Patent US2062938A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6154728A
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US
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Apparatus, method and system for distributed and automatic inventory, status and database creation and control for remote communication sites
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1998-04-27
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Granted: 2000-11-28
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Expires: 2018-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus, method and system are provided for automatic and distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, such as remote cellular sites. A system embodiment includes a central site having a central processor, such as a mobile switching center, and a multitude of remote communication sites, with each remote communication site having a plurality of field replaceable units; and further having a remote processor and a remote memory. The remote processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit within the remote communication site and for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service to obtain its vintage information and its physical location information. In the preferred embodiment, the physical location information includes frame, shelf and slot locations, and the vintage information includes hardware and firmware versions. The inventory information may also be compiled into a database, preferably at the central site.
Inventors
- 👤 Wamiq Sattar
- 👤 William Walter Demlow
- 👤 Bindu Shrivastav
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/203; G06Q10/0874; G06Q10/08744; G06Q10/0877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the method comprising: (a) obtaining an address of a field replaceable unit; (b) obtaining a status of the field replaceable unit; (c) when the status is out of service, obtaining recent physical location information for the field replaceable unit stored in a memory, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and (d) when the status is not out of service, querying the field replaceable unit through its address and receiving in response, from the field replaceable unit, its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the method comprising: (a) obtaining an address of a field replaceable unit; (b) obtaining a status of the field replaceable unit; (c) when the status is out of service, obtaining recent physical location information for the field replaceable unit stored in a memory, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and (d) when the status is not out of service, querying the field replaceable unit through its address and receiving in response, from the field replaceable unit, its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) repeating steps (a) through (d), inclusive, for each field replaceable unit of a plurality of field replaceable units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising: (f) compiling inventory information for each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising: (g) when a predetermined number of field replaceable units of the plurality of field replaceable units have been inventoried, transferring the compiled inventory information to a central site.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising: generating a database from the compiled inventory information transferred to a central site.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising: transferring the compiled inventory information from a plurality of remote sites to the central site.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the compiled inventory information is encoded in a binary format compatible with a predetermined database implementation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the distributed inventory processing automatically commences at a predetermined time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the distributed inventory processing commences on demand.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: waiting for routine diagnostic procedures to be completed prior to commencing distributed inventory processing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the vintage information further comprises a software version.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the vintage information includes one or more data fields containing CLEI, protocol, manufacturer, conditioning, installation date, physical description, or installing technician identifier information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the physical location information further comprises a remote site, floor, and bay location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises querying the field replaceable unit for serial number information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises resetting the status of the field replaceable unit to out of service.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the address is obtained from a memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the address is obtained by querying the field replaceable unit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the apparatus comprising: an input output interface, the input output interface coupleable through a communication channel to a plurality of field replaceable units; a memory; and a processor coupled to the input output interface and to the memory, wherein the processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of a first field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units; when the status is out of service, the processor having further instructions for obtaining recent physical location information for the first field replaceable unit, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and when the status is not out of service, the processor having further instructions for querying the first field replaceable unit through its address to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version. and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the apparatus comprising: an input output interface, the input output interface coupleable through a communication channel to a plurality of field replaceable units; a memory; and a processor coupled to the input output interface and to the memory, wherein the processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of a first field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units; when the status is out of service, the processor having further instructions for obtaining recent physical location information for the first field replaceable unit, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and when the status is not out of service, the processor having further instructions for querying the first field replaceable unit through its address to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version. and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor includes further instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units; the processor having further instructions for obtaining physical location information for each field replaceable unit having an out of service status; and the processor having further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service to obtain its vintage information and its physical location information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor includes further instructions for compiling inventory information for each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units and storing the compiled inventory information in the memory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor includes further instructions for transferring the compiled inventory information to a central site when a predetermined number of field replaceable units of the plurality of field replaceable units have been inventoried.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor includes further instructions for generating a database from the compiled inventory information transferred to a central site.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor includes further instructions for transferring the compiled inventory information from a plurality of remote sites to the central site.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a clock coupled to the processor; and wherein the processor receives a time signal from the clock and wherein the processor includes further instructions for commencing distributed inventory processing at a predetermined time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor includes further instructions for commencing distributed inventory processing in response to a user initiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor includes further instructions for waiting for routine diagnostic procedures to be completed prior to commencing distributed inventory processing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the vintage information further comprises a software version.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the vintage information includes one or more data fields containing CLEI, protocol, manufacturer, conditioning, installation date, physical description, or installing technician identifier information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the physical location information further comprises a remote site, floor, and bay location.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor includes further instructions for querying the field replaceable unit for serial number information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor includes further instructions for querying the field replaceable unit for address and status information.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the system comprising: a plurality of remote communication sites, each remote communication site of the plurality of remote communication sites having a plurality of field replaceable units; a central site coupled through a communication channel to the plurality of remote communication sites, the central site having a processor and a memory, wherein the processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units; the processor having further instructions for obtaining, from the memory, recent physical location information for each field replaceable unit having an out of service status, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and the processor having further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service, through each corresponding address, to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the system comprising: a plurality of remote communication sites, each remote communication site of the plurality of remote communication sites having a plurality of field replaceable units; a central site coupled through a communication channel to the plurality of remote communication sites, the central site having a processor and a memory, wherein the processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units; the processor having further instructions for obtaining, from the memory, recent physical location information for each field replaceable unit having an out of service status, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and the processor having further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service, through each corresponding address, to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the processor includes further instructions for compiling inventory information for each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units and storing the compiled inventory information in the memory.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 33, wherein the processor includes further instructions for generating a database from the compiled inventory information transferred to the central site.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the processor includes further instructions for commencing distributed inventory processing at a predetermined time.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 32, further comprising: an input terminal; and wherein the processor includes further instructions for commencing distributed inventory processing in response to a command entered in the input terminal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the processor includes further instructions for waiting for routine diagnostic procedures to be completed prior to commencing distributed inventory processing.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the vintage information further comprises a software version.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the vintage information includes one or more data fields containing CLEI, protocol, manufacturer, conditioning, installation date, physical description, or installing technician identifier information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the physical location information further comprises a remote site, floor, and bay location.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the processor includes further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit for serial number information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 32, wherein the processor includes further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit for address and status information.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the system comprising: a central site having a central processor; and a plurality of remote communication sites coupled to the central site through a communication channels, each remote communication site of the plurality of remote communication sites having a plurality of field replaceable units; each remote communication site having a remote processor and a remote memory, wherein the remote processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units within each remote communication site; the remote processor having further instructions for obtaining, from the remote memory, recent physical location information for each field replaceable unit having an out of service status, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and the remote processor having further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service, through each corresponding address, to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for distributed inventory processing for remote communication sites, the system comprising: a central site having a central processor; and a plurality of remote communication sites coupled to the central site through a communication channels, each remote communication site of the plurality of remote communication sites having a plurality of field replaceable units; each remote communication site having a remote processor and a remote memory, wherein the remote processor includes instructions for obtaining an address and status from the memory of each field replaceable unit of the plurality of field replaceable units within each remote communication site; the remote processor having further instructions for obtaining, from the remote memory, recent physical location information for each field replaceable unit having an out of service status, wherein the recent physical location information comprises a recently stored frame, shelf and slot location; and the remote processor having further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit having a status not out of service, through each corresponding address, to obtain its current vintage information and its current physical location information, wherein the current vintage information comprises a hardware version and a firmware version, and wherein the current physical location information comprises a current frame, shelf and slot location.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the remote processor has further instructions for compiling inventory information for a predetermined number of field replaceable units of the plurality of field replaceable units.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 44, wherein the remote processor has further instructions, when the predetermined number of field replaceable units have been inventoried, for transferring the compiled inventory information to the central site.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 45, wherein the central processor has instructions for generating a database from the compiled inventory information transferred to a central site.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the compiled inventory information is encoded in a binary format compatible with a predetermined database implementation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the remote processor has further instructions to commence distributed inventory processing at a predetermined time.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the central site further includes an input terminal; and wherein the central processor includes further instructions for commencing distributed inventory processing in response to a command entered in the input terminal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the vintage information further comprises a software version.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the vintage information includes one or more data fields containing CLEI, protocol, manufacturer, conditioning, installation date, physical description, or installing technician identifier information.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the physical location information further comprises a remote site, floor, and bay location.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the remote processor further has instructions for querying the each field replaceable unit for serial number information.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 43, wherein the remote processor includes further instructions for querying each field replaceable unit for address and status information.
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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) | 2003-11-28 | 2004-05-29 | 2004-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | 2008-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-28 | 2012-05-29 | 2012-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |