Patent ID: 8874088

Claim:
A wireless communication apparatus configured to alert a user of a vehicle when out of network that a communication is desired, the wireless communication apparatus comprising: a first wireless communication device located in a cab portion of a vehicle and available to a user of the vehicle, wherein the first wireless communication device comprises a display indicator and is configured to: couple to a dispatch center via a first wireless communication network; couple, via a wired data link, to a second wireless communication device located in a trailer portion of the vehicle, wherein the second wireless communication device has a larger communication coverage area than that of the first wireless communication device, comprises a satellite communication device, is coupled to a second wireless communication network, and is configured to facilitate two-way data communication with the dispatch center; receive, over the wired data link, a display signal generated by the second wireless communication device in response to a receipt of a communication request signal comprising actual communication data originating from the dispatch center when the first wireless communication device loses a connection with the dispatch center over the first wireless communication network, wherein the display signal is configured to cause the display indicator to indicate an alert; and supply a communication request confirmation signal to the dispatch center to confirm the communication request signal was received.