US20140244066A1 - Method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and heterogeneous wireless networks - Google Patents
Method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and heterogeneous wireless networks Download PDFInfo
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- US20140244066A1 US20140244066A1 US13/773,988 US201313773988A US2014244066A1 US 20140244066 A1 US20140244066 A1 US 20140244066A1 US 201313773988 A US201313773988 A US 201313773988A US 2014244066 A1 US2014244066 A1 US 2014244066A1
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- vehicle
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F17/00—Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
- G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/50—Network services
- H04L67/52—Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- H04L69/14—Multichannel or multilink protocols
Definitions
- the invention generally relates to a method of controlling wireless data communications between a vehicle and a plurality of different wireless networks.
- data may need to be transmitted to a remote location via a wireless network.
- a wireless network As the vehicle travels along a route, many different wireless networks become available to the vehicle to connect with, while others become un-available.
- the vehicle selects the available wireless network that currently has the strongest signal to connect with for data transfer, regardless of how long that specific wireless network is available to the vehicle along the vehicle's route.
- the vehicle will typically switch to a second wireless network when the signal strength of the second wireless network becomes stronger than the wireless network the vehicle is currently connected to, or the signal strength of the connected hotspot goes beyond a pre-defined threshold.
- a method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and a plurality of wireless networks includes tracking a location of the vehicle over time to identify a known route, and tracking a signal duration for each of the plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle when moving along the identified known route.
- One of the plurality of wireless networks, which provides the longest signal duration for the vehicle, and which is available for data communication with the vehicle along the identified known route, is identified.
- the vehicle connects to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route for data communication therebetween.
- a vehicle is also provided.
- the vehicle includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver operable to track a travel time, a travel duration, and a travel route of the vehicle, and a network controller coupled to the GPS receiver.
- GPS Global Positioning System
- the network controller receives data from the GPS receiver related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route, and is configured to control data communication between the vehicle and one of a plurality of heterogeneous wireless networks.
- the network controller is operable to identify a known route based upon the data received from the GPS receiver related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route, and detect a signal duration and a signal strength for each of a plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle when moving along the identified known route.
- the network controller identifies which one of the plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle along the identified known route provides the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route.
- the network controller connects data communication from the vehicle to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route.
- the network controller connects data communication from the vehicle to the available wireless network having the highest signal strength.
- the network controller may select the wireless network that provides the longest duration of connectivity for data communication, instead of simply connecting to the wireless network that has the strongest signal at any given time. Because the relative signal strength of the different wireless networks may change along the travel route of the vehicle, a control strategy that simply selects the wireless network with the strongest signal to connect to may be constantly switching between different wireless networks. Because significant data transfer time is lost when switching between and connecting with new wireless networks, control strategies that simply select the wireless network with the highest signal strength decrease the effective data transfer rate over the course of the trip.
- the control strategy of the present invention selects the available wireless network that provides the longest duration of connectivity, thereby decreasing the time spent negotiating with new networks, which increases the effective data transfer rate over the course of the trip.
- FIG. 1 is a map showing a known travel route of a vehicle and the availability of a plurality of different wireless networks for the vehicle to connect with.
- FIG. 2 is a chart showing the signal strength for each of the different wireless networks along the known travel route.
- the vehicle 20 may include any type and/or style of vehicle 20 , and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 22 .
- GPS Global Positioning System
- the GPS receiver 22 may include any receiver capable of receiving a signal from a plurality of GPS satellites in order to determine the time and position of the vehicle 20 as is known in the art.
- the GPS receiver 22 is capable of tracking a travel time of the vehicle 20 , a travel duration of the vehicle 20 , and a travel route of the vehicle 20 .
- the vehicle 20 further includes a network controller 24 .
- the network controller 24 is coupled to the GPS receiver 22 , and is operable to receive data from the GPS receiver 22 related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route of the vehicle 20 .
- the network controller 24 may include a computer and/or processor, and include all software, hardware, memory, algorithms, connections, sensors, etc., necessary to manage and control the data communication and connectivity with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless networks. As such, a method, described in greater detail below, may be embodied as a program operable on the network controller 24 . It should be appreciated that the network controller 24 may include any device capable of analyzing data from various sensors, comparing data, making the necessary decisions required to control the data communication and connectivity with the wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 .
- the different wireless networks include a first wireless network 26 , a second wireless network 28 , a third wireless network 30 , a fourth wireless network 32 , and a fifth wireless network 34 .
- Each of the plurality of different wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 is positioned along a known travel route 36 of the vehicle 20 .
- the known route 36 includes a start point 38 and an end point 40 .
- the signal strength and the signal duration for the coverage areas of each of the different plurality of wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 are represented in FIG. 2 .
- the signal strength for each of the plurality of wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 is shown along a vertical axis 42 of FIG. 2
- the signal duration for each of the plurality of wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 is shown along a horizontal axis 44 of FIG. 2 .
- both the first wireless network 26 and the second wireless network 28 are available for the network controller 24 to connect with.
- the first wireless network 26 includes a higher signal strength than the second wireless network 28
- the second wireless network 28 includes a longer signal duration than the first wireless network 26 , i.e., the second wireless network 28 is available for a longer duration of time as the vehicle 20 moves along the known route 36 .
- the vehicle 20 will move out of the service area of the first wireless network 26 , and then into the service area of the third wireless network 30 , all while staying within the service area of the second wireless network 28 .
- the third wireless network 30 includes a higher signal strength than the second wireless network 28 , but includes a shorter signal duration than the second wireless network 28 .
- the vehicle 20 leaves the service area of the third wireless network 30 , and enters the service area of the fourth wireless network 32 and the fifth wireless network 34 , while staying within the service area of the second wireless network 28 .
- the fourth wireless network 32 includes a signal strength that is slightly less than the second wireless network 28 , and a signal duration that is approximately equal to the second wireless network 28 , yet longer than the first wireless network 26 and the third wireless network 30 .
- the service area of the fifth wireless network 34 overlaps with the service area of the second wireless network 28 and the fourth wireless network 32 .
- the signal strength of the fifth wireless network 34 is higher than the signal strength of the fourth wireless network 32 , but the signal duration of the fifth wireless network 34 is less than the signal duration of the fourth wireless network 32 .
- the vehicle 20 exits the service area of the second wireless network 28 and the fifth wireless network 34 , while remaining within the service area of the fourth wireless network 32 .
- the network controller 24 may select which of the wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 to connect with to maximize data transfer from the vehicle 20 .
- the begin signal location and the end signal location for each of the different networks are not specifically noted in FIG.
- the begin signal location for a specific network is the location along the known route 36 when the vehicle 20 enters the service area of that network
- the end signal location is the location along the known route 36 when the vehicle 20 exits the service area for that network.
- the begin signal location for the third wireless network 30 is shown at 48
- the end signal location of the third wireless network 30 is shown at 50 .
- the network controller 24 may select the available wireless network that provides the longest signal duration, rather than simply selecting the wireless network with the strongest available signal at any given time. Accordingly, in the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the network controller 24 recognizes that the vehicle 20 is moving along or entering the known route 36 at the start point 38 , the network controller 24 may choose between the first wireless network 26 and the second wireless network 28 . It should be noted that in order for the network controller 24 to select a wireless network to connect to, the signal strength of the wireless network must be greater than a required minimum strength 46 , shown in FIG. 2 .
- a wireless network with a signal strength below the required minimum strength 46 will not be considered for selection unless no other networks are available. Because the network controller 24 has learned the begin signal location and the end signal location for each of the different wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 along the known route, the network controller 24 may choose to connect to the second wireless network 28 , even though the first wireless network 26 provides a stronger signal, because the second wireless network 28 provides a longer signal duration along the known route 36 . Similarly, when the vehicle 20 passes through the service area for the third wireless network 30 , the network controller 24 will continue the connection with the second wireless network 28 and not connect to the third wireless network 30 , even though the third wireless network 30 includes a stronger signal.
- the network controller 24 Upon the vehicle 20 reaching the end signal location for the second wireless network 28 , the network controller 24 must decide which of the fourth wireless network 32 or the fifth wireless network 34 to connect with. Because the fourth wireless network 32 provides the longer signal duration while moving along the known route 36 , the network controller 24 may choose to connect with the fourth wireless network 32 , even though the fifth wireless network 34 includes a higher signal strength. The network controller 24 may maintain connectivity with the fourth wireless network 32 as the vehicle 20 moves along the known route 36 and reaches the end point 40 of the known route 36 . In so doing, the network controller 24 connects with only the second wireless network 28 and the fourth wireless network 32 , thereby maximizing the connectivity duration and minimizing the time lost during connection processes. In contrast, a control strategy that selects the wireless network based on the strongest currently available signal would require the network controller 24 to make six different network connections as the vehicle 20 moves along the known route 36 between the start point 38 and the end point 40 .
- the network controller 24 may be programmed to prefer or select an available no charge Wi-Fi network over a required fee cellular network to minimize cost to the consumer. For example, referring to FIG.
- the network controller 24 may switch connections from the second wireless network 28 to the third wireless network 30 to avoid usage fees in the service area provided by the third wireless network 30 .
- the network controller 24 is operable to control data communication and network connectivity with the different wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 . More specifically, the network controller 24 is operable to perform the various steps of the method described below.
- the network controller 24 uses the information from the GPS receiver 22 related to the travel time of the vehicle 20 , the travel duration of the vehicle 20 , and the travel route of the vehicle 20 to track a location of the vehicle 20 over time to identify the known route 36 .
- the known route 36 may include for example, a common route traveled to and from a work destination at a consistent time each day.
- the network controller 24 may track all movement of the vehicle 20 and log each trip as a known route 36 , or may alternatively determine that only travel routes that are repeated with a certain frequency are defined as a known route 36 .
- the network controller 24 also tracks the available wireless network signals disposed along each of the known routes 36 .
- the network controller 24 may learn the begin signal location and the end signal location, as well as the signal duration and the signal strength for each wireless network disposed along the known route 36 . The network controller 24 may then save the identified known route 36 and the information related to the available wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , such as but not limited to the signal duration, the begin signal location, the end signal location, and the signal strength, in a memory of the network controller 24 . The network controller 24 may use the information related to the wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 to identify which one of the plurality of wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 that is available for data communication with the vehicle 20 along the identified known route 36 provides the longest signal duration for the vehicle 20 .
- the network controller 24 may connect to the available wireless network having the highest signal strength for data communication therewith. Simultaneously, the network controller 24 may define this current travel route as a new known travel route, and track and learn the available wireless connections and related information, including signal strength, signal duration, begin signal location and end signal location, for each available wireless network disposed along this new learned travel route. This information may be saved in the memory of the network controller 24 so that the network controller 24 may recognize this new learned travel route as a known travel route the next time the vehicle 20 moves along this route.
- the network controller 24 Upon the next occurrence of the vehicle 20 entering the start point 38 of a previously identified known route 36 , the network controller 24 recognizes that the current route of the vehicle 20 is the same as the previously identified known route 36 of the vehicle 20 , and selects the wireless network to connect with based upon the longest signal duration. Accordingly, when the current route is the same as the known route 36 , the network controller 24 connects data communication from the vehicle 20 to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle 20 when moving along the identified known route 36 . The network controller 24 may connect to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle 20 upon the vehicle 20 reaching the begin signal location for that wireless network.
- the network controller 24 selects that next wireless network to connect to based upon the signal duration of the then available wireless networks 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 . For example, referring to FIG. 1 , upon the vehicle 20 nearing the end signal location of the second wireless network 28 , the network controller 24 would select the fourth wireless network 32 to connect to for the remainder of the trip along the known route 36 . Once the next wireless network is selected, e.g., the fourth wireless network 32 in the example shown in FIG. 1 , the network controller 24 will transfer data communication from the vehicle 20 to the next selected wireless network.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely exemplary, and that the number and location of routes, as well as the number and location of the wireless networks may differ from the exemplary example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention generally relates to a method of controlling wireless data communications between a vehicle and a plurality of different wireless networks.
- In order to implement various vehicle monitoring/service programs, data may need to be transmitted to a remote location via a wireless network. As the vehicle travels along a route, many different wireless networks become available to the vehicle to connect with, while others become un-available. Typically, the vehicle selects the available wireless network that currently has the strongest signal to connect with for data transfer, regardless of how long that specific wireless network is available to the vehicle along the vehicle's route. The vehicle will typically switch to a second wireless network when the signal strength of the second wireless network becomes stronger than the wireless network the vehicle is currently connected to, or the signal strength of the connected hotspot goes beyond a pre-defined threshold.
- A method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and a plurality of wireless networks is provided. The method includes tracking a location of the vehicle over time to identify a known route, and tracking a signal duration for each of the plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle when moving along the identified known route. One of the plurality of wireless networks, which provides the longest signal duration for the vehicle, and which is available for data communication with the vehicle along the identified known route, is identified. When a current route of the vehicle is the same as the known route, the vehicle connects to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route for data communication therebetween.
- A vehicle is also provided. The vehicle includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver operable to track a travel time, a travel duration, and a travel route of the vehicle, and a network controller coupled to the GPS receiver. The network controller receives data from the GPS receiver related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route, and is configured to control data communication between the vehicle and one of a plurality of heterogeneous wireless networks. The network controller is operable to identify a known route based upon the data received from the GPS receiver related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route, and detect a signal duration and a signal strength for each of a plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle when moving along the identified known route. The network controller identifies which one of the plurality of wireless networks available for data communication with the vehicle along the identified known route provides the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route. When a current route of the vehicle is the same as the known route, the network controller connects data communication from the vehicle to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for the vehicle when moving along the identified known route. When the current route of the vehicle is not the same as the known route, the network controller connects data communication from the vehicle to the available wireless network having the highest signal strength.
- Accordingly, when the vehicle is moving along a known route, in which the network controller knows in advance the availability of the different wireless networks that the vehicle will encounter along its travel route, the network controller may select the wireless network that provides the longest duration of connectivity for data communication, instead of simply connecting to the wireless network that has the strongest signal at any given time. Because the relative signal strength of the different wireless networks may change along the travel route of the vehicle, a control strategy that simply selects the wireless network with the strongest signal to connect to may be constantly switching between different wireless networks. Because significant data transfer time is lost when switching between and connecting with new wireless networks, control strategies that simply select the wireless network with the highest signal strength decrease the effective data transfer rate over the course of the trip. In contrast, when the network controller is able to recognize that the current route of the vehicle is the same as a previously identified known route having previously identified known wireless networks available, the control strategy of the present invention selects the available wireless network that provides the longest duration of connectivity, thereby decreasing the time spent negotiating with new networks, which increases the effective data transfer rate over the course of the trip.
- The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a map showing a known travel route of a vehicle and the availability of a plurality of different wireless networks for the vehicle to connect with. -
FIG. 2 is a chart showing the signal strength for each of the different wireless networks along the known travel route. - Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
- Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at 20 in
FIG. 1 . Thevehicle 20 may include any type and/or style ofvehicle 20, and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver 22. TheGPS receiver 22 may include any receiver capable of receiving a signal from a plurality of GPS satellites in order to determine the time and position of thevehicle 20 as is known in the art. When used to track the position of thevehicle 20 over time, theGPS receiver 22 is capable of tracking a travel time of thevehicle 20, a travel duration of thevehicle 20, and a travel route of thevehicle 20. - The
vehicle 20 further includes anetwork controller 24. Thenetwork controller 24 is coupled to theGPS receiver 22, and is operable to receive data from theGPS receiver 22 related to the travel time, travel duration, and the travel route of thevehicle 20. Thenetwork controller 24 may include a computer and/or processor, and include all software, hardware, memory, algorithms, connections, sensors, etc., necessary to manage and control the data communication and connectivity with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless networks. As such, a method, described in greater detail below, may be embodied as a program operable on thenetwork controller 24. It should be appreciated that thenetwork controller 24 may include any device capable of analyzing data from various sensors, comparing data, making the necessary decisions required to control the data communication and connectivity with thewireless networks - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , a service area for each of a plurality of different wireless networks is shown inFIG. 1 by a boundary region associated with each of the different wireless networks. The different wireless networks include a firstwireless network 26, a secondwireless network 28, a thirdwireless network 30, a fourthwireless network 32, and a fifthwireless network 34. Each of the plurality of differentwireless networks travel route 36 of thevehicle 20. The knownroute 36 includes astart point 38 and anend point 40. The signal strength and the signal duration for the coverage areas of each of the different plurality ofwireless networks FIG. 2 . The signal strength for each of the plurality ofwireless networks FIG. 2 , and the signal duration for each of the plurality ofwireless networks FIG. 2 . - As the
vehicle 20 begins moving along theknown route 36 from thestart point 38, both the firstwireless network 26 and the secondwireless network 28 are available for thenetwork controller 24 to connect with. As shown inFIG. 2 , the firstwireless network 26 includes a higher signal strength than the secondwireless network 28, but the secondwireless network 28 includes a longer signal duration than the firstwireless network 26, i.e., the secondwireless network 28 is available for a longer duration of time as thevehicle 20 moves along theknown route 36. As thevehicle 20 continues along theknown route 36, thevehicle 20 will move out of the service area of the firstwireless network 26, and then into the service area of the thirdwireless network 30, all while staying within the service area of the secondwireless network 28. Similar to the firstwireless network 26, the thirdwireless network 30 includes a higher signal strength than the secondwireless network 28, but includes a shorter signal duration than the secondwireless network 28. As thevehicle 20 continues further along theknown route 36, thevehicle 20 leaves the service area of the thirdwireless network 30, and enters the service area of the fourthwireless network 32 and the fifthwireless network 34, while staying within the service area of the secondwireless network 28. The fourthwireless network 32 includes a signal strength that is slightly less than the secondwireless network 28, and a signal duration that is approximately equal to the secondwireless network 28, yet longer than the firstwireless network 26 and the thirdwireless network 30. The service area of the fifthwireless network 34 overlaps with the service area of the secondwireless network 28 and the fourthwireless network 32. The signal strength of the fifthwireless network 34 is higher than the signal strength of the fourthwireless network 32, but the signal duration of the fifthwireless network 34 is less than the signal duration of the fourthwireless network 32. As thevehicle 20 continues on to theend point 40 of theknown route 36, thevehicle 20 exits the service area of the secondwireless network 28 and the fifthwireless network 34, while remaining within the service area of the fourthwireless network 32. - If the
network controller 24 knows, or has previously learned the position of theknown route 36, as well as the beginning and end locations (hereinafter referred to as the begin signal location and an end signal location respectively) of the service areas for each of thewireless networks known route 36, then thenetwork controller 24 may select which of thewireless networks vehicle 20. Although the begin signal location and the end signal location for each of the different networks are not specifically noted inFIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that the begin signal location for a specific network is the location along theknown route 36 when thevehicle 20 enters the service area of that network, and the end signal location is the location along theknown route 36 when thevehicle 20 exits the service area for that network. For illustrative purposes and as shown inFIG. 1 , for thevehicle 20 moving along theknown route 36 in a direction indicated byarrow 47, the begin signal location for the thirdwireless network 30 is shown at 48, and the end signal location of the thirdwireless network 30 is shown at 50. - Significant data transfer time is lost while the
network controller 24 negotiates a connection with a network. In order to maximize the data transfer time available to thevehicle 20, thenetwork controller 24 may select the available wireless network that provides the longest signal duration, rather than simply selecting the wireless network with the strongest available signal at any given time. Accordingly, in the illustrative example shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , when thenetwork controller 24 recognizes that thevehicle 20 is moving along or entering theknown route 36 at thestart point 38, thenetwork controller 24 may choose between the firstwireless network 26 and the secondwireless network 28. It should be noted that in order for thenetwork controller 24 to select a wireless network to connect to, the signal strength of the wireless network must be greater than a required minimum strength 46, shown inFIG. 2 . A wireless network with a signal strength below the required minimum strength 46 will not be considered for selection unless no other networks are available. Because thenetwork controller 24 has learned the begin signal location and the end signal location for each of the differentwireless networks network controller 24 may choose to connect to the secondwireless network 28, even though the firstwireless network 26 provides a stronger signal, because the secondwireless network 28 provides a longer signal duration along theknown route 36. Similarly, when thevehicle 20 passes through the service area for the thirdwireless network 30, thenetwork controller 24 will continue the connection with the secondwireless network 28 and not connect to the thirdwireless network 30, even though the thirdwireless network 30 includes a stronger signal. Upon thevehicle 20 reaching the end signal location for the secondwireless network 28, thenetwork controller 24 must decide which of the fourthwireless network 32 or the fifthwireless network 34 to connect with. Because the fourthwireless network 32 provides the longer signal duration while moving along theknown route 36, thenetwork controller 24 may choose to connect with the fourthwireless network 32, even though the fifthwireless network 34 includes a higher signal strength. Thenetwork controller 24 may maintain connectivity with thefourth wireless network 32 as thevehicle 20 moves along the knownroute 36 and reaches theend point 40 of the knownroute 36. In so doing, thenetwork controller 24 connects with only thesecond wireless network 28 and thefourth wireless network 32, thereby maximizing the connectivity duration and minimizing the time lost during connection processes. In contrast, a control strategy that selects the wireless network based on the strongest currently available signal would require thenetwork controller 24 to make six different network connections as thevehicle 20 moves along the knownroute 36 between thestart point 38 and theend point 40. - It should be appreciated that other criteria, in addition to the signal duration, may be considered when selecting which wireless network to select for connection as well. For example, many Wi-Fi networks are publically available and free for use, whereas the cellular networks, e.g., 2g, 3g, or 4g networks, may require payment of fees for use. Accordingly, the
network controller 24 may be programmed to prefer or select an available no charge Wi-Fi network over a required fee cellular network to minimize cost to the consumer. For example, referring toFIG. 1 , if thesecond wireless network 28 includes a required fee network, and thethird wireless network 30 includes a no charge Wi-Fi network, thenetwork controller 24 may switch connections from thesecond wireless network 28 to thethird wireless network 30 to avoid usage fees in the service area provided by thethird wireless network 30. - As noted above, the
network controller 24 is operable to control data communication and network connectivity with thedifferent wireless networks network controller 24 is operable to perform the various steps of the method described below. - The
network controller 24 uses the information from theGPS receiver 22 related to the travel time of thevehicle 20, the travel duration of thevehicle 20, and the travel route of thevehicle 20 to track a location of thevehicle 20 over time to identify the knownroute 36. The knownroute 36 may include for example, a common route traveled to and from a work destination at a consistent time each day. Thenetwork controller 24 may track all movement of thevehicle 20 and log each trip as a knownroute 36, or may alternatively determine that only travel routes that are repeated with a certain frequency are defined as a knownroute 36. Thenetwork controller 24 also tracks the available wireless network signals disposed along each of the knownroutes 36. Thenetwork controller 24 may learn the begin signal location and the end signal location, as well as the signal duration and the signal strength for each wireless network disposed along the knownroute 36. Thenetwork controller 24 may then save the identified knownroute 36 and the information related to theavailable wireless networks network controller 24. Thenetwork controller 24 may use the information related to thewireless networks wireless networks vehicle 20 along the identified knownroute 36 provides the longest signal duration for thevehicle 20. - If the
vehicle 20 is traveling along a current route that the network does not recognize as a knownroute 36, then thenetwork controller 24 may connect to the available wireless network having the highest signal strength for data communication therewith. Simultaneously, thenetwork controller 24 may define this current travel route as a new known travel route, and track and learn the available wireless connections and related information, including signal strength, signal duration, begin signal location and end signal location, for each available wireless network disposed along this new learned travel route. This information may be saved in the memory of thenetwork controller 24 so that thenetwork controller 24 may recognize this new learned travel route as a known travel route the next time thevehicle 20 moves along this route. - Upon the next occurrence of the
vehicle 20 entering thestart point 38 of a previously identified knownroute 36, thenetwork controller 24 recognizes that the current route of thevehicle 20 is the same as the previously identified knownroute 36 of thevehicle 20, and selects the wireless network to connect with based upon the longest signal duration. Accordingly, when the current route is the same as the knownroute 36, thenetwork controller 24 connects data communication from thevehicle 20 to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for thevehicle 20 when moving along the identified knownroute 36. Thenetwork controller 24 may connect to the available wireless network identified as providing the longest signal duration for thevehicle 20 upon thevehicle 20 reaching the begin signal location for that wireless network. Upon thevehicle 20 nearing the end signal location of a wireless network, thenetwork controller 24 selects that next wireless network to connect to based upon the signal duration of the thenavailable wireless networks FIG. 1 , upon thevehicle 20 nearing the end signal location of thesecond wireless network 28, thenetwork controller 24 would select thefourth wireless network 32 to connect to for the remainder of the trip along the knownroute 36. Once the next wireless network is selected, e.g., thefourth wireless network 32 in the example shown inFIG. 1 , thenetwork controller 24 will transfer data communication from thevehicle 20 to the next selected wireless network. - It should be appreciated that the known route and the wireless networks depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely exemplary, and that the number and location of routes, as well as the number and location of the wireless networks may differ from the exemplary example shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and described above. - The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed invention have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the invention defined in the appended claims.
Claims (17)
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US13/773,988 US8818719B1 (en) | 2013-02-22 | 2013-02-22 | Method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and heterogeneous wireless networks |
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US13/773,988 US8818719B1 (en) | 2013-02-22 | 2013-02-22 | Method of controlling data communication between a vehicle and heterogeneous wireless networks |
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US20180124805A1 (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2018-05-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for vehicle to cloud network traffic scheduling |
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