E911 Address Management for Mobile Wi-Fi Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices connected to third-party wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi, often lack accurate location information, leading to incorrect emergency service dispatches as they rely on default addresses like home addresses, which may not reflect the user's current location.
Innovation Solution
An emergency services address management system that dynamically updates the E911 address by determining street addresses for individual wireless network access points, using a combination of cellular network location services and satellite geolocation, and allows user verification or manual input to ensure accurate location information is provided to emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device connects to a third-party wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi) for emergency services, then the device can access emergency services, but the location information provided is inaccurate (default address instead of current location)
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location determination process by network type. For cellular networks, it uses cellular triangulation methods. For Wi-Fi networks, it uses a separate approach involving access point identification and cross-referencing with a database of access point locations, thereby adapting to different network characteristics while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary database that maps Wi-Fi access point identifiers (BSSID, MAC address) to physical locations. This intermediary layer enables the system to translate network-specific identifiers into accurate geographic information, bridging the gap between different network types and the emergency services address requirement
2Productivity
If the system uses default street address for mobile devices on third-party networks, then the emergency services can be dispatched, but the dispatch location may be incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a pre-populated database of Wi-Fi access point locations and continuously updating the mobile device's current access point information. This allows the system to have location data ready before an emergency call is placed, eliminating the need to rely on default addresses while maintaining rapid dispatch capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring which Wi-Fi access point the mobile device is connected to and using this information to dynamically update the E911 address. This feedback loop ensures that the location information remains current and accurate, reflecting the user's actual position rather than a static default address
3Measurement precision
If the system dynamically updates E911 address based on current access point, then location accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device autonomously performs the function of identifying its connected Wi-Fi access point and determining its location based on that access point. The device self-manages the E911 address updates without requiring complex external infrastructure, thereby achieving dynamic location tracking with minimal added system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single access point identifier database that serves both Wi-Fi network connectivity purposes and emergency location determination purposes. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate location tracking infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accurate location capabilities across different network types
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for implementing an emergency services address management system for mobile devices. A mobile device may implement “voice over Wi-Fi” or otherwise communicate via wireless networks that do not provide address or location data. An emergency services address management system may associate E911 addresses with individual access points of the wireless networks, and may provide the associated E911 address instead of a default E911 address (which may be a home or billing address that is relatively distant from the user's current location) when a user of the mobile device makes a voice call to an emergency service. The system may identify access points for which an E911 address is not known, and may obtain or generate an E911 address using information from various sources, including the user, satellite-based or cellular-based location services, or other mobile devices that have accessed the wireless network via the access point.