Technique for routing and controlling emergency calls

• US 7,154,995 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Saleh, Alfred M., Wilson, Richard Bailey
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US10/978,385
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 379/45, 379 37- 40, 379/352, 370/352
• 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: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4874 Intercept announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1325 Priority service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

A technique for routing and controlling emergency calls is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for routing and controlling emergency calls. The method may comprise intercepting an emergency call from a caller. The method may also comprise causing the caller to experience a predetermined delay. The method may additionally comprise communicating a message to the caller during the predetermined delay.

Claims

1. A method for routing and controlling emergency calls, the method comprising:

intercepting, at a telephone exchange, an emergency call from a caller;

causing the caller to experience a pre-programmed delay; and

communicating a message to the caller during the pre-programmed delay.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

extracting a setup message from the emergency call, wherein the setup message comprises at least a calling line identification (CLID) and a dialed number;

verifying the calling line identification (CLID) and the dialed number based on a query to one or more databases;

modifying the setup message based on the query; and

routing the emergency call based on the setup message.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

recording the emergency call.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

time-stamping the recorded emergency call.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call originates from within a private network.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

providing notification to on-site personnel associated with the private network.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more databases are selected from a group consisting of a routing database and a CLID database.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more databases are associated with an automatic location identification database.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more databases are associated with a location identification server.

10. At least one signal embodied in at least one carrier wave for transmitting a computer program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a computer process for performing the method as recited in claim 1.

11. At least one processor readable carrier for storing a computer program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a computer process for performing the method as recited in claim 1.

12. A system for routing and controlling emergency calls, the system comprising:

means for intercepting an emergency call from a caller;

means for causing the caller to experience a pre-programmed delay; and

means for communicating a message to the caller during the pre-programmed delay.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising:

means for extracting a setup message from the emergency call, wherein the setup message comprises at least a calling line identification (CLID) and a dialed number;

means for verifying the calling line identification (CLID) and the dialed number based on a query to one or more databases;

means for modifying the setup message based on the query; and

means for routing the emergency call based on the setup message.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising:

means for recording the emergency call.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

means for time-stamping the recorded emergency call.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the emergency call originates from within a private network.

17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising:

at least one annunciator for providing notification to on-site personnel associated with the private network.

18. The system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more databases are selected from a group consisting of a routing database and a CLID database.

19. The system according to claim 12, further comprising an automatic location identification database.

20. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a location identification server.

21. A system for routing and controlling emergency calls, the system comprising:

a telephone exchange that intercepts an emergency call from a caller; and

an emergency call routing and control device that;

causes the caller to experience a pre-programmed delay; and

communicates a message to the caller during the pre-programmed delay.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the emergency call routing and control device:

extracts a setup message from the emergency call, wherein the setup message comprises at least a calling line identification (CLID) and a dialed number;

verifies the calling line identification (CLID) and the dialed number based on a query to one or more databases;

modifies the setup message based on the query; and

routes the emergency call based on the setup message.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the emergency call routing and control device comprises a time slot interchange.

24. The system according to claim 21, wherein the emergency call routing and control device is coupled to the telephone exchange via a T1 PRI trunk.