Geo-spacial internet protocol addressing

• US 20010015965A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OL Security LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Airbiquity Incorporated
• Inventors: Preston, Dan A., Preston, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 6,920,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/122 by minimising distances, e.g. by selecting a route with minimum of number of hops
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/167 Adaptation for transition between two IP versions, e.g. between IPv4 and IPv6 translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses H04L61/2503
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/20 based on geographic position or location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

The invention provides for conversion of latitude and longitude to an addressing scheme that supports current TCP/IP (v4) and future addressing (v6/ng) requirements. More specifically, it allows a decentralization of the unicast point to device on the hosted network. Geographical Internet Protocol (GeoIP) addressing will facilitate anycast routing schemes where the nearest node has a statically assigned GeoIP. Geo routing, and network management become a function of the GeoIP address.

Claims

1. A method of generating a globally unique address for mobile computing applications comprising the steps of:

receiving global position information;

processing the received global position information to determine current location data comprising a current latitude, a current longitude and a current altitude; and

converting the current location data so as to form an unresolved dynamic internet protocol (UDIP) address for use in transfer control and routing of data between a mobile device located at the current location and a server.

2. A method according to

claim 1

wherein the UDIP address is compliant with IPv4 internet protocol.

3. A method according to

claim 1

wherein the UDIP address is compliant with IPv6 internet protocol.

4. A method according to

claim 1

wherein the global position information is provided by a GPS receiver coupled to the mobile device.

5. A method according to

claim 4

wherein the data comprises audio and or video data.

6. A method according to

claim 4

wherein the data comprises electronic mail.

7. A method according to

claim 4

wherein the data comprises telematics data.

8. A method for transferring data between a host and a mobile apparatus comprising the steps of:

generating a UDIP address in the mobile apparatus based upon a current physical location of the mobile apparatus;

sending the UDIP address from the mobile apparatus to the host; and

registering and resolving the UDIP address in the host as an assigned IP address of the mobile apparatus for subsequent data transfer between the host and the mobile apparatus.

9. A method according to

claim 8

and further comprising:

periodically updating the UDIP address in the mobile apparatus responsive to a new current location of the mobile apparatus;

sending the updated UDIP address from the mobile apparatus to the host; and

registering resolving the updated UDIP address in the host as the assigned IP address of the mobile apparatus.

10. A method according to

claim 8

wherein said generating a UDIP address based upon a current physical location of the mobile apparatus includes generating the UDIP address based upon latitude and longitude of the mobile apparatus.

11. A method according to

claim 8

wherein generating a UDIP address based upon a current physical location of the mobile apparatus includes generating the UDIP address based upon latitude and longitude and altitude of the mobile apparatus.

12. A method according to

claim 8

wherein the current physical location of the mobile apparatus is determined by use of a GPS receiver integrated into the mobile apparatus.

13. A method according to

claim 8

wherein the current physical location of the mobile apparatus is determined by a GPS receiver physically coupled to the mobile apparatus.

14. A dynamic geo-spacial routing methodology for data communication with a wireless communications device comprising the steps of:

receiving GPS satellite transmissions in the wireless communications device;

acquiring current location data responsive to the GPS satellite transmissions;

the current location data including at least latitude and longitude of the wireless communications device;

generating an unresolved dynamic IP (UDIP) address as a function of the current location data; and

transmitting the UDIP address to a remote server for use in routing data communication with the wireless communications device so that the current location of the device determines a dynamic yet unique identifier for data communication.

15. A method according to

claim 14

wherein the UDIP address is compliant with the IPv4 protocol standard.

16. A method according to

claim 15

wherein the UDIP address is compliant with the IPv6 protocol standard.

17. A method according to

claim 14

and further comprising:

identifying a first gateway on the internet having a unique name and a predetermined assigned IP address;

assigning the selected gateway for temporary use as a dynamic virtual gateway DVG;

presenting the designated DVG to the wireless communication device as a virtual host;

identifying a second gateway on the internet having a unique name and a predetermined assigned IP address;

assigning the second gateway as a next gateway; and

resolving the UDIP to form a resolved dynamic IP address for data communications between the wireless device and a selected one of the first and second gateways.

18. A method of data communication with a mobile device comprising the steps of:

in the mobile device, acquiring location data;

in the mobile device, converting the acquired location data to form a geo-IP address;

formatting the geo-IP address in conformance with a predetermined standard IP protocol thereby forming an unresolved dynamic IP (UDIP) address; and

storing the UDIP in a memory in the mobile device; and

periodically repeating the foregoing steps thereby updating the UDIP responsive to newly acquired location data;

requesting address resolution, including sending the stored UDIP to a host;

assigning a dynamic virtual gateway DVG to the UDIP;

combining the assigned DVG address together with the UDIP so as to form a resolved dynamic IP address (RDIP); and

using the RDIP as an assigned IP address of the mobile device for data transfer.

19. A method according to

claim 18

and further comprising:

monitoring an elapsed time since the location data was last updated;

if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time limit, reacquiring location data; and

then repeating the foregoing steps based on the newly acquired location data.

20. A method according to

claim 18

including assigning a new DVG responsive to the newly acquired location data.