IP Library Granted Patent US 11,737,027
Granted Patent B2
US 11,737,027 · App. 17/488,916 · Granted Aug 22, 2023

Systems and methods for mobile backup

Inventors: Troy Harstad (Flowery Branch, GA); Charles Cottle (Decatur, GA); David Hamilton (Auburn, AL)
Assignee: Neptune Technology Group Inc.
H04W52/0258H04W52/0225H04W52/0277
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,737,027
App. No.
17/488,916
Granted
Aug 22, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device may include a communication interface and a processor configured to determine that a first transmission task is scheduled and attempt to execute the first transmission task. The processor may also evaluate a metric associated with an effectiveness of the first transmission task. The processor may further modify or set at least one of a transmission interval or power level associated with a second transmission task based on evaluating the metric.

Claims (76)

1. A device, comprising:

at least one communication interface; and

a processor configured to:

schedule a first transmission task and a second transmission task, wherein the first transmission task is associated with a cellular communication network and the second transmission task is associated with a communication for reception by a mobile data collection device,

determine, at a first time, that the first transmission task is scheduled,

execute the first transmission task,

determine whether the first transmission task was successful,

increment an error count in response to determining that the first transmission task was not successful,

determine, at a second time when the second transmission task is scheduled, whether the error count is greater than a predetermined value, and

modify or set at least one of a transmission interval or power level associated with the second transmission task based on the error count,

wherein when modifying or setting, the processor is configured to at least one of:

decrease a transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value, or

reduce a power level associated with the second transmission task in response to determining that the error count is not greater than the predetermined value.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second transmission task comprises transmitting meter data from a meter suitable for collection by the mobile data collection device.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a first communication interface and a second communication interface, and

wherein the first transmission task uses the first communication interface and the second transmission task uses the second communication interface.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the first communication interface comprises a cellular communication interface.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein when modifying or setting, the processor is configured to:

decrease the transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein when modifying or setting, the processor is further configured to:

reduce the power level associated with the second transmission task in response to determining that the error count is not greater than the predetermined value.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein when modifying or setting, the processor is configured to:

decrease the transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value, and

reduce the power level associated with the second transmission task in response to determining that the error count is not greater than the predetermined value.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the metric error count comprises a failure count or a time value.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute the second transmission task for a period of time after the first transmission task has been successfully executed.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute the second data transmission task at a power level and transmission interval based on a battery condition of the device.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a meter interface unit coupled to a meter.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the meter comprises a water meter and the device further comprises the water meter.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

execute the second transmission task at the reduced power level, wherein the reduced power level is approximately 0 decibel milliwatts (dBm).

14. A method, comprising:

scheduling a first transmission task and a second transmission task, wherein the first transmission task is associated with a cellular communication network and the second transmission task is associated with a communication for reception by a mobile data collection device;

determining, at a first time, that the first transmission task is scheduled;

attempting to execute the first transmission task;

determining whether the first transmission task was successful;

incrementing an error count in response to determining that the first transmission task was not successful;

determining, at a second time when the second transmission task is scheduled, whether the error count is greater than a predetermined value; and

modifying or setting at least one parameter associated with a second transmission task based on the error count,

wherein the modifying or setting comprises at least one of:

decreasing a transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value, or

reduce a power level associated with the second transmission task in response to determining that the error count is not greater than the predetermined value.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the modifying or setting comprises:

decreasing the transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the modifying or setting further comprises:

increasing a power level associated with the second transmission task in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the modifying or setting comprises:

decreasing the transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed, and

reducing the power level at which the second transmission task is executed.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

executing the second transmission task for a period of time after the first transmission task has been successfully executed.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

executing the first transmission task using a cellular interface.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

executing the second transmission task, wherein the second transmission task comprises:

transmitting meter data suitable for collection by the mobile data collection device.

21. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

setting a schedule associated with the second transmission task based on at least one of working hours of a day or days of a week; and

limiting transmissions associated with the second transmission task based on the schedule.

22. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

executing the second transmission task at the reduced power level such that a transmission associated with the second transmission task is unlikely to be received by the mobile data collection device.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor included in a device, cause the at least one processor to:

determine that a first transmission task is scheduled;

attempt to execute the first transmission task;

determine whether the first transmission task was successful;

increment an error count in response to determining that the first transmission task was not successful;

determine, at a second time when the second transmission task is scheduled, whether the error count is greater than a predetermined value; and

modify or set at least one of a transmission interval or power level associated with a second transmission task based on the error count,

wherein when modifying or setting, the instructions cause the at least one processor to at least one of:

decrease a transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is greater than the predetermined value, or

reduce a power level at which the second transmission task is executed in response to determining that the error count is not greater than the predetermined value.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein when modifying or setting, the instructions cause the at least one processor to:

decrease the transmission interval at which the second transmission task is executed, and

reduce the power level at which the second transmission task is executed.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 21, 2025
From: NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
To: NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGY GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 070590/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2021
From: HARSTAD, TROY; COTTLE, CHARLES; HAMILTON, DAVID
To: NEPTUNE TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.
Reel/Frame 057643/0889 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63089574 · Oct 9, 2020
Related Publication 20220116879A1 · Apr 14, 2022