WIRELESS INTERNET SYSTEM FOR THE MOBILE ENVIRONMENT
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to wireless communication networks that use packetized data transmission methods and, more specifically, to mobile Internet access. This invention also relates to methods to increase the overall data rate of a wireless communication network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wireless Internet access is fundamental to the task of creating an ubiquitous computing infrastructure since modern lifestyles require significant mobility for business and for pleasure. Recently, the explosive growth of mobile communications has been facilitated by cellular and PCS telephones, text messaging pagers and two-way radio devices. A logical extension of this demand for mobile communications is the demand for mobile access to public and private computer networks, particularly the Internet. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring Internet access to the mobile environment. Various cellular and PCS networks offer access to certain websites for mobile subscribers. Popular informational sites have been adapted for such services, often by truncating or
streamlining data to accommodate cellular data transmission rates. A key element for being able to offer full mobile Internet services is to have a sufficient data rate for uplink and downlink communications. However, the data demands of Internet traffic make the full range of Internet capabilities difficult to achieve with cellular inf astructure. Currently, the only system standard poised for wireless
Internet capability is cellular. Satellite technology usually favors a large coverage area providing less than adequate data rate per user, making satellites less than ideal for wireless Internet. While current solutions make wireless Internet service possible, more can be done to establish efficient and more robust networks to handle more sophisticated services. All in all, there are few alternatives to cellular technology for wireless Internet access.
Aside from cellular networks, various methods have been devised to allow mobile access to other data communication networks. A packet switched multi-mode mobile communication network and mobile devices for use therewith have been devised for data communication network access. Mobile equipment and a base station packet switch are coupled to data terminal equipment to generate packetized data messages. The mobile and base station equipment each contain an intelligent switching node for selecting radio frequency transmission paths based on packet and transmission path information. An example of the method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,319 to Dutta et al. Although this invention provides a means of efficient routing for mobile data communications, it does not address increasing the data rate of the overall network.
A method has been devised for establishing data communication links between moving motor vehicles. This invention
communicates motion information to other nearby vehicles to establish a platoon control system for intelligent highway systems. An example of the method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,097 to Iihoshi et al. This method demonstrates that moving vehicles can exchange data although the scope is limited to vehicle motion data. It does not address data communication between the motor vehicles and an outside data network.
A method has also been devised to establish a vehicle communication and remote control system. This method involves a location identifying sensor coupled to a processor for supplying vehicle location data to outside networks. The processor is adaptable to establish two-way communications for location-specific data, emergency requests and other roadside assistance functions. An example of this method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,537 to Suman et al. A drawback of this method is that the scope is limited to closed communication networks. The method does not contemplate the requirements for communications between mobile and public data networks such as the Internet.
There is a need in the art for an alternative to cellular technology for wireless Internet access and also for a means to increase the data rate of wireless Internet access over current methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-described problems in the prior art by providing a method for implementing a wireless Internet system for the mobile environment. The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a network that utilizes "mobiles", defined as mobile carriers such as
motor vehicles (including cars, trucks, buses, trains, or motorcycles) or walking individuals, equipped with data transceivers for communicating with other mobiles and the Internet or other outside networks. The invention is useful for such purposes as tracking stolen vehicles, providing navigational assistance, monitoring delivery truck routes, establishing vehicle to vehicle communications and broadcasting emergency vehicle warnings or real time traffic information. The invention is also useful for providing a lower power alternative to mobile telephone systems. In addition, the invention can be adapted for military uses such as tracking vehicles in a convoy or distributing commands and feedback throughout a mobile unit.
Generally described, the present invention utilizes the concentrated coverage area around transceiver-equipped mobiles in order to pass data from mobile to mobile, forming a dynamically programmed airborne path to a low power base station, or a "virtual data pipe", to access the Internet or another outside network. Several low power radio communication protocols are suitable for implementing the present invention and such protocols are well known in the art by one of ordinary skill. When a data link to an outside network is requested, the invention will calculate a virtual data pipe to the nearest base station. The low power base stations act as "data depots" for the data to be transferred to the Internet or other outside network. This method allows for increased network data rates and a more efficient utilization of transmission capacity and power. For incoming data, the base station will "drop off data received from an outside network to the first mobile that passes by, making large base station coverage areas unnecessary. The data will then ricochet from mobile to mobile along a calculated virtual data pipe until it
reaches the mobile matching the destination address. An acknowledge signal will be sent back to the base station or the data will time expire within the virtual data pipe.
One aspect of the present invention includes a method for maximizing bandwidth per user per area for a mobile environment.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for associating all mobiles and base stations with a unique address for plotting transmission routes.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for all mobile transceivers and base stations to actively track each other using a tracking algorithm. Each mobile transceiver reports location information to the nearest base station. Location information is input into processing units coupled to the mobile transceivers for more efficient data routing. In one embodiment of the present invention, a base station will keep a log of the last two known locations of each mobile transceiver within its coverage area. The two location positions for each mobile transceiver will be used to establish the direction any mobile transceiver is heading within the network. In another embodiment of the present invention, the base station will estimate the location of a destination mobile transceiver using directional information and a log of the last two known locations of the destination mobile transceiver.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the base station will obtain the location of a destination mobile transceiver utilizing a global positioning system transceiver.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile transceivers will utilize the IEEE 802.11 communications protocol to communicate with other mobile transceivers and base stations.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile transceivers will utilize the Bluetooth communications protocol to communicate with other mobile transceivers and base stations.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile transceivers will utilize wireless local area networks (wireless LAN) to communicate with other mobile transceivers and base stations.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile transceivers will utilize infrared transceivers to communicate with other mobile transceivers and base stations. In another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile transceiver will utilize a vehicle's power source to power on essential components in order to receive incoming data.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile transceiver will be able to hold data for transmission until a new virtual data pipe is established.
Objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a system diagram that illustrates an exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a system diagram that illustrates a high-level exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an exemplary embodiment of the programming aspects of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a system diagram that illustrates another high- level exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 is a system diagram that illustrates an exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1 and the following discussion provide a general overview of a platform onto which the invention may be integrated or implemented. Although in the context of the exemplary environment the invention will be described as consisting of instructions within a software program being executed by a processing unit, those skilled in the art
will understand that portions of the invention, or the entire invention itself may also be implemented by using hardware components, state machines, or a combination of any of these techniques. In addition, a software program implementing an embodiment of the invention may run as a stand-alone program or as a software module, routine, or function call, operating in conjunction with an operating system, another program, system call, interrupt routine, library routine, or the like. The term "program module" will be used to refer to software programs, routines, functions, macros, data, data structures, or any set of machine readable instructions or object code, or software instructions that can be compiled into such, and executed by a processing unit. The term "processing unit" will be used to refer to microcontrollers, microprocessors, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), digital signal processing (DSP) chips, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or any combination of such components.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system illustrated in Fig. 1 may take on many forms and may be directed towards performing a variety of functions. Examples of such forms and functions include cellular telephones, radio telephones, portable telephones, two-way pagers, personal computers, hand-held devices such as personal data assistants and calculators, consumer electronics, note-book computers, lap-top computers, and a variety of other applications, each of which may serve as an exemplary environment for embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a computing device, which in the context of the present invention will be in the form of or include a mobile transceiver 110, that is made up
of various components including, but not limited to a processing unit 112, non- volatile memory 114, volatile memory 116, and a system bus 118 that couples the non-volatile memory 114 and volatile memory 116 to the processing unit 112. The non-volatile memory 114 may include a variety of memory types including, but not limited to, read only memory (ROM), electronically erasable read only memory (EEROM), electronically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically alterable read only memory (EAROM), FLASH memory, bubble memory, and battery backed random access memory (RAM). The non- volatile memory 114 provides storage for power on and reset routines (bootstrap routines) that are invoked upon applying power or resetting the computing device 110. In some configurations the non-volatile memory 114 provides the basic input/output system (BIOS) routines that are utilized to perform the transfer of information between elements within the various components of the computing device 110.
The volatile memory 116 may include, but is not limited to, a variety of memory types and devices including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), FLASH memory, EEPROM, bubble memory, registers, or the like. The volatile memory 116 provides temporary storage for routines, modules, functions, macros, data, etc. that are being or may be executed by, or are being accessed or modified by the processing unit 112. In general, the distinction between non-volatile memory 114 and volatile memory 116 is that when power is removed from the computing device 110 and then reapplied, the contents of the non-
volatile memory 114 remain intact, whereas the contents of the volatile memory 116 are lost, corrupted, or erased.
The computing device 110 may access one or more external display devices 130 such as a CRT monitor, LCD panel, LED panel, electro-luminescent panel, or other display device, for the purpose of providing information or computing results to a user. In some embodiments, the external display device 130 may actually be incorporated into the product itself. The processing unit 112 interfaces to each display device 130 through a video interface 120 coupled to the processing unit 110 over the system bus 118. The computing device 110 may send output information, in addition to the display 130, to one or more output devices 132 such as a speaker, modem, printer, plotter, facsimile machine, RF or infrared transmitter, computer or any other of a variety of devices that can be controlled by the computing device 110. The processing unit 112 interfaces to each output device 132 through an output interface 122 coupled to the processing unit 112 over the system bus 118. The output interface may include one or more of a variety of interfaces, including but not limited to, an RS-232 serial port interface or other serial port interface, a parallel port interface, a universal serial bus (USB), Fire Wire (IEEE 1394), an optical interface such as infrared or IrDA, an RF or wireless interface such as Bluetooth, or other interface.
The computing device 110 may receive input or commands from one or more input devices 134 such as a keyboard, pointing device, mouse, modem, RF or infrared receiver, microphone, joystick, track ball, light pen, game pad, scanner, camera, computer or the like. The processing unit 112 interfaces to each input device 134
through an input interface 124 coupled to the processing unit 112 over the system bus 118. The input interface may include one or more of a variety of interfaces, including but not limited to, an RS-232 serial port interface or other serial port interface, a parallel port interface, a universal serial bus (USB), Fire Wire (IEEE 1394), an optical interface such as infrared or IrDA, an RF or wireless interface such as Bluetooth, or other interface.
It will be appreciated that program modules implementing various embodiments of the present invention may be may be stored in the non- volatile memory 114, the volatile memory 116, or in a remote memory storage device accessible through the output interface 122 and the input interface 124. The program modules may include an operating system, application programs, other program modules, and program data. The processing unit 112 may access various portions of the program modules in response to the various instructions contained therein, as well as under the direction of events occurring or being received over the input interface 124.
The computing device 110 may transmit signals to, or receive signals from, one or more communications systems 136 such as a cellular network, RF network, computer network, cable network, optical network or the like. The processing unit 112 interfaces to each communications system 136 through a transmitter 126 and a receiver 128, both coupled to the processing unit 112 over the system bus 118. The transmitter 126 and the receiver 128 may include one or more of a variety of transmission techniques such as a radio frequency interface (AM, FM, PSK, QPSK, TDMA, CDMA, FHSS,
Bluetooth or other technique) or an optical interface such as infrared or IrDA.
Fig. 2 is a system diagram that illustrates a high-level exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should note that, in addition to implementing this invention utilizing motor vehicles as described below, any mobile object or individual can be utilized to implement this invention with equal effectiveness. In this best mode implementation, a user in vehicle A 202 wanting to send a data request to a destination within the Internet (or other outside data network) will use vehicle A's 202 mobile transceiver to locate other "nodes", defined as mobile transceivers 110 or base stations 200, within the coverage area. The mobile transceiver 110, will utilize a path determination algorithm, such as a Viterbi algorithm, to establish a virtual data pipe to a destination node. When vehicle A's 202 mobile transceiver locates a node along the established path such as vehicle B 204 or a base station 200, the data request will be transmitted to such mobile or base station 200. Mobile transceivers 110 will be able to temporarily hold data requests until other nodes useful for forming a virtual data path are within range. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transmitter 126 can utilize any number of low power, short range transmission protocols. For example, a transmitter utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol will have a transmission range of several hundred meters. A Bluetooth protocol transmitter will have a range of only a few meters. The choice of transmission protocols can vary depending on network data rate goals and the proliferation of network enabled mobiles. If the transmission is made between mobile transceivers 110, the retransmission of the
data request will continue along a dynamically constructed path. In this example, the data request will be transmitted along a virtual data pipe from vehicle A 202 to vehicle B 204 to vehicle C 206 to vehicle D 208. Vehicle D 208 will "hand off the data request when it comes within range of a base station 200. Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an exemplary embodiment of the programming aspects of the present invention. A program module within the mobile transceiver 110 will be utilized to implement data requests 300 by a user. Data requests 300 will come from any number of interface devices suitable for vehicle drivers, passengers, riders, pedestrians, etc... Suitable devices include liquid crystal touch screen displays, voice recognition software, voice prompting software, laptop USB or FireWire compatible devices or Head Up Displays (HUD).
The mobile transceiver 110 will report to each base station 200 it passes by and will determine if it is within range and if it is heading towards or moving away from a base station 200. The mobile transceiver 110 will also be operative to page all other mobile transceivers within range of its transmitter 126. A virtual data pipe will be established by the program module 304 based on the location information from other mobile transceivers 110 and the location of the nearest base station 200. A data request 300 will have to be reentered if no mobile transceiver location information is available 306. (This can be performed by low level software, totally transparent to the user.) The source mobile transceiver 110 will transmit a data request to the nearest mobile transceiver 110 or base station 200 along the established route. The source mobile transceiver 110 will use periodic verification methods like timeout
algorithms or acknowledge signaling to ensure the transmission is completed 310. The mobile transceiver 110 will continue to transmit 308 until the transmission is received 312 by a base station. A checksum or other verification method can be used to determine whether the complete transmission was received. The data request 302 would have to be repeated if a successful transmission cannot be verified. The data retransmission can be executed by the mobile transceiver 110 so that it is transparent to the user.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This flow example illustrates the process when a mobile transceiver 110 has received data and the established virtual data pipe to a base station has changed. The mobile transceiver 110 can utilize any number of scanning methods 400 to search for other mobile transceivers within range and to obtain location and, optimally, directional information. If a virtual data pipe to a base station has changed 402, the mobile transceiver will have to reobtain location information from other mobile transceivers within range. If a path to a base station 200 can be established (utilizing a path determination algorithm), the mobile transceiver 110 will be operative to transmit the data 404 or temporarily hold the data until an appropriate hand-off node is within range. The mobile transceiver 110 will use a verification procedure to ensure the reception of the data 406. If the data is not completely received by the base station 200, or if the time for reception has elapsed, the mobile transceiver 110 must establish a new virtual data pipe by reobtaning the positions of other mobile transceivers 110 within range 400. When the mobile transceiver 110 receives verification from the base station 200, the transmission is complete.
Fig. 5 is a system diagram that illustrates another high- level exemplary environment suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. This example demonstrates the operation of a base station 200 and specifically shows the method by which data is transferred between mobile transceivers 110 and an outside network via a low-power base station 200. As mobiles equipped with mobile transceivers 110 pass a base station 200, they "dump" data requests bound for the Internet. In return, the base station 200 downloads data it has received from the Internet to mobile fransceiver 110 equipped mobiles as they pass by. In the illustrated example where the mobiles involved happen to be vehicles, the first vehicle X 502 to pass the base station 200 drops off data requests. The base station 200, containing data addressed to vehicle A 500, downloads that data to vehicle X 502. The data will be retransmitted via mobile transceiver equipped mobiles until it reaches its destination address by following a predetermined virtual data pipe as described below. The next vehicle to pass, vehicle Y 504 will upload outbound data and receive data, if any, intended for any mobile transceiver equipped mobile in the vicinity. The process of exchange is repeated for vehicle Z 506. Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This flow example illustrates the method for base station 200 to mobile transceiver 110 communications. The base station 200 will determine the location of the destination mobile transceiver 110 by paging all the mobile transceivers in the surrounding area 600. A tracking algorithm will utilize the location information to provide the instantaneous location of the destination mobile transceiver 110.
Alternatively, the base station 200 could locate the destination mobile transceiver 110 using a global positioning system transceiver. If the base station 200 does not find the destination mobile transceiver 110 in the surrounding area 602, it will page neighboring base stations with instructions to search for the destination mobile transceiver 610. The base stations can communicate between each other using fiber optic cable, cellular, satellite or a variety of other methods well known by one in the art. If the destination mobile transceiver 110 is not found 612, the base station 200 will increase the boundary of the base station scan to include base stations covering a wider area 614. This paging and scanning will continue for wider and wider areas until the destination mobile transceiver 110 is located. When the destination mobile transceiver 110 is found, either during scans by the original base station 602, or during scans conducted by other base stations 612, a virtual data pipe can be established 604 by utilizing a path determination algorithm as previously described. The appropriate base station will transmit data to the destination mobile transceiver 110 along the established route 606. The base station 200 will repeat the paging of mobile transceivers in the surrounding area 600 if a successful transmission cannot be verified 608. If the destination mobile transceiver 110 is turned off, it could be configured to use a vehicle power supply (e.g., a battery) or other connected power source to temporarily power up in order to receive the data.
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.