location information is not possible. Therefore, by executing step S23, a redirection response signal indicating location information transmission device 20 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal is supplied to relay device 11. As a result, relay device 11 transmits the emergency call signal to location information transmission device 20 in response to the redirection response signal.

[0052] When the location information transmitting device 20 receives the emergency call signal, it generates location information based on the emergency call signal and transmits the location information from either of the network connection terminals 207, 208, so that the location information is supplied to the location information receiving device (any of 14A to 16A) of the emergency information receiving agency identified in step S11 via at least one of the information notification networks 13A, 13B.

[0053] As the migration work from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 10 progresses, as shown in Figure 5, the connection change work first disconnects information notification network 13B from network connection terminal 208 of location information transmission device 20 and connects it to network connection terminal 108 of location information transmission device 10.

[0054] When SIP signal redirection unit 111 receives an emergency call signal in the connection state during the connection change operation shown in FIG. 11, location information notification network 13B is connected to network connection terminal 108, and location information notification network 13A is not connected to network connection terminal 107. In step S22, state management unit 105 determines, based on the management information, whether information notification network 13B is available for reporting location information corresponding to the received emergency call signal. If information notification network 13B is available for reporting location information, SIP signal redirection unit 111 executes step S24 to supply to relay device 11 a redirect response signal indicating emergency call processing service unit 102 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal. As a result, relay device 11 transmits the emergency call signal to emergency call processing service unit 102 in response to the redirect response signal. The emergency call signal is supplied to emergency call processing service unit 102. In this case, the destination IP address of the location information is the address of location information receiving device 14A of emergency information receiving agency 14 or location information receiving device 16A of emergency information receiving agency 16. Therefore, the location information sent from location information notification unit 103 is transmitted to network connection terminal 108 and then to location information receiving device 14A or 16A via information notification network 13B.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that information notification network 13B is unavailable for reporting the location information, SIP signal redirect unit 111 executes step S23 to supply a redirect response signal indicating location information transmission device 20 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal to relay device 11. As a result, relay device 11 transmits the emergency call signal to location information transmission device 20 in response to the redirect response signal. Upon receiving the emergency call signal, location information transmission device 20 creates location information based on the emergency call signal and transmits the location information from network connection terminal 207, so that the location information is supplied via information notification network 13A to location information receiving device 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 identified in step S11.

[0056] Next, the migration work from location information transmission device 20 to location information transmission device 10 is completed, and as shown in Fig. 12, the connection change work causes information notification network 13A to be disconnected from network connection terminal 207 of location information transmission device 20 and connected to network connection terminal 107 of location information transmission device 10. In other words, the connections of information notification networks 13A and 13B to network connection terminals 107 and 108 of location information transmission device 10 are completed.

[0057] 12, when SIP signal redirection unit 111 receives an emergency call signal, location information notification networks 13A and 13B are connected to network connection terminals 107 and 108, respectively. In step S22, state management unit 105 determines, based on the management information, that information notification network 13A or 13B is available for reporting location information corresponding to the received emergency call signal. As a result, SIP signal redirection unit 111 executes step S24 to supply to relay device 11 a redirect response signal indicating emergency call processing service unit 102 as the transfer destination of the emergency call signal.

[0058] In response to the redirect response signal, relay device 11 transmits an emergency call signal to emergency call processing service unit 102. The emergency call signal is supplied to emergency call processing service unit 102. In this case, if the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 14A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 14A of emergency information receiving agency 14 identified in step S21 via network connection terminal 107 and information notification network 13A, or via network connection terminal 108 and information notification network 13B. If the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 15A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 15A of emergency information receiving agency 15 identified in step S21 via network connection terminal 107 and information notification network 13A. If the destination IP address of the location information is the IP address of location information receiving device 16A, the location information is supplied to location information receiving device 16A of emergency information receiving agency 16 identified in step S21 via network connection terminal 108 and information notification network 13B.

[0059] In the above-described second embodiment, during the transition work from the location information transmitting device 20 of the old device to the location information transmitting device 30 of the new device, it is possible to shorten the period during which location information cannot be notified to the location information receiving device of the emergency call receiving agency, as in the case of the first embodiment. By using the location information transmitting device 30 of the second embodiment, when it is necessary to use the information notification network 13A that is not connected to the location information transmitting device 30, as in the connection change work of Fig. 11, the relay device 11 supplies an emergency call signal to the location information transmitting device 20 in response to the redirect response signal, and therefore the location information corresponding to the emergency call signal can be notified to the location information receiving device 15A of the emergency information receiving agency 15 from the location information transmitting device 20 using the information notification network 13A.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, the connection change work for each location information notification network can be performed while checking each location information notification network, which allows the monitoring period for stable operation of the emergency call notification system by the location information transmission device 10 to be extended, thereby improving the safety of the transition work from the location information transmission device 20 to the location information transmission device 30.

[0061] Although two network connection terminals 107 and 108 are provided in the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention may also be applied to a location information transmitting device having a single network connection terminal or three or more network connection terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10, 20, 30 Location information transmitting device 11 Relay device 12. Communication terminals 13A, 13B Information Notification Network 14~16 Emergency Information Receiving Agency 14A~15A Location information receiving device 101 SIP signal distribution section 102 Emergency Call Processing Services Department 103 Location information notification section 104 Database Department 105 Status Management Unit 107, 108, 207, 208 Network connection terminals 111 SIP signal redirection unit

Claims

1. A location information transmitting device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, a receiving unit for receiving the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination unit that determines a specific emergency call receiving agency from among a plurality of emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination unit that determines whether the location information transmission device is connected to a network that leads to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generating and transmitting unit that generates location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency, and transmits the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction unit that, when the location information transmission device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency, causes another location information transmission device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal.

2. The location information transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that the network connection determination unit determines whether or not the location information transmission device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency depending on whether or not a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency is connected to a network terminal possessed by the location information transmission device.

3. an external connection terminal connected to the other location information transmission device; The location information transmitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the instruction unit causes the emergency call signal to be transmitted from the external connection terminal to the other location information transmitting device when the location information transmitting device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.

4. the receiving unit receives the emergency call signal supplied from the communication terminal via a relay device, The location information transmitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the instruction unit instructs the relay device to transmit the emergency call signal to the other location information transmitting device when the location information transmitting device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.

5. The location information transmission device according to claim 4, characterized in that the instruction unit instructs the relay device to transmit the emergency call signal to the location information generation and transmission unit when the location information transmission device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.

6. 2. The location information transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving agency determining unit determines the specific emergency call receiving agency based on a caller number and a destination number of the emergency call signal.

7. 3. The location information transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the network connection determining unit includes a status management unit that manages whether or not a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency is connected to the network connection terminal.

8. 3. The location information transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the network connection determination unit determines whether a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency among a plurality of mutually independent networks is connected to the network connection terminal.

9. 8. The location information transmitting device according to claim 7, wherein the network connection determining unit determines a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency from an IP address assigned to the network connection terminal.

10. 1. A location information transmitting method for a location information transmitting device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination step of determining a specific emergency call receiving agency from among a plurality of emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination step of determining whether the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generating and transmitting step of generating location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency, and transmitting the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; and an instruction step of causing another location information transmitting device that is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency.

11. A program for a location information transmission method of a location information transmission device that transmits location information of a communication terminal in response to receiving an emergency call signal of an emergency call from the communication terminal, comprising: On the computer, a receiving step of receiving the emergency call signal; a receiving agency determination step of determining a specific emergency call receiving agency from among a plurality of emergency call receiving agencies based on the emergency call signal; a network connection determination step of determining whether the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; a location information generating and transmitting step of generating location information for the communication terminal based on the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency, and transmitting the generated location information to the specific emergency call receiving agency; an instruction step of causing another location information transmitting device connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency to transmit the emergency call signal when the location information transmitting device is not connected to a network leading to the specific emergency call receiving agency; A program characterized by executing the following.

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