How to Keep Apps Running Without a Constant Internet Connection
IBM's method for letting apps think they are connected to a server even when the internet is offline by using a proxy that stores requests and fakes responses.
Original patent title: “Arrangement and method for impermanent connectivity”
IBM's method for letting apps think they are connected to a server even when the internet is offline by using a proxy that stores requests and fakes responses. Granted to International Business Machines Corp in 2009 with 14 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is now in the public domain.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to keep software running smoothly on devices that move in and out of network coverage. When a client application sends a request, such as an FTP file download, a client proxy intercepts it. If the connection is down, the proxy stores the request and immediately sends a fake, substitute response to the application so it does not crash or hang. Once the device reconnects, the proxy sends the actual request to the server and updates the local file using a unique signature to ensure the right data is overwritten.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover real-time streaming services where a substitute response would lead to data corruption.
- Does not cover systems that rely on persistent, always-on connections without proxy-based interception.
- Does not cover general data caching that lacks the specific 'substitute response' mechanism for application continuity.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The system tricks the application into believing it received a server response by generating a substitute, allowing the application to continue its execution flow while the proxy handles the actual network heavy lifting in the background.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Offline-first mobile applications
Field service handheld devices
Remote sensor data collection systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology was essential for early mobile computing and field devices where connections were expensive or unreliable. It allowed developers to build applications that felt responsive even when the hardware was disconnected, a foundational concept for modern offline-first mobile app design.
Filed
November 13, 2003
Granted
June 2, 2009
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
IBM remains a primary holder of patents in this space, but the concepts are now standard in mobile operating systems like Android and iOS, and in frameworks like PWA (Progressive Web Apps) which use service workers to manage offline states.
Market impact
This patent helped normalize the 'offline-first' design pattern in enterprise mobile software. It reduced the need for custom, complex network-handling code in every individual application by moving that logic into a standardized proxy layer.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to keep software running smoothly on devices that move in and out of network coverage. When a client application sends a request, such as an FTP file download, a client proxy intercepts it. If the connection is down, the proxy stores the request and immediately sends a fake, substitute response to the application so it does not crash or hang. Once the device reconnects, the proxy sends the actual request to the server and updates the local file using a unique signature to ensure the right data is overwritten.
The clever bit
The system tricks the application into believing it received a server response by generating a substitute, allowing the application to continue its execution flow while the proxy handles the actual network heavy lifting in the background.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover real-time streaming services where a substitute response would lead to data corruption.
- Does not cover systems that rely on persistent, always-on connections without proxy-based interception.
- Does not cover general data caching that lacks the specific 'substitute response' mechanism for application continuity.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
This patent is in the public domain
See the Freedom to Build guide — what is free to use, what is not, and how to cite this patent.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$6K – $20K
Midpoint $13K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Patent Claims
0 independent claims · 1 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
14 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Stanford-Clark, A. J., & Conway-Jones, D. C. (2009). How to Keep Apps Running Without a Constant Internet Connection (U.S. Patent No. 7,543,038). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7543038/arrangement-and-method-for-impermanent-connectivity
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Keep Apps Running Without a Constant Internet Connection cover?
IBM's method for letting apps think they are connected to a server even when the internet is offline by using a proxy that stores requests and fakes responses.
Who owns patent US 7543038?
International Business Machines Corp owns this patent, granted in 2009.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 7543038 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology was essential for early mobile computing and field devices where connections were expensive or unreliable. It allowed developers to build applications that felt responsive even when the hardware was disconnected, a foundational concept for modern offline-first mobile app design.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover real-time streaming services where a substitute response would lead to data corruption.
Same assignee
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