Vehicle Hotspot Data Throttling via Dual Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot plans with fixed data limits pose challenges for shared vehicle usage, as secondary users can consume disproportionate data, leading to overuse and increased costs for primary users, who lack control over data usage without disabling the hotspot altogether.
Innovation Solution
A system with a vehicle processor that monitors and throttles data transfer rates on a secondary network when predefined limits are exceeded, allowing primary users to maintain uninterrupted access while controlling data usage for secondary users through dual SSID networks and remote notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the hotspot is disabled or password changed to lock out secondary users, then data consumption by secondary users is controlled, but the primary user also loses access to the hotspot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single hotspot into two separate networks: a primary network for the vehicle owner and a secondary network for guests. This segmentation allows independent control and monitoring of data usage for each user type, resolving the contradiction by enabling selective restriction of secondary users while preserving primary user access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a password-protected gateway as an intermediary between secondary users and the hotspot. This gateway monitors data usage, enforces limits, and can throttle or block secondary traffic independently, allowing the primary user to maintain full access while controlling secondary consumption through the intermediary layer.
2Ease of operation
If the hotspot is left enabled to allow secondary user access, then ease of use is maintained, but control over data usage by secondary users is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors data usage by secondary users on the secondary network, compares it against predefined limits, and automatically responds by throttling or blocking traffic when limits are exceeded. This feedback loop maintains ease of access while enforcing data consumption control without requiring constant manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the hotspot system dynamic by implementing adjustable data limits and real-time monitoring that adapts to usage patterns. The system can dynamically throttle secondary network performance based on current consumption levels, allowing flexible control that maintains accessibility while preventing excessive data usage through adaptive response mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed data limit is applied to the hotspot, then data consumption is controlled, but secondary users cannot have adequate access for their needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels of service to different user groups through the dual-network architecture. The primary network receives unlimited or higher data allowances, while the secondary network has specific data limits tailored to guest needs. This local differentiation allows adequate access for secondary users within reasonable bounds while maintaining overall data consumption control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables flexible parameter adjustment for data limits, time periods, and throttling thresholds to adapt to different usage scenarios. Secondary users can be granted appropriate data access by modifying parameters such as daily vs. monthly limits, priority levels, and throttling thresholds, making the system versatile enough to accommodate various guest needs while maintaining control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a wireless transceiver providing access to primary and secondary hotspot in-vehicle networks and a vehicle processor. The vehicle processor monitors data usage on the secondary hotspot network, and, responsive to the data usage exceeding a predefined data limit, throttles a data transfer rate of the secondary hotspot network in a predefined manner, while leaving the primary hotspot network unconstrained.