SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY COUPLING A SPECIAL NUMBER CALL WITH A FUNCTION-FOCUSED ANSWERING UNIT

• US 20130203392A1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: West Corporation
• Inventors: Snapp, John Lawrence, Heinrichs, George, Zacek, Daniel, Mondul, Donald D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,288,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answerer includes: (a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network, a radio access network, and a public switched telephone network configured and situated for communicative coupling with the calling unit; (b) at least one network switch coupled with at least one of the networks; and (c) a special number call receiver coupled with the network switch. At least one of the special number call receiver and the network switch is configured for communicative coupling of the special number call with the at least one function-focused answerer unit. After receiving the special number call, the special number call receiver dynamically couples the special number call to an included function-focused answerer. Determining which function-focused answerer is an included function-focused answerer is made at the special number call receiver.

Claims

1. A system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit;

the system comprising;

(a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network, a radio access network, and a public switched telephone network configured and situated for communicative coupling with said calling unit;

(b) at least one network switching facility coupled with at least one of said unlicensed mobile access network, said radio access network and said public switched telephone network; and

(c) a special number call receiving facility coupled with said at least one network switching facility;

at least one of said special number call receiving facility and said at least one network switching facility being configured for effecting communicative coupling of said special number call with said at least one function-focused answering unit;

after receiving said special number call, said special number call receiving facility effecting said dynamically coupling said special number call to one or more included function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit;

determination which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit being made at said special number call receiving facility.

2. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises a location determining facility coupled with at least one of said at least one network switching facility and said special number call receiving facility;

said special number call receiving facility cooperating with said location determining facility to effect said dynamic coupling.

3. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 1 wherein said network switching facility is one of a mobile switching center coupled with at least one of said unlicensed mobile access network and said radio access network, or an end office coupled with said public switched telephone network.

4. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 1 wherein communication between said special number call receiving facility and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.

5. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 1 wherein which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said special number call receiving facility during said special number call.

6. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 2 wherein said network switching facility is one of a mobile switching center coupled with at least one of said unlicensed mobile access network and said radio access network, or an end office coupled with said public switched telephone network.

7. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 6 wherein communication between said special number call receiving facility and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.

8. The system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 7 wherein which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said special number call receiving facility during said special number call.

9. A method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit;

the method comprising;

(a) receiving said special number call at a special number call receiving facility via a network switching facility;

(b) if location information relating to locus of said calling unit is received with said special number call, proceeding to step (d);

(c) if no location information relating to locus of said calling unit is received with said special number call, obtaining said location information from a location determining facility coupled with at least one of said network switching facility and said special number call receiving facility;

(d) evaluating service required by caller placing said special number call;

(e) evaluating location of one or more included function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit;

(f) coupling said special number call with one or more included function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit;

(g) if treatment necessitated by said special number call is complete, proceed to step (k);

(h) if treatment necessitated by said special number call is not complete, in no particular order;

(1) determining whether a change in said treatment has occurred; and

(2) determining whether a change in said locus has occurred;

(i) if a change has occurred in said treatment or in said locus, repeating steps (d) through (h);

(j) if no change has occurred in said treatment or in said locus, repeating steps (g) through (h); and

(k) terminating the method.

10. The method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 9 wherein said network switching facility is one of a mobile switching center coupled with at least one of said unlicensed mobile access network and said radio access network, or an end office coupled with said public switched telephone network.

11. The method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 9 wherein communication between said special number call receiving facility and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.

12. The method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 9 wherein which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said special number call receiving facility during said special number call.

13. The method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 10 wherein communication between said special number call receiving facility and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.

14. The method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 13 wherein which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said special number call receiving facility during said special number call.

15. A system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit;

the system comprising;

(a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network, a radio access network, and a public switched telephone network configured and situated for communicative coupling with said calling unit;

(b) at least one network switching facility coupled with at least one of said unlicensed mobile access network, said radio access network and said public switched telephone network; and

(c) a public service answering position coupled with said at least one network switching facility;

at least one of said public service answering position and said at least one network switching facility being configured for effecting communicative coupling of said special number call with said at least one function-focused answering unit;

after receiving said special number call, said public service answering position effecting said dynamically coupling said special number call to one or more included function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit;

determination which function-focused answering unit of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit being made at said public service answering position.

16. The system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 15 wherein the system further comprises a location determining facility coupled with at least one of said at least one network switching facility and said public service answering position;

said public service answering position cooperating with said location determining facility to effect said dynamic coupling.

17. The system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 15 wherein which function-focused answering units of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said public service answering position during said emergency service call.

18. The system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 15 wherein communication between said public service answering position and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.

19. The system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 16 wherein which function-focused answering units of said at least one function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit may be changed by said public service answering position during said emergency service call.

20. The system for dynamically coupling an emergency service call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit as recited in claim 19 wherein communication between said public service answering position and a respective included function-focused answering unit may be established as at least one of voice communication and data communication.