Apparatus for locating a station initiating transmission of an emergency message in a network having multiple transmission sources

• US 7,356,129 B1
• Filed: 08/18/1999
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ShoreTel Incorporated (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Martin D. Moody
• Inventors: Moody, Martin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah; Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/376,876
• Time in Patent Office: 3,156 Days
• Field of Search: 379/37, 379 40- 45, 379/51, 379/49, 342/450, 342/457, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/10.1, 340/825.46, 455/404, 455456-457, 455/404.01, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4547 for personal communications, i.e. using a personal identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• 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 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42357 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system for identifying the location of an individual at a transmission source who has initiated a message relating to an emergency. The system includes means for determining the specific location of the message initiator.

Claims

1. Emergency message processor apparatus, for use in a local communications network including supported multiple transmission sources, to provide emergency message initiator identification information, regarding the one transmission source having initiated an emergency message, to an emergency system including an emergency system (ALI) database, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an information storage unit, interposed in the local communications network, maintaining indicia, defining the multiple transmission sources, to be transmitted under emergency circumstances, and implementation information to enable the indicia to be transmitted and properly routed when emergency circumstances occur, immediately upon initiation of an emergency message; and

(b) an initiator, in the local communications network, fully implementing transmission into the emergency system, with minimal volitional activity, of at least some of the indicia, defining a transmission source implementing transmission under emergency circumstances, immediately upon initiation of an emergency message;

(c) wherein said initiator precludes a need for any extraordinary adjunct equipment specially installed in the emergency system which corresponds with said initiator.

2. An emergency message processor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said processor interfaces with a PBX.

3. An emergency message processor apparatus in accordance with claim 2, said processor further comprising means for managing the PBX.

4. An emergency message processor apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising means for manipulating said indicia.

5. An emergency message processor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for concurrently transmitting emergency message indicia to a monitoring location proximate a transmission source experiencing the emergency circumstance.