US 9,288,651 B2Granted

System and method for dynamically coupling a special number call with a function-focused answering unit

AssigneeWest Corporation

InventorsJohn Lawrence Snapp, George Heinrichs, Daniel Zacek, Donald D. Mondul, Stephen Marc Meer

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Abstract

A system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answerer includes: (a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network, a radio access network, and a public switched telephone network configured and situated for communicative coupling with the calling unit; (b) at least one network switch coupled with at least one of the networks; and (c) a special number call receiver coupled with the network switch. At least one of the special number call receiver and the network switch is configured for communicative coupling of the special number call with the at least one function-focused answerer unit. After receiving the special number call, the special number call receiver dynamically couples the special number call to an included function-focused answerer. Determining which function-focused answerer is an included function-focused answerer is made at the special number call receiver.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit;

the method comprising:
(a) receiving said special number call at a special number call receiving facility via a network switching facility;
(b) if location information relating to locus of said calling unit is received with said special number call, proceeding to step (d);
(c) if no location information relating to locus of said calling unit is received with said special number call, obtaining said location information from a location determining facility coupled with at least one of said network switching facility and said special number call receiving facility;
(d) evaluating service required by caller placing said special number call;
(e) determining which function-focused answering units are to be included in the special number call based upon function-focused answering unit capabilities and location;
(f) coupling said special number call with one or more included function-focused answering units of said at least one function-focused answering unit;
(g) if treatment necessitated by said special number call is complete, proceed to step (k);
(h) if treatment necessitated by said special number call is not complete, in no particular order:
(1) determining whether a change in said treatment has occurred;
and
(2) determining whether a change in said locus has occurred;
(i) if a change has occurred in said treatment or in said locus, repeating steps (d) through (h);
(j) if no change has occurred in said treatment or in said locus, repeating steps (g) through (h);
and
(k) terminating the method.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.