Wi-Fi Location Code Generation for Emergency 911 Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in accurately determining and reporting their location during emergency 9-1-1 calls over cellular networks, especially when using Wi-Fi Calling, as the location is not static and can change frequently, and existing methods may not provide reliable or cost-effective solutions for location determination.
Innovation Solution
A system where mobile devices connected to a Wi-Fi network generate a cryptographic hash of WLAN configuration parameters to create a unique location code, which is used to determine and update the user's location in a telecommunications provider's database, allowing for efficient and privacy-protected location reporting to emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mobile devices use cellular network triangulation to determine location, then location can be determined, but the accuracy and reliability are insufficient for emergency services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces WLAN access points as intermediary reference points for location determination. Instead of relying solely on cellular triangulation, the system uses the device's connection to specific WLAN access points as an intermediary mechanism to derive location information, thereby improving both accuracy and reliability of emergency service location reporting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile device's location determination system multi-functional by enabling it to operate through multiple networks simultaneously - both cellular network triangulation and WLAN-based location identification. This universal approach allows the device to leverage whichever network provides better location determination for emergency services
2Measurement precision
If mobile devices continuously store and report detailed location information, then location accuracy improves, but device storage requirements and privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential location identification data needed for emergency services - specifically the WLAN access point identifier and basic connection parameters - rather than storing and transmitting comprehensive location information. This extraction approach maintains location accuracy while minimizing device storage requirements and privacy exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses transient, minimal location data representations that are generated on-demand for emergency calls rather than persistent detailed location records. The location information is treated as a temporary, disposable data element sufficient for emergency routing purposes, reducing long-term storage complexity
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices switch to WLAN for voice communications, then service quality and cost improve, but location determination for emergency calls becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary location identification by having the mobile device report its connected WLAN access point identifier to the network operator before the emergency call is routed. This advance action ensures location information is already determined and available when the emergency call is initiated over WLAN, eliminating the difficulty of real-time location detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cellular triangulation-based location determination system with an information-based WLAN identification system. Instead of relying on signal strength measurements and geometric triangulation, the system substitutes a simpler identification mechanism where the device reports its logical connection to a known WLAN access point, making location determination easier over WLAN
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile phone or other mobile device is configured to compute a location code based on Wi-Fi or other wireless networking configuration parameters. The location code is computed as a cryptographic hash of the configuration parameters and is provided to a telecommunications system that supports Wi-Fi or other WLAN voice services. The telecommunications system maintains one or more location tables, each of which indicates multiple location codes and corresponding street addresses. When processing an emergency 9-1-1 call to an emergency response service, the system looks up the street address of the calling mobile device based on the most recently provided location code, and provides the street address to the emergency response service.