US6247128B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer manufacturing with smart configuration methods
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-04-30
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Granted: 2001-06-12
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Expires: 2018-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A system of computer manufacturing with pre-installation of software which utilizes a software selection process controlled by a rules database to determine the proper software components to be pre-installed onto an assembled computer or hard drive. Additionally, the rules base determines the appropriate diagnostic and set-up software components to be installed in order to ensure a system that is ready-to-run upon receipt by a purchaser.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerald C. Fisher
- 👤 Lien Dai Nguyen
- 👤 James Young
- 👤 Gunnar P. Seaburg
- 👤 Galen W. Hedlund
- 👤 Richard S. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F8/63; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/12; H04L67/34; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A process for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising the steps of repeatedly: (a.) selecting a hardware and software configuration; (b.) storing a list corresponding to said configuration; (c.) assembling hardware components according to said list; (d.) translating said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto a computer system, wherein said automatic inference translating is performed according to a rules database separately stored from a software-loading-system; and (e.) downloading software components from the software-loading-system according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on an assembled computer system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising the steps of repeatedly: (a.) selecting a hardware and software configuration; (b.) storing a list corresponding to said configuration; (c.) assembling hardware components according to said list; (d.) translating said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto a computer system, wherein said automatic inference translating is performed according to a rules database separately stored from a software-loading-system; and (e.) downloading software components from the software-loading-system according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on an assembled computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said hardware configuration list is created by scanning hardware part numbers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said downloaded software components create a predetermined software configuration and also a self-test and software set-up environment on said system which is customized for the particular software configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein tags are used by said inference procedure to associate said hardware and software selections with a set of rules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said software component list is dependent on said hardware configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said software component list is dependent on a language preference selection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said software component list is dependent on an operating system preference selection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said software component list includes diagnostic software.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said software component list includes set-up routines which are dependent on said hardware and software configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said automatic procedure translates according to a set of rules stored in a database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said hardware configuration and said software component list are stored in a database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein hardware and software configurations not provided by a manufacturer which are installed on said assembled computer system are stored in a database.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a language selection with software selections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a hardware selection with software selections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a software selection with software selections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising the steps of repeatedly: (a.) selecting a hardware and software configuration; (b.) storing a list corresponding to said configuration; (c.) assembling hardware components according to said list; (d.) storing unique identification numbers for each hardware component; (e.) storing a unique identification number for the operating system, if selected; (f.) translating said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto a computer system, wherein said automatic inference translating is accomplished according to a set of rules in a rules database stored separately from a software-downloading-system; and (g.) downloading software components from a software-loading-system according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on an assembled computer system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising the steps of repeatedly: (a.) selecting a hardware and software configuration; (b.) storing a list corresponding to said configuration; (c.) assembling hardware components according to said list; (d.) storing unique identification numbers for each hardware component; (e.) storing a unique identification number for the operating system, if selected; (f.) translating said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto a computer system, wherein said automatic inference translating is accomplished according to a set of rules in a rules database stored separately from a software-downloading-system; and (g.) downloading software components from a software-loading-system according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on an assembled computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said hardware configuration list is created by scanning hardware part numbers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said downloaded software components create a predetermined software configuration and also a self-test and software set-up environment on said system which is customized for the particular software configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein tags are used by said inference procedure to associate said hardware and software selections with a set of rules.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said software component list is dependent on said hardware configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said software component list is dependent on a language preference selection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said software component list is dependent on an operating system preference selection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said software component list includes diagnostic software.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said software component list includes set-up routines which are dependent on said hardware and software configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said inference procedure translates using a set of rules stored in a database.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said hardware configuration and said software component list are stored in a database.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein hardware and software configurations not provided by a manufacturer which are installed on said assembled computer system are stored in a database.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a language selection with software selections.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a hardware selection with software selections.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 16 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a software selection with software selections.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising: (a.) a stored hardware and software configuration list; (b.) a computer system assembled according to said list; (c.) a program which translates said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto said computer system, wherein said program translates said list using a set of rules stored separately from a software-loading-system; and (d.) said software-loading-system downloads said software components according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on said computer system.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for manufacturing computer systems with pre-installed software, comprising: (a.) a stored hardware and software configuration list; (b.) a computer system assembled according to said list; (c.) a program which translates said list using an automatic inference procedure into a list of software components to be downloaded onto said computer system, wherein said program translates said list using a set of rules stored separately from a software-loading-system; and (d.) said software-loading-system downloads said software components according to said software component list, to create a predetermined software configuration on said computer system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising: (a.) unique identification numbers for each hardware component; and (b.) a unique identification number for the operating system selected.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said hardware configuration list is created by scanning hardware part numbers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said downloaded software components create a predetermined software configuration and also a self-test and software set-up environment on said system which is customized for the particular software configuration.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein tags are used by said inference procedure to associate said hardware and software configuration with a set of rules.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said software component list is dependent on said hardware configuration.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said software component list is dependent on a language preference selection.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said software component list is dependent on an operating system preference selection.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said software component list includes diagnostic software.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said software component list includes set-up routines which are dependent on said hardware and software configuration.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a database to store set of rules used by said inference procedure to translate said list.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a database to store said hardware configuration and said software component list.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a database to store hardware and software configurations not provided by a manufacturer which are installed on said assembled computer system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a language selection with software selections.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a hardware selection with software selections.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 31 , wherein said inference procedure translates said list by associating a software selection with software selections.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
153 words
A database structure for managing a software selection rules base in a computer manufacturing environment, comprising: a first data association including a key uniquely identifying software or hardware part information contained in said database; a second data association including a key uniquely identifying model information contained in said database; a third data association including a key uniquely identifying software configuration rules contained in said database; a fourth data association including a key associating said part information to its appropriate rule; wherein a many-to-one relationship exist between said first and second data associations; wherein a many-to-one relationship exist between said fourth and first data associations; and wherein a many-to-many relationship exist between said third and fourth associations; wherein said first, second, third, and fourth associations define the rules base to be used in the selection of software, software set-up routines, and software and hardware diagnostics to be installed in computers in a manufacturing environment.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
153 words
A database structure for managing a software selection rules base in a computer manufacturing environment, comprising: a first data association including a key uniquely identifying software or hardware part information contained in said database; a second data association including a key uniquely identifying model information contained in said database; a third data association including a key uniquely identifying software configuration rules contained in said database; a fourth data association including a key associating said part information to its appropriate rule; wherein a many-to-one relationship exist between said first and second data associations; wherein a many-to-one relationship exist between said fourth and first data associations; and wherein a many-to-many relationship exist between said third and fourth associations; wherein said first, second, third, and fourth associations define the rules base to be used in the selection of software, software set-up routines, and software and hardware diagnostics to be installed in computers in a manufacturing environment.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The database structure of claim 47 , wherein each said data association is a data table in a relational database model.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-11 | 2004-12-11 | 2005-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | 2009-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-12-11 | 2013-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |