DESC:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims the benefit of priority from the Indian Provisional Patent Application with Serial No. 4819/CHE/2015 titled “TECHNOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, PLATFORM AND METHODS TO ACHIEVE ROBUST, RELIABLE AND REAL-TIME (3R) COMMUNICATION IN A MOBILE SYSTEM AND ITS APPLICATIONS”, filed on September 10, 2015, and the contents of which are incorporated in entirety by the way of reference.

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is generally related to a mobile communication system. The present invention is particularly related to a system and method for establishing a continuous communication in a mobile communication system. The present invention is also related to a system and method to achieve robust, reliable and real-time (3R) communication in a mobile communication system through redundant and reliable alternate mechanisms for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the recent past, mobile phone application based technology solutions have been popular in solving day-to-day problems like shopping, booking a travel or hotel, hiring a taxi etc. These technologies essentially optimize the efficiency of the solution by minimizing human intervention between the supply and demand sides. Internet of Things (IoT) is also a paradigm that is revolutionizing the way objects are perceived. Objects that were earlier passive, inane and isolated are becoming active, connected and smart. There are several problems associated with upgrading objects to IoT enabled “things”. Additionally, mobile IoT objects increasingly face the problems of staying stably connected while on the move in a spotty and unreliable network. It is imperative to address the mobile IoT need of a robust, reliable and real-time (3R) network.
[0004] However, there are inherent problems with such solutions. The more the software or an application is made independent, the more it is prone to misuse as well, compromising customer experience in tradeoff for solution efficiency. Without having control over customer trust and quality of service, efficiency itself does not sustain a solution. In a typical application, the solution provider develops a piece of software that helps connect the producer and the consumer in a way that meets the requirements of both the parties. For example, in a taxi hiring solution, the typical process is that a driver registers to the application and becomes a designated driver and passengers registered to the application use the services of the driver. However, in current methods, there is no control over the comfort and safety of the travel.
[0005] In a typical taxi hiring solution, safety, security, quality of service (QoS) and customer experience are achieved through technology by collecting and analyzing real-time data related to passengers, driver, vehicle and the environment. The data is then communicated, analyzed and acted upon. Existing technologies solve this problem by collecting real-time location and surveillance data. But in order to have surveillance over all passengers, a large number of supervising security personnel is required, which makes the solution practically impossible to deploy. Location data by itself provides only minimal information about the real-time environment. Additional sensor technologies are available, that are used to monitor the taxi environment in real-time, but without a robust network infrastructure, the effectiveness of such a solution degrades drastically.
[0006] Hence, there is a need for a system and method for enabling complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms in a mobile communication system. Specifically, there is also a need for a system and method to enable a robust platform for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.
[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to achieve robust reliable real-time communication in a mobile communication system.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for enabling complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms in a mobile communication system.
[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a system and method to enable a robust platform for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.
[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a solution with plurality of hardware and software modules, in which the modules act as data publishers by transmitting real-time data to a central server and/or a remote destination.
[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide hardware architecture of a network end-point, wherein a set of sensors and actuators are interfaced to a processor through a hub for enabling security and customer experience monitoring.
[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide data compression techniques that are used for efficient usage of available network bandwidth in a communication system.
[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide network boundary information to a mobile communication system to enable the system to not go outside the range of network coverage.
[0015] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a ride-quality measurement module to measure and analyze the quality of ride in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.
[0016] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a panic button in a moving vehicle or mobile unit to enable real-time monitoring of security of passengers and personal security in the vehicle.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention provide to a system and method to achieve robust reliable real-time communication in a mobile communication system, which contextually enables complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms in the communication system. The present invention also provides a system and method to enable a robust platform for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for achieving robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system is provided. The system comprises a server module that is configured to act as a routing device for forwarding messages between a sender and a receiver; a GSM or CDMA gateway module connected to the server module; a GSM or CDMA access point node that is connected to the server module through GSM or CDMA gateway module; a USSD gateway module that is connected to the GSM or CDMA access point node; an internet module that is connected to USSD gateway module and to the server module; and a plurality of end-point devices that are connected to the server module through the internet module to establish a data communication. The plurality of end point devices are connected to the internet module directly to establish the data communication or the plurality of end point devices are connected to the internet module through the USSD gateway module to establish the data communication. The plurality of end point devices comprise a dongle device that is configured to contextually switch between a plurality of communication protocols for transmitting and receiving information through mobile communication.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dongle device is an after-market add-on module or a pluggable module that is connected to the system or a built–in module.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the present system is configured to contextually enable complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms to provide an uninterrupted connection for the plurality of end point devices to establish a data communication.
[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises an emergency call-execution unit that is configured to call an emergency number.
[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency call-execution unit is configured to establish a Point-to-Point (P2P) or Point-to-Multi-point short-range wireless or wired connectivity/communication to a handheld computing device.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the emergency call-execution unit comprises an audio input module for detecting an audio signal. The emergency call execution unit is provided with a processor module to process the audio signal and compare the audio signal with a plurality of reference audio signals stored in the processor. The emergency call execution unit is configured to initiate an emergency call, when an amplitude of the audio signal is higher than the amplitude of the reference audio signals.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to provide a seamless and uninterrupted vertical handoff to switchover the communication to a non-IP network when the IP network is not available to the sender.
[0026] The system according to claim 1, wherein the seamless and uninterrupted vertical handoff is enabled automatically through a software module that is stored on a database and run on the server, and wherein the user device is enabled to change a decision of the software module.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vertical handoff is achieved based on one or more parameters selected from a group consisting of a user preference, a network latency, a network jitter, packet drops, a network availability, a network bandwidth, received signal strength (RSS), a communication cost, data size, data classification, remaining battery power in case the device runs on battery or other limited power source.
[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to track a communication session between a sender and a receiver when the communication takes place over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the end point device is installed with a software module. The software module is configured to recommend an optimal interface, when a network interface selected by the end point device is not optimal.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a receiver device is configured to send a notification to the server through the USSD gateway module when an IP network is not available for the receiver device.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the USSD gateway module is configured to notify the server that a communication to the receiver device is established only through USSD gateway module in an absence of IP gateway.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to send a message from the sender device to the receiver device through the USSD gateway module to transfer a communication session seamlessly.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to use data over voice channel when USSD communication service is not available or the USSD gateway is not provided with a network initiated USSD capability.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to send an USSD information packet to the USSD gateway module of a respective mobile network operator with the receiver phone number. The server module is further configured to send a missed call to the receiver device when the communication connection is lost or interrupted during the communication session.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the missed call is identified and recognized by an application running on the receiver device to initiate a USSD session with the server.
[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the server module is configured to transmit a data over a communication channel. The data transmitted over the communication channel is classified depending on a plurality of factors that include cost-sensitivity, store-and-forward, defined expiry time, criticality, application-type, data length.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a server module forms a constituent part of a 3R network architecture that includes plurality of endpoint devices apart from the server, some or all of which involve in communication through IP and non-IP networks. When a non-IP network is a cellular network, a communication session created with an IP network is primarily switched over to a USSD based communication or vice versa, when the first network is not available or not found suitable for the communication in one or multiple network endpoints. The server acts as a routing or bridging device to forward messages between a sender and a receiver and keeps track of sessions between them in a normal scenario when both the sender and the receiver communicate over IP network. In case the IP network is not present with the sender, the sender follows vertical handoff process, in which a switchover of network or protocol takes place in a seamless manner. The vertical handoff is decided based on one or more of the parameters such as, User preference, Network latency, Network jitter, Packet drops, Network availability, Network bandwidth, Received signal strength (RSS), Communication cost, Data size, Data classification, Remaining battery power in case the device is running on battery or other limited power source etc. Data classification is enabled depending on factors such as 3R, cost-sensitivity, Store-and-Forward, Defined expiry time, Criticality, Application-type, Data length etc. The said parameters are either manually set by the user or automatically set by a software module having necessary intelligence. In case the user has selected a network interface that is not optimal, a software module residing in either the endpoint and/or the server recommends the user about a more optimal interface to switch to. In a typical use-case, in case the IP network is not available with the receiver, the receiver sends a notification to the server over USSD, which lets the server understand that the receiver is available only on USSD. The server maintains a table of user details and sends the message from the sender over USSD interface to the receiver. In case the connection breaks during a session, the server transfers the session seamlessly. The server sends the USSD packet to the USSD gateway of the respective Mobile Network Operator with the receiver phone number. In case the USSD gateway does not have network initiated USSD capability, the server gives a missed call to the receiver, which is interpreted by an application running on the receiver to initiate a USSD session with the server. In case of unavailability of USSD, the server uses an alternate mechanism such as data over voice channel. The server also contextually determines to not act as a routing device between the sender and the receiver during an IP-to-IP communication. In such said contexts, the server only acts as an IP-to-USSD bridge, in which case the session created by the IP network is broken temporarily while switching from IP to USSD. The contexts that enable the decision of the server are manually configurable by a user or automatically through intelligent computer implemented methods.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a resource based hand-off logic is provided for switching from one communication protocol to another communication protocol Resources such as battery power, cost, network data limit etc., are distributed to multiple networks and a real-time measurement of the parameters is carried out. Network prioritization is done based on lowest rate of resource usage. Information is also simultaneously sent over multiple networks and only the earliest arriving data at the receiver is considered while discarding the duplicate packets. This transmission is enabled in fragments, wherein the data is fragmented proportionately with the speed of each network and sent simultaneously. The receiver combines the fragments to get the complete packet.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, data compression techniques are provided to enable efficient short data communication using a set of communication protocols. The communication protocols include USSD, Flash Message, DoV, SMS etc. The following data compression techniques are provided for efficient usage of available network bandwidth: (a) A sender initiates a session with session ID, source ID, destination IDs etc. This information is stored in the 3R server. In subsequent messages, the sender sends only the session ID and the 3R server links the said stored information and routes the packets to the intended destinations.; (b) Multiple endpoints share their contact list with the 3R Server as a hash table or a similar map and use the hash values in communications for sending data to specific destinations in the contact list; (c) A software module learns and maintains a table of mostly used or highly probable words by a user and creates a hash table. The created hash table is shared with the 3R Server and/or other intended destinations. A sender uses the hashes in a message instead of actual lengthy words while communicating. A receiver decodes the message by referring to the hash table shared earlier. In case the receiver does not find a code in the hash table, the systems sends back a query to the sender for the resolution of the code.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a transport layer is provided for a set of communication protocols. The communication protocols include USSD, Flash Message, Data-over-Voice (DoV) channel, SMS etc. The transport layer over the said protocols is implemented with one or more of the following methods: putting a sequence number in every packet; putting a timestamp in every packet; implementing checksum for every packet and implementing error check mechanism with respect to the checksum; implementing acknowledgement for every packet in case the packet is part of a connection oriented session; and, retransmission of a packet in case of no acknowledgement or error. Flow control is enabled through one or more following methods: 3R Server measures or predicts current data rate of the destination, 3R Server requests sender to send data at the data rate of the destination; and, in case sender rejects the request, the 3R server buffers the data and manages the data-rate mismatch.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a delay-tolerant method of communication is provided. The embodiment fragments an IP packet data, which is typically longer than USSD MTU, and sends the message as separate USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packets with sequence numbers. The sender is enabled to send the IP packet encapsulating a USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packet, as it is sent directly while padding the rest of the IP packet to meet minimum packet length requirement. In such a case, the server just extracts the USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packet from the IP packet payload and sends it to the destination. In case the receiver is not available in any of the said networks and the data is critical, the 3R Server sends the data to a second available receiver that has a connection with the first receiver and that acts as an alternate routing device. The second receiver then forwards the message to the first receiver. Endpoints who participate in the role of the second receiver mentioned above make a list of all other receivers in the vicinity that they reach via alternative networks and then send the list to the 3R Server, either periodically or on demand. In such a case, the data packet is encrypted so that the routing receiver does not access it.
[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided to facilitate one or more optimized route options before the start of a journey, with respect to maximum network coverage, The route is enabled with additional optimization parameters such as minimum distance, minimum time, maximum riding comfort etc. that are applied with different weights derived out of preferences given by the user. The node device, that acts as an embodiment of an endpoint device, takes one or more of the following actions when a network boundary is approached: Changes the route in such a way that there is better network coverage; Switches to the next preferred network, when available; Reschedules the high-bandwidth data transfer to a time when a better network coverage is expected; Increases the frequency of generation and/or transmission of critical information such as location, speed, early-warning etc.; Sends expected time of recovery from network loss to server, optionally, in collaboration with the server; reschedules automatic detection of suspicious activities to local processor during low network bandwidth condition and schedules cloud based detection during high-network bandwidth condition; and, searches for nearby devices that act as routers for sending the messages to the server.
[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a 3R end-point device that is embodied as a panic button in a vehicle is provided. The device has an additional functionality, apart from the said 3R functionality, of dialing an emergency number when the button in the device is pressed and there is no other network available. The device comprises a text-to-speech module for reading out the location and other critical information. The panic button is used for personal security and is implemented in the form factor of a wearable device. The panic button module comprises a Point-to-Point (P2P) or Point-to-Multi-point short-range wireless/wired connectivity to another device like a handheld computing device. The panic button also comprises an audio input module whose output is fed to a processor module for detecting shouting or keyword. The processor module is a part of the panic button. The processor module comprises an input interface for taking the output from the audio input module. The processor comprises a software module that converts speech to text, a software module to detect the audio amplitude and converts the audio amplitude to sound pressure level (SPL). The processor module comprises a storage that stores SPL threshold and keywords to detect. The said threshold and the keywords are configurable by a user. The processor module compares the measured SPL with the stored SPL and raises an alert using the network interface and using a speaker that is connected locally. The processor module compares the output of the speech-to-text module with the stored keywords and in case of a match, raises an alert as mentioned above. The panic button also comprises a camera module whose output is fed to a processor module for detecting motion. The processor module stores a configurable motion threshold, which is compared with the measured motion. In case the measured motion is more, an alert is raised through the network interface and a loud speaker in turn, is used as an alarm or siren.
[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ride quality measurement unit through inertial measurement technique is provided. The embodiment uses a speed, bump, jerk and swerve matrix and multiple thresholds are collected by empirical methods in the matrix. During a trip, an alert is generated based on the threshold and the instantaneous ride quality. Using the data collected from multiple vehicles, a digital map is updated with driving smoothness parameter, which is used for selecting a route for a trip at a later instance and assessing the driver performance.
[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system for taxi is provided. The block diagram comprises Security Analyzer module, Vehicle Operator module, Passenger module, Driver module, Database, Web Server, Analytics Engine module and a plurality of Vehicle Nodes and a plurality of Dongles. Through the mutual interaction between the modules in the block diagram, the system captures, processes and transmits data related to safety, security, quality-of-service and customer experience in a taxi-hiring solution.
[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hardware architecture of a node in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system is provided. The system comprises an Array of Sensors, Sensor and Actuator Hub, Data and Voice Network, Controller, Storage module and Display module. The Array of Sensors collects the data for detecting possible safety and security issues. The information from the Array of Sensors is transmitted to Controller module through Sensor and Actuator Hub.
[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a network redundancy flowchart of a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system is provided. The flowchart comprises following steps: Receive information from Data Source; Check when IP network is available; When IP network is available, send information over IP network; When IP network is not available, check whether GSM network is available; When GSM network is available, send information over GSM network; When GSM network is not available, check whether Ad-hoc network is available; When Ad-hoc network is available, send information over Ad-hoc network; When Ad-hoc network is not available, check whether Radio network is available; When Radio network is available, send information over Radio network; When Radio network is not available, check whether Satellite network is available; When Satellite network is available, send information over Satellite network; When Satellite network is not available, wait for network availability.
[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system architecture for Platform-As-A-Service with cellular non-IP network for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system is provided. The system comprises End Point Devices, GSM OR CDMA Access Point, USSD Gateway, GSM ORCDMA Gateway, Internet module, 3R Server, Cloud End-point, Fixed End-point, Mobile End-point and Dongle. The End Point Devices are connected to GSM OR CDMA Access Point and the Internet module. The GSM OR CDMA Access Point is connected to USSD Gateway and GSM ORCDMA Gateway. The USSD Gateway is connected to the Internet module and the GSM ORCDMA Gateway is connected to 3R Server. Multiple devices such as Cloud End-point, Fixed End-point and Mobile End-point are connected to the Internet module. The Dongle is connected to End Point Devices and the Dongle is configured to contextually switch between a plurality of communication protocols for transmitting and receiving information through mobile communication.
[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system hardware architecture is provided for an end-point device in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system. The architecture comprises IP Network Interface module, Processing Unit, Cellular Network Interface module, Location Sensor module and Storage Unit. The IP Network Interface module is connected to the Processing Unit. The Cellular Network Interface module is also connected to the Processing Unit. The Processing Unit receives inputs from Location Sensor and stores the information in Storage Unit.
[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system architecture is provided for an end-point device connected in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system. The software architecture comprises User Interface layer, Application Logic, API Layer, Abstracted Session Layer Protocol, Vertical Handoff Decision Tree layer, Transport Layer over USSD, TCP/IP Stack layer, GSM Stack layer, WLAN layer, 2G/3G/4G layer and GSM layer.
[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a frame format of an IP network packet with USSD data is provided.
[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a server architecture is provided for Platform-As-A-Service provided in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system. The architecture comprises API Framework layer, Robust Reliable Real-time (3R) Communication Logic, IP Network Gateway, USSD-IP Bridge and Network Cognizance Logic layer. A Database is connected to the Network Cognizance Logic layer. End Point Devices are connected to GSM Access Point. The GSM Access Point is connected to USSD Gateway. The USSD Gateway is connected to USSD-IP bridge through USSD API bridge. Multiple devices such as Cloud End-point, Fixed End-point and Mobile End-point are connected to IP Network Gateway. A plurality of applications is connected to API Framework layer.
[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the selection of travel path based on network coverage map is provided. A network coverage map comprises a plurality of Network Access Points with respective network coverage areas. When a vehicle starts from Originating Point and reach the Destination Point through the Original Path, the vehicle travels through regions where there is no network coverage. The system provides a Connected Path so that the vehicle is always within the network range of at least one of the Network Access Points.
[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system architecture is provided for a panic button in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system. The system comprises a Button and an Enclosure. The Button is activated to enable the panic button. The Enclosure comprises the following modules: Audio Input module, Video Input module, External Interface module, Battery module, Processor module, Storage module, Cellular Network Interface module, P2P Network Interface and IP Network Interface.
[0055] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0057] FIG.1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system for taxi, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG.2 illustrates the hardware architecture of a node in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG.3 illustrates a network redundancy flowchart of a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] FIG.4 illustrates a block diagram of a system architecture for Platform-As-A-Service with cellular non-IP network for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIG.5 illustrates a block diagram of a system hardware architecture of an end-point device in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] FIG.6 illustrates a block diagram of a system architecture of an end-point device connected in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIG.7 illustrates a frame format of an IP network packet with USSD data, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] FIG.8 illustrates the block diagram of a server architecture for Platform-As-A-Service provided in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] FIG.9 illustrates a schematic representation of the selection of travel path based on network coverage map, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] FIG.10 illustrates the block diagram of a system architecture of a panic button in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0068] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0069] The various embodiments of the present invention provide to a system and method to achieve robust reliable real-time communication in a mobile communication system, which contextually enables complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms in the communication system. The present invention also provides a system and method to enable a robust platform for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit.
[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a server module that forms a constituent part of a 3R network architecture that includes plurality of endpoint devices apart from the server, some or all of which involve in communication through IP and non-IP networks is provided. When a non-IP network is a cellular network, a communication session created with an IP network is primarily switched over to a USSD based communication or vice versa, when the first network is not available or not found suitable for the communication in one or multiple network endpoints. The server acts as a routing or bridging device to forward messages between a sender and a receiver and keeps track of sessions between them in a normal scenario when both the sender and the receiver communicate over IP network. In case the IP network is not present with the sender, the sender follows vertical handoff process, in which a switchover of network or protocol takes place in a seamless manner. The vertical handoff is decided based on one or more of the parameters such as, User preference, Network latency, Network jitter, Packet drops, Network availability, Network bandwidth, Received signal strength (RSS), Communication cost, Data size, Data classification, Remaining battery power in case the device is running on battery or other limited power source etc. Data classification is enabled depending on factors such as 3R, cost-sensitivity, Store-and-Forward, Defined expiry time, Criticality, Application-type, Data length etc. The said parameters are either manually set by the user or automatically set by a software module having necessary intelligence. In case the user has selected a network interface that is not optimal, a software module residing in either the endpoint and/or the server recommends the user about a more optimal interface to switch to. In a typical use-case, in case the IP network is not available with the receiver, the receiver sends a notification to the server over USSD, which lets the server understand that the receiver is available only on USSD. The server maintains a table of user details and sends the message from the sender over USSD interface to the receiver. In case the connection breaks during a session, the server transfers the session seamlessly. The server sends the USSD packet to the USSD gateway of the respective Mobile Network Operator with the receiver phone number. In case the USSD gateway does not have network initiated USSD capability, the server gives a missed call to the receiver, which is interpreted by an application running on the receiver to initiate a USSD session with the server. In case of unavailability of USSD, the server uses an alternate mechanism such as data over voice channel. The server also contextually determines to not act as a routing device between the sender and the receiver during an IP-to-IP communication. In such said contexts, the server only acts as an IP-to-USSD bridge, in which case the session created by the IP network is broken temporarily while switching from IP to USSD. The contexts that enable the decision of the server are manually configurable by a user or automatically through intelligent computer implemented methods.
[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a resource based hand-off logic for switching from one communication protocol to another communication protocol is provided. Resources such as battery power, cost, network data limit etc. are distributed to multiple networks and a real-time measurement of the parameters is carried out. Network prioritization is done based on lowest rate of resource usage. Information is also simultaneously sent over multiple networks and only the earliest arriving data at the receiver is considered while discarding the duplicate packets. This transmission is enabled in fragments, wherein the data is fragmented proportionately with the speed of each network and sent simultaneously. The receiver combines the fragments to get the complete packet.
[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, data compression techniques to enable efficient short data communication using a set of communication protocols are provided. The communication protocols include USSD, Flash Message, DoV, SMS etc. The following data compression techniques are provided for efficient usage of available network bandwidth: (a) A sender initiates a session with session ID, source ID, destination IDs etc. This information is stored in the 3R server. In subsequent messages, the sender sends only the session ID and the 3R server links the said stored information and routes the packets to the intended destinations.; (b) Multiple endpoints share their contact list with the 3R Server as a hash table or a similar map and use the hash values in communications for sending data to specific destinations in the contact list; (c) A software module learns and maintains a table of mostly used or highly probable words by a user and creates a hash table. The created hash table is shared with the 3R Server and/or other intended destinations. A sender uses the hashes in a message instead of actual lengthy words while communicating. A receiver decodes the message by referring to the hash table shared earlier. In case the receiver does not find a code in the hash table, the systems sends back a query to the sender for the resolution of the code.
[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a transport layer for a set of communication protocols is provided. The communication protocols include USSD, Flash Message, Data-over-Voice (DoV) channel, SMS etc. The transport layer over the said protocols is implemented with one or more of the following methods: putting a sequence number in every packet; putting a timestamp in every packet; implementing checksum for every packet and implementing error check mechanism with respect to the checksum; implementing acknowledgement for every packet in case the packet is part of a connection oriented session; and, retransmission of a packet in case of no acknowledgement or error. Flow control is enabled through one or more following methods: 3R Server measures or predicts current data rate of the destination, 3R Server requests sender to send data at the data rate of the destination; and, in case sender rejects the request, the 3R server buffers the data and manages the data-rate mismatch.
[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a delay-tolerant method of communication is provided. The embodiment fragments an IP packet data, which is typically longer than USSD MTU, and sends the message as separate USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packets with sequence numbers. The sender is enabled to send the IP packet encapsulating a USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packet, as it is sent directly while padding the rest of the IP packet to meet minimum packet length requirement. In such a case, the server just extracts the USSD/flash/DoV/SMS packet from the IP packet payload and sends it to the destination. In case the receiver is not available in any of the said networks and the data is critical, the 3R Server sends the data to a second available receiver that has a connection with the first receiver and that acts as an alternate routing device. The second receiver then forwards the message to the first receiver. Endpoints who participate in the role of the second receiver mentioned above make a list of all other receivers in the vicinity that they reach via alternative networks and then send the list to the 3R Server, either periodically or on demand. In such a case, the data packet is encrypted so that the routing receiver does not access it.
[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system that comes up with one or more optimized route options before the start of a journey, with respect to maximum network coverage, is provided. The route is enabled with additional optimization parameters such as minimum distance, minimum time, maximum riding comfort etc. that are applied with different weights derived out of preferences given by the user. The node device, that acts as an embodiment of an endpoint device, takes one or more of the following actions when a network boundary is approached: Changes the route in such a way that there is better network coverage; Switches to the next preferred network, when available; Reschedules the high-bandwidth data transfer to a time when a better network coverage is expected; Increases the frequency of generation and/or transmission of critical information such as location, speed, early-warning etc.; Sends expected time of recovery from network loss to server, optionally, in collaboration with the server; reschedules automatic detection of suspicious activities to local processor during low network bandwidth condition and schedules cloud based detection during high-network bandwidth condition; and, searches for nearby devices that act as routers for sending the messages to the server.
[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a 3R end-point device that is embodied as a panic button in a vehicle is provided. The device has an additional functionality, apart from the said 3R functionality, of dialing an emergency number when the button in the device is pressed and there is no other network available. The device comprises a text-to-speech module for reading out the location and other critical information. The panic button is used for personal security and is implemented in the form factor of a wearable device. The panic button device comprises a Point-to-Point (P2P) or Point-to-Multi-point short-range wireless/wired connectivity to another device like a handheld computing device. The panic button also comprises an audio input module whose output is fed to a processor module for detecting shouting or keyword. The processor module is a part of the panic button. The processor module comprises an input interface for taking the output from the audio input module. The processor comprises a software module that converts speech to text, a software module to detect the audio amplitude and converts the audio amplitude to sound pressure level (SPL). The processor module comprises a storage that stores SPL threshold and keywords to detect. The said threshold and the keywords are configurable by a user. The processor module compares the measured SPL with the stored SPL and raises an alert using the network interface and using a speaker that is connected locally. The processor module compares the output of the speech-to-text module with the stored keywords and in case of a match, raises an alert as mentioned above. The panic button also comprises a camera module whose output is fed to a processor module for detecting motion. The processor module stores a configurable motion threshold, which is compared with the measured motion. In case the measured motion is more, an alert is raised through the network interface and a loud speaker in turn, is used as an alarm or siren.
[0077] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ride quality measurement by inertial measurement unit is provided. The embodiment uses a speed, bump, jerk and swerve matrix and multiple thresholds are obtained by empirical methods in the matrix. During a trip, an alert is raised based on the threshold and the instantaneous ride quality. Using the data collected from multiple vehicles, a digital map is updated with driving smoothness parameter, which is used for selecting a route for a trip at a later instance and assessing the driver performance.
[0078] FIG.1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system for taxi, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram comprises Security Analyzer module 101, Vehicle Operator module 102, Passenger module 103, Driver module 104, Database 105, Web Server 106, Analytics Engine module 107 and a plurality of Vehicle Nodes 108a…… 108n and a plurality of Dongles 109a….. 109n. Through the mutual interaction between the modules in the block diagram, the system captures, processes and transmits data related to safety, security, quality-of-service and customer experience in a taxi-hiring solution.
[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates the hardware architecture of a node in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises an Array of Sensors 201, Sensor and Actuator Hub 202, Data and Voice Network 203, Controller 204, Storage module 205 and Display module 206. The Array of Sensors 201 collects the data for detecting possible safety and security issues. The information from the Array of Sensors 201 is transmitted to Controller module 204 through Sensor and Actuator Hub 202.
[0080] FIG.3 illustrates a network redundancy flowchart of a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart comprises following steps: Receive information from Data Source (301); Check when IP network is available (302); When IP network is available, send information over IP network (303); When IP network is not available, check when GSM network is available (304); When GSM network is available, send information over GSM network (305); When GSM network is not available, check when Ad-hoc network is available (306); When Ad-hoc network is available, send information over Ad-hoc network (307); When Ad-hoc network is not available, check when Radio network is available (308); When Radio network is available, send information over Radio network (309); When Radio network is not available, check when Satellite network is available (310); When Satellite network is available, send information over Satellite network (311); When Satellite network is not available, wait for network availability (312).
[0081] FIG.4 illustrates a block diagram of a system architecture for Platform-As-A-Service with cellular non-IP network for achieving a robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises End Point Devices 401a….401b, GSM/ CDMA Access Point 402, USSD Gateway 403, GSM/CDMA Gateway 404, Internet module 405, 3R Server 406, Cloud End-point 407, Fixed End-point 408 and Mobile End-point 409 and Dongle 410. The End Point Devices 401a…401b are connected to GSM/ CDMA Access Point 402 and the Internet module 405. The GSM/ CDMA Access Point 402 are connected to USSD Gateway 403 and GSM/CDMA Gateway 404. The USSD Gateway 403 is connected to the Internet module 405 and the GSM/CDMA Gateway 404 is connected to 3R Server 406. The 3R Server 406 comprises a Hardware Processor 406a. Multiple devices such as Cloud End-point 407, Fixed End-point 408 and Mobile End-point 409 are connected to the Internet module 405. The Dongle 410 is connected to End Point Devices 401a… 401b and the Dongle 410 is configured to contextually switch between a plurality of communication protocols for transmitting and receiving information through mobile communication.
[0082] FIG.5 illustrates a block diagram of a system hardware architecture of an end-point device in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The architecture comprises IP Network Interface module 501, Processing Unit 502, Cellular Network Interface module 503, Location Sensor module 504 and Storage Unit 505. The IP Network Interface module 501 is connected to the Processing Unit 502. The Cellular Network Interface module 503 is also connected to the Processing Unit 502. The Processing Unit receives inputs from Location Sensor 504 and stores the information in Storage Unit 505.
[0083] FIG.6 illustrates a block diagram of a system architecture of an end-point device connected in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The software architecture comprises User Interface layer 601, Application Logic 602, API Layer 603, Abstracted Session Layer Protocol 604, Vertical Handoff Decision Tree layer 605, Transport Layer over USSD 606, TCP/IP Stack layer 607, GSM Stack layer 608, WLAN layer 609, 2G/3G/4G layer 610 and GSM layer 611.
[0084] FIG.7 illustrates a frame format of an IP network packet with USSD data, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0085] FIG.8 illustrates the block diagram of a server architecture for Platform-As-A-Service provided in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The architecture comprises API Framework layer 801, Robust Reliable Real-time (3R) Communication Logic 802, IP Network Gateway 803, USSD-IP Bridge 804 and Network Cognizance Logic layer 805. A Database 806 is connected to the Network Cognizance Logic layer 805. End Point Devices 401a…401b are connected to GSM Access Point 402. The GSM Access Point 402 is connected to USSD Gateway 403. The USSD Gateway 403 is connected to USSD-IP bridge 804 through USSD API bridge 807. Multiple devices such as Cloud End-point 407, Fixed End-point 408 and Mobile End-point 409 are connected to IP Network Gateway 803. A plurality of applications 808a…..808n is connected to API Framework layer 801.
[0086] FIG.9 illustrates a schematic representation of the selection of travel path based on network coverage map, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A network coverage map comprises a plurality of Network Access Points 901a, 901b, 901c, 901d and 901e, with respective network coverage areas 902a, 902b, 902c, 902d and 902e. When a vehicle starts from Originating Point 903 and reach the Destination Point 904 through the Original Path 905, the vehicle travels through regions where there is no network coverage. The system provides a Connected Path 906 so that the vehicle is always within the network range of at least one of the Network Access Points.
[0087] FIG.10 illustrates the block diagram of a system architecture of a panic button in a system to achieve robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a Button 1001 and an Enclosure 1002. The Button 1001 is activated to enable the panic button. The Enclosure 1002 comprises the following modules: Audio Input module 1002a, Video Input module 1002b, External Interface module 1002c, Battery module 1002d, Processor module 1002e, Storage module 1002f, Cellular Network Interface module 1002g, P2P Network Interface 1002h and IP Network Interface 1002i.
[0088] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such as specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0089] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0090] The various embodiments of the present invention provide to a system and method to achieve robust reliable real-time communication in a mobile communication system by contextually enabling complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms in the communication system. The present invention also provides a system and method to enable a robust platform for ensuring safety, security, quality of service and customer experience in a moving vehicle or mobile unit. Existing protocols for robust networking either for normal or emergency data communication focus on solving the problem within a single network protocol, such as data, short messages or voice. However, none of these networks perform well in all conditions in isolation. The present invention combines all types of networks seamlessly in a novel way in order to transmit critical information in real time. The invention provides a method to use USSD network as an alternative to IP network whenever there is a problem with the later. As IP and USSD are non-symmetric networks, network hand-off is non-trivial, especially when seamlessness is a requirement. The present invention provides novel hand-off decision making, data encapsulation and compression techniques. The invention also addresses application specific issues such as task scheduling based on the network handoff, which is critical in a dynamic non-symmetric network switchover. Currently there are no panic button modules that act intelligently to detect and send information during emergency. The present invention proposes a novel way to implement a button that is intelligent and help a victim send a SoS with very high probability of success. In current drive quality identification technologies, only the speed of the vehicle is considered as a parameter for rash driving of vehicle. However, the present invention provides a novel approach for measuring and controlling driving comfort by measuring a combination of parameters of the vehicle such as speed, jerk, swerve, bumps etc.
[0091] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0092] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments, which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between. ,CLAIMS:1. A system for achieving robust reliable and redundant real-time data communication in a mobile communication system, the system comprising:
a server module, and wherein the server module is configured to act as a routing device for forwarding messages between a sender and a receiver;
a GSM or CDMA gateway module connected to the server module;
a GSM or CDMA access point node, and wherein the GSM/CDMA access point node is connected to the server module through GSM/CDMA gateway module;
a USSD gateway module, and wherein the USSD gateway module is connected to the GSM or CDMA access point node;
an internet module, and wherein the internet module is connected to USSD gateway module and to the server module; and,
a plurality of end-point devices, wherein the plurality of end point devices are connected to the server module through the internet module to establish a data communication, and wherein the plurality of end point devices are connected to the internet module directly to establish the data communication or the plurality of end point devices are connected to the internet module through the USSD gateway module to establish the data communication, and wherein the plurality of end point devices comprise a dongle device that is configured to contextually switch between a plurality of communication protocols for transmitting and receiving information through mobile communication, and wherein the dongle device is an after-market add-on module or a pluggable module that is connected to the system or a built-in module;
wherein the system is configured to contextually enable complimentary and redundant safety and security mechanisms to provide an uninterrupted connection for the plurality of end point devices to establish a data communication.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises an emergency call-execution unit that is configured to call an emergency number.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call-execution unit is configured to establish a Point-to-Point (P2P) or Point-to-Multi-point short range wireless or wired connectivity to a handheld computing device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call-execution unit comprises an audio input module, and wherein an audio signal is detected by the emergency execution unit, and wherein the emergency call execution unit is provided with a processor module to process the audio signal and compare the audio signal with a plurality of reference audio signals stored in the processor, and wherein the emergency call execution button is configured to initiate an emergency call when an amplitude of the audio signal is higher than the amplitude of the reference audio signals.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to provide a seamless and uninterrupted vertical handoff to switchover the communication to a non-IP network when the IP network is not available to the sender.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the seamless and uninterrupted vertical handoff is enabled automatically through a software module that is stored on a database and run on the server, and wherein the user device is configured to override a decision of the software module.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vertical handoff is achieved based on one or more parameters selected from a group consisting of a user preference, a network latency, a network jitter, packet drops, a network availability, a network bandwidth, received signal strength (RSS), a communication cost, data size, data classification, remaining battery power in case the device runs on battery or other limited power source.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to track a communication session between a sender and a receiver when the communication takes place over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the end point device is installed with a software module, and wherein the software module is configured to recommend an optimal interface, when a network interface selected by the end point device is not optimal.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein a receiver device is configured to send a notification to the server through the USSD gateway module, when an IP network is not available for the receiver device.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the USSD gateway module is configured to notify the server that a communication to the receiver device is established only through USSD gateway module in an absence of IP gateway.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to send a message from the sender device to the receiver device through the USSD gateway module to transfer a communication session seamlessly.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to use data over voice channel, when USSD communication service is not available or the USSD gateway is not provided with a network initiated USSD capability.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to send an USSD information packet to the USSD gateway module of a respective mobile network operator with the receiver phone number, and wherein the server module is further configured to send a missed call to the receiver device, when the communication connection is lost or interrupted during the communication session.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the missed call is identified and recognized by an application running on the receiver device to initiate a USSD session with the server.
16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to transmit a data over a communication channel, and wherein the data transmitted over the communication channel is classified depending on a plurality of factors, and wherein the plurality of factors include cost-sensitivity, store-and-forward, defined expiry time, criticality, application-type, data length.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the server module is configured to store a table comprising user device details on a database for future reference.