Method and system for obtaining emergency caller location

• US 8,121,613 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2008
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
• Inventors: Ho, Chi Fai, Chiu, Shin Cheung Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khai M
• Application Number:
  US12/205,883
• Time in Patent Office: 1,262 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/554.1
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• 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

Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining a subscriber location for a call from a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a cellular base station via a subscriber access line, the cellular base station having a base station identity, wherein the cellular base station is coupled to a cellular phone system, comprising:

(a) sending a query from the cellular phone system to a subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity;

(b) receiving from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled; and

(c) determining if the mobile phone has changed locations, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station via a current subscriber access line, comprising;

(c1) obtaining by the mobile phone a current base station identity for the current cellular base station, and

(c2) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone comprises a datastore, the datastore storing the base station identity, wherein the comparing (c2) comprises:

(c2i) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity stored in the datastore.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving (b) comprises:

(b1) obtaining by the mobile phone the geophysical property of the cellular base station; and

(b2) determining by the mobile phone a location of the mobile phone using the geophysical property of the cellular base station.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the location of the mobile phone is a geophysical location of the mobile phone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the receiving (b) further comprises:

(b3) obtaining, by the mobile phone, directory services based on the geophysical location of the mobile phone.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) obtaining by the mobile phone a current geophysical property of the current cellular base station; and

(e) determining by the mobile phone a current location of the mobile phone using the current geophysical property of the current cellular base station.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the current location of the mobile phone is a current geophysical location of the mobile phone, wherein the method further comprises:

(f) obtaining by the mobile phone directory services based on the current geophysical location of the mobile phone.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber access line comprises a multiplexing channel or a wireless channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical location of the cellular base station.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining (c) further comprises:

(c3) if the current base station identity is different from the base station identity, then displaying a location change on a display of the mobile phone.

11. A method for obtaining a subscriber location for a call from a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a cellular base station via a subscriber access line, wherein the cellular base station is coupled to a cellular phone system, comprising:

(a) determining by the cellular phone system a base station identity of the cellular base station;

(b) sending a query from the cellular phone system to a subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity;

(c) receiving from the subscriber location query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled; and

(d) determining if a mobile phone has changed locations, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to the cellular base station via the subscriber access line, comprising;

(d1) obtaining the base station identity of the cellular base station by the mobile phone;

(d2) storing the base station identity in a datastore of the mobile phone;

(d3) obtaining a current base station identity for a current cellular base station to which the mobile phone is currently coupled; and

(d4) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity stored in the datastore.

12. A system, comprising:

a cellular base station having a base station identity;

a mobile phone coupled to the cellular base station via a subscriber access line;

a subscriber location query system, comprising a subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity; and

a cellular phone system coupled to the cellular base station,

wherein the cellular phone system sends a query to the subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity, and

wherein the cellular phone system receives from the subscriber location query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station, and

wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone obtains a current base station identity for the current cellular base station, and

wherein the mobile phone determines if the mobile phone has changed locations by comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile phone comprises a datastore, the datastore storing the base station identity, wherein the mobile phone compares the current base station identity with the base station identity in the datastore.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile phone obtains the geophysical property of the cellular base station and determines a location of the mobile phone using the geophysical property of the cellular base station.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the location of the mobile phone is a geophysical location of the mobile phone.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile phone obtains directory services based on the geophysical location of the mobile phone.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile phone obtains a current geophysical property of the current cellular base station and determines a current location of the mobile phone using the current geophysical property of the current cellular base station.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the current location of the mobile phone is a current geophysical location of the mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone obtains directory services based on the current geophysical location of the mobile phone.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the subscriber access line comprises a multiplexing channel or a wireless channel.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical location of the cellular base station.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein if the current base station identity is different from the base station identity, then displaying a location change on a display of the mobile phone.

22. A system, comprising:

a subscriber access line having a subscriber access line identity;

a cellular base station;

a mobile phone coupled to the cellular base station via the subscriber access line;

a subscriber location query system, comprising a subscriber location corresponding to the subscriber access line identity;

a cellular phone system coupled to the cellular base station, wherein the cellular phone system receives a call from the mobile phone via the subscriber access line,

wherein the cellular phone system determines the subscriber access line identity,

wherein the cellular phone system sends a query to the subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the subscriber access line identity, and

wherein the cellular phone system receives from the subscriber location query system the subscriber location, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled; and

a subscriber phone equipment coupled to the cellular base station via the subscriber access line, wherein the subscriber phone equipment comprises a location test module and a datastore, wherein the datastore comprises the subscriber access line identity of the subscriber access line,

wherein the location test module obtains a current subscriber access line identity for a current subscriber access line to which the subscriber phone equipment is currently coupled, and compares the current subscriber access line identity with the subscriber access line identity stored in the datastore.

23. A method for obtaining a directory service for a subscriber location for a call from a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a cellular base station via a subscriber access line, wherein the cellular base station is coupled to a cellular phone system, comprising:

(a) sending a query from the cellular phone system to a subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity;

(b) receiving from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled;

(c) determining if a mobile phone has changed locations, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station via a current subscriber access line, comprising;

(c1) obtaining a current base station identity for the current cellular base station, and

(c2) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity;

(d) determining a subscriber location of the mobile phone using the geophysical property of the cellular base station; and

(e) receiving, by the mobile phone, a directory based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein if the mobile phone has changed locations, then the receiving (e) comprises:

(e1) obtaining a current subscriber location of the mobile phone; and

(e2) receiving, by the mobile phone, a current directory based on the current subscriber location of the mobile phone.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiving (e2) comprises:

(e2i) determining that the directory service is not available; and

(e2ii) displaying an indication of no directory service on a display of the mobile phone.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the subscriber location of the mobile phone comprises a building, and the directory comprises a directory of the building.

27. A method for obtaining marketing information for a subscriber location for a call from a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a cellular base station via a subscriber access line, wherein the cellular base station is coupled to a cellular phone system, comprising:

(a) sending a query from the cellular phone system to a subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity;

(b) receiving from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled;

(c) determining if a mobile phone has changed locations, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station via a current subscriber access line, comprising;

(c1) obtaining a current base station identity for the current cellular base station, and

(c2) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity;

(d) determining a subscriber location of the mobile phone using the geophysical property of the cellular base station; and

(e) sending the marketing information based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein if the mobile phone has changed locations, then the receiving (e) comprises:

(e1) obtaining a current subscriber location of the mobile phone; and

(e2) sending a current marking information based on the current subscriber location of the mobile phone.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the receiving (e2) comprises:

(e2i) determining that the marketing information is not available; and

(e2ii) displaying an indication of no marketing information on a display of the mobile phone.

30. A method for providing a location-based service for a subscriber location for a call from a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a cellular base station via a subscriber access line, wherein the cellular base station is coupled to a cellular phone system, comprising:

(a) sending a query from the cellular phone system to a subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity;

(b) receiving from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station to which the subscriber access line is coupled;

(c) determining if a mobile phone has changed locations, wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station via a current subscriber access line, comprising;

(c1) obtaining a current base station identity for the current cellular base station, and

(c2) comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity;

(d) determining a subscriber location of the mobile phone using the geophysical property of the cellular base station; and

(e) sending location-based information based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the location-based service comprises a directory service, wherein the location-based information comprises a directory.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein if the mobile phone has changed locations, then the receiving (e) comprises:

(e1) obtaining a current subscriber location of the mobile phone; and

(e2) sending a current location-based information based on the current subscriber location of the mobile phone.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the receiving (e2) comprises:

(e2i) determining that the location-based service is not available; and

(e2ii) displaying an indication of no location-based service on a display of the mobile phone.

34. A system, comprising:

a cellular base station having a base station identity;

a mobile phone coupled to the cellular base station;

a subscriber location query system, comprising a subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity; and

a cellular phone system coupled to the cellular base station,

wherein the cellular phone system sends a query to the subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity, and

wherein the cellular phone system receives from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station

wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone obtains a current base station identity for the current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone determines if the mobile phone has changed locations by comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity,

wherein a subscriber location of the mobile phone is determined using the geophysical property of the cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone receives a directory based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.

35. A system, comprising:

a cellular base station having a base station identity;

a mobile phone coupled to the cellular base station;

a subscriber location query system, comprising a subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity; and

a cellular phone system coupled to the cellular base station,

wherein the cellular phone system sends a query to the subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity, and

wherein the cellular phone system receives from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone obtains a current base station identity for the current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone determines if the mobile phone has changed locations by comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity,

wherein a subscriber location of the mobile phone is determined using the geophysical property of the cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone receives marketing information based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.

36. A system, comprising:

a cellular base station having a base station identity;

a mobile phone coupled to the cellular base station;

a subscriber location query system, comprising a subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity; and

a cellular phone system coupled to the cellular base station,

wherein the cellular phone system sends a query to the subscriber location query system, wherein the query comprises the base station identity, and

wherein the cellular phone system receives from the query system the subscriber location corresponding to the base station identity, wherein the subscriber location comprises a geophysical property of the cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone is coupled to a current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone obtains a current base station identity for the current cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone determines if the mobile phone has changed locations by comparing the current base station identity with the base station identity,

wherein a subscriber location of the mobile phone is determined using the geophysical property of the cellular base station,

wherein the mobile phone receives location-based information based on the subscriber location of the mobile phone.