IP Library Granted Patent US 8,645,772
Granted Patent B2
US 8,645,772 · App. 12/899,486 · Granted Feb 4, 2014

System and method for managing uncertain events for communication devices

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,645,772
App. No.
12/899,486
Granted
Feb 4, 2014
Kind
B2
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 (23)

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.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2018
From: ITRON, INC.; ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 045017/0893 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: ITRON, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 036068/0231 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2012
From: SMARTSYNCH, INC.
To: ITRON, INC.
Reel/Frame 028579/0376 →