(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0061155A1
`Ji et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`US 20070061155A1
`
`(54) UNIVERSAL VEHICLE COMMUNICATION
`& MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Yiming Ji, Auburn, AL (US); Saad
`Biaz, Auburn, AL (US); Shaoen Wu,
`Auburn, AL (US)
`d
`Address:
`C
`Yinini CCACCSS
`RE of S. E, 107 Ryall
`uburn University,
`(73) Assignees: Yiming Ji, Auburn University (US);
`Saad Biaz Auburn University (US); Sha-
`oen Wu Auburn Universit
`s s
`s
`y
`11A162.501
`9
`Sep. 13, 2005
`Publication Classification
`
`21) Appl. No.:
`(21) Appl. No
`(22) Filed:
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06Q 99/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................................................................. 705/1
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`57
`(57)
`The invention provides a method for integrating the mobile
`vehicle with existing or future Public Land Mobile Net
`works (PLMN). The PLMN may be any existing cellular
`networks (GSM, CDMA, HSPDA, HSUPA) or future 4G
`network and future high speed data network WiMAX. Based
`on the wireless connection with existing public networks,
`mobile vehicle provides in-vehicle wireless connection.
`With unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as the
`system ID number, the vehicle (including the in-vehicle
`microcomputer), the public network PLMN, and the man
`agement Distributed Database System form a so called
`Universal Vehicle Communication & Management System
`CMS). The UVCMS provides a unified management for
`p
`9.
`all vehicles nationwide, Some exemplary managements
`include: 1) Registration; 2) Insurance; 3) Billing (Toll,
`parking, and fine); 4) User tracking, and stolen car tracking;
`5) Speed management; 6) Emergency management; 7) Traf
`fic management; 8) Dangerous driver protection; and 9)
`Vehicle operational statistics management.
`
`
`
`Wirelegs interface
`
`Wehicle wireless system
`
`
`
`VIN registration insurance speed toll location.
`- I - I - I - - - -
`
`Database SEIFE:f
`
`Distributed Database System
`
`Schematic architecture of the UWCMS system
`
`UNIFIED PATENTS EXHIBIT 1024
`Page 1 of 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 15, 2007 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2007/0061155 A1
`
`
`
`Wireless interface
`
`Wehicle Wireless system
`
`
`
`WIN registration.
`
`Dahis. Sir
`
`Distributed Database System
`
`FIG.1 Schematic architecture of the UWCMS system
`
`
`
`FIS. 2 Wehicle coordination system
`
`UNIFIED PATENTS EXHIBIT 1024
`Page 2 of 9
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 15, 2007 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2007/0061155 A1
`
`
`
`gue from
`administration
`agent
`
`up from
`administrator
`agert{2}
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Emergery
`
`Ertegery
`2
`
`-3-ols) rath of
`
`FL
`
`eto, ore or note intern ediate Wehicles
`
`Reply Relayed
`
`Call-for-help
`
`Call-for-help Relayed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Query Relayed
`
`guery Relayed
`
`Call-for-help Relayed
`
`---
`
`Fl. 4
`
`Immunication between the Wehicle did the administratin Higalization
`
`UNIFIED PATENTS EXHIBIT 1024
`Page 3 of 9
`
`

`

`US 2007/006 1155 A1
`
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`UNIVERSAL VEHICLE COMMUNICATION &
`MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. This invention relates to a vehicle management as
`well as a wireless communication system. In particular, the
`invention relates to: 1) a method of integrating wireless
`communication networks with mobile vehicles; 2) a method
`of unified vehicle management system; and 3) a method to
`provide wireless services to drivers, passengers, and admin
`istration organizations.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002. According to the Annual Estimates of the Popula
`tion for the United States by Jul. 1, 2004, there are about 294
`million people in the country. If every 10 people own one
`automobile in average, then there are 29.4 million vehicles
`in use in U.S. The automobiles are the most important family
`estate in daily use. Recent studies indicate that, on average,
`U.S. residents are spending more time in traffic than ever
`before. And three in-vehicle digital data related with wire
`less technology are expected increased demand, they are:
`amusements, ways to be productive, and reliable informa
`tion about traffic and alternative routes. Thus it is desirable
`to provide wireless network communication services to the
`drivers and passengers.
`0003) On the other hand, currently there exists no effi
`cient vehicle management system that can be used for the
`ever increasing vehicles. For example, the policemen still
`have to use radar monitoring devices to manually measure
`the vehicles speed along the road; for a stolen car, there is
`no effective tracking system that allows the police depart
`ment to locate the vehicle within minutes in the country; for
`toll facilities, such as toll roads, and toll bridges, currently,
`stop-to-pay collection system is still popularly adopted
`which delays the traffic especially during the traffic time; and
`for emergency, the call-for-help message has to rely on the
`drivers or other on-site drivers, thus it delays the rescue
`procedure; and most importantly, when emergency happens,
`real time traffic alert on this route is notable to be efficiently
`relayed to other coming vehicles, thus serious traffic condi
`tion arises. Finally, for dangerous drivers (at out-of-limit
`driving speed, or unconscious-driving due to sleep, drunk, or
`drug), there is no control mechanisms to secure them and
`other nearby vehicles. Therefore, it is of particular impor
`tance to design a unified vehicle management system that
`provides universal management for all vehicles for the
`whole country.
`0004 The objective of this invention is to provide a
`unified methodology to integrate the wireless communica
`tion networks with the automobiles in use in the country.
`This way, passengers freely access wireless networks in
`journey. With a Distributed Database System and the vehicle
`identification number (VIN), authority or administration
`organization is able to track and manage vehicles nation
`wide. At the same time, the system provides vehicle owners
`the ability to obtain the major operation information about
`the automobile, the traffic information on the road, and
`available routes to destinations. And when emergency, the
`vehicle is able to automatically send out call-for-help infor
`mation to the nearby vehicles or to nearby wireless base
`stations.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`0005 Universal Vehicle Communication & Management
`System (UVCMS) is a system that provides wireless com
`munication and management functionalities for all vehicles
`in the country.
`0006 Wireless communication is offered between the
`vehicle and the base stations (BS), as well as between the
`vehicle and in-vehicle (mobile) wireless devices. Typical
`network communications include voice (VoIP), video, data,
`Internet, instant messaging, chatting, and interactive games.
`0007. The UVCMS system provides unified management
`services for all vehicles in the country. Typical management
`functionalities include: 1. Vehicle operational statistics and
`error diagnosis; 2. Vehicle management: parking, toll col
`lection, location tracking, anti-theft security, and stolen car
`tracking; 3. Vehicle speed management: automatic speed
`report to authority organization, speed control according to
`the regulated speed limit; 4. Emergency: automatic call
`for-help in case of emergency with vehicle location infor
`mation; 5. Traffic control: real time traffic information along
`the route, and alternative driving directions in case of heavy
`traffic on the original route.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0008 FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture frame of the
`UVCMS system.
`0009 FIG. 2 defines the vehicle coordination system in
`two directions.
`0010 FIG. 3 is a schematic description of the wireless
`access mechanisms for the mobile vehicle
`0011 FIG. 4 is an illustration of the communication
`between the vehicle and the administration organization.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`0012. This section presents in detail the embodiments of
`the proposed system.
`
`System Architecture
`0013 As shown in FIG. 1, Universal Vehicle Communi
`cation & Management System (UVCMS) contains three
`major components: existing Public Land Mobile Network
`(PLMN), the Distributed Database System (DDBS), and the
`Vehicle with two wireless interfaces. These components are
`detailed as follows:
`0014) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) provides
`Internet communication service. It can be any currently
`available cellular network including GSM, CDMA,
`HSPDA, and HSUPA. Also, it can be the future 4G network
`or the coming high speed data network WiMAX network
`with IEEE802.16 standard.
`0015. Vehicle is the most important component in the
`UVCMS system. Each vehicle contains one microcomputer,
`and each microcomputer includes two wireless interfaces:
`Interface-I is used to communicate with the PLMN network
`in cellular mode, it can also communicate with other
`vehicles (through the Interface-I) in ad hoc mode; and the
`Interface-II provides wireless connection for the in-vehicle
`wireless devices. The microcomputer bears the system name
`
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`as the vehicle's unique (17-digit) vehicle identification num
`ber (VIN), and each vehicle maps the MAC address of the
`wireless Interface-I with the VIN.
`0016. The internal wireless local area network (from
`Interface-II) uses the available industry wireless local area
`network Standard or the personal network standard, like
`IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth.
`0017 Distribute Database System (DDBS) is a unified
`database management system that is stored on multiple
`servers throughout the country. According to the unique
`Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the database system
`dynamically saves (or updates) Such vehicle information as
`VIN, location (state, road), speed, billing information (i.e.,
`toll collection, traffic ticket), registration status, and vehicle
`insurance information.
`
`Microcomputer Component
`0018. Every vehicle contains one embedded microcom
`puter. Vehicle manufacturers program the Software running
`in the microcomputer when the car is built. At the same time,
`the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is integrated into
`the microcomputer as the unique microcomputer ID. This ID
`is again mapped to the MAC address of the wireless inter
`face card used to connect with the Public Land Mobile
`Network (PLMN). The microcomputer ID is unchangeable.
`0019. The microcomputer contains two wireless inter
`faces. The Interface-I provides wireless access to the Public
`Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and the Interface-II pro
`vides in-vehicle wireless access. Besides, the microcom
`puter is connected with all micro sensors and controllers in
`vehicle. They are used to provide major operational statistics
`and help to diagnose the errors. Most micro sensors and
`controllers are common existing devices for general
`vehicles, and they are used to provide normal operational
`statistics for the vehicle. Such as driving speed, engine
`status, tire pressure, lights, emission, and temperature.
`0020. The UVCMS system contains one GPS receiver
`and two additional sensors in order to manage the vehicle.
`The first sensor is a two-dimensional accelerometer, and the
`second one is a speed-controller. The two-dimensional
`accelerometer detects acceleration changes in two horizontal
`dimensions (longitudinal and latitudinal as defined in FIG.
`2). The speed-controller manages the speed of the vehicle by
`slowing down (upon speeding) or completely stopping the
`vehicle (when driving in recklessness or unconsciousness).
`0021. The microcomputer periodically sends out latest
`vehicle information to the Distributed Database System
`(DDBS) for administration purpose. The information may
`include the VIN, current location (state, road), driving
`speed, billing status in case of passing the toll road or toll
`bridge, and emergency information (when necessary). When
`starting the vehicle and when reaching the destination, the
`microcomputer sends the initial and the final vehicle infor
`mation to the DDBS to update the vehicle's location infor
`mation (including time). This way, the vehicle can be traced
`according to the VIN by the administration office or control
`center through wireless network.
`0022 Besides the wireless communication, the micro
`computer is also used to provide current operational statis
`tics and further to control the vehicle through micro sensors
`and controllers. For example, the microcomputer is able to
`
`send control information to the speed-controller to slow
`down the vehicle if the vehicle exceeds the regulated speed
`limit (which is obtained through the wireless communica
`tion); or the microcomputer is able to issue command to the
`speed-controller to completely shutdown the vehicle in case
`of emergency. When emergency, microcomputer also auto
`matically sends out warning signal to nearby vehicles as
`well as the call-for-help message to wireless base station
`(BS).
`
`Wireless Network Access
`0023 The wireless Interface-I of the microcomputer sys
`tem in the vehicle is able to communicate with nearby base
`stations (BS) and to access the Public Land Mobile Network
`(PLMN). The PLMN can be any currently available cellular
`networks: GSM, CDMA, HSPDA, HSUPA or the next
`generation (4G) network. The PLMN can also be the coming
`high speed data network WiMAX network based on the
`IEEE 802.16 standard.
`0024. In the cellular mode, both the wireless Interface-I
`and the BS are able to monitor the received signal strength
`(SS) from each other. Based on the received SS, the BS and
`the vehicle collaborate with each other, and manage the
`wireless handoff along the border area of the two neighbor
`ing BSs dynamically and transparently. We call the wireless
`connection between the vehicle and the BS as direct con
`nection. In FIG. 2, the vehicles from V1 to V7 are connected
`with BS directly. Vehicles V2 is in the handoff process from
`BS tower T2 to T1; and vehicle V5 is going to handoff from
`T4 to TS.
`0025. In case there is no BS around when the vehicle is
`far away from the main road, the wireless Interface-I for the
`vehicle is able to search and further connect with nearby
`vehicles (if available) in ad hoc mode. With multiple hop
`(relay) connection, the vehicle is able to connect with the
`PLMN through the closest BS. We call this type of connec
`tion as indirect connection. In FIG. 2, vehicles V8 to V10 are
`not within the wireless BS coverage area. In the Figure,
`Vehicle V8 connects to BS T2 through vehicle V3: V.9
`connects to T4 through V6; and V10 connects to T3 through
`V7. The connection between vehicles is in ad hoc mode.
`
`In-vehicle Network Service
`0026 In-vehicle network service is provided by wireless
`Interface-II of the microcomputer system inside the vehicle.
`The internal wireless local area network can base on cur
`rently industry wireless local area network (IEEE 802.11
`standard) or the personal network (Bluetooth standard).
`0027. In the internal vehicle wireless local area network,
`any standard compatible wireless devices can be used, some
`of the devices include mobile phone, PDA, handhelds, and
`laptop. These mobile devices connect with the wireless
`Interface-II directly; and through the vehicle's wireless
`interface (the Interface-I introduced in the previous section),
`these mobile devices are connected to the PLMN. Thus, all
`the passengers can enjoy the Internet services along the
`journey. The network service may include data, online
`movie, game, electronic map searching, weather forecast
`query and all other Internet applications available in wired
`line networks.
`0028 Besides, the driver can also access (when neces
`sary) or be informed the real time traffic information ahead
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`of the driving road; and in case of heavy traffic on the road,
`the microcomputer will suggest alternative routes to the
`destination.
`
`Location Determination
`0029. The location information of the vehicle can be
`determined by two different approaches. The first method is
`based on the satellite network from a Global Positioning
`System (GPS) receiver at each vehicle; and the second
`method is based on the localization algorithms in local area
`networks.
`0030) The GPS enables location determination with
`10-15 m resolution at low cost (around S100), and it is
`reasonable to expect in the coming years the GPS feature to
`reach very low prices close to S10. Consequently, it is
`affordable and realistic to provide a GPS circuitry for each
`vehicle.
`0031. The approach of localization algorithm is an alter
`native method to determine the vehicle's location. This
`method is less restricted by the weather condition and the
`operating environment. In general this approach uses the
`received Signal Strength (SS) from Base Stations (BS) (or
`other vehicles with known location) to determine the vehi
`cle's location. Generally three reference positions from BS
`(or other vehicles) can uniquely determine the vehicle's
`location in a 2D space. Some famous localization algorithms
`include lateration algorithm and multidimensional scaling
`algorithm.
`
`Dangerous Driver Protection
`0032. The microcomputer of the vehicle is connected
`with micro sensors and controllers that are used to provide
`major operational statistics and to help diagnose the errors.
`Most micro sensors and controllers are common existing
`devices for general vehicles, and they are used to provide
`operational statistics of the vehicle. Some of the operational
`statistics include: lights, emission, engine temperature, tire
`pressure, battery, mileage, and driving speed.
`0033 Each vehicle also includes one GPS receiver and
`two new sensors: one two-dimensional accelerometer and
`one speed-controller. The two-dimensional accelerometer
`detects changes of the acceleration in two dimensions (lon
`gitudinal and latitudinal as defined in FIG. 2). The speed
`controller manages the speed of the vehicle upon dangerous
`situations. The dangerous situation means extremely high
`driving speed (above speed limit) or abnormal acceleration
`in both directions (longitudinal and latitudinal as defined in
`FIG. 2) that are caused by adverse weather, and/or improp
`erly driven manner. Adverse weather, like ice, heavy rain,
`and Snow, may require reduced driving speeds as regulated
`by administration organization; and improperly driven
`vehicles refer to those vehicles operated by drivers that are
`reckless or physically impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.
`0034. When the vehicle continuously exceeds the regu
`lated speed limit, or when there is a continuing change in
`accelerate (longitudinal and/or latitudinal), the microcom
`puter will issue a command to the speed-controller to slow
`down the vehicle or even to completely shutdown the
`vehicle. At the same time, emergency information is sent out
`to the administration organization, and alarm signals
`(including flashing lights) are send out continuously to the
`driver and to all other nearby vehicles.
`
`Vehicle Management
`0035. The vehicle management includes five sub-units.
`They are: 1) Registration management; 2) Insurance man
`agement; 3) Billing (Toll, parking, and fine) management; 4)
`User tracking, and stolen car tracking management; and 5)
`Speed management.
`0036) Registration and insurance management units man
`age the records in the Distributed Database System (DDBS)
`for each vehicle according to the unique Vehicle Identified
`Number (VIN). The registration record can only be updated
`by the authority organization (the Department of Motor
`Vehicle). And the Insurance record can only be updated by
`the authorized insurance companies. When the term of the
`registration and the insurance comes close to the end,
`registration/insurance renewal notices are generated auto
`matically to the drivers. Any vehicles without registration
`and insurance, when operating, the microcomputer will send
`warning messages to the administration office resulting fines
`that will be billed in the Billing management unit.
`0037 Billing management unit manages the financial
`information for the vehicle. The bills include those from
`normal toll collection road and toll collection parking area,
`and from fines like speeding and other traffic tickets.
`0038. As shown in FIG. 3 in row (A), when the vehicle
`are passing the toll collection road or entering the toll
`collection parking area, the toll collection management unit
`(the administration agent) will issue a query data packet to
`the vehicle. The query asks the vehicle's ID. Upon receiving
`the query packet through the wireless Interface-I, the micro
`computer replies with its VIN. Then the toll collection
`management will add a bill to the vehicle according to the
`VIN from the distributed database system. The toll-collec
`tion bill includes the amount of money, the time and the
`location. At the same time, a message is generated auto
`matically by the microcomputer to inform the driver for the
`billing information.
`0.039
`Similarly, when the driver violates the traffic laws
`and get traffic tickets (including speeding tickets), a fine bill
`will be added to the distributed database system. The fine bill
`includes the amount of money, the reason of the fine, and the
`time and the location of the violation.
`0040. The bill for the vehicle will be sent to the driver
`electrically, or it may be printed and delivered to the driver's
`home address through post mails every month.
`0041) User tracking management unit is to keep a record
`of the vehicle's location in the distributed database system.
`The vehicle's location information is available all the time
`when requested by the administration organization. When
`the vehicle is operating, any request from the administration
`organization is guaranteed to get a feedback from the
`microcomputer in a format as shown in FIG. 4 (A) and (B).
`The location record in the Distributed Database System may
`be updated periodically according to the administration
`requirements. Moreover, when the vehicle starts and stops,
`the microcomputer will automatically send out an updating
`message to the Distributed Database System (DDBS), this
`message is used to record the initial and the final locations
`for the vehicle.
`0042. The location record in the database system may
`include state, road, road number, as well as the latitude and
`longitude coordinates.
`
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`0043. If a vehicle is stolen, the administration organiza
`tion can issue a command querying the location for the
`vehicle. The query is broadcasted in cellular and in ad hoc
`mode as shown in FIG. 4 (A) and (B). The microcomputer
`of the vehicle, when receiving the query message, will
`respond with its current location automatically because the
`program in the microcomputer is not changeable by users.
`According to the current location, the policemen are able to
`catch the vehicle easily.
`0044 Speed management: The vehicle speed manage
`ment unit contains three related functionalities: monitoring,
`reporting, and regulating.
`o Monitoring: The monitoring functionality includes two
`Sub-management units. The first is to monitor the speed for
`a particular vehicle, and the Second is to monitor the speed
`for all vehicles on the particular road.
`0045 When the administration organization wants to
`monitor the speed of a particular vehicle or to monitor the
`speed at a particular area, the administration agent issues a
`query to that vehicle using the VIN. The microcomputer of
`the vehicle, when receiving the query message, will respond
`with the current driving speed as well as the speed limit of
`this road to the administration agent. The obtained speed
`report will be updated in the Distributed Database System
`(DDBS) together with associated time and location. The
`speed limit is broadcasted by the PLMN at each local road
`periodically. This way, the administration organization
`needs not to manually measure the vehicles speed along the
`road.
`0046) When the administration organization wants to
`monitor the vehicles speed along a particular road, the
`administration agent issues queries to all vehicles on this
`road. When a vehicle receives the query, the microcomputer
`reports its speed with the VIN. This way, the administration
`organization obtains the statistical speed data for the inter
`ested road. And it helps overall speed management.
`0047 o Reporting: When the speed of a vehicle is con
`tinuously higher than the regulated speed limit for that road,
`the microcomputer is able to automatically report to the
`administration office for (fine) billing management. At the
`same time, the microcomputer will issue an alarm signal to
`the driver (in order to slow down the speed) and to other
`nearby vehicles (for safety).
`0.048 o Regulating: If the speed is continuously exceed
`ing the speed limit with the predefined threshold by the
`administration organization, the microcomputer issues com
`mand to the speed-controller to force the vehicle to slow
`down or even to completely shut down the vehicle. At the
`same time, the microcomputer reports to the administration
`office for billing management, and also alarms the driver as
`well as other nearby vehicles. The speed regulation func
`tionality is not changeable or adjustable, except for those
`special administration vehicles.
`Emergency Control
`0049. When emergency, for example, car accident, car
`broken down, or other unanticipated situation in the journey,
`the microcomputer is able to automatically issue call-for
`help data packets to administration organization. The call
`for-help message may also be issued manually by the driver
`or passengers in vehicle. It is sent from wireless Interface-I
`
`to nearby base station (BS) or through nearby vehicles as a
`format shown in FIG. 4(C) and (D).
`0050. The call-for-help data packet will include the VIN,
`location information, as well as other available information
`like the accident type (i.e. crash accelerate speed, airbag
`condition, engine condition, body condition), or the broken
`down type (i.e. tire broken, engine information, battery).
`Administration office will decide the level of the emergency
`and propose proper rescue plan accordingly.
`Traffic Management
`0051 Traffic management unit manages the traffic pro
`gressively according to the traffic status along the roads.
`When emergency happens, the traffic management unit
`broadcasts the traffic jam information along the direction to
`the congestion area. Upon receiving the traffic information,
`the microcomputer informs the driver, and additionally it
`provides alternative routes to the same destination. This
`way, the traffic is managed optimally.
`
`Distributed Database System
`0.052) Distributed Database System (DDBS) is a unified
`database system that is stored on multiple servers throughout
`the country. DDBS is managed only by administration
`organization or authorized organizations. According to the
`unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the database
`system saves or dynamically updates such vehicle informa
`tion: VIN, location (state, road, the latitude and longitude
`coordinates), speed, billing information (toll collection with
`location and time, and fine with ticket category, location and
`time), registration status, insurance status, and other neces
`sary information as required by the administration organi
`Zations.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A Universal Vehicle Communication & management
`System (UVCMS) for vehicle wireless communication and
`for vehicle management using existing public land mobile
`network (PLMN), comprising:
`(i) the vehicle with a microcomputer;
`(ii) a universal distributed database system;
`(iii) a method of activating vehicle wireless data commu
`nication by integrating the mobile (iv) vehicle with the
`Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN);
`(iv) uniform vehicle management service.
`2. The microcomputer of claim 1 further comprising:
`(i) system ID is the unique Vehicle Identification Number
`(VIN);
`(ii) microcomputer contains two wireless interfaces:
`(a) The MAC address of Interface-I uniquely maps to
`VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and the Inter
`face-I is used to connect the vehicle with PLMN or
`with other nearby vehicles;
`(b) the second Interface-II provides wireless connec
`tion for in-vehicle mobile devices using existing
`local area network standard IEEE 802.11 or personal
`network standard Bluetooth.
`3. Vehicle wireless data communication of claim 1 further
`comprising:
`
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`(i) In-vehicle wireless communication: in-vehicle wire
`less devices communicate with the wireless Interface
`II, and the communication includes any standard net
`work communications, like data, Voice (VoIP), video,
`and game. The in-vehicle wireless devices include any
`standard compatible wireless devices, such as mobile
`phone, PDA, Handhelds (mobile minicomputers), and
`laptop;
`(ii) Vehicle-PLMN communication in cellular mode: (a)
`vehicle communicates with PLMN through Interface-I;
`(b) and any data packets out from the vehicle contain
`the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); (c) all
`requests from administration organizations are guaran
`teed to be answered by the microcomputer;
`(iii) Vehicle-Vehicle communication in ad hoc mode: (a)
`the communications are through wireless Interface-I;
`(b) any data packets out from a vehicle contain that
`vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); (c) all
`requests (relayed by other vehicles) from administra
`tion organizations are guaranteed to be answered by the
`microcomputer.
`4. Universal Distributed Database System (DDBS) of
`claim 1 further comprising:
`(i) the contents of the universal Distributed Database
`System are determined only by administration organi
`zations. In general, DDBS may contains Vehicle Iden
`tification Number (VIN), location (state, road, the lati
`tude and longitude coordinates), speed, billing
`information (toll collection with location and time, and
`fine with ticket category, location and time), registra
`tion status, and insurance status;
`(ii) the universal Distributed Database System is managed
`and operated only by administration organizations or
`authorized organizations;
`(iii) universal Distributed Database System may be stored
`on multiple servers at different locations;
`(iv) universal Distributed Database System saves the most
`latest information for all vehicles in the country.
`5. The vehicle management service of claim 1 further
`comprising:
`(i) guaranteed response from operating vehicle when
`requested by queries from administration organiza
`tions;
`(ii) regulated vehicle management functionalities from
`administration organizations.
`6. Query of claim 5 further comprising:
`(i) The query from administration organizations can be
`grouped into two categories:
`(a) the first query is for a specified vehicle, and the
`query must contain that vehicle's Vehicle Identifica
`tion Number (VIN); (b) the second query is for
`multiple vehicles, (for example, to obtain vehicles
`speed information on a specified road) and it is
`broadcasted to all vehicles at the interested area;
`(ii) query is sent to Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)
`by administration organizations;
`(iii) query is received at vehicle from Interface-I;
`
`(iv) when requested by administration organization, query
`is also broadcasted from vehicles in ad hoc mode.
`7. Guaranteed response of claim 5 further comprising:
`(i) when receiving a query data packet, (a) if the data
`packet contains a VIN, then each vehicle compares the
`VIN within the query packet with its own VIN: if the
`query is asking information for itself, then the micro
`computer issues a responding packet automatically; (b)
`if the data packet is for every vehicle on the road, then
`all microcomputers at all vehicles issue responding
`packets;
`(ii) each responding packet from the vehicle, besides the
`necessary answers to the query, must also contains the
`Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), its current loca
`tion, and current time. The location contains the state,
`road, road number, as well as the latitude and longitude
`coordinates, and the location information is obtained
`from GPS system or from distributed localization algo
`rithms.
`8. Regulated vehicle management functionalities of claim
`5 further comprising:
`(i) registration management;
`(ii) insurance management;
`(iii) billing management;
`(iv) user tracking management;
`(v) spe