System and method for managing uncertain events for communication devices

• US 8,645,772 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Howard, Edward G., Reed, Paul A., Cobbs, Thomas H., Poschel, Tyler C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAMARRE, GUY J
• Application Number:
  US12/899,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20120054571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• Field of Search: 714748-751, 714/712
• US Class Current: 714/712
• 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. An apparatus for managing 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, wherein the computer-executable application is operative to detect a 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 the failure at the network port, cause the computer-executable application and an additional port to reconnect to the intelligent communications device to 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection module is operative to execute a back-off-and-retry algorithm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection module further operative to record a number of power cycles that have been performed.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network connection comprises a Point-to-Point protocol.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network connection comprises a Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network coverage is determined based on a Relative Signal Strength Indicator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function of power cycling comprises restarting the communications device and any associated peripherals.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a cellular modem.

9. A method of managing a network connection of an intelligent communications device, comprising:

monitoring 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 a failure of the network connection;

detecting a failure of the network connection at the network port;

causing the computer-executable application and an additional port to reconnect the intelligent communications device to the communications network in response to the failure at the network port;

determining if a network device is within network coverage; and

if the network device is out of network coverage, power cycling operation of the computer-executable application until the network is re-established.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the computer-executable application includes a back-off-and-retry algorithm.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

recording a number of power cycles that have been performed.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the network connection comprises a Point-to-Point protocol.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the network connection comprises a Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein determining if the network device is within the network coverage is based on a Relative Signal Strength Indicator.