Method and apparatus for extended emergency service

• US 9,237,431 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Wang, Xiaomei, Vo, Loc
• Primary Examiner(s): Lai, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/578,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20110086607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,282 Days
• Field of Search: 455/521, 4554561-457, 455/414.1, 455/466
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/206 composed of PSTN and wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• 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 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

An approach is provided for receiving a voice-based emergency call and routing it to a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) along with anchoring information identifying the caller and their location. The PSAP may provide options for the caller to choose to use non-voice-based messaging service concurrent with the voice-based emergency call. If the caller desires and chooses to communicate via non-voice-based messages, then a text messaging application at the PSAP is used to communicate with the caller. The PSAP utilizes the anchoring information obtained from the concurrent voice-based emergency call when communicating with the caller.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a voice-based call from a mobile device;

receiving anchoring information about the voice-based call;

initiating an inquiry to the mobile device related to whether communicating via a non-voice-based messaging session is desired by a user of the mobile device; and

selectively initiating a non-voice-based messaging session related to the voice-based call to communicate with the mobile device using the anchoring information;

receiving an indicator from the mobile device that communicating via the non-voice-based messaging session is desired, wherein the voice-based call and the non-voice-based messaging session are concurrently utilized;

determining whether the voice-based call is an emergency call;

initiating release of the voice-based call when the voice-based call is not an emergency call; and

maintaining the non-voice-based messaging session.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the voice-based call is an emergency call.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the anchoring information includes an identification of the mobile device and a location of the mobile device.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein the anchoring information is provided by a wireless communication network serving the mobile device.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the non-voice-based messaging session utilizes messages relating to an electronic mail, an instant messaging (IM) message, a short message service (SMS) message, or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive a voice-based call from a mobile device; and

a processor configured to receive anchoring information about the voice-based call, initiate an inquiry to the mobile device related to whether communicating via a non-voice-based messaging session is desired by a user of the mobile device, and to selectively initiate the non voice-based messaging session related to the voice-based call, when desired, to communicate with the mobile device using the anchoring information, wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive an indicator from the mobile device by the voice-based call that communicating via the non-voice-based messaging session is desired, wherein the voice-based call and the non-voice-based messaging session are concurrently utilized, and wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the voice-based call is an emergency call, to initiate release of the voice-based call when the voice-based call is not an emergency call, and to maintain the non-voice-based messaging session.

7. An apparatus of claim 6, wherein the voice-based call is an emergency call.

8. An apparatus of claim 6, wherein the anchoring information includes an identification of the mobile device and a location of the mobile device.

9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the anchoring information is provided by a wireless communication network serving the mobile device.

10. An apparatus of claim 6, wherein the non-voice-based messaging session utilizes messages relating to an electronic mail, an instant messaging (IM) message, a short message service (SMS) message, or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.

11. A method comprising:

determining anchoring information associated with an emergency voice call placed by a mobile device associated with a user;

determining a public safety answering point designated for serving the mobile device;

initiating establishment of the emergency voice call between the mobile device and the public safety answering point to permit communication between the user and an operator of the public safety answering point;

initiating an inquiry to the mobile device related to whether communicating via a non-voice-based messaging session is desired by the user; and

initiating establishment of the non-voice-based messaging session, based on the anchoring information, between a messaging platform coupled to the public safety answering point and the mobile device to permit communication between the operator and the user when communicating via a non-voice-based messaging session is desired; and

terminating the emergency voice call, while maintaining the non-voice-based messaging session.

12. A method of claim 11, wherein the anchoring information includes an identification of the mobile device and a location of the mobile device.

13. A method of claim 11, wherein the non-voice-based messaging session utilizes messages relating to an electronic mail, an instant messaging (IM) message, a short message service (SMS) message, or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.