VoIP Device Location Tracking via SIP Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
VOIP-enabled devices lack the ability to determine and transmit their current geographic location during call initiation, which is crucial for emergency services, law enforcement, and billing purposes, as they can be moved without updating their associated location information.
Innovation Solution
A VOIP-enabled device with a receiver to obtain and transmit its geographic position data, using GPS or Wi-Fi technologies, via a signal including a unique identifier, either before or after call initiation, through an IP gateway using SIP messages, ensuring accurate location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VOIP-enabled devices allow free movement without location updates, then device mobility and flexibility are improved, but location accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location determination by obtaining geographic position data (via GPS, Wi-Fi, or other location services) before the VOIP session is initiated. This ensures that location information is captured at the actual physical location of the device, preventing location spoofing or stale data issues that would occur if location were updated only when devices moved. The location data is then included in the session initiation signal transmitted to the network.
2Measurement precision
If VOIP devices transmit location data with each call initiation, then location information accuracy is improved, but network signal transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location data is merged with the existing VOIP session initiation signal rather than being transmitted as a separate message. The geographic position information is embedded within the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling that already carries call setup information, allowing location data to be transmitted alongside unique device identifiers and call parameters in a single unified signal, thus avoiding additional transmission complexity.
3Loss of information
If location data is embedded in call signals, then location tracking capability is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary location determination component that acts as a mediator between the VOIP device and the network. This component automatically obtains location data from external sources (GPS receivers, Wi-Fi position services, or other location determination mechanisms) and integrates it into the call signaling process. The intermediary handles the complexity of location data acquisition and formatting, shielding the rest of the system from complex data processing requirements while ensuring complete location tracking capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time location determination and transmission of VOIP devices, facilitating emergency services, law enforcement, and accurate billing by integrating GPS or Wi-Fi location detection into VOIP systems, ensuring precise geographic data is recorded and accessible within IP and PSTN networks.
Implementation Method 1
using GPS or Wi-Fi technologies
Implementation Method 2
using GPS or Wi-Fi technologies
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)-enabled device having a unique identifier and including a receiver. The receiver is configured to receive data associated with a current geographic position of the VOIP-enabled device. The VOIP-enabled device is configured to transmit a signal including the unique identifier and the data associated with the position to a network each time a call is initiated. In other embodiments, a method includes determining a current position of a VOIP-enabled device associated with a unique identifier, and transmitting a signal including data associated with the current position to an IP gateway either before or after a call is initiated from the VOIP-enabled device.