Digital signal route determination method

• US 7,027,402 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hedden, Ralph Coleman
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Seema S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE JR, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US09/732,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20020071542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 370230-238, 370/420, 370/351, 370/252, 370/401, 370/463, 370/419, 370/389, 370/392, 379/221.02
• US Class Current: 370/238
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/124 using a combination of metrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/3065 for real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/308 Route determination based on user's profile, e.g. premium users

Abstract

In a method of routing digital signals based on criteria defined by the user all messages receive a prioritization based on the criteria defined by the individual user. Based on this guidance, each digital message is Tagged so that Overlay software can determine the prioritization that will be applied to the message and subsequently which media or route will be used and when a message should be sent. The Overlay software uses embedded look-up tables, which define available routes so that prioritization decisions can be made, real-time, based on route status or cost, and prioritization algorithms or a combination of both to determine the most appropriate media or route to send a message. The Overlay software also counts each message, the route used, and the time sent to enable accounting verification at an appropriate time in the future.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a Datalink Service Provider route for each individual digital message, the method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a unique prioritization tag to the each individual digital message based on factors provided by Datalink Service Providers, the unique prioritization tag comprising user chosen routing priority criteria selected from the factors;

b) supplying the prioritized criteria from the user to an overlay software;

c) automatically choosing the Datalink Service Provider route by evaluating the prioritized criteria in the overlay software; and

d) routing the each individual digital message through the chosen Datalink Service Provider route.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of tracking the chosen Datalink Service Provider route for accounting purposes.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of preparing a billing record of the chosen Datalink Service. Provider route.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating steps a) through d) for a next user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating steps a) through d) for a next digital message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of choosing a Datalink Service Provider route is performed at a member of the group consisting of a vehicle, a user initiation facility, and a government control facility.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching a unique prioritization tag comprises attaching a manual tag.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching a unique prioritization tag comprises attaching an automatic tag.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said overlay software comprises at least one of the following:

lookup tables;

logarithmic calculations and real-time information on cost;

available Datalink Service Provider routes; and

Datalink Service Provider route status information.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of updating the real-time information.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of updating comprises time-based updates.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of updating comprises querying at least one Datalink Service Provider.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said prioritized criteria comprises at least one of the following criteria:

a) cost of sending the digital message;

b) speed of delivery of the digital message;

c) security of the digital message; and

d) integrity of the digital message.

13. An avionics routing method for an individual digital message, the method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a unique prioritization tag to the individual digital message based on factors provided by at least two Datalink Service Providers, the unique prioritization tag comprising user chosen routing priority criteria selected from the factors;

b) supplying the priority criteria from the user to an overlay software;

c) evaluating the priority criteria by the overlay software;

d) automatically choosing a Datalink Service Provider route from the at least two Datalink Service Provider service providers by the overlay software; and

e) transmitting the individual digital message through the chosen Datalink Service Provider route.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of tracking the chosen Datalink Service Provider route for accounting purposes.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising repeating steps a) through e) for a next digital message.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said overlay software comprises at least one of the following:

lookup tables;

logarithmic calculations and real-time information on cost;

available Datalink Service Provider routes; and

Datalink Service Provider route status information.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein said prioritized criteria comprises at least one of the following criteria:

a) a cost of sending the digital message;

b) speed of delivery of the digital message;

c) security of the digital message; and

d) integrity of the digital message.