Enhanced E911 network access for a call center using session initiation protocol (SIP) messaging

Abstract

A switched emergency call (e.g., a 911 call, an alarm company call) forwarded by a telematics call center is converted into a session initiation protocol (SIP) packetized phone call at the call center, and routed over an IP network, for presentation to an emergency services gateway, which connects to a selective router via dedicated circuits, gaining full access to the Enhanced 911 network. This provides a PSAP receiving a call from a telematics call center or other call center with all features available in an Enhanced 911 network, e.g., callback number of the 911 caller, and location of the 911 caller. Location of the caller is provided using a VoIP positioning center (VPC), queried from the call center. In this way, the switched emergency call is converted into a SIP packetized phone call and routed without further passage through the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

1 . A method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP), comprising:
 determining a unique PSAP having jurisdictional responsibility for a physical current location of a caller to said call center;   converting said switched telephone call into a session initiation protocol (SIP) packetized phone call at said call center;   querying a VoIP positioning center for call routing instructions for said SIP packetized phone call; and   routing said SIP packetized phone call to an emergency services gateway without further passage through a public switched telephone network (PSTN).   
     
     
         2 . The method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said VoIP positioning center is queried from said call center.   
     
     
         3 . The method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a designated number for said unique PSAP, said designated number not being a 10-digit phone number dialable on said PSTN.   
     
     
         4 . The method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said call center is a telematics call center.   
     
     
         5 . The method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said telematics call center is an ONSTAR™, ATX, Cross Country, or ADT call center.   
     
     
         6 . The method of providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said call center is an alarm monitoring center.   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP), comprising:
 means for determining a unique PSAP having jurisdictional responsibility for a physical current location of a caller to said call center;   means for converting said switched telephone call into a session initiation protocol (SIP) packetized phone call at said call center;   means for querying a VoIP positioning center for call routing instructions for said SIP packetized phone call; and   means for routing said SIP packetized phone call to an emergency services gateway without further passage through a public switched telephone network (PSTN).   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said means for querying queries said VoIP positioning center from said call center.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 means for providing a designated number for said unique PSAP, said designated number not being a 10-digit phone number dialable on said PSTN.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said call center is a telematics call center.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said telematics call center is an ONSTAR™, ATX, Cross Country, or ADT call center.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for providing a call center with access to an Enhanced 911 network supporting a public safety answering point (PSAP) according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said call center is an alarm monitoring center.