Method and apparatus for handling an in-call request for emergency services

• US 6,292,542 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bilder, Mitchell K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/371,809
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 379/45, 379/37, 379/38, 379/39, 379/40, 379/41, 379/42, 379/43, 379/44, 379/201
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1325 Priority service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 Operator, emergency services

Abstract

Alternate methods for accessing emergency services, such as conventional 911 services, are provided. Emergency services can be requested during an ongoing call and the emergency services requestor along with at least one other party involved in the ongoing call can be bridged to the emergency services operator. Alternately, the ongoing call can be terminated and only the emergency services requestor be connected to the emergency services. An interexchange carrier can determine appropriate routing for the emergency services call and connect the requestor to the appropriate emergency services. The interexchange carrier can maintain emergency services databases that contain the same information as that in databases maintained by a local exchange carrier. In addition, the interexchange carrier can provide emergency services directory services so that callers can obtain emergency services information, such as telephone numbers, for emergency service providers in distant areas.

Claims

1. A method for providing emergency services during communication services over a network, comprising:

providing communication services by sending communication information via the network between a caller and at least one called party;

monitoring the communication information in the network for an in-call emergency services request;

detecting an in-call emergency services request from at least one of the caller and the called party for emergency services; and

connecting at least one of the caller and the called party to appropriate emergency services, whereby the connection between the called party and the calling party is maintained.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing communication services comprises sending telecommunications information between the caller and the at least one called party.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing communication services comprises sending communication information between a caller and a called party through a local exchange carrier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing communication services comprises sending communication information between the caller and a called party through an interexchange carrier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request comprises receiving a DTMF signal provided by one of the caller and the called party.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request comprises receiving a request from one of the caller and the called party for emergency services to be provided to the other of the caller and the called party.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request comprises an interexchange carrier receiving the request and the interexchange carrier accessing an emergency services database to obtain routing information for routing the emergency services request.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request comprises receiving information designating an identity of a party needing emergency services that is different than an identity of the party that provided the request.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of connecting at least one of the caller and the called party comprises bridging the caller and the called party to an emergency service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of connecting at least one of the caller and the called party comprises connecting one of the caller and the called party to a regional emergency services operator.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of connecting at least one of the caller and the called party comprises connecting at least one of the caller and the called party to emergency services through a direct link between an interexchange carrier and the emergency services.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing one of the caller and the called party with emergency service directory assistance information.

13. A method for providing telecommunication services, comprising:

sending telecommunication information from at least one of the caller and a called party during a telephone call;

monitoring the telecommunication information in the telephone call for an in-call emergency services request;

reviewing an in-call emergency services request from at least one of the caller and a called party for emergency services; and

connecting at least one of the caller and a called party to appropriate emergency services, whereby the connection between the called party and the calling party is maintained.