# US 2009/0225683 A1 · Connectivity management and diagnostics for cellular data devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0225683 A1 - Document ID: US20090225683A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/315,179 - Filed: 2008-11-26 - Published: 2009-09-10 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-29 - Assignees: Jasper Wireless, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel G. Collins; Curtis Govan; Amit Gupta; Carl Keller; Rakesh Kumar; Suparna Kumar; Jahangir Mohammed; Scott Potter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090225683A1 ## CPC - H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events - H04L 41/0869: Validating the configuration within one network element - H04W 24/02: Arrangements for optimising operational condition - H04W 24/08: Testing, {supervising or monitoring} using real traffic - H04W 40/28: for reactive routing - H04W 60/00: Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration - H04W 8/22: Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities - H04W 8/30: Network data restoration; {Network data reliability; Network data fault tolerance} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A cellular network device comprises a data network indicator and an automatic network reconfiguration module. A data network indicator provides an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria. An automatic network reconfiguration module automatically reconfigures network data connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria. A cellular network device comprises a data network indicator and a management channel. A data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria. A management channel for enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein the management channel enables automatic access to the cellular network device for administrative maintenance or reporting. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cellular network device, comprising: a data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and an automatic network reconfiguration module for automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following: data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network uptime. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network bandwidth. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network latency. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network cost. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative route for data network connectivity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative voice network. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises registering with an alternative network. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A device as in claim 8, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting a PDP setup procedure using an alternative GGSN. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A device as in claim 8, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting an IMSI attach procedure using an alternative voice network. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A device as in claim 12, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from the IMSI attach step. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A device as in claim 12, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a GPRS attach step. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A device as in claim 12, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a PDP setup step. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity further comprises accessing a diagnostic channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A device as in claim 16, wherein the diagnostic channel is used to update a list of alternative networks. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A device as in claim 16, wherein transmissions accessing the diagnostic channel are marked as privileged. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A device as in claim 18, wherein privileged transmissions are marked by one or more of the following: changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device, changing the access point name the cellular device connects to, changing the user name the cellular device connects with, indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged, and marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A device as in claim 1, wherein data network connectivity is determined by one or more of the following: monitoring signals passed between the application software and the radio control software layer, monitoring the rate of data passing from the radio control software layer to the application software, monitoring the voice and data network registration status in the radio access software layer, and monitoring an external data network connection status indicator. ### Claim 21 A method for reconfiguring a cellular network device, comprising: providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A device as in claim 21, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following: data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network uptime. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network bandwidth. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network latency. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network cost. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative route for data network connectivity. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative voice network. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises registering with an alternative network. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A method as in claim 28, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting a PDP setup procedure using an alternative GGSN. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A method as in claim 28, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting an IMSI attach procedure using an alternative voice network. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) A method as in claim 31, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from the IMSI attach step. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) A method as in claim 31, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a GPRS attach step. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) A method as in claim 31, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a PDP setup step. ### Claim 36 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity further comprises accessing a diagnostic channel. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) A method as in claim 35, wherein the diagnostic channel is used to update a list of alternative networks. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) A method as in claim 35, wherein transmissions accessing the diagnostic channel are marked as privileged. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) A method as in claim 37, wherein privileged transmissions are marked by one or more of the following: changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device, changing the access point name the cellular device connects to, changing the user name the cellular device connects with, indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged, and marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination. ### Claim 40 (depends on 21) A method as in claim 21, wherein data network connectivity is determined by one or more of the following: monitoring signals passed between the application software and the radio control software layer, monitoring the rate of data passing from the radio control software layer to the application software, monitoring the voice and data network registration status in the radio access software layer, and monitoring an external data network connection status indicator. ### Claim 41 A computer program product for reconfiguring a cellular network device, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria. ### Claim 42 A cellular network device, comprising: a data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and a management channel for enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein the management channel enables automatic access to the cellular network device for administrative maintenance or reporting. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following: data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein configuration criteria comprise a device first customer use criteria wherein the management channel performs subscription management for first use by a customer. ### Claim 45 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein the management channel is not visible to a user. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein any communication over the management channel is not billable. ### Claim 47 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein the management channel comprises one or more of the following: a SMS channel, a data channel, a CSD channel, a USSD channel, a CBS channel, and a voice channel. ### Claim 48 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein the management channel is used to upgrade software. ### Claim 49 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein the management channel is used to update a list of alternative networks. ### Claim 50 (depends on 42) A device as in claim 42, wherein a transmission accessing the management channel is marked as privileged. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) A device as in claim 50, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device. ### Claim 52 (depends on 50) A device as in claim 50, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the access point name the cellular device connects to. ### Claim 53 (depends on 50) A device as in claim 50, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the user name the cellular device connects with. ### Claim 54 (depends on 50) A device as in claim 50, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged. ### Claim 55 (depends on 50) A device as in claim 50, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination. ### Claim 56 A method for a cellular network device, comprising: providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein a management channel enables automatic access to the cellular network device for administrative maintenance or reporting. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following: data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value. ### Claim 58 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein configuration criteria comprise a device first customer use criteria wherein the management channel performs subscription management for first use by a customer. ### Claim 59 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein the management channel is not visible to a user. ### Claim 60 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein any communication over the management channel is not billable. ### Claim 61 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein the management channel comprises one or more of the following: a SMS channel, a data channel, a CSD channel, a CBS channel, a USSD channel, and a voice channel. ### Claim 62 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein the management channel is used to upgrade software. ### Claim 63 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein the management channel is used to update a list of alternative networks. ### Claim 64 (depends on 56) A method as in claim 56, wherein a transmission accessing the management channel is marked as privileged. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) A method as in claim 64, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device. ### Claim 66 (depends on 64) A method as in claim 64, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the access point name the cellular device connects to. ### Claim 67 (depends on 64) A method as in claim 64, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the user name the cellular device connects with. ### Claim 68 (depends on 64) A method as in claim 64, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged. ### Claim 69 (depends on 64) A method as in claim 64, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a lo specific destination. ### Claim 70 A computer program product for a cellular network device, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance criteria; and enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance criteria, wherein the management channel enables automatic access to the cellular network device for administrative maintenance or reporting.