Vehicle Data Communication via Intermediate Tunnel Endpoint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing Internet connectivity to moving vehicles face challenges such as low bandwidth, incomplete geographic coverage, and data packet loss due to signal interruptions and dynamic routing delays, particularly when vehicles switch between base stations.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves modifying data packet identifiers to route packets through an intermediate device with a fixed connection, eliminating the need for dynamic route updates, and establishing a virtual private network (VPN) using Network Address Translation (NAT) and Crypto IP Encapsulation (CIPE) to ensure seamless data communication across changing base station connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic routing protocols (RIP or OSPF) are used to update routes when switching base stations, then the network can adapt to vehicle movement, but routing updates cause delays and data packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a tunnel endpoint at the home server before the vehicle moves, pre-configuring the communication path. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for dynamic routing updates when the vehicle switches base stations, as the tunnel maintains a consistent logical path through the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tunnel as an intermediary communication mechanism between the mobile device and home server. This tunnel abstracts the underlying base station changes, allowing data to flow through a stable logical path while the physical connection changes, thereby eliminating routing update delays.
2Area of stationary object
If mobile telephone networks are used for Internet connectivity in vehicles, then geographic coverage is improved, but bandwidth is limited and connection interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple base station connections into a single unified tunnel to the home server. By merging the communication paths through a persistent tunnel rather than relying on individual base station connections, the system achieves both wide geographic coverage and stable high-bandwidth connectivity.
3Reliability
If base stations are placed along the route with cable connections to home servers, then connection stability is improved, but dynamic route updates are required when switching base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing complexity from the base station level and consolidates it at the tunnel endpoint level. By separating the stable cable-connected infrastructure from the mobile access point, the system maintains connection stability while eliminating the need for complex dynamic routing updates at each base station.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of providing data communication to a vehicle (1). The method comprises receiving a first data packet from a device associated with said vehicle (2) at an intermediate device (12,13,16,17), said first data packet comprising a first identifier identifying said vehicle, modifying said first identifier to identify said intermediate device and forwarding said modified first data packet from said intermediate device to a further device (4). A communications session between said device associated with said vehicle and said further device is established, and a session identifier is associated with the communications session, and said first data packet comprises said session identifier and said modified data packet comprises said session identifier.