Method and system for locating a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) device connected to a network

• US 8,724,522 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Livingood, Jason D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US13/012,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20110116420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 370/259, 370/352, 370/392, 370/395.2, 370/389, 379/45, 379/37, 455/404.1, 455/456.1, 455/404.2, 348/207.1, 348/14.01, 725/46, 342/357.4
• US Class Current: 370/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• 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 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• 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 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

A method and system for locating a device connected to a network by determining a current network address for the device and comparing the current network address to a network address in a user profile. If the network addresses match, the device is located based on a physical address associated with the network address in the user profile.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating at least a first part of a user profile associated with a voice over packet device, the user profile including a physical address and an associated network address, the physical address identifying a location of a user of the voice over packet device when accessing a network from the associated network address;

determining an emergency call origination network address for the voice over packet device upon detecting an emergency call made by the voice over packet device, the emergency call origination network address associated with a current access point on the network through which the voice over packet device is making the emergency call;

locating the user profile associated with the voice over packet device making the emergency call;

determining that the network address in the located user profile matches the emergency call origination network address; and

determining that the voice over packet device is located at the physical address.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

routing the emergency call to a public safety answering point (PSAP).

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating at least a second part of the user profile dynamically by delivering a request for information to the voice over packet device and receiving a response to the request.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

delivering the request and receiving the response through speech commands.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating at least a second part of the user profile based on input from the user, wherein the input relates to the physical address and the network address.

6. A method comprising:

generating at least a first part of a user profile associated with a device, the user profile including a physical address and an associated network address, the physical address identifying a location of a user of the device when accessing a network from the associated network address;

determining a current network address for the device on the network;

determining that the current network address for the device matches the network address in the user profile; and

determining that the device is located at the physical address associated with the network address.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

creating at least a second part of the user profile dynamically by delivering a request for information to the device and receiving a response to the request.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

delivering the request and receiving the response through speech commands.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

generating at least a second part of the user profile based on user input indicating the physical address and the network address.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

associating a number with the device in the user profile;

wherein the determining that the device is located at the physical address is based on the number.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

causing transmission of the number from the device upon connecting the device to the network.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

confirming the location of the device.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

confirming the location of the device by contacting the device and prompting the user of the device.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

contacting the device through a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call and conducting the prompting through speech commands.

15. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

providing the location of the device to a public safety answering point (PSAP).

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

determining an emergency call being made on the device and providing the location of the device to the PSAP in response to the emergency call being made on the device.