Emergency Module Softswitch Failover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems fail to ensure continuous access to emergency services when a softswitch fails, disrupting endpoint communication, including emergency calls.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that redirect emergency communications through an emergency module, which includes an emergency server and media gateway, allowing endpoints to connect with emergency services even if the primary softswitch fails by using backup mechanisms and automatic failover protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a softswitch is used to control endpoint communication, then call processing functionality is provided, but communication fails when the softswitch fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An emergency server is introduced as an intermediary component between endpoints and the softswitch. The emergency server monitors softswitch status and automatically redirects emergency calls to alternative routing paths when softswitch failure is detected, ensuring emergency communication reliability without requiring complex changes to the existing softswitch architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The call processing functionality is segmented into normal call processing (handled by softswitch) and emergency call processing (handled by emergency server). This segmentation allows the emergency function to operate independently with its own failure detection and routing mechanisms, improving overall system reliability for critical communications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If emergency calls are routed through the softswitch, then normal call handling is maintained, but emergency communication is disrupted when softswitch fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency communication reliabilityVSAvoidcall setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency server performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring softswitch availability and pre-establishing alternative routing paths for emergency calls. When softswitch failure is detected, the routing switch is already configured to redirect calls, eliminating the need for time-consuming dynamic reconfiguration during the emergency call setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency server implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors softswitch status and automatically adjusts routing decisions. This real-time feedback loop ensures that emergency calls are immediately redirected to functional alternative paths when softswitch failure occurs, maintaining rapid call setup times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2140670B1Implementing an emergency services solution

Publication Date: 2015.04.08 GENBAND US LLC

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Figure 4A
Figure 4B

AI summary

A system, method, and apparatus for redirecting an emergency communication include initiating emergency communication from an endpoint. Unavailability of a Softswitch is determined, and an emergency server is identified that handles call control for emergency communication from the endpoint if the Softswitch is unavailable. Emergency communication is initiated with the emergency server.