`
`US 20020073240A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0073240 A1
`
` Kokkinen et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 13, 2002
`
`
`(54) SERVER
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Heikki Kokkinen, Tokyo (JP);
`Shintaro Uno, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(GB) ......................................... 00288126
`Nov. 27, 2000
`Publication Classification
`
`Correspondence Address;
`ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
`SUITE 1800
`
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/988,995
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 21, 2001
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G06F 15/16
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................ 709/249; 709/250
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A server suitable for a vehicle having a first Wireless
`interface providing a connection on a customer basis [or
`local user terminals to the server, to enable access to local
`content on the server, and a second Wireless interface
`providing a connection to an external mobile network, to
`enable access to remote content on remote servers.
`
`& I
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`NTERNET E
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 1
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 2002/0073240 A1
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 2
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 2002/0073240 A1
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`Figure2
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 3
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 3
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 2002/0073240 A1
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`m3
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`mmfi
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 4
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 4
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`US 2002/0073240 A1
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`Jun. 13, 2002
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`SERVER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to a server,
`especially, but not exclusively, an internet server, for a
`vehicle.
`
`In modern urban life, especially around a major
`[0002]
`metropolis, people spend a lot of time every day commuting.
`Currently, people use this time, for example, by reading
`news, books, comics, listening to music or playing elec-
`tronic games.
`
`[0003] The present invention is generally concerned with
`providing the commuter via a user terminal not only with the
`above type of service, which helps the commuting time pass
`more pleasantly, but also other additional types of service
`and internet access.
`
`[0004] EP-A-936829 discloscs a basc station locatcd on a
`train which provides cellular network access for the cellular
`telephones of the passengers.
`
`‘The Network Vehicle—A Glimpse Into The
`[0005]
`Future Of Mobile Multi—Media’ an article by Delphi Delco
`Electronics Systems and IBM corporation published in IEEE
`0-7803-5086-3/98 discloses a car providing internet access
`to its passengers.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a server suitable for a vehicle having a first
`wireless interface providing a connection on a customer
`basis for local user terminals to the server, to enable access
`to local content on the server, and a second wireless interface
`providing a connection to an external mobile network, to
`enable access to remote content on remote servers.
`
`[0007] Thus, the server of the present invention provides
`the customer with ready access to the local content via the
`first wireless interface and, should the customer require
`access to content not available locally, access to remote
`servers via the second wireless interface. Thus, it will be
`appreciated that if the services and information available
`locally are extensive, whereby the customer does not need to
`access remote servers, a very speedy service can be provided
`to the customer.
`
`In this contcxt ‘on a customcr basis” mcans that thc
`[0008]
`communication between the server and the user terminal
`shares at least one of the following characteristics associated
`with a customer transaction: authentication, encryption and
`customer billing capability. Authentication is necessary for
`properly establishing the identity of the customer, thereby
`preventing fraud. Encryption is also necessary to prevent
`fraud and to protect the privacy of the customer. Customer
`billing facilities are needed when a customer makes use of
`services which are not free.
`
`[0009] The second wireless interface in providing mobile
`access to the server, compromises the speed of the connec-
`tion for the sake of mobility. However,
`there may be
`occasions when the vehicle in which the server is installed
`
`is stationary in a so-called ‘hot-spot’ area where high speed
`access to an external network is available. To this end, in a
`preferred embodiment,
`the server also includes a third
`wireless interface providing a high speed, broadband con-
`
`nection to an external network. Thus, when the server
`detects that it is in a hot-spot area, the third wireless interface
`can be used for external network access in preference to the
`second wireless interface. In other embodiments, the server
`can use both the second and third interfaces simultaneously.
`The balancing of the relative utilisation of the second and
`third interfaces can made on the basis of overall system
`throughput.
`
`the server can
`in a hot-spot area,
`[0010] Additionally,
`update the local content via the third wireless interface.
`
`the server of the present
`In a preferred form,
`[0011]
`invention may be embodied as a standard, off-the-shelf
`laptop computer programmed to operate as a world wide
`web (WWW) server, and further including wireless network
`adapters, such as PCMCIA cards, providing the hardware
`and software functionality of the first, second and third
`interfaces. In other embodiments, the server of the present
`invention may be embodied by dedicated hardware and
`software.
`
`[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention,
`there is provided a method of carrying out commercial
`activity using a server, which is installed in a vehicle, having
`a first wireless interface providing a connection to local
`customer terminals and a second wireless interface provid-
`ing a connection to an external mobile network, the method
`comprising providing content located locally in the server
`and content located in a remote server and accessed by the
`second wireless interface, wherein the local and remote
`content are accessible by a local customer’s terminal via the
`first wireless interface.
`
`[0013] The method according to the second aspect of the
`present invention provides an advantageous way of doing
`business for the service provider in that a ready-made set of
`customers, i.e. the passengers on the vehicle, who often have
`nothing better to do that access the content on the server.
`
`thc mcthod may furthcr
`In onc cmbodimcnt,
`[0014]
`include the step of restricting access by the local customer’s
`terminal
`to content on remote servers.
`In this way,
`the
`service provider has additional influence over the extent to
`which remote content on remote server may be accessed.
`
`In one embodiment, the method may include the
`[0015]
`step of updating the local content via a third wireless
`interface capable of making a broadband connection with an
`external network. In this way, the need to physically visit the
`vehicle where the server is housed, for example, to install an
`updated CD-ROM, is avoided.
`
`[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, there
`is provided a system for providing content, comprising a
`service controller server connected to the internet; a local
`server, mounted in a vehicle, and user terminals, wherein the
`user terminals and the local server communicate on a
`customer basis over a first communication protocol, and the
`server and the service controller server communicate over a
`
`second cellular-system, communication protocol, whereby
`the user terminals can access the local server, and by its
`internet connection, remote servers.
`
`In the context of the present invention, ‘content’ is
`[0017]
`to be understood as covering both information per se, for
`example, advertisements, and services.
`
`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 5
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 5
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`US 2002/0073240 Al
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`Jun. 13, 2002
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are here-
`inafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which:
`
`[0019] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the server of the
`present invention installed in a carriage of a train;
`
`[0020] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the
`server of FIG. 1; and
`
`[0021] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention
`installed in a carriage of a train.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIIE
`INVENTION
`
`[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a server 50 in accordance with
`the present invention is shown installed in a protective wall
`cabinet 12 on board a carriage 14 of a public-transport train,
`which is shown in dotted lines. The server is installed in this
`way to avoid tampering and accidental damage. Within the
`carriage 14, there are a number of passengers (not shown),
`two of which have cellular telephones 16 equipped with a
`Bluetooth interface 18, and internet browsing software.
`
`[0023] The server 50 is an off-the-shelf laptop PC pro-
`grammed with software to operate as a WWW-server, which
`is described in more detail hereinafter, and provided with
`three wireless interfaces implemented by three PCMCIA
`cards. The first interface 55 is a Bluetooth interface which
`
`provides a broadband connection to the passengers’ cellular
`telephones. The second interface 60 is a WCDMA interface
`providing a connection to an external, public, mobile
`WCDMA network 62. The third interface 65 is a Hiperlan
`Wireless LAN interface providing a broadband connection
`to an external network 67, when broadband access is pos-
`sible in hot—spot areas such as at major train stations. The
`external network 67 is part of a private network installed by
`the public-transport company. As shown in FIG. 2, via either
`the second interface 60, or the third interface 65, the server
`50 is given access to a service controller server 90. In the
`case of the WCDMA network 62, the connection between
`the WCDMA network and the service controller server 90 is
`achieved via an ISDN connection 64. The service control
`server 90 is connected to the internet via a single gateway 92
`including a firewall.
`
`[0024] The software in the service controller server 90
`includes a number of functional modules. ADHCP (domain
`home control protocol) module 94 for assigning an indi-
`vidual address to the server 50. A NAT (network address
`translator) module 96 for locally-expanding the number of
`IP addresses recognised within the company’s network. An
`SMTP relay module 98 for forwarding emails. Amirror site
`module 108, including a Rsync program, CVSup program,
`and a proxy module ProxyPass directive, for duplicating a
`database of information at a remote site. A SNMP (simple
`network management protocol) module 102. A SSL (secure
`socket layer) module 104. A local content source module
`106. A remote network management protocol and useage
`monitoring module 108.
`
`[0025] The software in the server 50 includes a number of
`functional modules 70,72,74, and 76. An encryption, authen-
`tication and billing module 70 handles the commercial
`aspects of the transactions with passengers” terminals. Web
`authentication 70 is necessary for properly establishing the
`
`identity of the customer, thereby preventing fraud. Encryp-
`tion is also necessary to prevent fraud and to protect the
`privacy of the customer. Customer billing facilities are
`needed when a customer makes use of services which are not
`
`free. Alocal content module 72 provides an extensive body
`of local content including services and information for the
`passengers” to access. Examples include news, cartoons,
`music, video, timetables, games, electronic commerce, and
`advertisements. Some of the content is free and for other
`content a fee is levied. An access control module 74 controls
`and balances access to the external network by the second
`and third interface 60 and 65. The module 74 also operates
`to restrict free access to the whole internet at the discretion
`of the server operator. An update module 76 enables the
`server software, including the content, to be updated when
`broadband access in hot-spot areas is possible.
`
`In use, when a passenger boards the carriage 14 for
`[0026]
`the daily journey to or from the workplace, he can pass time
`or engage in some more fruitful activity by logging on to the
`server 50 via the Bluetooth connection between the first
`interface 55 of the server 50 and that of the cellular tele-
`phone. The module 70 ensures the integrity of the connec-
`tion by providing authentication and encryption. Once the
`user is authenticated locally, this information is passed to the
`service controller server 90 via the WCDMA network 62 and
`
`then the ISDN line 64, where the DHCP protocol module
`assigns an individual IP address to the user. Because there
`may be more user terminals at one time than there are IP
`addresses allocated to the transport company’s network, the
`NAT 96 is also needed. If the passenger wants to make use
`of the non-free content, then the module 70 also takes care
`of registering the passenger for billing purposes and running
`the billing process. For the local content 72, the passenger
`enjoys a very speedy service because of the high data rates
`which the Bluetooth connection can support.
`
`If the passenger attempts to access a remote server,
`[0027]
`this request is passed to the access control module 74. The
`access control module 74 is responsible for determining
`whether to permit access to the requested sever. The access
`control module 74 provides an IP address filtering function
`and may also contains a black-list of specific internet
`addresses in respect of which it denies access an access
`request from a passenger. If the module 74 determines that
`access is permitted,
`it also determines by which of the
`second and third interfaces 60, 65 external network access is
`to be achieved. The access control module 74 determines
`which interface to use by first instructing the third interface
`65 to attempt to make a connection with an external network
`67.
`
`in a
`In the normal case when the train is not
`[0028]
`hot-spot, such as for example, when the train is moving
`between stations or stationary in a minor station which is not
`equipped with a broadband access point
`to an external
`network, the third interface 65 fails to make a connection,
`whereby in default, the access control module 74 makes a
`mobile connection to the WCDMA network 62 via the
`
`second interface 60. Through this connection, access to the
`service controller server 90 is achieved, through the gateway
`92 of which access to the internet and finally the remote
`servers 80 can be achieved.
`
`In the less frequent case where the train is in a
`[0029]
`hot-spot area, for example, stationary in a train station where
`
`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 6
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 6
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`US 2002/0073240 A1
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`Jun. 13, 2002
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`a broadband access point to an external network is available,
`then the attempt by the third interface to make a connection
`with the external network 67 is successful and the access
`control module 74 makes use of the third interface 65.
`
`Through this connection. access to the service controller
`server 90 is achieved, through the gateway of which access
`to the internet and finally the remote content on remote
`servers 90 is accomplished. From a passenger’s perspective,
`the speed of access to remote servers compares favourably
`with that via the second interface 60 because the downlink
`connection between the network 67 and the third interface
`
`does not act as a data bottleneck. It will be appreciated that
`it
`is a significant advantage of this embodiment of the
`advantage that internet access is maintained at all times
`(within the coverage of the WCDMA network).
`
`In a hot-spot area, the update module 76 can take
`[0030]
`advantage of the broadband connection with the external
`network 67 and download updates in the content provided
`locally, for example, the latest news or other information
`updates, or additional/replacement services to be offered as
`local content, an updated list of black-listed internet
`addresses or additional software for the server to run. The
`
`downloading is handled in the service controller module 108
`by the mirror site module 108 which brings the local server
`into line with the local content source module database in the
`service controller module. The request for updating can be
`made by either server 50 or the server 90.
`
`In other embodiments, instead of a cellular tele-
`[0031]
`phone, other types of user terminal such as a wearable
`computer, multimedia terminal, PDA, communicator, wrist—
`watch or a laptop fitted with a wireless network adapter may
`be used.
`
`In other embodiments, instead of a GSM interface,
`[0032]
`the first interface 55 can be PDC, PHS, EDGE, GPRS,
`WCDMA, [MT-2000, CDMAOne, ICO Iridium or GoldStar
`interface.
`
`In other embodiments, instead of a Bluetooth inter-
`[0033]
`face, the second interface 60 can be a Hiperlan Wireless
`LAN, IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN, MMAC Wireless LAN,
`Wireless IEEE 1394, Home RF or IRDA interface.
`
`In other embodiments, instead of a Hiperlan Wire-
`[0034]
`less LAN interface, the third interface 65 can be an IEEE
`802.11, MMAC Wireless LAN, Bluetooth IEEE 802.16,
`IEEE 802.15, ETSI Hiperaccess, ARIB T-58 or ARIB T-59
`interface. The external network 67 may also be part of a
`public network.
`
`[0035] The server can be installed in other vehicles such as
`a bus, metro, tram, taxi, private car, aircraft, ferry or boat.
`
`In other embodiments of the invention, function-
`[0036]
`ality can be shifted between the service controller server 90
`and the server 50 according to practical system require-
`ments. For example, the IP address filtering fimction of the
`access control module 74 can be resident in the service
`controller server 90 instead of the server 50 as described
`
`above. Likewise, the client billing functionality can also be
`shifted to the service controller server 90.
`
`[0037] From the server provider’s/service provider’s point
`of view, the above-illustrated embodiment is an advanta-
`geous way of carrying out e-commerce. Importantly,
`the
`service provider has a ready-made set of customers, i.e. the
`
`passengers, with nothing much to do except access the
`content available from the server 50. In addition, the content
`which is local
`to the server 50 by virtue of its ready
`accessibility as compared to with that available from a
`remote server 90, if for no other reason than speed of access,
`is likely to be highly preferred by the passengers, and so with
`no costs to be incurred for mobile network connections and
`
`with reasonable pricing of the local content, long-lasting use
`of the services will be encouraged. If slow access alone
`proves to be insufficient disincentive to access certain
`remote servers 90, then the access control module 74 can
`prevent access to certain remote servers. These factors
`combine to give the service provider unprecedented influ-
`ence over the range of content a customer can access.
`Further, the service provider has the opportunity to charge
`third party companies for storing content locally. The above-
`illustrated embodiment makes extensive good use of the
`public cellular architecture to maintain a mobile connection
`via the second interface 65.
`
`[0038] Also, the updating module 76 of the server enables
`the service provider to keep the content stored locally on the
`server up-to-date with minimum bother, the updating of the
`local content taking place via the third interface 65, thereby
`avoiding the need to physically visit the server, for example,
`to install an updated CD-ROM.
`
`the
`[0039] Because of these favourable circumstances,
`internet portal initially presented by the server 50 to the
`passengers would become very familiar, whereby the portal
`could be made into a valuable brand. A premium can be
`charged by the service provider for links to content residing
`locally on the server 50, as compared with links to content
`on remote servers 70.
`
`[0040] FIG. 3 represent a different way of implementing
`the present invention. In this drawing, similar parts have
`been given the same number. The server 120 is similar to the
`server 50 in the FIG. 1 embodiment. It differs in that the
`
`second interface which provides connection to a network
`external of the carriage is not a link providing mobility, like
`a cellular system link, but can be any other kind of RF
`connection, for instance, any of the WLAN standards pre-
`viously mentioned. Also, the server is provided with mesh
`and/or ad-hoc routing protocols. The effect of this is that
`each carriage in the train behaves as the node of mesh and/or
`adhoc network, whereby if a server cannot, for a time,
`communicate with a part of the core network 125,
`the
`network routing paths are reconfigured such that the traffic
`which it wishes to transmit is routed over the air to another
`
`server in another carriage which is able to currently access
`the core network. Otherwise, this embodiment has all the
`functionality and advantages of the previously described
`embodiment.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A server suitable for a vehicle having a first wireless
`interface providing a connection on a customer basis for
`local user terminals to the server, to enable access to local
`content on the server, and a second wireless interface
`providing a connection to an external mobile network, to
`enable access to remote content on remote servers,
`
`2. A server as in claim 1, comprising a third wireless
`interface providing a broadband connection to an external
`network,
`to enable access to remote content on remote
`servers.
`
`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 7
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 7
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`US 2002/0073240 Al
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`Jun. 13, 2002
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`3. A server as in claim 2, wherein the server includes
`detection means to determine the presence of an external
`network capable of making a broadband connection with the
`third wireless interface.
`4. A server as in claim 3, wherein the server includes
`access control means responsive to the detection means to
`determine the utilisation of the second and third interfaces.
`5. A server as in claim 4, wherein the server includes
`content update means for updating the local content on the
`server via the third wireless interface.
`6. A server as in claims 1, comprising a computer pro-
`grammed to operate as a world wide web server and includ-
`ing first and second network data adapters providing the first
`and second wireless interfaces, respectively.
`7. A server as in claim 1, further comprising a third
`wireless interface providing a broadband connection to an
`external network,
`to enable access to remote content on
`remote servers and a computer programmed to operate as a
`world wide web server and including first and second
`network data adapters providing the first and second wire-
`less interfaces, respectively, wherein a third network data
`adapter provides the third wireless interface.
`8. A method of providing content using a server, which is
`installed in a vehicle, having a first wireless interface
`providing a connection to local customer terminals and a
`second wireless interface providing a connection to an
`external mobile network, the method comprising providing
`content located locally in the server and content located in
`a remote server and accessed by the second wireless inter-
`face, wherein the local and remote content are accessible by
`a local customer’s terminal via the first wireless interface.
`
`9. A method as in claim 8, further comprising the step of
`restricting access by the local customer’s terminal to content
`on remote servers.
`
`10. Amethod as in claim 8, further comprising the step of
`updating the local content via a third wireless interface
`
`capable of making a broadband connection with an external
`network.
`
`11. A method as in claim 8, further comprising generating
`revenue by charging third party companies for storing their
`content locally.
`12. A method as in claim 11, wherein the server provides
`an internet portal to the customers, wherein the method
`further comprises the step of charging a premium to third
`party companies for links to content stored locally over that
`for links for content stored remotely.
`13. A system for providing content, comprising:
`
`a service controller server connected to the internet;
`
`a local server, mounted in a vehicle, and user tcrminals,
`wherein the user terminals and the local server com-
`municate on a customer basis over a first communica-
`tion protocol, and the server and the service controller
`server communicate over a second cellular-system,
`communication protocol, whereby the user terminals
`can access the local server, and by its internet connec—
`tion, remote servers.
`14. A system for providing content, comprising:
`
`a core network comprising a plurality of fixed nodes; a
`plurality of local servers, mounted in a train or the like,
`and storing local content;
`
`a plurality of user terminals which can access the local
`server; wherein the local servers and the fixed nodes are
`programmed to operate as a dynamically re-routing
`mesh or ad-hoc wireless network to facilitate access by
`the local servers to the core network and then other
`external networks.
`
`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 8
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`Petitioner Motorola Mobility LLC - Exhibit 1004 - Page 8
`
`