VoIP E911 MSAG Validation via Coordinate Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional E911 systems for VoIP devices face challenges in automatically delivering location information to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), particularly due to the lack of MSAG-validated addresses for VoIP users, which are necessary for accurate emergency response, especially in mobile VoIP scenarios where latitude/longitude coordinates are used instead of street addresses.
Innovation Solution
An overlay list of MSAG-valid addresses is created, with polygons covering the nation, each with a center point and associated street address, allowing VoIP systems to map latitude/longitude coordinates to corresponding MSAG-valid addresses for delivery to PSAPs, enabling both latitude/longitude and street address-based location information to be provided.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If latitude/longitude coordinates are used for mobile VoIP location, then adaptability to mobile devices is improved, but compatibility with legacy PSAP systems requiring MSAG-validated addresses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location information server (LIS) that acts as an intermediary between the VoIP device and the PSAP. The LIS receives latitude/longitude coordinates from the mobile VoIP device, queries the MSAG database to find the corresponding validated street address, and delivers the MSAG-validated address to the PSAP. This mediator resolves the incompatibility between modern coordinate-based location and legacy address-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the location data format by converting latitude/longitude coordinates into MSAG-validated street addresses. The location information server changes the parameter representation from numerical coordinates to standardized address strings that the PSAP database can process, maintaining compatibility with legacy systems while supporting mobile devices.
2Reliability
If MSAG-validated street addresses are required for all E911 calls, then reliability of PSAP database lookup is improved, but ease of operation for mobile VoIP users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically generating and validating the street address through the location information server. Instead of requiring the user to manually input or obtain an MSAG-validated address, the system autonomously queries the MSAG database using the device's coordinates and retrieves the validated address, making the process transparent and easy for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The MSAG validation is performed in advance as part of the E911 call setup process. The location information server pre-queries the MSAG database to obtain the validated address before the call is routed to the PSAP, ensuring that the reliable validated address is ready when needed without requiring manual user action at the moment of emergency.
3Ease of operation
If conventional PSAP architectures using street addresses are maintained, then ease of operation for existing systems is improved, but adaptability to modern mobile location technologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The location information server provides universal functionality by supporting both traditional street address-based location and modern coordinate-based location through a single system. It can process requests from wireline devices with fixed addresses and mobile devices with dynamic coordinates, converting both formats into MSAG-validated addresses that work with legacy PSAP systems, thus making the system universally compatible.
Data Source
AI summary
An overlay list of MSAG-valid addresses is created for use in lieu of (or in addition to) the lat/Ion or postal address which otherwise would go with an E911 VoIP 911 call. This overlays the nation with a series of MSAG-addressed polygons, with center points identified in those polygons, and MSAG-valid addresses provided to the PSAPs for those centers, preferably along with the original latitude/longitude coordinates.