System and method for upgradable remotely deployed intelligent communication devices

• US 8,694,824 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2013
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Howard, Edward Glenn, Cobbs, Thomas Hunter
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US13/769,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20130227337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 714/6.1, 714/6.12, 714/6.31, 714/2, 714/23, 714/4.1, 714/4.11
• US Class Current: 714/6.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2033 switching over of hardware resources
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

In one embodiment, an intelligent communications device for operating in a network is disclosed. The device includes a storage device having a plurality of partitions storing images for performing boot operations. The device also includes a detection module that is operative to detect a boot failure, and a first restoration module that is operative to restore an active image with a first backup image, in response to a detected boot failure from an active image. The device further includes a second restoration module that is operative to restore a second backup image in response to a detected boot failure after restoration from a first backup image. The device also includes a programmable processor that is programmed to cause execution of boot operations and functions performed by the detection module, first restoration module, and second restoration module.

Claims

1. A method for conducting field upgrades of a field deployed intelligent communications device in a smart grid, the intelligent communications device including a programmable processor and a storage device for storing a plurality of images, the intelligent communications device supporting a first communications protocol, the method comprising:

receiving an indicator of an update including a second communications protocol;

saving a back-up image including the first communications protocol;

receiving the update including the second communications protocol;

upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device with the update including the second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different from the first communications protocol, wherein the intelligent communications device is capable of being upgraded from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol without being removed from the field installation; and

restoring the back-up image including the first communications protocol in response to an upgrade failure.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via software implemented devices.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via hardware implemented devices.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via firmware implemented devices.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via a combination of hardware and software implemented devices.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein:

the update comprises multiple communication devices on a single chip; and

upgrading includes enabling at least one of such communication devices via firmware updating.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the communications protocols include at least one of WiMax, EDGE, IPv4/IPv6, Bluetooth, Infrared, broadband over powerline, and Ethernet protocols.

8. A method for conducting field upgrades of a field deployed intelligent communications device in a smart grid, the intelligent communications device including a programmable processor and a storage device for storing a plurality of images, the method comprising:

providing a first module which determines a corresponding first communications protocol used by the communications device;

upgrading the field deployed communications device with at least one other module, which determines a second communications protocol used by the communications device, the second communications protocol being different from the first communications protocol, wherein the intelligent communications device is capable of being upgraded from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol without being removed from the field installation;

providing a plurality of slots in the communications device for respective receipt of at least one printed circuit board (PCB) which comprises the first module for determining a corresponding first communications protocol used by the communications device; and

upgrading the field deployed communications device further includes inserting at least one other PCB in a respective slot therefor, which comprises the other module for determining the second communications protocol used by the communications device.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the printed circuit boards each include circuitry for enabling a specific protocol.

10. A method as in claim 9, further comprising:

providing more than one PCB respectively enabling more than one protocol; and

providing software configured in the intelligent communications device operative to selectively enable and disable one or more of the PCBs of the communications device.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the software is remotely actuated so that support for a desired communication technology is remotely selected.

12. A method as in claim 8, further comprising:

partitioning the storage device into plurality of partitions, the plurality of partitions comprising at least a first partition, a second partition, and a third partition;

storing an active image comprising a root file system in the first partition;

storing a first backup image comprising a backup root file system in the second partition;

storing a second backup image in the third partition, wherein the second backup image is different from the first backup image;

detecting a failure of the active image;

restoring the active image with the first backup image in response to the failure of the active image; and

if the intelligent communications device fails to boot after restoration from the first backup image, restoring the intelligent communications device with the second backup image.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of partitions reside on one or more storage device.

14. A method as in claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of partitions is configured to operate as a remote storage device.

15. A method as in claim 12, wherein the storage device is at least one of an EEPROM, an EPROM, a ROM, or a flash memory.

16. A method as in claim 12, wherein the active image is operative to receive updates from a remote server.

17. A method as in claim 12, wherein the storage device is operable at a location external to the intelligent communications device.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause a computer to perform functions for field-upgradable operation of a field deployed intelligent communications device in a smart grid, the intelligent communications device including a programmable processor and a storage device for storing a plurality of images, the intelligent communications device supporting a first communications protocol, the functions comprising:

receiving an indicator of an update including a second communications protocol;

saving a back-up image including the first communications protocol;

receiving the update including the second communications protocol;

upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device with the update including the second communications protocol, the second communications protocol being different from the first communications protocol, wherein the intelligent communications device is capable of being upgraded from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol without being removed from the field installation, and

restoring the back-up image including the first communications protocol in response to an upgrade failure.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via software implemented devices.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via hardware implemented devices.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via firmware implemented devices.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, wherein upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device is facilitated via a combination of hardware and software implemented devices.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, further comprising:

multiple communication devices on a single chip; and

enabling at least one of such communication devices via firmware updating.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 18, wherein the communications protocols include at least one of WiMax, EDGE, IPv4/IPv6, Bluetooth, Infrared, broadband over powerline, and Ethernet protocols.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause a computer to perform functions for field-upgradable operation of a field deployed intelligent communications device in a smart grid, the intelligent communications device including a programmable processor and a storage device for storing a plurality of images, the functions comprising:

enabling a first module which determines a corresponding first communications protocol used by the communications device;

upgrading the field deployed intelligent communications device with at least one other module, which determines a second communications protocol used by the communications device, the second communications protocol being different from the first communications protocol, wherein the intelligent communications device is capable of being upgraded from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol without being removed from the field installation;

enabling a plurality of slots in the communications device for respective receipt of at least one printed circuit board (PCB) which comprises the first module for determining a corresponding first communications protocol used by the communications device; and

upgrading the field deployed communications device further includes inserting at least one other PCB in a respective slot therefor, which comprises the other module for determining the second communications protocol used by the communications device.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 25, wherein the printed circuit boards each include circuitry for enabling a specific protocol.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 26, further comprising:

providing more than one PCB respectively enabling more than one protocol; and

providing software configured in the intelligent communications device operative to selectively enable and disable one or more of the PCBs of the communications device.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 27, wherein the software is remotely actuated so that support for a desired communication technology is remotely selected.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 25, further comprising:

partitioning the storage device into plurality of partitions, the plurality of partitions comprising at least a first partition, a second partition, and a third partition;

storing an active image comprising a root file system in the first partition;

storing a first backup image comprising a backup root file system in the second partition;

storing a second backup image in the third partition, wherein the second backup image is different from the first backup image;

detecting a failure of the active image;

restoring the active image with the first backup image in response to the failure of the active image; and

if the intelligent communication device fails to boot after restoration from the first backup image, restoring the intelligent communication device with the second backup image.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 29, wherein the plurality of partitions reside on one or more storage device.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of partitions is operative to be configured remotely.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 29, wherein the storage device is at least one of an EEPROM, an EPROM, a ROM, or a flash memory.

33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 29, wherein the active image is operative to receive updates from a remote server.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in claim 29, wherein the storage device is operable at a location external to the intelligent communications device.

35. A field deployable intelligent communications device operable in a smart grid and supporting a first communications protocol, comprising:

a programmable processor;

a storage device for storing a plurality of images;

a receiver for receiving data; and

software configured in the intelligent communications device operative to, upon receiving an indicator of an update, saving a back-up image including the first communications protocol to the storage device, receiving an update including a second communications protocol, upgrading the intelligent communications device with the update including the second communications protocol, and restoring the back-up image including the first communications protocol in response to an upgrade failure, wherein the intelligent communications device is upgradable from the first communications protocol to the second communications protocol without being removed from its field installation.

36. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the update is received via a software implemented device.

37. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the update is received via a hardware implemented device.

38. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the update is received via a firmware implemented device.

39. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the update is received via a device with combined hardware and software implementation.

40. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, further comprising:

multiple communication devices on a single chip; and

enabling at least one of such communication devices via firmware updating.

41. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the communications protocols include at least one of WiMax, EDGE, IPv4/IPv6, Bluetooth, Infrared, broadband over powerline, and Ethernet protocols.

42. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 35, wherein the software is remotely actuated so that support for a desired communication technology is remotely selected.

43. A field deployable intelligent communications device operable in a smart grid, comprising:

a programmable processor;

a storage device for storing a plurality of images;

a plurality of modules respectively associated with the communications device for respectively determining corresponding communications protocols for use by the communications device, and including at least a first module for determining a first communications protocol used by the communications device;

software configured in the intelligent communications device operative to selectively enable and disable one or more of the modules associated with the communications device, wherein the intelligent communications device is upgradable from the first communications protocol of the communications device without being removed from its field installation, by enablement of another of the modules other than the first module in conjunction with operation of said software for selection of operation of such another module;

a plurality of slots in the communications device for respective receipt of printed circuit boards (PCBs) which respectively comprise the plurality of modules for determining the corresponding communications protocols for use by the communications device; and

at least a first PCB received in one of the plurality of slots for comprising the first module for determining the first communications protocol used by the communications device.

44. A field deployable intelligent communications device as in claim 43, further comprising:

(a) a storage device having a plurality of partitions operative to store images for performing at least one boot operation, the partitions comprising;

(i) a first partition storing an active image comprising a root file system;

(ii) a second partition storing a first backup image comprising a backup root file system; and

(iii) a third partition storing a second backup image that is different from the first backup image;

(b) a detection module that is operative to detect a failure of the at least one boot operation from the active image;

(c) a first restoration module that is operative to restore the active image with the first backup image in response to a detected failure of the at least one boot operation from the active image;

(d) a second restoration module that is operative to restore the second backup image in response to a detected failure of the at least one boot operation after restoration from the first backup image; and

(e) a programmable processor operatively connected to the storage device, detection module, first restoration module, and second restoration module that is programmed to cause execution of the at least one boot operation and the functions performed by the detection module, first restoration module, and second restoration module.