METHOD FOR SETTING UP AND OPTIMIZING MOBILE INTERNET CONNECTIONS, MONITORING MOBILE INTERNET CONNECTIONS, AND PROVIDING DETAILS ABOUT A USAGE AND COSTS OF MOBILE INTERNET CONNECTIONS

Abstract

A device adapted to provide an optimized internet connection while moving along a trajectory, comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code comprising executable operations embodied therewith, the device comprising a processor, preferably a microprocessor, coupled to the computer-readable storage medium, and wherein responsive to executing the computer-readable program code, the processor is configured to perform the executable operations comprising receiving data about a position concerning the device, providing position data, and receiving data about a quality of at least one communication network for connecting the device to Internet, providing network data, and receiving data about the trajectory, including a destination, providing trajectory data, and processing the position data, the network data, and the trajectory data, into a connection function, and optimizing the connection function, and based on an optimized connection function, providing the optimized internet connection.

Claims

1. A device adapted to provide an optimized internet connection while moving along a trajectory, comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code comprising executable operations embodied therewith; a processor coupled to the computer-readable storage medium, and wherein responsive to executing the computer-readable program code, the processor is configured to perform the executable operations comprising: receiving data about a position concerning the device, providing position data; receiving data about a quality of at least one communication network for connecting the device to Internet, providing network data; receiving data about the trajectory, including a destination, providing trajectory data; processing the position data, the network data, and the trajectory data, into a connection function; optimizing the connection function, and based on an optimized connection function, providing the optimized internet connection.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is included in a vehicle having the trajectory, and the vehicle provides vehicle data, and the processing also comprises processing the vehicle data.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is providing a series of optimized internet connections through a plurality of low orbit and/or medium orbit satellites.

4. A server system adapted to provide an optimized internet connection for a remote device moving along a trajectory, comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code comprising program executable operations embodied therewith; a processor coupled to the computer-readable storage medium, and wherein responsive to executing the computer-readable program code, the processor is configured to perform the executable operations comprising: receiving data about a position concerning the remote device, providing position data; receiving data about a quality of at least one communication network for connecting the remote device to Internet, providing network data; receiving data about the trajectory, including a destination, providing trajectory data; processing the position data, the network data, and the trajectory data, into a connection function; optimizing the connection function, and based on an optimized connection function, providing the optimized internet connection.

5. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the executable operations also comprise receiving data about costs of using the at least one communication network for connecting the remote device to Internet, providing billing data, and the processing also comprises processing the billing data.

6. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the remote device is included in a vehicle having the trajectory, and the vehicle provides vehicle data, and the processing also comprises processing the vehicle data.

7. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the executable operations also comprise receiving data about internet connection preferences, providing preference data, and the processing also comprises processing the preference data.

8. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the executable operations also comprise receiving data about internet usage of at least one client device that is operational coupled to the remote device, providing usage data, and the processing also comprises processing the usage data.

9. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the executable operations also comprise receiving data about at least one application using an internet connection and running on at least one client device that is operational coupled to the remote device, providing application data, and the processing also comprises processing the application data.

10. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the executable operations also comprise receiving data about atmospheric conditions along the trajectory, providing atmospheric data, and the processing also comprises processing the atmospheric data.

11. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the optimizing comprises establishing a contract for an internet connection with a provider.

12. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the optimized internet connection comprises at least one of a proposal for an adapted trajectory, a selection from available communication networks, a selection from available internet service providers, and a combination thereof.

13. The server system according to claim 5, wherein the billing data is continuously updated following the trajectory, resulting in bill entries and an amount to be paid, in particular wherein upon receiving clearance of the amount to be paid, the executable operations also comprise arranging payment of each of the bill entries.

14. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program product comprising program executable operations embodied therewith for setting an optimized internet connection for a device moving along a trajectory, the computer program product when running on a processor performing: receiving data about a position concerning the device, providing position data; receiving data about a quality of at least one communication network for connecting the device to Internet, providing network data; receiving data about the trajectory, including a destination, providing trajectory data; processing the position data, the network data, and the trajectory data, into a connection function; optimizing the connection function, and based on an optimized connection function, setting the optimized internet connection.

15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the device is included in a vehicle having the trajectory, and the vehicle provides vehicle data, and the processing also comprises processing the vehicle data.

16. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the computer program product is providing a series of optimized internet connections through a plurality of low orbit and/or medium orbit satellites.

17. A method for a computing device to provide data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection, comprising: collecting data, by the computing device, from data sources related to the mobile internet connection, and its connection chain, including a series of network metrics; processing the collected data, by the computing device, through a dedicated data source processor for each data source; enriching and correlating processed data, by the computing device, including data from Operational Support Systems and Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS), and providing the enriched and correlated data, by the computing device, as the data concerning the usage of the mobile internet connection.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the data sources comprise at least one of internet service provider (ISP) assurance data, ISP billing data, position data, atmospheric condition data including weather data, and a combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein collecting the data comprises at least one of SYSLOG, NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow, jFlow Export, and a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the dedicated data source processors comprise at least one of a network data processor, an assurance and performance data processor, a billing data processor, a position data processor, and a combination thereof.

21. A server system for providing data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection, comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code comprising program executable operations embodied therewith; a processor coupled to the computer-readable storage medium, and wherein responsive to executing the computer-readable program code, the processor is configured to perform the executable operations comprising: collecting data from data sources related to the mobile internet connection, and its connection chain, including a series of network metrics; processing the collected data through a dedicated data source processor for each data source; enriching and correlating processed data, including data from Operational Support Systems and Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS), and providing the enriched and correlated data as the data concerning the usage of the mobile internet connection.

22. The server system of claim 21, wherein the data sources comprise at least one of internet service provider (ISP) assurance data, ISP billing data, position data, atmospheric condition data including weather data, and a combination thereof.

23. The server system of claim 21, wherein collecting the data comprises at least one of SYSLOG, NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow, jFlow Export, and a combination thereof.

24. The server system of claim 21, wherein the dedicated data source processors comprise at least one of a network data processor, an assurance and performance data processor, a billing data processor, a position data processor, and a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0136] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0137] FIG. 1 depicts an example of an embodiment of a device in an airplane, adapted to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0138] FIG. 2 depicts a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a device adapted to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0139] FIG. 3 depicts an example of an embodiment of a server system adapted to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0140] FIG. 4 depicts a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a server system adapted to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0141] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a connection chain, or supply chain, and a server system providing data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection.

[0142] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an example method for collecting, processing, enriching and correlating, and providing data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection.

[0143] FIG. 7 depicts an example of an embodiment of a server system for providing data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection.

[0144] The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0145] FIG. 1 depicts an example 100 of an embodiment of a device 101 in an airplane 105, adapted to provide an optimized internet connection, during a flight from a start location 106 to an end location 107, along a trajectory 108. A client device 102 (e.g., a smartphone or a tablet) has a wired or wireless connection to device 101 that provides an optimized internet connection. At first device 101 provides an internet connection through communication network of satellite provider 103′ operating satellite 111′. During the flight the device 101 executes computer-readable program code that receives data about a position of the device 101 or the airplane 105, and receives network data from another communication network of satellite provider 103, and receives data about the trajectory 108. The computer-readable program code processes the received data into a connection function. By optimizing the connection function, the device 101 changes during the flight from communication network of satellite provider 103′ to communication network of satellite provider 103 operating satellite 111 in order to provide the optimized internet connection.

[0146] In a further example, the device 101 might not change to the other communication network of satellite provider 103, but instead, as result of processing computer-readable program code, the airplane 105 might adapt its route to an alternative trajectory 108′

[0147] In a further example, the device 101 causes a simultaneous, or nearly simultaneous, use of both communication networks, operated by satellite provider 103 and satellite provider 103′, in order to provide an optimized internet connection with the highest throughput.

[0148] In a furthermore example, the device 101 is not connected to a client device 102, and the device 101 is part of a satellite (smart) phone or is embodied in another device, such as a navigation device.

[0149] FIG. 2 depicts a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a device 101 adapted to provide an optimized internet connection. The device 101 has a computer-readable storage medium 201 having computer-readable program code comprising executable operations embodied therewith. The device 101 has a processor 202, preferably a microprocessor, and comprises at least one input 210 for a wireless connection, to support a mobile internet connection.

[0150] In an embodiment the at least one input 210 of device 101 is connected to an antenna or a satellite dish.

[0151] In further embodiment, device 101 comprises at least one wired or wireless network port 211 that may provide an internet connection to a local network for example in airplane 105 or on a boat 505.

[0152] FIG. 3 depicts an example 300 of an embodiment of a server system 301, adapted to provide an optimized internet connection for a remote device 302 in an airplane 105, during a flight from a start location 106 to an end location 107, along a trajectory 108. A client device 102 (e.g., a smartphone or a tablet) has a wired or wireless connection to remote device 302 that provides an optimized internet connection that is being provided by a server system 301. The trajectory 108 has been set to provide the most optimal internet connection. The remote device 302 is connected to the server system 301 through a communication network of satellite provider 103 operating satellite 111. During the flight the server system 301 executes computer-readable program code that receives data about a position of the remote device 302 or the airplane 105, and receives network data from communication network of satellite provider 103, and receives data about the trajectory 108. The computer-readable program code processes the received data into a connection function.

[0153] Due to a deteriorating network connection with satellite 111—for instance the number retries for sending a data package increases-, server system 301 optimizes the connection function and provides an adapted trajectory 108′ for airplane 105 in order to improve the connection with satellite 111 and provide the optimized internet connection.

[0154] In a further example, the remote device 302 is connected to a proxy server provided by server system 301.

[0155] In a further example, the server system 301 is limiting the use of an internet connection to a message application.

[0156] In a further example, the server system 301 initiates a connection handover from a communication network of satellite provider 103 to a communication network of satellite provider 103′, or causes remote device 302 to use simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, both communication networks, operated by satellite provider 103 and satellite provider 103′, in order to provide an optimized internet connection with the highest throughput.

[0157] In a further example when airplane 105 is near an airport 507, the server system 301 initiates a connection handover from a communication network of satellite provider 103 to a communication network of 4G/5G provider 502, in order to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0158] In a furthermore example, the remote device 302 is not connected to a client device 102, and the device remote device 302 is part of a satellite (smart) phone or is embodied in another device, such as a navigation device.

[0159] FIG. 4 depicts a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a server system 301 adapted to provide an optimized internet connection. The server system 301 has a computer-readable storage medium 201 having computer-readable program code comprising executable operations embodied therewith. The device 301 has a processor 202, preferably a microprocessor, and comprises at least one network port 411 for a connection to a wide area network (WAN), to support a mobile internet connection.

[0160] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of an embodiment of a connection chain, or supply chain, 500 comprising various wireless (531, depicted as dash lines) and wired (530, depicted as solid lines) connections, and a server system 301 receiving data (516, 515, 517, 514, 513, 511, 512, 521, and 523) originating from multiple data sources (105, 505, 507, 504, 503, 103, 502, 520, and 522) depicted as lines with an arrow, in order to provide a mobile connection to Internet 1 from an airplane 105, from a boat 505, and from airplane near an airport 507.

[0161] A data source for server system 501 is originating from an airplane 105 with a connection to a satellite 111, may provide data 516, including data such as position information and onboard terminal performance metrics.

[0162] A data source for server system 501 is originating from a boat 505 with a connection to a satellite 111 and, when near a coast, with a connection to a 4G/5G provider antenna 503, may provide data 515, including data such as position information and onboard terminal performance metrics.

[0163] A data source for server system 501 is originating from an airport 505 with a connection to a 4G/5G provider antenna 503, may provide data 517, including data such as traffic control information and flight plans.

[0164] A data source for server system 501 is originating from a satellite provider ground station 504 operated by satellite provider 103, may provide data 514, including data such as call data records (CDR), satellite performance metrics, position/location information and provisioning information.

[0165] A data source for server system 501 is originating from a 4G/5G provider antenna 503 operated by 4G/5G provider 502, may provide data 513, including data such as call data records (CDR), 4G/5G performance metrics, position/location information and provisioning information.

[0166] A data source for server system 501 is originating from a satellite provider 103, may provide data 511, including data such as comprised in a user traffic handover.

[0167] A data source for server system 501 is originating from a 4G/5G provider 502, may provide data 512, including data such as comprised in a user traffic handover.

[0168] A data source for server system 501 is originating from one or more OSS/BSS systems 520, may provide data 521, including data such as customer information, provisioning information, usage and billing information from satellite and 4G/5G providers.

[0169] A data source for server system 501 is originating from one or more third party data sources 522, may provide data 523, including data such automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) information, aircraft model information, flight plans, atmospheric condition information, Automatic Identification System (AIS), boat (or ship/vessel) model information.

[0170] Each provider in a connection chain, or supply chain chooses its own supplier of technology that might or might not provide useful data concerning a mobile internet connection. If a provided data is useful then a structure of data will differ depending on a technology and so will a method to retrieve data. In addition, a terminology or value units may differ depending on a technology. A simple example would be that some providers provide altitude in feet and others in meters. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art a method as depicted in a flow chart of FIG. 6 provides data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection originating from various data sources and different technologies.

[0171] FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an example method 600 for collecting (layer 602), processing (layer 603), enriching and correlating (layer 604), and providing data (layer 605) that relates to a mobile internet connection. Data from a data source layer 601 flows to a data provision layer 605 in order to provide data related to a mobile internet connection.

[0172] For example, such data may comprise mobile internet connection preferences, position of a connecting device, quality of a communication network, costs of using a internet connection, among other data from data sources that may be relevant to monitor/troubleshoot and/or to optimize an internet connection. The method 600 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 601-605. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may in some instances be performed in parallel. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

[0173] In addition, for the method 600 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the flow chart shows functionality and operation of one possible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor, preferably a microprocessor (202 or 202′), for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. The computer program product may be stored on any type of computer-readable storage medium or memory 201, for example, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive.

[0174] In addition, for the method 600 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, each block in FIG. 6 may represent circuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical functions in the process. For the sake of example, the method 600 shown in FIG. 6 has been described as implemented by a computer program product. The method 600 can also be described as implemented by a device, or server system, or computing device, or computer device, or computer system. Therefore, the terms “computer program product”, “device”, “server system”, “computing device”, “computer device”, “computer system”, and can be interchangeable herein. It should be understood that other entities or combinations of entities can implement one or more steps of the example method 600.

[0175] FIG. 6 depicts in schema 600, how data from a data source layer 601 comprising one or more data sources 601′ such as modem/router metrics, ISP assurance data, ISP billing data, OSS/BSS* data, network data including network quality data, location data e.g., ADSB/AIS, atmospheric condition data including weather data, and other connection relevant data. *Operational Support Systems/Business Support Systems.

[0176] The data from the data source layer 601 can be collected through a data collector layer 602 comprising one or more data collector methods 602′ for standards such SYSLOG, NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow, jFlow Export, and other connection relevant collector methods. In addition, technologies such as API, JSON/SOAP/GraphQL may be applied to collect data through secure connections using encrypting (e.g., VPN, SSH, SFTP, HTTPS) to for example connect to cloud storage (e.g., AWS Buckets)

[0177] The data from the data collector layer 602 can be an input for a data source processor layer 603 comprising one or more data source processors 603′ such as a network data processor, assurance and performance data processor, billing data source processor, position/location data source processor, and other connection relevant processors.

[0178] All data that are processed by the data source processor layer 603 will then be enriched and correlated in a data enrich layer 604. For example, a customer ID can be correlated to an application detection event ID, and can be enriched with weather data from a specific flight from AMS to NYC.

[0179] The data from the data enrich layer 604 is input for a data provision layer 605 comprising one or more data provision methods 605′ comprising API's, dashboards and other visualizations, monitoring/troubleshooting tools and auditing tools.

[0180] By using data mining and machine learning techniques on the data originating from data source layer 601, deviations in data and correlations of data can be detected, as well as predictions can be made, which can be used for (pre-emptive) actions such changing a network connection (e.g. change from satellite 111 to 111′), changing an internet- or communications provider, and/or changing a route of a vehicle (e.g. change flight path 108 to 108′), to provide an optimized internet connection.

[0181] A single connection flow usually hits multiple devices in the network, for example a traditional firewall and/or a network-based application recognition (NBAR) system and/or application recognition and control (ACR) system. These systems could have different hardware suppliers/brands (e.g., Cisco or Sandvine), have different specifications and support different functionalities. As a result, a data collector and a data source processor need to be able to handle the output from different ecosystems. Currently the most common flow data technology for statistics and monitoring is NetFlow and IPFIX.

[0182] In an embodiment a data source processor combines a single connection flow that hits multiple network devices from different suppliers into a single connection flow document instead of multiple documents describing the same connection flow.

[0183] For example, this single connection flow document can comprise information such as: device information from different brands that the flow hit, application recognition from a Sandvine system and NAT IP address from a Cisco firewall.

[0184] FIG. 7 depicts a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a server system 501 providing data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection. The server system 501 has a computer-readable storage medium 201 having computer-readable program code comprising executable operations embodied therewith. The device 501 has a processor 202, preferably a microprocessor, and comprises at least one network port 711 for a connection to a wide area network (WAN), to collect data concerning usage of a mobile internet connection.

[0185] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0186] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0187] Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.