Systems and methods for locating endpoints in a communication network

• US 8,768,350 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hagens, Robert A., Morgan, John A., Terpstra, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): El-Zoobi, Maria
• Application Number:
  US11/009,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20120243466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,491 Days
• Field of Search: 379 37- 52, 455/550.1, 370/352, 701/202
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining and/or providing call origin location information. In one particular case, a method is provided for identifying communication origin location in relation to an emergency response system. The method includes providing a communication device stability module and receiving a network access request associated with a communication device. A location status of the communication device is determined, and based at least in part on the location status of the communication device, a query is issued requesting a location of the communication device.

Claims

1. A method for identifying communication origin location in relation to an emergency response system, the method comprising:

receiving a network access request associated with a communication device, wherein the communication device is communicatively connected to a first network, the first network selected from the group consisting of a public switched telephone network and a public Internet;

determining a location status of the communication device indicating whether the communication device has potentially moved via a communication device stability module; and

based at least in part on the location status of the communication device, querying for a location of the communication device;

receiving the location of the communication device; and

registering the location of the communication device in a registration module resident in a second network separate and distinct from the first network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location status of the communication device includes providing an indication that the communication device has moved.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes performing a function selected from the group consisting of:

automatically connecting the communication device with a voice response unit;

sending an email to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should call in to the voice response unit;

providing a modified dial tone to the communication device, wherein the modified dial tone indicates that the user should call in to the voice response unit;

sending a voice mail to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should call in to the voice response unit;

sending an email to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should access a website, wherein the website is operable to query for updated location information;

providing a modified dial tone to the communication device, wherein the modified dial tone indicates that the user should access the website; and

sending a voice mail to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should access the website.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes connecting the communication device to a voice response unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the voice response unit provides a menu of predefined locations.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a phone number local to at least one of the predefined locations is associated with at least one of the predefined locations.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the phone number is acceptable to a PSAP local to at least one of the predefined locations.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a SIP phone with a display, and wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes displaying a location request on the display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the location request includes a list of predefined locations.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location status of the communication device includes providing an indication that the communication device is at least potentially at a location different from the registered location of the communication device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the network access request associated with the communication device includes receiving a network registration message at a network location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the network registration message is a SIP Register message, wherein the network location is accessible via a Uniform Record Locator, and wherein the SIP Register message includes a received Internet Protocol address.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

registering the received Internet Protocol address in association with the communication device; and

wherein determining a location status of the communication device includes comparing the received Internet Protocol address with a previously registered Internet Protocol address.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device is selected from a group consisting of:

a terminal adapter, a SIP phone, a DSL modem, a dial up modem, and a cable modem.

15. A system for identifying communication device location in relation to an emergency response system, the system comprising:

a communication device stability module, wherein the communication device stability module is operable to determine a location status of a communication device indicating whether the communication device has potentially moved, wherein the communication device is communicatively connected to a first network, the first network selected from the group consisting of a public switched telephone network and a public Internet;

a registration module, wherein the registration module is operable to register a location of the communication device, wherein the registration module resides in a second network separate and distinct from the first network; and

a location access module, wherein the location access module is operable to query for a location of the communication device based at least in part on the location status of the communication device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein determining the location status of the communication device includes providing an indication that the communication device has moved.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system further comprises a voice response unit, and wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes performing a function selected from the group consisting of:

automatically connecting the communication device with the voice response unit;

sending an email to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should call in to the voice response unit;

providing a modified dial tone to the communication device, wherein the automatic dial tone indicates that the user should call in to the voice response unit; and

sending a voice mail to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should call in to the voice response unit.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the system further comprises a website operable to query for updated location information, and wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes performing a function selected from the group consisting of:

sending an email to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should access the website;

providing a modified dial tone to the communication device, wherein the modified dial tone indicates that the user should access the website; and

sending a voice mail to a user of the communication device indicating that the user should access the website.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the system further comprises a voice response unit, and wherein querying for the location of the communication device includes connecting the communication device to the voice response unit.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the voice response unit provides a menu of predefined locations.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein determining the location status of the communication device includes providing an indication that the communication device is not located at the registered location of the communication device.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the registration module is further operable to receive a network registration message.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the network registration message is a SIP registration message, and wherein the SIP registration message includes a received Internet Protocol address.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein determining the location status of the communication device includes comparing the received Internet Protocol address with a previously registered Internet Protocol address.