Assisted Emergency Call Session Establishment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in quickly and efficiently establishing emergency sessions, especially when one user is unable to initiate an emergency call due to limited communication capabilities or when terminals are served by different networks, leading to potential delays in providing emergency services.

Innovation Solution

The system allows a second terminal to transmit an indicator for emergency service, automatically establishing a call session between the first terminal and an emergency center without user intervention, enabling an assisted emergency session that can be initiated during ongoing calls or as a conference session, even if the terminals are served by different networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user initiates an emergency call manually, then the emergency service can be requested, but the process is delayed when the user is unable to communicate effectively or when terminals are served by different networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency service provisionVSAvoidtime to establish emergency session
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service emergency calling by automatically detecting emergency situations through sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone) and initiating emergency sessions without requiring user input. The terminal autonomously determines emergency status based on motion patterns, audio analysis, and call duration, then automatically establishes connection with emergency services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring emergency session parameters, pre-identifying emergency contacts, and pre-establishing communication channels. Location information and terminal identifiers are prepared in advance, allowing immediate emergency session establishment when needed without delays for data collection or configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If emergency sessions are handled by the visited network only, then local emergency response is improved, but assistance across different networks becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response speedVSAvoidcross-network emergency assistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The home network acts as an intermediary by receiving emergency session requests from the visited network, retrieving terminal subscription information and emergency contact data, then forwarding relevant information back to the visited network. This mediator approach enables seamless cross-network emergency assistance while maintaining local network autonomy and response speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements universal emergency session handling that works across different network types and jurisdictions. The emergency session mechanism is designed to function independently of the specific network infrastructure, allowing terminals served by any network to receive emergency assistance through their local emergency services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If authentication is required for emergency sessions, then security is maintained, but emergency calling becomes more complex and slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency session securityVSAvoidemergency session establishment procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts authentication requirements from the emergency session establishment process. By separating emergency sessions from normal authentication procedures, the system allows emergency calls to be established immediately without credential verification, while still maintaining security through network-level controls and post-session accountability mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the user must terminate existing calls to place emergency calls, then clear communication is ensured, but critical time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication clarityVSAvoidtime to establish emergency session
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges emergency sessions with ongoing calls by establishing emergency sessions in parallel without requiring termination of existing communications. The terminal can maintain conversation with the original counterparty while simultaneously establishing emergency session connection, enabling continuous communication across multiple channels without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3066855B1Method and apparatus for assisted emergency calls
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3066855B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3066855B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3066855B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

There is provided a method in a communication system comprising a first terminal and an emergency center. The method comprises the steps of transmitting, by a second terminal, an indicator indicating that emergency service is required for the first terminal, and automatically establishing a call session between the first terminal and the emergency center in response to the indicator.