Special Number Call Routing via Location Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunication systems face challenges in accurately routing special number calls, such as emergency service calls, to the correct answering points based on the caller's geographic location, often resulting in calls being routed to multiple points due to initial location inaccuracies, which can lead to delayed response and potential loss of information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that concurrently routes special number calls from a calling unit to multiple answering points with overlapping geographic responsibility areas, utilizing a communication network, mobile positioning centers, and controller units to ensure accurate routing based on progressively refined location determinations, reducing the number of receiving points as location accuracy improves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If calls are routed to multiple answering points due to location inaccuracies, then the risk of call loss is reduced, but response time increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location determination at the time of call receipt and routes calls to multiple answering points based on this initial location data. This preliminary action ensures that even before location accuracy improves, the call is already distributed to appropriate PSAPs, preventing call loss while managing response time expectations.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing decision is made dynamic based on the accuracy level of location determination. When location accuracy is insufficient, the system dynamically routes to multiple PSAPs; when accuracy improves, the routing is adjusted to a single PSAP. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both reliability and response time based on real-time location quality.
2Measurement precision
If location determination accuracy is low, then more answering points may be needed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the routing parameter from a fixed single-PSAP assignment to a variable multi-PSAP assignment based on location accuracy parameters. When location accuracy is below a threshold, the system changes the routing behavior to include multiple PSAPs; when accuracy exceeds the threshold, it changes to single PSAP routing. This parameter-based adaptation manages system complexity by only activating complex routing when necessary.
3Speed
If calls are routed to the nearest answering point regardless of geographic responsibility, then response speed improves, but geographic accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by routing to multiple PSAPs whose geographic areas overlap with the determined location area, rather than requiring complete geographic match. This partial approach ensures that at least one PSAP receives the call quickly (improving speed) while still maintaining geographic relevance (preserving accuracy). The excessive action of routing to multiple PSAPs ensures coverage even when location boundaries are ambiguous.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for routing a special number call from a calling unit to an answering point based upon location of the calling unit includes: (a) a communication network configured for effecting communicative coupling between the calling unit and one or more receiving answering point; each receiving answering point having a respective responsibility area; (b) a mobile positioning center coupled with the communication network; the mobile positioning center determining the location of the calling unit within a first location area; (c) a communication switch coupled with the communication network and coupled with the answering point; and (d) a controller unit coupled with the communication switch for controlling selected operations of the communication switch. The mobile positioning center and the controller unit cooperate to effect routing a call from the calling unit to each respective answering point having a respective responsibility area at least partly common with the first location area.