The present disclosure relates to emergency service platforms and in particular to call control integration with map display systems.
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) had defined a protocol for the evolution of the North American 9-1-1 system, and is addressing the challenge with a system design called “Next Generation 9-1-1” or NG9-1-1 is the evolution of Enhanced 9-1-1 to an all-IP-based emergency communications system. This technical specification, commonly referred to as i3, is the first version of the NG9-1-1 system design to accommodate an increasing volume and diversity of information that can be made available to assist emergency services.
The i3 protocol references several types of originating networks that could be used to deliver calls to an public safety access point (PSAP) Emergency services Internet Protocol Network, including legacy circuit-switched networks (wireline or wireless). Networks that are not IP based that are coupled to the PSAP must undergo mediation via a gateway to convert the incoming signaling to session initiated protocol (SIP). In addition, functionality must be applied to legacy emergency calls to acquire location information and use the information obtained in call setup signaling to route a call to the public safety answering point. Mapping information has been traditional utilized to enable an operator to identify a location of a call once it has been assigned to the position. However traditional call assignment algorithms can be inefficient when an incident occurs that generate clusters of calls all related to the same event as emergency calls that are not related to the incident may not be responded to in a timely matter.
Accordingly, systems and methods that enable improved emergency call management remains highly desirable.
Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of emergency call management, the method comprising: receiving an emergency call at an emergency service platform (ESP) providing an interface to one or more communication networks; receiving location information associated with the emergency call; identifying the location of the emergency call on a graphical map display; receiving a selection of the emergency call from a plurality of emergency calls displayed on the graphical map display; determining one or more secondary responder agencies for the selected emergency call; receiving a selection of a secondary responder agency from the one or more secondary responder agencies; and initiating a transfer of the selected emergency call to one of the one or more secondary responder agencies.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system of emergency call management, the system comprising: an emergency service platform (ESP) interfacing to one or more communications networks for receiving emergency calls originating from the one or more communications networks; a map server for receiving location information from the ESP associated with the receive emergency calls; and a public safety access point (PSAP) coupled to the ESP and map server, the PSAP comprising one or more operator positions; each operator position comprising: a graphical map display for receiving mapping data from the map server and receiving a selection of an emergency call on the display; and a responder client coupled to the graphical map display for receiving identification of the selected emergency call and for requesting from the ESP that the emergency call be directed to one of the one or more secondary responder agencies.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided A non-transitory computer readable memory containing instruction for emergency call management, the instructions when executed by a processor performing the method comprising: receiving an emergency call at an emergency service platform (ESP) providing an interface to one or more communication networks; receiving location information associated with the emergency call; identifying the location of the emergency call on a graphical map display; receiving a selection of the emergency call from a plurality of emergency calls displayed on the graphical map display; determining one or more secondary responder agencies for the selected emergency call; receiving a selection of a secondary responder agency from the one or more secondary responder agencies; and initiating a transfer of the selected emergency call to one of the one or more secondary responder agencies.
Although the following discloses example methods and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods and apparatus, persons having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods and apparatus.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the scope of the teachings provided herein is not considered to be limited to the specific description of the embodiments provided herein. Embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with reference to
The ESP 102 receives communications from the various networks and converts the communications to a SIP based communication session with communication workstations 110, 112, 114, 116. Each position provides an operator client 110a for providing call management, identification and dispatch related to the selected emergency call. The map display 110b provides location information to identify the position of the particular emergency call or active or incoming emergency calls assigned to the PSAP 100. Each PSAP 100 will have multiple responders or operators 110, 112, 114, 116 for receiving and managing calls. In traditional system calls are assigned to operator positions based upon queue order. When a significant event occurs multiple calls may be received for the same event and be clustered in a geographical area. The disclosed system and method enable identification of incoming emergency calls on map displays 110b, 112b, 114b, 116b, and enable the operator to select specific calls on the map display which are transferred to their associated operator client 110a, 112a, 114a, 116a of the operator position by the emergency services platform 102. Calls can be assigned an incident identifier which can be displayed on the map display enabling easier identification incidents and related calls and to help in identifying call clusters related to the same incident.
The i3 event logging port is based on a web services (http post) and is strongly influenced by the logging services proposed in the NENA i3 functional specifications (008-003 Detailed Functional and Interface Specification for the NENA i3 Solution—Stage 3). Since not all of the events are relevant to answering/releasing calls from a map, a subset of the perceived relevant events are described here.
Operator Login Event
The Operator login event indicates that an operator has used a workstation to log into the ESP. Note that there may be me more than one login event when a workstation is equipped with multiple audio devices. Also, a logout event is also available to track the status of user agents.
This event looks like this:
This event is useful to compute which “agent”, in the <agent> field, is logged in at what “workstation”, which identifies a physical location of the operator in the <workstation> field. The “agent” value is also useful to correlate subsequent action of an agent, such as answering or releasing a call to a workstation.
Start Call Event
The start call event indicates a new incoming call into the ESP: this event might not have the location of the caller.
This event looks like this:
The call identifier <callidentifier> is used to associate subsequent events to the call.
The location field <location> in the StartCall event, is most often empty or contains only a “.” This is because not many networks or devices are capable of sending the location (PIDF_LO) of a caller within the SIP INVITE. In those cases or if the location is only a reference, the ESP obtains the location of a caller by performing a HELD query to a LIS (location information system) or LLIS (legacy information system). In those cases, the MAP system can obtain the location from the HELD response event as shown below.
Note: Location related events will occur only for Call Type NG911.
HELD Query Response Event
When a call has not been received with location information or with location by reference, this event contains the call's location. The held field <held> contains the HELD response which contains the PIDF-LO which can be used to locate the call.
Answer Event
The answer event indicates that a call has been answered. When the call is answered by an operator using an ESP workstation, the <agent> field identifies that agent. In other cases, the agent field is empty or contains a “.” In these cases, the event should be ignored by the MAP system.
End Call Event
Indicates that a call has been terminated (all call legs have been released).
More Detailed Call Tracking
Since the ESP can act as a conference bridge, the call model implemented in the ESP, is one that allows for several participants to be partaking into a call. Each participant is represented by a call leg. A call is identified by a unique callIdentifier and the call legs are identified by unique mediaLabels.
By using other LogEvents then the ones described in this document, it is possible for a MAP system to track calls at the call leg level and provided information such as abandon calls status.
Call Control Interface
Each CCI positions equipped with the proper plugin, listens for HTTP POST requests on port 2069 (the port can be modified by configuration).
When an HTTP POST request is received by a CCI position, the sender can expect an HTTP response in all cases except in the case of a socket error.
A response is any one of HTTP 200 Ok, HTTP 400 Bad Request, and HTTP 500 Internal Server Error.
Three types of requests currently exist; the content types of the HTTP POST requests are expected to be “text/xml” with the following xml bodies:
Heartbeat Request
When an operator is equipped with the Call Control Interface plugin, the state of the external link is provided on the operator screen. To maintain the state of the link “Ok” a Heartbeat requests must be received within 10 seconds of each other. That value can be modified by configuration.
Answer Request
Used to answer a specific call; the call identified by the callIdentifier tag received in the Start Call event must be used.
Release Request
A call release request is used to release a call using the call leg identified by the callIdentifier tag received in the Start Call event.
eventType
Start Call
Sent for every incoming call.
Received SDP
The Received SDP is sent for every VoIP incoming, transferred or outbound call. This event will only be provided in the phase 2 of the logging service development.
HELD Query
The HELD query is sent every time the system does an Held query. Note, the HELD queries performed for the purpose of a manual ALI query or for re-bids.
HELD Response
The HELD response is sent every time the system receives a Held query response.
ECRF Query
The ECRF query is sent Sent every time the system does an ECRF/LoST query.
ECRF Response
The ECRF response is sent every time the system receives a LoST response.
VPC Query
The VPC query is sent every time the system does a VPC query.
VPC Response
The VPC response is sent every time the system receives a VPC response.
SRDB Query
The SRDB query is sent every time the system does an SRDB dip.
SRDB Response
The SRDB response is sent every time the system receives a response from the SRDB.
ALI Query
The ALI query is sent every time the system does an ALI query. This event will only be provided in the phase 2 of the logging service development.
ALI Response
The ALI response is sent every time the system receives an ALI response. This event will only be provided in the phase 2 of the logging service development.
Routed Call
Sent for every outbound calls that have been has a consequence to the system receiving an inbound call. The outbound call could be towards a remote system or phone device or another type of device capable of handling a call or towards an operator position.
Answered Call
The answered call message is sent every time a call is answered.
Transferred Call
The transferred call message is sent for every transfer or conference attempt.
Hold Call Leg
The Hold call leg message is sent every time a call leg is placed on hold.
Hold Retrieved
Sent every time a call leg is retrieved form hold
Set Mute
The Set Mute message is sent every time a call leg is muted.
Remove Mute
The Remove Mute message is sent every time a call leg is unmuted.
Set Privacy
The Set Privacy message is sent every time a call leg is set to privacy mode.
Remove Privacy
The Remove Privacy message is sent every time a call leg is removed from privacy.
Merge Calls
Send every time two conversations or conferences are merged together. In following logs, the callIdentifier1 or callIdentifier2 can be used to reference any action to the call or call legs. Same applies to IncidentIdentifiers. This event can only occur on systems equipped with operator positions.
Outbound Call
Send every time an outbound call is done by an operator. This event will only occur on systems equipped with operator positions.
End Media
Sent every time a call leg ends i.e. the media stream is terminated.
End Call
Sent at the end of a call when all call legs or media stream have been terminated.
Login
The Login message is sent every time an operator logs in. This event can only occur on systems equipped with operator positions.
Logout
The Logout message is sent every time an operator logs out. This event can only occur on systems equipped with operator positions.
Event Elements
Timestamp
As per the i3 specs, a timestamp is represented by an ISO 8601 time point. An example of a timestamp is 2015-08-21T12:58.03.01Z. All time within the ESInet is represented as UTC (Zulu) time.
agencyOrElement
As per i3 specs, this tag should contain the domain name of an Agency (PSAP) or system (ESRP). For example esrp.state.pa.us. This tag is configurable as a string of characters (30 characters max.) in the incoming call policies.
callIdentifier
As per the i3 spec, the first element in the first ESInet which handles a call assigns the Call Identifier. The form of a Call Identifier is a URI consisting of the string “_CI_”, a unique string, the “@” character, and the domain name of the element that first handled the call. For example: “_CI_a56e556d871@esrp.state.pa.us”. The unique string must be unique for each call the element handles over time. The length of the unique string must be between 10 and 30 characters.
If the NENA i3 Callldentifier is not received in the incoming call signalling, we use our internal session id number prefixed with “_CI_” and suffixed with @“agencyOrElement”.
incidentIdentifier
As per the i3 spec, a real world occurrence such as a heart attack, car crash or a building fire for which one or more calls may be received is an Incident. Examples include a traffic accident (including subsequent secondary crashes), a hazardous material spill, etc. Multiple Calls may be associated with an Incident. An Incident may include other Incidents in a hierarchical fashion. The form of an Incident Tracking Identifier is a URI consisting of the string “_II_”, a unique string, the “@” character, and the domain name of the entity that first declared the incident. For example: “_II_a564w443112z@esrp.state.pa.us”. The unique string must be unique for each Incident the element handles over time. One way to create the unique string is to use a timestamp with a suffix that differentiates multiple Incidents if they could be created by an element in the same instant. Implementations using multiple physical devices to implement a redundant element may need an additional component to guarantee uniqueness. Incident Tracking Identifiers are globally unique. By definition, there is an Incident associated with every call. As a practical matter, there is at least one call associated with every Incident, except those incidents declared by an agent (such as a policeman observing a traffic incident). Incident Tracking Identifiers may be assigned to a call prior to determining what real world incident it actually belongs to.
If the NENA i3 incidentIdentifier is not received in the incoming call signalling, the session id number is used prefixed with “_II_” and suffixed with @“agencyOrElement”.
mediaLabel
A call on a B2BUA or on a conference bridge is constituted of at least 2 call legs, one for the caller and one for the called party. For a 3 party conference call, it is made of 3 call legs.
The i3 specs calls for the mediaLabel to be taken from the SDP Label Attribute (RFC4574). Because SDP mediaLabels are only unique within an SIP session when acting as B2BUA, this form of mediaLabel cannot be used to uniquely identify a call leg.
The i3 definition of a mediaLabel has been extended to uniquely identify each of the call legs and also to apply to non-VoIP call legs.
The form of a Media Label is a URI consisting of the string “_ML_”, the internal session id number, the “@” character, and the domain name of the element that first handled the call. For example: _ML_a56e556d871@esrp.state.pa.us”. The unique string is provided by the internal session id number prefixed with “_ML_” and suffixed with @“agencyOrElement”.
Header
For VoIP calls only, a copy of the headers in the received INVITE message. This element will only be provided in the phase 2 of the logging service development.
incomingCallPolicy
Name of the Incoming Call Policy line that was used to process the call.
callType
Designates the type of call the call treatment that will be applied to the call. The following values exist:
ecrfDomain
Address that was used to make an LoST query or address from which an LoST response was received. Normally the specified address maps to an ECRF.
Service-Urn
As per the i3 specs, all SIP-based emergency calls pass location information either by value (PIDF-LO) or by reference (Location URI) plus a “Service URN” to an Emergency Services Routing Proxy (ESRP) to support routing of emergency calls. The ESRP passes the Service URN and location information via the LoST interface to an Emergency Call Routing Function (ECRF), which determines the next hop in routing a call to the requested service. The ECRF performs the mapping of the call's location information and requested Service URN to a “PSAP URI” by querying its data and then returning the URI provided. Using the returned URI and other information (time-of-day, PSAP state, etc.), the ESRP then applies policy from a Policy-based Routing Function (PRF) to determine the appropriate routing URI.
When a call is not received with a service-urn, the service-urn is provided by the incoming call policies.
ecrfPurpose
Purpose for which a LoST (ECRF) query is performed. The following values are possible:
An Emergency Service Number is a three to five digit number representing a unique combination of emergency service agencies (Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service) designated to serve a specific range of addresses within a particular geographical area, or Emergency Service Zone (ESZ). The ESN facilitates selective routing and selective transfer, if required, to the appropriate PSAP and the dispatching of the proper service agency (ies).
aliLink
An name (string of characters) that identifies a link or a set of link going to an ALI database (could be virtual link when IP is used).
aliResponse
Contains the raw response received from an ALI database truncated at 512 characters.
Uri
Contains the resulting destination address (after outgoing call policy treatment) for a routed call.
Reason
A text string <reason> for choosing that route. It can take the following values:
Although certain methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. To the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, computer readable memory, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Each element in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as hardware, software/program, or any combination thereof. Software codes, either in its entirety or a part thereof, may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium or memory (e.g., as a RAM, ROM, for example a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, CD ROM, DVD ROM, Blu-ray™, a semiconductor ROM, USB, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk). The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as partially compiled form, or in any other form. The software is executed by one or more processors using instructions for performing system and method for risk assessment, anonymization strategy and dataset anonymization. The dataset may be stored locally or remotely on network based storage. The dataset may be saved as a new dataset or portion thereof.
It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the system and components shown in Figures may include components not shown in the drawings. For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, are only schematic and are non-limiting of the elements structures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/627,417 filed Sep. 26, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/539,455, filed Sep. 26, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
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20150085997 A1 | Mar 2015 | US |
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Parent | 13627417 | Sep 2012 | US |
Child | 14556852 | US |