METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING INTERNET-BASED EMERGENCY CALLS

• US 20120314625A1
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruce, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,042,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area

Abstract

An approach is provided for certifying wireless access nodes for use in connection with emergency calls. A certification platform certifies location information of a wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls. The location information is then stored in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node. The database is accessed in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of wireless devices based on location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the wireless device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving notification of an activation of a wireless access node configured to provide data connectivity to one or more wireless devices;

certifying, in response to the notification, location information of the wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls; and

storing the certified location information in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node,

wherein the database is accessed in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of one of the wireless devices based on a corresponding one of the location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the one wireless device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the location information of the activated wireless access node includes a postal address for a premise housing the activated wireless access node, the method further comprising:

determining that the emergency call originates from the postal address.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises:

generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information; and

verifying completion of the inspection.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the certification further comprises:

verifying a wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the certification further comprises:

determining signal strength of the activated wireless access node within the wireless coverage area.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring location data of the one wireless device using either a mathematical scheme involving a plurality of cellular towers, a global positioning system (GPS), a local positioning system (LPS), or a combination thereof,

wherein the position information is determined based further on the acquired location data.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activated wireless access node includes a router configured to route packets associated with the emergency call.

8. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

receive notification of an activation of a wireless access node configured to provide data connectivity to one or more wireless devices,

certify, in response to the notification, location information of the wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls, and

store the certified location information in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node,

wherein the database is accessed in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of one of the wireless devices based on a corresponding one of the location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the one wireless device.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the location information of the activated wireless access node includes a postal address for a premise housing the activated wireless access node, the apparatus being further caused to:

determine that the emergency call originates from the postal address.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the certification further comprises verifying wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the certification further comprises determining signal strength of the activated wireless access node within the wireless coverage area.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

acquire location data of the one wireless device using either a mathematical scheme involving a plurality of cellular towers, a global positioning system (GPS), a local positioning system (LPS), or a combination thereof,

wherein the position information is determined based further on the acquired location data.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the activated wireless access node includes a router configured to route packets associated with the emergency call.

15. A method comprising:

initiating, by a wireless device, a packetized voice call via a wireless access point using an emergency directory number;

launching, in response to the initiation, a locate application to retrieve certified location information from a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access points including the wireless access point;

determining position information of the wireless device based on the certified location information of the wireless access point; and

forwarding the position information to a local public safety access point to process the voice call for obtaining the emergency response service.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises:

generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access point with respect to the location information; and

verifying completion of the inspection.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the certification further comprises:

verifying a wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access point with respect to the location information, or

determining signal strength of the activated wireless access point within the wireless coverage area.

18. An apparatus residing in a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following, initiate a packetized voice call via a wireless access point using an emergency directory number,

launch, in response to the initiation, a locate application to retrieve certified location information from a database that includes a plurality certification location information of a respective plurality of wireless access points including the wireless access point,

determine position information of the wireless device based the certified location information of the wireless access point, and

forward the position information to a local public safety access point to process the voice call for obtaining the emergency response service.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access point with respect to the location information.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the certification further comprises either verifying wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access point with respect to the location information, or determining signal strength of the activated wireless access point within the wireless coverage area.