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

Abstract

A computer-implemented method, executed by a data processing hardware (118), that causes the data processing hardware (118) to perform operations, comprising: Transmitting an initial wireless communication from a user device (100) via an initial cell network (300a), wherein the initial wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the user device (100), the initial cell network (300a) comprises an authorized cell network (300A) in which the user device (100) is authorized to use it for wireless communications, and the user device (100) maintains a prohibition list (306) that identifies one or more cell networks in which the user device (100) is not authorized to use it for wireless communications; Determine, based on the current geographic location of the user device (100), that the user device (100) is approaching a geofence (12), wherein the geofence (12) comprises a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area (302a) of the first cell network (300a) and a second network coverage area (302b) of a second cell network (300b), the second cell network (300b) being identified in the prohibition list (306); Removing the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) based on the determination that the user device (100) is approaching the geofence (12), and Transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device (100) over the second cell network (300b) when the second cell network (300b) has been removed from the prohibition list (306) and based on the user device (100) entering the second network coverage area (302b), wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device (100).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the resetting or updating of the roaming strategy of the cell communication of a vehicle and more specifically to the automatic resetting of the communication protocol of a stolen vehicle in order to enable roaming before the stolen vehicle enters the coverage area of ​​a roaming network.

[0002] Document US 2012 / 0 044 869 A1 describes a PLMN selection procedure in which, in an emergency, a prohibited PLMN (FPLMN) can be removed from the list.

[0003] CA 2 694 036 A1 explains one way to connect to an FPLMN at a trigger event.

[0004] Further details of the state of the art can be found in US 2021 / 0 250 725 A1.

[0005] When a vehicle is in a tracking or theft monitoring state, it transmits its geographic location over a cellular network to a central control or monitoring entity so that the entity can track and recover the stolen vehicle. However, vehicles are typically equipped with communication protocols that prohibit roaming on cellular networks outside the vehicle's home network. Consequently, if a stolen vehicle enters a roaming area where it is not authorized to communicate over the cellular network, it may be unable to transmit its geographic location, and the monitoring entity will be unable to continue tracking the stolen vehicle.

[0006] To continue tracking the stolen vehicle after it has entered a roaming area, the vehicle's communication protocol is reconfigured to enable roaming communication over a roaming cell network when it is determined that the stolen vehicle is traveling within an area with active coverage towards the roaming area.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of enabling a monitoring entity to continue monitoring or tracking a stolen vehicle when the vehicle leaves its home network and enters a roaming area where the vehicle is not authorized to communicate via the cell network. SUMMARY

[0008] This problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 1, by a system having the features of claim 8, or by a vehicle having the features of claim 9.

[0009] The operations of the invention include transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device via a first cell network. The first wireless communication includes the current geographical location of the user device. The first cell network contains an authorized cell network in which the user device is authorized to use it for wireless communications. The user device maintains a blocklist that identifies one or more cell networks in which the user device is not authorized to use it for wireless communications. The operations include determining, based on the current geographical location of the user device, that the user device is approaching a geofence. The geofence comprises a geographical 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 is identified in the exclusion list. Based on the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell network from the exclusion list. Once the second cell network has been removed from the exclusion 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. This second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device.

[0010] The implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following optional features. According to some implementations, the operations further include receiving an operating instruction at the user device when the second cell network is removed from the prohibition list. The operating instruction is transmitted from a central system located remotely from the user device to the user device via the second cell network. An operating parameter of the user device is set based on the operating instruction.

[0011] According to some examples, removing the second cell network from the prohibition list involves transmitting instructions from a central system, via the first cell network, to the user device to clear the prohibition list. The central system is located remotely from the user device.

[0012] According to some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cell network is identified in the exclusion list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device over at least one of the first and second cell networks. According to other aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device includes a threshold wait time between each attempt to transmit the second wireless communication. The threshold wait time is reduced based on a tracking state associated with the user device.

[0013] According to some implementations, the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence is based on at least one of the distances between the user device and the geofence, the heading of the user device, and the speed of the user device. Optionally, the user device includes a vehicle.

[0014] The system according to the invention comprises data processing hardware and storage hardware that communicates with the data processing hardware. The storage hardware stores instructions that are executed on the data processing hardware, causing the data processing hardware to perform operations. These operations include transmitting a first wireless communication from a user device over a first cell network. The first wireless communication includes the current geographic location of the user device. The first cell network contains an authorized cell network in which the user device is authorized to use it for wireless communications. The user device maintains a blocklist that identifies one or more cell networks in which the user device is not authorized to use them for wireless communications.The operations include determining, based on the current geographic location of the user device, that the device is approaching a geofence. The geofence defines 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 is identified in the exclusion list. Based on the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell network from the exclusion list. Once the second cell network has been removed from the exclusion 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. This second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device.Implementations of this invention may include one or more of the following optional features.

[0015] According to some implementations, once the second cell network has been removed from the prohibition list, the operations also include receiving an operating instruction at the user device. The operating instruction is transmitted from a central system located remotely to the user device via the second cell network. An operating parameter of the user device is then set based on the operating instruction.

[0016] According to some examples, removing the second cell network from the prohibition list involves transmitting instructions from a central system, via the first cell network, to the user device to clear the prohibition list. The central system is located remotely from the user device.

[0017] According to some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cell network is identified in the exclusion list and based on the user device entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device over at least one of the first and second cell networks. According to other aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device includes a threshold wait time between each attempt to transmit the second wireless communication. The threshold wait time is reduced based on a tracking state associated with the user device.

[0018] According to some implementations, the determination that the user device is approaching the geofence is based on at least one of the distances between the user device and the geofence, the heading of the user device, and the speed of the user device. Optionally, the user device includes a vehicle.

[0019] The vehicle according to the invention comprises data processing hardware and storage hardware that communicates with the data processing hardware. The storage hardware stores instructions that are executed on the data processing hardware, causing the data processing hardware to perform operations. These operations include transmitting a first wireless communication from the vehicle over a first cell network. The first wireless communication contains the vehicle's current geographical location. The first cell network contains an authorized cell network in which the vehicle is authorized to use it for wireless communications. The vehicle maintains a blocklist that identifies one or more cell networks in which the vehicle is not authorized to use it for wireless communications.The operations include determining, based on the vehicle's current geographic location, that the vehicle is approaching a geofence. The geofence defines a geographical 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 is identified in the exclusion list. Based on the determination that the vehicle is approaching the geofence, the operations include removing the second cell network from the exclusion list. Once the second cell network has been removed from the exclusion 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 cell network. This second wireless communication contains an updated geographic location of the vehicle.Implementations of this invention may include one or more of the following optional features.

[0020] According to some implementations, once the second cell network has been removed from the exclusion list, the operations also include receiving an operating instruction at the vehicle. This operating instruction is transmitted from a central system located remotely to the vehicle via the second cell network. An operating parameter of the vehicle is then set based on this instruction.

[0021] According to some examples, removing the second cell network from the prohibition list involves transmitting instructions from a central system, via the first cell network, to the vehicle to clear the prohibition list. The central system is located remotely from the vehicle.

[0022] According to some aspects, the operations further include, when the second cell network is identified in the exclusion list and based on the vehicle entering the second network coverage area, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the vehicle over at least one of the first and second cell networks. According to other aspects, attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the vehicle includes a threshold wait time between each attempt. The threshold wait time is reduced based on a tracking state assigned to the vehicle.

[0023] According to some implementations, the determination that the vehicle is approaching the geofence is also based on at least one of the distances between the vehicle and the geofence, the vehicle's heading, and the vehicle's speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings described here serve only to illustrate selected configurations; they show: Fig. 1 A schematic view of a user device that communicates wirelessly with a central system located remotely from the user device via a first cell network, the user device's communication protocols not being provided to enable roaming. Fig. 2 A schematic view of the user device communicating wirelessly with the central system via a second cell network, with the user device's communication protocols provided to enable roaming. Fig. 3 a schematic view of the user device located geographically within a first network coverage area of ​​a first cell network and approaching a geofence at or near a geographical boundary of the first network coverage area, wherein the user device's communication protocols are not provided to enable roaming. Fig. 4 a schematic view of the user device located geographically within the first network coverage area of ​​the first cell network and approaching the geofence at or near a geographical boundary between the first network coverage area and a second network coverage area of ​​a second cell network, wherein the user device's communication protocols are provided to enable roaming. Fig. 5. A flowchart of an exemplary procedure for tracking a geographic location of a user device and for resetting the user device's communication protocols to enable roaming. Fig. 6. A flowchart of another exemplary procedure for tracking the geographic location of a user device and for resetting the user device's communication protocols in order to enable roaming. Fig. 7 a flowchart of another exemplary procedure for reconfiguring the communication protocols of the user device in order to enable roaming.

[0025] In all drawings, corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Vehicles are often equipped with a communication module or telematics system that sends and receives signals or communications over a cell network, for example, to enable data transmission and other communication between one or more onboard systems or controllers on the vehicle and a back-office controller or central system located remotely from the vehicle. The telematics system can, for example, transmit the vehicle's geographic location (as determined, for instance, by a global positioning system (GPS) module on the vehicle) to the central system, which can then send instructions regarding operating system updates to the onboard systems.Typically, vehicle communication modules are not designed for roaming, meaning that the connection between the vehicle's onboard systems and the central system is lost when the vehicle travels outside the network coverage areas provided by authorized cell networks and into coverage areas provided by unauthorized or roaming cell networks. Among other deficiencies, the loss of connectivity between the central system and the vehicle results in the inability to inform the central system of the vehicle's geographical location and the inability for the central system to transmit instructions to the vehicle, such as enabling or disabling the operation of the vehicle's engine or powertrain system, enabling or disabling the operation of the vehicle's ignition system, or operating the vehicle's exterior lighting systems (e.g., headlights, taillights, etc.).(to flash the vehicle's headlights or emergency lights) or to unlock or lock the vehicle's doors, and the like.

[0027] A common problem that arises in areas near international borders, such as along the border between the United States and Mexico, is that vehicles are stolen and driven across the international border, for example, from the United States into Mexico. Because vehicles with communication protocols are often not enabled to roam in neighboring countries (e.g., vehicles registered in the United States do not have enabled roaming in Mexico), the stolen vehicle loses connectivity after crossing the border into the neighboring country, making it unable to transmit its geographic location for tracking and recovery.

[0028] As further discussed below, the present invention enables user devices to maintain connectivity by automating a process that reconfigures the user device's communication protocols to enable roaming when it is determined that the user device is approaching the boundary of the authorized cell network's coverage area, as it moves between the coverage area of ​​an authorized cell network and the coverage area of ​​an unauthorized or roaming cell network. Consequently, when the user device moves from the coverage area of ​​the authorized cell network to the coverage area of ​​the roaming cell network, it connects to the roaming cell network and communicates with the central system via the roaming cell network.Although the system and procedures discussed here relate to vehicles with communication protocols, it should be recognized that the system and procedures discussed here are applicable to any suitable user device that communicates over cell networks, such as vehicles, mobile phones, laptops and the like.

[0029] In the Fig. 1-4 includes a user device or vehicle 100, a communication module or telematics system 102 configured to communicate wirelessly with a back-office system or central system 200 located remotely from the user device 100. The communication module 102 communicates wirelessly with the central system 200 via one or more cell networks or public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 300, for example, to transmit information from one or more on-board 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, for example,equipped with a GPS module 104, which determines the geographical locations 110 of the user device 100, and one or more sensors 106, each of which acquires sensor data 112 that are representative of the states of the user device 100 or the environmental conditions at the user device 100.

[0030] According to the illustrated example of vehicle 100, the one or more sensors 106 can acquire sensor data 112 that are representative of the speed 112a of vehicle 100, a direction of travel or heading 112b of vehicle 100, and the fuel level of vehicle 100, wherein the sensors 106 can acquire image data 112c that are representative of the areas inside or outside the vehicle, and the like. The communications transmitted wirelessly from the communication module 102 of vehicle 100 to the central system 200 via the cell network 300 can include a geographical location 110 of vehicle 100 and / or the acquired sensor data 112.

[0031] A subscriber identification module (SIM) 108 identifies which cell networks 300 the communication module 102 is authorized to use. The cell networks 300 provide respective network coverage areas 302, which contain the geographic areas in which the user device 100 is able to connect wirelessly to transmitters assigned to the cell network 300. Furthermore, the cell networks 300 can be categorized as authorized cell networks 300A, which the user device 100 is authorized to use for wireless communications, and prohibited cell networks 300F, which the user device 100 is not authorized to use for wireless communications. For example, for a user device 100 registered in the United States,Cell networks 300 with network coverage areas 302 that provide cell connectivity to an area in the United States are categorized as authorized cell networks 300A, while cell networks 300 with network coverage areas 302 that provide cell connectivity to an area outside the United States (e.g., Canada or Mexico) are categorized as prohibited cell networks 300F. The SIM 108 maintains an authorized list or OPLMN list 304 that identifies one or more authorized cell networks 300A, and a prohibited list or FPLMN list 306 that identifies one or more prohibited cell networks 300F.

[0032] Although the SIM 108 is shown at the user device 100, it should be recognized that the SIM 108, the authorized list 304, and the prohibited list 306 can be maintained by the central system 200, with the central system 200 communicating with the cell networks 300 to identify the authorized cell networks 300A and the prohibited cell networks 300F. The user device 100 can therefore operate in an active scanning mode in which the communication module 102 attempts to connect to any available or nearby cell network 300, the connection being allowed or prohibited by the cell network 300 based on whether the cell network 300 is an authorized cell network 300A or a prohibited cell network 300F.

[0033] Consequently, the user device 100 communicates with the remote system 200 via one or more authorized cell networks 300A, in which the user device 100 is authorized to use them for wireless communications, and the user device 100 is not permitted to transmit wireless communications over the prohibited cell networks 300F. That is, the user device 100, using the SIM 108 of the user device 100, which maintains the prohibition list 306 that identifies one or more prohibited cell networks 300F in which the user device is not authorized to use them for wireless communications, does not attempt to transmit communications over the cell networks 300 identified in the prohibition list 306.

[0034] The central system 200 contains a data processing hardware 202 and a storage hardware 204 that communicates with the data processing hardware 202. The storage hardware 204 stores instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware 202, cause the data processing hardware 202 to perform operations. For example, the storage hardware 204 stores instructions for reconfiguring communication protocols managed by the SIM 108 of the user device 100 to enable roaming.

[0035] Furthermore, the instructions for reconfiguring the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming can be executed by a controller 116 of the user device 100. The controller 116 can accommodate the communication module 102 and also include data processing hardware 118 and storage hardware 120, which communicates with the data processing hardware 118 and stores the instructions to be executed on the data processing hardware 118. Optionally, the instructions for reconfiguring 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 further discussed below, instructions to reconfigure the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming are executed when the user device 100 is in a theft or surveillance state (e.g., when the central system 200 is tracking the geographic location 110 of the user device) and it is determined that the user device 100 is approaching the boundary of the authorized cell networks 300A and may lose connectivity with the central system 200.

[0036] When the user device 100 is connected to the central system 200 via an authorized cell network 300A, the central system 200 tracks the geographical location 110 of the user device 100 based on the wireless communications 101 received by the user device 100. If the user device 100 is, for example, in a theft or surveillance state, the communication module 102 transmits the wireless communications 101, which contain the geographical location 110 of the user device 100, to the remote system 200, so that the remote system 200 can track the user device 100 in order to recover or intercept it.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, when the user device 100 is in monitoring mode and is geographically located within a first network coverage area 302, 302a of a first cell network 300, 300a, which is identified in the authorized list 304 as an authorized cell network 300A, a first wireless communication 101, 101a is transmitted from the user device 100 via the first cell network 300a to the central system 200. The first wireless communication 101a contains a first or current geographical location 110, 110a of the user device 100, so that the central system 200 can track the user device 100 based on the reception of the first wireless communication 101a. Furthermore, the first wireless communication 101a can contain the sensor data 112 acquired by the one or more sensors 106 at the user device 100.According to the illustrated example of vehicle 100, the first wireless communication 101a contains the current geographical location 110a of vehicle 100 and the acquired sensor data 112, such as the speed 112a of vehicle 100 and the heading 112b of vehicle 100.

[0038] When the user device 100 moves within the first network coverage area 302a, it continues to communicate wirelessly with the central system 200 via the first cell network 300 to enable tracking. 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 connected via the first cell network 300, the user device 100 is also capable of receiving 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 capable of receiving instructions 201 from the central system 200, such as...to instruct the vehicle 100 to perform an emergency braking or other driving maneuver, to enable or disable the operation of the engine or drivetrain system of the vehicle 100, to enable or disable the operation of the ignition system of the vehicle 100, to operate the external lighting systems of the vehicle 100 (e.g. to make the headlights or emergency lights of the vehicle 100 flash), to unlock or lock the doors of the vehicle 100, and the like.

[0039] A boundary or limit of the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a can generally correspond to a territorial boundary or limit 10, such as an international or regional border (e.g., the border between the United States and Mexico), where the user device 100 loses connectivity to the first cell network 300a if the user device 100 moves outside the boundary of the first network coverage area 302a. To prevent the loss of connectivity with the user device 100 when it is in a monitoring state, a geofence 12 is established at or near the boundary of the first network coverage area 302a, such as...at or near the territorial boundary 10, so that the communication protocol of the user device 100 can be reconfigured to enable roaming based on the user device 100 approaching or crossing the geofence 12. When roaming is enabled for the user device 100, one or more prohibited networks 300F are recharacterized as authorized networks 300A, so 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, for example, for tracking and recovering the user device 100 and receiving operating instructions 201 from the central system 200.

[0040] According to the illustrated example, the geofence 12 is established as a geographical boundary along the territorial boundary 10 and between the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a and the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b ( Fig. 4) If the second cell network 300b is 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 300b. Consequently, and as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the connectivity between the user device 100 and the central system 200 is lost if the user device 100 is located at a second or updated geographical location 110b outside the first network coverage area 302a and no other authorized cell network 300A provides coverage at the second geographical location 110b.

[0041] To prepare the user device 100 to connect to the second cell network 300b, the central system 200 determines, based on the first wireless communication 101a, that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12, attempting to remove the second cell network 300b from the exclusion list 306. Based on the first geographical location 110a and / or at least one of the speeds 112a of the user device 100, the heading 112b of the user device 100, and a distance or proximity of the user device 100 to geofence 12, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12.

[0042] According to the illustrative example of vehicle 100, the central system 200 determines that vehicle 100 is approaching geofence 12 when it is within a threshold distance of geofence 12, such as ten kilometers or less, five kilometers or less, one kilometer or less, and so on. Optionally, vehicle 100 may also be determined to be approaching geofence 12 based on the expected travel time between vehicle 100 and geofence 12, a sudden decrease in the distance between vehicle 100 and geofence 12, and similar factors.

[0043] Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12, the central system 200 executes the reconfiguration process by attempting to transmit wireless communication or instruction or SIM update 201 to the user device 100 via the first cell network 300a. Wireless communication 201 contains instructions for the user device 100 to reconfigure its communication protocols to enable roaming, such as by updating SIM 108 to remove the second cell network 300b from the exclusion list 306. For example, wireless communication 201 instructs the user device 100 to delete exclusion 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 being within the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a (i.e., before the user device crosses the geofence 12), so that instruction 201 can be transmitted over the first cell network 300a before the user device leaves the first network coverage area 302a.

[0044] In other words, when Central System 200 determines that User Device 100 is approaching Geofence 12, Central System 200 performs an over-the-air (OTA) SIM update to clear the prohibition list 306 maintained by User Device 100's SIM 108. Performing the OTA SIM update while User Device 100 is connected to the first cell network 300a allows User Device 100 to connect to the previously prohibited second cell network 300b when User Device 100 leaves the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a and enters the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b. This consequently enables more continuous tracking of User Device 100 and increases the likelihood of its recovery.

[0045] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The second cell network 300b is removed from the blocklist 306 and / or the blocklist 306 is deleted from SIM 108 when the user device 100 is reconfigured to enable roaming. Consequently, the second cell network 300b is identified as an authorized cell network 300A, allowing the user device 100 to connect to and use the second cell network 300b for wireless communications.

[0046] When roaming is enabled for the user device 100, and based on the user device 100 crossing the territorial boundary 10, crossing the geofence 12, and / or entering the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b, the user device 100 transmits a second wireless communication 101, 101b via the second cell network 300b to the central system 200. The second wireless communication 101b contains the second or updated geographic location 110b of the user device 100, so that the central system 200 continues to track the user device 100. Furthermore, the connection between the user device 100 and the central system 200 via the second cell network 300b enables the central system 200 to transmit further operating instructions 201 to the user device 100.The user device 100 can set its operating parameters or perform a specific function based on the operating 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.

[0047] Consequently, when the user device 100 is in monitoring mode, 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 suspends the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming, such as by transmitting instructions 201 to the user device 100 to clear the prohibition list 306 maintained by the SIM 108. With roaming enabled, the user device 100 also transmits the wireless communication 101, and the central system 200 continues to track the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 in monitoring mode.

[0048] The monitoring state of user device 100 can be triggered by a user activating the monitoring state (e.g., the user reports that user device 100 has been stolen or is missing), and / or by the central system 200 activating the monitoring state (e.g., a government agency issues an AMBER alert associated with user device 100, or a valid authorization is issued that allows for the tracking of user device 100). Optionally, the monitoring state can be pushed to user device 100 based on the fulfillment of a condition.According to the illustrated example of vehicle 100, the monitoring state is established based on the identification of vehicle 100 as a stolen vehicle by a crime database linked to the central system 200, based on the fact that vehicle 100 is operated without the presence of a valid key fob, based on the fact that an anti-theft device of vehicle 100 is triggered, and the like.

[0049] Based on the monitoring state assigned to user device 100, the central system 200 establishes geofence 12. In the illustrated example, geofence 12 is established at or near the international boundary 10. However, it should be recognized that geofence 12 is a configurable value that can be established at any suitable geographical location to trigger the re-establishment process. In some examples, geofence 12 is established based on the boundary of the network coverage area 302 of the authorized cell networks 300A, so that the re-establishment process can be performed before user device 100 moves outside the network coverage area 302 and is unable to connect to the authorized cell network 300A to receive the re-establishment instructions 201.

[0050] According to some examples, the operations for the setup process are performed in the central system 200. For instance, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is in monitoring mode and instructs the user device 100 to transmit the first wireless communication 101a, which contains the current geographic location 110a of the user device 100, so that the central system 200 tracks the geographic location 110 of the user device 100. Furthermore, the central system 200 establishes the geofence 12 between the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a and the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b. Based on the geographic location 110 of the user device 100, the central system 200 determines that the user device 100 is approaching the geofence 12.Furthermore, the determination that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12 is based on at least one of the speed 112a of the user device 100, the heading 112b of the user device 100, and a distance between the user device 100 and geofence 12. Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12, the central system 200 attempts to enable roaming for the user device 100, for example, by transmitting instructions 201 over the first cell network 300a to SIM 108 to clear the prohibition list 306. Consequently, with roaming enabled (i.e., with the prohibition list 306 cleared in SIM 108), the user device 100 transmits the second wireless communication 101b, which contains the second updated geographic location 110b of the user device 100.

[0051] Under certain circumstances, the central system 200 is unable to enable roaming for the user device 100 until the user device 100 crosses geofence 12 or territorial boundary 10, or enters the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b. For example, the user device 100 receives instruction 201 from the central system 200, which instructs the user device 100 to delete the blocklist 306, but the SIM 108 update is still in progress when the user device 100 moves across geofence 12 or territorial boundary 10 and into the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b. According to this example, the first network coverage area 302a and the second network coverage area 302b overlap at least partially ( Fig. 4) wherein the user device 100 performs a pull procedure, transmitting wireless communications containing the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 over the first cell network 300a until the SIM 108 is updated to enable roaming, or the user device 100 is outside the range of the first cell network 300a. The user device 100 may also perform the pull procedure if it moves into the second network coverage area 302b before it has fully received instruction 201 from the central system 200, so that the user device 100 remains connected to the first cell network 300a to receive instruction 201 from the central system 200.

[0052] Furthermore, 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 enters an accelerated sampling state in which the communication module 102 attempts to reconnect to the first cell network 300a, for example, to complete receiving instruction 201 and / or to transmit wireless communications 101 for tracking the user device 100. Consequently, if the user device 100 moves back into the first network coverage area 302a, it reconnects to the first cell network 300a, thus completing the re-establishment process.That is, if the second cell network 300b is identified in the prohibition list 306 and the user device 100 is located within the second network coverage area 302b of the second network 300b, the user device 100 will attempt to transmit the wireless communications 101 via the first cell network 300a.

[0053] 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 for tracking the user device 100. For example, the central system 200 transmits an instruction 201 to the second cell network 300b so that the second cell network 300b accepts the connection and the wireless communications 101 from the user device 100. Consequently, the communication module 102 attempts to connect to the second cell network 300b, even if the SIM 108 in the user device 100 has not been updated, in order to identify the second cell network 300b as an authorized cell network 300a.In other words, if the second cell network 300b is identified in the prohibition list 306 and the user device 100 is within the network coverage area 302b of the second network 300b, the user device 100 will attempt to transmit the wireless communications 101 over the second cell network 300b.

[0054] If the user device 100 loses connection to a cell network 300, it may wait a threshold period before attempting to reconnect, for example, to conserve battery or processing power while moving towards the coverage area 302 of the cell network 300. Based on the user device 100 being in a monitoring state, the threshold period between 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 sampling state in which it adjusts its standard interval between connection attempts (i.e., reduces or eliminates the threshold period between attempts) to reconnect to the cell network 300 more quickly.In other words, the attempts to reconnect to cell network 300 to transmit wireless communications 101 include a threshold wait time between each attempt to re-establish the connection and transmit wireless communications 101 over cell network 300. This threshold wait time is reduced or eliminated based on the user device 100 being in a monitoring state.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 will consequently attempt to connect to the first cell network 300a and / or the second cell network 300b to complete the re-establishment process and / or to transmit the wireless communications 101 to track the user device 100, whereby, based on the fact that the user device 100 is in a monitoring state, the threshold waiting period between connection attempts is reduced or eliminated.

[0055] The user device 100, when not in monitoring mode, may, for example, be configured to include a threshold wait time of two minutes between reconnection attempts in response to a loss of connection to the cell network 300. Based on the user device 100 being in monitoring mode, it may be configured to set the threshold wait time to 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and so on, or it may be configured to eliminate the threshold wait time altogether.

[0056] According to some examples, the operations for the setup process are performed in the user device 100. The user device 100 determines (e.g., based on an anti-theft device on the user device 100, based on an instruction 201 received from the central system 200, and the like) its monitoring state and transmits the first wireless communication 101a, which contains the current geographic location 110a of the user device 100. When the user device 100 is in the monitoring state, it is aware of the geofence and, based on its current geographic location 110a, determines that it is approaching the geofence 12. The geofence 12 can be stored in memory 120 on 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 geofence 12 can further be based on at least one of the speed 112a of the user device 100, the heading 112b of the user device 100, and a distance between the user device 100 and geofence 12, as determined at the user device 100. Based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12, the user device 100 attempts to enable roaming, for example, by instructing SIM 108 to remove the second cell network 300b from the exclusion list 306, or by instructing SIM 108 to delete the exclusion list 306.With roaming enabled, and when the user device 100 is within the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b, the user device 100 consequently transmits the second wireless communication 101b, which contains the second updated geographic location 110b of the user device 100.

[0057] Optionally, the central system 200 identifies the cell networks 300 that are present in the authorized list 304 and the prohibited list 306. Based on customer agreements managed by the central system 200, for example, the central system 200 instructs the SIM 108 to update the authorized list 304 and / or the prohibited list 306. Furthermore, the central system 200 can identify different authorized cell networks 300A and different prohibited cell networks 300F for different user devices 100 managed by the central system 200. Consequently, one cell network 300 is characterized as an authorized cell network 300A for one user device 100, while another cell network 300 is characterized as a prohibited cell network 300F for another user device 100.In this way, the authorized list 304 and the prohibited list 306 are specific to the SIM 108 for each user device 100 managed by the central system 200, allowing greater flexibility in the communication protocols via the user devices 100 managed by the central system 200.

[0058] Fig. Section 5 provides a flowchart for an exemplary procedure 500 for tracking the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 and reconfiguring 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 can perform the operations for procedure 500. In operation 502, procedure 500 involves transmitting the first wireless communication 101a from the user device 100 over the first cell network 300a. The first wireless communication 101a contains the current geographic location 110a of 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 it for wireless communications.The SIM 108 assigned to the user device 100 maintains the prohibition list 306, which identifies the prohibited cell networks 300F in which the user device is not authorized to use it for wireless communications. In operation 504, procedure 500 includes determining, based on the current geographic location 110a of the user device 100, that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12. Geofence 12 contains a geographic boundary established at least partially between the first network coverage area 302a of the first cell network 300a and the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b, the second cell network 300b being identified in the prohibition list 306 as a prohibited cell network 300F in which the user device 100 is currently not authorized to use it for wireless communications.In Operation 506, and based on the determination that the user device 100 is approaching geofence 12, Procedure 500 includes attempting to remove the second cell network 300b from the prohibition list 306. For example, the user device 100 is instructed to update SIM 108 to delete cell networks 300 from prohibition list 306. In Operation 508, Procedure 500 includes transmitting the second wireless communication 101b from the user device 100 over the second cell network 300b. The second wireless communication 101b contains the updated geographic location 110b of the user device 100. Furthermore, if the second cell network 300b is removed from the prohibition list 306 and based on the user device 100 entering the second network coverage area 302b of the second cell network 300b, the second wireless communication 101b is transmitted.

[0059] Fig. Section 6 provides a flowchart for another exemplary procedure 600 for tracking the geographic location 110 of the user device 100 and reconfiguring 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 can perform the operations for procedure 600. According to the illustrated example, procedure 600 includes the operations for tracking the geographic location 110 of the vehicle 100 and reconfiguring the SIM 108 in the vehicle 100. In operation 602, procedure 600 includes reporting the vehicle 100 as stolen and entering the theft or surveillance state. In operation 604, procedure 600 includes enabling the tracking of the stolen vehicle 100, such as...by transmitting instruction 201 from central system 200 to vehicle 100 to initiate the transmission of wireless communication 101 containing the geographic location 110 of vehicle 100. In operation 606, procedure 600 includes determining that vehicle 100 is approaching geofence 12. According to the illustrated example, vehicle 100 is determined to be approaching geofence 12 when its geographic position 110 is less than a threshold distance from geofence 12 and its heading 112b is generally directed towards geofence 12. Operation 606 is an iterative loop, whereby the vehicle 100 consequently continues to transmit the wireless communications 101 containing the geographical location 110 of the vehicle at least until it is determined that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12.In Operation 608, and based on the determination that vehicle 100 is approaching geofence 12, procedure 600 includes transmitting a wireless communication 101 from vehicle 100 to central system 200, indicating that vehicle 100 is approaching geofence 12, for example, to induce the transmission of instructions 201 from central system 200 to update SIM 108 to enable roaming. In Operation 610, procedure 600 includes determining that vehicle 100 has crossed geofence 12. In Operation 612, procedure 600 includes determining that vehicle 100 is more than one threshold distance beyond geofence 12. Based on the determination that the vehicle is 100 more than the threshold distance beyond geofence 12, procedure 600 in operation 614 includes deleting prohibition list 306 in SIM 108.In Operation 616, Procedure 600 includes performing an automatic selection of a cell network 300, whereby, because the previously prohibited second cell network 300b is no longer identified as a prohibited cell network 300B, the vehicle 100 should connect to the second cell network 300b. In Operation 618, Procedure 600 includes determining whether a connection has been established between the vehicle 100 and the second cell network 300b. If the vehicle 100 does not wirelessly connect to the second cell network 300b, Operation 620 initiates a waiting period of a threshold number of minutes or seconds before Operation 614 and Operation 616 are repeated. The threshold waiting period may be reduced from a standard waiting period based on the fact that the vehicle 100 is in a tracking or monitoring state.If the vehicle 100 connects wirelessly to the second cell network 300b, the procedure 600 in operation 622 includes transmitting the second wireless communication 101b from the vehicle 100 to continue tracking the geographic position 110 of the vehicle 100.

[0060] Fig.Section 7 provides a flowchart for another exemplary procedure 700 for reconfiguring the communication protocols of the user device 100 to enable roaming. The central system 200 can perform the operations for procedure 700. According to the illustrated example, procedure 700 includes the operations for reconfiguring the SIM 108 on the vehicle 100. In operation 702, procedure 700 includes receiving a signal at the central system 200 that the vehicle 100 is approaching geofence 12. The controller 116 on the vehicle 100 determines the... B., that the vehicle 100 is approaching the geofence 12, based on the geographical 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.In Operation 704, Procedure 700 involves transmitting Instruction 201 from Central System 200 to enable roaming for Vehicle 100. As illustrated in the example, Instruction 201 is transmitted from Central System 200 to User Device 100 to instruct User Device 100 to update SIM 108 to delete the prohibition list 306. In Operation 706, Procedure 700 involves performing the OTA SIM update to update the authorized list 304, maintained in SIM 108 of Vehicle 100, to include the second cell network 300b.

[0061] If the vehicle 100 is in a theft state, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 consequently enters a geofence-aware state, whereby 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 geofence 12 and the heading 112b to determine where the handover process should begin. As the vehicle 100 approaches geofence 12 (which, for example,(Determined using GPS position, speed vector, proximity to the geofence, and the like), Controller 116 and / or Central System 200 preemptively initiate a back-office call, initiating the SIM reconfiguration and update process to enable roaming in previously non-roaming areas. If Controller 116 and / or Central System 200 are unable to reconfigure and update SIM 108 before Vehicle 100 crosses Geofence 12, Controller 116 and / or Central System 200 initiate a disconnect procedure to maintain contact with the authorized cell network 300A for as long as possible.If vehicle 100 can no longer maintain a connection to the authorized cell network 300A, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 enter an accelerated scanning state in which vehicle 100 scans for and connects to the authorized cell network 300A. From there, the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 complete the reconfiguration and SIM update. If vehicle 100 is a certain distance from geofence 12 and away from the authorized cell network 300A, and the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 were unable to reconfigure the SIM 108 in vehicle 100 in time (i.e., the stolen vehicle was driven too quickly deep into a no-roaming area), the controller 116 and / or the central system 200 allow vehicle 100 to attempt to connect to prohibited cell networks 300F.

[0062] Reconfiguring communication protocols on stolen vehicles to enable roaming improves tracking and increases the likelihood of vehicle recovery. Preemptively initiating the reconfiguration process allows the SIM card to be updated while the vehicle still has cell connectivity. Furthermore, because the reconfiguration process is automated based on the vehicle's theft or surveillance status and its parameters regarding restricted cell network coverage areas, roaming is enabled on selected vehicles. This results in cost savings from reduced roaming network usage and provides flexibility in roaming strategies across multiple user devices or vehicles managed by the central system.

Claims

[1] Computer-implemented method, executed by data processing hardware (118), which causes the data processing hardware (118) to perform operations, comprising: Transmitting an initial wireless communication from a user device (100) via an initial cell network (300a), wherein the initial wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the user device (100), the initial cell network (300a) comprises an authorized cell network (300A) in which the user device (100) is authorized to use it for wireless communications, and the user device (100) maintains a prohibition list (306) that identifies one or more cell networks in which the user device (100) is not authorized to use it for wireless communications; Determine, based on the current geographic location of the user device (100), that the user device (100) is approaching a geofence (12), wherein the geofence (12) comprises a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area (302a) of the first cell network (300a) and a second network coverage area (302b) of a second cell network (300b), the second cell network (300b) being identified in the prohibition list (306); Removing the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) based on the determination that the user device (100) is approaching the geofence (12), and Transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device (100) over the second cell network (300b) when the second cell network (300b) has been removed from the prohibition list (306) and based on the user device (100) entering the second network coverage area (302b), wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device (100). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein, when the second cell network (300b) has been removed from the prohibition list (306), the operations further comprise receiving an operating instruction at the user device (100), wherein the operating instruction is transmitted from a central system located remotely from the user device (100) via the second cell network (300b) to the user device (100), and wherein an operating parameter of the user device (100) is set based on the operating instruction. [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein removing the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) comprises transmitting instructions from a central system via the first cell network (300a) to the user device (100) to delete the prohibition list (306), wherein the central system is located remotely from the user device (100). [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein when the second cell network (300b) is identified in the exclusion list (306) and based on the user device (100) entering the second network coverage area (302b), the operations further comprise attempting to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device (100) via at least one from the group comprising the first cell network (300a) and the second cell network (300b). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the attempt to transmit the second wireless communication from the user device (100) comprises a threshold waiting period between each attempt to transmit the second wireless communication, wherein the threshold waiting period is reduced based on a tracking state associated with the user device (100). [6] Method according to claim 1, wherein the determination that the user device (100) approaches the geofence (12) is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the user device (100) and the geofence (12); a directional course of the user device (100); and a speed of the user device (100). [7] Method according to claim 1, wherein the application device (100) comprises a vehicle (100). [8] System (200), wherein System (200) comprises: Data processing hardware (118); and Storage hardware (204) that communicates with the data processing hardware (118), wherein the storage hardware (204) stores instructions that are executed on the data processing hardware (118) that cause the data processing hardware (118) to perform operations that include: Transmitting an initial wireless communication from a user device (100) via an initial cell network (300a), wherein the initial wireless communication includes a current geographic location of the user device (100), the initial cell network (300a) includes an authorized cell network (300A) in which the user device (100) is authorized to use it for wireless communications, and the user device (100) maintains a prohibition list (306) that identifies one or more cell networks in which the user device (100) is not authorized to use it for wireless communications; Determine, based on the current geographic location of the user device (100), that the user device (100) is approaching a geofence (12), wherein the geofence (12) comprises a geographic boundary between a first network coverage area (302a) of the first cell network (300a) and a second network coverage area (302b) of a second cell network (300b), wherein the second cell network (300b) is identified in the prohibition list (306), wherein the determination that the user device (100) is approaching the geofence (12) is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the user device (100) and the geofence (12); a directional course of the user device (100); and a speed of the user device (100); Removing the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) based on the determination that the user device (100) is approaching the geofence (12); and Transmitting a second wireless communication from the user device (100) over the second cell network (300b) when the second cell network (300b) has been removed from the prohibition list (306) and based on the user device (100) entering the second network coverage area (302b), wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographic location of the user device (100). [9] Vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) comprises: Data processing hardware (118); and Storage hardware (204) that communicates with the data processing hardware (118), wherein the storage hardware (204) stores instructions that are executed on the data processing hardware (118) that cause the data processing hardware (118) to perform operations that include: Transmitting an initial wireless communication from the vehicle (100) via an initial cell network (300a), wherein the initial wireless communication includes a current geographical location of the vehicle (100), the initial cell network (300a) comprises an authorized cell network (300A) in which the vehicle (100) is authorized to use it for wireless communications, and the vehicle (100) maintains a prohibition list (306) that identifies one or more cell networks in which the vehicle (100) is not authorized to use them for wireless communications; Determine, based on the current geographical location of the vehicle (100), that the vehicle (100) is approaching a geofence (12), wherein the geofence (12) comprises a geographical boundary between a first network coverage area (302a) of the first cell network (300a) and a second network coverage area (302b) of a second cell network (300b), wherein the second cell network (300b) is identified in the prohibition list (306), wherein the determination that the vehicle (100) is approaching the geofence (12) is further based on at least one selected from the group comprising: a distance between the vehicle (100) and the geofence (12); a directional course of the vehicle (100); and a speed of the vehicle (100); Removal of the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) based on the determination that the vehicle (100) is approaching the geofence (12); and Transmitting a second wireless communication from the vehicle via the second cell network (300b) when the second cell network (300b) has been removed from the prohibition list (306) and based on the vehicle entering the second network coverage area (302b), wherein the second wireless communication includes an updated geographical location of the vehicle. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, wherein removing the second cell network (300b) from the prohibition list (306) comprises transmitting instructions from a central system (200) via the first cell network (300a) to the vehicle to delete the prohibition list (306), the central system being located remotely from the vehicle.

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