METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING A CALL SESSION

• US 20090296900A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Propety Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Propety Corporation
• Inventors: Marczak, Williams, Breen, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,915 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 one or more conditions are satisfied, wherein said determining comprises determining if the PSAP is compatible with a recognized transmission schema by querying the subsequent PSAP with an acknowledgement message, requesting acknowledgement from the subsequent PSAP of the recognized transmission schema; and

when the subsequent PSAP acknowledges the recognized transmission schema, transferring the caller, the digital voice call, and the collected information to the subsequent PSAP if the one or more conditions are satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

converting the analog voice call to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) format, wherein said converting the analog voice call to said VoIP format only occurs when it is determined that the call needs to be transferred to said subsequent PSAP.

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, 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 a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) format 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 7, further comprising:

storing the VoIP format 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 said VoIP format upon receiving the voice call from the caller.

10. A method of managing call information comprising:

receiving a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) communication from a first Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in communication with an IP network,

receiving emergency information from the first Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) via the IP network, wherein receiving said emergency information comprises collecting information from a caller; and

determining whether to transfer the VoIP communication or the emergency information to a subsequent PSAP associated with the IP network, wherein said determining whether to transfer the caller to the subsequent PSAP comprises determining if the subsequent PSAP is compatible with VoIP equipment; and

determining if the first PSAP is compatible with a recognized transmission schema by querying the subsequent PSAP with an acknowledgement message and requesting acknowledgement from the subsequent PSAP of the recognized transmission schema.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

transferring the VoIP communication and emergency information to the subsequent PSAP if the first PSAP cannot respond to the VoIP communication.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

maintaining communication with the first PSAP while the subsequent PSAP 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 other PSAPs 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 PSAPs are in communication with the IP 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 of managing call information at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), comprising:

means for receiving an analog voice call from a caller;

means for converting the analog voice call to a digital voice call;

means for collecting information from the caller;

means for determining whether to transfer the caller to a subsequent PSAP if one or more conditions are satisfied, wherein said means for determining determines if the PSAP is compatible with a recognized transmission schema by querying the subsequent PSAP with an acknowledgement message, requesting acknowledgement from the subsequent PSAP of the recognized transmission schema; and

when the subsequent PSAP acknowledges the recognized transmission schema, means for transferring the caller, the digital voice call, and the collected information to the subsequent PSAP if the one or more conditions are satisfied.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for converting the analog voice call to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) format, wherein said means for converting converts the analog voice call to said VoIP format only occurs when it is determined that the call needs to be transferred to said subsequent PSAP.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for determining whether the subsequent PSAP is associated with an IP network.