Abstract: A centralized system for real-time monitoring widely distributed software updates of vehicle components, comprises: an arbitration server; a distributed network comprising a plurality of communication servers; a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle of said plurality of vehicles comprising a telematics control unit (TCU) operable to communicate with one communication server of said plurality of communication servers, each TCU is adapted to receive and deploy software updates to electronic control units (ECUs) within its corresponding vehicle, and said TCU is operable to generate status updates for software updates and communicate the status updates to the corresponding communication server; and each communication server is operable to simultaneously receive data messages comprising status updates from the plurality of vehicles and to generate a data stream comprising the data messages, the data stream being sent to a log file.

Abstract: A telematics control unit (TCU) installable in a vehicle comprises: a wireless network interface; an interface to a vehicle bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs); a memory; a processor; a differential update package (DUP) received via the wireless network interface to provide an update to a specific one ECU. The DUP comprising a flashing tool, differential update instructions for the specific one ECU and differential update data for the flash memory of said specific one ECU. The processor utilizes the flashing tool to provide the differential update instructions to a boot loader of the specific one ECU and to update the ECU flash memory.

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 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 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, 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 method of operating a mobile router installed in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a vehicle network bus coupled to a plurality of electronic control units. The mobile router comprises: a wireless wide area network interface a wireless local area network interface; an interface to the vehicle network bus; a processor; and a memory comprising a plurality of programs. The plurality of programs comprises an intrusion detection program executable by the processor. The method of operating a mobile router comprises: monitoring data on the vehicle network bus; utilizing the intrusion detection program to detect one or more anomalies in the monitored data; and generating an alert upon detection of one or more of anomalies.

Abstract: A method for operating a wireless mobile router comprises the steps of storing information comprising configuration information and main server information utilizable to identify a main network server; establishing initial communication via a wireless link to a network comprising a main server and a plurality of group servers; directing the initial communication to the main server; uploading the configuration information to the main server via said network; establishing a second communication to the main server; receiving group server identification information from said main server during the second communication; storing the group server identification information comprising information identifying one or more servers corresponding with a predetermined group assigned by the main server; and utilizing the group server identification information for subsequent communication via the network.

Abstract: An embodiment of a mobile router, comprises: a wireless wide area network interface to access a cellular network; a local area network interface to provide access to devices for transfer of data; priority information associated with predetermined types of download data; data rate information associated with the priority information; first apparatus to determine the priority of download data via the wide area network interface; second apparatus to determine if data is being transferred via the local area network interface; and third apparatus to control the data rate for the download data based on the priority information, the data rate configuration information, and whether data is being transferred via the local area network interface.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile router comprises: storing priority information associated with predetermined types of download data and data rate information associated with the priority information; determining the priority of download data received via the wide area network interface; determining if data is being transferred via the local area network interface; and controlling the data rate for the download data based on the download data priority, the priority information, the data rate configuration information, and whether data is being transferred via the local area network interface.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile router network, comprises: providing a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each having access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular carrier, operating each mobile router to upload and download data via the cellular network, operating each mobile router to monitor the uploaded data and downloaded data to generate usage statistical; providing a server coupleable to the plurality of wireless mobile routers via the cellular network; operating the server to access billing data from the predetermined carrier for each mobile router; automatically operating each mobile router to upload its corresponding usage statistical data to the server; and operating the server to compare the usage statistical data for each wireless mobile router to corresponding billing data to determine if there is a billing discrepancy.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile router network in one embodiment comprises: providing a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each of the mobile routers comprises a wireless wide area network interface to access a cellular network, and each mobile router is operable to upload data and to download data via the cellular network; providing at least one server coupleable to the plurality of wireless mobile routers via the cellular network; operating each mobile router to determine, on an ongoing basis during a predetermined period, its corresponding accumulated quantity of downloaded data; and operating each mobile router to control its download data rate based on its corresponding the accumulated quantity of downloaded data.

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 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: 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.