Jul 29 2014
Utility Associates, Inc., the industry leader in Critical Connectivity and Mobile Video, announced today it has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the technology used in the company’s Rocket® Vehicle Router family of products.
The Rocket is a ruggedized universal wireless communications router that provides Wi-Fi connectivity and high-speed wireless upload for First Responder, Transit and Utility vehicles. The Rocket automatically switches between 3G and 4G LTE to provide the fastest and most reliable connectivity available wherever a vehicle travels.
U.S. Patent 8,781,475 was awarded to Utility for the location database system and method that automatically switches cellular data communications in Rocket wireless vehicle routers from 3G to 4G LTE mode whenever a vehicle travels into an area where reliable 4G LTE cellular connectivity is available. The patented technology reports cellular reliability and throughput on a geofence by geofence basis, so customers have their own coverage maps based on actual connectivity to and from vehicles in the field. The solution automatically updates the cell carrier quality database in all other Rocket vehicle routers when new 4G LTE cell towers are identified, so that all routers can automatically switch to the faster service when it is available to them.
“Utility has a track record of developing industry leading wireless connectivity and mobile video technologies,” said Robert McKeeman, CEO and Chairman of Utility Associates, Inc. “This latest patent confirms our exclusive ownership of technology that ensures our customers always have the best available connection to 4G LTE cellular service in their vehicles.”
In addition to automatic switching from 3G to 4G mode, the invention also provides a system and method to automatically switch between 4G LTE cellular networks of different carriers. This includes national carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, as well as regional carriers and private networks such as the New York City NYCWIN 4G LTE network and the upcoming FirstNet private network authorized by Congress for Police, Fire and EMS organizations.
“Utility’s goal is to provide the fastest, most reliable connectivity for Police, Fire, EMS, Utilities, Public Transit and other sectors that work remotely yet need fast reliable connectivity while in the field,” said McKeeman. “This new patented technology allows our customers to automatically change to data communication networks with faster speeds when they are available, so the user in their vehicle can focus on doing their work safely, effectively and efficiently.”
Utility has advanced the field of wireless connectivity with its industry leading mobile communications platforms, such as the Rocket®Vehicle Router and Atlas digital multimedia system.
Source: http://www.utility.com/