Geo-spacial Internet protocol addressing

• US 6,236,652 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OL Security LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Airbiquity Incorporated
• Inventors: Preston, Dan A., Preston, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, CHI HO A
• Application Number:
  US09/432,818
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 370/329, 370/338, 370/401, 370/316, 370/465, 370/466, 370/349, 370/351, 370/392, 370/389, 370/475, 455/433, 455/427, 455/517, 455/438, 701/213
• US Class Current: 370/349
• 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 (Ipv4) and future addressing (Ipv6/Ipng) requirements. More specifically, it allows a decentralization of the unicast point to a device on the hosted network. Geographical Internet Protocol (geoIP) addressing will facilitate anycast routing schemes where in which the nearest node has a statically assigned geoIP. geo routing, and network management become a function of the geoIP address.

Claims

1. 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;

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;

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;

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.

2. 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;

storing the UDIP in a memory in the mobile device;

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.

3. A method according to claim 2 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

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

4. A method according to claim 2 including assigning a new DVG responsive to the newly acquired location data.