VoIP 911 Proxy Call-Back Number Allocation for Non-DID Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP 911 calls from non-DID devices pose a challenge as they do not have an associated unique telephone number (TN), making it impossible for 911 operators to reconnect the call if it gets disconnected.
Innovation Solution
The system provides a call-back number for non-DID devices by pre-provisioning data, including unique identifiers and geolocations, which are used to allocate a temporary proxy call-back number. This number is displayed to the 911 operator, allowing them to reconnect the call if it drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a unique telephone number (TN) is assigned to each VoIP device for 911 calls, then the 911 operator can reconnect the call if it gets disconnected, but non-DID devices without associated TNs cannot receive call-backs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy call-back number as an intermediary element. When a non-DID device makes a 911 call, the system assigns a temporary proxy number to that call session. This proxy number serves as the mediator that allows the 911 operator to reconnect to the caller without requiring the caller's device to have a permanent unique telephone number. The proxy number is dynamically allocated and tied to the specific call session, enabling call-back capability for non-DID devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-provisioning a pool of available proxy call-back numbers before emergency calls occur. When a non-DID device initiates a 911 call, the system immediately allocates a proxy number from this pre-prepared pool and establishes the call-back routing path in advance. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the operator needs to reconnect, the infrastructure is already in place and ready for immediate use.
2Reliability
If a temporary proxy call-back number is assigned to non-DID devices, then call reconnect capability is enabled, but system complexity increases due to pre-provisioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the call-back number assignment process into distinct functional components: a provisioning system that manages the pool of proxy numbers, a control function that allocates numbers to specific call sessions, and a routing system that directs calls. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and simplifies the overall architecture by dividing the complex pre-provisioning and number assignment tasks into manageable functional blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of call-back numbers from static permanent assignments to dynamic temporary assignments. Instead of permanently assigning unique numbers to devices, the system dynamically allocates proxy numbers based on the current call session state. This parameter change from static to dynamic assignment reduces the complexity of long-term provisioning while enabling flexible, on-demand call-back capability for any calling device.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing a call-back number for emergency calls initiated from a non-DID device are provided. The methods include receiving a call from a public safety answering point (PSAP) at an application programming interface (API) associated with a carrier, wherein a PSAP operator calls a proxy call-back number on a PSAP screen that has been previously assigned to a non-DID device; requesting instructions at the API from a control function based on the proxy call-back number dialed by the PSAP operator; receiving information at the API related to the non-DID device from the control function based on pre-provisioned data associated with the proxy call-back number; and routing the call from the PSAP to the non-DID device through a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) switch.