Computer-related devices and techniques for facilitating an emergency call via a cellular or data network using remote communication device identifying information

Abstract

The claimed invention consists of a device for use with a computer. The device may include a transceiver and control logic. The control logic (a) receives one or more first signals carrying corresponding one or more remote communication device identifiers (e.g., cellular tower identifiers or wireless access point identifiers) that each identify one or more remote communication devices, (b) determines one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals and a location of the communication device based on the one or more remote communication device identifiers (or one or more locations of the one or more remote communication devices) and the one or more signal strengths of said first signals, (c) receives a second signal corresponding to an emergency call, and (d) transfers, via a cellular network or a packet switched network, a third signal carrying an indicator of the location of said communication device to a remote device to aid emergency personnel in identifying the location of said communication device, said control logic implementing said emergency call as one of a cellular-based call via said cellular network and a VoIP call via said packet switched network.

1 .- 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A communication device for use with a computer, said communication device comprising:
 a transceiver; and   control logic that receives via said transceiver one or more first signals from one or more cellular towers including data corresponding to one or more cellular tower identifiers that each identify one or more cellular towers, determines one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, and determines a location of said communication device based on the one or more cellular tower identifiers and the one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, wherein the location of said communication device is used to update registered location information for emergency personnel to aid in identifying the location of said communication device.   
     
     
         57 . The communication device of  claim 56 , wherein said processor readable program code causes said one or more processors to perform said update automatically after determining the location of the communication device. 
     
     
         58 . The communication device of  claim 57 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device. 
     
     
         59 . The communication device of  claim 57 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device only if said location is more than a predetermined distance from a registered location that has previously been assigned to said communication device. 
     
     
         60 . The communication device of  claim 56 , wherein said processor readable program code causes said one or more processors to output a notification to a user of said communication device to request that the user updates registered location information based on said location of said communication device determined by said control logic. 
     
     
         61 . A method for determining location identifying information for a communication device that is coupled to a computer, the method comprising:
 receiving via a transceiver of a communication device, one or more first signals from one or more cellular towers including data corresponding to one or more cellular tower identifiers that each identify one or more cellular towers; and   determining one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals and a location of the communication device including the transceiver based on the one or more cellular tower identifiers and the one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, wherein the location of said communication device is used to update registered location information for emergency personnel to aid in identifying the location of said communication device.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said update occurs automatically after determining the location of the communication device. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device only if said location is more than a predetermined distance from a registered location that has previously been assigned to said communication device. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising outputting a notification to a user of said communication device to request that the user update registered location information based on said location of said communication device determined by said control logic. 
     
     
         66 . A processor program product for use in connection with one or more processors for executing software instructions, said processor program product comprising:
 a processor usable medium having processor readable program code embodied therein for causing said one or more processors to receive via a transceiver of a communication device, one or more first signals from one or more cellular towers including data corresponding to one or more cellular tower identifiers that each identify one or more cellular towers, and determine one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals and a location of the communication device including the transceiver based on the one or more cellular tower identifiers and the one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, wherein the location of said communication device is used to update registered location information for emergency personnel to aid in identifying the location of said communication device.   
     
     
         67 . The communication device of  claim 66 , wherein said control logic performs said update automatically after determining the location of the communication device. 
     
     
         68 . The communication device of  claim 67 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device. 
     
     
         69 . The communication device of  claim 67 , wherein said update of said registered location information comprises assigning said location of said communication device as a new registered location of said communication device only if said location is more than a predetermined distance from a registered location that has previously been assigned to said communication device. 
     
     
         70 . The communication device of  claim 66 , wherein said control logic outputs a notification to a user of said communication device to request that the user updates registered location information based on said location of said communication device determined by said control logic.