Method and system for initiating and handling an emergency call utilizing geographical zones

• US 7,684,782 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2006
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WirelessWERX IP LLC (Pueblo Nuevo LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wirelesswerx International, Inc.
• Inventors: Ashley, James Jr., Mooney, Patrick, Mooney, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Danh C
• Application Number:
  US11/278,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20060234726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/404.1, 455/564, 379/49
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• 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 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/12 between location registers or mobility servers

Abstract

A method and system of making an emergency voice call is disclosed. Location data is received from a positioning device. A location area identifier is determined. The location area identifier corresponds to a geographical area encompassing a geographical location being represented by the location data. A voice call destination number is identified. The voice call destination number is associated with the location area identifier. The voice call destination number is utilized in order to communicate with a public safety answering point.

Claims

1. A method of making an emergency voice call from a portable computing device, comprising:

determining with a processor of the portable computing device a location area identifier that represents a geographical area in which the portable computing device is located,

determining with the processor a coverage area identifier that matches the location area identifier, wherein the coverage area identifier represents an emergency service area being serviced by a public safety answering point;

identifying with the processor a voice call destination number associated with the coverage area identifier; and

utilizing with a dialing module of the portable computing device the voice call destination number in order to establish communication with the public safety answering point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein location area identifier is a pixilated image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographical area is an irregular area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency service area is an irregular area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice call destination number is a telephone number of the public safety answering point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice call destination number is an Internet protocol address.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the coverage area identifier and the location area identifier are correlated in a lookup table.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the lookup table resides in the portable computing device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the lookup table resides in a remote server.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the coverage area identifier and the voice call destination number are correlated in a lookup table.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lookup table resides in the portable computing device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the lookup table resides in a remote server.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving emergency call input to initiate the emergency voice call from a user.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically initiating the emergency voice call if a preconfigured event occurs.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting personal data associated with a user of the portable computing device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the personal data includes a medical condition, contact information of a relative, or blood type of the user.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency voice call is transmitted to the public safety answering point through a cellular network.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency voice call is transmitted to the public safety answering point through a public switched network.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency voice call is transmitted to the public safety answering point through an Internet protocol network.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting location data to a communication data interface module at the public safety answering point.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data is transmitted through a data link.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data is transmitted through a voice link.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a personal data assistant, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, or a laptop computer.

24. A method of making a voice call from a portable computing device, comprising:

determining with a processor of the portable computing device a location area identifier that represents a geographical area in which the portable computing device is located;

determining with the processer a coverage area identifier that matches the location area identifier, wherein the coverage area identifier represents a service area being serviced by a call center;

identifying with the processer a voice call destination number associated with the coverage area identifier; and

utilizing with a dialing module of the portable computing device the voice call destination number in order to establish communication with the call center.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the call center is a public safety answering point.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein location area identifier is a pixilated image.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the geographical area is an irregular area.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the emergency service area is an irregular area.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the voice call destination number is a telephone number of the call center.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the voice call destination number is an Internet protocol address.