VoIP Emergency Call Location Routing Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP telephony endpoints pose a challenge in providing accurate location data to PSAP dispatchers during emergency calls, as they can be mobile and their location is not precisely known, leading to potential delays in receiving aid.
Innovation Solution
The system includes logic in telephony endpoints and servers to determine and send accurate location data, using GPS coordinates or pre-configured labels like 'Jay-home', to route emergency calls to the appropriate PSAP, whether PIDF-Lo enabled or legacy i2, ensuring precise location information is used for emergency response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VoIP telephony endpoints are made mobile and nomadic to enable operation anywhere with Internet connection, then the ease of operation and versatility are improved, but the ability to provide accurate location data to PSAP dispatchers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining the location of the VoIP telephony endpoint before the emergency call is completed and routed to the PSAP. The location is determined using GPS coordinates or pre-configured location labels, and this location information is embedded in the PIDF-Lo object that is sent to the PSAP, ensuring accurate location data is available in advance for emergency response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the PIDF-Lo (Presence Information Data Format-Location Object) - that carries location information from the VoIP endpoint through the VoIP service provider to the PSAP dispatcher. This intermediary object resolves the contradiction by transporting accurate location data despite the mobile and nomadic nature of VoIP endpoints.
2Device complexity
If registered address is used for emergency calls, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of location data deteriorates when customer relocates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static registered address approach to a dynamic location determination approach. Instead of relying on a fixed registered address that becomes outdated when customers relocate, the system dynamically determines the current location of the VoIP endpoint using GPS coordinates or pre-configured location labels at the time of the emergency call, ensuring reliable and accurate location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for location identification from a static registered address to dynamic parameters such as GPS coordinates or pre-configured location labels. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to customer relocation while maintaining simplicity in the emergency call process.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for handling emergency calls via an emergency call routing system. A Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) emergency call server may be configured to receive a session initiation protocol (SIP) INVITE for an emergency call from a telephone number serviced by a telecommunication service provider (TSP) SIP call server. The SIP INVITE message header may include multiple location objects including a registered geo-coded address location object associated with the telephone number placing the emergency call, and a location object comprised of lat-long coordinates determined at the time the emergency call is placed. The emergency call server may determine whether the registered geo-coded address and the lat-long coordinates are within a specified distance of one another. When the registered geo-coded address and the lat-long coordinates are within a specified distance of one another, the emergency call server may use the geo-coded address as the location object when handling the emergency call. However, when the registered geo-coded address and the lat-long coordinates are not within a specified distance of one another, the emergency call server may use the lat-long coordinates as the location object when handling the emergency call.