U.S. patent application number 09/499773 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for telecommunication system and method for handling special number calls having geographic sensitivity.
Invention is credited to Antonucci, James T, Barnier, Brian Glen, Ciesla, Lawrence W, Kroupa, Douglas Craig, Sherry, Robert Allen, Ziemann, Donald Robert.
Application Number | 20020067803 09/499773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23986644 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020067803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Antonucci, James T ; et
al. |
June 6, 2002 |
TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING SPECIAL NUMBER
CALLS HAVING GEOGRAPHIC SENSITIVITY
Abstract
A system for handling special number calls in a
telecommunication network. The network includes an array of
switches, junctions, communication channels, customer-operated
communication devices and telecommunication service providing
stations connected to facilitate communication among a plurality of
stations using a plurality of communication milieux. The system
comprises: (a) at least one special number call processing center
connected with the network; (b) at least one special number
answering station connected with the special number call processing
center; and (c) at least one special number action station
connected with the special number answering station. The special
number action station is configured for selective connection with a
plurality of action agencies. Selected of the telecommunication
service providing stations are connected with at least one of the
at least one special number processing center. The method of the
present invention comprises the steps of: (a) routing the special
number call via the network to at least one special number call
processing center connected with the network; (b) evaluating
geographic information indicating locus of the caller received with
the call to ascertain at least one special number call answering
station geographically proximate with, or otherwise appropriate
for, the caller locus; (c) routing the call to at least one special
number answering station; (d) evaluating service required by the
caller; (e) selecting at least one special number action agency
appropriate for providing the service required; and (f) alerting
the selected special number action agency regarding the service
required.
Inventors: |
Antonucci, James T;
(Wheaton, IL) ; Barnier, Brian Glen; (Naperville,
IL) ; Ciesla, Lawrence W; (Yorkville, IL) ;
Kroupa, Douglas Craig; (Lisle, IL) ; Sherry, Robert
Allen; (Aurora, IL) ; Ziemann, Donald Robert;
(Montgomery, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald D Mondul
6631 Lovington Drive
Dallas
TX
75252-2519
US
|
Family ID: |
23986644 |
Appl. No.: |
09/499773 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/45 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network, said telecommunication
network including a plurality of switching junctions connected by a
network of a plurality of communication channels, a plurality of
telecommunication service providing stations connected into said
network at at least one of said switching junctions and said
plurality of communication channels for effecting a plurality of
various telecommunication milieux; selected telecommunication
service providing stations of said plurality of telecommunication
service providing stations serving a plurality of customer-operated
communication devices using selected telecommunication milieux of
said plurality of various telecommunication milieux; the routing
system comprising: (a) at least one special number action station;
said at least one special number action station configured for
selective connection with a plurality of action agencies; (b) at
least one special number answering station; said at least one
special number answering station being connected with at least one
of said at least one special number action station; and (c) at
least one special number call processing center; said at least one
special number call processing center being connected with at least
one of said at least one special number answering station; at least
one special number call processing center of said at least one
special number call processing center being connected with said
telecommunication network.
2. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 1
wherein said at least one special number call processing center
includes network managing means for receiving location-indicating
information with a special number call from a respective
telecommunication service providing station of said plurality of
telecommunication service providing stations via said
telecommunication network, said location-indicating information
indicating a locus relating to a customer-operated communication
device of said plurality of customer-operated communication devices
that originated said special number call; said network managing
means employing said location-indicating information for
automatically routing said special number call to an appropriate
action agency of said plurality of action agencies according to
predetermined location-related connection criteria.
3. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 1
or 2 wherein said plurality of various telecommunication milieux
includes Internet communications.
4. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 1
or 2 wherein said plurality of various telecommunication milieux
includes wireless communications.
5. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 1
or 2 wherein selected special number call processing centers of
said at least one special number call processing center are
connected with a plurality of special number answering stations of
said at least one special number answering station.
6. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 2,
3 or 4 wherein selected special number call processing centers of
said at least one special number call processing center are
connected with more than one of said plurality of telecommunication
service providing stations.
7. A telecommunication system configured for handling special
number calls in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 6
wherein selected special number call processing centers of said at
least one special number call processing center are connected with
a plurality of special number answering stations of said at least
one special number answering station.
8. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network; said telecommunication network
including an array of switches, junctions, communication channels,
customer-operated communication devices and telecommunication
service providing stations connected to facilitate electronic
communication among a plurality of stations using a plurality of
communication milieux; the telecommunication system comprising: (a)
at least one emergency service call processing center connected
with said telecommunication network; (b) at least one emergency
service answering station connected with said at least one
emergency service call processing center; and (c) at least one
emergency service action station connected with said at least one
emergency service answering station; said at least one emergency
service action station being configured for selective connection
with a plurality of action agencies.
9. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 8 wherein said
at least one emergency service call processing center includes
network managing means for receiving location-indicating
information with an emergency service call from respective of said
telecommunication service providing stations via said
telecommunication network, said location-indicating information
indicating a locus relating to a respective of said
customer-operated communication devices that originated said
emergency service call; said network managing means employing said
location-indicating information for automatically routing said
emergency service call to an appropriate action agency of said
plurality of action agencies according to predetermined
location-related connection criteria.
10. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein
said plurality of various telecommunication milieux includes
Internet communications.
11. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein
said plurality of various telecommunication milieux includes
wireless communications.
12. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 8 or 9 wherein
selected emergency service call processing centers of said at least
one emergency service call processing center are connected with a
plurality of emergency service answering stations of said at least
one emergency service answering station.
13. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 9, 10 or 11
wherein selected emergency service call processing centers of said
at least one emergency service call processing center are connected
with more than one of said plurality of telecommunication service
providing stations.
14. A telecommunication system for handling emergency service calls
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 13 wherein
selected emergency service call processing centers of said at least
one emergency service call processing center are connected with a
plurality of emergency service answering stations of said at least
one emergency service answering station.
15. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network; said telecommunication network
including an array of switches, junctions, communication channels,
customer-operated communication devices and telecommunication
service providing stations connected to facilitate electronic
communication among a plurality of stations using a plurality of
communication milieux; the telecommunication system comprising: (a)
at least one special number call processing center connected with
said telecommunication network; (b) at least one special number
answering station connected with said at least one special number
call processing center; and (c) at least one special number action
station connected with said at least one special number answering
station; said at least one special number action station being
configured for selective connection with a plurality of action
agencies.
16. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in claim 15 wherein said at
least one special number call processing center includes network
managing means for receiving location-indicating information with a
special number call from respective of said telecommunication
service providing stations via said telecommunication network, said
location-indicating information indicating a locus relating to a
respective of said customer-operated communication devices that
originated said special number call; said network managing means
employing said location-indicating information for automatically
routing said special number call to an appropriate action agency of
said plurality of action agencies according to predetermined
location-related connection criteria.
17. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in claim 15 or 16 wherein
said plurality of various telecommunication milieux includes
Internet communications.
18. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in claim 15 or 16 wherein
said plurality of various telecommunication milieux includes
wireless communications.
19. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in claim 15 or 16 wherein
selected emergency service call processing centers of said at least
one emergency service call processing center are connected with a
plurality of emergency service answering stations of said at least
one emergency service answering station.
20. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in claim 16, 17 or 18
wherein selected emergency service call processing centers of said
at least one emergency service call processing center are connected
with more than one of said plurality of telecommunication service
providing stations.
21. A telecommunication system for handling special number calls in
a telecommunication network as recited in 20 wherein selected
special number call processing centers of said at least one special
number call processing center are connected with a plurality of
special number answering stations of said at least one special
number answering station.
22. A method for handling an special number call placed by a caller
in a telecommunication network; said telecommunication network
including an array of switches, junctions, communication channels,
customer-operated communication devices and telecommunication
service providing stations connected to facilitate electronic
communication among a plurality of stations using a plurality of
communication milieux; the method comprising the steps of: (a)
routing said special number call via said telecommunication network
to at least one special number call processing center connected
with said telecommunication network; (b) evaluating geographic
information indicating locus of said caller received with said
special number call to ascertain at least one special number call
answering station geographically proximate with said caller locus;
(c) routing said special number call to at least one of said at
least one said special number answering station; (d) evaluating
service required by said caller; (e) selecting at least one special
number action agency appropriate for providing said service
required; and (f) alerting said selected at least one special
number action agency regarding said service required.
23. A method for handling an special number call placed by a caller
in a telecommunication network as recited in claim 22 wherein the
method comprises the further step of: (g) routing said special
number call to said at least one special number action agency.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to telecommunication
systems, and especially to telecommunication systems having
geographic sensitivity for automatic call connection with receiving
stations. The present invention is especially well configured for
telecommunication systems dealing with special number
telecommunication systems, such as abbreviated number emergency
services notification and dispatch operation telecommunication
systems. Such emergency services notification and dispatch systems
are commonly known as 9-1-1 systems in the United States.
[0002] The present invention includes a system and method for
enabling any abbreviated number (or other special number)
geographically based routing in a manner that is cost effectively
applicable to hybrid private/public telecommunication networks such
as are found in today's market. Thus, the present invention is
advantageous for use by a public telephone service provider (such
as an incumbent local exchange company--ILEC), a competitive local
exchange carrier (CLEC), an Internet service provider (ISP), a
wireless service provider (WSP), a large enterprise customer using
a private exchange such as a private branch exchange (PBX), a
wireless traffic aggregator/reseller switching between various
backbone providers, a satellite telephone service provider or any
other telephone service provider that may have users, or customers,
employing their service to access a special number service seeking
assistance from a geographically proximate locus.
[0003] Telecommunication systems sensitive to geographic aspects
have been proposed. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,267 to Riskin for
"Telephone System for Connecting a Customer With a Supplier",
issued Jul. 12, 1988, a system is disclosed which contemplates
using geographic information gleaned from a caller's telephone
number for use with a V-H (vertical-horizontal) data base for
ascertaining which site to connect with the caller to ensure
geographic proximity between the dealer at the selected site and
the caller. The Riskin system depended upon entry of the telephone
number information using DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency)
signaling. If a customer entered his phone number using a dial
phone, Riskin provided for connecting the caller with a human
operator so that the human operator could enter the telephone
number information using a DTMF entry device. The V-H data base
disclosed by Riskin for use with his system was a complex
transformation of latitude and longitude which was used by long
distance telephone companies to compute the distance between a
caller and a called party in order to assess the charge for a long
distance call. Riskin used the V-H coordinate system to refer a
caller to a dealer that was determined to be geographically closest
to the caller. Riskin also disclosed using the DTMF phone number
information to connect a caller with a dealer on a territorial
basis to effect "gift routing". According to Riskin's disclosure, a
dealer may be connected with a caller based upon the dealer's
proximity to an intended gift recipient who was identified by DTMF
phone number information relating to the intended recipient.
[0004] Riskin's invention provides only a coarse location based
upon the caller's telephone number in the format: "NPA-NNX". In
that format, "NPA" refers to "Number Plan Area", commonly known as
Area Code. "NNX", the next finer number indicator within an Area
Code, refers to a Central Office of the phone service provider. As
a result, Riskin's invention provides location only to the detail
of an area served by a respective Central Office of a service
provider. Such an area can often be a very large geographic
expanse. Locating a dense population of service locations regarding
proximity to a caller is problematic when the location indicator is
coarsely defined, as is the case with Riskin's system.
[0005] Emergency services notification and dispatch operations,
commonly known in the United States as 9-1-1 Service, has its
genesis in a 1957 recommendation by the National Association of
Fire Chiefs for a single number for reporting fires. In 1967, the
President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of
Justice recommended that a single number should be established
nationwide for reporting emergency situations. The use of different
telephone numbers for different types of emergencies was considered
to be contrary to the purpose of using a single, universal
emergency notification number. Other federal agencies and several
government officials supported and encouraged the recommendation.
The President's Commission on Civil Disorders charged the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) with finding a solution. In
November 1967, the FCC met with the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company (AT&T) to establish a universal number that
could be implemented quickly. In 1968, AT&T announced the
establishment of the number 9-1-1 as the emergency notification
number nationwide. The 9-1-1 code was chosen because it was
considered to be brief, easily remembered, and could be dialed
quickly. It was also a unique number that had never been employed
as an office code, area code or service code, and it met long range
numbering plans and switching configurations of the
telecommunication industry. The 9-1-1 number met the requirements
of all parties, in government and in private industry.
[0006] Congress supported the AT&T plan and passed legislation
allowing use of only the numbers 9-1-1 when creating an emergency
calling service. The 9-1-1 number was thus established as a
nationwide standard emergency number. The first 9-1-1 call in the
United States was completed by Senator Rankin Fite in Haleyville,
Ala., using the Alabama Telephone Company. Nome, Ak. Implemented
9-1-1 service in February 1968.
[0007] In 1973, The White House Office of Telecommunication issued
a policy statement recognizing the benefits of 9-1-1, encouraging
the nationwide adoption of 9-1-1, and establishing a Federal
Information Center to assist governmental units in planning and
implementing 9-1-1 service.
[0008] A basic 9-1-1 System provides for programming with special
9-1-1 software a telephone company end office (also known as a
"central office" or a "Class 5 office") to route all 9-1-1 calls to
a single destination. The single destination was termed a Public
Safety Answering Point (PSAP). In such an arrangement, all
telephones served by the central office would have their 9-1-1
calls completed to the PSAP. However, the areas served by
respective telephone company central offices do not line up with
the political jurisdictions that determine the boundaries for which
PSAP may be responsible. That is, a municipal fire department or
police department may geographically include an area outside the
area served by the central office, a condition known as underlap.
Likewise, the municipal fire or police department may encompass an
area of responsibility that is less expansive than the area served
by the central office, a situation known as overlap. Further, the
original basic 9-1-1 systems did not provide any identification of
the caller; the PSAP human operator had to obtain such information
verbally over the line after the call was connected. The major
shortcoming of the basic 9-1-1 systems was that they could not
support interconnection to other telecommunication providers such
as independent telephone service companies, alternate local
exchange carriers (ALECs), or wireless carriers. The "basic" nature
of the basic 9-1-1 system also indicates that the system does not
have Automatic Location Identification (ALI) capability or
Automatic Number Identification (ANI) capability with a call back
capability.
[0009] Similar abbreviated number systems are in place for handling
emergency service calls in countries other than the United States.
The abbreviated number system established in Canada is the foreign
system most similar to the system established in the United States.
There are other abbreviated number calling systems in place in the
United States and abroad for such purposes as handling municipal
information and services calls (3-1-1) and for other purposes. All
of these special, or abbreviated number call systems that have
geographic-based content suffer from similar shortcomings in their
abilities to automatically place incoming calls to an
action-response facility geographically proximate to the locus of
the caller. It is for this reason that the 9-1-1 emergency call
system of the United States is employed for purposes of this
application as a preferred embodiment of the system and method of
the present invention.
[0010] Automatic Number Identification (ANI) is a feature for 9-1-1
services that allows the caller's telephone number to be delivered
with the call and displayed at the PSAP. This ANI feature is
sometimes referred to as Calling Party Number (CPN). The feature is
useful for identifying the caller and, if the caller cannot
communicate, for callback. A signaling scheme known as Centralized
Automatic Message Accounting (CAMA), originally used to identify
the originator of a long distance call for billing purposes, was
adapted to facilitate ANI delivery to the PSAP. CAMA uses
multi-frequency (MF) signaling to deliver 8 digits to the PSAP. The
first digit (called the Number Plan Digit-NPD) specifies one of
four possible area codes. Digits 2-8 represent the caller's 7-digit
telephone number. The ANI is framed with a key pulse (KP) at the
beginning and a start (ST) at the end in the format:
KP-NPD-NXX-XXXX-ST.
[0011] The multi-frequency (MF) signaling used in connection with
the ANI feature is not the same as the Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
(DTMF) signaling also encountered in telecommunication systems.
Both signaling schemes use a combination of two specific tones to
represent a character, or digit, but the tones are different. There
are 16 DTMF tones (0-9, #, *, A, B, C, D); there are a greater
number of MF tones (including 0-9, KP, ST, ST', ST", and others).
DTMF tones represent signals from a user to a network; MF tones are
control signals within the network. An enhanced MF arrangement has
recently been used in connection with 10-digit wireless telephone
systems.
[0012] The availability of the caller's telephone number to the
PSAP (the ANI feature) led quickly to providing the caller's name
and address as well. This was straightforwardly accomplished using
the subscriber information stored by telephone companies based upon
telephone number since the 1980's. New equipment at the PSAP
enabled queries of an Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data
base using the caller's number provided by the ANI feature to
ascertain name and address information. The ALI databases are
typically maintained by the respective telephone company serving
the PSAP. This was an improvement, but a problem still remained
where several telephone company central offices served a town or
county. Other problems also developed with the growing volume of
mobile callers using wireless phones, satellite phones and
communications over the Internet. Information regarding the locus
of the origin of the call merely identified the locus where the
call entered the wireline network; even such limited location
information is not always provided. No indication was presented to
identify the geographic location of such mobile callers.
[0013] As the situation of multiple central offices serving a PSAP
occurred more frequently, it was clear that it was inefficient to
build communication trunks from several central offices to a PSAP.
As a result the 9-1-1 Tandem was developed. With that equipment,
trunks from central offices are concentrated at a tandem office (a
9-1-1 Tandem) from which a single trunk group serves a given PSAP.
Often a 9-1-1 tandem comprises an otherwise common Class 5
telephone system end office (EO), with added software to configure
it for 9-1-1 operations. Such concentration of trunks reduces size
and cost of PSAP equipment. The tandem is a telephone company
switch that provides an intermediate concentration and switching
point. Tandems are used for many purposes, including intra-LATA
(Local Access and Transport Area) toll calls, access to other local
exchange carriers (LECs), and access to long distance carriers and
telephone operators.
[0014] A significant development in 9-1-1 services has been the
introduction of Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1). Some of the features of
E9-1-1 include Selective Routing, ANI, ALI, Selective Transfer and
Fixed Transfer. Selective Transfer enables one-button transfer
capability to Police, Fire and EMS (Emergency Medical Service)
agencies appropriate for the caller's location listed on the ALI
display. Fixed Transfer is analogous to speed dialing.
[0015] Selective Routing is a process by which 9-1-1 calls are
delivered to a specific PSAP based upon the street address of the
caller. Selective Routing Tandems do not directly use address
information from the ALI database to execute decisions regarding
which PSAP to connect. Recall that emergency services (Police, Fire
and EMS) are typically delivered on a municipality basis. Often
there will be one Police Department (e.g., municipal, county or
state), but there may be several Fire Departments and EMS Agencies.
The town will be divided into response areas served by each
respective agency. The response areas are overlaid and may be
defined as geographic zones served by one particular combination of
Police, Fire and EMS agencies. Such zones are referred to as
Emergency Service Zones (ESZ). Each ESZ contains the street
addresses served by each type of responder. The ESZs are each
assigned an identification number (usually 3-5 digits), known as
Emergency Service numbers (ESN).
[0016] The Assignment of ESZs and corresponding ESNs enables the
compilation of selective routing tables. The street addresses are
derived from a Master Street Address Guide (MSAG), a data base of
street names and house number ranges within associated communities
defining Emergency Service Zones (ESZs) and their associated
Emergency Service Numbers (ESNs). This MSAG enables proper routing
of 9-1-1 calls by the 9-1-1 tandem; this is Selective Routing as
implemented in a 9-1-1 system. Thus, the telephone company must
have an MSAG valid address to be assigned the appropriate ESN for
selective routing purposes and that information must be added to
the 9-1-1 ALI database. It is by using such information that the
selective routing capability of the Selective Routing Tandem can
properly route a 9-1-1 call to the correct PSAP. If the information
is not available in the ALI database, the record is placed into an
error file for further manual handling.
[0017] A portion of the ALI database may be loaded into a Selective
Routing Data Base (SRDB) for use by the 9-1-1 Tandem. The SRDB may
be located in the Tandem, in an adjunct processor, or in the ALI
database.
[0018] Reliability is a very important factor considered in
designing 9-1-1 systems. One approach to providing reliability is
to provide diversely routed trunk groups from each central office
to its respective 9-1-1 Tandem. Preferably, each trunk group is
large enough to carry the entire 9-1-1 traffic load for the
respective central office. However, some systems are designed with
less than full traffic capacity on trunk groups to "choke" or
"congestion manage" incoming calls to a tandem in order to avoid
overloading a PSAP. In some arrangements, parallel 9-1-1 Tandems
are provided so that a central office has capable 9-1-1 Tandem
ready for use (albeit with 50% call handling capacity) without
interruption if one of the 9-1-1 Tandems fails. Switched bypass to
an alternate 9-1-1 Tandem, commonly using digital crossover
switches, is another approach to providing reliability in 9-1-1
systems.
[0019] Another approach to providing redundancy and robustness for
a 9-1-1 system is the employment of Instant Network Backup (INB).
Using INB, if a call does not complete to the 9-1-1 network for any
reason (e.g., trunk failure, facility problem, 9-1-1 Tandem failure
or port failure), the INB takes over and completes the call to a
predesignated 7- or 10-digit number. Using this INB alternate path,
ANI and ALI information are not delivered, but the call is
completed to a local public safety agency, usually the local
PSAP.
[0020] The interface between Operator handled calls and a 9-1-1
system is addressed in several ways. One system provides a direct
connection between an Operator Tandem and the 9-1-1 Tandem. The
operator forwards the call with the caller's ANI to the 9-1-1
Tandem. The 9-1-1 Tandem treats the call as though the caller had
dialed the call. A second way to effect the desired interface is by
using pseudo numbers. A pseudo number is a number that, when
dialed, will reach a specific PSAP as a 9-1-1 call. Pseudo numbers
have some special ALI information associated with them; for
example, there may be a pseudo number associated with each
municipality in a state. Dialing the pseudo number, usually from
outside the LATA (Local Access and Transport Area), will generate a
9-1-1 to the PSAP for that municipality. The ALI display will
indicate that it is a third party conference call from an unknown
address in that town. The caller is not identified, but the call
goes to the PSAP where the caller is believed, or claims, to be.
Pseudo numbers are useful for Alternate Local Exchange Carrier
(ALEC) or Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) operators who
may be located anywhere in the country.
[0021] A third method for effecting an interface for operator
handled calls with a 9-1-1 system is through the public switched
telephone network (PSTN), dialing the directory number for the
PSAP. This is often referred to as the "back door" number by ALEC
and CLEC operators.
[0022] The same issues encountered in implementing a 9-1-1 system
for identifying user location are also extant in other
telecommunication systems where user location (or other locations)
are important. As mentioned above in connection with the Riskin
'267 Patent, marketing decisions, dealer contact actions and
delivery actions may be more informedly effected using location
information obtainable from a properly featured telecommunication
system. According to Riskin, such geographic location information
is of value even when it is coarse information suitable only for
locating a caller within a telephone service provider central
office service area.
[0023] The advent of wireless communications has further
exacerbated the difficulty of ascertaining caller location in
telecommunication systems. The "patchwork" solutions described
above regarding 9-1-1 systems have been mirrored in other special,
or abbreviated number systems to a significant extent. The
"patchwork" solutions have created a capability-limited
telecommunication system that cannot ascertain geographic
information as fully or as easily as it should for all types of
callers. This capability limitation has been especially felt in
connection with wireless telephone systems. The system is overly
dependent upon human intervention to properly route calls to
appropriate receivers, such as a proper PSAP. New modes of
communication, such as Voice Over IP (Internet Protocol), further
contribute to telecommunication traffic not identifiable regarding
geographic origin using present telecommunication routing
systems.
[0024] Similar limitations will likely occur in other abbreviated
number, or other special number, telephone systems handling
location-based calls with resulting adverse limitations. Other such
abbreviated number systems include emergency call systems in
countries other than the United States, abbreviated number calling
systems for reaching telephone maintenance services, abbreviated
number calling systems for municipal information and services, and
similar systems.
[0025] There is a need for an improved telecommunication system and
method with geographic sensitivity that can be employed for
abbreviated number systems and other telephone systems to ascertain
user location or other geographic information with less human
intervention than is presently required.
[0026] There is also a need for an improved telecommunication
system and method with geographic sensitivity that can be employed
for abbreviated number systems and other telephone systems to
ascertain user location or other geographic information when
involving wireless, Internet, satellite or other non-geographically
fixed communication technologies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] A telecommunication system for handling special number, or
abbreviated number calls in a telecommunication network. The
telecommunication network includes an array of switches, junctions,
communication channels, customer-operated communication devices and
telecommunication service providing stations connected to
facilitate electronic communication among a plurality of stations
using a plurality of communication milieux. The system comprises:
(a) at least one special number call processing center connected
with the telecommunication network; (b) at least one special number
answering station connected with the at least one special number
call processing center; and (c) at least one special number action
station connected with the at least one special number answering
station. The at least one special number action station is
configured for selective connection with a plurality of action
agencies. Selected of the telecommunication service providing
stations are connected with at least one of the at least one
special number processing center. The method of the present
invention comprises the steps of: (a) routing the special number
call via the telecommunication network to at least one special
number call processing center connected with the network; (b)
evaluating geographic information indicating locus of the caller
received with the call to ascertain at least one special number
call answering station geographically proximate with, or otherwise
appropriate for, the caller locus; (c) routing the call to at least
one special number answering station; (d) evaluating service
required by the caller; (e) selecting at least one special number
action agency appropriate for providing the service required; and
(f) alerting the selected special number action agency regarding
the service required.
[0028] Prior art special number, or abbreviated number
telecommunication systems receive some geographic related
information. In some presently existing situations, mostly
involving wireline telephone connections, geographic information
received is adequate to accomplish required routing. In other
presently existing situations, such as in situations requiring
rerouting of calls to wireless service providers (WSP), to private
branch exchanges (PBX), to overcome a problem in the normal
wireline connection, or for other special situations, required call
routing is difficult. The degree of difficulty varies depending
upon whether adequate arrangements were made beforehand between
respective PSAPs. In such difficult rerouting situations, human
operators at special number answering stations must effect
connection with geographically appropriate special number action
stations in order that appropriate action agencies geographically
proximate to the caller initiating the special number call may be
responsively employed. In some systems the human operator effects
the required routing by pressing a button, or a plurality of
buttons. However, in order to ascertain the desired destination of
the call, the human operator must read a screen or consult a list
or directory. Such consulting to ascertain desired routing
decisions consume time and offer opportunities for human
errors.
[0029] There is a need for an automatic-connection capability for
effecting the desired geographically proximate call completion with
little or no human operator intervention required. Automatic
routing based upon geographic information provided with call
information is known for generalized telephone network systems.
There is a need for employing the advantages proven to be
attainable by today's generalized telephone network systems
technology to the 1960's and 1970's "patchwork" system structure
presently employed for special number communication systems in the
United States.
[0030] The special number handling and routing system of the
present invention offers numerous advantages over present special
number systems. The present invention contemplates adding special
number handling capabilities to a telecommunication network switch,
such as selective routing, enhanced Automatic Location
Identification (ALI), mapping, and other capabilities peculiarly
applicable to special, or abbreviated number call handling. Such
added capabilities at the special number system network switch
level provide significant flexibility to handling of special number
calls by a telecommunication system. For example, such integration
of special number call handling capability in a telephone network
obviates the need for choking through overflow routing, queuing,
interactive voice response (IVR) or granular plotting of calls for
filtering. The new system of the present invention minimizes the
difficulty in coordinating choking across a variety of Local
Exchange Carriers (LECs) that may route calls to a 9-1-1 tandem.
The new system provides each carrier (LEC) with an appropriately
engineered network access to manage call volume and distribute
calls to call takers in special call answering stations, such as
Public Safety Answering Positions (PSAPs), or route the calls to
queues or IVRs, according to extant service policies.
[0031] Another important capability provided by the system of the
present invention is an ability to manage multiple special number
answering stations (such as PSAPs) for disaster recovery, mutual
aid, or other cooperative activities. The system of the present
invention facilitates sharing of data screens, call screens,
dispatch screens and other commonalities that may be instituted
when needed without necessarily requiring voice connection. The
system of the present invention also creates a more robust system
better able to resist interruption during disaster operations.
Integrating special number handling systems with a
telecommunication system at the special number system network
switch level provides significantly greater flexibility and speed
in traffic rerouting to avoid network breaks, and similar
disaster-related problems.
[0032] Also of significance, such high-level integration of special
number handling systems with public telecommunication systems makes
it more likely that improvements and advances in communication
technology will be employed for upgrading special number handling
in the future. If special number handling systems are not "main
stream" applications integrated within the public phone system,
there may be a tendency for them to evolve differently than the
public telephone system, and future compatibility between systems
would be ever more difficult.
[0033] Further, high level integration of special number call
handling capabilities within the main stream public telephone
network facilitates easier inclusion of diverse special call
handling agencies within the system, such as colleges, animal
control agencies, poison control agencies and others.
[0034] By way of example, from a public safety perspective, two
significant improvements provided by the system of the present
invention are (1) interconnected PSAPs with click-through routing
enabling that treats all PSAPs as one large logical PSAP across
political jurisdictions and carrier service providers' boundaries;
and (2) a significantly more reliable network with added
redundancy, ability for calls to overflow and be backed up (e.g.,
eliminating choking) and enhanced network management capabilities
using the latest technologies. These advantages are realized
because the system of the present invention employs 9-1-1-tandems
interconnected with all other 9-1-1 tandems and network switches at
high level interfaces enabling more varied data types at faster
speeds in the public telephone network. In its preferred
embodiment, a 9-1-1 tandem configured according to the present
invention is a stand-alone switch apparatus. 12
[0035] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a telecommunication system and method for handling special,
or abbreviated number calls that has geographic sensitivity.
[0036] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
telecommunication system and method for handling special, or
abbreviated number calls that can automatically connect a caller
with a geographically proximate action agency with no human
intervention using geographic information included with call
information.
[0037] Further objects and features of the present invention will
be apparent from the following specification and claims when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the
various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating selected elements of
a prior art abbreviated number telecommunication system manifested
in a 9-1-1 system.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected elements of
the preferred embodiment of the abbreviated number
telecommunication system of the present invention, manifested in a
9-1-1 system.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art
employment of an abbreviated number system in a telecommunication
network, manifested in a 9-1-1 system.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating employment of an
abbreviated number system in a telecommunication network,
manifested in a 9-1-1 system, according to the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the
preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention,
manifested in a 9-1-1 system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating selected elements of
a prior art abbreviated number telecommunication system, manifested
in a 9-1-1 system. In FIG. 1, a prior art 9-1-1 telecommunication
system 10 includes a 9-1-1 tandem 12 connected with a selective
router 14 and an ALI database 16. A plurality of service providers
18 are connected with 9-1-1 tandem 12. Service providers 18 are
illustrated in FIG. 1 as representatively including an incumbent
local exchange carrier #1 (ILEC1) 20, an incumbent local exchange
carrier #2 (ILEC2) 22, an independent local exchange carrier
(IndepLEC) 24, a wireless service provider (WSP) 26, a
multi-services operator (MSO) 28, a competitive local exchange
carrier (CLEC) 30, and a private branch exchange (PBX) 32. Service
providers 18 may also include other entities, as represented by a
service provider "OTHER" 34 in FIG. 1. Service providers 18 provide
telecommunication services to users (not shown in FIG. 1)
including, as one communication service, a connection with a 9-1-1
emergency call service. System 10 is representative of a prior art
9-1-1 system in a large metropolitan area having several political
jurisdictions. Thus, 9-1-1 tandem 12 serves a plurality of public
safety answering positions (PSAPs) 36, such as PSAP1, PSAP2, PSAP3,
PSAP4, PSAP5, and PSAPn. The term "PSAP" may also be used to refer
to "public safety answering points".
[0044] Other emergency call entities 38 are illustrated in FIG. 1
as not connected with 9-1-1 tandem 12. Such entities are typically
not included within a 9-1-1 system, yet often may find it
advantageous to employ a system such as 9-1-1 system 10. Other
entities 38 are representatively (yet, not exhaustively)
illustrated in FIG. 1 as including college campuses 40, poison
control centers 42, animal control agencies 44, private alarm
companies 46, language translation providers 48, private roadside
assistance agencies 50, federal agencies 52 and relay entities
54.
[0045] The architecture of prior art 9-1-1 system 10 is centralized
primarily around incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs), such as
ILEC1 20 and ILEC2 22, and secondarily around political
jurisdictions (not shown in FIG. 1). There are some cooperative
agreements in effect, but they are another aspect of the
"patchwork" nature of the prior art 9-1-1 systems represented by
FIG. 1. The result is that prior art 9-1-1 systems, such as 9-1-1
system 10, are compartmentalized in structure, and
cross-jurisdictional cooperation is not easily effected unless a
group of jurisdictions--e.g., municipalities within a
county--arrange to "hard wire" the connections necessary to
accomplish cooperative structure. Sometimes a group of related
PSAPs may make other special arrangements with a LEC (Local
Exchange Carrier). Interconnection between carriers (i.e., service
providers 18 in FIG. 1) or between wireline carriers and wireless
carriers are cumbersome. One result is that such ad hoc cooperative
system arrangements too often result in a fragile system
susceptible to service interruption during disaster situations. It
is in such disaster situations that such emergency service systems
will be needed most, yet such systems are presently configured in
manners lacking robust redundant and diverse route paths to
existing 9-1-1 tandems from the service provider offices (e.g.,
service providers 18 in FIG. 1), or from PSAPs 36 (FIG. 1).
[0046] Also of significant importance is the lack of connectivity
between other entities 38 and 9-1-1 tandem 12 in prior art system
10. Such a lack of connectivity means that other entities 38 effect
connection with a PSAP 36 via the public switched telephone network
(PSTN), not shown in FIG. 1, like any other call made between
subscribers.
[0047] Another significant shortcoming of prior art 9-1-1 system 10
is difficulty in rerouting of calls to an appropriate PSAP 36
geographically proximate to a caller when a PSAP receives a
misrouted 9-1-1 call, that is the caller is located not in an area
served by the receiving PSAP 36. If a caller reveals his location
to a human operator located within system 10 (most likely in
association with operation of 9-1-1 tandem 12), the human operator
can manually reroute the call to connect the call to a PSAP 36 most
proximate to the caller's location. Selective router 14 identifies
which PSAP is appropriate for handling a particular emergency based
upon location information regarding the caller. Using information
from selective router 14, a human operator may effect connection
with the indicated appropriate PSAP; selective router 14 does not
have a straightforward robust rerouting capability as is
contemplated by the present invention. Selective router 14 may
present a display on a screen to a human operator for selecting an
appropriate PSAP for the call being considered. The human operator
selects a PSAP from the display on the screen and presses a button
to complete the call. In essence, the call completion is effected
as a conference call. Such a call destination selection and
completion arrangement is fraught with opportunities for human
error, and ties up communication resources unnecessarily.
[0048] ALI database 16 is just that--a data base. ALI database 16
cooperates with selective router 14 to facilitate the
identification of an appropriate PSAP by selective router 14.
However, no straightforward robust rerouting of calls to PSAPs
proximate to a caller's locus is effected using ALI data base 16,
selective router 14, or any combination of those devices.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected elements of
the preferred embodiment of the abbreviated number
telecommunication system of the present invention, manifested in a
9-1-1 system. In FIG. 2, an improved 9-1-1 system 60 includes a
first emergency service complex (ESC1) 62 and a second emergency
service complex (ESC2) 64. Preferably emergency service complexes
ESC1 62 and ESC2 64 are substantially the same in structure and are
arranged for parallel backup operational support for users of
improved system 60. In order to simplify explanation of improved
system 60, this description will focus upon connections and
arrangements involving emergency service complex ESC1 62, with the
understanding that parallel connections and arrangements are in
place regarding emergency service complex ESC2 64.
[0050] Emergency service complex ESC1 62 serves a plurality of
service providers 66. As will be appreciated in greater detail in
connection with FIG. 4, emergency service complex ESC1 62 is
connected via a public telecommunication network (not shown in FIG.
2) with a significantly wider range of service providers 66 than
were served by prior art 9-1-1 system 10 (FIG. 1). Thus, emergency
service complex ESC1 62 serves service providers 66 including an
incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) 68, a wireless service
provider (WSP) 70, an Internet service provider (ISP) 72, and other
service providers 66 not specifically identified in FIG. 2. In
fact, emergency service complex ESC1 62 may be connected via a
public network, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN)
(not shown in FIG. 2) with any of the service providers 18 (FIG.
1), with any or all of the other entities 38 (FIG. 1), and with
additional service providers not even contemplated for connection
with prior art 9-1-1 system 10. Such additional service providers
may include, by way of example, Internet service provider ISP 72
(FIG. 2).
[0051] Service providers 66 provide telecommunication services of
various milieux to callers, or users 74. The various
telecommunication milieux contemplated by system 60 of the present
invention includes any electronic transmission of information
including, for example, voice, data and video communications,
whether delivered via systems employing digital, analog, ISDN,
optical, wireline, wireless, or other delivery technologies. Also
included within the contemplated technological applicability of the
present invention are voice, data or video signals delivered over
the Internet, via satellite communications, or via other delivery
media.
[0052] A similarly broad array of communication milieux are also
available to connect emergency service complex ESC1 62 with a
plurality of public safety answering positions (PSAPs) 76, such as
PSAP1, PSAP2, PSAP3, PSAP4, PSAP5, PSAP6, and PSAPn. Similar
parallel communication capability is also available between
emergency service complex ESC2 64 and service providers 66 and
PSAPs 76. The connections relating to emergency service complex
ESC2 64 are not fully displayed in FIG. 2 in order to keep the
drawing simple for purposes of explaining the present
invention.
[0053] Emergency service complex ESC1 62 is configured much like a
digital switching node in a public telecommunication network to
include a network manager device 78 and a data communication
manager device 80. Improved system 60 further includes a selective
call router 82 and an ALI/enhanced ALI data base 84. Network
manager device 78, data communication manager device 80 and
selective call router 82 cooperate to effect location-based call
routing, monitor system maintenance needs and carry out other
administrative functions. ALI/enhanced ALI data base 84 is
substantially similar to such data bases used in present enhanced
9-1-1 systems, and provides additional information relating to
callers using the 9-1-1 system, such as special medical needs,
handicaps, medication needs and similar information that can be
provided by subscribers, or callers, for use in case of an
emergency Preferably emergency service complex ESC1 62 also
includes a reporting data base and utility 86 for ascertaining
certain operational characteristics regarding emergency service
complex ESC1 62 and improved system 60. For example, reporting data
base and utility 86 may be configured to allow managers of improved
system 60 to determine how many calls are not reaching an
appropriate PSAP 76 within a prescribed time, whether changes in
routing criteria might be useful in balancing loads on PSAPs 76,
and similar information.
[0054] A preferred embodiment of emergency service complex ESC1 62
further includes a mapping capability 88 capable of interpreting
geographical information received relating to callers and
displaying an indication of such geographic information on a map at
emergency service complex ESC1 62, selected PSAPs 76 or elsewhere
as an aid to human operators or others. A preferred embodiment of
emergency service complex ESC1 62 also includes an automatic call
distributor(ACD) 90. ACD 90 effects routing of calls to appropriate
PSAPs 76 based upon information provided by selective call router
82. It must be emphasized here that selective call router 14 of
prior art system 10 (FIG. 1) relates only street address
information with PSAPs, and is not configured for or capable of
comprehensive global geographic location determination as is
contemplated with the present invention. The configuration of
emergency service complex ESC1 62 with a telecommunication switch
capability appropriate for operation within a PSTN (including
virtual private networks, private networks and other limited access
network configurations) as a "full participant" station operating
as a telecommunication system node, as contemplated by the present
invention, means that selective router 82 of improved system 60 may
identify and effect routing to any PSAP reachable by the PSTN.
[0055] The present invention contemplates improved system 60 being
configured for full participation in a global telecommunication
network (not shown in FIG. 2) as a substantially fully cognizant
telecommunication switching capability. As a consequence of the
fully capable network configuration of the present invention,
improved system 60 can receive calls from any user connected with a
global telecommunication network through service providers
connected to the global network. Thus, geographic information
relating to callers' loci will be received relating to a plurality
of communication milieux: plain old telephone system (POTS),
wireless telephones, satellite telephones, Internet connections,
and data delivered by any of those conveyances. Being connected
with the global network as a fully capable entity, improved system
60 may interpret geographic information received relating to
callers' loci on a global basis. Further, because of the global
access available to improved system 60 via the global network,
connection to PSAPs may be effected worldwide depending upon the
geographic information received.
[0056] Thus, for example, a caller located in Arizona placing an
emergency service call to a private roadside assistance agency
situated in Michigan may be serviced by a local action agency
(e.g., police, fire, emergency medical service or towing company)
because the Michigan roadside assistance agency routed the call to
a Michigan emergency service complex (ESC) along with geographic
information embedded in call set up data identifying the caller's
location in Arizona. The ESC in Michigan can recognize the
geographic relevance of the embedded information to route the call
(via the global network through its network manager capability) to
the appropriate PSAP most proximate to the caller's locus in
Arizona.
[0057] Such geographic information may indicate location of a
switch or service provider (e.g., ILEC, ALEC, WSP) handling the
abbreviated number call. The geographic information may be derived
from Global Positioning System (GPS) information, or triangulated
information from a plurality of wireless service towers to estimate
position of a wireless caller. Another type of geographic
information may relate to the Internet service provider access
point used by the caller to send a message, or any other geographic
information appropriate to estimate the locus of the caller placing
the abbreviated number call.
[0058] The present invention also contemplates that an emergency
service complex, such as emergency service complex ESC1 62 (FIG. 2)
will have an Internet connected capability. Using such a
capability, for example, an operator at emergency service complex
ESC1 62 could click on an appropriate button on a tool bar display
on a computer screen to effect desired connections, including
Internet communications connections. One embodiment of this novel
capability is to establish an emergency services "chat window" to
facilitate exchange of information between an operator associated
with ESC1 62 and a caller accessing the emergency service system
via the Internet.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art
employment of an abbreviated number system in a telecommunication
network, manifested in a 9-1-1 system. In FIG. 3, a "country" 100
includes "states" 102, 104, 106, 108. State 104 includes two
"counties" 110, 112. Country 100 is served by a telecommunication
network 114.
[0060] State 102 has an emergency service tandem T.sub.1. Tandem
T.sub.1 is connected with public safety answering position (PSAP)
P.sub.1; PSAP P.sub.1 has communication links with local police
(P), fire (F) and emergency medical (E) agencies. Tandem T.sub.1 is
also connected with central office CO.sub.1, the local telephonic
service provider for state 102. Central office CO.sub.1 supports
and is connected with wireline users U.sub.1a, U.sub.1b, U.sub.1c,
U.sub.1d. Central office CO.sub.1 is connected with network
114.
[0061] State 104 has two counties 110, 112. County 110 has two
emergency service tandems T.sub.21, T.sub.22, both of which tandems
T.sub.21, T.sub.22 are connected with a PSAP P.sub.2; PSAP P.sub.2
has communication links with local police (P), fire (F) and
emergency medical (E) agencies. Tandem T.sub.21 is connected with
central offices CO.sub.211, CO.sub.212. Central office CO.sub.211
supports and is connected with wireline users U.sub.211a,
U.sub.211b. Central Office CO.sub.212 supports and is connected
with wireline users U.sub.212a, U.sub.212b. Central offices
CO.sub.211, CO.sub.212 are each connected with network 114. Tandem
T.sub.22 is connected with central offices CO.sub.221, CO.sub.222.
Central office CO.sub.221 supports and is connected with wireline
users U.sub.221a, U.sub.221b, U.sub.221c. Central Office CO.sub.222
supports and is connected with wireline users U.sub.222a,
U.sub.222b, U.sub.222c. Central offices CO.sub.221, CO.sub.222 are
each connected with network 114. County 112 has an emergency
service tandem T.sub.3 connected with a PSAP P.sub.3. Tandem
T.sub.3 is connected with a central office CO.sub.3. Central office
CO.sub.3 supports and is connected with wireline users U.sub.3a,
U.sub.3b. Central office CO.sub.3 is connected with network
114.
[0062] State 106 has an emergency service tandem T.sub.4. Tandem
T.sub.4 is connected with public safety answering position (PSAP)
P.sub.4; PSAP P.sub.4 has communication links with local police
(P), fire (F) and emergency medical (E) agencies (not shown in FIG.
3). Tandem T.sub.4 is also connected with central offices
CO.sub.41, CO.sub.42. Central office CO.sub.41 supports and is
connected with wireline users U.sub.41a, U.sub.41b. Central office
CO.sub.42 supports and is connected with wireline users U.sub.42a,
U.sub.42b. Central offices CO.sub.41, CO.sub.42 are connected with
network 114.
[0063] State 108 has an emergency service tandem T.sub.5. Tandem
T.sub.5 is connected with public safety answering position (PSAP)
P.sub.5; PSAP P.sub.5 has communication links with local police
(P), fire (F) and emergency medical (E) agencies (not shown in FIG.
3). Tandem T.sub.5 is also connected with central offices
CO.sub.51, CO.sub.52. Central office CO.sub.51 supports and is
connected with wireline users U.sub.51a, U.sub.51b, U.sub.51c.
Central office CO.sub.52 supports and is connected with wireline
users U.sub.52a, U.sub.52b. Tandem T.sub.5 may also be connected
with wireless service provider (WSP) WSP.sub.5 and Internet service
provider (ISP) ISP.sub.5. The dotted lines connecting WSP.sub.5 and
ISP.sub.5 with tandem T.sub.5 are intended to indicate that such a
direct connection is not always established; wireless service
providers and Internet service providers often communicate with
9-1-1 systems only via the PSTN. In FIG. 3, wireless service
provider WSP.sub.5 supports mobile users MU.sub.5a, MU.sub.5b,
MU.sub.5c, MU.sub.5d, MU.sub.5e. Internet service provider
ISP.sub.5 supports Internet users (not shown in FIG. 3). Central
offices CO.sub.51, CO.sub.52 are connected with network 114.
[0064] It is important to note in connection with the prior art
arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 the lack of direct connection
between any tandem T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22, T.sub.3, T.sub.4,
T.sub.5 with network 114. Thus, the only connection of any tandem
with network 114 is via a respective central office.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating employment of an
abbreviated number system in a telecommunication network,
manifested in a 9-1-1 system, according to the present invention.
In the interest of avoiding prolixity and keeping the explanation
of the present invention straightforward and simple, a detailed
description of FIG. 4 repeating aspects of FIG. 4 that are the same
as were illustrated in FIG. 3 will not be undertaken. The tandems,
central offices, users, wireless service provider and Internet
service provider are all in the same locations and labeled using
the same terminology in FIG. 4 as they are in FIG. 3. An important
difference in FIG. 4 is that all connections between a tandem and a
central office, a wireless service provider, or an Internet service
provider have been removed. Also, each tandem is directly connected
with network 114. Thus, in state 102, tandem T.sub.1 remains
connected with PSAP P.sub.1, but is not connected with central
office CO.sub.1. In state 104, Tandem T.sub.21 remains connected
with PSAP P.sub.2, but is not connected with central offices
CO.sub.21, CO.sub.22. Similarly, tandem T.sub.22 remains connected
with PSAP P.sub.2, but is not connected with central offices
CO.sub.221, CO.sub.222. Tandem T.sub.3 remains connected with PSAP
P.sub.3, but is not connected with central office CO.sub.3. In
state 108, tandem T.sub.5 remains connected with PSAP P.sub.5, but
is not connected with central offices CO.sub.51, CO.sub.52, not
connected with wireless service provider WSP.sub.5, and not
connected with Internet service provider ISP.sub.5.
[0066] In fact, direct connections between tandems and PSAPs are
not strictly required by the present invention; all connections
with tandems may be effected via a public switched telephone
network (PSTN), such as network 114 in FIG. 4. Direct connection
with a service provider such as a central office, a wireless
service provider or an Internet provider may be established, if
desired. However, such direct connections are not required to
advantageously employ the structure of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0067] All tandems T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22, T.sub.3, T.sub.4,
T.sub.5 are connected with network 114. Connection with network 114
is the only connection that any tandem T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22,
T.sub.3, T.sub.4, T.sub.5 needs to have with any service provider,
with any other tandem, or with any PSAP. Of importance is the fact
that connection with network 114 effects connection between each
tandem T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22, T.sub.3, T.sub.4, T.sub.5 and
any PSAP PI, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 in state 100.
[0068] Providing each tandem T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22, T.sub.3,
T.sub.4, T.sub.5 with network switching and management
capabilities, as by including selective call router 82, automatic
call distributor 90, network manager device 78 and data manager
device 80 (FIG. 2), ensures that each tandem T.sub.1, T.sub.21,
T.sub.22, T.sub.3, T.sub.4, T.sub.5 can fully employ geographic
information accompanying a call to effect routing of the call to
the most proximate PSAP P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5
to the caller's locus for providing assistance. Further, the
network connection simplifies such routing to a proximate PSAP
whatever the communication milieu employed to convey the call; all
of the calls eventually are conveyed over network 114 to a tandem
T.sub.1, T.sub.21, T.sub.22, T.sub.3, T.sub.4, T.sub.5, and all
calls for dispatching assistance are likewise conveyed over network
114.
[0069] The desired pairing of emergency service complexes (ESC) for
redundancy in case of disaster can be easily established using
known network design and planning techniques, thereby avoiding
installation of expensive hard wiring to effect desired parallelism
Further, using network management techniques backup capabilities
may be established "on the fly" in case both a primary and a backup
ESC are incapacitated. No hard wiring among tandems is necessary to
establish redundancy or robustness in the system. All that is
required is rerouting of calls within network 114 to create
redundancy and back up arrangements, a network management software
exercise.
[0070] Reference has been made earlier to geographic information
accompanying calls. Such geographic information may include routing
information within a network identifying the portal at which the
call entered the network. For Internet communications (voice or
data), the local access number employed to initiate the Internet
service may provide a geographic indication of a caller's locus.
Global Positioning System (GPS) information, or some other
multi-dimensional coordinate locating system, may be employed for
locating callers using wireless or satellite communication means.
Other sorts of geographic information may as well be employed in
connection with practicing the present invention without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating the
preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention,
manifested in a 9-1-1 system. In FIG. 5, the method is intended for
use for handling abbreviated calls in a telecommunication network
including an array of switches, junctions, communication channels,
customer-operated communication devices and telecommunication
service providing stations connected to facilitate electronic
communication among a plurality of stations using a plurality of
communication milieux (not shown in FIG. 5). The method 170 begins
with the step of routing the abbreviated number call via the
telecommunication network to an abbreviated number call processing
center, as indicated by a block 172. The illustrative embodiment
employed for explaining the invention in FIG. 5 is a 9-1-1
emergency services call in the United States. Thus, block 172 is
labeled to indicate that the abbreviated number call is a 9-1-1
call routed to an emergency service complex (ESC) via a public
switched telephone network (PSTN).
[0072] The method continues with evaluating geographic information
received with the abbreviated number call to ascertain the locus of
the caller originating the abbreviated number call, as indicated by
a block 174. Such geographic information may indicate location of a
switch or service provider (e.g., ILEC, ALEC, WSP, ISP) handling
the abbreviated number call. The geographic information may be
derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) information, or
triangulated information from a plurality of wireless service
towers to estimate position of a wireless caller, or any other
geographic information appropriate to estimate the locus of the
caller placing the abbreviated number call.
[0073] The method continues with selecting at least one abbreviated
number call answering station (e.g., a public safety answering
position--PSAP), as indicated by a block 176. The abbreviated
number call is then routed to at least one abbreviated number call
answering station, as indicated by a block 178. The at least one
abbreviated number call answering station receiving the abbreviated
call evaluates the content or nature of the call to ascertain the
service required by the caller, as indicated by a block 180. Based
upon the evaluation conducted according to block 180, the at least
one abbreviated number call answering station chooses an
abbreviated number action agency for response to the abbreviated
number call, as indicated by a block 182. The selected action
agency is notified of the action required by the abbreviated number
call, as representatively indicated by a block 184 (in which case
the response required may be provided by a police agency), a block
186 (in which case the response required may be provided by a fire
agency), and a block 188 (in which case the response required may
be provided by an emergency medical service agency).
[0074] A further step of the method, not shown in FIG. 5, may
involve actually routing the abbreviated number call to the action
agency for handling directly with the caller. Even further, the
abbreviated number call may be routed to the responding unit
dispatched by the action agency to the scene, such as a police
patrol car or an ambulance.
[0075] It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and
specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the
invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the
apparatus and method of the invention are not limited to the
precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes
may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention which is defined by the following claims:
* * * * *