# US 2014/0153414 A1 · Selective routing of communications in locomotive consist > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153414 A1 - Document ID: US20140153414A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/690,673 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Secure Communication Systems Inc.; Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. - Applicants: Electro-Motive Diesel Inc.; Secure Communication Systems Inc. - Inventors: James Robert LUECKE; Wayne Rudolph - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153414A1 ## CPC - H04L 45/123: {Evaluation of link metrics (techniques for monitoring network metrics H04L43/08)} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist including at least three locomotives is disclosed. The method may include monitoring at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive. The method may also include determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist comprising at least three locomotives, the method comprising: monitoring at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive; and determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic includes at least one from the group consisting of packet loss and throughput. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further including: determining, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through the second access point; routing the second data transmission from the first access point to the second access point; and routing the second data transmission from the second access point to the third access point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further including: determining, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point; and routing the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including: monitoring at least one characteristic of a third data transmission between the first access point and the second access point; comparing the monitored characteristic of the first data transmission to the monitored characteristic of the third data transmission; and determining, based on the comparison of the monitored characteristics, whether to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through the second access point. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the monitored characteristic of the first data transmission is throughput associated with the first data transmission and the monitored characteristic of the third data transmission is throughput associated with the third data transmission, the method further including: determining to route the second data transmission through the second access point when the throughput associated with the third data transmission is greater than the throughput associated with the first data transmission; and determining to route the second data transmission to the third access point without routing through the second access point when the throughput associated with the third data transmission is less than the throughput associated with the first data transmission. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including: determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a fourth access point in a fourth locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive, in addition to routing the second data transmission through the second access point. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further including: determining, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission through both the second access point and the fourth access point; routing the second data transmission from the first access point to the second access point; routing the second data transmission from the second access point to the fourth access point; and routing the second data transmission from the fourth access point to the third access point. ### Claim 9 A system for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist comprising at least three locomotives, the system comprising: one or more memories storing one or more instructions; and one or more processors configured to: monitor at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive; and determine, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one characteristic includes at least one from the group consisting of packet loss and throughput. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through the second access point; route the second data transmission from the first access point to the second access point; and route the second data transmission from the second access point to the third access point. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point; and route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: monitor at least one characteristic of a third data transmission between the first access point and the second access point; compare the monitored characteristic of the first data transmission to the monitored characteristic of the third data transmission; and determine, based on the comparison of the monitored characteristics, whether to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through the second access point. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the monitored characteristic of the first data transmission is throughput associated with the first data transmission and the monitored characteristic of the third data transmission is a packet loss associated with the third data transmission, and the one or more processors are further configured to: determine to route the second data transmission through the second access point when the throughput associated with the third data transmission is greater than the throughput associated with the first data transmission; and determine to route the second data transmission to the third access point without routing through the second access point when the throughput associated with the third data transmission is less than the throughput associated with the first data transmission. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a fourth access point in a fourth locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive, in addition to routing the second data transmission through the second access point. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission through both the second access point and the fourth access point; route the second data transmission from the first access point to the second access point; route the second data transmission from the second access point to the fourth access point; and route the second data transmission from the fourth access point to the third access point. ### Claim 17 A locomotive consist comprising: a first locomotive, a second locomotive, and a third locomotive, wherein the second locomotive is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive; a communications network; and a plurality of access points disposed within the locomotive consist and communicatively coupled to the communications network; a monitor configured to monitor at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in the first locomotive and a third access point in the third locomotive; and a processor configured to determine, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in the second locomotive. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The locomotive consist of claim 17, wherein the at least one characteristic monitored by the monitor includes at least one from the group consisting of: packet loss and throughput. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The locomotive consist of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through the second access point; route the second data transmission from the first access point to the second access point; and route the second data transmission from the second access point to the third access point. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The locomotive consist of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine, based on the monitored characteristic, to route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point; and route the second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point without routing the second data transmission through the second access point.