METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC RESETTING OF A VEHICLE'S ROAMING STRATEGY WHEN TRACKING A STOLEN VEHICLE

Abstract

A method comprises transmitting an initial wireless communication from a user device over an authorized first cell network. The initial wireless communication includes the current geographic location of the user device. The user device maintains a blocklist that identifies unauthorized cell networks. Based on the determination that the user device is approaching a geofence between a first network coverage area of ​​the first cell network and a second network coverage area of ​​a second cell network identified in the blocklist, the method includes removing the second cell network from the blocklist.If the second cell network has been removed from the exclusion list and, based on this, the user device enters the second network coverage area, the procedure includes transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device over the second cell network, which includes an updated geographical location of the user device.

Description

INITIATIONThe information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Both the work of the presently named inventors to the extent it is described in this section and the aspects of the description that cannot otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.The present disclosure relates generally to re-establishing or updating the roaming strategy of cellular communication of a vehicle, and more specifically, to automatically re-establishing the communication protocol of a stolen vehicle to enable roaming before the stolen vehicle travels within the coverage area of a roaming network.When a vehicle is in a tracking or theft monitoring state, the vehicle transmits its geographical location over a cellular network to a central control or monitoring entity so that the monitoring entity can track and recover the stolen vehicle. However, vehicles are typically equipped with communication protocols that prohibit roaming use of cellular networks outside the vehicle's home network. Thus, if a stolen vehicle that is driving into a roaming area where the vehicle is not authorized to communicate over the cellular network, the vehicle may not be able to transmit its geographical location, and the monitoring entity is not able to continue tracking the stolen vehicle.To continue tracking the stolen vehicle after it has traveled into a roaming area, the vehicle's communication protocol is re-established to enable roaming communication over a roaming cellular network when it is determined that the stolen vehicle is traveling toward the roaming area within an active coverage area.SUMMARYAn aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method that, when executed by data processing hardware, causes the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device over a first cellular network. The first wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the user device. The first cellular network includes an authorized cellular network in which the user device is authorized to use for wireless communications. The user device maintains a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the user device is not authorized to use for wireless communications. The operations include determining, based on the current geographic location of the user device, that the user device is approaching a geofence. The geofence includes a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area of the first cellular network and a second network coverage area of a second cellular network. The second cell network is identified in the prohibition list. Based on the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell network from the prohibition list. When the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, the operations include transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device over the second cell network. The second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device.The implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. According to some implementations, the operations further include receiving an operation instruction at the user device when the second cell network is removed from the prohibition list. The operation instruction is transmitted from a central system remote from the user device to the user device via the second cell network. An operation parameter of the user device is set based on the operation instruction.According to some examples, removing the second cell network from the prohibition list includes transmitting instructions from a central system via the first cell network for the user device to delete the prohibition list. The central system is located remote from the user device.In some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cell network is identified in the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device via at least one of the first cell network and the second cell network. In further aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device includes a threshold waiting period between respective attempts to transmit the second wireless communication. The threshold waiting period is decreased based on a tracking state associated with the user device.According to some implementations, the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one of a distance between the user device and the geofence, a heading of the user device, and a speed of the user device. Optionally, the user device includes a vehicle.Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system. The system includes computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions executed on the computing hardware that cause the computing hardware to perform operations. The operations include transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device over a first cellular network. The first wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the user device. The first cellular network includes an authorized cellular network in which the user device is authorized to use for wireless communications. The user device maintains a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the user device is not authorized to use for wireless communications. The operations include determining, based on the current geographic location of the user device, that the user device is approaching a geofence. The geofence includes a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area of the first cellular network and a second network coverage area of a second cellular network. The second cell network is identified in the prohibition list. Based on the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell network from the prohibition list. When the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, the operations include transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device over the second cell network. The second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device. The implementations of this disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features.According to some implementations, the operations further include, when the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list, receiving an operation instruction at the user device. The operation instruction is transmitted from a central system remote from the user device to the user device via the second cell network. An operation parameter of the user device is set based on the operation instruction.According to some examples, removing the second cell network from the prohibition list includes transmitting instructions from a central system via the first cell network for the user device to delete the prohibition list. The central system is located remote from the user device.In some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cell network is identified in the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device via at least one of the first cell network and the second cell network. In further aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device includes a threshold waiting period between respective attempts to transmit the second wireless communication. The threshold waiting period is decreased based on a tracking state associated with the user device.According to some implementations, the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one of a distance between the user device and the geofence, a heading of the user device, and a speed of the user device. Optionally, the user device includes a vehicle.Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions executed on the computing hardware that cause the computing hardware to perform operations. The operations include transmitting a first wireless communication from the vehicle over a first cellular network. The first wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the vehicle. The first cellular network includes an authorized cellular network in which the vehicle is authorized to use for wireless communications. The vehicle maintains a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the vehicle is not authorized to use for wireless communications. The operations include determining, based on the current geographic location of the vehicle, that the vehicle is approaching a geofence. The geofence includes a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area of the first cellular network and a second network coverage area of a second cellular network. The second cell network is identified in the prohibition list. Based on the determination that the vehicle is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell mesh from the prohibition list. When the second cellular network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the vehicle entering the second network coverage area, the operations include transmitting a second wireless communication from the vehicle over the second cellular network. The second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the vehicle. The implementations of this disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features.According to some implementations, the operations further include, when the second cellular network has been removed from the prohibition list, receiving an operation instruction at the vehicle. The operation instruction is transmitted from a central system located remotely from the vehicle to the vehicle via the second cellular network. An operation parameter of the vehicle is set based on the operation instruction.According to some examples, removing the second cellular network from the prohibition list includes transmitting instructions from a central system over the first cellular network for the vehicle to delete the prohibition list. The central system is located remote from the vehicle.In some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cellular network is identified in the prohibition list and based on the vehicle entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the vehicle via at least one of the first cellular network and the second cellular network. In further aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the vehicle includes a threshold waiting period between respective attempts to transmit the second wireless communication. The threshold waiting period is decreased based on a tracking state associated with the vehicle.According to some implementations, the determination that the vehicle is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one of a distance between the vehicle and the geofence, a heading of the vehicle, and a speed of the vehicle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; it shows: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a user device wirelessly communicating over a first cellular network with a central system located remotely from the user device, wherein the user device communication protocols are not provided to enable roaming. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the user device wirelessly communicating with the central system over a second cellular network, wherein the communication protocols of the user device are provided to enable roaming. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the user device geographically located within a first network coverage area of a first cellular network and approaching a geofence at or near a geographic boundary of the first network coverage area, wherein the communication protocols of the user device are not provided to enable roaming. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the user device geographically located within the first network coverage area of the first cellular network and approaching the geofence at or near a geographic boundary between the first network coverage area and a second network coverage area of a second cellular network, wherein the communication protocols of the user device are provided to enable roaming. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method for tracking a geographic location of a user device and re-establishing the communication protocols of the user device to enable roaming. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another example method for tracking user device geographical location and re-establishing user device communication protocols to enable roaming. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of another example method for re-establishing the user device communication protocols to enable roaming.In all drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONNow, exemplary configurations will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be used, that the exemplary embodiments of the configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the exemplary configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.The terminology used herein is for describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. The singular articles "a", "an" and "the / s" as used herein are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring execution thereof in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be used.When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like manner (e.g., "between" as opposed to "directly between," "adjacent" as opposed to "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another region, layer, or portion. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.In this application, including the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced by the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term "shared processor" includes a single processor that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor" includes a processor that, in combination with additional processors, executes some or all of the code from one or more modules. The term "shared memory" includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory" includes a memory that, in combination with additional memories, stores some or all of the code from one or more modules. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer readable medium.". The term "computer readable medium" does not include the transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium and may therefore be considered a tangible and non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory memory include a tangible computer readable medium including a non-transitory memory, a magnetic memory, and an optical memory.The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include and / or rely on stored data.A software application (i.e., software resource) may refer to computer software that causes a computing device to perform a task. According to some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," an "app," or a "program.". Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social network applications, and gaming applications.The non-transitory memory may include physical devices used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. The non-transitory memory may be a volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of the non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read only memory (ROM) / programmable read only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically used for firmware such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), as well as disks or tapes.These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in procedural and / or object oriented programming high-level language and / or in assembler / machine language. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memories, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic and / or optical circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations. These various implementations may include the implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be a special purpose or general purpose processor coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.The processes and logic flows described in this application text may be performed by one or more programmable processors, also referred to as data processing hardware, that execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by acting on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows may also be performed by special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (a field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (an application specific integrated circuit). The processors suitable for executing a computer program illustratively include both general purpose and special purpose microprocessors and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory, or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes or is operatively coupled to one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, to receive data from or send data to them, or both. However, a computer does not need to have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storing instructions and data of a computer program include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and storage devices including, by way of example, semiconductor storage devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into special purpose logic circuitry.To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a touchscreen, for displaying information to the user, and optionally a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, through which the user may provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, audible feedback, or tactile feedback; while input from the user may be received in any form including acoustic, voice, or tactile input. Additionally, a computer may interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.Vehicles are often equipped with a communication module or telematics system that sends and receives signals or communications over a cellular network, such as to enable data transmission and other communication between one or more onboard systems or controllers on the vehicle and a backoffice controller or central system located remotely from the vehicle. For example, the telematics system may transmit geographic locations of the vehicle (e.g., as determined by a global positioning system (GPS) module on the vehicle) to the central system, where the central system may transmit instructions regarding operating system updates to the onboard systems. Typically, the vehicle communication modules are not intended for roaming, thus losing the connection between the vehicle's onboard systems and the central system when the vehicle travels outside of the network coverage areas provided by the authorized cellular networks and into network coverage areas provided by unauthorized or roaming cellular networks. Among other deficiencies, losing connectivity between the central system and the vehicle results in the inability to inform the central system of the geographic location of the vehicle and an inability for the central system to transmit instructions to the vehicle, such as to enable or disable operation of the engine or powertrain system of the vehicle, enable or disable operation of the ignition system of the vehicle, operate the exterior lighting systems of the vehicle (e.g., blink headlights or emergency lights of the vehicle), or unlock or lock doors of the vehicle, and the like.A common problem that arises in areas near international boundaries, such as along the boundary between the United States and Mexico, is, for example, that vehicles are stolen and driven across the international boundary, such as from the United States to Mexico. Because vehicles with communication protocols in neighboring countries are often not provided with enabled roaming (e.g., United States allowed vehicles in Mexiko do not have enabled roaming), the stolen vehicle loses connectivity after the stolen vehicle has traveled over the border to the neighboring country, where the stolen vehicle is unable to communicate its geographic location for tracking and retrieving the vehicle.As discussed further below, the present disclosure enables the user devices to maintain connectivity by automatizing a process that re-establishes the communication protocols of the user device to enable roaming when the user device is determined to approach a boundary of the network coverage area of the authorized cellular network as they move between a network coverage area of an authorized cellular network and a network coverage area of an unauthorized or roaming cellular network. Accordingly, when the user device moves from the network coverage area of the authorized cell network to the network coverage area of the roaming cell network, the user device connects to the roaming cell network and communicates with the central system via the roaming cell network. Although the system and methods are discussed herein with respect to vehicles having communication protocols, it should be appreciated that the system and methods discussed herein are applicable to any suitable user device that communicates over cellular networks, such as vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, and the like.In FIGS. 1-4, a user device or vehicle 100 includes a communication module or telematics system 102 configured to wirelessly communicate with a backoffice system or central system 200 located remotely from the user device 100. The communication module 102 wirelessly communicates with the central system 200 via one or more cellular or public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 300, such as to transmit information from one or more onboard systems of the user device 100 to the central system 200 and to receive instructions or system updates from the central system 200. The user device 100 is equipped, for example, with a GPS module 104 that determines the geographic locations 110 of the user device 100, and one or more sensors 106 that each acquire sensor data 112 representative of the states of the user device 100 or the environmental conditions at the user device 100.According to the illustrated example of the vehicle 100, the one or more sensors 106 may acquire the sensor data 112 representative of the speed 112 aof the vehicle 100, a heading or heading 112 bof the vehicle 100, and the fuel level of the vehicle 100, wherein the sensors 106 may acquire the image data 112 crepresenting the areas inside or outside the vehicle, and the like. The communications wirelessly transmitted from the communication module 102 of the vehicle 100 to the central system 200 via the cellular network 300 may include a geographic location 110 of the vehicle 100 and / or the acquired sensor data 112.A subscriber identity module (SIM) 108 identifies which cellular networks 300 the communication module 102 is authorized to use. The cellular networks 300 provide respective network coverage areas 302 that include the geographic areas in which the user device 100 is capable of wirelessly connecting to transmitters associated with the cellular network 300. Further, the cell networks 300 may be categorized as authorized cell networks 300A for which the user device 100 is authorized to use for wireless communications and prohibited cell networks 300F for which the user device 100 is unauthorized to use for wireless communications. For example, for a user device 100 registered in the United States, the cell networks 300 having network coverage areas 302 providing cell connectivity to an area in the United States are categorized as authorized cell networks 300A, while the cell networks 300 having network coverage areas 302 providing cell connectivity to an area outside the United States (e.g., Canada or Mexiko) are categorized as prohibited cell networks 300F. The SIM 108 maintains an authorized list or OPLMN list 304 identifying one or more authorized cell networks 300A and a prohibited list or PLMN (FPLMN) list 306 identifying one or more prohibited cell networks 300F.Although the SIM 108 is shown at the user device 100, it should be appreciated that the SIM 108 and the authorized list 304 and the prohibited list 306 may be maintained by the central system 200, wherein the central system 200 communicates with the cell networks 300 to identify the authorized cell networks 300A and the prohibited cell networks 300F. The user device 100 may thus operate in an active sensing mode in which the communication module 102 attempts to connect to any available or nearby cell network 300, wherein the connection through the cell network 300 is permitted or prohibited based on whether the cell network 300 is an authorized cell network 300A or a prohibited cell network 300F.Thus, the user device 100 communicates with the remote system 200 via one or more authorized cellular networks 300A in which the user device 100 is authorized to use for wireless communications, wherein the user device 100 is not provided to transmit wireless communications via the prohibited cellular networks 300F. That is, the user device 100 does not attempt to transmit communications over the cell networks 300 identified in the prohibition list 306 with the SIM 108 of the user device 100 maintaining the prohibition list 306 identifying one or more prohibited cell networks 300F in which the user device is not authorized to use for wireless communications.The central system 200 includes data processing hardware 202 and memory hardware 204 in communication with the data processing hardware 202. The storage hardware 204 stores instructions that, when executed on the computing hardware 202, cause the computing hardware 202 to perform operations. For example, the storage hardware 204 stores instructions for re-establishing communication protocols managed by the SIM 108 of the user device 100 to enable roaming.Further, the instructions to re-establish communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming may be executed by a controller 116 of the user device 100. The controller 116 may receive the communication module 102 and may further include data processing hardware 118 and memory hardware 120 in communication with the data processing hardware 118 and storing instructions to be executed on the data processing hardware 118. Optionally, the instructions for re-establishing the user device 100 for execution on the data processing hardware 118 of the user device 100 are stored in the storage hardware 204 of the central system 200. As discussed further below, instructions to re-establish the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming are executed when the user device 100 is in a theft or monitoring state (e.g., when the central system 200 tracks the user device's geographic location 110) and it is determined that the user device 100 is approaching the boundary of the authorized cellular networks 300A and may lose connectivity with the central system 200.When the user device 100 is communicatively coupled to the central system 200 via an authorized cellular network 300A, the central system 200 tracks the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 based on the wireless communications 101 received from the user device 100. For example, when the user device 100 is in the theft or monitoring state, the communication module 102 transmits the wireless communications 101 to the remote system 200 that include the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 such that the remote system 200 tracks the user device 100 for retrieval or interception of the user device 100.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the user device 100 is in the monitoring state and geographically located within a first network coverage area 302, 302 aof a first cellular network 300, 300 aidentified in the authorized list 304 as an authorized cellular network 300A, a first wireless communication 101, 101 ais transmitted from the user device 100 via the first cellular network 300 ato the central system 200. The first wireless communication 101 aincludes a first or current geographic location 110, 110 aof the user device 100 such that the central system 200 tracks the user device 100 based on receiving the first wireless communication 101 a. Further, the first wireless communication 101 amay include the sensor data 112 captured by the one or more sensors 106 at the user device 100. According to the illustrated example of the vehicle 100, the first wireless communication 101 aincludes the current geographic location 110 aof the vehicle 100 and the acquired sensor data 112, such as the speed 112 aof the vehicle 100 and the heading 112 bof the vehicle 100.Further, when the user device 100 moves within the first network coverage area 302 a, the user device 100 wirelessly communicates with the center system 200 via the first cellular network 300 to enable tracking of the user device 100. For example, the communication module 102 transmits wireless communications to the central system 200 at regular intervals. While the user device 100 and the central system 200 are communicatively connected via the first cellular network 300, the user device 100 is further operable to receive operating instructions and / or system updates 201 from the central system 200. According to the illustrated example of the vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 is operable to receive instructions 201 from the central system 200, such as to direct the vehicle 100 to perform an emergency braking or other driving maneuver, enable or disable operation of the engine or powertrain system of the vehicle 100, enable or disable operation of the ignition system of the vehicle 100, operate the exterior lighting systems of the vehicle 100 (e.g., blink headlights or emergency lights of the vehicle 100), unlock or lock doors of the vehicle 100, and the like.A boundary or boundary of the first network coverage area 302 aof the first cellular network 300 amay generally correspond to a territorial boundary or boundary 10, such as an international or regional boundary (e.g., the boundary between the United States and Mexiko), where the user device 100 loses connectivity to the first cellular network 300 awhen the user device 100 moves outside the boundary of the first network coverage area 302 a. To avoid losing connectivity with the user device 100 when in the monitoring state, a geofence 12 is established at or near the boundary of the first network coverage area 302 a, such as at or near the territorial boundary 10, so that the communication protocol of the user device 100 can be re-established to release roaming based on the user device 100 approaching or crossing the geofence 12. When roaming is enabled at the user device 100, one or more prohibited networks 300F are re-characterized as authorized networks 300A, such that the user device 100 can transmit wireless communications over the previously prohibited networks and maintain connectivity between the user device 100 and the central system 200 on the other side of the territorial boundary 10, such as for tracking and retrieving the user device 100 and for receiving operating instructions 201 from the central system 200.According to the illustrated example, the geofence 12 is constructed as a geographic boundary along the territorial boundary 10 and between the first network coverage area 302 aof the first cellular network 300 aand the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b(FIG. 4 ). If the second cell network 300 bis identified in the prohibition list 306 as a prohibited cell network 300F, the communication module 102 may not be able to transmit wireless communications over the second cell network 300 b. Thus, and as shown in FIG. 3, connectivity between the user device 100 and the central system 200 is lost when the user device 100 is located at a second or updated geographic location 110 bout of the first network coverage area 302 aand no other authorized cellular network 300A provides coverage at the second geographic location 110 b.To prepare the user device 100 to connect to the second cell network 300 b, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12 based on the first wireless communication 101 a, attempting to remove the second cell network 300 bfrom the prohibition list 306. Based on the first geographic location 110 aand / or at least one of the speeds 112 aof the user device 100, the heading 112 bof the user device 100, and a distance or proximity of the user device 100 to the geofence 12, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12.According to the illustrative example of the vehicle 100, the central system 200 determines that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12 when the vehicle 100 is within a threshold distance from the geofence 12, such as ten kilometers or less, five kilometers or less, one kilometre or less, and the like. Optionally, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12 based on an expected travel time between the vehicle 100 and the geofence 12, a sudden decrease in distance between the vehicle 100 and the geofence 12, and the like.Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the central system 200 performs the re-establishment process by attempting to transmit the wireless communication or the instruction or the SIM update 201 to the user device 100 via the first cellular network 300 a. The wireless communication 201 includes instructions for the user device 100 to re-establish the user device communication protocols to enable roaming, such as by updating the SIM 108 to remove the second cell network 300 bfrom the prohibition list 306. For example, the wireless communication 201 instructs the user device 100 to delete the prohibition list 306 and / or add the prohibited cell networks 300F to the authorized list 304 to characterize the cell networks 300 as authorized cell networks 300A. The central system 200 attempts to re-establish the communication protocol of the user device 100 with the user device located within the first network coverage area 302 aof the first cellular network 300 a(i.e., before the user device crosses the geofence 12) such that the instruction 201 can be transmitted over the first cellular network 300 abefore the user device exits the first network coverage area 302 a.In other words, when the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the central system 200 performs an air-update (OTA) SIM to delete the prohibition list 306 maintained by the SIM 108 of the user device 100. Performing the OTA-SIM update while the user device 100 is connected to the first cell network 300 aallows the user device 100 to connect to the previously prohibited second cell network 300 bas the user device 100 leaves the first network coverage area 302 aof the first cell network 300 aand enters the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cell network 300 b, thus allowing for more continuous tracking of the user device 100 and resulting in a greater chance of recovering the user device 100.In FIGS. 2 and 4, the second cell network 300 bis removed from the prohibition list 306 and / or the prohibition list 306 is deleted from the SIM 108 when the user device 100 is re-established to enable roaming. Thus, the second cell network 300 bis identified as an authorized cell network 300A, wherein the user device 100 may connect to the second cell network 300 band use the second cell network 300 bfor wireless communications.When roaming is enabled at the user device 100 and based on the user device 100 exceeding the territorial boundary 10, the user device 100 exceeding the geofence 12, and / or entering the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b, the user device 100 transmits a second wireless communication 101, 101 bto the central system 200 via the second cellular network 300 b. The second wireless communication 101 bincludes the second or updated geographic location 110 bof the user device 100 such that the central system 200 continues tracking the user device 100. Furthermore, the connection of the user device 100 and the central system 200 via the second cell network 300 ballows the central system 200 to transmit further operating instructions 201 to the user device 100. The user device 100 may set its operation parameters or perform a certain function based on the operation instruction 201 received from the central system 200, such as performing an emergency procedure, enabling or disabling the operation of the user device 100, performing an alarm or warning procedure, and the like.Thus, at the user device 100 in the monitoring state, the central system 200 tracks the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 via the wireless communications 101 from the user device 100 to the central system 200. When the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the central system 200 sets the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming, such as by transmitting instructions 201 to the user device 100 to delete the prohibition list 306 maintained by the SIM 108. Upon enabled roaming, the user device 100 further transmits the wireless communication 101 with the central system 200 continuing to track the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 in the monitoring state.The monitoring state of the user device 100 may be based on a user activating the monitoring state (e.g., the user reporting that the user device 100 has been stolen or missing), and / or the central system 200 activating the monitoring state (e.g., a government agency issuing an AMBER alarm associated with the user device 100 or issuing a valid authority that enables tracking of the user device 100). Optionally, the monitoring state is shifted to the user device 100 based on satisfaction of a condition. According to the illustrated example of the vehicle 100, the monitoring state is established based on the identification of the vehicle 100 as a stolen vehicle through a corruption database in communication with the central system 200, based on the vehicle 100 being operated without the presence of a valid key fob, based on an anti-theft of the vehicle 100 being triggered, and the like.Based on the monitoring condition associated with the user device 100, the central system 200 establishes the geofence 12. However, it should be appreciated that geofence 12 is a configurable value that can be established at any suitable geographic location to trigger the re-establishment process. According to some examples, the geofence 12 is established based on the border of the network coverage area 302 of the authorized cellular networks 300A, such that the re-establishment process can be performed before the user device 100 moves outside the network coverage area 302 and is unable to connect to the authorized cellular network 300A to receive the re-establishment instructions 201.According to some examples, the operations for the re-establishment process are performed in the central system 200. For example, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is in the monitoring state and instructs the user device 100 to transmit the first wireless communication 101 aincluding the current geographic location 110 aof the user device 100 such that the central system 200 tracks the geographic location 110 of the user device 100. Further, the central system 200 establishes the geofence 12 between the first mesh coverage area 302 aof the first cellular mesh 300 aand the second mesh coverage area 302 bof the second cellular mesh 300 b. The central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12 based on the geographic location 110 of the user device 100. Moreover, the determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12 is based on at least one of the speed 112 aof the user device 100, the heading 112 bof the user device 100, and a distance between the user device 100 and the geofence 12. Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the central system 200 attempts to release roaming for the user device 100, such as by transmitting instructions 201 over the first cell network 300 ato the SIM 108 to delete the prohibition list 306. Thus, upon release of roaming (i.e., with the prohibition list 306 deleted in the SIM 108), the user device 100 transmits the second wireless communication 101 bincluding the second updated geographic location 110 bof the user device 100.In certain circumstances, the central system 200 is unable to release roaming for the user device 100 before the user device 100 crosses the geofence 12 or the territorial border 10 or the user device 100 enters the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b. For example, the user device 100 receives the instruction 201 from the central system 200 instructing the user device 100 to delete the prohibition list 306, but the updating of the SIM 108 is still in progress as the user device 100 moves across the geofence 12 or the territorial border 10 and into the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b. According to this example, the first network coverage area 302 aand the second network coverage area 302 badcreate at least partially (FIG. 4 ), wherein the user device 100 performs a drag procedure, wherein the user device 100 transmits wireless communications including the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 over the first cellular network 300 auntil the SIM 108 is updated to enable roaming or the user device 100 is outside range of the first cellular network 300 a. The user device 100 may also execute the drag procedure when moving into the second network coverage area 302 bbefore fully receiving the instruction 201 from the central system 200, such that the user device 100 remains connected to the first cell network 300 ato receive the instruction 201 from the central system 200.Moreover, if the user device 100 loses connection to the first cell network 300 abefore the SIM 108 is updated to enable roaming, the user device 100 enters an accelerated scan state in which the communication module 102 attempts to reconnect to the first cell network 300 a, such as to complete receiving the instruction 201 and / or transmit the wireless communications 101 to track the user device 100. Consequently, if the user device 100 moves back into the first network coverage area 302 a, the user device 100 connects to the first cell network 300 a, completing the re-establishment process. That is, when the second cell network 300 bis identified in the prohibition list 306 and the user device 100 is located within the second network coverage area 302 bof the second network 300 b, the user device 100 attempts to transmit the wireless communications 101 via the first cell network 300 a.If the user device 100 loses connection to the first cell network 300a before the SIM 108 is updated to enable roaming, the user device 100 optionally attempts to connect to the second cell network 300b to complete the re-establishment process and / or transmit the wireless communications 101 to track the user device 100. For example, the central system 200 transmits an instruction 201 to the second cellular network 300 bto have the second cellular network 300 baccept the connection and wireless communications 101 from the user device 100. Thus, even if the SIM 108 in the user device 100 has not been updated, the communication module 102 attempts to connect to the second cell network 300 bto identify the second cell network 300 bas an authorized cell network 300A. In other words, when the second cell network 300 bis identified in the prohibition list 306 and the user device 100 is located within the network coverage area 302 bof the second network 300 b, the user device 100 attempts to transmit the wireless communications 101 via the second cell network 300 b.If the user device 100 loses connection to a cell network 300, the user device 100 may wait a threshold amount of time before attempting to reconnect to the cell network 300, such as to conserve battery or processing power as the user device 100 moves towards the coverage area 302 of the cell network 300. Based on the user device 100 being in the monitoring state, the threshold time period between the reconnection attempts may be reduced or eliminated to reconnect to the cell network 300 more quickly. In other words, the user device 100 enters an accelerated scan state in which the user device 100 sets its default period between connection attempts (i.e., reduces or eliminates the threshold period between attempts) to connect to the cell network 300 more quickly. In other words, attempting to reconnect to the cellular network 300 to transmit the wireless communications 101 includes a threshold waiting period between the respective attempts to reestablish the connection and transmit the wireless communications 101 over the cellular network 300. The threshold waiting period is decreased or eliminated based on the user device 100 being in the monitoring state. Thus, if the user device 100 loses connection to the first cell network 300 abefore the SIM 108 is updated to enable roaming, the user device 100 attempts to connect to the first cell network 300 aand / or the second cell network 300 bto complete the re-establishment process and / or transmit the wireless communications 101 to track the user device 100, and based on the user device 100 being in the monitoring state, the threshold waiting period between connection attempts is decreased or eliminated.For example, the user device 100 when not in the monitoring state may be provided to include a threshold waiting period of two minutes between re-connection attempts in response to losing connection to the cell network 300. Based on the user device 100 being in the monitoring state, the user device 100 may be provided to set the threshold waiting period to 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and the like, or the user device 100 may be provided to eliminate the threshold waiting period.According to some examples, the operations for the re-establishment process are performed in the user device 100. For example, the user device 100 determines (e.g., based on anti-theft at the user device 100, based on an instruction 201 received from the central system 200, and the like) the monitoring state and transmits the first wireless communication 101 aincluding the current geographic location 110 aof the user device 100. When the user device 100 is in the monitoring state, the user device 100 is in a geofenced state in which the user device 100 determines that it is approaching the geofence 12 based on the current geographic location 110 aof the user device 100. The geofence 12 may be stored in the memory 120 at the user device 100 and / or determined based on an instruction 201 received from the central system 200. The determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12 may further take place based on at least one of the speed 112 aof the user device 100, the heading 112 bof the user device 100, and a distance between the user device 100 and the geofence 12 as determined at the user device 100. Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the user device 100 attempts to free roaming, such as by instructing the SIM 108 to remove the second cell network 300 bfrom the prohibition list 306, or by instructing the SIM 108 to delete the prohibition list 306. Thus, upon enabled roaming and when the user device 100 is within the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b, the user device 100 transmits the second wireless communication 101 bincluding the second updated geographic location 110 bof the user device 100.Optionally, the central system 200 identifies the cellular networks 300 that are present in the authorized list 304 and the prohibition list 306. For example, based on customer agreements managed by the central system 200, the central system 200 instructs the SIM 108 to update the authorized list 304 and / or the prohibition list 306. Further, the central system 200 may identify various authorized cell networks 300A and various prohibited cell networks 300F for various user devices 100 managed by the central system 200. Thus, one cell network 300 is characterized as an authorized cell network 300A for one user device 100, while the one cell network 300 is characterized as a prohibited cell network 300F for another user device 100. In this manner, the authorized list 304 and the prohibition list 306 are specific to the SIM 108 at each user device 100 managed by the central system 200, which allows greater flexibility in the communication protocols over the user devices 100 managed by the central system 200.FIG. 5 provides a flow chart for an example method 500 for tracking the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 and re-establishing the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming. The central system 200 and / or the controller 116 on the user device 100 may perform the operations for the method 500. At operation 502, the method 500 includes transmitting the first wireless communication 101 afrom the user device 100 over the first cellular network 300 a. The first wireless communication 101 aincludes the current geographic location 110 aof the user device 100. The first cell network 300a is identified as an authorized cell network 300A in which the user device is authorized to use for wireless communications. The SIM 108 associated with the user device 100 maintains the prohibition list 306 identifying the prohibited cell networks 300F in which the user device is not authorized to use for wireless communications. At operation 504, the method 500 includes determining, based on the current geographic location 110 aof the user device 100, that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12. The geofence 12 includes a geographic boundary established at least partially between the first network coverage area 302 aof the first cellular network 300 aand the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cellular network 300 b, where the second cellular network 300 bis identified in the prohibition list 306 as a prohibited cellular network 300F in which the user device 100 is currently not authorized to use for wireless communication. At operation 506, and based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the method 500 includes attempting to remove the second cell network 300 bfrom the prohibition list 306. For example, the user device 100 is instructed to update the SIM 108 to delete the cell networks 300 from the prohibition list 306. At operation 508, the method 500 includes transmitting the second wireless communication 101 bfrom the user device 100 over the second cellular network 300 b. The second wireless communication 101 bincludes the updated geographic location 110 bof the user device 100. Further, when the second cell network 300 bis removed from the prohibition list 306 and based on the user device 100 entering the second network coverage area 302 bof the second cell network 300 b, the second wireless communication 101 bis transmitted.FIG. 6 provides a flow chart for another example method 600 for tracking the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 and re-establishing the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming. The central system 200 and / or the controller 116 on the user device 100 may perform the operations for the method 600. According to the illustrated example, the method 600 includes the operations to track the geographic location 110 of the vehicle 100 and re-establish the SIM 108 in the vehicle 100. At operation 602, the method 600 includes reporting the vehicle 100 as stolen and entering the theft or monitoring state. At operation 604, the method 600 includes enabling tracking of the stolen vehicle 100, such as by transmitting the instruction 201 from the central system 200 to the vehicle 100, to cause the transmission of the wireless communication 101 including the geographic location 110 of the vehicle 100. At operation 606, the method 600 includes determining that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12. According to the illustrated example, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12 when the geographic position 110 of the vehicle 100 is less than a threshold distance from the geofence 12 and the heading 112 bof the vehicle 100 is generally directed toward the geofence 12. Operation 606 is an iterative loop, and thus vehicle 100 continues to transmit wireless communications 101 including vehicle geographic location 110 at least until vehicle 100 is determined to be approaching geofence 12. At operation 608, and based on the determination that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12, the method 600 includes transmitting a wireless communication 101 from the vehicle 100 to the central system 200 indicating that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12, such as to cause the transmission of instructions 201 from the central system 200 to update the SIM 108 to enable roaming. At operation 610, the method 600 includes determining that the vehicle 100 has crossed the geofence 12. At operation 612, the method 600 includes determining that the vehicle 100 is more than a threshold distance beyond the geofence 12. Based on the determination that the vehicle 100 is more than the threshold distance beyond the geofence 12, the method 600 includes, at operation 614, deleting the prohibition list 306 in the SIM 108. At operation 616, the method 600 includes performing automatic selection of a cellular network 300 wherein because the previously prohibited second cellular network 300 bis not identified more than one prohibited cellular network 300B, the vehicle 100 should connect to the second cellular network 300 b. At operation 618, the method 600 includes determining whether a connection has been established between the vehicle 100 and the second cellular network 300 b. If the vehicle 100 is not wirelessly connected to the second cellular network 300 b, operation 620 initiates a wait time period of a threshold number of minutes or seconds before repeating operation 614 and operation 616. The threshold waiting period may be decreased from a standard waiting period based on the vehicle 100 being in the tracking or monitoring state. If the vehicle 100 connects wirelessly to the second cellular network 300 b, the method 600 includes, at operation 622, transmitting the second wireless communication 101 bfrom the vehicle 100 to continue tracking the geographic position 110 of the vehicle 100.FIG. 7 provides a flow chart for another example method 700 for re-establishing the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming. Central system 200 may perform the operations for method 700. According to the illustrated example, the method 700 includes the operations to re-establish the SIM 108 at the vehicle 100. At operation 702, the method 700 includes receiving an indication at the central system 200 that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12. For example, the controller 116 on the vehicle 100 determines that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12 based on the geographic location 110 of the vehicle 100, wherein the controller 116 transmits the wireless communication 101 to the central system 200 to inform the central system 200 that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12. At operation 704, the method 700 includes transmitting the instruction 201 from the central system 200 to enable roaming for the vehicle 100. According to the illustrated example, instruction 201 is transmitted from central system 200 to user device 100 to instruct user device 100 to update SIM 108 to delete prohibition list 306. At operation 706, the method 700 includes executing the OTA SIM update to update the authorized list 304 maintained in the SIM 108 of the vehicle 100 to accommodate the second cellular network 300 b.Thus, when the vehicle 100 is in a theft state, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 enters a geofenced state, where the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 automates the re-establishment process to enable roaming and connection to previously prohibited cell networks 300F. The controller 116 and / or the central system 200 establishes a geofence 12 between the authorized cell networks 300A and the prohibited cell networks 300F. The controller 116 and / or the central system 200 uses the distance from the geofence 12 and the heading 112 bto determine where to begin the handover process. As the vehicle 100 approaches the geofence 12 (e.g., as determined using GPS position, velocity vector, proximity to the geofence, and the like), the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 initiate a backoffice call in a pre-emptive manner, with the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 beginning the re-establishment and SIM update process to enable roaming in areas previously without roaming. If the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 are unable to re-establish and update the SIM 108 before the vehicle 100 crosses the geofence 12, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 initiate a pulling procedure that maintains the connection to the authorized cellular network 300A for as long as possible. If the vehicle 100 can no longer maintain the connection to the authorized cellular network 300A, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 enter an accelerated sensing state in which the vehicle 100 senses for and connects to the authorized cellular network 300A. From there, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 completes the re-establishment and the SIM update. If the vehicle 100 is at a certain distance away from the geofence 12 and away from the authorized cellular network 300A, and the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 were unable to re-establish the SIM 108 in the vehicle 100 in time (i.e., the stolen vehicle was driven too quickly deep into an area without roaming), the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 allow the vehicle 100 to attempt to connect to prohibited cellular networks 300F.Re-establishing the communication protocols on stolen vehicles to enable roaming results in better tracking of stolen vehicles and greater chance of recovering the vehicle. The pre-emptive initiation of the re-establishment process allows the SIM update to occur while the vehicle is still having cell connectivity. Further, because the re-establishment process is automated based on the theft state or the monitoring state of the vehicle and the parameters of the vehicle with respect to the coverage areas of the prohibited cellular networks, roaming is enabled in selected vehicles, resulting in cost savings from the reduced use of roaming networks and flexibility in the roaming strategy across multiple user devices or vehicles managed by the central system.A number of implementations have been described. It will nevertheless be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are optionally interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. Moreover, they can be varied in various ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

A computer-implemented method performed by computing hardware that causes the computing hardware to perform operations, comprising: transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device over a first cellular network, the first wireless communication including a current geographic location of the user device, the first cellular network comprising an authorized cellular network in which the user device is authorized to use for wireless communications, and the user device maintaining a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the user device is unauthorized to use for wireless communications; determining, based on the current geographic location of the user device, that the user device is approaching a geofence, the geofence comprising a geographic boundary between a first coverage area of the first cell network and a second coverage area of a second cell network, the second cell network being identified in the prohibition list; removing the second cell network from the prohibition list based on the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence, and transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device via the second cell network when the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second coverage area, the second wireless communication including an updated geographic location of the user device.The method of claim 1, wherein when the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list, the operations further comprise receiving an operation instruction at the user device, the operation instruction being transmitted from a central system located remotely from the user device to the user device via the second cell network, an operation parameter of the user device being set based on the operation instruction.The method of claim 1, wherein removing the second cell network from the prohibition list comprises transmitting instructions from a central system over the first cell network for the user device to delete the prohibition list, the central system being remote from the user device.The method of claim 1, wherein when the second cell network is identified in the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, the operations further comprise attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device via at least one of the group comprising the first cell network and the second cell network.The method of claim 4, wherein attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device comprises a threshold waiting period between respective attempts to transmit the second wireless communication, wherein the threshold waiting period is decreased based on a tracking state associated with the user device.The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the user device and the geofence; a heading of the user device; and a speed of the user device.The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a vehicle.A system, the system comprising: computing hardware; and storage hardware in communication with the computing hardware, the storage hardware storing instructions executed on the computing hardware that cause the computing hardware to perform operations comprising: transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device over a first cellular network, the first wireless communication including a current geographic location of the user device, the first cellular network including an authorized cellular network in which the user device is authorized to use for wireless communications, and the user device maintaining a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the user device is unauthorized to use for wireless communications; determining, based on the current geographic location of the user device, that the user device is approaching a geofence, the geofence comprising a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area of the first cell network and a second network coverage area of a second cell network, the second cell network being identified in the prohibition list, wherein determining that the user device is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the user device and the geofence; a direction heading of the user device; and a speed of the user device; removing the second cell network from the prohibition list based on determining that the user device is approaching the geofence; transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device over the second cell network when the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device.A vehicle, the vehicle comprising: computing hardware; and storage hardware in communication with the computing hardware, the storage hardware storing instructions executed on the computing hardware that cause the computing hardware to perform operations comprising: transmitting a first wireless communication from the vehicle over a first cellular network, the first wireless communication including a current geographic location of the vehicle, the first cellular network comprising an authorized cellular network in which the vehicle is authorized to use for wireless communications, and the vehicle maintaining a prohibition list identifying one or more cellular networks in which the vehicle is unauthorized to use for wireless communications; determining, based on the current geographic location of the vehicle, that the vehicle is approaching a geofence, the geofence comprising a geographic boundary between a first grid coverage area of the first cell grid and a second grid coverage area of a second cell grid, the second cell grid being identified in the prohibition list, wherein determining that the vehicle is approaching the geofence is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the vehicle and the geofence; a heading of the vehicle; and a speed of the vehicle; removing the second cell grid from the prohibition list based on determining that the vehicle is approaching the geofence; transmitting a second wireless communication from the vehicle over the second cellular network when the second cellular network has been removed from the prohibition list and based on the vehicle entering the second network coverage area, wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the vehicle.The vehicle of claim 9, wherein removing the second cellular network from the prohibition list comprises transmitting instructions from a central system over the first cellular network for the vehicle to delete the prohibition list, the central system being remote from the vehicle.

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