Method and apparatus for soliciting connectivity from wireless data networks
First Claim
1. A connectivity solicitation apparatus for maintaining Internet Protocol (IP) data connectivity between an IP addressable wireless data device and a wireless data network on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device, the wireless data network having a data inactivity node that tracks IP layer inactivity of the IP addressable wireless data device using an IP inactivity timer, the connectivity solicitation apparatus comprising:
- a transceiver module configured to send and receive user data traffic, as well as send solicitation messages to the wireless data network;
a processor configured to detect IP data inactivity at said transceiver module; and
a control module operating with said processor, configured to initiate sending a solicitation message on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device to the wireless data network through said transceiver upon the detection of IP data inactivity at said transceiver for a predetermined amount of time,said connectivity solicitation apparatus being separate from the IP addressable wireless data device and separate from the data inactivity node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to the embodiments of the techniques of this application, a wireless data device or other data node sends solicitation messages periodically to a wireless gateway, such as a PDSN, when there is no data traffic between the wireless data device and a wireless data network. Each solicitation message resets the simple IP inactivity timer on the wireless gateway. When multiple wireless data devices send solicitation messages, the interval between subsequent transmissions of solicitation messages is randomised to reduce the probability of collision with the solicitations from other devices on the same wireless link. The solicitation timer, for instance, may be based on the simple IP inactivity timer setting on the wireless network, and the number of wireless data devices that the wireless data network serves. Expiration of the solicitation timer at the wireless data device or other data node causes the next solicitation message to be sent from or on behalf of the wireless data device.
18 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A connectivity solicitation apparatus for maintaining Internet Protocol (IP) data connectivity between an IP addressable wireless data device and a wireless data network on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device, the wireless data network having a data inactivity node that tracks IP layer inactivity of the IP addressable wireless data device using an IP inactivity timer, the connectivity solicitation apparatus comprising:
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a transceiver module configured to send and receive user data traffic, as well as send solicitation messages to the wireless data network; a processor configured to detect IP data inactivity at said transceiver module; and a control module operating with said processor, configured to initiate sending a solicitation message on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device to the wireless data network through said transceiver upon the detection of IP data inactivity at said transceiver for a predetermined amount of time, said connectivity solicitation apparatus being separate from the IP addressable wireless data device and separate from the data inactivity node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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15. A method of controlling Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity between an IP addressable wireless data device and a wireless data network on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device, the wireless data network comprising a data switching node maintaining an IP inactivity timer corresponding to the IP addressable wireless data device, the expiration of the IP inactivity timer causing the IP addressable wireless data device to lose IP data connectivity, the method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining a solicitation timer at a connectivity solicitation apparatus other than the IP addressable wireless data device and other than the data switching node maintaining the IP inactivity timer; canceling the solicitation timer upon detection of the IP data traffic involving the wireless data device; upon expiry of said solicitation timer, initiating sending a solicitation message from the connectivity solicitation apparatus to the data switching node on behalf of the IP addressable wireless data device; and upon reception of said solicitation message at the data switching node, resetting the IP inactivity timer at the data switching node. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34)
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Specification