Ancillary Data Server for Emergency Call Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency communication systems lack the ability to efficiently deliver ancillary data, such as indoor location information and building layouts, to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) during emergency calls, which can hinder response efficiency, especially in complex environments like university campuses or large enterprises.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an emergency call routing element and an ancillary data server, which assigns a locator key to an end-user device upon an emergency call, queries various information sources for ancillary data, and provides this data to the PSAP, enabling enhanced location information and situational awareness, even in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If enhanced 9-1-1 routing is implemented to provide location information to PSAPs, then emergency call routing accuracy is improved, but the system lacks the capability to provide detailed ancillary data such as indoor location information and building layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ancillary data server as an intermediary component between the emergency call routing element and the PSAP. This server receives notifications of emergency calls, queries multiple information sources for ancillary data (indoor location, building layouts, hazardous materials), collates the data, and provides it to the PSAP through a web service interface, thereby enabling comprehensive data delivery without modifying legacy E9-1-1 routing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the ancillary data delivery function from the core E9-1-1 routing function. The emergency call routing element handles traditional routing based on location information, while the ancillary data server independently handles collection, collation, and delivery of detailed ancillary data from multiple information sources, allowing each component to specialize and improving overall system capability
2Loss of information
If multiple information sources are queried for ancillary data, then data comprehensiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ancillary data server is designed as a universal platform that can query multiple different types of information sources (indoor location systems, building management systems, hazardous material databases) through a unified architecture. It performs multiple functions including data collection, validation, collation, and delivery through a standard web service interface, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each data type
3Productivity
If real-time ancillary data delivery is implemented, then response efficiency is improved, but data collection and collation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is configured to automatically trigger ancillary data collection and collation as soon as an emergency call notification is received, before the PSAP operator needs the information. The ancillary data server proactively queries information sources and prepares the data package in advance, so that when the PSAP requests the data, it is already available for immediate delivery, minimizing perceived delay
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include an emergency call routing element comprising one or more computing devices. The emergency call routing element can be configured to provide locator key and routing information for an emergency services call initiated by an end-user device employed by a caller, wherein the routing information identifies a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The emergency call routing element can also be configured to provide a notification of the emergency services call. The system can also include an ancillary data server comprising one or more computing devices. The ancillary data server can be configured to receive the notification of the emergency services call and query an information source for information related to at least one of the end-user device and the caller in response to the notification. The ancillary data server can further be configured to provide a web service interface that outputs ancillary information that characterizes ancillary data.