Emergency circuit-mode call support

• US 9,137,770 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Edge, Stephen W., Burroughs, Kirk Allan, Wachter, Andreas Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Arevalo, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/532,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,288 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 4554561-457, 455/422, 455/509, 455/450, 455/436, 455/453, 455/442, 455/452.2, 455/404.2, 455/437, 455/433, 455/67.11, 379/45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks

Abstract

Techniques to support emergency circuit-mode calls are described. The techniques may be used for various 3GPP and 3GPP2 networks, various location architectures, and various types of User Equipment (UE). A UE establishes a circuit-mode call with a wireless network for emergency services. The UE interacts with a location server indicated by the wireless network. The UE performs user plane location with the location server during the circuit-mode call to obtain a position estimate for the UE. The UE communicates with a PSAP, which may be selected based on the position estimate, for the emergency circuit-mode call. The UE may perform positioning with the location server to obtain an updated position estimate for the UE, e.g., whenever requested by the PSAP.

Claims

1. User equipment (UE), comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to;

establish an emergency circuit-mode call with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

interact with a second location server accessed by the first location server using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol; and

perform user plane location with the second location server during the emergency circuit-mode call to obtain a position estimate for the UE.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform user plane location with the second location server prior to performing call setup with a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

3. The UE of claim 2, wherein the PSAP is selected by the first location server based on the position estimate.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the user plane location with the second location server after performing a call setup with a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the user plane location with a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) in accordance with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) to obtain the position estimate, and the SLP is the second location server indicated by the first location server.

6. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the user plane location with a Position Server (PS) in accordance with X.S0024 to obtain the position estimate, and the Position Server is the second location server indicated by the first location server.

7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the second location server, a message to initiate the user plane location that comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second location server; and

communicate with the second location server using the IP address.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to send location information to the wireless network during establishment of the emergency circuit-mode call, and the position estimate for the UE is obtained based on the location information.

9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a request for an updated position estimate for the UE and to perform the user plane location with the second location server to obtain the updated position estimate.

10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the second location server, be authenticated by the second location server, or both, prior to performing the user plane location.

11. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to send location capabilities of the UE to the wireless network, and the first location server is selected based on the location capabilities of the UE.

12. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to send location information to the wireless network, and the first location server is selected based on the location information.

13. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate with the wireless network for the emergency circuit-mode call, and to exchange messages with the wireless network via packet-mode communication during the user plane location.

14. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to exchange a Short Message Service (SMS) message during the user plane location.

15. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to exchange messages for the user plane location using Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or both TCP and Internet Protocol (IP).

16. The UE of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a 3GPP network, and the processor is further configured to establish the emergency circuit-mode call with the 3GPP network.

17. The UE of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a 3GPP2 network, and the processor is further configured to establish the emergency circuit-mode call with the 3GPP2 network.

18. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

19. The UE of claim 1, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

20. A method, comprising:

establishing an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

interacting with a second location server accessed by the first location server using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol; and

performing user plane location with the second location server during the emergency circuit-mode call to obtain a position estimate for the UE.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the performing user plane location comprises performing the user plane location with a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) in accordance with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) to obtain the position estimate, and the SLP is the second location server indicated by the first location server.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the performing user plane location comprises:

receiving, from the second location server, a message to initiate the user plane location that includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second location server; and

communicating with the second location server using the IP address.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

communicating with the wireless network during the emergency circuit-mode call; and

exchanging messages with the wireless network via packet-mode communication during the user plane location.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

means for establishing an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

means for interacting with a second location server accessed by the first location server using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol; and

means for performing user plane location with the second location server during the emergency circuit-mode call to obtain a position estimate for the UE.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for performing the user plane location comprises means for performing the user plane location with a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) in accordance with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) to obtain the position estimate, and the SLP is the second location server indicated by the first location server.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for performing the user plane location comprises means for receiving, from the second location server, a message to initiate the user plane location that includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second location server, and means for communicating with the second location server using the IP address.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

means for communicating with the wireless network during the emergency circuit-mode call; and

means for exchanging messages with the wireless network via packet-mode communication during the user plane location.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

32. A first location server, comprising:

a communication unit; and

a processor coupled to the communication unit and configured to;

receive, from a first entity, a request for information to route an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services from a user equipment (UE) based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

obtain an interim position estimate for the UE based on the request;

provide the information to the first entity;

receive, from a second entity, a request for a position estimate for the UE;

obtain, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, the position estimate from a second location server supporting user plane location; and

provide the position estimate to the second entity.

33. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the first entity is a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the second entity is a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

34. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured to use the interim position estimate to provide the information to the first entity.

35. The first location server of claim 34, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the interim position estimate from the second location server supporting user plane location.

36. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the information provided to the first entity comprises an Emergency Services Routing Key (ESRK) or an Emergency Services Routing Digit (ESRD) for a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

37. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the position estimate from a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), and the SLP is the second location server supporting the user plane location.

38. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the position estimate from a Requesting SUPL Location Platform (R-SLP), and the R-SLP obtains the position estimate from a Home SLP (H-SLP) acting as the second location server supporting the user plane location.

39. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the position estimate from a Position Server (PS) supporting X.S0024, and the PS is the second location server supporting the user plane location.

40. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the position estimate from a Requesting Position Server (R-PS), and the R-PS obtains the position estimate from a Home position server (H-PS) acting as the second location server supporting the user plane location.

41. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the communication unit and the processor and are integrated with a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) in a 3GPP network.

42. The first location server of claim 32, wherein the communication unit and the processor and are integrated with a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) in a 3GPP2 network.

43. A method, comprising:

receiving at a first location server, from a first entity, a request for information to route an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services from user equipment (UE) based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

obtaining an interim position estimate for the UE based on the request;

providing the information to the first entity;

receiving, from a second entity, a request for a position estimate for the UE;

communicating with a second location server supporting user plane location using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol to obtain the position estimate; and

providing the position estimate to the second entity.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

46. A first location server, comprising:

a communication unit; and

a processor coupled to the communication unit and configured to;

receive, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, a request for a position estimate of user equipment (UE) having an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network;

perform user plane location with the UE to obtain the position estimate after a second location server obtains an interim position estimate for the UE; and

return, using the Mobile Location Protocol or the Roaming Location Protocol, the position estimate to the second location server.

47. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the user plane location with the UE in accordance with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) to obtain the position estimate.

48. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the user plane location with the UE in accordance with X.S0024to obtain the position estimate.

49. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to send a message to initiate the user plane location with the UE, and the message comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first location server to enable the UE to communicate with the first location server during the user plane location.

50. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to act as a substitute for a home location server of the UE during the emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services.

51. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to select a visited location server to support the user plane location for the UE, and configured to transfer messages exchanged between the visited location server and the UE.

52. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the second location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

53. The first location server of claim 46, wherein the second location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

54. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a first location server and from a second location server, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, a request for a position estimate of user equipment (UE) having an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network;

performing user plane location with the UE to obtain the position estimate after the second location center obtains an interim position estimate for the UE; and

returning the position estimate to the second location server using the Mobile Location Protocol or the Roaming Location Protocol.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the performing user plane location comprises sending a message to the UE to initiate the user plane location with the UE, and the message includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first location server to enable the UE to communicate with the first location server during the user plane location.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the second location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein the second location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

58. User equipment (UE), comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to;

establish an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

perform authentication of a second location server selected by the wireless network for the emergency circuit-mode call; and

interact with the second location server to perform user plane location to obtain at least one position estimate for the UE.

59. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to perform mutual authentication with the second location server.

60. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, from the second location server, a message to initiate the user plane location and to authenticate the second location server if the message indicates the location processing is for an emergency call and the UE is engaged in the emergency circuit-mode call.

61. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to perform Transport Layer Security (TLS) public key authentication using a root public key certificate stored at the UE to verify a public key of the second location server.

62. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a pre-share key (PSK) based on common information available at the UE and the wireless network, and to perform the authentication using the pre-shared key.

63. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the authentication based on Generic Bootstrap Architecture (GBA).

64. The UE of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the authentication in accordance with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) or X.S0024.

65. The UE of claim 58, wherein the second location server is a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL).

66. A method, comprising:

establishing, with user equipment (UE), an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

performing authentication of a second location server selected by the wireless network for the emergency circuit-mode call; and

interacting with the second location server to perform user plane location to obtain at least one position estimate for the UE.

67. The UE of claim 66, wherein the second location server is a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL).

68. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

establish an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

interact with a second location server accessed by the first location server using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol; and

perform user plane location with the second location server during the emergency circuit-mode call to obtain a position estimate for user equipment (UE).

69. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

70. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

71. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive at a first location server, from a first entity, a request for information to route an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services from user equipment (UE) based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

obtain an interim position estimate for the UE based on the request;

provide the information to the first entity;

receive, from a second entity, a request for a position estimate for the UE;

communicate with a second location server supporting user plane location to obtain, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, the position estimate; and

provide the position estimate to the second entity.

72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 71, wherein the first location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 71, wherein the first location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

74. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive, at a first location server and from a second location server, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, a request for a position estimate of user equipment (UE) having an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network;

perform user plane location with the UE to obtain the position estimate after the second location server obtains an interim position estimate for the UE; and

return the position estimate to the second location server using the Mobile Location Protocol or the Roaming Location Protocol.

75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the second location server is a Mobile Positioning Center.

76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 74, wherein the second location server is a Gateway Mobile Location Center.

77. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

establish, with user equipment (UE), an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

perform authentication of a second location server selected by the wireless network for the emergency circuit-mode call; and

interact with the second location server to perform user plane location to obtain at least one position estimate for the UE.

78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 77, wherein the second location server is a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL).

79. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving at a first location server, from a first entity, a request for information to route an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services from user equipment (UE) based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

means for obtaining an interim position estimate for the UE based on the request;

means for providing the information to the first entity;

means for receiving, from a second entity, a request for a position estimate for the UE;

means for communicating with a second location server supporting user plane location using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol to obtain the position estimate; and

means for providing the position estimate to the second entity.

80. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving, at a first location server and from a second location server, using Mobile Location Protocol or Roaming Location Protocol, a request for a position estimate of user equipment (UE) having an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network;

means for performing user plane location with the UE to obtain the position estimate after the second location center obtains an interim position estimate for the UE; and

means for returning the position estimate to the second location server using the Mobile Location Protocol or the Roaming Location Protocol.

81. An apparatus, comprising:

means for establishing, with user equipment (UE), an emergency circuit-mode call for emergency services with a wireless network, wherein the emergency circuit-mode call is routed using a first location server based on a serving cell identity for the UE;

means for performing authentication of a second location server selected by the wireless network for the emergency circuit-mode call; and

means for interacting with the second location server to perform user plane location to obtain at least one position estimate for the UE.