Abstract: A method for operating a mobile router, comprises: transferring data via a cellular network at a data rate controlled by the router; receiving data rate information via the cellular network; and utilizing the data rate information to control the data rate of data subsequently transferred via said cellular network.

Abstract: One embodiment of a mobile router, comprises: a wireless wide area network interface to access a cellular network and operable to receive downloaded data; a memory comprising a data rate limiting rule; and a processor. The processor is operable to generate usage data based on the quantity of the downloaded data during a predetermined time period, and is operable to control the data rate of downloaded data based on the usage data and the data rate limiting rule.

Abstract: A method of operating a predetermined electronic control unit is provided for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle network bus and one or more electronic control units coupled to the bus. The method comprises: providing the predetermined electronic control unit of with a processor, a memory, an interface to the vehicle network bus, and an intrusion detection program. The method further comprises: utilizing the predetermined electronic control unit to monitor data on the vehicle network bus; executing the intrusion detection program to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data; and utilizing the predetermined electronic control unit to generate an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies.

Abstract: An embodiment is provided of a mobile router for installation in a vehicle comprising a vehicle network bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units. The mobile router comprises: a processor; a memory comprising a plurality of programs; a wireless wide area network interface; a wireless local area network interface; and an interface to the vehicle network bus coupled to vehicle electronic control units. The processor utilizes the interface to monitor data on the vehicle network bus. The plurality of programs comprises an intrusion detection program executable by the processor to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data; and to generate an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies.

Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided for installation in a vehicle. The electronic control unit is operable to provide intrusion detection for the vehicle electronic systems. The electronic control unit comprises: a processor; a memory; and an interface to a vehicle network bus coupled to vehicle electronic control units. The processor utilizes the interface to monitor data on the vehicle network bus. An intrusion detection program is stored in the memory and is executable by the processor. The processor utilizes the intrusion detection program to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data. The electronic control unit generates an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies.

Abstract: An embodiment is provided of a mobile router for installation in a vehicle comprising a vehicle network bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units. The mobile router comprises: a processor; a memory comprising a plurality of programs; a wireless wide area network interface; a wireless local area network interface; and an interface to the vehicle network bus coupled to vehicle electronic control units. The processor utilizes the interface to monitor data on the vehicle network bus. The plurality of programs comprises an intrusion detection program executable by the processor to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data; and to generate an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a vehicle, the vehicle comprises: a vehicle network bus; one or more electronic control units coupled to the bus. One electronic control unit comprises: a processor; a memory; an interface to the vehicle network bus; and an intrusion detection program stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The processor utilizes the interface to monitor data on the vehicle network bus and utilizes the intrusion detection program to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data. The electronic control unit generates an alert upon detection of one or more anomalies.

Abstract: A networked mobile router system comprises a plurality of mobile routers; and a main server operable to track and monitor the plurality of mobile routers. Each mobile router is initially configured to communicate with the main server and is operable to establish first communication with the main server to register with the main server to upload configuration information from each the mobile router to the main server. The main server is operable in response to each mobile router registering with the main server to assign each mobile router with a predetermined group. Each mobile router is operable to establish a second communication with the main server. The main server is operable in response to each mobile router second communication to reassign each mobile router to communicate with at least one group server assigned to communicate with the predetermined group.

Abstract: A network operations center is operable with a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each comprising a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular service provider. Each mobile router 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 data. The network operations center comprises: first apparatus operable to manage communications with the plurality of mobile routers, operable to receive the usage data, and operable to access billing data from the predetermined cellular service provider for each of the mobile routers; and second apparatus operable to compare the usage data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A mobile router having a session proxy module is disclosed. The session proxy module may act as a proxy (such as a TCP proxy) for all sessions (e.g., TCP sessions) going through the mobile router. That is, for example, when a local end-user seeks to establish a TCP session from their local end-user device (such as laptop) with a destination (such as a third party server), the session proxy module may (1) terminate the TCP session coming from the local end-user device and (2) establish a TCP (or some other protocol) session on the backhaul interface with the destination. That way, all end-user traffic between the end-user and the destination may be transparently routed through the mobile router.

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 mobile router, comprises a communications agent operable such that its initial communication to the network utilizes the main server information to establish a first communication with the main server. The mobile router further comprises a microprocessor operable with the communications agent to interact with the main server to upload configuration information to the main server. The communications agent is operable to receive group server identification information from the main server when communicating with the main server a second time. The microprocessor is operable to store the group server identification information. The group server information comprises information identifying one or more servers corresponding with a predetermined group assigned by the main server. The communications agent utilizes the group server identification information for subsequent communication via the network.

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 mobile router comprises: a valet mode program to provide valet mode functionality in a vehicle in which the mobile router is disposed; a processor operable to execute the valet mode program; a predetermined distance limit; and a predetermined speed limit. The mobile router responds to externally generated commands from a predetermined source to activate or deactivate the valet mode. The processor is operable to determine if the predetermined distance limit is exceeded from the location of the vehicle when the valet mode is activated; and the processor is operable to determine if the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed limit when the valet mode is activated.

Abstract: A method for providing a valet mode for a vehicle comprises: providing a mobile router in the vehicle; operating the mobile router to substantially continuously determine the current location of the vehicle; providing a valet application program to a wireless device; utilizing the valet application program to program the wireless device to provide a valet user interface; utilizing the valet user interface to activate and deactivate a valet mode at the mobile router; operating the mobile router such that when the valet mode is activated, the mobile router activates a predetermined a boundary of predetermined radius about the current location of the vehicle; automatically operating the mobile router when the valet mode is activated to detect if the boundary is exceeded; and operating the mobile router to automatically cause a notification to be sent to the wireless device upon the router detecting that the vehicle exceeds the boundary.