US5963743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Database for facilitating software installation and testing for a build-to-order computer system
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1997-08-29
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for installing software onto a computer system includes a step table and a component table. The step table contains a set of software installation steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured. The component table contains a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured. The computer system corresponds to a family of computer systems and the apparatus further includes a family relation table, a family relation table and a family component relation table. The family relation table identifies the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer system being manufactured. The family component relation table identifies the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components. The family step relation table identifies the relation between a component and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Amberg
- 👤 Roger W. Wong
- 👤 Michael A. Brundridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F8/64; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3696; G06F11/22; G06F11/2247; G06F11/3672; G06F11/3688; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A database for use by a system database in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system database during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including an aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system database is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A database for use by a system database in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system database during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including an aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system database is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the step table includes a step identification attribute, the step identification attribute being a unique identification for each software installation or testing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the step table includes a phase attribute, the phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be executed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the step table includes a command attribute, the command attribute conforming to an executable command line for performing a software installation step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the step table includes a maximum instance attribute, the maximum instance attribute indicating a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the step table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of components which is associated with a software installation or testing step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the component table includes a component identification attribute, the component identification attribute identifying each component within the component table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The database of claim 1, wherein the component table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
The database of claim 1 wherein the computer system corresponds to a family of computer systems; and further comprising: a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer system being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the step table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components; and, a family step relation table coupled to the step table, the family step relation table identifying the relation between a family of computer systems and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The database of claim 9, wherein the family relation table includes a family identification attribute identifying a particular family of computer systems.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 9, wherein the family step relation table includes a step identification attribute identifying a particular set of steps appropriate for a particular family.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The database of claim 9, wherein the family relation table includes a sequence number corresponding to each family, the sequence number representing a predetermined order in which steps associated with a family are to be executed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 9, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between an attribute identifying a computer family and an attribute identifying a component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The database of claim 9, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between a component identification attribute and a step identification attribute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 9 further comprising: a family table coupled to the step table, the family table identifying the family of computer systems with a name.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
A database for use by a system apparatus in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a maximum instance attribute indicting a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system database is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
A database for use by a system apparatus in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a maximum instance attribute indicting a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system database is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
115 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the computer system corresponds to a family of computer systems and further comprising: a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and a family of computer system being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the step table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components; a family step relation table coupled to the step table, the family step relation table identifying the relation between a family of computer systems and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The database of claim 17, wherein the family relation table includes a family identification attribute identifying a particular family of computer systems.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 17, wherein the family step relation table includes a step identification attribute identifying a particular set of steps appropriate for a particular family.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The database of claim 17, wherein the family relation table includes a sequence number corresponding to each family, the sequence number representing a predetermined order in which steps associated with a family are to be executed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 17, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between an attribute identifying a computer family and an attribute identifying a component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The database of claim 17, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between a component identification attribute and a step identification attribute.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the step table includes a step identification attribute, the step identification attribute being a unique identification for each software installation or testing step.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the step table includes a phase attribute, the phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be executed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the step table includes a command attribute, the command attribute conforming to an executable command line for performing a software installation step.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the step table includes an aftercode attribute, the aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the step table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of components which is associated with a software installation or testing step.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the component table includes a component identification attribute, the component identification attribute identifying each component within the component table.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The database of claim 16, wherein the component table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of component.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
146 words
A database for use by a system database in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be extended; and a component table coupled to the step table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
146 words
A database for use by a system database in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be extended; and a component table coupled to the step table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the step table includes a step identification attribute, the step identification attribute being a unique identification for each software installation or testing step.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the step table includes a command attribute, the command attribute conforming to an executable command line for performing a software installation step.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the step table includes an aftercode attribute, the aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the step table includes a maximum instance attribute, the maximum instance attribute indicating a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the step table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of components which is associated with a software installation or testing step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the component table includes a component identification attribute, the component identification attribute identifying each component within the component table.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the component table includes a class identification attribute, the class identification attribute identifying a class of component.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
116 words
The database of claim 30, wherein the computer system corresponds to a family of computer systems; and further comprising: a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer system being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the step table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components; and, a family step relation table coupled to the step table, the family step relation table identifying the relation between a family of computer systems and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The database of claim 38, wherein the family relation table includes a family identification attribute identifying a particular family of computer systems.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 38, wherein the family step relation table includes a step identification attribute identifying a particular set of steps appropriate for a particular family.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The database of claim 38, wherein the family relation table includes a sequence number corresponding to each family, the sequence number representing a predetermined order in which steps associated with a family are to be executed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 38, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between an attribute identifying a computer family and an attribute identifying a component.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The database of claim 38, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between a component identification attribute and a step identification attribute.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 38 further comprising: a family table coupled to the step table, the family table identifying the family of computer systems with a name.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
228 words
A database for use by a system apparatus in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system, the database comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system; a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system; a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer systems being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the step table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components; and a family step relation table coupled to the step table, the family step relation table identifying the relation between a family of computer systems and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
228 words
A database for use by a system apparatus in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system, the database comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system; a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system; a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer systems being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the step table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between the family of computer systems and the set of components; and a family step relation table coupled to the step table, the family step relation table identifying the relation between a family of computer systems and a set of software installation steps appropriate for the corresponding component.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The database of claim 45, wherein the family relation table includes a family identification attribute identifying a particular family of computer systems.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 45, wherein the family step relation table includes a step identification attribute identifying a particular set of steps appropriate for a particular family.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
The database of claim 45, wherein the family relation table includes a sequence number corresponding to each family, the sequence number representing a predetermined order in which steps associated with a family are to be expected.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 45, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between an attribute identifying a computer family and an attribute identifying a component.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The database of claim 45, wherein the family component relation table defines the relationship between a component identification attribute and a step identification attribute.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
The database of claim 45, further comprising: a family table coupled to the step table, the family table identifying the family of computer systems with a name.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
156 words
A system database including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including an aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
156 words
A system database including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including an aftercode attribute identifying whether a halt or reboot is required after a corresponding step is executed; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
154 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a maximum instance attribute indicting a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
154 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a maximum instance attribute indicting a maximum number of times that a corresponding step runs; and a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within the computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
150 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be extended; and a component table coupled to the step table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
150 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system, the step table including a phase attribute designating in which phase of manufacture a step is to be extended; and a component table coupled to the step table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
230 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system; a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system; a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer systems being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the component table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between a family of computer systems and a set of components; and a component step relation table coupled to the step table and the component table, the component step relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation and testing steps and a set of components.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
230 words
A system apparatus including a database for use in the manufacturing of a build-to-order computer system comprising: a step table containing a set of software installation and testing steps shared among different components of substantially all computer systems being manufactured by the system apparatus, wherein a prescribed software installation or testing step is executed by the system apparatus during the manufacturing of the build-to-order computer system to facilitate a corresponding software installation or testing for the build-to-order computer system; a component table coupled to the step table, the component table containing a set of substantially all possible components that are included within computer systems being manufactured, wherein the prescribed software installation or testing step executed by the system apparatus is determined in accordance with a corresponding component included in the build-to-order computer system; a family relation table coupled to the step table, the family relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation steps and each family of computer systems being manufactured; a family component relation table coupled to the component table, the family component relation table identifying the relationship between a family of computer systems and a set of components; and a component step relation table coupled to the step table and the component table, the component step relation table identifying the relationship between a set of software installation and testing steps and a set of components.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |