# US 2014/0207943 A1 · Method and system for managing a vpn connection

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- Number: US 2014/0207943 A1
- Document ID: US20140207943A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/749,292
- Filed: 2013-01-24
- Published: 2014-07-24
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-24
- Assignees: Research In Motion Limited
- Applicants: Research In Motion Limited
- Inventors: Chi Chiu TSE; Ania HALLIOP; Chun Hei LAI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140207943A1

## CPC

- H04L 12/4633: {Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling}
- H04L 61/2514: between local and global IP addresses
- H04L 61/2592: using tunnelling or encapsulation
- H04L 63/0272: {Virtual private networks}
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method and computing device configured to send and receive traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, the computing device having a processor; and a communications subsystem, where the method determines that a first trigger had been met; monitors whether data traffic exists over the VPN connection for a first time period; and if no data traffic exists over the VPN connection for the first time period, disconnects the VPN connection.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method at a computing device configured to send and receive traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, the method comprising:
determining that a first trigger had been met;
monitoring whether data traffic exists over the VPN connection for a first time period; and
if no data traffic exists over the VPN connection for the first time period, disconnecting the VPN connection.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first trigger is a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the first trigger further comprises the computing device having only an internal power source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is static and set by one of a user, an information technology policy, a device manufacturer or a carrier.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is dynamic and dependent on a condition of the computing device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the condition of the computing device is a power source level on the computing device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is broken into a plurality of sub-periods, wherein a timer is reset at the beginning of each sub-period.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising re-establishing the VPN connection upon the computing device transitioning into an active mode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising re-establishing the VPN connection upon expiry of a second time period.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the second time period is dynamic and dependent on a condition of the computing device.

### Claim 11

A computing device configured to send and receive traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, the computing device comprising:
a processor; and
a communications subsystem,
wherein the computing device is configured to:
determine that a first trigger had been met;
monitor whether data traffic exists over the VPN connection for a first time period; and
if no data traffic exists over the VPN connection for the first time period, disconnect the VPN connection.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first trigger is a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The computing device of claim 12, wherein the first trigger further comprises the computing device having only an internal power source.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The computing device of claim 1, wherein the first time period is static and set by one of a user, an information technology policy, a device manufacturer or a carrier.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first time period is dynamic and dependent on a condition of the computing device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The computing device of claim 15, wherein the condition of the computing device is a power source level on the computing device.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first time period is broken into a plurality of sub-periods, wherein a timer is reset at the beginning of each sub-period.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The computing device of claim 11, wherein the computing device is further configured to re-establish the VPN connection upon the computing device transitioning into an active mode.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The computing device of claim 11, wherein the computing device is further configured to re-establish the VPN connection upon expiry of a second time period.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The computing device of claim 19, wherein the second time period is dynamic and dependent on a condition of the computing device.