Patent Publication Number: US-2015067312-A1

Title: Automated power cycling unit of a data processing device

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     This disclosure relates generally to the technical field of automating a power cycling operation of a data processing device, and in one example embodiment, to a system involving a unit to provide an automated power cycling of the data processing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A data processing device (e.g., a personal computer (PC), a network server, and/or a global positioning system (GPS)) may require a power cycling procedure. For example, a processing or computational error may cause the data processing device to freeze (e.g. a process may lock and/or suspend). Or, in an embodiment where the data processing device is in a data communication with another data processing device through a modem and/or network adapter, a processing error of either data processing device may cause data in the data communication to freeze, to be lost, or become out of sync. 
     Further, a power supply connected to at least one of the data processing devices may need to be disconnected from the data processing device in order to clear bits from the data communication and/or from a temporary memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) thereof. In one embodiment, this may require a user of the data processing device to physically remove the power supply. The user may be inconvenienced by this operation. For example, the power supply may be unreachable. Also, the user may not know a proper duration of time required by the data processing device for a complete power cycling event. Therefore, the data processing device may perform poorly and/or may be unable to communicate with other data processing devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method, system, and an apparatus related to automating a power cycle operation of a data processing device. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an error signal of a data processing device, through a processor of a power cycle unit, wherein the power cycle unit is coupled to the data processing device. Further, the method also includes triggering a timer circuit of the power cycle unit wherein the processor interprets the error signal and temporarily disables a power supply to the data processing device based on a predetermined duration, said triggering being accomplished through a processer of the data processing device. Furthermore, the method includes rebooting the data processing device, through enabling the power supply, wherein the predetermined duration has elapsed. 
     According to another aspect, a device includes a processor that is configured to receive an input from a data processing device. The device also includes a relay configured to pass electrical power to the data processing device when closed. Further, the device includes a timer circuit configured to open the relay for a predetermined duration based on the input to the processor, thereby deactivating the data processing device. 
     In yet another aspect, a system of automated power cycling involves a data processing unit configured to generate an error signal based on a self-detected error thereof. The system also involves a power cycle unit configured to receive an error signal through a processor thereof. The power cycle unit may also be configured to disconnect electrical power to the data processing device based a predetermined duration of time. Further, the system of automated power cycling involves a power supply configured to provide electrical power to at least one of the data processing device and the power cycle unit. 
     The methods, system, and/or apparatuses disclosed herein may be implemented in any means for achieving various aspects, and may be executed in a form of machine readable medium embodying a set of instruction that, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform any of the operation disclosed herein. Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawing and from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a system of an automated power cycling of a GPS unit with a power cycle unit and a power supply, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a schematic of the GPS unit and various hardware and software elements thereof, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  shows an error detection unit and various hardware and software elements thereof, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  displays a schematic of the power cycle unit of  FIG. 1  as well as elements that interface through input and output terminals, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  displays internal components of a timer unit of the power cycle unit, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a process flow of an automated power cycling operation, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow of an automated power cycling operation involving an administration server, according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments, as described below, may be used to provide a method, a system, and/or an apparatus of automatically cycling a power source to a data processing device through a power cycle unit, according to one or more embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of an automatic power cycling unit coupled to a data processing device, according to one embodiment. In one or more embodiments, a power cycle unit  100  may be connected to a data processing device. According to a particular embodiment of a data processing device, power cycle unit  100  may be connected to a global positioning system (GPS) unit  102 . It should be noted however, that the data processing device is not limited to the said embodiment of GPS unit  102  and may be any electronic device that requires power cycling (e.g., cycling power on and off in order to troubleshoot an error). 
     In one or more embodiments, power cycle unit  100  may be wired to GPS unit  102  in such a way that electrical power from a power supply  104  may pass through an internal wiring of power cycle unit  100  to GPS unit  102 . For example, power cycle unit  100  may be in a series connection between power supply  104  and GPS unit  102 . According to another embodiment, power cycle unit  100  may include an input/output interface (e.g., input terminals, output terminals, electrical wire harness) to provide electrical power  110  and/or a data communication (e.g., status signal  112 ) between power supply  104  and GPS unit  102 . 
     According to another embodiment of GPS unit  102  of  FIG. 1 , a GPS satellite  108  may be in a wireless communication with GPS unit  102 , wherein a location data may be communicated to the GPS unit  102 . Further, an administration server  106  may be in wireless communication with GPS unit  102 , according to one embodiment. For example, GPS unit  102  may be providing geospatial tracking to administration server  106 , based on the location data communicated through GPS satellite  108 . 
     Power cycle unit  100  may be in data communication with GPS unit  102 , in or more embodiments. For example, GPS unit  102  may communicate status signal  112  (e.g., normal code or reset code) to the power cycle unit  100  based on an operating status (e.g., normal operating mode, loss of communication, memory lock-up). Further, power cycle unit  100  may initiate a procedure to cycle electrical power  110  on and off, based on status signal  112 . Power cycle unit  100  may comprise the components (e.g., relays, switches, and/or logic gates) necessary to facilitate the procedure, in one or more embodiments. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts an embodiment of internal hardware and/or software of GPS unit  102  that may be required to provide automated power cycling thereof. In one or more embodiments, a GPS processor  200  may facilitate data processing operations and/or data communications of GPS unit  102 . In another embodiment, GPS unit  102  may include an error detection unit  202 . In one or more embodiments, error detection unit  202  may comprise hardware and/or software to enable an automated detection of processing errors thereof. Further, error detection unit  202  may function as a background program of GPS unit  102  and may generate a reset signal via status signal  112  based on detected processing errors and/or data communication errors (e.g., modem lock-up, antenna errors, unable to establish two-way communication with administration server  106  and/or GPS satellite  108 ). 
     According to one embodiment, GPS unit may comprise an error log  204  in order to provide information about a detected error to the administration server  106 . In one or more embodiments, error log  204  may utilize a temporary non-volatile storage (e.g., Read-Only Memory (ROM), hard-disk storage, etc.) of GPS unit  102 , wherein error log  204  may be retrieved by and/or communicated to administration server  106 . In one or more embodiments, error log  204  may comprise a type of error, a time that an error occurred, a plurality of operating conditions causing an error, and/or a record of status signal  112  being changed in order to trigger a power cycle. Error log  204  may allow administration server  106  to decrease future occurrences of errors by determining a cause thereof, according to embodiment. 
     Additionally, GPS unit  102  may include an antenna unit  206  to enable wireless communication with administration server  106 , GPS satellite  108 , and/or a remote third-party, in one or more embodiments. For example, antenna unit  206  may comprise a GPS receiver that utilizes a communication standard such as National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)  0183  and/or other various GPS communication protocols in order to bi-directionally communicate with GPS satellite  108 , according to one embodiment. Further, antenna unit  206  may comprise a cellular communications antenna and may utilize communication standards such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and/or Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) in order to communicate bi-directionally with administration server  106  over a wireless network. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts an embodiment of error detection unit  202 , wherein various software methods may be utilized to detect errors and provide automated power cycling of GPS unit  102 . In one or more embodiments, error detection unit  202  may comprise an executable environment wherein an error log generation script  212  may continuously loop as a background process. According to one embodiment, error log generation script  212  may detect a specific error type  210 , according to the error detected thereof. In one or more embodiments, error type  210  may include modem lock-up, antenna failure, and/or GPS processor  200  errors. 
     In one or more embodiments, error detection script  208  may run an error log generation script  212  based on error type  210 . For example, error log generation script  212  may generate a text file comprise details of error and/or failure. According to one embodiment, the text file may comprise error log  204  and may be stored in a temporary non-volatile memory. Further, error detection script  208  may trigger a reset signal  214 , wherein status signal  112  comprises reset signal  214  based on error type  210 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary schematic of power cycle unit  100 , according to one embodiment. In one or more embodiments, power cycle unit  100  may interface with power supply  104 , GPS unit  102 , and/or an auxiliary device through input/output terminals  304  (e.g., power and/or data terminals). For example, power supply  104  may deliver +12 volt (V) electrical power to power cycle unit  100  thereby delivering electrical power to GPS unit  102  through input/output terminals  304 . 
     According to another embodiment, power cycle unit  100  may comprise a processor  300 . In one or more embodiments, processor  300  may receive status signal  112  as an input from GPS unit  102 . For example, processor  300  may interpret status signal  112  to be LOW (e.g., 0 V) and may be configured to allow electrical power from power supply  104  to pass through to GPS unit  102 . In one or more embodiments, processor  300  may interpret status signal  112  to be HIGH (e.g., +3.5 V) and may be configured to cycle electrical power to the GPS unit  102  thereafter. Other configurations are evident and are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     In one or more embodiments, power cycle unit  100  may include a timer unit  302  in order to establish an interval of time to cycle power supply  104  with. For example, timer unit  302  may include a counter and a relay  502  to cycle power supply  104 . According to another embodiment, the functionality of timer unit  302  may occur as a function of processor  300 . For example, processor  300  may include software with which to configure timer unit  302  and/or may be a programmable integrated circuit. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of timer unit  302 , wherein timer unit  302  is configured to provide automated power cycling. In one or more embodiments, timer unit  302  includes a timer  400  to drive a switching of power from an ON to an OFF state. For example, timer  400  may be a programmable timer wherein a duration of time may be configured through a user input. According to another embodiment, timer  400  may be configured by a manufacturer to include a predetermined interval  406 , according to power cycling specifications of a specific data processing device (e.g. GPS unit  102 ). 
     In one or more embodiments, timer  400  may count down based on predetermined interval  406  and initiate a switching action at the expiration of predetermined interval  406 . For example, power supply  104  may be wired to relay  402 , wherein relay  402  may provide the switching action. In one or more embodiments, processor  300  may provide a trigger input to timer  400  therein starting a countdown. As a result, electrical power from the power supply may be supplied to relay power  404  (e.g., relay coil) for the duration of the countdown. Further, when electrical power is supplied to relay power  404 , relay  402  may open and/or switch so that electrical power to GPS unit  102  is cut off. Furthermore, relay  402  may remain open and/or switched until predetermined interval  406  expires, wherein relay power  404  may be cut off, causing relay  402  to close and/or switch to its original position. Electrical power to GPS unit  102  may be supplied thereafter, according to one embodiment. 
     Timer unit  302  of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  is an important element of automated power cycling, according to one embodiment. For example, timer unit  302  may receive an automated input wherein relay  402  is powered for a duration of time and power supply  104  is disconnected from GPS unit  102 . Accordingly, the duration of time wherein power supply  104  is disconnected may provide an amount of time needed to properly power cycle the data processing device. For example, GPS unit  102  may have cleared bits from RAM and/or may be able to boot-up cleanly upon a proper power cycle procedure. 
     In one or more embodiments, timer unit  302  may be a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein timer  400  may be built-in and configurable through a software interface. In another embodiment, timer unit  302  may include an integrated circuit such as a 555 timer, wherein multiple modes of timing may be available. According to another embodiment, timer unit  302  may utilize a quartz clock and a counter as timer  400 . Timer unit may include various logic statements configured to cycle power ON and OFF based on a number of the counter. In an additional embodiment, relay  402  may be normally closed (i.e., connecting power supply  104  to GPS unit  102 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a process flow of an embodiment where an error thereof GPS unit  102  triggers power cycling. In operation  500 , GPS unit  102  may detect an internal processing error thereof. For example, processor  300  may determine that a modem thereof GPS unit  102  has lost communication with administration server  106 . In operation  502 , error detection unit  202  may generate an error report that may be analyzed at a later time by administration server  106  whereupon communication is reestablished. In operation  504 , processor  300  may generate an error signal to power cycle unit  100  (e.g., status signal  112 ). 
     In operation  506 , error signal may trigger a timer countdown therethrough timer unit  302 , in one or more embodiments. In operation  508 , power cycle unit  100  may energize a relay coil (e.g., relay power  404 ) of timer unit  302 . According to one embodiment, supplying electrical power to the relay coil may actuate/open a switch thereby suspending electrical power to GPS unit  102 . In operation  510 , power cycle unit  100  may de-energize the relay coil when the timer countdown expires. According to one embodiment, the relay may close thereafter electrical power is suspended to the coil, thereby connecting power supply  104  to GPS unit  102 . 
       FIG. 6  is a process flow of error reporting, according to one embodiment. In operation  600 , administration server  106  may remotely detect an error of the GPS unit  102  through a wireless communication. In operation  602 , administration server  106  may determine whether a power cycle operation is required in order for GPS unit  102  to function correctly. In operation  604 , administration server  106  may send a reset signal. For example, the reset signal may change status signal  112  through GPS unit  102 , according to operation  606 . Further, timer  400  may be triggered and a countdown may begin. In operation  608 , a relay coil may be energized to disconnect power from power supply  104  to GPS unit  102 . Furthermore, in operation  610 , the relay coil may be de-energized wherein the countdown expires, thereby restoring power to GPS unit  102 . 
     Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. For example, the various devices and modules described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry (e.g., CMOS based logic circuitry), firmware, software or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g., embodied in a machine readable medium). For example, the various electrical structure and methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and/or electrical circuits (e.g., application specific integrated (ASIC) circuitry and/or Digital Signal Processor (DSP) circuitry). 
     In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and/or methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer device). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative in rather than a restrictive sense.