System, method and user interface for network status reporting

• US 20060026289A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lyndersay, Sean O., Duplessis, Jean-Pierre, Brewis, Deon C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections

Abstract

A method and user interface for informing a user of the status of a network connection are provided. Conventionally, the “connected” icon in the system tray only informs the user that the computer is linked to a network medium, such as an Ethernet or wireless access point. This icon does not indicate whether a routable IP address has been obtained. In this invention, an icon is used to inform the user that the network connection is disabled, connecting, connected (routable IP address obtained), or in a warning state. The warning state indicates that a non-routable IP address (e.g. autonet address) has been obtained, which will likely be unsatisfactory to the user. However, when connected to an 802.11 ad-hoc network, or when IP status checking is disabled, a non-routable IP address is deemed acceptable, and thus the “connected” icon is displayed.

Claims

1. In a computer system usable by a user, a method of informing the user of a network connection status comprising:

attempting to join a network;

detecting a state of the attempt;

if the computer system is not connected to a network medium, determining the attempt to be in a first state;

if the computer system has acquired a routable network address, determining the state of the attempt to be in a second state;

if the computer system has acquired a non-routable network address, determining the state of the attempt to be in a third state;

if the attempt is not in one of the first, second and third states, determining the state of the attempt to be in a fourth state; and

informing the user of the state of the attempt.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein attempting to join a network comprises undergoing an authentication procedure, and if the authentication procedure fails, determining the state of the attempt to be in the third state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first state is a disconnected state, the second state is a connected state, the third state is a warning state, and the fourth state is a connecting state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein when the state of the attempt is in the warning state, informing the user how to repair a problem causing the attempt to be in the warning state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a TCP/IP network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the network address is an IPv4 address.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, when one of IP status checking and 802.1x protocol are disabled on the computer system, determining the state of the attempt to be in the second state if the computer system is connected to a network medium.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein informing the user of the state includes displaying an icon on a desktop of an operating system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the icon is a first graphic when the state of the attempt is in the first state;

the icon is a second graphic when the state of the attempt is in the second state;

the icon is a third graphic when the state of the attempt is in the third state; and

the icon is a fourth graphic when the state of the attempt is in the fourth state.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising detecting a change in the state of the attempt and informing the user of the change by changing the icon.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

12. A user interface for informing a user of a computer system of a status of a network connection, comprising:

a first icon that is displayed to signify that the network connection is in a first state, wherein the first state is a state of not being connected to a network medium;

a second icon that is displayed to signify that the network connection is in a second state, wherein the second state is a state of having acquired a routable IP address;

a third icon that is displayed to signify that the network connection is in a third state, wherein the third state is a state of having acquired a non-routable IP address; and

a fourth icon that is displayed to signify that the network connection is in a fourth state, wherein the fourth state is a state of attempting to connect to a network.

13. The user interface of claim 12, wherein the network is a TCP/IP network.

14. The user interface of claim 13, wherein the network address is an IPv4 address.

15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein, when one of IP status checking and 802.1x protocol are disabled on the computer system, determining the state of the attempt to be in the second state if the computer system is connected to a network medium.

16. The user interface of claim 12, wherein one of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the fourth icon is displayed in the system tray.

17. The user interface of claim 12, wherein clicking on one of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the fourth icon launches a dialog box.

18. In a computer system usable by a user, a method of informing the user of a network connection status comprising:

attempting to acquire a routable IP address;

informing the user that the computer system is in an acquiring state;

failing to obtain a routable IP address;

waiting a period of time before making a second attempt to acquire a routable IP address; and

informing a user that the computer system has failed to acquire a routable IP address only after the second attempt.