System and method for prioritizing emergency communications in a wireless network

• US 20070123208A1
• Filed: 11/28/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Sethi, Aseem, Batta, Puneet, Phadnis, Amit
• Application Number:
  US11/287,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20070123208A1
• 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 72/56 based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

Described is a method which includes receiving an association request from a first wireless device to establish an emergency connection via a wireless communications network. A wireless bandwidth availability required to grant the request is analyzed. When the bandwidth is unavailable, a wireless connection between a second wireless device and the wireless network is terminated and the request of the first device is granted.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving an association request from a first wireless device to establish an emergency connection via a wireless communications network;

analyzing a wireless bandwidth availability required to grant the request;

when the bandwidth is unavailable, terminating a wireless connection between a second wireless device and the wireless network; and

granting the request of the first device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless device includes at least one of an image-based scanner, a laser-based scanner, an RFID reader, an RFID tag, a PDA, a wired network interface card, a wireless network interface card, a wireless VoIP phone and a converged network device.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing the emergency connection of the first wireless device to an emergency services network.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the emergency connection is one of a VoIP call and a data packet transfer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the association request includes data indicative of the emergency connection.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

when the data is detected, authenticating the first wireless device.

7. The method according to claim 1, after the terminating step further comprising:

dedicating a predetermined amount of the bandwidth to the first wireless device.

8. The method according to claim 1, after the analyzing step further comprising:

selecting the second wireless device from a plurality of wireless devices as a function of a duration of the wireless connection to the wireless communications network.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

dropping the emergency connection onto a virtual local area network.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

forwarding the emergency connection to a voice gateway.

11. A system, comprising:

a first wireless device transmitting an association request to establish an emergency connection to a wireless communications network; and

an access point receiving the association request and analyzing a wireless bandwidth availability required to grant the request,

wherein when the bandwidth is unavailable, the access point terminating a wireless connection between a second wireless device and the wireless network and granting the request of the first device.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first wireless device includes at least one of an image-based scanner, a laser-based scanner, an RFID reader, an RFID tag, a PDA, a wired network interface card, a wireless network interface card, a wireless VoIP phone and a converged network device.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the access point establishes the emergency connection of the first wireless device to an emergency services network.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the emergency connection is one of a VoIP call and a data packet transfer.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the association request includes data indicative of the emergency connection.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the access point automatically authenticates the first wireless device after detecting the data.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the access point dedicates a predetermined amount of the bandwidth to the first wireless device.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the access point selects the second wireless device from a plurality of wireless device as a function of a duration of the wireless connection to the wireless communications network.

19. An arrangement, comprising:

a memory;

a communication arrangement receiving an association request from a first wireless device to establish an emergency connection via a wireless communications network; and

a processor analyzing a wireless bandwidth availability required to grant the request,

wherein, when the bandwidth is unavailable, the processor terminating a wireless connection between a second wireless device and the wireless network and granting the request of the first device.

20. The arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the arrangement includes at least one of an access point, an access port and a switch.