VoIP Connector Location Database for Emergency Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VoIP phone systems in enterprise or campus environments face challenges in accurately providing location information to emergency responders during 911 calls, as traditional methods are prone to human error and GPS tracking is unreliable inside buildings, leading to potential mislocation of emergency callers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a VoIP data connector system that communicates with a location database via a VoIP phone server and LAN, allowing for accurate and reliable location identification of VoIP phones, even when moved, by assigning a persistent phone number and using nonvolatile memory to store location information, which is then transmitted to both campus security and public safety answering points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS tracking equipment is placed in the VoIP phone to provide location information, then location information can be transmitted with an emergency call, but GPS does not generally work inside buildings and would not provide floor information within a multi-story building
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses network infrastructure (network devices, ports, and an ALI database) as an intermediary to determine location. Instead of relying on GPS hardware in the phone, the system uses the network connection path as a mediator to identify location through the ALI database mapping of network device locations to physical addresses and building floors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location tracking system with a network-based information system. Instead of using physical GPS coordinates, the system substitutes a database lookup mechanism that maps network device identifiers to location information, eliminating the need for GPS hardware in indoor environments.
2Reliability
If network device location information is used to determine VoIP phone location, then location can be provided to emergency responders, but network devices are frequently upgraded or replaced and are kept in communication closets, making database maintenance prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic updating of location information through network protocols. When a VoIP phone connects to the network, the system automatically associates the phone with the current network device and port, and the ALI database is automatically updated without requiring manual intervention. This self-updating mechanism eliminates the human error associated with manual database maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where network connection events trigger database updates. When a VoIP phone connects or moves to a different network device, the system automatically detects this change and updates the ALI database accordingly, ensuring location information remains current without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If human entries are used to maintain ALI database information for enterprise phone systems, then location information can be provided to emergency responders, but human entries are subject to human error which can further frustrate efforts to locate emergency callers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human entry processes with automated network-based information gathering. The system automatically collects location data from network device identifiers, port information, and ALI database lookups, eliminating human transcription errors and ensuring accurate location information is always available in the database.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and techniques for identifying VoIP phone connector locations whereby an emergency call request can be specifically located on a VoIP phone network. This system addresses prior-art shortcomings in which the location information is attempted to be tracked with identification information stored in VoIP phones, or in which databases of location information are created relative to MAC addresses of component pieces of the VoIP phone network (such as the VoIP phones themselves, data switches, or LAN routers) in that the VoIP phone connectors are fixedly mounted in buildings and their locations can be more reliably fixed and maintained. Further described are methods for establishing databases of location and/or caller information associated with these VoIP phone connectors. Still further described are VoIP phone server embodiments that enable the location and/or caller information to be determined according to the associated VoIP phone connectors and for that information to be transmitted both to public safety access points and to campus security networks, and for emergency calls to be bridged both to public safety access points and to campus security networks.