Optimized multi-mode private network messaging

Abstract

Optimization of multi-mode messaging via private networks with hybrid platforms. The optimization may include identifying performance priority parameters included within a plurality of datasets, segmenting the datasets into one or more subsets, generating reordered priorities for the subsets, evaluating transmission performance for a plurality of radio accesses, and transmitting the reordered priorities to the plurality of radio accesses. And allocating each subset for transmission from the hybrid platform via one of the radio access points based on the transmission performance and the reordered priority.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to optimized multimodal vehicle messaging, such as, but not necessarily limited to, optimized multimodal messaging of the type suitable for communicating multiple data sets to a vehicle or other device via multiple radio access points operating at a hybrid platform of a private network. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles may include capabilities for supporting an ever-expanding range of services, where in some cases the operation of the services depends on various modes of wireless messaging, or what may be more simply referred to as multi-modal messaging. To support the services and optionally other wireless communication-based operations, some vehicles may include a telematics unit or other hardware capable of supporting multi-modal messaging across different wireless networks (i.e., the ability to support different messaging modes across different types of wireless access networks). In the past, the initiator of a message or other data set intended for wireless communication with a vehicle would be responsible for selecting performance priority parameters for its transmission. This reliance on the message initiator may undesirably limit or prevent participation in overseeing message delivery by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and / or other entities responsible for maintaining a dedicated network for communicating with the vehicle. This historical reliance on the message initiator may effectively prevent back-end support and / or upstream management at the dedicated network level, which in turn may limit those with a vested interest in overseeing vehicle messaging from maintaining or overseeing, ensuring customer satisfaction, and / or otherwise participating or participating in the wireless delivery of multi-modal messaging. Summary of the invention

[0003] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to optimizing multimodal messaging carried over a dedicated network to enable entities with a vested interest to oversee, manage, or otherwise direct the transmission of the messaging independent of performance priority parameters selected by the originator.

[0004] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for optimizing multi-mode messaging via a private network with a hybrid platform. The method may include receiving a plurality of data sets from one or more entities external to the private network and identifying performance priority parameters included in the data sets. The performance priority parameters may include a transmission priority level requested for the data set associated therewith. The method may also include segmenting the data set into one or more subsets, and generating a reordering priority of the subsets based on the performance parameters specified for the data set associated therewith, optionally including increasing or decreasing the transmission priority level in each one or more subsets having data outside the transmission priority level requested by the data set associated therewith. The method may further include evaluating the transmission performance of a plurality of radio access points configured for sending multi-mode messaging from the hybrid platform, and assigning each subset in the subsets for transmission via one of the radio access points based on the transmission performance and the priority of the priority reordering.

[0005] The method may include sending subsets from the radio access points such that at least a portion of the subsets segmented from the first data set in the data set are sent from different ones of the radio access points.

[0006] The method may include sending a subset of the first data set associated with the first data type from a first one of the radio access points, and sending a subset of the first data set associated with the second data type from a second one of the radio access points.

[0007] The method may include selecting a first radio access point from one or more non-cellular ones of the radio access points, and selecting a second radio access point from one or more cellular ones of the radio access points.

[0008] The method may include a first data type corresponding to audio and a second data type corresponding to video.

[0009] The method may include a first data type corresponding to a first application and a second data type corresponding to a second application.

[0010] The method may include a first application requiring real-time communication and a second application requiring non-real-time communication.

[0011] The method may include transmitting the subset from the wireless access point such that at least a portion of the subset segmented from a first one of the data sets is transmitted at an elevated priority level relative to the transmission priority level requested for the first data set.

[0012] The method may include sending a subset of the first data set associated with the first data type at an elevated priority level and sending a subset of the first data set associated with the second data type at a level equal to the transmission priority requested for the first data set.

[0013] The method may include identifying a first data type to require cellular-based transmission, and identifying a second data type to require non-cellular-based transmission.

[0014] The method may include transmitting the subset from the wireless access point such that at least a portion of the subset segmented from a first one of the data sets is transmitted at a reduced priority level relative to a requested transmission priority level for the first data set.

[0015] The method may include sending a subset of the first data set associated with a first data type at a reduced priority and sending a subset of the first data set associated with a second data type at a transmission priority requested for the first data set.

[0016] The method may include identifying a first data type to require non-cellular based transmission, and identifying a second data type to require cellular based transmission.

[0017] The method may include identifying a first data type as requiring a non-guaranteed or variable bit rate, and identifying a second data type as requiring a guaranteed or fixed bit rate.

[0018] The method may include identifying a transmission timing of each radio access point based on transmission performance, and assigning a subset having a higher reordering priority to radio access points having a shorter transmission time relative to a subset having a lower reordering priority.

[0019] The method may include identifying a transmission bit rate of each radio access point based on transmission performance, and assigning a subset having a higher reordering priority to a radio access point having a greater transmission bit rate relative to a subset having a lower reordering priority.

[0020] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for optimizing multi-mode messaging with a vehicle. The system may include a hybrid platform having a plurality of radio access points configured to support multi-mode messaging with the vehicle according to different types of wireless radio communications, each radio access point supporting communications over a corresponding radio network. The system may also include a background optimizer configured to identify performance priority parameters included in a plurality of data sets, segment the data sets into one or more subsets, generate re-ordered priorities for the subsets based on performance parameters specified for the data sets associated therewith, including changing a requested transmission priority level in one or more subsets, evaluating transmission performance of a plurality of radio accesses, and assigning each of the subsets for transmission from the hybrid platform via one of the radio access points based on the transmission performance and the re-ordered priorities. The system may also include a telematics unit configured to be used on the vehicle to wirelessly receive the data sets by operating each radio access point of the hybrid platform.

[0021] The background controller may be configured to identify at least a portion of a subset segmented from the first data set to be associated with at least a first data type from the second data type, identify a transmission bit rate for each radio access point based on transmission performance, determine the first data type to require a guaranteed or fixed bit rate, determine the second type to require a non-guaranteed or variable bit rate, allocate the subset of the first data set associated with the first data type for transmission from one of the radio access points providing cellular-based transmission, and allocate the subset of the first data set associated with the second data type for transmission from one of the radio access points providing non-cellular-based transmission.

[0022] The hybrid platform may include an Internet of Things (IoT) message broker controller configured to transmit IoT messages over an IoT network of a corresponding one of the radio access points, a Wi-Fi message controller configured to transmit Wi-Fi messages over a Wi-Fi network of a corresponding one of the radio access points, and a cellular controller configured to transmit cellular messages over a cellular network of a corresponding one of the radio access points, wherein the cellular network provides cellular-based transmissions and the IoT and Wi-Fi networks provide non-cellular-based transmissions.

[0023] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of non-transitory instructions operable, when executed by one or more processors, to optimize multimodal messaging via a dedicated network having a hybrid platform. The non-transitory instructions may be executable to: identify a performance priority parameter included in a data set, the performance priority parameter including a requested transmission priority level for the data set, segment the data set into one or more subsets, each subset including a portion of the data set, generate a re-ordered priority for the subsets based on the performance parameter specified for the data set associated therewith, including increasing or decreasing the transmission priority level for one or more of the subsets, evaluate transmission performance of a plurality of radio access points configured for sending multimodal messaging from the hybrid platform, and assign the subsets for transmission via the radio access points based on the transmission performance and the re-ordered priority, including assigning a first portion of the subset for transmission from a first radio access point of the radio access points, and assigning a second portion of the subset for transmission from a second radio access point of the radio access points.

[0024] When combined with the accompanying drawings, these features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teaching can be easily apparent from the following detailed description of the mode for carrying out the present teaching. It should be understood that even if the following drawings and embodiments can be described separately, their individual features can be combined into another embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which may be incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 1 A system optimized for multimodal messaging in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method for optimized multimodal messaging according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 A flow chart illustrating an optimization process according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] As desired, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure may be disclosed herein; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments may be merely examples of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may not need to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in various ways.

[0030] Figure 1 A system 10 for multimodal messaging according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown. The system 10 may include a backend optimizer 12 configured to operate with a hybrid platform 14 to facilitate multimodal message exchanges between one or more servers 16, telematics units 18, and / or additional entities, devices, and the like. The system 10 is primarily described with respect to the server 16 and the telematics unit 18, which operate in conjunction with one or more identical different mobile devices, phones, computers, or other initiators 22, and the telematics unit 18, which operates on a vehicle 24 (e.g., but not necessarily limited to a car). The system 10 is described in this manner for exemplary and non-limiting purposes to highlight the advantageous ability of the present disclosure to support a multimodal messaging environment, whereby customer-facing endpoints (i.e., servers 16 and telematics units 18) may benefit from backend support or upstream management, testing, and the like. The backend optimizer 12 and / or the hybrid platform 14, which may reside on a separate or common infrastructure (such as a server or virtual platform), may be included as part of a private network 28. The private network 28 may be configured to provide oversight, ensure customer satisfaction, and / or otherwise participate or engage in the wireless delivery of multimodal messaging that may affect the performance of the vehicle 24 and / or its services. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this regard, as one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate the advantageous capability of the system 10 to support multimodal messaging for other types of endpoints.

[0031] The server 16 and / or the telematics unit 18 may be configured to exchange information, data, messages, etc., which may generally be referred to as data sets, with each other via the hybrid platform 14. One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure contemplates that the server 16 is configured to remotely support, direct, control, or otherwise affect services, capabilities, operations, etc., on the vehicle 24 via exchanging data sets with the telematics unit 18. This may be accomplished by the server 16 generating data sets to include instructions, data, files, media, etc. for transmission to the vehicle 24, and in some cases responsively receiving data sets from the telematics unit 18. For example, the data sets may be used to stream video to a player on the vehicle 24, place a video or voice call within an infotainment system on the vehicle 24, remotely unlock the vehicle 24, start an engine or other system 10 (e.g., a heating and / or cooling system 10) on the vehicle 24, perform diagnostics (e.g., request battery status charge, fuel level, etc.), and / or facilitate various other services of the vehicle 24. One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure contemplates configuring the backend optimizer 12 and hybrid platform 14 to manage the transmission of data sets between the server 16 and the telematics unit 18 via a plurality of radio access points 30 and their accompanying radio networks 31. This ability to provide backend support or upstream management of data set communications can be advantageous in enabling persons with a vested interest in the operation of the vehicle 24 to control data set communications therewith via different types of wireless radio communications of the radio access points 30.

[0032] A hybrid platform 14 is shown for non-limiting purposes, wherein at least a portion of a radio access point 30 is configured differently to provide an Internet of Things (IoT) radio access point 32 configured to transmit IoT messages over an Internet of Things (IoT) network 34, a Wi-Fi radio access point 36 configured to transmit Wi-Fi messages over a Wi-Fi network 38, and a cellular radio access point 40 configured to transmit cellular messages over a cellular network 42. The IoT message broker radio access point 32 can be responsible for message processing and routing within the IoT network 34, such as by acting as a centralized communication hub that receives messages from various IoT devices, sensors, or applications and routes them to the appropriate destination. The message broker radio access point 32 can achieve decoupling of communications between different components by following a publish / subscribe model. The Wi-Fi radio access point 36 can be dedicated to managing the Wi-Fi network 38, such as in an environment where Wi-Fi connectivity is available, and can be configured to oversee the configuration, management, and optimization of Wi-Fi access points (APs) within the network. It can handle tasks such as AP provisioning, channel allocation, security settings, and client device authentication. The cellular radio access point 40 may be responsible for managing cellular communications within the cellular network 42, such as by serving as a central point for coordinating communications between cellular devices and the cellular network infrastructure.

[0033] The hybrid platform 14 can be configured in this manner to support multimodal messaging with the telematics unit 18 using the IoT proxy, Wi-Fi and / or cellular radio access points 32, 36, 40 and corresponding IoT, Wi-Fi and / or cellular messages. Multimodal messaging can be characterized in this manner as corresponding to the ability of the hybrid platform 14 to exchange messages with the telematics unit 18 according to different messaging modes associated with each wireless access point and the corresponding wireless network. This multimodal capability can be beneficial in supporting an ever-expanding range of services available on the vehicle 24, such as supporting services in at least some non-limiting cases, which can depend on various wireless messaging modes, or can be more simply referred to as multimodal messaging. In order to maximize support for services and optionally other wireless communication-based operations, the telematics unit 18 or other similar hardware on the vehicle 24 can be configured to support multimodal messaging across each of the different radio networks 31, that is, the ability to support different messaging modes across different types of radio networks 31.

[0034] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure relates to configuring the background optimizer 12 to oversee multimodal messaging related activities of the hybrid platform 14. For example, the background optimizer 12 can be configured to receive multiple data sets from the server 16 and then control the delivery of the data sets to the telematics unit 18 using multimodal messaging distributed across the radio access points. The background optimizer 12 can be configured to determine the transmission performance of the radio network 31 associated with the radio access point 30, and based thereon, controllably partition the data sets for communication according to selectable design parameters. Relatedly, the background optimizer 12 can be configured to evaluate throughput, cost, time sensitivity, data rate, quality of service, and / or additional metrics, and based thereon, partition the data sets for transmission across one or more of the radio access points 30. Figure 1 A non-limiting example is shown in which the background optimizer 12 can receive multiple data sets from the server 16 and then parse the data sets for delivery using each of IoT, Wi-Fi, and cellular messages, i.e., causing at least a portion of the data sets to be communicated through each of the IoT proxy, Wi-Fi, and cellular radio access points 32, 36, 40 for corresponding exchanges through the relevant IoT proxy, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks 34, 38, 42.

[0035] Figure 2A flowchart 50 of a method for multimodal vehicle 24 messaging according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown. The method 50 may be implemented using a background optimizer 12, a hybrid platform 14, a radio access point 30, and / or other hardware (not shown) that performs operations described herein in accordance with instructions, commands, etc., generated in response to one or more processors executing in accordance with a corresponding plurality of non-transitory instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Block 52 relates to a generation process whereby a server 16 may generate a plurality of data sets 54, 56, 58 for multimodal messaging to a telematics unit 18. The generation process is shown for non-limiting purposes to correspond to a server 16 generating the plurality of data sets 54, 56, 58, which may be referred to as a first data set 54, a second data set 56, and a third data set 58.

[0036] The server 16 or other entity initiating the data sets 54, 56, 58 may generate the data sets 54, 56, 58 simultaneously, continuously, or in other order according to a connection from outside the private network (such as through an interface, connection, or other medium thereto). The data sets 54, 56, 58 may be commonly addressed to the vehicle 24 and initially sent from the server 16 to the private network 28. The data sets 54, 56, 58 may be used, for example, to facilitate over-the-air (OTA) reflash, vehicle unlocking, and / or provide information or controls for manipulating additional services, other services, and / or features on the vehicle 24. The generation process may be initiated according to one or more initiators 22 or applications, systems, etc. associated with one or more servers 16 that send one or more corresponding messages to the private network 28. For example, the data sets 54, 56, 58 may each include or consist of multiple messages arranged into a stream or other transmission structure for the purpose of transmitting data, video, audio, media, and / or other such materials. Although the generation process is illustrated as data sets 54 , 56 , 58 originating from a device external to the vehicle 24 , this disclosure fully contemplates data sets 54 , 56 , 58 originating from other locations or entities, including from sources on the vehicle 24 or included as part of the vehicle 24 .

[0037] Box 62 relates to management processes whereby the background optimizer 12 or other entity associated with the dedicated network 28 may be configured to predict, monitor, control or otherwise manage the operation of the hybrid platform 14. One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure contemplates management processes including transmission performance processes whereby the background optimizer 12 may monitor or otherwise evaluate the network performance of the hybrid platform 14, such as by monitoring network performance measurements and / or metrics sufficient to evaluate the transmission performance of the radio access point 30 and / or the corresponding radio network 31. The transmission performance may be used to reflect transmission timing, throughput, latency, modulation requirements or capabilities, processing schemes, and / or other parameters associated with transmitting messages over the radio network 31, i.e., the requirements for modulation, packaging, formatting, etc. of each of IoT, Wi-Fi, and cellular messages. The management process may include exchanging information between the background optimizer 12 and / or the hybrid platform 14 to evaluate its operation and / or exchanging control parameters for controlling its operation. Thus, the management process may involve various operations contemplated by the present disclosure for supporting multi-mode vehicle 24 message transmission.

[0038] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure contemplates determining transmission performance from actively monitoring the operation of the radio network 31, such as based on statistics gathered from monitoring transmission of the additional data sets 54, 56, 58 or multimodal messaging previously sent to the vehicle 24 and / or other vehicles (not shown) (i.e., monitoring historical performance of the hybrid platform 14). This type of monitoring may be considered real-time monitoring or actual monitoring generated based on actual performance of the radio network 31 when constructed in a real-life or real-world deployment, where the corresponding multimodal messaging may travel long distances from the hybrid platform 14 to the telematics unit 18. In such an implementation, for example, the radio access point 30 may be under the control of the private network 28, while the accompanying radio network 31 is under the control of a vendor entity that previously built the switches, headends, enodes, terminals, towers, stations, etc. in the real world, i.e., the deployed infrastructure built by a utility company, Wi-Fi and / or cellular provider, or other multi-service provider.

[0039] One non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure contemplates additional ways to determine transmission performance based on simulations of the radio network 31. Simulations can be performed to set representative behaviors intended to simulate functional behaviors sufficient to control the hybrid platform 14, the radio access point 30, and / or the radio network 31 to provide a virtualization tool that is capable of modeling an actual implementation of the radio network 31 without the radio network 31 having to be actually deployed with infrastructure in the real world. For example, a network tool (not shown) having hardware and software configurations configured to simulate communications between the radio access point 30 and the vehicle 24 can be used to implement the simulation. In other words, the simulation can be used to provide a test of an environment in which multimodal messaging can be communicated with the vehicle 24 without the corresponding multimodal messaging traveling on an actual real-world deployed infrastructure. The corresponding multimodal messaging can be sent wirelessly to the vehicle 24, such as utilizing short-range wireless signaling carried without the underlying infrastructure and long-range transmission that would otherwise be required for the deployed radio network.

[0040] Thus, the dedicated network 28, or more specifically, the hybrid platform 14 and the radio access point 30, can be configured to support multi-mode messaging over a deployed radio network and / or a simulated or virtual radio network. For simplicity, the description herein is primarily directed to the deployed radio network 31, such that multi-mode messaging carried thereon can be exchanged with the corresponding radio access point 30 to travel over the deployed infrastructure, i.e., through a wired backbone, tower, cable, etc., and then can wirelessly exchange multi-mode messages with the vehicle 24. Block 64 relates to an optimization process, whereby the background optimizer 12 can provide optimization information to optimize the transmission of the data sets 54, 56, 58 via the dedicated network 28. The optimization information can be generated for specifying performance priority parameters, transmission priority levels, reordering priorities, synchronization, routing, and / or other information to be used at the hybrid platform 14 to identify and control each radio access point 30 to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the data sets 54, 56, 58.

[0041] Figure 3A flowchart 70 of an optimization process according to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure is shown. Block 72 relates to a parameter identification process, whereby the background optimizer 12 identifies a performance priority parameter included in a data set 54, 56, 58. The performance priority parameter may be embedded information included in the data set 54, 56, 58 to specify the characteristics required for its transmission. The performance priority parameter may be selected by the initiator of a corresponding one of the data sets 54, 56, 58, so that the performance primary payer number may represent the characteristics requested by the initiator to support its transmission. The present disclosure contemplates that the data sets 54, 56, 58 are used to facilitate the communication of various data, information, etc., which may occur by grouping the data, information, etc. within each packet stream. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a packet stream may include a plurality of packets generated to transmit data, information, etc. intended to be delivered via the corresponding data set 54, 56, 58. The packet may include a non-segmentable portion and a segmentable portion, which may correspond to a header in the payload, respectively. For example, the header may include a performance priority parameter, and the payload may include data, information, etc. intended for transmission.

[0042] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the performance priority parameters may include information for message prioritization, bandwidth allocation, latency control, packet loss reduction, jitter minimization, bandwidth, traffic shaping, congestion management, differentiated services, quality of service, transmission priority levels, etc. The information included as part of the performance priority parameters may be used by an originator external or external to the private network 28 to effectively request or select desired parameters for controlling the transmission of corresponding packets within each of the data sets 54, 56, 58. Instead of relying on such message originators to dictate the transmission of the data sets 54, 36, 58, one aspect of the present disclosure involves the background optimizer 12 evaluating the performance priority parameters and adjusting them based on the transmission performance of the private network 28, segment transmission priorities, and other variables known to the background optimizer 12, which may be unknown or unavailable to entities external to the private network 28. The background optimizer 12 may be configured in this manner to determine the best mode for receiving the data sets 54, 56, 58 at the private network 28, thereafter directing the data sets 54, 56, 58 through the private network 28, and ultimately coordinating their transmission for one or more radio access points 30 based on the background optimizer's 12 proprietary knowledge and understanding of the private network 28.

[0043] The ability of the present disclosure to deviate from the performance priority parameters specified by the originator of the data set 54, 56, 58 may be advantageous in managing the transmission of the data sets 54, 56, 58 via the private network 28 in order to oversee the message delivery without relying on the message originator to control the transmission, which in turn may enable a person with a vested interest in overseeing vehicle messaging (e.g., a party responsible for the private network 28) to maintain and oversee, ensure customer satisfaction, and / or otherwise attend or participate in the wireless delivery of multimodal messaging with the vehicle 24. One aspect of the present disclosure specifically contemplates that the background optimizer 12 adjusts the transmission priority of the data sets 54, 56, 58 based on the operating conditions, throughput, transmission timing, and / or other transmission performance of the private network 28. The transmission priorities may be based on a classification scheme, whereby the data sets 54, 56, 58 or more specifically the groups associated therewith may be assigned weights based on the classifications assigned thereto, e.g., a best effort classification having a weight of 1.0, a background classification having a weight of 10, a standard classification having a weight of 24, a superior effort classification having a weight of 30, a streaming classification having a weight of 44, an interactive media classification having a weight of 54, an interactive voice classification having a weight of 64, and a reserved classification having a weight of 74. The weights and accompanying classifications may vary depending on the configuration, capabilities, and various factors of the private network 28, and thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the foregoing examples.

[0044] The transmission priority levels may be used to control the cues for transmission of the data sets 54, 56, 58 over the private network 28. Queuing may relate to the throughput, bandwidth, latency minimization, reliability, etc. provided for transmission of the data sets 54, 36, 58, optionally with a higher priority or higher weighted transmission priority level receiving or being assigned greater throughput, bandwidth, latency minimization, reliability, etc. relative to a lower priority or lower weighted transmission priority level. For example, the private network 28 may be configured to transmit messages within various queues, optionally with more resources being allocated to queues associated with higher transmission priority levels than queues associated with lower transmission priority levels. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to the background optimizer 12 adjusting the transmission priority level assigned by the initiator based on the transmission performance of the private network 28 so as to manage the transmission of the data sets 54, 56, 58 to variables known to the background optimizer 12, which may be unknown or unavailable to entities external to the private network 28, based on the transmission priority level selected by the background optimizer 12. This, in turn, may enable the background optimizer 12 to rescheduling or otherwise adjust message transmissions based on what it deems optimal for the private network 28 rather than what the originator of the data set 54 , 36 , 58 requested.

[0045] Block 74 relates to a segmentation process, whereby packets of a data set 54, 56, 58 may be analyzed for segmentation before the background optimizer 12 adjusts the transmission priority level associated therewith. The segmentation process may correspond to a deep packet inspection or other evaluation of the segmentable portion thereof, i.e., the payload or other portion of the packet having the data, information, etc. required for transmission, rather than the portion thereof having performance priority parameters, source and destination addressing, etc. One aspect of the present disclosure contemplates a segmentation process that determines whether the transmission priority level specified by the originator of the data set 54, 56, 58 is applicable or necessary for the entire data set 54, 56, 58. This may include evaluating whether different data types may be included within corresponding ones of the data sets 54, 56, 58, e.g., the same data set 54, 56, 58 may include video and audio, such that video may be considered one data type and audio may be considered another data type. The segmentation process may also include evaluating whether different applications can be included in a corresponding one of the data sets 54, 36, 58, for example, the same data set 54, 56, 58 may include data from a telecommunications application and a file download application, such that telecommunications data may be considered one application type and audio may be considered another application type. The determination of the data type, application type, or other classification type of the data set 54, 56, 58 may be useful to more specifically distinguish whether the transmission priority level assigned by the originator of the data set 54, 56, 58 in the performance priority parameter applies to the entirety thereof or only to selected portions, for example, when a higher transmission priority level may be needed or desired, the originator may assign a higher transmission priority level due to the entirety of the data set 54, 56, 58 or less than the entirety of the data set 54, 56, 58.

[0046] The segmentation process may accordingly include segmenting the data sets 54, 56, 58 into subsets based on the different data types, application types, etc. included therein. The subsets may each include a portion of the corresponding data set 54, 56, 58, so that the subsets may be subsequently reassembled to reassemble the data sets 54, 56, 58. The ability to segment the data sets 54, 56, 58 into subsets may be advantageous in enabling the background optimizer 12 to adjust the transmission priority level of the subset to match the data type, application type, etc. associated therewith, rather than being bound or limited to the transmission priority level specified by the initiator for the entire associated data set 54, 56, 58. Block 76 relates to a priority reordering process, whereby the background optimizer 12 may generate a reordering priority for each subset. The priority reordering process may select a reordering priority for each subset based on the performance priority parameter of the data set 54, 56, 58 associated therewith. For example, the priority reordering process may determine whether the transmission priority level specified by the original data set for the associated data set 54, 56, 58 is applicable to the subset segmented therefrom. Where the transmission priority level assigned by the initiator to data sets 54, 56, 58 is applicable to the associated subsets, the reordering priority may specify the use of the same transmission priority level, and where it is not applicable, the reordering priority may increase or decrease the transmission priority level by assigning an increased transmission priority level or a decreased priority level to each associated subset accordingly.

[0047] Block 78 relates to a transmission performance process for evaluating or generating a transmission performance metric for the private network 28 in temporally proximate fashion to the segmentation process and / or for predicting a transmission performance metric based on expected communication times from a subset of one or more radio access points 30. Block 80 relates to a transmission allocation process for allocating transmissions to each subset based on a priority re-ordering priority associated therewith, i.e., allocating each subset for transmission based on increasing, decreasing, or maintaining a transmission priority level assigned to the data set 54, 56, 58 associated therewith. Return to Figure 2 , one aspect of the present disclosure contemplates allocating subsets for transmission according to a plurality of subset streams 86, 88, 90 associated with each radio access point 30. The number and transmission priority level associated with each subset stream may be related to the radio access point 30 associated therewith, which in the exemplary illustration may correspond to a gamma stream 86 associated with an IoT radio access point 32, a beta stream 88 associated with a Wi-Fi access point 36, and an alpha stream 90 associated with a cellular radio access point 40. This non-limiting example may correspond to the cellular access point 40 having a higher transmission priority level than the Wi-Fi radio access point 36, and the Wi-Fi radio access point 36 having a higher transmission priority level than the IoT access point 32.

[0048] The transmission allocation process may operate in such a manner as to selectively transmit a subset via one of the subset flows 86, 88, 90 that is suitable for the transmission priority level specified in the priority reordering priority assigned thereto. Depending on transmission performance or network conditions, in some cases, the transmission level, throughput, reliability, etc. of the subset flows 86, 88, 90 may vary, such that at different points in time the Wi-Fi radio access point 36 may be assigned a higher priority level than the cellular radio access point 40, or the IoT access point 32 may have a higher priority level than the Wi-Fi radio access point 36. The transmission allocation process may take into account the variation and re-allocate the subsets accordingly, such that the subset with the highest priority level may be transmitted via the IoT and / or Wi-Fi radio access points 32, 36 rather than the cellular radio access point 40 of the generally higher priority level. This ability to match the performance of the subset flows 86, 88, 90 with the priority reordering priority of the subset may be beneficial in attempting to ensure that the subset assigned a higher transmission level is transmitted to the radio access point 30 having the higher performance at that time.

[0049] One aspect of the present disclosure contemplates evaluating the performance of a radio access point 30 based on its ability to provide a guaranteed / fixed bit rate or a non-guaranteed / variable bit rate, with radio access points 30 having a guaranteed bit rate being rated as providing higher performance than radio access points 30 having a non-guaranteed bit rate. Another aspect of the present disclosure contemplates evaluating the performance of a radio access point 30 based on an expected transmission timing, for example, the amount of milliseconds that a subset provided thereto is expected to be transmitted forward to a vehicle 24 using the respective radio access point 30, with radio access points 30 having shorter transmission timing being rated as providing higher performance than radio access points 30 having longer transmission timing. The ability to differentiate the bit rate, transmission timing, or other metrics of a radio access point 30 and then associate those metrics with a transmission priority level assigned to a subset as part of a priority reordering prioritization determined thereby may be beneficial, enabling the present disclosure to evaluate the data type, application type, need for real-time or non-real-time communications, etc. of a subset and accordingly assign the subset to a radio access point 30 that is likely to meet the desired transmission priority level. Return to Figure 2 , block 66 involves a retransmission process whereby the hybrid platform 14 may receive the subset streams 86, 88, 90 as well as the priority parameters and multimode information of the participants and, based thereon, control the radio access point 30 to send a corresponding multimode message over the radio network 31. Block 68 may involve the telematics unit 18 processing the subset streams 86, 88, 90 for directing the operation of the services on the vehicle 24.

[0050] Although various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary rather than restrictive, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the embodiments are possible. Unless specifically limited, any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with any other feature or element in any other embodiment or replace any other feature or element in any other embodiment. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except according to the attached claims and their equivalents. In addition, various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the attached claims. Although several modes for performing many aspects of the present teaching have been described in detail, technicians familiar with the fields to which these teachings are related will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teaching within the scope of the attached claims. It is intended that all content contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as the entire scope of illustrative and exemplary alternative embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the entire scope of these alternative embodiments is implied by the included content, structurally and / or functionally equivalent, or otherwise becomes apparent based on the included content, and is not limited to only those embodiments that are explicitly depicted and / or described.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing multimodal messaging via a private network with a hybrid platform, comprising: receiving a plurality of data sets from one or more entities external to the private network; identifying a performance priority parameter included in the data set, the performance priority parameter comprising a transmission priority level requested for the data set associated therewith; segmenting the data set into one or more subsets, each subset including a portion of the data set associated therewith; generating a reordered priority for the subsets based on the performance parameters specified for the data sets associated with the subsets, including increasing or decreasing the transmission priority level for each one or more of the subsets having data outside the transmission priority level requested for the data sets associated with the subsets; evaluating transmission performance of a plurality of radio access points configured for sending multimodal messaging from the hybrid platform, the radio access points supporting communications over corresponding radio networks according to different types of wireless radio communications; as well as Based on the transmission performance and the reordering priority, each of the subsets is assigned for transmission via one of the radio access points.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The subsets are sent from the radio access points such that at least a portion of the subsets segmented from a first data set in the data set are sent from different ones of the radio access points.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The subset of the first data set relating to a first data type is sent from a first one of the radio access points, and the subset of the first data set relating to a second data type is sent from a second one of the radio access points.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: selecting the first radio access point from among one or more non-cellular access points of the radio access points; as well as The second radio access point is selected from one or more cellular access points among the radio access points.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: The first data type corresponds to audio; as well as The second data type corresponds to video.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: The first data type corresponds to a first application; as well as The second data type corresponds to a second application.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The first application requires real-time communication; as well as The second application requires non-real-time communication.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The subset is transmitted from the wireless access point such that at least a portion of the subset segmented from a first one of the data sets is transmitted at an elevated priority level relative to the transmission priority level requested for the first data set.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The subset is transmitted from the wireless access point such that at least a portion of the subset segmented from a first one of the data sets is transmitted at a reduced priority level relative to the transmission priority level requested for the first data set.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: identifying a transmission timing for each of the radio access points based on the transmission performance; as well as The subset having a higher reordering priority is assigned to the radio access points having a shorter transmission time relative to the subset having a lower reordering priority.

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