Remote Emergency Calling in Video Conferencing With Local PSAP Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote users experiencing emergency events during real-time communications are often unable to call for help, and bystanders are limited in their ability to dispatch emergency services effectively due to location discrepancies and communication service integration issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables another user in a real-time communication to initiate an emergency call on behalf of the remote user by determining the local public safety answering point (PSAP) based on the remote user's location and initiating the call through integrated communication software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote user experiences an emergency event during real-time communication, then the user can be connected to emergency services, but location discrepancies prevent effective dispatch of local emergency services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the bystander's device as an intermediary to bridge the location information gap. When a remote user experiences an emergency, the bystander's device captures their accurate local location data and transmits it to emergency services, replacing the insufficient location information from the remote user's device. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by ensuring accurate local location is provided without requiring the remote user to have precise location capabilities.
2Loss of time
If communication services are integrated to enable emergency calling, then emergency response time is reduced, but service integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality within the real-time communication application by integrating emergency calling capabilities directly into the existing communication infrastructure. The same application that enables video conferencing and messaging also provides emergency detection, location capture, and emergency service initiation. This universal approach reduces emergency response time without requiring separate dedicated emergency systems, thereby avoiding increased integration complexity.
3Productivity
If a bystander initiates an emergency call on behalf of a remote user, then local emergency services can be dispatched, but the remote user's autonomy and direct control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by obtaining the remote user's consent and authorization before the emergency event occurs. Users pre-configure their emergency preferences, selected bystanders, and permission levels during normal operation. When an emergency is detected, the pre-authorized bystander can immediately initiate the emergency call without requiring real-time consent, thus maintaining user autonomy while enabling rapid emergency response.
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency call is initiated on behalf of a remote user by another software user who determines that the remote software user is experiencing an emergency event. During a real-time communication, a remote emergency alert is received from a first client device associated with a first user. The remote emergency alert identifies a second user associated with a second client device while the first client device and the second client device are in communication via real-time communication software. Based on location information determined for the second client device responsive to the remote emergency alert, an emergency call is initiated with a public safety answering point local to the second client device for indicating an emergency event associated with the second user to the public safety answering point on behalf of the second user.