Network Capability Indication for Special Number Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often unaware of the 9-1-1 capabilities of their communication network, particularly in areas where GPS-enabled devices are not available, leading to inaccurate location determination and potential difficulties in routing emergency calls effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method to provide users with an indication of network capabilities for special number calls by determining location and routing information for a simulated call, assessing network capabilities, and notifying the user through various means before an actual call is made.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network provides 9-1-1 service to mobile devices without GPS capability, then location determination becomes more challenging and less accurate, but the network must still fulfill its duty to provide emergency services
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by determining location information and assessing network capabilities before an actual 9-1-1 call is placed. The system proactively identifies whether the mobile device has GPS capability and pre-determines the appropriate PSAP routing, so that when a call does occur, the location information and routing decisions are already in place, reducing the burden on real-time location determination accuracy.
2Loss of information
If the network determines location information and assesses capabilities for every mobile device, then users are informed of network limitations, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs self-assessment by automatically determining location information and evaluating its own capabilities for each mobile device without requiring user input or manual configuration. The system autonomously identifies GPS capability status, determines appropriate PSAP routing, and generates capability indications, thereby reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining comprehensive information awareness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses cell ID and triangulation to determine mobile device location, then location information can be obtained without GPS, but the location accuracy is reduced compared to GPS-enabled devices
Solution Approach 1:
The network dynamically changes the parameter used for location determination based on device capabilities. For GPS-enabled devices, the system uses GPS coordinates to achieve high accuracy. For non-GPS devices, the system switches to cell ID and triangulation methods, accepting reduced accuracy in exchange for maintaining service availability. This adaptive parameter selection allows the network to optimize between accuracy and versatility based on individual device characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Networks and methods are disclosed for providing an indication of the capability of a communication network for serving special number calls. Before a user places a special number call, the communication network determines the capability of the communication network for serving a special number call, and provides the indication of the network capability to the user. The user is thus kept aware of the quality of the special number service available to them through the communication network.