Importance

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Abstract

? train The present invention relates to a system whereby a vehicle, such as a truck in a fleet, can communicate via a widely distributed, low-cost network to the fleet operator, who is located at a distant, fixed location. The network system is relatively low cost, easily accessed by a multitude of vehicles and fleet operators, and is robust in communicating the data. The system comprises one or more fixed nodes which have the ability to communicate at any time with a routing host server. The routing host is in turn connected to one or more mobile hosts via a communications link which also may be accessed at any time. Mobile nodes, such as vehicles moving about, are able to communicate with each of the mobile hosts whenever the mobile node is in the geographic vicinity of the mobile host, such as by two-way radio communication. When a mobile node makes communication contact with a mobile host, this information is relayed to the routing host. Once the routing host is aware that a connection has been made with a mobile node, the routing host can direct communications from any fixed node to the connected mobile node, and from the connected mobile node to any of the fixed nodes. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile hosts are placed where large concentrations of vehicles would be expected, such as truck stops, rest stops, weigh stations, loading terminals, etc.

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First Claim