Methods and apparatus for transmitting accurate emergency location identification numbers (ELINs) after an emergency caller disconnects

• US 7,103,153 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Heinz, Stumer, Peggy M., Ozery, Nissim, Siu, Jorge Waimin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/816,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20020136363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,992 Days
• Field of Search: 379/45, 379/39, 379/37, 379/38, 379/49, 379/142.01, 379/201.01, 379/215.01, 379/198
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/14 Delay circuits; Timers
• 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 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods (and corresponding apparatus) for accurate transmission of an ELIN/callback number from an emergency caller after the emergency call goes on-hook. The methods include (upon initiation of an emergency call) the steps of storing an emergency location identification number and/or callback number in a buffer; and, upon detecting an on-hook event, transmitting the ELIN and/or callback number from the buffer. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the emergency call is disconnected after said step of transmitting; and prior to said step of transmitting, optionally first over private network and to the public network PSAP, a timer is initiated. The step of disconnecting is performed after the timer expires.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting an emergency location identification number (ELIN) and/or callback number for an analog or digital telephonic device from which an emergency call was made, from customer premises equipment (CPE) to a public safety answering point (PSAP) after an emergency call goes on-hook, said method comprising the steps of:

a) upon initiation of an emergency call, storing ELIN and/or callback number in a buffer at the CPE;

b) upon detecting an on-book event at the telephonic device from which the emergency call was made, autonomously transmitting the ELIN and/or callback number from the buffer to the PSAP prior to disconnecting the call at the PBX/MLTS.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of disconnecting the emergency call after said step of transmitting.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of prior to said step of transmitting, initiating a timer, wherein said step of disconnecting is performed after the timer expires.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting to the public network (PRI) is accomplished via an ISDN SETUP message.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting is accomplished over a private network via QSIG ISDN SETUP message signaling.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein said step of disconnecting is accomplished via an ISDN DISConnect message.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting over a private network and/or public network is accomplished via DTMF signaling.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting is accomplished via CAMA trunk type signaling.

9. The method according to claim 2 wherein said step of disconnecting is accomplished via a trunk release.

10. An apparatus for transmitting an emergency location identification number (ELIN) and/or callback number for an analog or digital telephonic device from which an emergency call was made, from customer premises equipment (CPE) to a public safety answering point (PSAP) after an emergency call goes on-hook, said apparatus comprising:

a) storage means at the CPE for storing an ELIN and/or callback number upon initiation of an emergency call;

b) transmitting means at the CPE coupled to said storage means for autonomously transmitting the stored ELIN and/or callback number to the PSAP upon detecting an on-hook event at the telephonic device from which the emergency call was made, prior to disconnecting the call at the PBX/MLTS.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising disconnect means for disconnecting the emergency call after said transmitting means transmits the stored ELIN and/or callback number.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a timer coupled to said disconnect means, wherein said disconnect means disconnects the emergency call after said timer expires.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said transmitting means includes means for sending an ISDN SETUP message.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said transmitting means includes means for QSIG signaling.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said disconnect means includes means for sending an ISDN DiSConnect message.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said transmitting means includes means for DTMF signaling.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said transmitting means includes means for CAMA trunk type signaling.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said disconnect means includes means for sending a trunk release.