US5995757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Software installation and testing for a build-to order computer system
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1997-08-29
•
Granted: 1999-11-30
•
Expires: 2017-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file. At least one component descriptor describes a respective component of the computer system. A plurality of steps are retrieved from a database, at least one step being associated with a respective component descriptor. A step also includes a respective sequence number. The plurality of steps are sequenced in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence. The step sequence includes commands for installing and/or testing software upon the computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Amberg
- 👤 Roger W. Wong
- 👤 Michael A. Brundridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3672; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F8/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for installing software on a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for installing software on a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined order is in accordance with a sequential ordering of the sequence numbers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of steps further include respective phase numbers and wherein the sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order is further in accordance with the phase numbers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the plurality of components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising writing the step sequence to a non volatile storage media configured to accompany the computer system during manufacture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a plurality of derived objects corresponding to the plurality of component descriptors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least one respective component is a hardware component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least one respective component is a software component.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the plurality of components; reading the file; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the plurality of components; reading the file; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the plurality of components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined length of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined number of iterations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising writing the step sequence to a non volatile storage device configured to accompany the computer system during manufacture.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system belonging to a certain family, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a certain plurality of components including hardware components and software components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the certain plurality of components; reading the file; joining a first database table containing all components belonging to the certain family with a second database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain plurality of components, wherein the joining produces an intermediate set; joining the intermediate set with a third database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain family, wherein the joining produces a plurality of steps, each step being associated with a respective component to be included on the target computer system and each step including a respective sequence number and phase number; retrieving the plurality of steps; and sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for sequencing software installation for a target computer system belonging to a certain family, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a certain plurality of components including hardware components and software components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file being descriptive of the certain plurality of components; reading the file; joining a first database table containing all components belonging to the certain family with a second database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain plurality of components, wherein the joining produces an intermediate set; joining the intermediate set with a third database table containing all software installation steps to be run on the certain family, wherein the joining produces a plurality of steps, each step being associated with a respective component to be included on the target computer system and each step including a respective sequence number and phase number; retrieving the plurality of steps; and sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for installing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the certain plurality of components.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined length of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined number of iterations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising writing the step sequence to a computer readable text file.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for testing a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; and performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for testing the computer system.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for testing a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective component descriptor and including a respective sequence number; and performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for testing the computer system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined order is in accordance with a sequential ordering of the sequence numbers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of steps further include respective phase numbers and wherein the sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order is further in accordance with the phase numbers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the plurality of components.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising writing the step sequence to a non volatile storage media configured to accompany the computer system during manufacture.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising creating a plurality of derived objects corresponding to the plurality of component descriptors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19, wherein at least one respective component is a hardware component.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19, wherein at least one respective component is a software component.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising testing the computer system having the plurality of components.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for testing a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file descriptive of the plurality of components; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for testing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for testing a target computer system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order for the target computer system, the target computer system to include a plurality of components; converting the order into a computer readable file, the file descriptive of the plurality of components; performing a joining operation to retrieve a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database according to the file associated with the components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system, each step being associated with a respective component and including a respective sequence number and phase number; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order in accordance with the respective sequence numbers and phase numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including commands for testing software upon the target computer system during phases of manufacture, the phases of manufacture corresponding to respective phase numbers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the plurality of components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined length of time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the step sequence is adapted to provide for commands repeatable for a defined number of iterations.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 28, further comprising writing the step sequence to a non volatile storage device configured to accompany the computer system during manufacture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer system comprising: a processor; a component coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including software installed thereon, the software being installed by: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer system comprising: a processor; a component coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including software installed thereon, the software being installed by: reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file, at least one component descriptor describing a respective component of the computer system; reading a plurality of software installation and testing steps from a database, each step being associated with a respective sequence number; performing a joining operation to retrieve the software installation and testing steps from the database associated with respective components of the computer system; obtaining an intermediate set from the joining operation, the intermediate set listing the software installation and testing steps to be run on the components of the computer system; and sequencing the plurality of software installation and testing steps in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence, the step sequence including at least one command for installing software upon the computer system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 33, wherein the predetermined order is in accordance with a sequential ordering of the sequence numbers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of steps further include respective phase numbers and wherein the sequencing the plurality of steps in a predetermined order is further in accordance with the phase numbers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 33, further comprising preparing environment variables corresponding to the plurality of components.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 33, further comprising writing the step sequence to a non volatile storage media configured to accompany the computer system during manufacture.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 33, further comprising creating a plurality of derived objects corresponding to the plurality of component descriptors.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 33, wherein at least one respective component is a hardware component.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 33, wherein at least one respective component is a software component.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer system of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of components.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |