US006282660B1
`a2) United States Patent (10) Patent No.:—US 6,282,660 B1
`
`Anneet al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Packet Services —LANs and WANs, Copyright 1996 ©
`Cisco Systems, Inc., http://cio.cisco.com/warp/public/537/
`4-himl, Sep. 17, 1998, 33 pages.
`Inventors: Ramakrishna Anne, Spring; Robert F.
`(75)
`Break the Bandwidth Barrier, BYTE Magazine —Sep.
`Watts, Houston, both of TX (US)
`
`, Story,—http:/Avww.byte.com/art/9609/sec6/; 1996/Cover
`
`
`(73) Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation,
`artl.htm, Sep. 14, 1998, 18 pages.
`Houston, TX (US)
`xDSL Supercharges Copper, by Robyn Aber, 3Com Corp.,
`Mar.
`1997,
` http:/Avww.data.com/tutorials/xdsl.html,
`7
`pages.
`i
`*
`cited b
`by examiner
`cited
`Primary Examiner—Ario Etienne
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Akin, Gump, Strauss,
`Hauer & Feld, LLP
`
`(54) EXTENDING DIAL UP NETWORKING
`PARADIGM TO COVER NETWORK
`CONNECTIONS
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer,the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/164,543
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 1, 1998
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Tint, Cdn cece ccecesseeneecersenseecennenneeeeseeen G06F 1/26
`(SL)
`(52) US. Che ecsossssenessssie 713/300; 713/320; 713/322;
`713/323
`(58) Field of Search .ccccccscseseceeeeoe 713/300, 310
`713/320, 322, 323, 324 330
`7 eee?
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`A computer's representation and handling of dial-up and
`network applications are standardized. A LAN connection is
`established on a session basis only when required, enabling
`a user or system administrator to have the same control over
`the LAN connection as is typically exercised over a WAN
`connection. Examples of WAN connection features that are
`available to the LAN connection are the maintenance of
`billing information, access control, authentication and veri-
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`fication. In addition, an application can be represented by
`5.410.706 *
`4/1905 Farrand et al.
`.
`several different icons configured to utilize different proce-
`cecccsesccscssse 713/310
`5,652,803 *
`7/1907 Ben-Meir et al.
`
`5,794,057 * cecsssssssssssssssssesesee 713/300|dures and communication devices.8/1998 Lada, Jt.
`
`5,925,134 *
`7/1999 Solomon .
`6,000,043 * 12/1999 Abramson .u.cescsceeeee 714/44
`
`39 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`601
`
`NETWORK
`DEACTIVATE
`
`DUN CLOSE EVENT
`
`SIGNAL/REQUEST
`POWER DOWN STATE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NO DATA FLOW TO/FROM
`OS/APPLICATION
`
`DISABLE DRIVER}
`POWER DOWN
`HARDWARE
`
`610
`
`END NETWORK
`DEACTIVATE
`
`603
`
`605
`
`607
`
`609
`
`Google Exhibit 1096
`Google v. VirtaMove
`
`Google Exhibit 1096
`Google v. VirtaMove
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 BI
`
`guvOaAI»
`
`89
`
`PL
`
`
`
`(,J90149LSOH.,)ce
`
`a)|
`
`ysI0
`
`AYOWIW
`
`0g
`
`YATIOULNOD
`
`[Od“dV“AYOWSIAOI0IA
`
`
`ean!AV1dSI0
`
`HOSs390Ud
`
`0€
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 BI
`
`azzNW)
`
`YYOMISNVAuY1¥901
`
`YaLAdWOO
`
`&e
`
`
`
`
`
`YALNdWODYALNdNODWadOW
`
`
`
`YALNdWOd¥aLNdNOO
`
`9¢zid
`
`YALNdWOO
`
`bee
`
`SeebeeBee
`
`
`
`YYOMISNYauy30IM
`
`(NVM)
`
`002
`
`Olad
`
`QSHOLIMS
`
`FNOHSTAL
`
`YHOMLIN
`
`(SNLd)
`
`0Sz
`
`é¢Old
`
`foarte etianatienetianetiemtientontoanetnendieadieediasadiansieniansiensienienienianianianians
`
`—eeeeeeee]
`
`YaLNdWOO
`
`PLZ
`
`(Nv)
`
`YaLNdWOd
`
`ELZ
`
`0€zche
`
`sngYALNdINOD
`
`W3d0W
`
`OF
`
`HalNdWOO
`
`Glzé
`
`YALNdINOD
`
`ele
`
`YYOMLINV34Y1¥001
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 BI
`
`ayndwea
`
`
`
`Cte=—GLEELLE60€goerL20€90€GOE
`
`VeOld
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 BI
`
`UdedIO7INe}aq
`
`
`
`
`fSe:udlyaUUoy)eGt
`Sgtwasn1s0¥¢
`
`
`MmaNSHE.
`RabS&
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`401
`
`NETWORK APPLICATION
`
`PC OPERATING SYSTEM
`(0S)
`
`403
`
`DIAL
`SERVICES
`
`408
`
`DUN
`ICON 1
`405
`
`DUN
`ICON 2
`406
`
`SESSION
`MANAGEMENT
`
`ENABLE/DISABLE
`DRIVER
`415
`
`ENABLE/
`DISABLE MODEM
`414
`
`LAN DRIVER
`
`10
`
`412
`
`DSL/CABLE MODEM
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`INITIALIZATION
`
`POWER UP/
`INITIALIZATION
`
`507
`
`503
`
`505
`
`907
`
` 900
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISABLE DRIVER!
`POWER DOWN
`HARDWARE
`
`INITIALIZATION MODEM
`HARDWARE/DRIVERS
`
`SIGNAL/REQUEST
`POWER DOWN STATE
`
`509
`
`END
`INITIALIZATION
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`601
`
`NETWORK
`DEACTIVATE
`
`603
`
`605
`
`607
`
`609
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NO DATA FLOW TO/FROM
`OS/APPLICATION
`
`DUN CLOSE EVENT
`
`SIGNAL/REQUEST
`POWER DOWN STATE
`
`DISABLE DRIVER/
`POWER DOWN
`HARDWARE
`
`610
`
`
`
`END NETWORK
`DEACTIVATE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`7017
`
`NETWORK
`ACTIVATE
`
`
`
`
`DUN CLOSE EVENT
`
`
`ENABLE DRIVER!
`POWER UP MODEM
`HARDWARE
`
`703
`
`705
`
`707
`
`709
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SIGNAL WAKE-UP EVENT
`(WOL) TO OS
`
`DATA FLOW TO/FROM
`OS APPLICATION AND
`MODEM
`
`710
`
`END NETWORK
`ACTIVATE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`POWERON
`811
`
`FULL_DATA
`
`FULL_DATA
`RETURN _
`817
`
`
`
`
`875
`813
`
`
`FIRSTTIMEOUT
`POWERDOWN
`
`
`
`802
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FULL_OFF
`804
`
`LOW_POWER
`806
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE
`DEACTIVATE
`827
`819
`
`
`
`878
`
`SECOND_TIMEOUT
`
`SLEEPING
`
`808
`
`
`

`

`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`1
`EXTENDING DIAL UP NETWORKING
`PARADIGM TO COVER NETWORK
`CONNECTIONS
`
`BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`‘The present invention relates generally to a method of
`handling a computer’s network connections and, more
`particularly, to a method that enables a computer user or
`system administrator to standardize user interfaces for net-
`work and dial-up applications and to enable, disable, and
`monitor network based applications.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`In the beginning of the digital age, computers were
`stand-alone devices. ‘I'ypically every computer had its own
`programs, data and peripheral devices such as printers and
`modems. With the advent of personal computers (PCs), it
`becameadvantageousto share programs,data and peripheral
`devices among computers. For example, a laser printer that
`is only uscd occasionally by an individual PC might cost
`more than the PC. If the printer can be shared, the expense
`of providing print services to a number of computers located
`in close proximity to each other can be reduced.
`A number of methods for connecting computers and
`sharing resources among them were developed. Modems
`were developed to enable users to log in to or transfer data
`between distant machines, often over a telephone line. More
`recently, communication devices such as asynchronousdigi-
`tal subscriber line (ADSL) and cable modems have been
`developed. Computers that were close together were orga-
`nized into local area networks (LANs)and those that were
`farther apart into wide area networks (WANs). Although a
`WAN can consist entirely of a collection of widely dispersed
`stand-alone computers, a WAN is more often comprised of
`two or more LANs connected by meansof public telephone
`or leased lines. The Internet is an example of a WAN.
`Other innovationsthat followed the advent of the PC were
`
`“windowing” systems and “desktops.” Xerox Star, devel-
`oped at the Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center
`(PARC)in Palo Alto, Calif., demonstrated the practicality of
`a graphical user interface (GUI). Soonthereafter other GUIs
`were developed,
`including mac by the Apple Computer
`Corporation of Cupertino, Calif. and Windows by the
`Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.
`In addition to a window system, a desktop system is
`typically included on today’s PCs. One feature of the
`desktop is that a program or application can be initiated by
`clicking on an icon with a mouse. Depending upon where
`the application is located, on the current computer, on a
`connected LAN or on a connected WAN,the GUI follows a
`specified procedure to initiate the application. Since LAN
`connections are established when the computeris booted up,
`there is usually very little difference between initiating an
`application located on the current computer and one located
`on a connected LAN. However when an application is
`located on a connected WAN orother remote computer, the
`GUI typically must first, before executing the program,
`establish a connection to the remote computer.
`to
`Typically a LAN connection from one computer
`another is enabled when the computer is powercd up and
`remains enabled as long as the computer remains up. This
`provides nearly transparent access to programs, data and
`peripheral deviccs among computers on the LAN because,
`unlike resources located on a WAN,connections do not have
`to be established everytime an applicationis initiated. In the
`normal scheme of things this is perccived as an advantage.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In a system implemented according to the invention, both
`a computer’s representation and handling of dial-up and
`network applications are standardized. Traditionally a com-
`puter’s network connections have been classified as either
`Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN)
`connections. Typically, LAN connections are established
`when the computer is turned on or re-booted and are
`available continually until the computer is turned off. On the
`other hand, WAN connections are established on a session-
`by-session basis, or when an application that requires the
`connection is instantiated. Although the trend in the com-
`puter industry has been to make the WAN connection
`scenario conform to the LAN connection scenario, there are
`clear advantages to proceeding in the opposite direction.
`Unlike a WAN connection that is established on a session
`
`basis only when required, a LAN connection is typically
`always on. This prevents a user or system administrator for
`having the same control over the LAN connection as over a
`WAN connection. Examples of features of a WAN connec-
`tion that are unavailable to a LAN connection are the
`
`maintenance of billing information, access control, authen-
`tication and verification.
`
`In addition to providing the means of defining multiple
`WAN connections on, the method of the present invention
`enables a user or system administrator to configure both
`LAN and WAN connections with the same tool. The method
`of the present
`invention also enables a user to specify
`multiple connections for a single application, each connec-
`tion with its own characteristics. For example, a database
`application may provide a connection that requires that a
`passwordfora typical user and provide a connection without
`password protection for the use of a database administrator.
`The database administrator’s connection to the application
`may also be routed over a different route such as a faster,
`more secure, and more expensive line.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A better understanding of the present invention can be
`obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodimentis considered in conjunction with the
`following drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system according
`to the invention showing peripheral devices and data/address
`buses;
`FIG. 2 is a diagramof two local area networks connected
`into a wide area network;
`FIG. 3A is diagram of a typical computer desktop display
`screen;
`FIG. 3B is a diagram of a dialup networking (DUN)
`configuration program that maybe used to configure a WAN
`connection;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a typical dialup
`network (DUN) paradigm;
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart showingthe initialization routine of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the network deactivation
`routine of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the network activation
`routine of the present invention; and
`FIG. 8 is a diagram showing typical powerstate transi-
`tions for computer components.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
`
`Turning to FIG. 1, illustrated is a typical computer system
`S implemented according to the present invention. The
`
`

`

`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`3
`computer system S in the illustrated embodimentis a PCI
`bus based machine, having a peripheral component inter-
`connect (PCT) bus 10. The PCT bus 10 is controlled by PCT
`controller circuitry located within a memory/accelerated
`graphics port (AGP)/PCI controller 14. This controller 14
`(the “host bridge”) couples the PCI bus 10 to a processor 30
`and a disk memory subsystem 20.
`The host bridge 14 in the disclosed embodiment is a
`440LX Integrated Circuit by Intel Corporation, also known
`as the PCI AGP Controller (PAC). The processor 30 is
`preferably a Pentium Pro, manufactured by the Intel Cor-
`poration of Santa Clara, Calif. The processor 30 could be
`replaced with a different processor, other than the Pentium
`Pro, without detracting from the spirit of the invention.
`The PCI bus 10 couples a varicty of devices that gencrally
`take advantage of a high-speed data path. This includes a
`network interface controller (NIC) 42, which preferably
`supports the ThunderLan™ power management specifica-
`tion by Texas Instruments, and an internal modem 40. In
`another embodiment of the invention, the NIC 42 might be
`in addition to or replaced by an ADSL or cable modem.
`Finally, a video display 82, a mouse 70, and a keyboard 68
`are also coupled to the host bridge 14, enabling human
`interaction with the computer system S.
`The computer system S$ illustrates only one platform in
`which the system according to the present invention can be
`implemented. The disclosed techniques can, without dis-
`tracting from the spirit of the invention, be implemented in
`many systems that contains a window system and connec-
`tion to a network, either a LAN or a WAN,regardless of
`whether the device contains less, additional, or different
`components than the system in FIG. 1.
`Turning nowto FIG. 2,illustrated is the computer system
`S incorporated into a local area network (LAN) 210. Com-
`puter system S is represented by computer 215, showing the
`internal modem 40 separately. The LAN 210 is configured
`around a Ethernet bus 230. The Ethernet bus 230 connects
`a numberof other computers 211-214 into the LAN 210.
`The computers 211-214, like computer system S, contain a
`processor 40, memory controller 14, a bus 10, a NIC 42, disk
`memory 20, and possibly a modem 40, mouse 70, keyboard
`68, and video display 82. For simplicity, these components
`of the computers 211-214 are not shown. The exact ele-
`ments of the computers 211-214 is not important for pur-
`poses of the present invention as long as they process data
`and are networked together.
`Also illustrated is a LAN 220 connected together by a
`Token Ring bus 240. The LAN 220 contains a number of
`computers 221-226. Connected to the computer 221 is a
`dialup modem 228.
`The two LANs 210 and 220 are configured into a wide
`area network (WAN) 200 through the public switch tele-
`phone network (PTSN) 250 by meansof the modems 40 and
`228. It is not necessary for the LANs 210 and 220to utilize
`the PSTN 250 for the connection; there are a number of
`equally suitable mediums for connecting computers into a
`WAN such as leased telephone lines, private lines, or
`satellite communication links. In addition, there are a num-
`ber of alternatives for the telephone modems 20 and 228
`such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Cable modems.
`Turning nowto FIG. 3A,illustrated is a typical computer
`desktop display image 300. The desktop display image 300
`illustrated is generated by a computer system S on the video
`display 82 by a Windows OS manufactured by the Microsoft
`Corporation.
`Within the main windowofthe desktop are three columns
`of icons, cach of which represents a program,or application.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`In the first column, three icons labeled “My Computer,”
`“Network Neighbor” and “Recycle Bin.” are generated by
`the Windows OS and represent programs that are stored and
`run on the computer system S. Icons in the first column,
`labeled “The Internet” and an “Microsoft Outlook,” repre-
`sent stand-alone programs published by the Microsoft Cor-
`poration. Typically, an application is initiated when a user,
`using the mouse 70, movesa pointer, or cursor, (not shown)
`onto the application’s icon and double clicks a button on the
`mouse 70.
`
`Thefirst icon in the second columnof the desktop display
`image 300, labeled “ProComm,” represents an application,
`published by Datastorm Technologies, Inc. of Columbia,
`Mo., that is typically a local application or, in other words,
`is stored on the hard drive 20 of the computer system S. The
`second icon in the second column,
`labeled “PCDOCS,”
`represents an application published by the Inso Corporation
`of Chicago, Ill. Unlike ProComm, PCDOCSis a network
`based application that is typically stored on a disk drive
`located on a different computer on the LAN 210, such as
`computer 211, called a network file server.
`A networkfile server 211 is a computer on the LAN 210
`that stores files, either data or applications, for the other
`computers 212-215. When an applicationis initiated on the
`computer 215, the program itself is copied from the network
`file server 211 across the LAN 210 to the computer 215
`where it is executed by the processor 30 in computer 215. In
`another embodiment, the computer 211 is an application
`server. When a program stored on an application server 211
`is initiated on the computer 215, the program actually runs
`on the processor 30 in the application server 211. Requests
`are sent from computer 215 across the LAN 210 to the
`application server 211 and responses are returned from the
`application server 211 across the LAN 210 to the computer
`215 to be displayed on the video display 82.
`The bottom three icons in the second column of the
`desktop display image 300,
`labeled “ChemFind ... ”
`(“ChenFinder”), “ChemDraw” and “Chem3D.” represent
`software programs published by the CambridgeSoft Corpo-
`ration of Cambridge, Mass. Like PCDOCS, these programs
`are typically stored on either a network file server or an
`application server. A LAN 210 may have multiple file and
`application servers.
`In addition to local and network applications, there are
`also remote applications. A remote application typically is
`an application that connects to a second application on a
`computer that is not connected to the same LAN asthefirst
`application. For example, an application running on the
`computer 215 is a remote application if it connects to an
`application running on computer 222 connected to LAN
`220. Often the remote application running on computer 215
`sends only keystrokes from the keyboard 68 to the computer
`222. Computer 222 processes the keystrokes and returns
`screen displays for display on the video display 82 con-
`nected to computer 215.
`The first three icons in the third column of the desktop
`display image 300,
`labeled “Corporate Intelligence,”
`LEXIS-NE .. .
`,” (“LEXIS-NEXIS”) and “Westlaw” are
`examples of remote applications. Corporate Intelligence is
`published by the Corporate Intelligence Corporation of
`Browns Point, Wash. LEXIS-NEXIS is published by the
`Reed Elsevier Corporation of Charlottesville, Va. Westlaw is
`published by the West Group of St. Paul, Minn. The fourth
`icon in the third column ofthe desktop display image 300,
`labeled “Summation.” represents a network application pub-
`lished by Summation Legal Technologies,
`Inc. of San
`Francisco, Calif.
`
`

`

`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`5
`A windowsystem and the desktop display image 300 hide
`many details of running an application from the user,
`however, the OS must treat each type, local, network and
`remote, differently. The method of the present invention
`allows the OS to treat each application type in a similar
`fashion, allowing the user to take advantage of common
`remote application features such as maintenance ofbilling
`and connection time information and access control, authen-
`tication and verification.
`
`Finally, a menu bar 303 stretches across the bottom of the
`desltop display image 300. A “Start” button 305 provides a
`user to access to additional programsthat are not represented
`by icons in the main display area of the desktop display
`image 300. Buttons 306-310 represent applications that are
`currently running on the computer system S. The button 306,
`labeled “DO... ,” indicates that the PCDOCS application
`is running and, the button 307, labeled “Inb ... ,” indicates
`that the Microsoft Outlook application is running. The two
`buttons 308 and 309, both labeled “Mic... ,” indicate that
`the Microsoft Word and the Microsoft Powerpoint applica-
`tions respectively, both published by the Microsoft
`Corporation, are running.
`Asymbol 310 indicates that an application titled VShield
`published by the McAfee Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.
`is running. A symbol 312 indicates that an application
`FightFAX published by RightFAX, Inc. of Tucson Ariz. is
`running. A display 313 indicates the time of day.
`Turning now to FIG. 3B, illustrated is a desktop display
`image 350 containing four windows 352-355. The upperleft
`window 352 is an example of a DUN configuration GUIthat
`enables a user to create and define network and remote
`connections. The windows 353-355 represent defined con-
`nections: the upper right window 353 representing a PSTN
`connection,
`the lower left window 354 representing an
`ADSL modem connection, and the lower right window 355
`representing a cable modem connection.
`The upper right window 353 is displayed when a user
`points a cursor to the icon labeled “PSTN MODEM”in the
`upper left window 352 and double clicks with the mouse 70.
`A text entry field labeled “User name” contains a namethat
`the user has decided to call this connection, in this case
`“PSTN USER.”A text entryfield labeled “Phone number”
`indicates that this connection should dial out on a modem 40
`
`using the telephone number “1 800 MY ISP.”
`The lower left window 354 is displayed when the user
`points the cursor to the icon labeled “ADSL MODEM”in
`the upper left window 352 and double clicks with the mouse
`70. A text entry box labeled “Phone number”indicates that
`this connection is routed through an ADSL modem which
`might be connected to or replaced by a NIC 42. In another
`window representing another connection this field might
`contain an internet protocol (IP) address indicating that the
`connection is routed through a LAN,either to another
`computer on the LAN or possibly to a remote computer on
`the Internet. Depending upon which icon has been clicked
`by the user, the IP connection may be setup using a WAN
`device such as the modem 40 or using a LAN device such
`as the NIC 42.
`
`The lower right window 355 is displayed when the user
`points the cursor to the icon labeled “CABLE MODEM”in
`the upper left window 352 and double clicks with the mouse
`70. If the uscr drags the cursor to the icon labeled “Make
`New Connection” and double clicks on the mouse 70, a new
`window identical to windows 353-355 but without the text
`
`in the data cntry boxes would be displayed on the desktop
`350. The new window would allow the user to define a new
`connection byentering appropriate data into the data entry
`arcas.
`
`6
`Turing now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a block diagram of
`data and control flow for Dialup and network applications.
`A PC OS 403 which runs on the processor 30 of the
`computer system S contains Dialup Services 404. A network
`application 401 makes requests to and transfers data with the
`OS 403.
`‘The requests and data are typically forwarded
`through the LAN driver 410.
`Icons that represent dialup applications 405 and 406
`typically route control information through the dialup ser-
`vice 404 of the OS 403 which enables session management
`408 to setup direct data transfer between the applications
`405 and 406 and the session management 408. Data and
`requests between the dialup application 405 and 406 and a
`DSL or cable modem 412 are routed through the session
`management408. Session management 408 typically sends
`signals 414 to enable or disable the DSL/cable modem 412.
`Decisions by the session management 408 to enable or
`disable 414 the modem 412 typically depend upon the
`current state of the modem 412 andthe dialup applications
`405 and 406. For instance, the session management 408
`mightdisable as indicated at 414 the DSL/cable modem 412
`for power managementreasons if the dialup applications
`405 and 406 have been inactive for too long a period oftime.
`Other scrvices that the scssion management 408 often
`provides are billing services, connect time totals, authenti-
`cation and user verification. Currently, OSs do not provide
`the samelevel of service to the network application 401. The
`method of the present invention enables the OS 403 to
`enable and disable as indicated at 415 LAN drivers 410 so
`that the same types of connection oriented services such as
`billing, connect time totals, authentication, and user verifi-
`cation are provided to network applications 401.
`Turming now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a flow chart for the
`initialization portion of the method ofthe present invention.
`Initialization 500 begins at step 501 with a power up of the
`computer system S and immediately proceeds to step 503
`where the DSL/cable modem 412, the LAN driver 410 or
`both are initialized. Next, at step 505, the OS sendsa signal
`to request a power downstate. The DSL/cable modem 412
`and the LAN driver are placed in a inactive, or power down,
`state at step 507 and the initialization procedure is com-
`pleted at step 509.
`Turing now to FIG. 6, illustrated is a flow chart of the
`network deactivation portion of the method of the present
`invention. The network deactivation starts at step 601 upon
`receipt of a close event at step 603. This event can come as
`the result of a user choosing to close an icon such as the
`network icons in FIG. 3A or as the result of a timeout value
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`the
`being reached by the OS 403. In one embodiment,
`network close event is similar to the dialup enable/disable
`modem event 414.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Uponreceipt of the close event at step 603, the OS 403
`sends a signal, or request, for a power downat step 605. In
`step 607,all data flow to and from the application is shutoff.
`In one embodiment, the request or signal generated in step
`605 is handled by a device driver in step 609. In another
`embodiment, it might be handled insteadofor in addition by
`the NIC 42. Following the power downof the driver and/or
`NICin step 609, the method completes in step 610.
`Turning nowto FIG.7, illustrated is a flow chart showing
`the activation portion of the method ofthe present invention.
`The network activation begins in step 701. As mentioned
`above, the method of the present invention may involve the
`device drivers, the NIC 42, or both. The activation begun in
`step 701 involves the components of computer system S that
`were initialized by means of the steps in FIG. 5 and
`deactivated using the steps in FIG. 6.
`
`

`

`US 6,282,660 B1
`
`7
`In step 703, the OS 403 receives a connection activate
`event. This event is typically the result of a user using the
`mouse 70 to double click on an icon on the desktop display
`image 300 of the computer system S. The network activate
`event might also be generated by the OS 403 as the result of
`the expiration of a timer of the arrival of a specific time or
`a external network event. Regardless of the reason, the OS
`403 enables or power ups the LAN driver 410 or DSL/cable
`modem 412.
`
`Upon completion of step 705, the OS 403 is notified in
`step 707 and, as a result, data is allowed to flow between the
`application and the LAN driver 410 or the DSL/cable
`modem 412. The process is completed in the end activate
`step 710.
`illustrated is a state diagram
`Turning now to FIG. 8,
`showing possible powerlevels of the LAN driver 410 and/or
`DSL/cable modem 412. This diagram is illustrative of a
`deactivated state that may be initiated by the method of the
`present invention. Beginning from a poweroff condition, the
`first state is a FULL_OFFstate 804. Upon a POWER_ON
`transition 811, the LAN driver 410 or modem 412 enters a
`FULL_DATAstate 802. A FULL_DATAstate corresponds
`to a typically operational environment for the modem 412.
`A DEACTIVATEtransition 819 corresponds to the deac-
`tivate flow chart illustrated in FIG. 6. The DEACTIVATE
`transition 819 takes the LAN driver 410 or modem 412 from
`the FULL_DATAstate 802 to a SLEEPINGstate 808. The
`SLEEPING state 808 corresponds to a typical
`inactive
`period for the LAN driver 410 or modem 412, either as the
`result of a application time-out or user action such as the
`closing of an application.
`Upon receipt of an ACTIVATEsignal 821, illustrated in
`FIG. 7, the LAN driver 410 or modem 412 transitions from
`the SLEEPINGstate 808 to the FULL_DATAstate 802.
`In another embodiment, a LOW POWERstate 806
`similar to a hot standby might also be implemented. The
`LOW_POWERstate 806 can be a half way state between
`the FULL_DATAstate 802 the SLEEPING state 808. For
`instance, the processor 30 might have two timeout values,
`the first of which activates a FIRST_TIMEOUTtransition
`815 that lowers the power consumption of the LAN driver
`410 or modem 412, as in a SLEEPING state 808, while
`maintaining a connection, as in the FULL_DATAstate 802,
`even though no data is flowing. The LOW_POWERstate
`806 can conserve power and allow a quicker return to a
`FULL_DATA state 802 by means of a FULL_DATA__
`RETURNtransition 817. A SECOND_TIMEOUT transi-
`tion 818 takes the LAN driver 410 or modem 412 from the
`LOW_POWERstate 806 into the SLEEPINGstate 808.
`Once in a SLEEPINGstate 808, the ACTIVATEtransition
`821 would be required to return to the FULL_POWERstate
`802.
`
`Finally, a POWERDOWNtransition 813 returns the
`LAN driver 410 or modem 412 from the FULL_DATA state
`802 back to the FULL__OFFstate 804.
`The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention
`are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes
`in the details of the illustrated apparatus and construction
`and method of operation may be made without departing
`from the spirit of the invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A methodfor initiating applications on a computer, the
`method comprising the steps of:
`displaying an application as an icon on a computer
`desktop display image;
`initializing a computer component during a computer
`powerup or reboot;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`sending a signal from a processor to the computer com-
`ponent to enter a non-poweredup state;
`transitioning the computer component
`into a non-full
`powerstate in response to the signal;
`sending a second signal from the processor to the com-
`puter component whenthe application is initiated; and
`transitioning the computer component into a full power
`state in response to the secondsignal.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepsof:
`sending a third signal from the processor upon an indi-
`cation that the application is terminating; and
`transitioning the computer component
`to the non-full
`powerstate in response to the third signal.
`3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer compo-
`nent is a network interface card.
`4. The method of claim 2, wherein the network interface
`card is an Ethernet networkinterface card.
`5. The method of claim 2, wherein the network interface
`card is a Token Ring networkinterface card.
`6. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer compo-
`nent is a device driver.
`
`7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-full power
`state is a poweroff state.
`8. The method of claim 1, wherein the full non-power
`state is a low powerstate.
`9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`collecting data about the application.
`10. The method of claim 9, wherein the collected data
`comprises the amount of time the application is in the full
`poweredstate.
`11. The method of claim 9, wherein the collected data
`comprises billing information.
`12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`providing access control to the application.
`13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
`providing authentication and/or verification of application
`data.
`14. A computer system comprising:
`an application represented as an icon on a desktop display
`image;
`a computer bus;
`a processor coupled to the bus, the processor generating
`a signal on the bus in response to a power on or a reboot
`condition and generating a second signal on the bus in
`response to the initiation of the application; and
`a computer component coupled to the bus responsive to
`the signal and the second signal from the processor, the
`computer componenttransitioning to a non-full power
`state in response to the signal andtransitioning to a full
`powerstate in response to the second signal.
`15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the pro-
`cessor generates a third signal to the computer component
`whenthe application is terminating and the computer com-
`ponenttransitions to a non-full powerstate in response to the
`third signal.
`16. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the com-
`puter component is a network interface card.
`17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the net-
`work interface card is an Ethernet card.
`
`18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the net-
`work interface card is a Token Ring card.
`19. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the com