Network connection agents and troubleshooters
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- connecting a device to a network service in a plurality of stages;
displaying in real-time, a status for each of the plurality of stages; and
if the status comprises an error status, further displaying in real-time, troubleshooting help.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Subject matter includes a network connection agent and troubleshooter that automatically connects a device to a network service in multiple stages, displays real-time status reports of connection progress with respect to each stage, and displays troubleshooting help and instructions with respect to a stage if the stage is not successful.
84 Citations
74 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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connecting a device to a network service in a plurality of stages;
displaying in real-time, a status for each of the plurality of stages; and
if the status comprises an error status, further displaying in real-time, troubleshooting help. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An engine for connecting a device to a network, comprising:
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a communicative coupling engine to verify a communicative coupling between a device and a network;
a network settings engine to configure network settings, wherein the network settings include a network address;
a name resolution engine to associate a computing domain name with the network address; and
a service connection engine to communicate with a network service. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. One or more computer readable media containing instructions that are executable by a computer to perform connection stages, comprising:
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verifying a communicative coupling between a device and a network;
if the communicative coupling is verified, then obtaining an IP address using the communicative coupling, wherein obtaining an Internet Protocol (IP) address using dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) is attempted and if an IP address is not obtained using DHCP then obtaining an IP address using point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) is attempted;
if an IP address is obtained, then querying a domain name system (DNS) to resolve a domain name; and
if the domain name is resolved, then attempting communication with an online service using the IP address or the domain name. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. An automated method performed by a network connection-and-troubleshooting engine, comprising:
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dividing a task of connecting a device to a network or a network service into stages;
selecting one of the stages;
attempting a technique for completing the selected stage;
displaying real-time status reports of the attempting and of a success or a failure of the technique;
if the technique is successful, then selecting a subsequent stage and attempting a technique to complete the subsequent stage;
if the technique is not successful, then if more techniques are available then selecting and attempting another technique for the stage; and
displaying troubleshooting instructions if the technique is not successful and no more techniques are available. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. In a computer network connection and troubleshooting system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method of providing and selecting from a menu on the display comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a set of menu entries for the menu including a menu having links for selecting between automatically connecting a device to a network and manually connecting the device to the network, wherein the manual connecting includes manual input of at least one network setting;
displaying the menu on the display comprising the set of edit menu entries;
receiving a menu entry selection signal indicative of the user interface selection device pointing at one of the links on the menu entry on the display, and, in response to the selection signal, selecting either automatic or manual connection of the device to the network. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74)
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Specification