SYSTEM, METHOD AND USER INTERFACE FOR NETWORK STATUS REPORTING
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- initiating a connection attempt to form a network connection between a computing device and a communications network;
ascertaining a device-specific state, an authentication-specific state, and an internet protocol (IP)-specific state for the connection attempt; and
reporting an overall state of the connection attempt that combines the device-specific state, the authentication-specific state, and the IP-specific state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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. auto net 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.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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initiating a connection attempt to form a network connection between a computing device and a communications network; ascertaining a device-specific state, an authentication-specific state, and an internet protocol (IP)-specific state for the connection attempt; and reporting an overall state of the connection attempt that combines the device-specific state, the authentication-specific state, and the IP-specific state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processing devices to:
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attempt to form a network connection with a communications network; ascertain device-specific, authentication-specific, and internet protocol (IP)-specific states that correspond to the attempt; determine an overall state of the attempt based on a combination of the ascertained states; and display a graphical user interface to indicate the overall state of the attempt. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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one or more processors; a networking user interface, operable via the one or more processors, that is configured to report overall states for attempts to form a network connection between a computing device and a communications network; and a network connection state utility (NCSU), operable via the one or more processors, that is configured to detect a device-specific state, an authentication-specific state, and an IP-specific state for each of the attempts, and determine the overall states for the attempts by combining the device-specific state, the authentication-specific state, and the IP-specific state for each of the attempts. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification