Methods and systems for managing a call session

• US 20060078094A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Breen, Thomas, Marczak, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,573,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5237 Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1205 where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for managing call sessions on public and private networks. The methods and systems operate to receive and send voice over internet protocol (VoIP) communications using a network, such as an IP network. The methods and systems also operate to receive and send emergency information over IP and other data networks. Based on certain criteria, the methods and systems determine whether to transfer a VoIP communication and/or emergency information to another entity associated with the IP network.

Claims

1. A method of managing call information at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), comprising:

receiving an analog voice call from a caller,

converting the analog voice call to a digital voice call,

collecting information from the caller,

determining whether to transfer the caller to a subsequent PSAP if certain conditions are satisfied, and

transferring the caller, the digital voice call, and the collected information to the subsequent PSAP if the certain conditions are satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising converting the analog voice call to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) format.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the subsequent PSAP is associated with an IP network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the subsequent PSAP is associated with a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

5. The method of claim 4, the method further comprising transferring the call to the subsequent PSAP associated with the PSTN if the subsequent PSAP is not in communication with an IP network.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising transferring the call to the subsequent PSAP associated with the IP network if the subsequent PSAP is in communication with the IP network.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising converting the call to VoIP after receiving the voice call from the caller but before transferring the call to the subsequent PSAP associated with the IP network.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing the VoIP and other collected data in a shared folder and providing a link for access by others associated with the IP network.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising converting the call to VoIP upon receiving the voice call from the caller.

10. A method of managing call information comprising:

receiving a VoIP communication from a first entity in communication with an IP network,

receiving emergency information from the first entity via the IP network, and

determining whether to transfer the VoIP communication and/or the emergency information to a subsequent entity associated with the IP network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transferring the VoIP communication and emergency information to the subsequent entity if the first entity cannot respond to the VoIP communication.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining communication with the first entity while the subsequent entity responds to the VoIP communication.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing information related to the VoIP communication and emergency information in a shared folder for access by others associated with the IP network.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the VoIP communication and emergency information from a PSAP.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving handshake messages across the IP network to determine which entities are in communication with the network.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising maintaining a record of the VoIP communication and the emergency information at a designated server in communication with the IP network.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing one or more databases containing information related to one or more PSAPs in communication with the IP network.

18. A system for managing a call session in an emergency response communication system, the system comprising:

a controller for receiving data corresponding to Automatic Number Identification (ANI) and/or Automatic Location Identification (ALI),

a communication device for communicating with a caller reporting an emergency,

an interface for communicating with a network, the interface including operability to transmit and/or receive analog and/or digital voice communications via the network, the interface further operable to transmit and/or receive emergency related data using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) communications, the system for;

determining whether to transfer the analog and/or digital voice communications and/or the emergency data to another entity associated with the network, based at least in part on whether the entity is currently in communication with the network and is a designated responder.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising one or more databases containing information related to one or more PSAPs in communication with the network.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising one or more databases which include current PSAP connectivity information, IP addresses, and/or types of acceptable information.