Provisioning location information sourced independently from communications network
Methods and architectures for improving operation of 9-1-1 and other emergency services networks. Enriched data (e.g., text messages, videos, phase II location information, etc.) may be transmitted to a PSAP via a secondary communication channel (i.e., data), wherein the primary communication channel is a voice telephony trunk. Disclosed embodiments may increase the speed with which accurate location information is made available to improve call routing accuracy and decrease dispatch time. Some embodiments may also enable continued operation of legacy emergency services systems during and after transition to next generation systems.
1. A method for use in provisioning location information in a communications network, comprising:
obtaining first mobile unit location information, separate from any wireless network cell antenna location information, for a mobile unit;
provisioning, substantially at call time, said first mobile unit location information to a call routing center, wherein said mobile unit is a data network unit and said call routing center is a selective router adapted for routing wireless telephony network calls; and
operating said call routing center to route a call between said mobile unit and a call answering center using said first mobile unit location information, wherein said provisioning comprises operationally interposing a positioning center between a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway associated with said mobile unit and said call routing center, and operating said positioning center to obtain said first mobile unit location information and provide said first mobile unit location information to said routing center.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said mobile unit is a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) compatible unit and said first mobile unit location information is based on one or more of a network triangulation technology and a satellite-based location technology.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first mobile unit location information is obtained from a source external to a communications network through which the call is routed from the mobile unit.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said mobile unit is a data network unit and said first mobile unit location information is based on one or more of hotspot location, a satellite-based location technology, a location beacon, and node mapping.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
providing a first path between said VoIP gateway and said routing center for communicating said call, said first path including at least a first portion implementing TDM, and a second path, separate from said first portion of said first path, between said VoIP gateway and said routing center, for communicating said first mobile unit location information.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said call routing center is associated with multiple call answering centers and said step of operating comprises matching said first mobile unit location information to a zone of one of said call answering centers and establishing a call channel between said first mobile unit and said one of said call answering centers.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising providing second mobile unit location information for said first mobile unit, the same as or different from said first mobile unit location information, to said one of said call answering centers.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
transmitting one of a text message, a video message, and a data message between said first mobile unit and said call answering center.
9. A system for use in provisioning location information in a communications network, comprising:
a positioning center for obtaining first mobile unit location information, separate from any wireless network cell antenna location information, for a mobile unit, said location information being obtained from a source independent of the communications network infrastructure;
a call routing center to route a call between said mobile unit and a call answering center using said first mobile unit location information, wherein said mobile unit is a data network unit and said call routing center is a selective router adapted for routing wireless telephony network calls; and
and a data network pathway for provisioning, substantially at call time, said first mobile unit location information to said call routing center, wherein said positioning center is operatively interposed between a VoIP gateway associated with said mobile unit and said call routing center, wherein said positioning center is operative to obtain said first mobile unit location information and provide said first mobile unit location information to said routing center.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said mobile unit is a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) compatible unit and said positioning center is operative to obtain said first mobile unit location information that is based on one or more of a network triangulation technology and a satellite-based location technology.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein said mobile unit is a data network unit and said positioning center is operative to obtain said first mobile unit location information that is based on one or more of hotspot location, a satellite-based location technology and node mapping.
12. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a first path between said VoIP gateway and said call routing center for communicating said call, said first path including at least a first portion implementing TDM, and a second path, separate from said first portion of said first path, between said VoIP gateway and said routing center, for communicating said first mobile unit location information.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein said call routing center is associated with multiple call answering centers is operative for matching said first mobile unit location information to a zone of one of said call answering centers and establishing a call channel between said first mobile unit and said one of said call answering centers.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said call routing center is further operative for providing second mobile unit location information for said first mobile unit, the same as or different from said first mobile unit location information, to said one of said call answering centers.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein said data network pathway is further operative for transmitting one of a text message, a video message, and a data message between said first mobile unit and said call answering center.