WiFi Hotspot Location Determination for Emergency Call Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining caller location, especially in emergency situations, are inadequate for mobile devices without GPS or cellular connectivity, leading to delayed and inappropriate emergency responses, particularly in mass transit scenarios where calls are routed to incorrect centers.
Innovation Solution
Mobile communication devices detect and report available WiFi hotspots, including their signal strengths, to provide location information to PSAPs, enabling automatic redirection of calls to appropriate emergency response centers and facilitating multi-party conferences between local and specialized responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS coordinates are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but the solution becomes inapplicable to devices without GPS functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses WiFi hotspots as an intermediary reference system to determine device location. Instead of relying directly on GPS hardware, the system detects available WiFi networks and uses their known geographic locations as mediator points to triangulate or identify the device's position, thereby achieving location determination on devices without GPS capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the GPS satellite-based positioning system with a terrestrial WiFi network-based positioning system. By replacing the space-based mechanical/GPS system with ground-based WiFi infrastructure, the solution enables location determination through detected WiFi hotspots rather than requiring GPS satellite signals.
2Ease of operation
If cell tower triangulation is used for location determination, then location can be obtained for cellular devices, but the precision is inadequate for emergency response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference parameters from cell tower locations to WiFi hotspot locations. WiFi hotspots are typically more densely distributed and have more precise known geographic coordinates compared to cell towers, thereby improving the precision of location determination while maintaining ease of operation through automatic detection.
3Loss of information
If automatic GPS reporting is implemented, then location information is readily available, but it fails when GPS signal is blocked by buildings or terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces WiFi hotspots as intermediary reference points that do not require direct line-of-sight signals like GPS. By using detected WiFi network identifiers and their associated location data as mediators, the system can determine position even when satellite signals are blocked by buildings or terrain features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite signal-based system with a WiFi ground-based signal system. WiFi signals operate at different frequencies and propagate differently, allowing them to penetrate and work in urban canyons and indoor environments where GPS signals are blocked, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of signal blockage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If WiFi hotspot detection is implemented, then location determination works without GPS or cellular connectivity, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal location determination system that can operate across multiple device types and connectivity scenarios. The same WiFi detection mechanism serves both devices with GPS and those without, and works whether cellular connectivity is available or not, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's existing WiFi radio and network stack to perform location determination. Rather than adding dedicated hardware, the solution leverages the WiFi components already present in most modern devices for other purposes, allowing the location function to serve itself using existing infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Location information associated with a wireless access point is used to assist with emergency call routing. Additionally, the location information can be used to assist with determining where an emergency call is physically originating from. This location information is one or more of enterable, detectable and/or populated with the assistance of a location determining device, such as a GPS, associated with the wireless network. The location information can also be dynamic to account for mobile wireless access points, such as a mobile access point provided on public transportation. The location information is also associatable with an outbound communication, such as an emergency communication, with this location information usable to route the communication to an appropriate entity(ies).