Emergency mode operation in a wireless communication network

• US 20060009191A1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Malone, Bernard L. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,519,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

A wireless communication network 20 operates in an emergency mode 22. In one example, network components enter an emergency mode 24. In another example, mobile stations enter an emergency mode 26. Various disclosed emergency mode features such as having a dedicated emergency channel, using dedicated emergency devices, using mobile stations as repeaters, providing alive user indications and utilizing beacon signals can be combined in different ways to facilitate search and rescue operations, for example.

Claims

1. A method of communicating comprising:

changing between a normal telecommunication operating mode and an emergency mode that includes at least one function separate from the normal telecommunication operating mode under selected circumstances.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising operating a mobile switching center in the emergency mode.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising operating at least one base station in the emergency mode responsive to the mobile switching center in the emergency mode.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising communicating with at least one mobile station to place the mobile station into the emergency mode responsive to the mobile switching center in the emergency mode.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising operating a mobile station in the emergency mode.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

operating the mobile station in the emergency mode using a first channel; and

operating the mobile station in the normal mode using a second channel.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the mobile station includes a user interface and the method comprises determining if the user interface has been accessed in a manner that indicates an individual has used the interface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the user interface includes a keypad and the method comprises determining if a sequence of keypad actuation is indicative of use by an individual.

9. The method of claim 7, comprising transmitting a signal from the mobile station indicative of determining that the user interface has been accessed in a manner that indicates an individual has used the interface.

10. The method of claim 5, comprising using the mobile station as a repeater of other mobile station communications.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising;

determining whether another mobile station can be heard by the mobile station operating in the emergency mode; and

storing at least an indication of a heard mobile station.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting a signal regarding the indication from the mobile station operating in the emergency mode.

13. The method of claim 5, comprising providing position information regarding at least one position of the mobile station.

14. The method of claim 5, comprising transmitting an emergency beacon signal from the mobile station.

15. The method of claim 5, comprising responding to a communication from a network by transmitting a short message service reply that includes at least selected emergency mode information.

16. The method of claim 1, comprising dedicating a channel to emergency mode communications.

17. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a portable base transceiver station that is capable of independent emergency mode communication with at least one mobile station.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising using the portable base transceiver station to perform at least a selected function normally performed by a mobile switching center.

19. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a portable repeater that is capable of detecting and transmitting mobile station communications.

20. The method of claim 1, including automatically changing between the normal operating mode and the emergency mode.