# US 7,411,911 B2 · Network availability status detection device and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,411,911 B2 - Document ID: US7411911B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/102,377 - Filed: 2005-04-08 - Published: 2006-10-12 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-08 - Assignees: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Allen J. Huotari; Manrique Brenes; Matthew B. McRae - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411911B2 ## CPC - H04L 43/0817: by checking functioning - H04L 41/082: the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality - H04L 41/0853: by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information - H04L 41/0654: using network fault recovery (ring fault isolation or reconfiguration in loop networks without recovery actions by a network management system H04L12/437) - H04L 43/0864: Round trip delays - H04L 43/16: Threshold monitoring - H04W 24/00: Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements - H04W 48/18: Selecting a network or a communication service - H04W 88/06: adapted for operation in multiple networks {or having at least two operational modes}, e.g. multi-mode terminals - 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 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device configured to send and receive messages over a first network and a second network includes a network status detector unit and a network disabling unit. The network status detector unit is configured to detect the availability of the first network and output a first network status signal indicating the availability or unavailability of the first network. The network disabling unit is configured to receive the first network status signal and disable the sending and receiving of messages on the second network when the first network status signal indicates the first network is unavailable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A network device configured to send and receive messages over a first network and a second network, comprising: a network status detector unit configured to detect the availability of the first network and output a first network status signal indicating one of availability or unavailability of the first network; a network disabling unit configured to receive the first network status signal and disable wireless communication to the second network when the first network status signal indicates the first network is unavailable; and a wireless transmitter configured to send messages on the second network, the wireless transmitter being configured to selectively broadcast a service set identifier (SSID) message, the second network being disabled by turning off the broadcast of the SSID message when the first network is not available. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the status signal is asserted true when the first network is available, and asserted false when the first network is not available. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the status signal indicates the first network is unavailable due to one of network congestion, loss of network connection, communication disruption, or network interruption. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the status signal form includes one of an internal value set in a register, an electrical signal, or as a visual indicator having one of two states. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter includes an SSID message to enable or disable voice communication, and an SSID message to enable or disable data communication. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second network is enabled by turning on the broadcast of the SSID message when the first network is available. ### Claim 7 In a network device configured to send and receive messages over an upstream first network and a downstream second network relative to the network device, a method comprising: detecting the availability status of the upstream first network; and disabling wireless transmission of the downstream second network when the upstream first network is not available, wherein the second network is a wireless network and wherein the network device includes a wireless transmitter configured to broadcast a service set identifier (SSID) message for use in granting access to the second network, wherein disabling the second network when the first network is not available further comprises: disabling the wireless transmitter broadcast of the SSID. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the status signal is asserted true when the first network is available, and asserted false when the first network is not available. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the status signal indicates the first network is unavailable due to one of network congestion, loss of network connection, communication disruption, or network interruption. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the status signal form includes one of an internal value set in a register, an electrical signal, or as a visual indicator having one of two states. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the wireless transmitter includes an SSID message to enable or disable voice communication, and an SSID message to enable or disable data communication. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the second network is enabled by turning on the broadcast of the SSID message when the first network is available.