SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING UNCERTAIN EVENTS FOR COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20120054571A1
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SmartSynch Incorporated (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howard, Edward G., Poschel, Tyler C., Reed, Paul A., Cobbs, Thomas H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,645,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/748
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, an intelligent communications device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for managing a network connection of the intelligent communications device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communication module for monitoring the network connection through a first port that is independent of a network port. The first port is associated with a computer-executable application that is operative to detect failure of the network connection. The apparatus further includes a detection module for detecting a failure of the network connection at the network port and, in response to the failure, causing the intelligent communications device to reconnect to the network. The apparatus also includes a power supply module for iteratively power-cycling operation of the intelligent communications device in response to a failed network connection.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring, establishing, and maintaining a network connection of an intelligent communications device in a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a first computer-executable application that is operative to detect a communications device in a network;

(b) establishing a point-to-point connection between the communications device and the network;

(c) initiating a second computer-executable application independent of the first application, the second application operative to;

(i) detect a network connection status, wherein the network connection status is determined based on execution of the first application;

(ii) respond to establishment of the network connection;

(iii) determine if the communications device is in a network coverage area;

(iv) if the communications device is in a network coverage area, determine a relative signal strength indicator associated with the communications device operating in the network strength, when the network communications device is in the network coverage;

(v) determine the status of a timer; and

(vi) based on the timer, if a predetermined amount of time has expired after a point-to-point has been terminated, re-determine the network connection status;

(d) detecting the status of the point-to-point connection, and;

(i) if the point-to-point connection has failed;

(A) execute a back-off-and-retry algorithm for a predetermined number of times;

(B) if the number of retries has not exceeded the predetermined number of times, reset the communications device and any associated peripherals;

(C) detect if a non-communication timer has expired, and, if the timer has not expired, reset the communications device and any associated peripherals; and

(D) re-initiate the first computer-executable application that is operative to detect a communications device in a network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network comprises a wireless network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network comprises at least part of a smart grid operating on a wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network connection comprises a PPTP.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a cellular modem.

7. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, perform operational steps of a method for managing a network connection in a communications network, the operational steps comprising:

(a) initiating a first computer-executable application that is operative to detect a communications device in a network;

(b) establishing a point-to-point connection between the communications device and the network;

(c) initiating a second computer-executable application independent of the first application, the second application operative to;

(i) detect a network connection status, wherein the network connection status is determined based on execution of the first application;

(ii) respond to establishment of the network connection;

(iii) determine if the communications device is in a network coverage area;

(iv) if the communications device is in a network coverage area, determine a signal strength associated with the communications device operating in the network strength, when the network communications device is in the network coverage;

(v) detect the status of a timer; and

(vi) based on the timer, if a predetermined amount of time has expired after a point-to-point has been terminated, re-determine the network connection status;

(d) detecting the status of the point-to-point connection, and;

(i) if the point-to-point connection has failed;

(A) execute a back-off-and-retry algorithm for a predetermined number of times;

(B) if the number of retries has not exceeded the predetermined number of times, reset the communications device and any associated peripherals;

(C) detect if a non-communication timer has expired, and, if the timer has not expired, reset the communications device and any associated peripherals; and

(D) re-initiate the first computer-executable application that is operative to detect a communications device in a network.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the communications network comprises a wireless cellular network.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the communications network comprises at least part of a smart grid operating on a wireless network.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the connection is a PPTP.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein network coverage is determined based on Relative Signal Strength Indicator.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the communications device comprises a cellular modem.

13. An apparatus for managing a network connection of an intelligent communications device, comprising:

a communication module that is operative to monitor the network connection through a first port that is independent of a network port, the first port associated with a computer-executable application that is operative to detect failure of the network connection;

a detection module that is operative to detect a failure of the network connection at the network port and, in response to a failure, cause the computer-executable application and the additional port to reconnect the intelligent communications device the communications network; and

a power supply module that is operative to iteratively power cycle operation of the computer-executable application until the network connection is re-established,

wherein the detection module is further operative to determine if a network device is within network coverage and, if the network device is out of network coverage, power cycle operation of the computer-executable application until the network connection is reestablished.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detection module is operative to execute a back-off-and-retry algorithm.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detection module further operative to record a number of power cycles that have been performed.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the network connection comprises a Point-to-Point protocol.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the network connection comprises a PPTP.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the network coverage is determined based on Relative Signal Strength Indicator.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the function of power cycling comprises restarting the communications device and any associated peripherals.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communications device comprises a cellular modem.