Fleet communication network
First Claim
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1. A communication method for a network of a fleet of vehicles, comprising:
- assigning a first group of the fleet of vehicles to a first level of priority on the network;
assigning a second group of the fleet of vehicles to a second level of priority on the network;
assigning a first vehicle in the first group as a supervisor of a second vehicle in the second group for messages sent to or from the second vehicle;
receiving a message sent to the second vehicle;
determining whether the second vehicle is within direct communication range;
sending the message to the second vehicle in response to determining that the second vehicle is within direct communication range;
in response to determining that the second vehicle is not within direct communication range;
determining whether the supervisor vehicle is within direct communication range; and
sending the message to the supervisor vehicle in response to determining that the supervisor is within direct communication range; and
in response to determining that the supervisor vehicle is not within direct communication range;
identifying a peer vehicle in the first group with the first vehicle; and
sending the message to the identified peer vehicle.
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Abstract
A communication network for a fleet of vehicles is disclosed. The communication network has a first group of the fleet of vehicles having a first level of priority on the network and a second group of the fleet of vehicles having a second level of priority on the network. A first vehicle in the first group is assigned as a supervisor of a second vehicle in the second group.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A communication method for a network of a fleet of vehicles, comprising:
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assigning a first group of the fleet of vehicles to a first level of priority on the network; assigning a second group of the fleet of vehicles to a second level of priority on the network; assigning a first vehicle in the first group as a supervisor of a second vehicle in the second group for messages sent to or from the second vehicle; receiving a message sent to the second vehicle; determining whether the second vehicle is within direct communication range; sending the message to the second vehicle in response to determining that the second vehicle is within direct communication range; in response to determining that the second vehicle is not within direct communication range; determining whether the supervisor vehicle is within direct communication range; and sending the message to the supervisor vehicle in response to determining that the supervisor is within direct communication range; and in response to determining that the supervisor vehicle is not within direct communication range; identifying a peer vehicle in the first group with the first vehicle; and sending the message to the identified peer vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A communication network for a fleet of vehicles, comprising:
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an off-board system configured to transmit a message destined for a first vehicle in the fleet; a first group of the fleet of vehicles having a first level of priority on the network and including the first vehicle; and a second group of the fleet of vehicles having a second level of priority on the network and including a second vehicle assigned as a supervisor for messages sent to or from of the first vehicle, wherein the vehicles in the fleet are configured to; receive the message from the off-board system; determine whether the first vehicle is within direct communication range; and in response to determining that the first vehicle is not within direct communication range, forward the message to the second, supervisor, vehicle; and wherein the off-board system is configured to; receive a message indicating that the second, supervisor vehicle is off-line; identify the first vehicle and any other supervisee vehicles of the second, supervisor vehicle; select one of the identified supervisee vehicles for promotion to supervisor; reassign the remaining supervisee fleet members as supervisees of the promoted vehicle; and broadcast a message to the fleet containing information about the reassignment. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for communicating on a network including a fleet of vehicles, comprising:
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assigning a first vehicle in the fleet as a supervisor of a group of vehicles, wherein the supervisor routes messages sent to or from the group of vehicles; receiving an indication that the first vehicle is off-line; identifying, responsive to the indication, a second vehicle in the group for promotion to supervisor; reassigning the second vehicle as supervisor of the group of vehicles; and broadcasting a message to the fleet containing information about the reassignment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification