Emergency Communication System with Concurrent Voice and Text Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency communication systems rely on voice calls, which can be inadequate for situations where the caller cannot speak, such as injuries or hiding from assailants, leading to challenges in providing anchoring information to public safety answering points (PSAPs) using non-voice messages like text messaging.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables concurrent voice and non-voice communication sessions, utilizing GPS and other location technologies to provide anchoring information, allowing users to communicate discreetly through SMS, MMS, or email during emergencies, with the PSAP capable of handling both voice and text-based messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-voice communications (text messaging, instant messaging, or electronic mail) are used during emergencies, then the user can communicate discreetly and when unable to speak, but the anchoring information to the PSAP is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges non-voice communication capabilities with existing voice call anchoring services. When a user initiates a non-voice emergency message, the system automatically combines it with voice call anchoring information retrieval, so that location and identity data from the voice network are attached to the non-voice message, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining discreet communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network acts as a mediator between the user's non-voice message and the PSAP. The network retrieves anchoring information through voice call protocols and attaches it to the non-voice message, enabling the PSAP to receive both the discreet message content and the necessary location/identity context
2Loss of information
If voice calls are used for emergency communication, then anchoring information is provided to PSAP, but the user cannot communicate discreetly or when unable to speak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the emergency communication system into two independent pathways: voice calls for anchoring information retrieval and non-voice messages for discreet communication. This segmentation allows each pathway to serve its specific function optimally while the system integrates them to provide both anchoring information and discreet communication capability
3Loss of information
If existing anchoring services are leveraged for non-voice messages, then location and identity information is obtained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the existing voice call anchoring services to serve dual purposes: traditional voice communication and non-voice message anchoring. The same network infrastructure and anchoring mechanisms handle both voice and non-voice emergency communications, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for receiving a voice-based emergency call and routing it to a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) along with anchoring information identifying the caller and their location. The PSAP may provide options for the caller to choose to use non-voice-based messaging service concurrent with the voice-based emergency call. If the caller desires and chooses to communicate via non-voice-based messages, then a text messaging application at the PSAP is used to communicate with the caller. The PSAP utilizes the anchoring information obtained from the concurrent voice-based emergency call when communicating with the caller.