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  Location evaluation for callers that place emergency telephone calls over packet networksUSPTO Application #: 20060018305Title: Location evaluation for callers that place emergency telephone calls over packet networks Abstract: In a communication system, a packet telephone obtains an internet address from an internet service provider and discovers a location of the packet telephone. The packet telephone transfers a message indicating the internet address and the location. A service node receives the message and stores the internet address and the location of the packet telephone in a location database. The packet telephone initiates an emergency call using the internet address. The packet network service node processes the emergency call by processing the internet address of the packet telephone in the location database to obtain the location of the packet telephone and by transferring the emergency call to an emergency service along with the location of the packet telephone. (end of abstract)
Agent: Sprint - Overland Park, KS, US Inventor: Warren B. Cope USPTO Applicaton #: 20060018305 - Class: 370352000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Pathfinding Or Routing, Combined Circuit Switching And Packet Switching The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060018305. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/757,080; that is entitled "Location Evaluation for Callers That Place Emergency Telephone Calls Over Packet Networks;" that was filed Jan. 14, 2004; and that is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,707,888; that was filed May 6, 2002; that is entitled "Location Evaluation for Callers That Place Emergency Telephone Calls Over Packet Networks," and that is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The invention is related to the field of communications, and in particular, to technologies for handling emergency telephone calls placed over packet networks. [0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0007] The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) provides emergency telephone calling services. On an emergency telephone call, the caller places a telephone call to the PSTN using an emergency telephone number such as 911. The PSTN processes the emergency telephone number to connect the caller to an emergency service. The emergency service typically includes emergency operators and emergency response units. The emergency operators answer the emergency telephone calls and provide an interface between the caller and the emergency response units. The emergency response units include fire departments, police departments, ambulance services, and other groups that respond to emergency situations. [0008] There are several different emergency services that typically serve different geographic areas. On emergency telephone calls, the PSTN processes caller telephone numbers to route the emergency telephone call to the proper emergency service for the caller's geographic location. The PSTN also provides the caller telephone numbers to the emergency service, and the emergency service translates the caller telephone numbers into geographic addresses. In this way, emergency response units may travel to the geographic locations of the callers--even if the callers are unable to provide their current location. [0009] For example, if the caller places an emergency telephone call from their home, the PSTN processes the caller's home telephone number to route the emergency telephone call to the emergency service that serves the caller's home location. The PSTN also transfers the caller's home telephone number to this emergency service. The emergency service processes the caller's home telephone number to determine the caller's home address. Emergency response units can then travel to the caller's home even if the caller is unable to communicate their current location to the emergency operator. [0010] When an emergency telephone call is placed from a mobile telephone, the PSTN determines the general location of the caller and routes the emergency telephone call to the emergency service for the general location. Since the telephone number of the mobile telephone does not indicate a caller location like a home telephone number, the emergency service is unable to consistently translate the mobile telephone number into a geographic address for the caller's current location. To address this situation, the PSTN notifies the emergency service that the emergency telephone call has been placed from a mobile telephone, and typically, the emergency operator asks the caller for their current location. [0011] Access to packet networks such as the Internet is now available at multiple locations across a wide geographic area. Packet telephone services have been developed to allow telephone calls over the packet networks. On a packet telephone call, a packet telephone is coupled to a packet network interface. The packet telephone transfer a call request over the packet network to a service node. The service node extends the call request to a destination on the packet network or to a destination on the PSTN. For a destination on the PSTN, the packet telephone transfers call communications over the packet network to the service node, and the service node transfers the call communications to the destination over the PSTN. Likewise, the destination transfers call communications to the service node over the PSTN, and the service node transfers the call communications to the packet telephone over the packet network. Additional details for this type of conventional packet telephone call are discussed below with respect to FIG. 1. [0012] Unfortunately, if a caller places an emergency telephone call from a packet telephone over a packet network, the service node may not be able to effectively determine the caller's location. For example, the caller may travel and stay in a hotel that has a packet network interface in the hotel room. If the caller uses a packet telephone to place an emergency telephone call from their hotel room, the service node cannot effectively determine the caller's location. Technologies are needed to address this situation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Examples of the invention include a communication system and its method of operation. A packet telephone obtains an internet address from an internet service provider for use by the packet telephone. The packet telephone discovers a location of the packet telephone. The packet telephone transfers a message indicating the internet address and the location of the packet telephone. A packet network service node receives the message and stores the internet address and the location of the packet telephone in a location database. The packet telephone initiates an emergency call using the internet address of the packet telephone. The packet network service node processes the emergency call using the internet address of the packet telephone, and in response, processes the internet address of the packet telephone in the location database to obtain the location of the packet telephone. The packet network service node transfers the emergency call to an emergency service along with the location of the packet telephone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a service node and its operating environment in an example of the invention. [0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a service node in an example of the invention. [0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a location server in an example of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Continue reading... Full patent description for Location evaluation for callers that place emergency telephone calls over packet networks Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Location evaluation for callers that place emergency telephone calls over packet networks patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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