Method of providing a unique call back number for wireless 9-1-1 calls

• US 7,764,944 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Rollender, Douglas Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro; Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROOKS, SHANNON
• Application Number:
  US10/877,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20050287979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/445, 455/426, 455/521
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

A method of communication to at least one wireless unit originating an emergency call. The method includes the step of receiving one or more routing tags associated with a wireless unit originating a “9-1-1” call. A routing tag may comprise, for example, a string of numbers corresponding with Emergency Service Routing Digits (“ESRD”) and/or an Emergency Service Routing Key (“ESRK”). In addition to the routing tag, a mobile equipment identification number (“MEIN”) and/or a paging identity (“PGID”) may also be received by a database accessible by wireless network infrastructure elements, such as a mobile switching center (“MSC”), as well as the emergency call center, including the local public service answering point, for example. In response to this receiving step, at least one unique identifier (e.g., unique call back number) may be generated. This unique identifier may be a dialable number to enable the emergency call center to call back the wireless unit originating the “9-1-1” call. Thereafter, the unique identifier may be transmitted back to the MSC, along with the emergency call center, for example. Consequently, an emergency call back may be launched by the emergency call center using the unique identifier to reach the MSC generally, and more particularly, the wireless unit originating the “9-1-1” call.

Claims

1. A method of communication with at least one wireless unit originating an emergency call, the method comprising:

receiving at least one routing tag associated with the at least one wireless unit from which the emergency call is received;

generating a unique call back number in response to receiving the at least one routing tag, the unique call back number being associated with at least one mobile switching center (MSC) serving the at least one wireless unit, the unique call back number including a string of numbers corresponding with a local public safety number associated with the at least one MSC and a string of numbers assigned to the unique call back number upon receiving the at least one routing tag;

storing the unique call back number in at least one emergency call register directly accessible by a local emergency center such that there is no intervening network infrastructure element between the at least one emergency call register and the local emergency center; and

transmitting the unique call back number to uniquely identify the at least one wireless unit in response to the step of receiving at least one routing tag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one routing tag includes a string of numbers corresponding with at least one of a Emergency Service Routing Digits and a Emergency Service Routing Key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of receiving at least one routing tag comprises:

receiving at least one of a mobile equipment identification number and a paging identity with the at least one routing tag.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

launching an emergency call back using the stored unique call back number.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the Emergency Service Routing Digits comprises a string of numbers associated with a cell sector of the mobile switching center in which the emergency call originates, and the Emergency Service Routing Key comprises a string of numbers associated with at least one of a mobile positioning center and geographical mobile location center.

6. A method of communication to at least one wireless unit originating an emergency call, the method comprising:

transmitting at least one routing tag associated with the at least one wireless unit;

storing a unique call back number in at least one emergency call register directly accessible by a local emergency center such that there is no intervening network infrastructure element between the at least one emergency call register and the local emergency center, the unique call back number including a string of numbers corresponding with a local public safety number associated with at least one mobile switching center (MSC) and a string of numbers assigned to the unique call back number upon transmitting the at least one routing tag; and

receiving, from the at least one emergency call register, the unique call back number being associated with the at least one MSC serving the at least one wireless unit in response to the step of transmitting at least one routing tag.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising:

receiving a launched emergency call back using the received unique call back number.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving a launched emergency call back comprises:

forming a traffic channel to support receiving the launched emergency call back.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one routing tag includes a string of numbers corresponding with at least one of a Emergency Service Routing Digits and a Emergency Service Routing Key.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of transmitting at least one routing tag comprises:

transmitting at least one of a mobile equipment identification number and a paging identity.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of receiving the unique call back number comprises:

accessing the at least one emergency call register having the unique call back number stored therein using the at least one routing tag.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the Emergency Service Routing Digits comprises a string of numbers associated with a cell sector of the mobile switching center in which the emergency call originates, and the Emergency Service Routing Key comprises a string of numbers associated with at least one of a mobile positioning center and geographical mobile location center.