Emergency SMS Routing Platform for Hearing-Impaired 911 Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 911 emergency call systems for the hearing-impaired are inadequate, as they require bulky TTY devices and lack essential features like location information, and existing IP-capable PSAPs only support SMS through limited 5-digit short codes.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication network system that includes an emergency message handling platform, capable of converting SMS text messages to TTY format for legacy PSAPs and routing them to the nearest PSAP, while also providing location information using a location platform server, allowing seamless communication between mobile stations and emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If TTY devices are used for emergency calls by hearing-impaired users, then communication capability is provided, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate due to bulky form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the TTY communication functionality with a mobile phone by integrating a text messaging application that can send emergency texts to PSAPs. This merging eliminates the need for separate bulky TTY devices while maintaining emergency communication capability for hearing-impaired users.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile phone is designed to perform multiple functions including regular voice calls, text messaging, and emergency emergency communication with PSAPs. The text messaging application serves both general communication purposes and specific emergency services, providing universal access for all users including hearing-impaired individuals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 5-digit SMS short codes are used for text-based 911 communication, then IP-capable PSAP access is enabled, but location information and important features are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an emergency message handling platform that acts as an intermediary between the mobile phone and PSAPs. This platform receives detailed emergency messages including location information from the mobile phone, processes them, and forwards appropriate information to the PSAP, thereby preserving critical data that would otherwise be lost with simple 5-digit short codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically obtains and includes location information in the emergency message before it is sent to the PSAP. The mobile phone or network determines the user's location and pre-attaches this information to the emergency text message, ensuring that location data is already prepared and included when the emergency service receives the message.
3Ease of operation
If voice calls are used for 911 emergencies, then direct communication is achieved, but delays from network congestion and dropped calls increase response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the voice call mechanism with a text messaging mechanism for emergency communication. Text messages use different network protocols and channels that are more reliable and less susceptible to congestion and dropping than voice calls, thereby reducing delays and improving response time while maintaining direct communication capability.
4Ease of operation
If TTY devices are required for hearing-impaired emergency calls, then text communication is enabled, but device complexity and quantity required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TTY functionality into the mobile phone by implementing a text messaging application that can communicate with PSAPs. This integration eliminates the need for users to carry separate TTY devices, reducing the total number of devices required while maintaining text communication capability for hearing-impaired users.
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency message handling system manages emergency SMS text messages sent by mobile stations. The system also includes an emergency handling platform comprising an SMS gateway server, an SMS application server, and an SMS-To TTY message converter. In response to an emergency SMS text message received via a mobile communication network, the emergency handling platform determines the location of the mobile station and identifies the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) assigned to cover the location of the mobile station. If the PSAP assigned is only TTY compatible, the text message is converted to TTY. A TTY selective router is configured to deliver each of converted emergency SMS text message in TTY format to the TTY messaging system of the TTY PSAP. However, if the PSAP assigned is IP network compatible, then the text message is delivered directly to the IP compatible PSAP without any TTY conversions.