Method and apparatus for enabling internet-based emergency calls

• US 9,042,298 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruce, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chriss, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cehic, Kenan
• Application Number:
  US13/158,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20120314625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 370310-350, 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 4554561-457, 455/404.1, 455/521
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area

Abstract

An approach is provided for certifying wireless access nodes for use in connection with emergency calls. A certification platform certifies location information of a wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls. The location information is then stored in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node. The database is accessed in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of wireless devices based on location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the wireless device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a service provider, notification of an activation of a wireless access node configured to provide data connectivity to one or more wireless devices;

certifying by the service provider, in response to the notification, location information of the wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls; and

storing the certified location information in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of certified wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node, and a plurality of uncertified wireless access nodes for which location information is uncertified,

wherein the database is accessed for one of the wireless devices in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of the one of the wireless devices based on a corresponding one of the location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the one wireless device,

wherein certified location information is location information that the service provider has certified as being an actual location of the certified wireless access node,

wherein the location information of each wireless access node that detects the presence of the one wireless device is accompanied by reliability rating information and a signal strength indicator for presentation on a display of one wireless device, and

wherein the reliability rating is a metric for indicating the extent of reliability of a certified wireless access node for conveying position information regarding the one wireless device to a public safety access point (PSAP).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the location information of the activated wireless access node includes a postal address for a premise housing the activated wireless access node, the method further comprising:

determining that the emergency call originates from the postal address.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises:

generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information of the activated wireless access node; and

verifying completion of the inspection.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the certification further comprises:

verifying a wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information of the activated wireless access node.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the certification further comprises:

determining signal strength of the activated wireless access node within the wireless coverage area.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring location data of the one wireless device using either a mathematical scheme involving a plurality of cellular towers, a global positioning system (GPS), a local positioning system (LPS), or a combination thereof,

wherein the position information is determined based further on the acquired location data.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activated wireless access node includes a router configured to route packets associated with the emergency call.

8. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

receive, by a service provider, notification of an activation of a wireless access node configured to provide data connectivity to one or more wireless devices,

certify by the service provider, in response to the notification, location information of the wireless access node as part of an emergency response service for packetized voice calls, and

store the certified location information in a database that includes a plurality of certified location information of a respective plurality of certified wireless access nodes including the activated wireless access node, and a plurality of uncertified wireless access nodes for which location information is uncertified,

wherein the database is accessed for one of the wireless devices in response to an emergency call to assist with determination of position information of one of the wireless devices based on a corresponding one of the location information of the wireless access node that detects presence of the one wireless device,

wherein certified location information is location information that the service provider has certified as being an actual location of the certified wireless access node,

wherein the location information of each wireless access node that detects the presence of the one wireless device is accompanied by reliability rating information and a signal strength indicator for presentation on a display of one wireless device, and

wherein the reliability rating is a metric for indicating the extent of reliability of a certified wireless access node for conveying position information regarding the one wireless device to a public safety access point (PSAP).

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the location information of the activated wireless access node includes a postal address for a premise housing the activated wireless access node, the apparatus being further caused to:

determine that the emergency call originates from the postal address.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the database is maintained by a service provider, and the certification comprises generating a ticket to dispatch an agent of the service provider to inspect the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information of the activated wireless access node.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the certification further comprises verifying wireless coverage area of the activated wireless access node with respect to the location information of the activated wireless access node.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the certification further comprises determining signal strength of the activated wireless access node within the wireless coverage area.

13. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

acquire location data of the one wireless device using either a mathematical scheme involving a plurality of cellular towers, a global positioning system (GPS), a local positioning system (LPS), or a combination thereof,

wherein the position information is determined based further on the acquired location data.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the activated wireless access node includes a router configured to route packets associated with the emergency call.