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US 2017/0302774 A1Published application
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 configured to:
- detect presence of a wireless network access point usable for vehicular communication;
- connect to the wireless access point;
- and
- report connection information relating to the connected access point to an entity capable of establishing direct cellular connection with a vehicle, identifying the connected access point as an alternative communication method if cellular communication is unavailable.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- receive indicia from a vehicle that a cellular network is unusable for processor-to-vehicle communication;
- receive identification, from the vehicle, of a wireless access point usable for processor-to-vehicle communication;
- receive requests to remotely access vehicle functionality;
- and
- utilize the wireless access point to relay the received requests to the vehicle until indicia is received from the vehicle that the cellular communication network is usable for processor-to-vehicle communication.
3 more elements
A computer-implemented method comprising:
- responsive to a determination that a cellular signal provided to a telematics control unit has fallen below a predetermined usable threshold, searching, using a vehicle computer, for a usable dedicated short range communication (DSRC) access point in communicable proximity to a vehicle and reporting connection information for the DSRC access point to a remote entity along with instructions to utilize the DSRC access point for vehicle communication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.