IP Switch Emergency Location Mapping via Soft Switch Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a straightforward method to convey physical location information from IP networks to 911 emergency services, especially for IP telephony devices, due to dynamic IP address allocation and the absence of inherent geographic location information in IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
An IP phone registers with an IP switch that updates its IP address information, and associates a telephone number with an edge router port linked to a specific location, allowing the soft switch to route calls and provide location information to emergency services without modifying existing 911 database systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic IP address allocation is used in IP networks, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but the ability to determine physical location from IP address deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping system that associates IP addresses with physical location information through a database. When a 911 emergency call is received from an IP device, the system queries this database to retrieve the pre-registered location information corresponding to the caller's IP address, thereby resolving the contradiction between dynamic IP allocation and location determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary registration of IP devices with their physical location information before emergency calls occur. IP devices register their locations with the network operator, and this information is stored in advance in a database. When an emergency call is made, the location information is already available, eliminating the need for real-time location determination during the emergency situation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IP telephony devices are integrated into emergency services, then service coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the soft switch a universal device that handles both traditional circuit-switched calls and IP-based packet-switched calls, as well as emergency 911 calls from both landline and IP telephony devices. By consolidating multiple functions in the soft switch, the system expands service coverage without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft switch acts as an intermediary that translates between different network protocols and formats. It receives 911 calls from IP telephony devices, extracts the calling party information, queries the location database, and formats the output to match traditional 911 center expectations. This intermediary function allows IP devices to access emergency services without requiring complex modifications to the existing 911 infrastructure.
3Reliability
If location information is provided for IP-based 911 calls, then emergency response effectiveness is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Location information for IP devices is registered and stored in a database in advance, before emergency calls occur. The registration process captures the IP address and associated physical location information, creating a pre-computed mapping that can be quickly retrieved during emergencies without requiring complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the soft switch queries the location database using the calling party's IP address and receives the corresponding location information in response. This automated feedback mechanism ensures accurate location data is provided to the 911 center without manual intervention, improving emergency response effectiveness while keeping the information processing automated and standardized.
Data Source
AI summary
For purposes of servicing emergency calls, such as 911 calls, a telephone number is associated with each edge router port used to provide IP service to a customer premise location. A telephone number is associated with the edge router port and the corresponding customer location. The telephone number and location information are stored in a database used for providing emergency calling party location information. When a switch used for routing IP calls detects a telephone call to an emergency call center it determines the edge router port from which the call was placed and the telephone number associated with the port for emergency call purposes. The call is then forwarded to the emergency call service center with the determined telephone number being supplied as the calling party number. Performing a lookup operation using the supplied telephone number the emergency service operator determines the location from which the call was placed.