VoIP Emergency Location Detection via GPS and Cellular

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Solution Overview

Problem

VoIP telephony systems face challenges in reliably determining the location of users when they dial emergency numbers, as they can be used from various locations, leading to inaccurate dispatch of emergency services without the user's current location being transmitted.

Innovation Solution

Integration of GPS or cellular technology into VoIP systems to determine the current location of the phone and transmit this information to the Emergency Services 911 Call Center, ensuring accurate location identification and dispatch, even when the user is not at their registered address.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a database of user names and addresses is maintained for VoIP service, then user identification is improved, but location accuracy deteriorates when users travel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser identification informationVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary location detection using GPS or cellular technology to obtain the user's current location before an emergency call is placed. This pre-acquired location information is then transmitted to the emergency services center, ensuring accurate location identification even when the user is traveling away from their registered address.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If VoIP service is used from various locations, then user mobility is improved, but emergency service dispatch reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidemergency service dispatch reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces GPS and cellular technology as intermediary systems to bridge the gap between mobile VoIP usage and reliable emergency service dispatch. These intermediary location detection systems provide a trusted source of location information that is independent of the VoIP service's registered address, thereby maintaining dispatch reliability while preserving user mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If user location is not transmitted accurately, then system simplicity is maintained, but emergency response effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidemergency response effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates multi-functional capability by integrating both VoIP communication functionality and emergency service location detection functionality into a single system. The GPS or cellular location detection component serves dual purposes: it supports the VoIP service's mobility requirement and simultaneously provides accurate location information for emergency response, thereby improving emergency response effectiveness without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8515386B2Emergency services for voice over IP telephony (E-VoIP)

Publication Date: 2013.08.20 E-BEACON LLC

AI summary

A method for determining the physical location of a VoIP phone and transmitting the physical location to an emergency services call center or the like comprises the steps of determining the physical location of the VoIP phone using multiple location detection technologies, placing a call to an emergency services call center using the VoIP phone, and automatically transmitting the physical location of the VoIP phone to the emergency services call center.