Emergency call handling in a cellular telecommunication system

Claim 2

An emergency call handling system within a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); and at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS over a digital control channel (DCC) when in an idle mode and a voice channel (VC) when in an active subscriber communication mode, said one terminal including: emergency call means within the terminal for initiating an emergency voice call via the BS through the MSC to the EC; call failure detection means within the terminal for detecting when the emergency voice call has failed to be set up with the EC; and data transmission means within the terminal responsive to a call failure detection for transmitting an emergency SMS message over the DCC through the BS and MSC to the EC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel.

Claim 3

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the MSC further includes means to selectively route the emergency SMS message to the EC while routing non-emergency SMS messages to a SMS message center.

Claim 4

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the EC includes acknowledgment means that upon receipt of the emergency SMS message from said one terminal transmits an acknowledgment SMS message to the MSC, through the BS and over the DCC to said one terminal.

Claim 5

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the EC includes call back means responsive to the emergency SMS message that sends a call back to said one terminal through the MSC, BS and over the VC.

Claim 6

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein said emergency SMS message includes 1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency and 2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal.

Claim 7

The emergency call handling system of claim 5 wherein the emergency SMS message further includes user medical history information.

Claim 8

An emergency call handling system within a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); and at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS over a digital control channel (DCC) when in an idle mode and a voice channel (VC) when in an active subscriber communication mode, said one terminal including: emergency call means within the terminal for initiating an emergency voice call via the BS through the MSC to the EC; call failure detection means within the terminal for detecting when the emergency voice call has failed to be set up with the EC; and data transmission means within the terminal responsive to a call failure detection for transmitting an emergency SMS message over the DCC through the BS and MSC to the EC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel, the emergency SMS message including (1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency message, (2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal, and (3) data information corresponding to the location of the terminal.

Claim 9

An emergency call handling system within a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); and at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS over a digital control channel (DCC) when in an idle mode and a voice channel (VC) when in an active subscriber communication mode, said one terminal including: emergency call means within the terminal for initiating an emergency voice call via the BS through the MSC to the EC; call failure detection means within the terminal for detecting when the emergency voice call has failed to be set up with the EC; and data transmission means within the terminal responsive to a call failure detection for transmitting an emergency SMS message over the DCC through the BS and MSC to the EC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel, the emergency SMS message including (1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency message, (2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal, and (3) data information corresponding to the location of the terminal.

Claim 10

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the MSC includes means for analyzing the emergency SMS message and adding to said emergency SMS message forwarded to the EC location information corresponding to the location of said terminal.

Claim 11

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the call failure detection means includes count means which counts up to a predetermined number of consecutive emergency call failures and thereafter enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message.

Claim 12

The emergency call handling system of claim 1 wherein the call failure detection means enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message upon determination that a failure to set up a call over the VC to the EC is the result of congestion.

Claim 13

An emergency call handling system within a cellular communication system having a plurality of cells and a plurality of subscriber terminals for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from said subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) including means to route said emergency voice calls to the EC; a plurality of base stations (BS's) electronically connected to said MSC, each of said BS's transmitting radio frequency signals over at least one digital control channel and a plurality of voice channels over a coverage area defining one of said cells; and at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC via one of said BS's over a corresponding channel selected from one of the group consisting of a digital control channel (DCC) and a voice channel (VC), said one terminal including: emergency call means within the terminal for initiating an emergency voice call to the EC via the BS and the MSC; call failure detection means within the terminal for detecting when the emergency voice call has failed to be set up with the EC; and data transmission means within the terminal responsive to a call failure detection for transmitting an emergency SMS message over the DCC to the BS and through the MSC to the EC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel.

Claim 14

An emergency call handling system within a cellular communication system having a plurality of cells and a plurality of subscriber terminals for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from said subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) including means to route said emergency voice calls to the EC; a plurality of base stations (BS's) electronically connected to said MSC, each of said BS's transmitting radio frequency signals over at least one digital control channel and a plurality of voice channels over a coverage area defining one of said cells; and at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC via one of said BS's over a corresponding channel selected from one of the group consisting of a digital control channel (DCC) and a voice channel (VC), said one terminal including: emergency call means within the terminal for initiating an emergency voice call to the EC via the BS and the MSC; call failure detection means within the terminal for detecting when the emergency voice call has failed to be set up with the EC; and data transmission means within the terminal responsive to a call failure detection for transmitting an emergency SMS message over the DCC to the BS and through the MSC to the EC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel.

Claim 15

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the EC comprises a public safety answering point (PSAP).

Claim 16

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the EC includes acknowledgment means that upon receipt of the emergency SMS message from said one terminal transmits an acknowledgment SMS message to the MSC, through the BS and over the DCC to said one terminal.

Claim 17

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the EC includes call back means responsive to the emergency SMS message that sends a call back to said one terminal through the MSC, BS and over the VC.

Claim 18

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein said emergency SMS message includes 1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency and 2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal.

Claim 19

The emergency call handling system of claim 15 wherein the emergency SMS message further includes user medical history information.

Claim 20

The emergency call handling system of claim 15 wherein said emergency SMS message further includes SMS information corresponding to the location of the terminal.

Claim 21

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the MSC includes means for analyzing the emergency SMS message and adding to said emergency SMS message forwarded to the EC location information corresponding to the location of said terminal.

Claim 22

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the call failure detection means includes count means which counts up to a predetermined number of consecutive emergency voice call failures and thereafter enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message.

Claim 23

The emergency call handling system of claim 11 wherein the call failure detection means enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message upon determination that a failure to set up a voice call over the VC to the EC is the result of congestion.

Claim 26

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 further including the step of the EC transmitting a SMS acknowledgment message to said one terminal through the MSC, BS and over the DCC upon receipt of the emergency SMS message.

Claim 27

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 further including the step of the EC initiating a call back through the MSC, BS and over the VC to said one terminal upon receipt of the emergency SMS message.

Claim 28

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 wherein said emergency SMS message includes 1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency and 2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal.

Claim 31

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 further including the step of the MSC analyzing the emergency SMS message to determine if it is an emergency message, and adding to said emergency SMS message forwarded to the EC location information corresponding to the location of said terminal.

Claim 32

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 further including the step of said one terminal counting a predetermined number of emergency voice call failures and thereafter enabling said step of transmitting an emergency SMS message to said EC.

Claim 33

The emergency call handling method of claim 21 further including the step of detecting a failure to connect over a VC to the EC due to congestion and thereafter initiating the step of transmitting the emergency SMS message.

Claim 34

An emergency call handling system for a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS, said one terminal including data transmission means for transmitting SMS messages including emergency SMS messages from the subscriber terminal over a digital control channel (DCC) through the BS to the MSC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel; and data analyzing means in the MSC for analyzing the SMS messages received from said one terminal to selectively route emergency SMS messages to the EC while routing non-emergency SMS messages to a SMS message center.

Claim 35

An emergency call handling system for a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS, said one terminal including data transmission means for transmitting SMS messages including emergency SMS messages from the subscriber terminal over a digital control channel (DCC) through the BS to the MSC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel; and data analyzing means in the MSC for analyzing the SMS messages received from said one terminal to selectively route emergency SMS messages to the EC while routing non-emergency SMS messages to a SMS message center.

Claim 36

The emergency call handling system of claim 29 wherein the EC includes acknowledgment means that upon receipt of the emergency SMS message transmits an acknowledgment SMS message to the MSC, through the BS and over the DCC to said one terminal.

Claim 37

The emergency call handling system of claim 29 wherein the EC includes call back means responsive to the emergency SMS message that initiates a call back to said one terminal through the MSC, BS and over a voice channel (VC).

Claim 38

The emergency call handling system of claim 29 wherein said emergency SMS message includes 1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency and 2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal.

Claim 39

The emergency call handling system of claim 32 wherein the emergency SMS message further includes user medical history information.

Claim 40

An emergency call handling system for a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS, said one terminal including data transmission means for transmitting SMS messages including emergency SMS messages over a digital control channel (DCC) through the BS to the MSC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel, said emergency SMS messages including (1) data information identifying the data message as an emergency, (2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal, and (3) data information corresponding to the location of the terminal; and data analyzing means in the MSC for analyzing the SMS messages received from said one terminal to route emergency SMS messages to the EC.

Claim 41

An emergency call handling system for a cellular communication system for routing emergency voice calls and short message service (SMS) messages from a plurality of subscriber terminals to an emergency center (EC), said system comprising: a mobile switching center (MSC) for controlling signaling with a plurality of base stations (BS's); at least one subscriber terminal normally communicating with the MSC through one BS, said one terminal including data transmission means for transmitting SMS messages including emergency SMS messages over a digital control channel (DCC) through the BS to the MSC while not affecting the operation of the DCC as a control channel, said emergency SMS messages including (1) data information identifying the data message as an emergency, (2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal, and (3) data information corresponding to the location of the terminal; and data analyzing means in the MSC for analyzing the SMS messages received from said one terminal to route emergency SMS messages to the EC.

Claim 42

The emergency call handling system of claim 29 wherein the means for analyzing the emergency SMS message includes means for adding to said emergency SMS message forwarded to the EC location information corresponding to the location of said terminal.

Claim 43

The emergency call handling system of claim 29 further including call failure detection means for detecting when an emergency voice call to the EC has failed to be set up and, responsive thereto, enabling the data transmission means to transmit the emergency SMS message.

Claim 44

The emergency call handling system of claim 36 wherein the call failure detection means includes count means which counts up to a predetermined number of emergency voice call failures and thereafter enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message.

Claim 45

The emergency call handling system of claim 36 wherein the call failure means enables the data transmission means to transmit said emergency SMS message upon determination that a failure to set up an emergency voice call with the voice channel to the EC is the result of congestion.

Claim 48

The emergency call handling method of claim 39 further including the step of the EC transmitting a SMS acknowledgment message to said one terminal through the MSC, BS and over a digital control channel upon receipt of the emergency SMS message to said one terminal.

Claim 49

The emergency call handling method of claim 39 further including the step of the EC initiating a call back to through the MSC, BS and over a voice to said one terminal after receipt of the emergency SMS message.

Claim 50

The emergency call handling method of claim 39 wherein said emergency SMS message includes 1) data information identifying the SMS message as an emergency and 2) data information relating to the identity of the terminal.

Claim 53

The emergency call handling method of claim 39 further including the step of the MSC adding location information to said emergency SMS message forwarded to the EC corresponding to the location of said terminal.

Claim 54

The emergency call handling method of claim 39 further including the steps of detecting when an emergency voice call to the EC has failed to be set up and, responsive thereto, enabling the step of transmitting the emergency SMS messages.

Claim 55

The emergency call handling system of claim 45 wherein the detecting step includes counting up to a predetermined number of emergency voice call failures and thereafter enabling the step of transmitting the emergency SMS messages.