US6236983B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for collecting information regarding a device or a user of a device
Assignee: Callstat Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1998-01-31
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2018-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for collecting information regarding a device or a user of a device. Information is received from a discovery agent, which collects information when activated. The system determines a discovery rule to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent. The discovery rule is then applied to the information received from the discovery agent. The discovery agent and the discovery rule are separate code sequences or separate programs. A discovery engine receives the collected information from the discovery agent and applies the discovery rule to the collected information. The system may periodically activate the discovery agent to collect information. A typical system receives information from multiple discovery agents and applies multiple discovery rules to the received information. Each discovery agent includes a unique associated identifier. Additionally, the information collected by each discovery agent has an associated tag that identifies the data.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Hofmann
- 👤 John C. Hurley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06N; G06N5/00; G06N5/04; G06N5/043; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
In a computer system, a method of collecting information, the method comprising: receiving information from a discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent collects information about the computer system or a user, when the discovery agent is activated; determining one or more of a plurality of discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent; and applying the one or more discovery rules to the information received from the discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent and the discovery rule are separate code sequences located in the computer system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a computer system, a method of collecting information, the method comprising: receiving information from a discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent collects information about the computer system or a user, when the discovery agent is activated; determining one or more of a plurality of discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent; and applying the one or more discovery rules to the information received from the discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent and the discovery rule are separate code sequences located in the computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the discovery agent and the discovery rule are separate programs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of periodically activating the discovery agent to collect information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving information from a discovery agent further includes receiving information from a plurality of discovery agents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein each discovery agent is a separate program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of applying the rule to the information received from the discovery agent further includes applying the rule to the information received from the plurality of discovery agents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein each discovery agent collects a different type of data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein each discovery agent includes a unique associated identifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of determining a discovery rule further includes determining a plurality of discovery rules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of discovery agents is an active discovery agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein at least one of the plurality of discovery agents is a passive discovery agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining a discovery rule further includes determining multiple discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data collected by the discovery agent has an associated tag that identifies the data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the method is performed by a client in a client-server environment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a computer system, an information collection apparatus comprising: a discovery agent to collect information about the computer system or a user; a plurality of discovery rules to be selectively applied to the information collected by the discovery agent; and a discovery engine coupled to the discovery agent and the discovery rules, wherein the discovery engine is to activate the discovery agent and apply the selected one or ones of the discovery rules to the information collected by the discovery agent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a computer system, an information collection apparatus comprising: a discovery agent to collect information about the computer system or a user; a plurality of discovery rules to be selectively applied to the information collected by the discovery agent; and a discovery engine coupled to the discovery agent and the discovery rules, wherein the discovery engine is to activate the discovery agent and apply the selected one or ones of the discovery rules to the information collected by the discovery agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 15 further including a plurality of discovery agents, wherein each discovery agent is configured to collect a different type of data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 16 wherein each discovery agent includes a unique associated identifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 15 wherein the information collected by the discovery agent is provided with a tag that identifies the data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 15 wherein the discovery agent is to collect information when periodically activated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 15 further including a plurality of discovery rules, wherein each discovery rule is configured to be applied to at least one data element collected by the discovery agent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer software product including a medium readable by a processor, the medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive information from a discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent collects information about the computer system or a user, when the discovery agent is activated; determine one or more of a plurality of discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent; and apply the one or more discovery rules to the information received from the discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent and the discovery rules are separate code sequences located in the computer system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer software product including a medium readable by a processor, the medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive information from a discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent collects information about the computer system or a user, when the discovery agent is activated; determine one or more of a plurality of discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent; and apply the one or more discovery rules to the information received from the discovery agent, wherein the discovery agent and the discovery rules are separate code sequences located in the computer system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer software product of claim 21 further including a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to periodically activate the discovery agent to collect information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer software product of claim 21 further including a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive information from a plurality of discovery agents.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information collection apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the discovery agent collects information when periodically activated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer software product of claim 21 further including a sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determining multiple discovery rules to be applied to the information received from the discovery agent.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |