US6145098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for displaying system status
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
•
Filing: 1997-10-01
•
Granted: 2000-11-07
•
Expires: 2017-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A fault tolerant computer system for obtaining and displaying, or updating the status of server components through a remote interface and either a local or remote client machine without intervention of the server operating system software. The remote machine accesses the server by use of a dial-in modem connection, while the local machine accesses the server by a local serial connection. The components that can be monitored include, but are not limited to, the following: Power Supplies, Temperatures, Fans, Processors, I/O Groups, I/O Canisters, Serial Numbers, and Revisions.
Inventors
- 👤 Ahmad Nouri
- 👤 Karl S. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G06F1/26; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0748; G06F11/0766; G06F11/0769; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294; G06F11/30; G06F11/3003; G06F11/3013; G06F11/3024; G06F11/3041; G06F11/3051; G06F11/3058; G06F11/32; G06F11/324; G06F11/328; G06F11/34; G06F11/3466; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/385; G06F13/40; G06F13/4004; G06F13/4027; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/305; G06F21/31; H; H02; H02P; H02P7/00; H02P7/06; H02P7/18; H02P7/24; H02P7/28; H02P7/285; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/12; H04L41/00; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L41/0813; H04L41/082; H04L41/12; H04L41/22; H04L43/00; H04L43/06; H04L43/065; G06F11/0793; G06F11/3476; G06F11/3495; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/86; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0673; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213; H04L43/04; H04L43/045; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0817; H04L43/0823; H04L43/10; H04L43/106; H04L43/16; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for retrieving or updating system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer; a microcontroller configured to provide a retrieve or update system status signal to the first computer, wherein the signal causes retrieval of status information from the first computer or an update of an item setting of the first computer; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller, wherein the remote interface is configured to provide external access to the first computer; and a second computer connected to the first computer via the remote interface and communicating a retrieve or update system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for retrieving or updating system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer; a microcontroller configured to provide a retrieve or update system status signal to the first computer, wherein the signal causes retrieval of status information from the first computer or an update of an item setting of the first computer; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller, wherein the remote interface is configured to provide external access to the first computer; and a second computer connected to the first computer via the remote interface and communicating a retrieve or update system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the remote interface includes an external port for connection to the second computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the second computer is at the same location as the first computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the second computer is at a location remote to the first computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system defined in claim 4, additionally comprising a pair of modems, wherein a first modem connects to the first computer via the remote interface and a second modem connects to the second computer, and wherein the first modem is in data communication with the second modem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system defined in claim 5, wherein each modem further connects to the public switched telephone network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system defined in claim 5, wherein each modem further connects to a cable network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 5, wherein each modem facilitates connection to a satellite.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the remote interface includes a remote interface microcontroller that connects via a bus to the microcontroller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the remote interface is responsive to a command sent from the second computer to retrieve or update system status from the microcontroller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the first computer generates status information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 11, wherein the second computer displays the status information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the remote interface includes a power source which is independent of a power source for the first computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined in claim 13, wherein the independent power source included with the remote interface provides power to the first computer when the first power supply fails.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the remote interface is directly connected to and proximately located to the first computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for updating system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer comprising: an environmental circuit; and a microcontroller connected to the environmental circuit, wherein the environmental circuit receives item settings; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller; and a second computer in data communication with the first computer via the remote interface, the second computer capable of communicating an update system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for updating system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer comprising: an environmental circuit; and a microcontroller connected to the environmental circuit, wherein the environmental circuit receives item settings; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller; and a second computer in data communication with the first computer via the remote interface, the second computer capable of communicating an update system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 16, wherein the remote interface is connected to the microcontroller by a microcontroller bus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined in claim 16, wherein the update system status command includes the item settings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system defined in claim 16, wherein the item settings include a threshold temperature for the first computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 16, wherein the item settings include a fan threshold speed for the first computer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for retrieving system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer comprising: an environmental circuit; and a microcontroller connected to the environmental circuit, wherein the environmental circuit obtains status information; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller; and a second computer in data communication with the first computer via the remote interface, the second computer capable of communicating a retrieve system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for retrieving system status for a computer, the system comprising: a first computer comprising: an environmental circuit; and a microcontroller connected to the environmental circuit, wherein the environmental circuit obtains status information; a remote interface connected to the microcontroller; and a second computer in data communication with the first computer via the remote interface, the second computer capable of communicating a retrieve system status command to the microcontroller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 21, wherein the remote interface is connected to the microcontroller by a microcontroller bus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system defined in claim 21, wherein the status information comprises a temperature for the first computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system defined in claim 21, wherein the status information comprises a fan parameter for the first computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
75 words
A microcontroller system for updating the system settings of a first computer, the microcontroller system comprising: a microcontroller bus; and a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus and wherein the microcontrollers manage the system settings of the first computer, and wherein a selected one of the microcontrollers communicates an update command to at least one of the other microcontrollers and supplies at least one item setting for updating the system settings.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
75 words
A microcontroller system for updating the system settings of a first computer, the microcontroller system comprising: a microcontroller bus; and a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus and wherein the microcontrollers manage the system settings of the first computer, and wherein a selected one of the microcontrollers communicates an update command to at least one of the other microcontrollers and supplies at least one item setting for updating the system settings.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined in claim 25, wherein the item setting is provided by a second computer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined in claim 26, wherein the second computer utilizes a graphical user interface to obtain at least a portion of the item setting from a user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
78 words
A microcontroller system for retrieving the system status of a first computer having an environmental circuit, the microcontroller system comprising: a microcontroller bus; and a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus and wherein the microcontrollers manage the system status of the first computer, and wherein a selected one of the microcontrollers communicates a retrieve system status command to at least one of the other microcontrollers and retrieves system status information from the environmental circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
A microcontroller system for retrieving the system status of a first computer having an environmental circuit, the microcontroller system comprising: a microcontroller bus; and a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus and wherein the microcontrollers manage the system status of the first computer, and wherein a selected one of the microcontrollers communicates a retrieve system status command to at least one of the other microcontrollers and retrieves system status information from the environmental circuit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined in claim 28, wherein the system status is provided to a second computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system defined in claim 29, wherein the second computer utilizes a graphical user interface to display at least a portion of the system status.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for updating and retrieving system status information of a first computer, the system comprising: a microcontroller bus; a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus, wherein at least one of the plurality of microcontrollers is configured to cause retrieval of status information or an update of an item setting; and a recovery manager program executing on a second computer in data communication with the microcontroller bus, the recovery manager program configured to manage system status information of the first computer.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for updating and retrieving system status information of a first computer, the system comprising: a microcontroller bus; a plurality of microcontrollers that are interconnected by the microcontroller bus, wherein at least one of the plurality of microcontrollers is configured to cause retrieval of status information or an update of an item setting; and a recovery manager program executing on a second computer in data communication with the microcontroller bus, the recovery manager program configured to manage system status information of the first computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the recovery manager program obtains, via a graphical user interface, item settings utilized in updating the system status information in the first computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the recovery manager program displays the system status information retrieved from the first computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 31, wherein one of the microcontrollers is a remote interface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 34, wherein the remote interface provides a data communication path between the microcontroller bus and the recovery manager program.
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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) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |