VoIP Emergency Call Routing via Location Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of VoIP emergency calling systems with existing emergency services networks is challenging due to incompatibility with legacy systems, particularly when 'I3 PSAP' services are unavailable or not deployed across all areas, including international services.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing emergency services requests that involve receiving and translating location information into Emergency Response Locations (ERL) to facilitate routing to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) using a network device with an emergency services routing agent, enabling compatibility with both legacy and evolving emergency networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If VoIP emergency calls use I3 PSAP format with explicit location information, then location accuracy is improved, but compatibility with legacy emergency networks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An Emergency Services Routing Agent (ESRA) is introduced as an intermediary component that receives emergency calls from VoIP systems, translates the modern I3 location information format into legacy ANI/ALI formats, and routes calls to appropriate PSAPs. This mediator enables compatibility between new VoIP systems with precise location capabilities and legacy emergency networks that rely on traditional numbering systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the format of location information parameters based on the destination PSAP capabilities. When routing to legacy PSAPs, location data is transformed from I3 PIDF-LO format with coordinate precision into ANI format with area code and exchange information. This parameter transformation maintains location accuracy while ensuring compatibility with different network generations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy ANI/ALI systems are used for location identification, then compatibility with existing networks is maintained, but location precision and dynamic tracking capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a new dimension to location information by maintaining both traditional ANI/ALI format data and modern I3 coordinate-based location data simultaneously. The ESRA can select which dimension to use based on the PSAP's capabilities, enabling legacy systems to benefit from enhanced location precision when available while maintaining backward compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Location information in I3 format is obtained and stored in advance during VoIP device registration, before emergency calls are placed. This preliminary acquisition of precise location data ensures that when an emergency call occurs, the system already has accurate location information ready for translation and transmission, eliminating the need for real-time location determination during critical emergency situations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If emergency services routing translates location formats in real-time, then adaptability to different PSAPs is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ESRA pre-configures translation rules and routing mappings between different location formats (I3 PIDF-LO, ANI, ALI) during system initialization or PSAP registration. When an emergency call arrives, the routing decision and format translation are executed based on pre-computed routing tables, significantly reducing real-time processing delays while maintaining adaptability to multiple PSAP formats.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a technique for integrating emergency calling for VoIP users with legacy emergency services to facilitate adapting to the evolving emergency services network and the services that are available in a given location. Generic location information provided by (or determined for) VoIP emergency callers, typically in civic or geodetic formats, is translated into Emergency Response Locations (ERLs) defining an area, such as an area within an enterprise premises, in which the caller is located. The translated location information is conveyed to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with the emergency call in for form of the ANI (Automatic Number Identification) or calling line identification number. An appropriate route/gateway is then selected to be used to reach the PSAP appropriate for the caller's location, and an emergency call notification to the appropriate local emergency response personnel is generated within the enterprise based on the caller's location.