Patent ID: 7826478

Claim:
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.