Remote device connection to a network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of connecting an off-line computer and an on-line computer via a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the network for a request from the on-line computer to access a second computer;
determining that said second computer is off-line;
notifying the second computer of the request via a signal, provided the second computer is off-line;
discontinuing the signal;
waiting for the off-line computer to initiate contact with the network; and
accepting a request by the off-line computer to connect to the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A central site such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) monitors information requests incoming from devices on a network such as the Internet. If the incoming information indicates that the services of a remote, off-line computer is required, the ISP signals the off-line computer via an out-of-band signal. In response to the signal, the off-line computer connects to the Internet through the ISP in its normal manner, and subsequently responds to the devices.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of connecting an off-line computer and an on-line computer via a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the network for a request from the on-line computer to access a second computer; determining that said second computer is off-line; notifying the second computer of the request via a signal, provided the second computer is off-line; discontinuing the signal; waiting for the off-line computer to initiate contact with the network; and accepting a request by the off-line computer to connect to the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer readable medium containing instructions for causing a computer at a Network Service Provider that provides access to a network to perform the steps of:
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monitoring the network for a request from an on-line computer system to access a second computer system; determining that said second computer is off-line; notifying the second computer system of the request via a signal, provided the second computer is off-line; discontinuing the signal; waiting for the off-line computer system to initiate contact with the network; and accepting a request by the off-line computer to connect to the network.
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11. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by a computer system at a Network Service Provider, causes said computer system to perform the steps of:
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monitoring a network for a request from an on-line computer system to access a second computer system; determining that said second computer is off-line; notifying the second computer system of the request via a signal, provided the second computer is off-line; discontinuing the signal; waiting for the off-line computer system to initiate contact with the network; and accepting a request by the off-line computer to connect to the network.
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12. A computer system comprising:
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an out-bound processing circuit configured to initiate an out-of-band connection with off-line computers; a local domain name server configured to convert a mnemonic address lookup request to a corresponding IP address, to determine if the computer associated with the IP address is off-line and to instruct the out-bound processing circuit to initiate an out-of-band connection with the off-line computer when the mnemonic address lookup request is for the off-line computer; and an in-bound processing circuit configured to receive connection requests from the off-line computer in response to the out-of-band connection. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of connecting an off-line computer to a Network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command by an off-line computer, the command informing the off-line computer that a device is attempting to contact the off-line computer; discontinuing reception of the transmission signals; and initiating contact with a Network Service Provider that provides access to a network in response to the received command. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer readable medium containing instructions for causing an off-line computer to connect to a network by causing the off-line computer to perform the steps of:
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receiving a command by an off-line computer, the command informing the off-line computer that a device is attempting to contact the off-line computer; discontinuing reception of the transmission signals; and initiating contact with a Network Service Provider that provides access to a network in response to the received command. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by an off-line computer, causes the off-line computer to perform the steps of:
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receiving a command by an off-line computer, the command informing the off-line computer that a device is attempting to contact the off-line computer; discontinuing reception of the transmission signals by the off-line computer; and initiating contact with a Network Service Provider that provides access to a network in response to the received command. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification