System and method for effecting special number communications by a multi-mode phone using a preferred mode

• US 8,180,320 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: West Corporation
• Inventors: Pierce, Jennifer Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG-HURST, KATHY W
• Application Number:
  US12/501,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20110009088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 4554041-4042, 4554561-4563, 455/552.1, 379/45, 379/219
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• 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 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method for effecting emergency service communications using a preferred mode by a communication station configured for communicating using multiple modes includes: (a) evaluating the multiple modes to identify a plurality of extant operationally viable modes for the communication station; (b) evaluating the plurality of extant operationally viable modes to identify the preferred mode among the plurality of extant operationally viable modes; the preferred mode having a generally best communicating milieu among the plurality of extant operationally viable modes; and (c) initiating the emergency service communications employing the preferred mode.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a preferred mode for effecting emergency service communications using a communication device configured for communicating using multiple modes;

the method comprising;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) evaluating said multiple modes to identify a plurality of extant operationally viable modes for said communication device; and

(2) determining extant geographic location of said communication device;

(b) predicting a likely communication coverage density at said extant geographic location by at least one selected mode of said extant operationally viable modes;

(c) evaluating said at least one selected mode to identify said preferred mode among said at least one selected mode including evaluating communication coverage density from a terrain map relating to said extant geographic location;

said terrain map being installed in said communication device by at least one of preprovisioning to said communication device, provisioning at start up of said communication device and periodic provisioning to said communication device;

said preferred mode having a generally best communicating milieu among said plurality of extant operationally viable modes;

said generally best communicating milieu being capable of a most accurate said determining of extant geographic location of said communication device and having the most predicted communication coverage density; and

(d) initiating said emergency service communications employing said preferred mode.

2. The selecting a preferred mode for effecting emergency service communications using a communication device configured for communicating using multiple modes as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication station consults an emergency communication priority list in determining said best communicating milieu;

said emergency communication priority list indicating accuracy of location information vis-à

-vis respective modes of said multiple modes for said extant geographic location.

3. The selecting a preferred mode for effecting emergency service communications using a communication device configured for communicating using multiple modes as recited in claim 2 wherein said emergency communication priority list is provisioned in said communication station by at least one of a preprovisioned said priority list, an input by a user of said communication station, and an input to said communication station during communication between said communication station and a mobile communication network.

4. A method for effecting special number communications using a preferred mode by a multiple-mode capable communication station;

said multiple-mode capable communication station including a location determining unit for substantially fixing geographic location of said multiple-mode capable communication station;

the method comprising;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) evaluating said multiple modes to identify a plurality of extant operationally viable modes for said multiple-mode capable communication station; and

(2) determining an extant geographic location of said multiple-mode capable communication station;

(b) employing said extant geographic location of said multiple-mode capable communication station to effect a prediction of likely communication coverage density by at least one selected mode of said multiple modes;

(c) evaluating said prediction of likely communication coverage density by said at least one selected mode to identify said preferred mode among said at least one selected mode including evaluating communication coverage density from a terrain map relating to said extant geographic location;

said terrain map being installed in said multiple-mode capable communication station by at least one of preprovisioning to said multiple-mode capable communication station, provisioning at start up of said multiple-mode capable communication station and periodic provisioning to said multiple-mode capable communication station;

said preferred mode having a generally best communicating milieu among said plurality of extant operationally viable modes;

said generally best communicating milieu being capable of a most accurate said determining of extant geographic location of said multiple mode capable communication station and having the most predicted communication coverage density; and

(d) initiating said special number communications employing said preferred mode.

5. The method for effecting special number communications using a preferred mode by a multiple-mode capable communication station as recited in claim 4 wherein said multiple-mode capable communication station consults a special number communication priority list in determining said best communicating milieu;

said special number communication priority list indicating accuracy of location information vis-à

-vis respective modes of said multiple modes for said extant geographic location.

6. The method for effecting special number communications using a preferred mode by a multiple-mode capable communication station as recited in claim 5 wherein said special number communication priority list is provisioned in said multiple-mode capable communication station by at least one of a preprovisioned said priority list, an input by a user of said multiple-mode capable communication station, and an input to said multiple-mode capable communication station during communication between said multiple-mode capable communication station and a mobile communication network.

7. A system for effecting emergency service communications using a preferred mode by a communication station configured for communicating using multiple modes;

the system comprising;

(a) a location determining unit coupled with said communication station for substantially fixing geographic location of said communication station, said location determining unit determining an extant geographic location of said communication station;

said extant geographic location of said communication station being employed to effect a prediction of likely communication coverage density by at least one selected mode of said multiple modes; and

(b) a mode evaluating unit coupled with said communication station for evaluating said at least one selected mode to identify said preferred mode among said at least one selected mode including evaluating communication coverage density from a terrain map relating to said extant geographic location;

said terrain map being installed in said communication station by at least one of preprovisioning to said communication station, provisioning at start up of said communication station and periodic provisioning to said communication station;

said preferred mode having a generally best communicating milieu among said plurality of extant operationally viable modes;

said generally best communicating milieu being capable of a most accurate said determining of extant geographic location of said multiple mode capable communication station and having the most predicted communication coverage density;

said emergency service communications being effected employing said preferred mode.

8. The system for effecting emergency service communications using a preferred mode by a communication station configured for communicating using multiple modes as recited in claim 7 wherein said communication station consults an emergency communication priority list in determining said best communicating milieu;

said emergency communication priority list indicating accuracy of location information vis-à

-vis respective modes of said multiple modes for said extant geographic location.

9. The system for effecting emergency service communications using a preferred mode by a communication station configured for communicating using multiple modes as recited in claim 8 wherein said emergency communication priority list is provisioned in said communication station by at least one of a preprovisioned said priority list, an input by a user of said communication station, and an input to said communication station during communication between said communication station and a mobile communication network.