Temporary Wireless Directory Number for Disaster Recovery Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In disaster situations, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, network elements necessary for routing calls to mobile terminals using mobile directory numbers (MDN) or temporary long distance numbers (TLDN) may be damaged, impairing communication services by preventing incoming calls to roaming mobile subscribers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that involves assigning a temporary wireless directory number (TDN) to mobile terminals, managed by an Emergency Call Register (ECR) network and a Disaster Recovery Call Center (DRCC), to authorize and provide emergency communication services, even when the normal network is impaired, by updating the number portability database and routing calls through a functioning network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If calls are routed through the primary network using MDN or TLDN, then normal communication services are provided, but communication services are impaired when network elements are damaged in disaster situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication service reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork routing adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Disaster Recovery Call Center (DRCC) as an intermediary system that mediates between the damaged primary network and mobile terminals. The DRCC receives authorization to provide emergency services and manages temporary directory numbers, acting as a bridge that enables call routing when the primary network path is unavailable due to disaster damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the routing parameter by replacing the damaged network path (MDN/TLDN routing through home system) with an alternative path using temporary directory numbers routed through the DRCC. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to disaster conditions by modifying the call routing parameters rather than attempting to restore the original routing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a temporary directory number is assigned and routed through a disaster recovery call center, then emergency communication services can be provided when the primary network is damaged, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency communication availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional components: the Disaster Recovery Call Center (DRCC) that manages authorization and temporary directory numbers, the Emergency Call Register (ECR) network that handles call routing, and the mobile terminals. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity through functional decomposition while ensuring emergency services can be provided through the alternative path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7706773B2System and method for managing communication services provided to a mobile terminal using a temporary wireless directory number

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 WSOU INVESTMENTS LLC

AI summary

A system and method are provided for managing emergency services received by a mobile terminal having a temporary wireless directory number (TDN). The system includes an emergency call register (ECR) network and a disaster recovery call center (DRCC). The DRCC authorizes the mobile terminal to receive emergency services and provides service information for managing the emergency services to the ECR network if the mobile terminal is authorized to receive the emergency services.