Text Message Generation for Emergency Services As a Backup To Voice Communications

Abstract

A mobile device may detect when a calling party dials an emergency service to request emergency assistance. Following input of the dialed digits, the device may automatically generate a text message in addition to initiating a voice call, both of which may be transmitted over a wireless data network. The wireless network nay correlate the two calls as originating from the same emergency situation and may attempt to deliver the two calls to a Public Services Answering Position (PSAP) at an appropriate emergency center. If the PSAP does not receive a voice call, the PSAP may communicate with the device via test messaging.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 determining that a voice call is associated with a need for an emergency service to yield a determination;   receiving a text message that is automatically generated;   correlating, via a processor, the voice call with the text message as being one of generated by a common source or both related to the need for the emergency service;   when the voice call is received at an emergency center, engaging in a voice conversation via the voice call; and   when the voice call is not received at an emergency center, engaging in a text messaging session.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the voice call at the emergency service.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first communication network entity performs the step of engaging in the voice conversation; and   a second communication network entity performs the step of engaging in the text messaging session, and wherein the first communication network entity differs from the second communication network.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first communication network entity comprises circuitry for voice communications; and   the second communication network entity comprises circuitry for data communications.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text message is automatically generated based on the voice call. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a threshold network connection between the common source and an intended recipient of the voice call is exceeded; and   establishing the voice call between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 determining that a connection between the common source and the intended recipient has dropped below the threshold network connection; and   establishing a text messaging session between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a threshold network connection between the common source and an intended recipient of the voice call is not met; and   establishing a text messaging session between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an intended recipient of the voice call is a public safety answering point. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text message indicates a location of the common source. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the text message comprises a transcription of audio data received at the common source. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 a processor; and   a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 determining that a voice call is associated with a need for an emergency service to yield a determination; 
 receiving a text message that is automatically generated; 
 correlating, via a processor, the voice call with the text message as being one of generated by a common source or both related to the need for the emergency service; 
 when the voice call is received at an emergency center, engaging in a voice conversation via the voice call; and 
 when the voice call is not received at an emergency center, engaging in a text messaging session. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:
 receiving the voice call at the emergency service.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a first communication network entity performs the step of engaging in the voice conversation; and   a second communication network entity performs the step of engaging in the text messaging session, and wherein the first communication network entity differs from the second communication network.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first communication network entity comprises circuitry for voice communications; and   the second communication network entity comprises circuitry for data communications.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the text message is automatically generated based on the voice call. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:
 determining that a threshold network connection between the common source and an intended recipient of the voice call is exceeded; and   establishing the voice call between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:
 determining that a connection between the common source and the intended recipient has dropped below the threshold network connection; and   establishing a text messaging session between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:
 determining that a threshold network connection between the common source and an intended recipient of the voice call is not met; and   establishing a text messaging session between the common source and the intended recipient.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 initiating a voice call is associated with a need for an emergency service to an emergency service;   transmitting a text message that is automatically generated based on the voice call to the emergency service, wherein the emergency service correlates the voice call with the text message as being one of generated by a common source or both related to the need for the emergency service;   when the voice call is received at the emergency service, engaging in a voice conversation with the emergency service via the voice call; and   when the voice call is not received at the emergency service, engaging in a text messaging session.