US5748957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system usage determination based on hard disk drive activity
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-16
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2016-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining a pattern of usage of a computer system. The method may be performed by a computer (1) having a bootable writable storage medium and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in the boot-up portion of the storage medium. The method may include signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program and overwriting the usage-monitor program with another computer program or a standard boot-sector. Alternatively, the method may be performed by a computer hard disk drive having (1) a writable storage medium, (2) firmware, and (3) executing a usage-monitor program stored in the firmware. This method may include writing information representative of at least one command sent to the computer hard disk drive on the storage medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean A. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3409; G06F11/3419; G06F11/3423; G06F11/3466; G06F11/3476; G06F11/3485
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A method, performed by a computer having (1) a bootable writable storage medium and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-sector of the storage medium, comprising: (a) signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
42 words
A method, performed by a computer having (1) a bootable writable storage medium and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-sector of the storage medium, comprising: (a) signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the bootable writable storage medium is a writable hard disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a computer program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a boot-sector program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by presenting a data pattern on the data bits of a parallel port of the computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by emitting at least one audible tone on a computer speaker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by presenting a message on the computer CRT.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, performed by a computer having a bootable writable storage medium, comprising: (a) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-up portion of the storage medium; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, performed by a computer having a bootable writable storage medium, comprising: (a) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-up portion of the storage medium; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the bootable writable storage medium is a writable hard disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the bootable writable storage medium is flash memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a computer program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a boot-sector program.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
42 words
A method, performed by a computer having (1) a hard disk drive and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-sector of the hard disk drive, comprising: (a) signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
42 words
A method, performed by a computer having (1) a hard disk drive and (2) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot-sector of the hard disk drive, comprising: (a) signaling the presence of the usage-monitor program; and (b) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a computer program.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a boot-sector program.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by presenting a data pattern on the data bits of a parallel port of the computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by emitting at least one audible tone on a computer speaker.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the usage-monitor program signals its presence by presenting a message on the computer CRT.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, performed by a computer having a bootable writable storage medium, comprising: (a) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot sector of the storage medium; and (a) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
33 words
A method, performed by a computer having a bootable writable storage medium, comprising: (a) executing a usage-monitor program stored in a boot sector of the storage medium; and (a) overwriting the usage-monitor program.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the bootable writable storage medium is a writable hard disk.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a computer program.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the usage-monitor program is overwritten with a boot-sector program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |