Importance

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Abstract

A cellular terminal for transmitting information defining its location upon placing a 911 call. The cellular terminal includes a global satellite positioning (GPS) device; and upon the user of the cellular terminal placing an emergency telephone call, the cellular terminal interrogates the GPS device to obtain the geo-coordinates. The cellular terminal then transmits the geo-coordinates to a cellular telecommunication switching system. The cellular switching system or a public safety answering point (PSAP) system responding to the 911 call converts the geo-coordinates into location information. In addition, the cellular terminal transmits to the cellular telecommunication switching system pre-defined vehicle description information if the cellular terminal is being utilized within a vehicle. If the cellular terminal is a hand held unit, the cellular terminal can be programmed to transmit personal characteristics of the person using the cellular terminal. In another embodiment, the cellular terminal obtains the geo-coordinates from the GPS device and converts the geo-coordinates to location information using information stored internal to the cellular terminal. The location information is transmitted to the PSAP via the cellular switching system rather than the geo-coordinates.

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First Claim