Proxy Device Emergency Call Routing via Proximity

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Solution Overview

Problem

VoIP technology poses challenges in accurately determining the geographical location of emergency calls, leading to potential misrouting or disconnection of emergency calls, especially with mobile devices and consumer-grade services that lack reliable location identification.

Innovation Solution

An initiating device pairs with a proximate proxy device, such as a smartphone, to initiate an emergency call through the proxy device when VoIP-based emergency calls are blocked or unfeasible, using a discovery signal to determine proximity and direct the proxy device to place the call, ensuring accurate location-based emergency service dispatch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If VoIP-based emergency calling is implemented on mobile devices, then emergency calling accessibility is improved, but location accuracy and call routing reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency calling accessibilityVSAvoidcall routing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy device as an intermediary between the initiating device and the PSAP. The proxy device receives the emergency call request from the initiating device, determines its own accurate geographical location, and places the call to the appropriate PSAP. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling VoIP emergency calling accessibility while ensuring reliable routing through the proxy device's location capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If location information is derived from GPS or cell-tower triangulation, then location coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation coverageVSAvoidlocation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent requires the proxy device to have its geographical location pre-determined and associated with its identity before emergency calling is needed. This preliminary action ensures that when an emergency call is initiated, the PSAP receives accurate location information immediately, resolving the contradiction between broad coverage and precise location determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3607762B1Proximity detection of mobile devices for emergency calling

Publication Date: 2023.09.20 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

A system and method for placing an emergency call using a initiating device. A initiating device receives a request to place an emergency call. Upon determining that a VoIP-based emergency call cannot be placed, the initiating device identifies a proximate proxy device. The initiating device directs the proxy device to place the emergency call.