Vehicle data management system and method
View Patent ↗A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.
1. A method for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network, the method comprising:
establishing a data connection between a plurality of personal electronic devices and the vehicle, wherein the plurality of personal electronic devices each have a mobile plan having a data limit and an amount of data used, and wherein the plurality of personal electronic devices are each communicatable with the external network;
monitoring the mobile plan of each of the plurality of personal electronic devices;
selecting at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices; and
establishing a data connection between the external network and the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to connect the vehicle with the external network; and
determining an amount of data available for the mobile plan for each of the plurality of personal electronic devices, wherein the amount of data available is the difference between the data limit and the amount of data used prior to selecting the at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices based on the amount of data available.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the data connection between the external network and the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices further comprises establishing a first set of RF signals associated with the external network, wherein the first set of RF signals are in a form compatible with a mobile communication network.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising converting the first set of RF signals into a second set of RF signals by the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices, wherein the second set of RF signals are in a form compatible for short-range wireless communication.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising communicating the second set of RF signals from the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the personal electronic device.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising communicating the second set of RF signals from the transceiver to a control module through a communication bus, wherein the bus is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the transceiver, and wherein the control module is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the bus.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising executing a control logic by the control module to monitor and select at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to be in communication with the external RF device.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising communicating data between the external network a host server, wherein a cellular network supplies information between the host server and the external network, and wherein the host server monitors and selects the at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing a security software application, wherein the security software application provides a secure connection between the external network and each of the plurality of personal electronic devices.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing a rewards software application, wherein the rewards software application includes a metric for determining rewards points in the application, wherein the rewards points correspond to the amount of data that is downloaded by the personal electronic device from the external network, and wherein the rewards points correspond to a monetary credit that is used towards the purchase of goods and services.
10. A method for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network, the method comprising:
establishing a data connection between a plurality of personal electronic devices and the vehicle, wherein the plurality of personal electronic devices each have a mobile plan having a data limit and an amount of data used, and wherein the plurality of personal electronic devices are each communicatable with the external network;
monitoring the mobile plan of each of the plurality of personal electronic devices, wherein a first set of RF signals associated with the external network, wherein the first set of RF signals are in a form compatible with a mobile communication network;
selecting at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices; and
establishing a data connection between the external network and the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to connect the vehicle with the external network, wherein a first set of RF signals are associated with the external network, wherein the first set of RF signals are in a form compatible with a mobile communication network; and
converting the first set of RF signals into a second set of RF signals by the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices, wherein the second set of RF signals are in a form compatible for short-range wireless communication; and
determining an amount of data available for the mobile plan for each of the plurality of personal electronic devices, wherein the amount of data available is the difference between the data limit and the amount of data used prior to selecting the at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices based on the amount of data available.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising communicating the second set of RF signals from the selected one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the personal electronic device.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising communicating the second set of RF signals from the transceiver to a control module through a communication bus, wherein the bus is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the transceiver, and wherein the control module is connected to the vehicle and is in bi-directional communication with the bus.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising executing a control logic by the control module to monitor and select at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices to be in communication with the external RF device.
14. The method of claim 10 further comprising communicating data between the external network and a host server, wherein a cellular network supplies information between the host server and the external network, and wherein the host server monitors and selects the at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices.