Method and system for monitoring ad-hoc network nodes

• US 8,023,936 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Dietiker, Rolf P., Hudson, John G., Bui, Michelle P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard; Patrick N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perez; Julio
• Application Number:
  US10/969,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20050232185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,526 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/390, 370/254, 370/400, 342/357.07, 342/454, 342/455, 701/1, 701/36, 455/421
• US Class Current: 455/421
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring a mobile ad-hoc network node (e.g. a network enabled aircraft) is provided. The method includes, receiving a message notifying when the ad-hoc node is preparing to join the ad-hoc network; and determining based on a threshold value, when the ad-hoc node should be joining a monitoring system that tracks the status and availability of ad-hoc nodes. The method generates a status message if the ad-hoc node fails to join the monitoring system. The message is received by the monitoring system via and external source to the ad-hoc network. The system includes a data center that receives the message notifying when the node is preparing to join the ad-hoc network; and determines based on a threshold value, when the ad-hoc node should be joining the ad-hoc network and monitoring system.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring real-time navigational data of a mobile node in an ad-hoc network, the method comprising:

receiving a navigational message from a messaging system external to the ad-hoc network regarding a real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining, based on the navigational message and a threshold value, when the mobile node should be joining the ad-hoc network;

sending a status message to an entity interested in monitoring the real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining whether the mobile node has joined the ad-hoc network;

generating another status message if the mobile node fails to join the ad-hoc network when it should; and

sending a message to a competent entity to begin an investigation into why the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have, if the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile node is an aircraft, a train, a boat, a ship or an automobile.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a message notifying when the mobile node will no longer be part of the ad-hoc network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the messaging system external to the ad-hoc network is the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a storage device for storing computer-executable process steps; and

a processor for executing computer-executable process steps including receiving a navigational message from a messaging system external to the ad-hoc network regarding a real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining, based on the navigational message and a threshold value, when the mobile node should be joining the ad-hoc network;

sending a status message to an entity interested in monitoring the real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining whether the mobile node has joined the ad-hoc network; and

generating another status message if the mobile node fails to join the first ad-hoc network when it should, wherein the processor is further configured to send a message to a competent entity to begin an investigation into why the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have, if the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mobile node is an aircraft, a train, a boat, a ship or an automobile.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a message notifying when the mobile node will no longer be part of the ad-hoc network.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the messaging system external to the ad-hoc network is the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System.

9. A system comprising:

a data center that receives a navigational message from a messaging system external to the ad-hoc network regarding a real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining, based on the navigational message and a threshold value, when the mobile node should be joining the ad-hoc network;

sends a status message to an entity interested in monitoring the real-time navigational status of the mobile node;

determining, whether the mobile node has joined the ad-hoc network; and

generates another status message if the mobile node fails to join the ad-hoc network when it should; and

sends a message to a competent entity to begin an investigation into why the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have, if the mobile node failed to join the ad-hoc network when it should have.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile node is an aircraft, a train, a boat, a ship or an automobile.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the data center receives a message notifying when the mobile node will no longer be part of the ad-hoc network.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the messaging system external to the ad-hoc network is the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System.