Patent Description:
User terminal devices, such as smartphones, can be connected to a vehicle unit to provide connected services to vehicle occupants. These connected services may include handsfree calling, audio streaming, and integration with brought-in mobile device applications. Applications that are executed by the user terminal device can make use of the network connectivity of the user terminal device. However, applications that are executed by the vehicle might require connection to the user terminal device (e.g., via Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, or a universal serial bus (USB) interface) to utilize the network connectivity of the user terminal device.

Document <CIT> relates to a virtual network interface for use by vehicle applications accessing network connectivity of a connected mobile device and discloses a system using a mobile phone connected to an external wide area network and a vehicle computing platform and wherein a virtual network is established in order to provide external wide area network access to the vehicle computing platform.

Document <CIT> relates to a system and method in which use of available communication channels between the telematics system and on-board vehicle systems and mobile communications devices is prioritized and controlled to ensure availability for high priority systems.

Document <CIT> relates to a telematics platform including a telematics service and a telematics device interfacing with an on-board electronic system of a vehicle, performs a compatibility workflow with respect to the vehicle-telematics device compatibility and data accuracy.

Document <CIT> disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for providing network-based content to in-vehicle telematics.

However it might still be cumbersome, or sometimes even impossible, to at the same time, connect the vehicle applications to the network and to the mobile phone. Additionally or alternatively, it might still be cumbersome, or sometimes even impossible, to at the same time, connect the mobile phone to the network and to the vehicle applications. Hence, there is still a need for improved network connectivity for vehicle applications and/or for mobile phones communicating with such vehicle applications.

An object of embodiments herein is to provide efficient network connectivity for vehicle applications and for mobile phones communicating with such vehicle applications, not suffering from the issues noted above or at least where the above issues are mitigated or reduced.

According to a first aspect there is presented a user terminal device for providing wireless network access to an external wide area network according to claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect there is presented a method for providing wireless network access to an external wide area network according to claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect there is presented a gateway device for obtaining wireless network access to an external wide area network according to claim <NUM>.

According to a fourth aspect there is presented a method for obtaining wireless network access to an external wide area network according to claim <NUM>.

Advantageously, these aspects provide efficient network connectivity for vehicle applications and for user terminal devices communicating with such vehicle applications Advantageously, these aspects allow the user terminal device to maintain a wireless connection to the external wide area network for its internal applications and services. Advantageously, these aspects allow the gateway device to establish a wireless connection to the external wide area network in an efficient manner.

Advantageously, these aspects allow establishment of an Internet protocol (IP) based connection between the user terminal device and the gateway device.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the herein disclosed embodiments are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system 100a where embodiments presented herein can be applied. The communication system 100a comprises an external wide area network <NUM>, a vehicle <NUM>, a user terminal device <NUM>, and a gateway device <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> is located in the vehicle <NUM>.

In some aspects, wireless communication is to be established between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> (as indicated by wireless link 130a), between the user terminal device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> (as indicated by wireless link 130b), as well as between the gateway device <NUM> and the user terminal device <NUM> (as indicated by wireless link 130c).

The external wide area network <NUM> might provide communications services, such as packet-switched network services (e.g., Internet access, VoIP communication services), to devices connected to the communications network external wide area network <NUM>. An example of the external wide area network <NUM> might include a cellular telephone network. In some embodiments, the external wide area network <NUM> is the Internet.

There could be different examples of user terminal devices <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> could be a wireless device, mobile station, mobile phone, handset, wireless local loop phone, user equipment (UE), or smartphone. In some embodiments, the user terminal device <NUM> is a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

There could be different examples of gateway devices <NUM>. In some aspects, the gateway devices <NUM> is a WiFi capable communication unit that is operatively connected to in-vehicle services in the vehicle <NUM>. However, the gateway devices <NUM> might be incapable of at the same time have wireless link 130a and wireless link 130c in operation.

There could be different examples of vehicles <NUM>. The herein disclosed embodiments are applicable to any vehicle and in particular to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment, etc. In some embodiments, the vehicle <NUM> is a truck.

As noted above, having all three wireless links 130a, 130b, 130c operable at one time might be cumbersome or even not enabled. This might result in that the user terminal devices <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM> are incapable to communicate with each other and at the same time communicate with the external wide area network <NUM>. For example, when using tethering for operatively connecting the gateway device <NUM> to the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal devices <NUM>, data sharing between the user terminal devices <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM> might not be possible. For example, when using the gateway device <NUM> as a wireless access point, neither the user terminal devices <NUM> nor the gateway device <NUM> might be enabled to communicate with the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal devices <NUM>.

The embodiments disclosed herein therefore relate to mechanisms for providing wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM> and obtaining wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM>. In order to obtain such mechanisms there is provided a user terminal device <NUM>, a method performed by the user terminal device <NUM>, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the user terminal device <NUM>, causes the user terminal device <NUM> to perform the method. In order to obtain such mechanisms there is further provided a gateway device <NUM>, a method performed by the gateway device <NUM>, and a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the gateway device <NUM>, causes the gateway device <NUM> to perform the method.

According to some embodiments disclosed herein, the user terminal device <NUM> acts as a nomadic device and is operatively connected to the gateway device <NUM> in the vehicle <NUM> as a client. The user terminal device <NUM> then provides wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM> for all traffic as requested from the gateway device <NUM> as well as from the user terminal device <NUM> itself, but that the gateway device <NUM> acts as default gateway for all the data traffic exchanged with the external wide area network <NUM>. In this respect, the gateway device <NUM> at least is responsible for routing and serves as the forwarding host (router) to the external wide area network <NUM>.

In this respect, aforementioned document <CIT> does not disclose that the gateway device <NUM> acts as gateway for all data traffic exchanged between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> as well as for all data traffic exchanged with the user terminal device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG> illustrating a method for providing wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM> as performed by the user terminal device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The user terminal device <NUM> connects to the gateway device <NUM> as a client. Hence, the user terminal device <NUM> is configured to perform step S102:
S102: The user terminal device <NUM> establishes a wireless connection to the gateway device <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> is located in the vehicle <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> is identified as a client to the gateway device <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> uses the gateway device <NUM> as gateway for all data traffic exchanged between the user terminal device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

An application in the user terminal device <NUM> provides connection to the external wide area network <NUM> for all data traffic as requested from the gateway device <NUM> as well as from the user terminal device <NUM> itself but the gateway device <NUM> acts as gateway for all data traffic exchanged with the external wide area network <NUM>. Hence, the user terminal device <NUM> is configured to perform step S104:
S104: The user terminal device <NUM> establishes wireless network access for the gateway device <NUM> to the external wide area network <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> is operatively connected to the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal device <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> bridges all data traffic communicated between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

The order in which step S102 and S104 are performed might be interchanged such that step S104 is performed step S102.

Embodiments relating to further details of providing wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM> as performed by the user terminal device <NUM> will now be disclosed.

In some aspects, the wireless connection in S102 is set up whilst the user terminal device <NUM> maintains its own network connection. That is, in some embodiments, the wireless connection to the gateway device <NUM> is established whilst the user terminal device <NUM> maintains wireless network access between itself and the external wide area network <NUM>. This enables the user terminal device <NUM> to keep its own network access whilst at the time being enabled to wirelessly communicate with the gateway device <NUM>.

In some aspects at least one local application is run in the user terminal device <NUM>. Also data traffic from this at least one local application might then be routed through the gateway device <NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, also data traffic is exchanged between the external wide area network <NUM> and a local application run in the user terminal device <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> routes this data traffic through the gateway device <NUM>. This enables the user terminal device <NUM> to run a local application that requires network access whilst at the time being enabled to wirelessly communicate with the gateway device <NUM>.

There might be different ways for the user terminal device <NUM> to operatively connect the gateway device <NUM> to the external wide area network <NUM>. In some aspects, the data traffic between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> is tunnelled in the user terminal device <NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, the user terminal device <NUM> operatively connects the gateway device <NUM> to the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal device <NUM> by the user terminal device <NUM> tunneling all data traffic between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

In some aspects a tunnel is therefore set up for this purpose. Hence, in some embodiments, the user terminal device <NUM> is configured to perform (optional) step S104a as part of establishing the wireless network access for the gateway device <NUM> in step S104:
S104a: The user terminal device <NUM> sets up a tunnel in the user terminal device <NUM> for tunneling the data traffic between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

Such a tunnel might then be used to pipe data traffic to the external wide area network <NUM> from the gateway device <NUM>, for example, through a radio modem in the user terminal device <NUM> and to pipe data traffic from the external wide area network <NUM> to the gateway device <NUM>, for example, through a radio modem in the user terminal device <NUM>.

In some aspects, wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM> for at least one other entity in the vehicle <NUM> is also to be provided. Such wireless network access might then be provided via the user terminal device <NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, the user terminal device <NUM> is operatively connected to a communication entity in the vehicle <NUM> via the gateway device <NUM>. Wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM> is established also to the communication entity via the user terminal device <NUM>. Also data traffic as exchanged between the communication entity and the external wide area network <NUM> is routed through the gateway device <NUM>. This data traffic is tunnelled through the user terminal device <NUM> between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

Examples of such other entities will be provided below.

Data traffic might be communicated with the external wide area network <NUM> once the wireless network access for the gateway device <NUM> has been established to the external wide area network <NUM>. Hence, in some embodiments, the user terminal device <NUM> is configured to perform (optional) step S106:
S106: The user terminal device <NUM> communicates data traffic with the external wide area network <NUM> whilst using the gateway device <NUM> as gateway and whilst bridging all data traffic communicated between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG> illustrating a method for obtaining wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM> as performed by the gateway device <NUM> located in the vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment.

As disclosed above, in step S104 the user terminal device <NUM> establishes wireless network access for the gateway device <NUM> to the external wide area network <NUM>. Hence, the gateway device <NUM> is configured to perform step S202:
S202: The gateway device <NUM> establishes a wireless connection to the user terminal device <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> is identified as a client to the gateway device <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> is operatively connected to the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal device <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> acts as gateway for all data traffic exchanged between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> as well as for all data traffic exchanged between the user terminal device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

Embodiments relating to further details of obtaining wireless network access to an external wide area network <NUM> as performed by the gateway device <NUM> will now be disclosed.

In some aspects, the gateway device <NUM> lacks capability to establish wireless link 130a, at least when wireless link 130c is established. Hence, in some embodiments, the gateway device <NUM> is without capability to itself establish wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM>.

As disclosed above, in some aspects at least one local application is run in the user terminal device <NUM>. Also data traffic from this at least one local application might then be routed through the gateway device <NUM>. That is, in some embodiments, also data traffic as exchanged between the external wide area network <NUM> and a local application run in the user terminal device <NUM> is routed through the gateway device <NUM>.

As disclosed above, in some aspects wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM> for at least one other entity in the vehicle <NUM> is also to be provided. That is, in some embodiments, the gateway device <NUM> operatively connects the user terminal device <NUM> to a communication entity in the vehicle <NUM> via the gateway device <NUM>. Wireless network access to the external wide area network <NUM> is established also to the communication entity via the user terminal device <NUM>. Also data traffic as exchanged between the communication entity and the external wide area network <NUM> is routed through the gateway device <NUM>.

There could be different examples of such other entities in the vehicle <NUM>. In some examples, this other entity is a service and entertainment module. For example, this other entity might be configured for content provision, audio/video streaming, provision of order and/or logistics information, etc..

As disclosed above, data traffic might be communicated with the external wide area network <NUM> once the wireless network access for the gateway device <NUM> has been established to the external wide area network <NUM>. Hence, in some embodiments, the gateway device <NUM> is configured to perform (optional) step S204:
S204: The gateway device <NUM> communicates data traffic with the external wide area network <NUM> over the wireless connection to the user terminal device <NUM>.

There could be different ways for the wireless connection to be established between the user terminal device <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM>. In some embodiments this wireless connection is a WiFi connection (i.e., a wireless networking technology based on the IEEE <NUM> family of standards).

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system 100b similar to the communication system 100a and where embodiments presented herein can be applied. The communication system 100b comprises an external wide area network <NUM>, a vehicle <NUM>, a user terminal device <NUM>, a gateway device <NUM>, and a communication entity <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> and the communication entity <NUM> are located in the vehicle <NUM>. The user terminal device <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM> communicate over wireless link 130c. The gateway device <NUM> is operatively connected to the external wide area network <NUM> via the user terminal device <NUM>. The terminal device <NUM> comprises a radio modem <NUM> configured for wireless communication with the external wide area network <NUM> over wireless link 130b. A local application <NUM> is run in the user terminal device <NUM>. A further application <NUM> that interacts with the vehicle <NUM> is run in the user terminal device <NUM>. The gateway device <NUM> acts as gateway for all data traffic exchanged between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> as well as for all data traffic exchanged between the user terminal device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM>.

In <FIG> is illustrated that data traffic as exchanged between the external wide area network <NUM> and the local application <NUM> run in the user terminal device <NUM> is routed through the gateway device <NUM>. At interface 180a is illustrated data traffic as tunnelled in a tunnel <NUM> between the gateway device <NUM> and the modem <NUM> for exchange with the external wide area network <NUM>. The data traffic between the gateway device <NUM> and the external wide area network <NUM> is thereby tunnelled in the user terminal device <NUM>. At interface 180b is illustrated data traffic exchanged between the gateway device <NUM> and the communication entity <NUM>. At interface 180c is illustrated data traffic exchanged between the gateway device <NUM> and the modem <NUM> as terminated in the modem (e.g. modem originating data traffic destined for exchange with the external wide area network <NUM> via the gateway device <NUM> or modem terminating data traffic exchanged with the external wide area network <NUM> via the gateway device <NUM>). At interface 180d is illustrated data traffic exchanged between the local application <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM>. At interface 180e is illustrated data traffic exchanged between the further application <NUM> and the gateway device <NUM> (e.g. for further exchange between the gateway device <NUM> and the communication entity <NUM> over interface 180b).

<FIG> schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a user terminal device <NUM> according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry <NUM> is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 910a (as in <FIG>), e.g. in the form of a storage medium <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Particularly, the processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to cause the user terminal device <NUM> to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium <NUM> may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium <NUM> to cause the user terminal device <NUM> to perform the set of operations. Thus the processing circuitry <NUM> is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. For example, the processing circuitry <NUM> might be configured to perform instructions of the applications <NUM>, <NUM>.

For example, the storage medium <NUM> might store instructions for performing by the applications <NUM>, <NUM>.

The user terminal device <NUM> may further comprise a communications interface <NUM> for communications with other devices, functions, nodes and entities, as in <FIG> and <FIG>. As such the communications interface <NUM> may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components. For example, the communications interface <NUM> might implement the modem <NUM>.

The processing circuitry <NUM> controls the general operation of the user terminal device <NUM> e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM>, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface <NUM>, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium <NUM>. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the user terminal device <NUM> are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

<FIG> schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a user terminal device <NUM> according to an embodiment. The user terminal device <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a number of functional modules; a first establish module 210a configured to perform step S102, and a second establish module 210b configured to perform step S104. The user terminal device <NUM> of <FIG> may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of a set-up module 210c configured to perform step S104a, and a communicate module 210d configured to perform step S106. In general terms, each functional module 210a-210d may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 210a-210d may be implemented by the processing circuitry <NUM>, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface <NUM> and/or the storage medium <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may thus be arranged to from the storage medium <NUM> fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 210a-210d and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps of the user terminal device <NUM> as disclosed herein.

<FIG> schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a gateway device <NUM> according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry <NUM> is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 910b (as in <FIG>), e.g. in the form of a storage medium <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Particularly, the processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to cause the gateway device <NUM> to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium <NUM> may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium <NUM> to cause the gateway device <NUM> to perform the set of operations. Thus the processing circuitry <NUM> is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.

The gateway device <NUM> may further comprise a communications interface <NUM> for communications with other devices, functions, nodes and entities, as in <FIG> and <FIG>. As such the communications interface <NUM> may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.

The processing circuitry <NUM> controls the general operation of the gateway device <NUM> e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM>, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface <NUM>, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium <NUM>. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the gateway device <NUM> are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

<FIG> schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a gateway device <NUM> according to an embodiment. The gateway device <NUM> of <FIG> comprises an establish module 310a configured to perform step S202. The gateway device <NUM> of <FIG> may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as a communicate module 310b configured to perform step S204. In general terms, each functional module 310a-310b may be implemented in hardware or in software. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 310a-310b may be implemented by the processing circuitry <NUM>, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface <NUM> and/or the storage medium <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may thus be arranged to from the storage medium <NUM> fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 310a-310b and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps of the gateway device <NUM> as disclosed herein.

<FIG> shows one example of a computer program product 910a, 910b comprising computer readable means <NUM>. On this computer readable means <NUM>, a computer program 920a can be stored, which computer program 920a can cause the processing circuitry <NUM> and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM>, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 920a and/or computer program product 910a may thus provide means for performing any steps of the user terminal device <NUM> as herein disclosed. On this computer readable means <NUM>, a computer program 920b can be stored, which computer program 920b can cause the processing circuitry <NUM> and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM>, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 920b and/or computer program product 910b may thus provide means for performing any steps of the gateway device <NUM> as herein disclosed.

In the example of <FIG>, the computer program product 910a, 910b is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product 910a, 910b could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program 920a, 920b is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program 920a, 920b can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product 910a, 910b.

Claim 1:
A user terminal device (<NUM>) for providing wireless network access to an external wide area network (<NUM>), the user terminal device (<NUM>) comprising processing circuitry (<NUM>), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the user terminal device (<NUM>) to:
establish a wireless connection to a gateway device (<NUM>) located in a vehicle (<NUM>), whereby the user terminal device (<NUM>) is identified as a client to the gateway device (<NUM>), wherein the user terminal device (<NUM>) is configured to use the gateway device (<NUM>) as gateway for all data traffic exchanged between the user terminal device (<NUM>) and the external wide area network (<NUM>),
wherein the wireless connection to the gateway device (<NUM>) is established whilst the user terminal device (<NUM>) maintains wireless network access between itself and the external wide area network (<NUM>), and
wherein also data traffic is exchanged between the external wide area network (<NUM>) and a local application run in the user terminal device (<NUM>), whereby the user terminal device (<NUM>) is configured to route this data traffic through the gateway device (<NUM>); and
establish wireless network access for the gateway device (<NUM>) to the external wide area network (<NUM>), whereby the gateway device (<NUM>) is operatively connected to the external wide area network (<NUM>) via the user terminal device (<NUM>), wherein the user terminal device (<NUM>) is configured to bridge all data traffic communicated between the gateway device (<NUM>) and the external wide area network (<NUM>).