US6038689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault notification system and process using local area network
Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC
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Filing: 1997-08-21
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2017-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A fault notification system detects the non-operational state of the computer, or other type of network device, and transmits network messages from the device to a monitoring system or control console in the case of a detected non-operational state. The network messages are constructed by the network device when it is operational, preferably by the operating system before any problem is detected. This message is then stored in some non-volatile storage medium, such as the BIOS memory in one embodiment. As a result, very limited operating system functionality must be replicated in the device BIOS. Only the actual transmitted message must be stored and the commands necessary to have the message sent. In some embodiments, an auxiliary processor is used to detect improper operation, preferably via a dedicated, secondary bus. It loads the relevant messages into the transport buffer for transmission to the monitoring system even where the computer's CPU may not be operational.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Schmidt
- 👤 Lawrence Huppert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0766; G06F11/0787; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0748; G06F11/0778; H04L41/00; H04L41/06; G06F11/0751; G06F11/0754; G06F11/0757; H04L41/0681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message prior to detection of a non-operational state of the network device, the network message signaling the non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting the non-operational state of the network device; and transmitting the network message to the monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the network device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message prior to detection of a non-operational state of the network device, the network message signaling the non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting the non-operational state of the network device; and transmitting the network message to the monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the network device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The notification process described in claim 1, wherein constructing the network message comprises including in the message an identification of the network device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The notification process described in claim 1, wherein constructing the network message comprises including in the message a vendor code of the network device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The notification process described in claim 1, wherein constructing the network message comprises including in the message a failure mode of the network device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The notification process described in claim 1, wherein the network device is a client computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notification process described in claim 1, wherein the network device is a network communications device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notification process described in claim 1, further comprising continuously transmitting the network message until reset.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The notification process described in claim 7, further comprising transmitting the network message with a duty cycle of several minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The notification process described in claim 1, further comprising storing the network message in basic input/output system memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The notification process described in claim 9, further comprising the basic input/output system instructing a central processor to load the network message into a transmission system for transport to the monitoring system when an operating system fails to properly boot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The notification process described in claim 1, further comprising forming the network message with an auxiliary processor that loads the network message into a transmission system of the network device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fault notification process as in claim 1 wherein the network message is constructed based on a computer network protocol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message, when the network device is operational, signaling a non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting and providing notification of the non-operational state of the network device by sending the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by an operating system and/or basic input/output system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message, when the network device is operational, signaling a non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting and providing notification of the non-operational state of the network device by sending the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by an operating system and/or basic input/output system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The notification process described in claim 13, further comprising forming a new network message and sending the new message in response to a central processing unit detecting failures during a self-test sequence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message, with an auxiliary processor when the network device is operational, the message signaling a non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting the non-operational state of the network device; the auxiliary processor transmitting the network message to a transmission system via a low speed bus; and the transmission system transmitting the network message to the monitoring system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
A fault notification process for a network device connected to a monitoring system via a computer network, the notification process comprising: constructing a network message, with an auxiliary processor when the network device is operational, the message signaling a non-operational state of the network device; storing the network message; detecting the non-operational state of the network device; the auxiliary processor transmitting the network message to a transmission system via a low speed bus; and the transmission system transmitting the network message to the monitoring system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The notification process described in claim 15, further comprising the auxiliary processor sending the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by an operating system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message prior to detection of a non-operational state of the operating system, the network message signaling the non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message prior to detection of a non-operational state of the operating system, the network message signaling the non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the message identifies the network device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the message identifies a vendor of the network device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the message identifies a failure mode of the network device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the network device is a client computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the network device is a network communications device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the transmission system continuously transmits the network message until reset.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fault notification system described in claim 23, wherein a duty cycle of transmissions of the network message is several minutes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the non-volatile memory comprises a basic input/output system memory.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, further comprising a basic input/output system that instructs the central processor to load the network message into the transmission system for transport to the monitoring system when the operating system fails to properly boot.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, wherein the non-volatile memory is accessible by the transmission system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fault notification system described in claim 27, wherein the transmission system comprises a network interface card.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fault notification system described in claim 17, further comprising an auxiliary processor that loads the network message into the transmission system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fault notification system described in claim 29, wherein the auxiliary processor monitors the operation of the central processor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fault notification system described in claim 29, wherein the auxiliary processor is powered by an auxiliary power supply.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fault notification system described in claim 29, wherein the auxiliary processor monitors an operating temperature of the network device and voltage generated by a power supply.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fault notification process as in claim 17 wherein the network message is constructed based on a computer network protocol.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and sends the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by the operating system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
73 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and sends the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by the operating system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fault notification system for a network device comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a timing system that is enabled in response to power-up of the network device; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and loads the network message into a transport buffer in response to power-up and sends the message if the timing system times-out unless disabled by the operating system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fault notification system for a network device comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a timing system that is enabled in response to power-up of the network device; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and loads the network message into a transport buffer in response to power-up and sends the message if the timing system times-out unless disabled by the operating system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
97 words
A fault notification system comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; wherein the central processing unit forms a new network message and the transmission system sends the new message in response to the central processing unit detecting failures during a self-test sequence.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
97 words
A fault notification system comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; and a transmission system that accesses the non-volatile memory and sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; wherein the central processing unit forms a new network message and the transmission system sends the new message in response to the central processing unit detecting failures during a self-test sequence.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; and auxiliary processor that transmits the network message to a transport buffer of the transmission system via a dedicated bus to load the message in the transmission system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; and auxiliary processor that transmits the network message to a transport buffer of the transmission system via a dedicated bus to load the message in the transmission system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fault notification system described in claim 32, wherein the bus is an integrated interconnect-type bus.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; and an auxiliary processor that loads the network message into the transmission system, the auxiliary processor triggering the sending of the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by the operating system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fault notification system for a network device, comprising: an operating system executing on a central processor of the network device that constructs a network message signaling a non-operational state of the operating system; a non-volatile memory that holds the network message; a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system in response to the non-operational state of the operating system; and an auxiliary processor that loads the network message into the transmission system, the auxiliary processor triggering the sending of the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by the operating system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
83 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: a secondary bus; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the secondary bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that receives the network message in a transport buffer via the secondary bus and sends the message to a monitoring system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
83 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: a secondary bus; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the secondary bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that receives the network message in a transport buffer via the secondary bus and sends the message to a monitoring system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fault notification system described in claim 40, wherein the auxiliary processor monitors the operation of the central processing unit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fault notification system described in claim 40, wherein the auxiliary processor is powered by an auxiliary power supply.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fault notification system described in claim 40, wherein the auxiliary processor monitors an operating temperature of the network device and voltage generated by a power supply.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
81 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: an integrated interconnect-type bus in direct communication with the central processing unit; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the integrated interconnect-type bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
81 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: an integrated interconnect-type bus in direct communication with the central processing unit; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the integrated interconnect-type bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
102 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: a secondary bus; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the secondary bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system; wherein the auxiliary processor sends the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by an operating system executing on the central processing unit.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
102 words
A fault notification system for a network device including a central processing unit, peripheral devices, and a main bus connecting the central processing unit to the peripheral devices, the system comprising: a secondary bus; an auxiliary processor that detects a fault condition of the device via the secondary bus and constructs a network message declaring the fault condition; and a transmission system that sends the network message to a monitoring system; wherein the auxiliary processor sends the network message a predetermined time after detecting power-up of the network device unless instructed otherwise by an operating system executing on the central processing unit.
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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) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |