Method and apparatus for data download from a mobile vehicle

An autonomous data download device for downloading data from a first data storage device in a mobile vehicle, the autonomous data download device comprising:

• a drive mechanism for propelling the autonomous data download device, the drive mechanism including a steering mechanism for navigating the autonomous data download device within the mobile vehicle;
• a location sensing device for determining a location of the autonomous data download device within the mobile vehicle and generating a location signal in response thereto;
• a controller for providing a drive signal to the drive mechanism for propelling the autonomous data download device, the controller further coupled to the location sensing device for generating a steering signal in response to the location signal and predetermined route data, the controller providing the steering signal to the steering mechanism of the drive mechanism;
• a memory for storing downloaded data;
• and
• a data connection device for coupling the memory to the first data storage device, wherein the controller provides a connection signal to the data connection device for coupling the data connection device to the first data storage device and thereafter downloads the downloaded data from the first data storage device to the memory of the autonomous data download device.

A system for autonomous data download from a first data storage device in a mobile vehicle to a second storage device external to the mobile vehicle, the system comprising:

• the mobile vehicle including a predetermined travel path and the first data storage device;
• the second data storage device external to the mobile vehicle;
• and
• an autonomous data download device for autonomously retrieving data from the first data storage device and providing the data to the second storage device, the autonomous data download device comprising:
• a drive mechanism including a steering mechanism for navigating the autonomous data download device along the predetermined path within the mobile vehicle;
• a location sensing device for recognizing the predetermined path and for determining a location of the autonomous data download device within the mobile vehicle relatively to or on the predetermined path and generating a location signal in response thereto;
• a controller for providing a drive signal to the drive mechanism for propelling the autonomous data download device, the controller further coupled to the location sensing device for generating a steering signal in response to the location signal and predetermined route data, the controller providing the steering signal to the steering mechanism of the drive mechanism;
• a memory for storing the data;
• and
• a data connection device for coupling the memory to the first data storage device,
• wherein the controller provides a connection signal to the data connection device for coupling the data connection device to the first data storage device and thereafter downloads the data from the first data storage device to the memory of the autonomous data download device.