Method and apparatus for cellular network backup connectivity
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsOliver Lei, Allen R. Murray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a processor configured to detect the presence of a wireless network access point usable for vehicular communication. The processor is also configured to connect to the wireless access point and report connection information relating to the connected wireless access point to an entity capable of establishing direct cellular connection with a vehicle, identifying the connected wireless access point as an alternative communication method if cellular communication is unavailable.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a processor, remote from a vehicle, configured to:
- receive a first indicator from the vehicle that a cellular network is unusable for vehicle communication;
- receive identification, from the vehicle, of a wireless access point usable for vehicle communication based on identification of the wireless access point by the vehicle;
- receive requests to remotely access vehicle functionality of the vehicle;
- utilize the wireless access point to relay the received requests to the vehicle, by sending the requests over a network accessible by the vehicle through the wireless access point, until a second indicator is received from the vehicle that the cellular communication network is usable for vehicle communication;
- and
- revert to relaying the received requests via a cellular network responsive to the second indicator.
A method comprising:
- receiving a first indicator from a vehicle that a cellular network is unusable for vehicle communication;
- receiving identification, from the vehicle, of a wireless access point usable for vehicle communication based on identification of the wireless access point by the vehicle;
- receiving requests to remotely access vehicle functionality of the vehicle;
- utilizing the wireless access point to relay the received requests to the vehicle, by sending the requests over a network accessible by the vehicle through the wireless access point, until a second indicator is received from the vehicle that the cellular communication network is usable for vehicle communication;
- and
- revert to relaying the received requests via a cellular network responsive to the second indicator.
A non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor remote from a vehicle, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a first indicator from the vehicle that a cellular network is unusable for vehicle communication;
- receiving identification, from the vehicle, of a wireless access point usable for vehicle communication based on identification of the wireless access point by the vehicle;
- receiving requests to remotely access vehicle functionality of the vehicle;
- utilizing the wireless access point to relay the received requests to the vehicle, by sending the requests over a network accessible by the vehicle through the wireless access point, until a second indicator is received from the vehicle that the cellular communication network is usable for vehicle communication;
- and
- revert to relaying the received requests via a cellular network responsive to the second indicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.