SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING EMERGENCY CALLING FROM A REMOTE TERMINAL

• US 20070121802A1
• Filed: 10/05/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Intrado Incorporated (West Corporation)
• Inventors: Montoya, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 8,537,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13381 Pair-gain system, digital loop carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

A system and method to expedite special number calls from a remote terminal that employs call control system comprising a control module and a translations database and is connected to the trunk group between the remote terminal and the local switching office. The translations database maintains translations for its associated remote terminal special number calls, including, but not limited to, 9-1-1 calls. When the call control system recognizes a special number call, it performs a look up in its translation database using the line ID as a key and substitutes a destination number for the special number and a calling line telephone number for the line ID. The call control system forwards the call to the local switching office, which treats the call as a trunk-to-trunk call. Advantageously, one (or more) trunk of the trunk group may be reserved solely for special number calls.

Claims

1. A call control system for expediting a special number call from a remote terminal to an answering point, the remote terminal being connected to its controlling local switching office by a trunk, the remote terminal also supporting a plurality of telephone lines, said call control system comprising:

a translations database configured to return a destination number and a calling line identification responsive to a query comprising a calling line ID; and

a controller configured to determine the calling line ID responsive to one of the plurality of telephone lines calling a special number.

2. A call control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to forward the destination number and the calling line identification to the controlling local switching office.

3. A call control system in accordance with claim 1 further including:

an update system configured to monitor updates to the local switching office and captures updates that affect the plurality of telephone lines.

4. A call control system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the update system comprises a system separate from said call control system, which is further configured to deliver updates that affect the plurality of telephone lines periodically.

5. A call control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the translations database is configured to return one of a plurality of destination numbers.

6. A call control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the special number comprises 9-1-1.

7. A call control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the special number comprises 9-1-1 and the destination number comprises a routing number for a serving public safety answering point.

8. A method that expedites special number calling for operating a call control system connected on a trunk between a remote terminal supporting a plurality of lines and its controlling local switching office, said method comprising:

intercepting a call to 9-1-1 from a line comprising a line ID;

determining a call delivery number responsive to the line ID, said call delivery number comprising the call delivery number of a public safety answering point that serves the line ID;

determining a calling line telephone number responsive to the line ID;

creating a call origination comprising the delivery number and the calling line telephone number; and

forwarding the call origination to the local switching office.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the call control system includes a translations database and wherein determining the call delivery number comprises applying the line ID to the translations database and wherein determining the calling telephone number comprises applying the line ID to the translations database.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 further including:

maintaining the translations database in synchronization with a database in the local switching office.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein maintaining the translations database comprises monitoring an office administration and maintenance line connected to the local switching office for changes affecting any of the plurality of lines connected to the remote terminal and applying the changes to the translations database.

9. (canceled)

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 further including:

collecting digits from a call origination until a special number is determined.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 further including:

collecting digits from a call origination only until a determination is made that no special number is being called.

12. (canceled)

16. A telephone network comprising:

an answering point configured to serve special number calls;

a local switching office connected to the public safety answering point;

a remote terminal connected to the local switching office via a trunk and supporting a plurality of lines; and

a call control system connected on the trunk between the local switching office and the remote terminal and configured to monitor the plurality of lines for special number calls and further configured to deliver the special number calls to the answering point without intervention by the local switching office.

17. A telephone network in accordance with claim 16 wherein the call control system is configured to send a call origination to the local switching office comprising a destination telephone number and a calling telephone number.

18. A telephone network in accordance with claim 17 wherein the local switching office is configured to treat the call origination as a trunk-to-trunk call.

19. A telephone network in accordance with claim 17 further including a selective router and wherein the destination telephone number causes the local switching office to direct the call to the selective router.

20. A telephone network in accordance with claim 19 wherein the answering point comprises a plurality of answering points and wherein the selective router is configured to determine an answering point responsive to the calling telephone number and further configured to deliver the call origination to the answering point.

21. A telephone network in accordance with claim 19 wherein the answering point comprises a plurality of answering points configured to serve a predetermined area and wherein the selective router is configured to determine an answering point that serves the area of the calling telephone number.

22. A telephone network in accordance with claim 16 wherein the special number comprises 9-1-1 and the answering point comprises a public safety answering point.

23. A telephone network in accordance with claim 16 further comprising:

an office administration and maintenance (OA&

M) system configured to update the telephone network;

an OA&

M monitor configured to monitor the OA&

M system for updates that affect any of the plurality of lines and further configured to forward updates that affect any of the plurality of lines to the call control system.