Priority based methods and apparatus for transmitting accurate emergency location identification numbers (ELINs) from behind a multi-line telephone system (MLTS)

• US 7,003,081 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Stumer, Peggy M., Ozery, Nissim, Meiden, David A. Vander, Frank, Richard, Kucmerowski, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/816,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20020136361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 379/37, 379/46, 379/45, 379/50, 379/93.26, 379/156, 379/157, 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/243, 379/244, 379/245
• US Class Current: 379/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48

Abstract

Methods for accurate transmission of ELIN/callback number from an emergency caller calling from behind a PBX/MLTS include prioritizing the emergency call, assigning a port equipment number to each device/trunk of the PBX/MLTS and associating ports/devices with ELINs and callback numbers. The apparatus of the invention detects an emergency number, assigns the call priority, and uses the port/device number to determine the ELIN/callback number and properly transmit the ELIN/callback number.

Claims

1. A method for processing an emergency call made from behind a PBX/MLTS coupled to a private network, said method comprising the steps of:

a) within the PBX/MLTS determining whether dialed digits represent an emergency number;

b) assigning priority within the PBX/MLTS to a call determined to be an emergency call, such that said call takes priority over other calls in traversing said private network before reaching a public network trunk;

c) storing a port equipment number for each device/trunk in the PBX/MLTS; and

d) associating a callback number with each port equipment number.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

e) determining from which port the emergency call originated; and

f) transmitting to a public safety answering point the callback number associated with the port from which the emergency call originated.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said private network includes a second PBX/MLTS.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of:

c) processing said emergency call in said private network based on said assigned priority.

5. A method for processing an emergency call made from behind a PBX/IMLTS coupled to a private network, said method comprising the steps of:

a) within the PBX/MLTS determining whether dialed digits represent an emergency number;

b) assigning priority within the PBX/MLTS to a call determined to be an emergency call, such that said call takes priority over other calls in traversing said private network before reaching a public network trunk;

c) storing a port equipment number for each device/trunk in the PBX/IMLTS; and

d) associating an emergency location identification number (ELIN) and a callback number with each port equipment number.

6. A method according to claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

e) determining from which port the emergency call originated; and

f) transmitting to a public safety answering point the ELIN and the callback number associated with the port from which the emergency call originated.

7. An apparatus for processing an emergency call made from behind a PBX/MLTS coupled to a private network, said apparatus comprising:

a) means within the PBX/MLTS for determining whether dialed digits represent an emergency number;

b) means for assigning priority within the PBX/MLTS to a call determined to be an emergency call, such that said call takes priority over other calls in traversing said private network before reaching a public network trunk;

c) means for storing a port equipment number for each device/trunk in the PBX/MLTS; and

d) means for associating a callback number with each port equipment number.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising:

e) means for determining from which port the emergency call originated; and

f) means for transmitting to a public safety answering point the callback number associated with the port from which the emergency call originated.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said private network includes a second PBX/MLTS.

10. An apparatus for Processing an emergency call made from behind a PBX/MLTS coupled to a private network, said apparatus comprising:

a) means within the PBX/MLTS for determining whether dialed digits represent an emergency number;

b) means for assigning priority within the PBX/MLTS to a call determined to be an emergency call, such that said call takes priority over other calls in traversing said private network before reaching a public network trunk;

c) means for storing a port equipment number for each device/port in the PBX/MLTS; and

d) means for associating an emergency location identification number (ELIN) and a callback number with each port equipment number.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:

e) means for determining from which port the emergency call originated; and

f) means for transmitting to a public safety answering point the ELIN and the callback number associated with the port from which the emergency call originated.