Location Information Server for Emergency Service Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication devices pose challenges in determining the accurate location of users for emergency services, as they can be used both locally and remotely, and distinguishing the primary user from multiple users is difficult, leading to potential errors in routing emergency calls.
Innovation Solution
A system employing confidence metrics such as local vs. remote usage and primary user determination, using a location information server that interacts with client devices to determine fine-grained location information, and employing algorithms like Link Layer Topology Discovery to verify the accuracy of location data, ensuring accurate routing of emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networked computers and wireless devices are used for communication, then communication capability and user accessibility are improved, but determining accurate location information for emergency services becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into multiple independent verification components: network location data, device GPS data, user directory information, and witness set verification. Each component provides a separate confidence metric, and the system combines these segmented measurements to achieve accurate location determination despite the mobility and multi-user nature of modern devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location information server as an intermediary that mediates between the mobile computing device and emergency services. This server collects location data from multiple sources, applies verification algorithms including witness set validation, and provides a single authoritative location determination. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by filtering and verifying location information before it reaches emergency services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-user computing environments are supported, then device versatility and collaboration are improved, but determining the primary user and accurate location becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the location information server continuously monitors and updates confidence metrics based on multiple data sources. The system uses directory service lookups to identify primary users, compares this with active session information, and adjusts location confidence accordingly. This feedback loop ensures reliable user identification in multi-user environments by constantly validating user-device associations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for user identification from simple device ownership to a composite set of parameters including directory service user profiles, active login sessions, local versus remote usage patterns, and temporal usage data. By changing these identification parameters, the system can reliably determine the primary user even in multi-user computing environments where multiple people may have access to the same device.
3Measurement precision
If location data is collected from multiple sources, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity and verification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing witness sets of trusted network devices at known locations before emergency calls are placed. These witness sets are configured in advance and stored in the location information server. When location verification is needed, the system simply compares the calling device's location claims against these pre-established witness locations, avoiding the need for complex real-time verification and reducing system complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Location of a communication network subscriber is determined employing confidence metrics such as remote vs. local computer usage, primary user in a multi-user computing environment, likelihood of forgery, and comparable ones. A fine-grained location determination is then made based on the metric results and directory information for the particular subscriber such that services like emergency services can be provided with accurate location information.