Abstract:
A method is provided for operating a mobile router, comprising a wireless local area network transceiver and a wireless wide area network transceiver. The method comprises selectively utilizing the mobile router to establish a wireless Internet connection for a mobile device via said local area network transceiver and a wireless local area network access point when the local area network access point is identified as available by the mobile router and selectively operating the mobile router to access the Internet via the wireless wide area network transceiver when no wireless local area network access point is identified.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/514,054 filed as PCT Application No. PCT/US07/11631 filed on May 15, 2007 and claiming priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/800,749, filed May 16, 2006, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/800,679, filed May 16, 2006 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/800,750, filed May 16, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a wireless network router that interfaces wirelessly with a wide area network and forms a wireless local area network, in general, and to a wireless network router configured for mobile use with a mobile device, in particular. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many people use mobile or wireless end-user computer-type devices for a variety of purposes. These devices include smart phones, handheld computer-type devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers equipped with a wireless network interface card, and similar devices. Users often use such devices to read and write email messages, access the Internet, download and view image or video files, and run applications, among other uses. 
         [0004]    To use such mobile devices, the devices must be able to connect to a wireless network. Wireless local area networks (LANs) are often deployed inside structures such as homes, offices, public and commercial buildings. A typical wireless LAN comprises one or more wireless access points, such as a wireless router or “hot spot”, which communicates wirelessly with the mobile device, and allows the mobile device to connect to a wired network or other network that is also in communication with the access point. To stay connected to such a wireless LAN, the mobile device must usually stay within wireless communication range of the access points. This constrains the effective mobility of a wireless device. The mobile device must stay in the home, office or building to have wireless access to the wireless LAN. If the mobile device leaves the premises, the mobile device may leave the range of the wireless access points and thereby lose connectivity to the network. One commonly used wireless network industry standard is the IEEE 802.11 standard, also known as Wi-Fi. For Wi-Fi, the range of such access points is about 50 meters for indoor environments and 100 meters for outdoor environments. 
         [0005]    Some campuses and urban areas provide broader WiFi coverage areas by placing a number of cooperating WiFi hot spots throughout the campus or urban area. This provides the mobile device with greater wireless access as the mobile device generally can move around the campus/urban area while maintaining wireless connectivity. However, when the mobile device leaves the campus/urban area connectivity may be lost, thus constraining the wireless mobility of the user. 
         [0006]    The mobility constraining problem has been addressed somewhat by use of cellular networks that allow mobile devices to communicate wireless data with such cellular networks using data communication standards, such as GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). Such cellular networks generally provide much broader coverage areas than wireless LANs or Wi-Fi area, so a mobile device will ordinarily have fewer restrictions on mobility when accessing such a cellular network. Further, cellular networks typically can accommodate roaming users by allowing devices to stay connected as they travel from one cellular network to another. 
         [0007]    Mobile user devices often experience interruptions in service due to drop-offs by the network whether the network is Wi-Fi or a cellular network. The problem is exacerbated when a user device is quickly moving between network cells, hot spots or networks. 
         [0008]    In addition, a mobile user device may experience other types of performance problems, including a change of bit rate or bandwidth during the data transmission, and a change in the quality of service (e.g., jitter, latency, data loss, etc.). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for operating a mobile router, comprising a wireless local area network transceiver and a wireless wide area network transceiver. The method comprises selectively utilizing the mobile router to establish a wireless Internet connection for a mobile device via said local area network transceiver and a wireless local area network access point when the local area network access point is identified as available by the mobile router and selectively operating the mobile router to access the Internet via the wireless wide area network transceiver when no wireless local area network access point is identified. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the local area network transceiver complies with a known standard for local area networks. In one specific embodiment, standard is the standard for WiFi. 
         [0011]    In the embodiment the wide area network transceiver comprises a cellular network transceiver as said wide area network transceiver. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for operating a mobile router, comprising a local area network transceiver, a wide area network transceiver. The method comprises utilizing the local area network transceiver to scan for an Internet access point; responding to an attempt by a mobile device to establish an Internet connection by first attempting to establish an Internet connection via the wireless local area network; and utilizing the wide area network transceiver to establish an Internet connection only if there is not an Internet access point available via the local area network transceiver. 
         [0013]    The method further includes continuing to utilize the local area network to scan for an Internet access point while the wide area network transceiver has established an Internet connection. 
         [0014]    In accordance with the method the mobile router terminates the Internet connection via said wide area network transceiver when the local area network transceiver identifies an Internet access point and the mobile router establishes an Internet connection via said access point. 
         [0015]    One embodiment of a mobile router comprises a local area network wireless transceiver to provide a first wireless communication link to a mobile device, a wide area network wireless transceiver, a processor, and a scanner operable with the processor to utilize the local area network transceiver to identify a local area network Internet access point. The processor is operable to respond to the mobile device to establish an Internet connection. The Internet connection is provided via the local area network transceiver establishing a second wireless communication link to the local area network access point when a scanned local area network access point is identified. The processor is operable to provide the Internet connection via the wide area network transceiver when an Internet access point is not accessible via the local area network transceiver 
         [0016]    In the embodiment of a mobile router the local area network transceiver complies with at least one standard for local area networks. 
         [0017]    Still further, in the embodiment, the wide area network transceiver complies with at least one standard for wide area networks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]    The invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures in which like designators refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a first network arrangement including a mobile router; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a mobile router; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of the process flow of a link monitor program module; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a second block diagram of the mobile router of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a second network arrangement; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a third network arrangement; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a download via the router of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a second flow diagram illustrating a download via the router of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of operation of a power control function of the router of  FIG. 5   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a network  10 . Network  10  comprises a mobile router  12  in communication with a mobile device  16  via a wireless communication link  14 . A wireless local area network  15  includes mobile router  12  and mobile device  16 . Wireless local area network  15  may be, for example, a network compliant with industry standard IEEE 802.11 network, i.e., a WiFi network, or a network compliant with industry standard IEEE 802.16, i.e., a WiMAX network, or a Bluetooth network, or any other suitable wireless network. 
         [0031]    Mobile device  16  may be any computer processor based device having a wireless transceiver capable of receiving and transmitting data via the wireless communication link  14 . For example, mobile device  16  may be a laptop (or notebook) computer equipped with a wireless network interface card, a wireless-enabled PDA, a pocket or palmtop computer, a WiFi phone (e.g., a Skype phone or VoIP phone), a WiFi appliance, a Sony PlayStation PSP or some other portable, network-enabled gaming station, a video screen, a digital camera, an audio player, a navigation device, a security camera, an alarm device, a wireless payment or POS device, or an automotive electronic device. 
         [0032]    The mobile router  12 , as explained further, may act as a gateway between wireless network  15  and a backhaul network  20 . Backhaul network  20  in turn may be connected to the Internet  18  or any other network, such as an intranet or another WAN, via a gateway  24 . 
         [0033]    Mobile router  12  communicate with the backhaul network  20  via a backhaul wireless communication link  22 . Backhaul wireless communication link  22  may be provided by a wireless network that is part of the backhaul network  20 , such as a cellular wireless network. The cellular wireless network may be of any type. 
         [0034]    Examples of such types of cellular network, include but are not limited to the following types: a Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service (GSM/GPRS) link; a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) link; a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) link; an Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) link; an Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) link; a 3GSM link; a Long Term Evolution (LTE) link, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) link; a Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA) link; an Integrated Digital Enhanced Link (iDEN) link; a WiMAX link; or any other suitable wireless link. 
         [0035]    Mobile router  12  and mobile device  16  are co-located in a vehicle, that is not shown, so that mobile router  12  is capable of being mobile and so that end-users of the mobile device  16  can enjoy wireless connectivity to Internet  18  via mobile router  12  as the vehicle travels through cells or nodes associated with wireless network  22 . The moving vehicle could be any land, water, or air based vehicle. 
         [0036]    Mobile router  12  may be mounted to the vehicle in a secure and generally tamper-resistant location. For example, the mobile router  12  may be mounted in the trunk of an automobile, and the end-user of the mobile device  16  may be a passenger or driver of the automobile. That way, the end-user could enjoy wireless connectivity as the automobile moves between cells of the wireless network  22 . 
         [0037]    Although only one mobile device  16  is shown in communication with the mobile router  12  in  FIG. 1 , numerous mobile devices  16  may be in communication with the mobile router  12  via network  14 . 
         [0038]    Mobile router  12  does not necessarily need to be installed in, affixed to, or otherwise placed in a mobile vehicle. For example, a user could use the mobile router  12  at home, work, or any other stationary location, or carry the mobile router  12 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a transceiver  30  may receive and transmit the wireless signals to the mobile router  12  via the wireless communication link  22 . A communication network  32  of the backhaul network  20  may communicate with the Internet  18  (or other network) via one or more gateways  24 . The communication network  32  may include conventional network elements such as servers, routers, switch, etc., and may provide wireless network service for the mobile router  12 . Of course, although only one transceiver  30  is shown in  FIG. 1 , it should be recognized that the backhaul network  20  may comprise a number of such transceivers, located in different areas serviced by the backhaul network  20 , such that the mobile router  12  may stay in communication with the backhaul network  20  as the mobile router  12  moves between cells or nodes of the backhaul network  20 . 
         [0040]    Third party servers may be in communication with the Internet  18 . Mobile device  16  can access the third party servers, through the mobile router  12  and the backhaul network  20 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the mobile router  12 . Mobile router  12  may comprise one or more processors  40 , one or more memory units  42 , a backhaul network interface  44 , and a local network interface  46 . A system bus  48  interconnects the one or more processors  40 , memory units  42 , backhaul network interface  44  and local network interface  46 . Mobile router  12  also comprises one or more serial interfaces  38  that interface to a serial bus. In the embodiment shown, the serial bus connects to a serial device  36 . 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagram of mobile router  12  does not include conventional components of a router. 
         [0043]    Backhaul network interface  44  interfaces with and provides a wireless communication link with backhaul network  20 . Local network interface  26  interfaces and provides a wireless communication link with wireless network  15 . Backhaul network interface  44  may interface with one or more types of wireless communication link  22 . For example, the backhaul network interface  44  may be any one or more of a GSM/GPRS interface, a UTMS interface, an LTE interface, an EDGE interface, and a WiMAX interface. 
         [0044]    Similarly, local network interface  46  may interface to one or more types of wireless network  15  such as a WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth interface. 
         [0045]    Processor  40  may execute various programs or instruction code stored in memory  42 . Memory  42  may comprise one or more types of computer-readable media. As such, memory  42  may comprise one or more memory chips, optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, or other memory devices. 
         [0046]    Various programs or program modules are executable by processor  40 . The program modules include a routing module  50 , a link monitor module  52 , a session proxy module  54 , and a serial port data publisher module  56 . The program modules  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may be stored in portions of memory  42  or in one or move separate memories. 
         [0047]    Routing program  50  is executed by processor  40  to route data packets between wireless network  15  and backhaul network  20 . Link monitor program  52  monitor cellular communication links (layer  2 ) and also Internet communication links (layer  3 ) via backhaul network  20  by sending test or probing data packets and monitoring for responses thereto. By monitoring the sending and receiving of test packets and responses, link monitor program  52  detects if either (or both) of the links fails. 
         [0048]    When processor  40 , executing link monitor module  52 , detects a drop-off, the link is reestablished to minimize the interruption in service to the end user. In many prior art mobile routers, when communications links are lost, the end-user&#39;s applications and network sessions are terminated. The end-user has to restart the applications and/or session when the communications links and network connection are reestablished. 
         [0049]    When processor  40  detects a failure in one or both of the communications link or Internet link, processor  40  initiates remedial action by attempting to reestablish the link or links. It may reestablish the link before applications on the mobile device  16  have to be restarted. That way, the user does not have to restart the applications or sessions. The user just typically notices that the applications/sessions slowed for a brief period of time while the connection was being reestablished. 
         [0050]    Link monitor module  52  as executed on processor  40  provides adaptive programming. If backhaul network interface  44  receives data packets over backhaul wireless communication link  22 , processor  40  sends less probing test data packets. Conversely, if backhaul network interface  44  does not receive data packets processor  40  sends more probing test data packets. By monitoring data packets received via backhaul network interface  44 , processor  40  determines that the interface is functioning. Accordingly processor  40  sends data test packets less frequently. 
         [0051]    Processor  40 , executing link monitor module  52 , monitors backhaul network interface  44  to determine that data packets are received. If processor  40  determines that backhaul wireless communication link  22  is working, then processor  40  sends fewer active probes on the backhaul network  20 . 
         [0052]    Cellular network users frequently lose data connections. In the absence of utilizing mobile router  12 , when a cellular network connection with a mobile device  16  is lost, applications running on the mobile device  16  stop running, and have to be restarted when the TCP session is re-established. 
         [0053]    Processor  40 , by executing session proxy module  54  acts as a session proxy for all TCP sessions going through the mobile router  12 . When a mobile device  14  seeks to establish a TCP session with a destination such as a third party server connected to network  18 , processor  40  terminates the TCP session coming from the mobile device  16  and, instead, establishes a TCP session via backhaul network interface  26  with the destination. Mobile router  12  also maintains a separate TCP session with mobile device  16  via local wireless communication link  14 . 
         [0054]    All end-user traffic between mobile device  14  and the destination is transparently routed through mobile router  12  on the two separate sessions. If one session such as the backhaul wireless communication link  22  goes down that does not negatively affect the session between the mobile router  22  and the mobile device  16 . As a result, processor  40  executing session proxy program module  54  maintains a TCP session to mobile device  16 . If applications running on mobile device  16  are dependent upon a TCP session, the applications may continue to run because there is a TCP session with the mobile router  12 , even though the TCP session over the backhaul wireless communication link  22  is lost. When communications via backhaul network communication link  22  are reestablished, mobile device  16  is able to keep running its applications and session without having to restart the applications. 
         [0055]    When communication over backhaul network communication link  22  is interrupted, processor  40  executing session proxy program module  54  prevent the TCP session for wireless communication link to mobile device  16  from starting its back-off timers. Under TCP protocol, mobile device  16  would normally assume that it cannot forward packets because of network congestion and it would accordingly start to slow down the session. In contrast, processor  40  executing session proxy module  54  maintains a TCP session between mobile router  12  and mobile device  16 . Mobile  16  device does not assume that network congestion is a problem and the TCP session between mobile router  12  and the mobile device  16  does not slow down. 
         [0056]    Execution of session proxy module  54  by processor  40  may be disabled by mobile device via a control panel for the mobile router  12  displayed on the mobile device. A user can disable execution of session proxy program module  54  when the user wants to maintain a TCP session with the destination. 
         [0057]    Processor  40  when executing serial port data publisher module  56  makes data received at serial interface  38  available from the mobile router  12  as a TCP stream or as some other type of data stream, such as HS-TCP or SCPS data stream. 
         [0058]    Via backhaul network  20  and Internet  18 , a remote database may be populated with the data received at serial interface  38  from device  36  so that data from serial device  36  can be remotely accessed via the Internet  18 . 
         [0059]    Serial device  36  may communicate with mobile router  12  using any suitable serial data protocol, including the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, the RS-232 standard, the RS-485 standard, the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard, or the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus standard, for example. 
         [0060]    Serial device  36  may be any suitable type of serial device, such as, for example, a GPS receiver from anywhere on the Internet. Other types of serial data devices  36  may be used. Serial device  36  may be a vehicle telematics device that captures data regarding the performance and operation of the vehicle (e.g., diagnostic data) in which the device is installed. Serial Device  36  may in some embodiments comprise a CAN bus. In further embodiments, serial device  36  may be a point-of-sale (POS) device that captures sale or payment information. 
         [0061]    Serial device  36  may also be a remote control for an in-car entertainment system that enables downloading music, video, games, etc., to third party systems or a device for interfacing to communication systems. 
         [0062]    Rather than transmitting the data to a central server, e.g., database  25 , a remote user could access mobile router  12  to access the data from serial interface  38 , or CAN bus or serial device  36 , directly. In one embodiment, an authenticated remote user could access an authentication server  23  as shown in  FIG. 1  to determine the address of the mobile router  12 . The remote user could then use that address to communicate with the mobile router  12  directly. Similarly, a local end-user of the mobile router  12  could access the data from CAN bus or serial device  36  via the local wireless network  14 . 
         [0063]    Processor  40  can output data and command signals via serial interface  38  to a CAN bus or serial device  36 . Utilizing serial interface  38  and an attached CAN bus, processor  40  may activate and control various components and/or systems of a vehicle. Serial device or CAN BUS  36  may be able to shut of the vehicle engine, unlock the doors, activate alarm functions, etc. Serial device  36  may also, according to various embodiments, perform payment functions, download data, receive advertising, entertainment, gaming, and/or information, as well as perform network management and control. 
         [0064]    In the embodiment described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 through 3 , mobile router  12  operates as a WiFi access point that allows WiFi clients such as mobile device  16  to gain access to the Internet via cellular wireless link  22 . As is evident to those skilled in the art, local network interface  46  comprises a WiFi compliant transceiver, the antenna of which is shown. 
         [0065]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , mobile router  12  is shown in further detail. In particular, local area interface  46  is expanded in detail to show a wireless transceiver  46   a  and interface  44  is expanded in detail to show a wireless transceiver  44 A. 
         [0066]    Wireless transceiver  46   a  is utilized to provide wireless communication to local area network  15  and provides the wireless link  14  thereto. As pointed out hereinabove, wireless transceiver  46   a  is compliant with one or more of industry standards for local area networks such as, for example, the IEEE standards for WiFi and WiMax. In the particular embodiment shown, the commonly used WiFi standard is utilized. 
         [0067]    Utilizing WiFi transceiver  46 A, mobile router  12  is also capable of acting as a client utilizing its WiFi transceiver to connect to other WiFi “hotspots.” 
         [0068]    A novel aspect of mobile router  12  is illustrated in block diagram form in  FIG. 5  and in the process flow diagram of  FIG. 6 . In particular, when mobile device  16  attempts to access Internet  18  at step  601 , mobile router  12  makes advantageous use of its WiFi wireless transceiver  46 A to first determine whether a local access network or WiFi Internet access point  503  is available by scanning the WiFi spectrum at step  603 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scan function may be provided as part of transceiver  46 A or in combination with processor  40 . In the event that a local access network or WiFi Internet access point  503  is identified at step  605 , mobile router  12  establishes a wireless communication link  501  to WiFi access point  503  that in turn is coupled to Internet  18  via a link  505  to thereby establish an Internet connection at step  607 . Link  505  may be any conventional link that is used by Internet access points. For as long as mobile device  16  is communicating via Internet  18  and for as long as a communication link  501  to WiFi access point  503  is operational, mobile router  12  maintains communication to WiFi access point  503 . This is illustrated by step  609  at which the WiFi link is monitored and at step  611  which determines if the WiFi link is lost or becomes non-operational. 
         [0069]    In the event that communication link  501  becomes non-operational, mobile router  12  scans for the availability of another local area network or WiFi access point at step  603 . If another local area access or WiFi access point is identified at step  605  and it has connectability to the Internet  18 , mobile router  12  will establish a new communication link  501  with the new WiFi access point  503  at step  607 . 
         [0070]    In the event that no local area or WiFi access point is identified by mobile router  12  at step  605 , mobile router  12  utilizes backhaul network interface  44  to access a cellular network connection to the Internet  18  as described above and as shown as step  613  and connects to the Internet at step  615 . 
         [0071]    Even though mobile router  12  establishes a connection to the Internet, it continues to scan the WiFi spectrum for an alternate WiFi Internet connection. 
         [0072]    By utilizing mobile router  12  to access a WiFi access point to establish an Internet connection, clients connected to mobile router  12  can obtain higher speed connectivity. In addition, since there is no cellular phone connectivity for such Internet connections, the costs of providing the Internet connection are reduced. 
         [0073]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the above embodiment describes the use of a WiFi transceiver and access point that mobile router  12  may connect mobile device  16  to any wireless local area network access point by providing a configurable transceiver and selectable drivers  403  shown in  FIG. 4 . Mobile router  12  includes drivers  403  that correspond to various industry standards such as the standards for WiFi and for WiMax and will select the appropriate driver based upon the type of wireless access point available. 
         [0074]    In another advantageous embodiment, mobile router  12  may be utilized to automatically provide synchronized downloads of predetermined content from various commercial sources of such predetermined content. By way of example, a vehicle equipped with mobile router  12  can obtain predetermined download copies of specific content such as movies or music. 
         [0075]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , mobile router  12  is provided with a wireless local area network interface as described above. A base computer or server  703  is provided with a compatible wireless transceiver and has access to digital files of predetermined content. 
         [0076]    In one illustrative embodiment, base computer  703  is located, for example, at a gasoline service station. Base computer  703  is provided with a data synchronization program. When mobile receiver  12  is within wireless communication range with base computer  703 , a wireless LAN connection is established automatically via a wireless link  705 . Upon establishment of the wireless LAN connection various predetermined entertainment content digital data is automatically synchronously downloaded from base computer  703  to mobile device  16  via wireless link  705 , mobile router  12  and wireless link  14 . 
         [0077]    By way of example, an agreement may exist between the supplier of mobile router services and, using the example above, the gasoline service station such that the owner or user of mobile router  12  receives free downloaded movies or other content each time the owner or user gases up at the service station. 
         [0078]    In another embodiment, base computer  703  is located at the home or residence of the owner or user of mobile router  12 , or the residence of the owner or user of mobile device  16 . When the vehicle containing mobile router  12  returns home, mobile router  12  automatically receives a synchronized download of content from base computer  703 . The content is directed to mobile device  16  and may include various predetermined entertainment type content such as movies, videos, audio files or any other types of files that has been predetermined for synchronized download to mobile device  16 . 
         [0079]    Mobile router  12  and base computer  703  are set up to provide synchronized downloads. Turning now to  FIG. 8 , mobile router  12  is provided with a WiFi interface at step  801  and is configured at step  803  to identify the mobile device  16  or mobile devices that are to receive synchronized content. A configuration program module  407  shown in  FIG. 4  is loaded into mobile router  12  to provide configuration control along with synchronization agent  405 . 
         [0080]    A synchronization client is installed at step  805  on base computer  703 . At step  807 , the sync client is configured to identify the specific mobile device  16  or devices that are to receive synchronized downloads and to also identify the content to be synchronized to mobile device  16  or devices. In addition, particular characteristics of each mobile device that is to receive synchronized downloads are provided to base computer  703 . One example of such a characteristic is the memory available on the mobile device  16  or devices. Alternatively, the memory may be the memory in a vehicular entertainment system or systems. 
         [0081]    Turning now to  FIG. 9 , operation of the base computer  703  is illustrated. After the synchronization client is configured at step  807 , base computer  703  monitors its WiFi transceiver. Upon detecting mobile router  12  at step  901 , base computer  703  first authenticates the mobile router at step  703  and then activates the synchronization agent or program at step  905 . Base computer  703  downloads the predetermined content to mobile device  16  via mobile router  12  at step  907  until the download is complete at step  909 . 
         [0082]    The operation of mobile router  12  is shown in  FIG. 10 . Mobile router  12  utilizes its WiFi transceiver  46 A to scan the WiFi spectrum at step  1001  until a WiFi network is found at step  1003 . Upon detecting a WiFi network, mobile router  12  determines whether the detected network is a known network at step  1005 . If the network is a known network and further if its synchronization agent is determined to be active at step  1007 , mobile router  12  at step  1009  signals a power control circuit  411  shown in  FIG. 4  to maintain power to mobile router  12 . The predetermined content from base computer  703  is then downloaded to mobile device  16  via mobile router  12  at step  1011 . The downloading is continued until the entirety of the predetermined content is downloaded at step  1013 . 
         [0083]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , the operation of power control  411  is shown. Initially, at step  1101  a determination is made as to whether the vehicle ignition is on. If the ignition is turned on power control  411  is signaled at step  1109  to power up mobile router  12  and mobile router  12  is powered up at step  1111 . 
         [0084]    In the event that the vehicle agent ignition is off at step  1111 , a determination is made as to whether the synchronization agent  405  of mobile router  12  is active at step  1103 . If synchronization agent  405  is active, a signal is sent to power control  411  to power up mobile router  12 . If synchronization agent  405  becomes inactive, then a signal is sent at step  1105  to power down mobile router  12  and at step  1107 , mobile router  12  is powered down. 
         [0085]    Whenever mobile router  12  is powered up at step  1111 , the vehicle battery voltage is monitored at step  1113 . If the battery voltage is not low, mobile router  12  stays powered up, but if the battery voltage is low, a signal is again sent to power down mobile router at step  1105  and mobile router  12  is again powered down at step  1107 . 
         [0086]    As used herein, the term “mobile device” may comprise a “mobile device,” a “serial device,” a “CAN bus,” or other devices. 
         [0087]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited in any way by the embodiments shown and described herein, but that the invention be limited only by the claims appended hereto.