Systems, methods and articles for providing communications and services via a peer-to-peer network over a data transport link

摘要

Network communications, Web-based services and customized services using the Web-based services may be provided over a peer-to-peer network from a first peer to a second peer (e.g., automobile head unit) wherein the first peer has a separate connection to a more general server-based network such as the Internet. A communications device application based on a peer communications framework component in communication with a peer network stack on the communications device may work as middleware, with a connection to both a more general server-based network such as the Internet and to an external device, such as a head unit of an automobile. Although the communications device has a separate connection out to the Internet via a general network stack co-existing on the same communications device, the peer network stack and the general network stack are not directly connected.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving, from a head unit of an automobile and by a communications device having a handheld form factor, a request for functionality from a remote server; determining, by the communications device, whether to provide the head unit with the requested functionality using only information previously stored on the communications device; in response to determining to provide the requested functionality using only the information previously stored on the communications device, providing the requested functionality by sending at least some of the information previously stored on the communications device to the head unit, and otherwise: sending an updated request to the remote server for the requested functionality; and forwarding, by the communications device, at least a portion of information received from the remote server to provide the requested functionality to the head unit.