Abstract: A mobile router network, comprises: a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each comprising a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular carrier. Each mobile router is operable to upload data and to download data via the cellular network. Each mobile router is monitors the uploaded and downloaded data to generate statistical usage. The network further comprises a server coupleable to the plurality of wireless mobile routers via the cellular network. The server is operable to access billing data from the predetermined carrier for each of the mobile routers. Each of the mobile routers automatically operates to upload the statistical data to the server. The server operates to compare the statistical data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A mobile router comprises: a wide area network wireless interface operable to access a cellular network; first apparatus operable to upload data and to download data via the interface to the cellular network; second apparatus operable to monitor the uploaded data and the downloaded data and to generate data corresponding to predetermined quantifiable units corresponding to the uploaded data and the downloaded data; and the first apparatus and second apparatus cooperatively operate to automatically upload the usage data to a server for generation of usage discrepancy reports.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprises a vehicle network bus and a mobile router. The mobile router comprises a local area network interface comprising a first wireless transceiver of a first predetermined type to provide a link to first a local area network and a wide area network interface comprising a second wireless transceiver of a second predetermined type to provide a link to a wide area network. One of the wide area network interface and the local area network interface is selectively operable to establish a wireless communication link with a network management system comprising a communication server. The router further comprises an application executable by at least one processor to selectively acquire predetermined data from the vehicle network bus. The communication agent is operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of mobile routers; providing a main server for tracking and monitoring the plurality of mobile routers; initially configuring each mobile router of the plurality of mobile routers to communicate with the main server; providing a first linked communication between each mobile router and the main server; registering each mobile router with the main server and uploading configuration information from each mobile router to the main server; assigning each mobile router with a predetermined group; subsequent to the registering and assigning steps, providing a second linked communication between each mobile router and the main server; and operating the main server such that when the second linked communication occurs, the main server reassigns each mobile router to communicate with at least one group server assigned to communicate with the predetermined group.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprises a vehicle network bus and a mobile router. The mobile router comprises a local area network interface comprising a first wireless transceiver of a first predetermined type to provide a link to first a local area network and a wide area network interface comprising a second wireless transceiver of a second predetermined type to provide a link to a wide area network. One of the wide area network interface and the local area network interface is selectively operable to establish a wireless communication link with a network management system comprising a communication server. The router further comprises an application executable by the at least one processor to selectively acquire predetermined data from the vehicle network bus. The communication agent is operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A method of operating a network server, for a network comprising a plurality of wireless mobile routers is provided. Each mobile router comprises a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular service provider and is operable to upload and download data via the cellular network. Each mobile router is operable to monitor the uploaded and downloaded data to generate usage. The method comprises: selectively coupling the server to the plurality of mobile routers via the cellular network; receiving from each of the mobile routers the corresponding usage data; operating the server to access billing data from the service provider for each mobile router; and comparing the usage data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A method of operating a network server for a network comprising a plurality of wireless mobile routers comprises: selectively coupling the server to a plurality of mobile routers via a cellular network; operating the server to access billing data from a predetermined carrier providing the cellular network for each of the mobile routers; receiving from each of the mobile routers corresponding usage statistical data; comparing the usage statistical data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprises a vehicle network bus and a mobile router. The mobile router comprises a local area network interface comprising a first wireless transceiver of a first predetermined type to provide a link to first a local area network and a wide area network interface comprising a second wireless transceiver of a second predetermined type to provide a link to a wide area network. One of the wide area network interface and the local area network interface is selectively operable to establish a wireless communication link with a network management system comprising a communication server. The router further comprises an application executable by the at least one processor to selectively acquire predetermined data from the vehicle network bus. The communication agent is operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a wireless mobile router in a vehicle, the mobile router being operable to establish a communication link to a network management system; utilizing the mobile router to collect data independent of the router being coupled to the network management system; storing the data in the router; establishing a first communication link between the router and the network management system upon an occurrence of a first predetermined event; operating the router to upload the data to the network management system upon occurrence of the first predetermined event; and transmitting the data to the network management system via the first communication link.

Abstract: A network is provided comprising a network management system, and a plurality of mobile routers. The network management system comprises at least one server and a link to a wide area network. Each mobile router is disposed in a corresponding one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles and is operable to selectively communicate with the network management system. The network management system selectively communicates with each mobile router. Each mobile router comprises: a local area network interface to provide a link to first a local area network comprising a first client device; a wide area network interface to provide a link to the wide area network; at least one processor to control operation of the router. The wide area network interface is operable to establish communication link with the network management system. An application executable by the at least one processor selectively acquires predetermined data.

Abstract: A network is provided comprising a network management system, a third party server, and a plurality of mobile routers. The network management system comprises at least one server; and a link to a wide area network. Each mobile router is disposed in a corresponding one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles and each mobile router is operable to selectively communicate with the network management system. The network management system is operable to selectively communicate with each mobile router and the third party server. The router comprises an application executable to selectively acquire predetermined data comprising vehicle emission data; and a communication agent operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprises a vehicle network bus and a mobile router. The mobile router comprises a local area network interface comprising a first wireless transceiver of a first predetermined type to provide a link to first a local area network and a wide area network interface comprising a second wireless transceiver of a second predetermined type to provide a link to a wide area network. One of the wide area network interface and the local area network interface is selectively operable to establish a wireless communication link with a network management system comprising a communication server. The router further comprises an application executable by at least one processor to selectively acquire predetermined data from the vehicle network bus. The communication agent is operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a wireless mobile router in a vehicle. The mobile router is operable to establish a communication link to a network management system. The mobile router collects data independent of the router being coupled to the network management system; stores the data in the router; establishes a first communication link between the router and the network management system upon an occurrence of a first predetermined event; operates the router to upload the data to the network management system upon occurrence of the first predetermined event; and transmits the data to the network management system via the first communication link.

Abstract: A mobile router having a link monitor module is disclosed. The mobile router may be installed in a mobile vehicle and permit a local end-user to access wide area networks (e.g., the Internet) via the mobile router. The link monitor module may monitor the layer 2 and layer 3 links of the mobile router. When an interruption in one or more of the links is detected, the link monitor module may initiate corrective action to re-establish the link. That way, the interruption to the local end-user is minimized.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a mobile router, comprising a wireless local area network transceiver and a wireless wide area network transceiver. The method comprises selectively utilizing the mobile router to establish a wireless Internet connection for a mobile device via said local area network transceiver and a wireless local area network access point when the local area network access point is identified as available by the mobile router and selectively operating the mobile router to access the Internet via the wireless wide area network transceiver when no wireless local area network access point is identified.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing digital entertainment to a customer having a mobile router comprising a first wireless local area network having a customer mobile device coupled thereto. The method comprises: providing a source of the digital entertainment data; coupling the source to the customer mobile device via the router and the first wireless local area network; operating the source with the router such that the source automatically downloads predetermined digital entertainment data to the customer mobile device via the wireless local area network and the router.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing digital entertainment to a customer having a mobile router comprising a first wireless local area network having a customer mobile device coupled thereto. The method comprises: providing a source of the digital entertainment data; coupling the source to the customer mobile device via the router and the first wireless local area network; operating the source with the router such that the source automatically downloads predetermined digital entertainment data to the customer mobile device via the wireless local area network and the router.

Abstract: A mobile router having a serial interface is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the mobile router may comprise a serial port data publisher module that may take data received from a serial device connected to a serial port of the mobile router and make the data from the serial device available via a TCP stream. In that way, the serial port data publisher module may be used, for example, to populate a remote database with the data from the serial device. That way, the data from the serial device may be remotely accessed via the Internet, for example. In addition, the mobile router can be used to output a received signal from the device connected to its serial interface.