Emergency Location Determination for Text-Based PSAP Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency service providers face challenges in reliably determining the location of callers using alternative communication methods like cellular phones and Voice-over-IP, leading to delays in dispatching assistance, as existing systems are not equipped to accurately identify locations for these types of communications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the current location of a portable computing device and communicate this information to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) using existing technological infrastructures, allowing for accurate dispatchable location determination and emergency communication initiation without requiring significant hardware or software upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If emergency service providers use traditional landline phone number identification to determine caller location, then location determination is simple and reliable, but this method cannot be applied to alternative communication mediums such as cellular phones and Voice-over-IP
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that bridges traditional landline identification methods and alternative communication mediums. This intermediary captures location information from cellular phones and Voice-over-IP devices and translates it into formats compatible with existing emergency response systems, enabling location determination across multiple communication platforms without requiring complete system overhaul
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal location determination system that handles multiple types of communications (landline, cellular, Voice-over-IP) through a single integrated approach. The system uses phone number identification as a universal key that works across different communication mediums, with enhanced capabilities to extract location data from various sources including cellular tower triangulation and Voice-over-IP server information
2Reliability
If emergency services ask callers for their location before obtaining additional information, then location information can be obtained, but this delays the emergency response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically determining and storing location information associated with phone numbers before emergency calls are placed. The system pre-processes location data from various sources (landline databases, cellular network information, Voice-over-IP server data) and makes it readily available when an emergency call is initiated, eliminating the need to ask callers for their location during the emergency
3Ease of operation
If triangulation techniques are used to obtain location information when callers cannot speak, then location can be determined, but these techniques are often unreliable and may fail to locate the caller in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously verify and update location information. The system cross-checks location data from multiple sources (phone number databases, cellular tower information, Voice-over-IP server data) and uses feedback loops to validate accuracy. This multi-source verification approach significantly improves the reliability of automatic location determination compared to single-source triangulation methods
Data Source
AI summary
Computer systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to assist emergency services providers in determining the location of an individual who is in need of help. In various embodiments, the system may be adapted to determine a current dispatchable location for the individual who is in need of help, use the determined dispatchable location to determine which particular public-safety answering point will be handling an emergency electronic communication (e.g., text message or other, non-text digital or analog electronic communication) regarding the individual, update a data structure associated with the particular public-safety answering point to indicate the individual's current location, and then initiate and/or mediate an electronic communication between the individual and the emergency services provider. In various embodiments, updating the database may provide more accurate information regarding the individual's location than would otherwise be available for the individual.