Patent US6529784B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6529784B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for monitoring computer systems and alerting users of actual or potential system errors
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 2000-02-29
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2020-02-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing system management services to a customer's network of target computers through a communications network is described. Service subscribers have at least one target computer system. Each target computer system has a hardware configuration and a software configuration. An agent process is hosted on at least one target computer system of each subscriber. Each agent communicates with a centralized control server through a communication link. The control server manages the hardware or software configurations of the target computer systems through the server. By centralizing the resources for managing the computing resources of several subscribers at a single control server, the need for redundant management resources at each subscriber is reduced or eliminated. A method for providing a customer system management information in response to receiving information about the customer's target computer system is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Cantos
- 👤 Neil Mager
- 👤 Keith Erskine
- 👤 Mike Vilot
- 👤 Alison Whittier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 79
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining an effect of at least one action selected from installing, removing and upgrading a first software package on a target computer system memory, the method comprising: receiving target computer system information from an agent; accessing a database of information related to a plurality of software packages; selecting from the database information related to the target computer system information and the first software package; determining the effect of the action on the target computer system based on the target computer system information received and the information selected from the database; and transmitting a message to the agent informing the agent of the effect of the action.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining an effect of at least one action selected from installing, removing and upgrading a first software package on a target computer system memory, the method comprising: receiving target computer system information from an agent; accessing a database of information related to a plurality of software packages; selecting from the database information related to the target computer system information and the first software package; determining the effect of the action on the target computer system based on the target computer system information received and the information selected from the database; and transmitting a message to the agent informing the agent of the effect of the action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the action on the target computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a second message to a user, wherein said second message is related to the message transmitted to the agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising instructing a user on procedures for performing the action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the software package is one of a software patch and a software upgrade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising changing target computer system information to reflect that the action was performed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of recursively checking the dependency of a software package, the method comprising: identifying a first item upon which the software package depends directly; identifying a second item upon which the software package depends indirectly; repeating the steps of identifying the first item and identifying the second item until substantially all items upon which the software package depends have been identified.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of recursively checking the dependency of a software package, the method comprising: identifying a first item upon which the software package depends directly; identifying a second item upon which the software package depends indirectly; repeating the steps of identifying the first item and identifying the second item until substantially all items upon which the software package depends have been identified.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for correcting a target computer system anomaly, the method comprising: by an agent, collecting target computer system resource data; by an agent, screening the target computer system resource data for symptomatic conditions; by a control server, diagnosing the anomaly based on the symptomatic conditions; and informing a user of at least one possible cause for the anomaly.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for correcting a target computer system anomaly, the method comprising: by an agent, collecting target computer system resource data; by an agent, screening the target computer system resource data for symptomatic conditions; by a control server, diagnosing the anomaly based on the symptomatic conditions; and informing a user of at least one possible cause for the anomaly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for correcting a target computer system anomaly according to claim 8 , further comprising transmitting information related to the diagnosed anomaly from the control server to the agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for correcting a target computer system anomaly according to claim 8 , further comprising informing a user of a procedure for correcting the anomaly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of correcting a target computer system anomaly according to claim 9 , wherein the symptomatic conditions are updated by the control server.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of warning a user of information related to the software configuration of a target computer, the method comprising: receiving target computer system information from an agent; accessing stored software information related to the system information received; determining whether the accessed stored software information is critical to the operation of the target computer; and transmitting an alert message to the agent based on a determination that the accessed stored software information is critical to the operation of the target computer.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of warning a user of information related to the software configuration of a target computer, the method comprising: receiving target computer system information from an agent; accessing stored software information related to the system information received; determining whether the accessed stored software information is critical to the operation of the target computer; and transmitting an alert message to the agent based on a determination that the accessed stored software information is critical to the operation of the target computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising updating stored software information periodically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving proposed target computer system change information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: interrogating a target computer system for target computer system information representative of a target computer system configuration; transmitting target computer system information or a portion thereof to a control server; receiving instructions from a control server for modifying target computer system information; and modifying target computer system information, wherein the control server accesses information contained in a database of software information based on the transmitted target computer system information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: interrogating a target computer system for target computer system information representative of a target computer system configuration; transmitting target computer system information or a portion thereof to a control server; receiving instructions from a control server for modifying target computer system information; and modifying target computer system information, wherein the control server accesses information contained in a database of software information based on the transmitted target computer system information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the target computer system is interrogated periodically.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the target computer system is interrogated upon a user request.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the target computer system is interrogated upon receipt of a signal indicating that the target computer system configuration has changed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein transmission of target computer system information is performed through a communications network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the communications network is the Internet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the computer readable instructions are a continuously executed process.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: receiving target computer system information related to a target computer system; interpreting target computer system information to retrieve related information from a memory containing information related to at least one software package hosted on the target computer system; and transmitting information based on the information retrieved from the memory to an agent associated with the target computer system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: receiving target computer system information related to a target computer system; interpreting target computer system information to retrieve related information from a memory containing information related to at least one software package hosted on the target computer system; and transmitting information based on the information retrieved from the memory to an agent associated with the target computer system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable medium of claim 22 , the computer readable instructions encoded therein further for translating information retrieved from the memory into a form usable by the agent associated with the target computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the information transmitted to the agent is alert information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further wherein the alert information is not based on target computer system information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further wherein the alert information is specific to the target computer system information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: measuring target computer system information; determining when a measured target computer system parameter exceeds a threshold value; transmitting target computer system information to a server in a system for managing a plurality of computers; setting a threshold value based on measured target computer system information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: measuring target computer system information; determining when a measured target computer system parameter exceeds a threshold value; transmitting target computer system information to a server in a system for managing a plurality of computers; setting a threshold value based on measured target computer system information.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 , wherein the server is a control server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 , wherein the server is a network server.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 , wherein the server is a Web server.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of providing system management services to a network of target computers, the method comprising: enrolling customers to receive computer system management services for a customer network, the customer network having a target computer system; monitoring the customer network through an agent; receiving target computer system information from the agent; accessing information related to the target computer system information from a database containing software and hardware information; transmitting the accessed information to the customer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of providing system management services to a network of target computers, the method comprising: enrolling customers to receive computer system management services for a customer network, the customer network having a target computer system; monitoring the customer network through an agent; receiving target computer system information from the agent; accessing information related to the target computer system information from a database containing software and hardware information; transmitting the accessed information to the customer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising determining the type of operating system being used by the target computer system and wherein the database contains information specific to the operating system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising verifying that the customer is enrolled prior to transmitting target computer system information to the customer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising assigning a unique identification code to the customer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising assigning a unique password to the customer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising billing the customer for computer system management services received.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , further comprising collecting a subscription fee from the customer for computer system management services to be received.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , wherein the customer may select which computer system management services to receive from a plurality of offered computer system management services.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 38 , further comprising charging the customer a fee related to the computer system management services selected.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , wherein the agent is intelligent.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 31 , wherein the agent is updated by transmitting plug-ins to the agent.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of computer programs with one of requirement information and conflict information; hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber responsive to subscriber queries; at the agent process, detecting a subscriber query related to a proposed change in the software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the at least one subscriber; transmitting data representative of the query from the agent to the control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the data representative of the query and determining an impact of the proposed change in the software configuration of the at least one target computer system based upon at least one of requirement information and conflict information in the database associated with at least one computer program of the software configuration of the target computer; and transmitting data representative of the impact from the control server to the agent process through the communication link.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of computer programs with one of requirement information and conflict information; hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber responsive to subscriber queries; at the agent process, detecting a subscriber query related to a proposed change in the software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the at least one subscriber; transmitting data representative of the query from the agent to the control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the data representative of the query and determining an impact of the proposed change in the software configuration of the at least one target computer system based upon at least one of requirement information and conflict information in the database associated with at least one computer program of the software configuration of the target computer; and transmitting data representative of the impact from the control server to the agent process through the communication link.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the public data communication network includes the Internet.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the proposed change to the software configuration includes adding one or more computer programs to the software configuration of the at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber and the method further includes determining the impact of the proposed change based upon the requirement information associated with the proposed addition of the computer program.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the proposed change to the software configuration includes removing one or morea software program from the software configuration and the method further includes determining the impact of the proposed change based upon whether any other software program of the software configuration depends on the software program proposed for removal.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of computer programs with one of requirement information and conflict information; hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of each subscriber responsive to subscriber queries; at the agent process, detecting a subscriber query related to a proposed change in the software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems; transmitting data representative of the query from the agent to the control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the data representative of the query and determining an impact of the proposed change in the software configuration of the at least one target computer system based upon at least one of requirement information and conflict information in the database associated with at least one computer program of the software configuration of the target computer; and transmitting data representative of the impact from the control server to the agent process through the communication link.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of computer programs with one of requirement information and conflict information; hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of each subscriber responsive to subscriber queries; at the agent process, detecting a subscriber query related to a proposed change in the software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems; transmitting data representative of the query from the agent to the control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the data representative of the query and determining an impact of the proposed change in the software configuration of the at least one target computer system based upon at least one of requirement information and conflict information in the database associated with at least one computer program of the software configuration of the target computer; and transmitting data representative of the impact from the control server to the agent process through the communication link.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber for monitoring at least one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of each target computer system of the subscriber; at the agent process, detecting an event or condition related to the hardware or software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the at least one subscriber indicative of an impact of performance of the at least one target computer system; transmitting data representative of the detected event or condition from the agent to a control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the detected event or condition and determining a course of action including a change in one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of the at least one target computer system of the subscriber; and transmitting data representative of the course of action from the control server to the agent process through the communication link to initiate the course of action at the agent process.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber for monitoring at least one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of each target computer system of the subscriber; at the agent process, detecting an event or condition related to the hardware or software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the at least one subscriber indicative of an impact of performance of the at least one target computer system; transmitting data representative of the detected event or condition from the agent to a control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the detected event or condition and determining a course of action including a change in one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of the at least one target computer system of the subscriber; and transmitting data representative of the course of action from the control server to the agent process through the communication link to initiate the course of action at the agent process.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the public data communication network includes the Internet.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the step of transmitting data representative of a course of action further includes transmitting data representative of one of a software patch and an updated version of a computer program of the software configuration of the at least one target computer system.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the step of detecting an event or condition related to the hardware or software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems further includes one of monitoring configuration files of the at least one of the target computer systems and poling the at least one of the target computer systems.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of each subscriber for monitoring at least one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of each target computer system of the subscriber; at the agent process, detecting an event or condition related to the hardware or software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the subscriber indicative of an impact of performance of the at least one target computer system; transmitting data representative of the detected event or condition from the agent to a control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the detected event or condition and determining a course of action including a change in one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of the at least one target computer system of the subscriber; and transmitting data representative of the course of action from the control server to the agent process through the communication link to initiate the course of action at the agent process.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: hosting an agent process on at least one target computer system of each subscriber for monitoring at least one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of each target computer system of the subscriber; at the agent process, detecting an event or condition related to the hardware or software configuration of at least one of the target computer systems of the subscriber indicative of an impact of performance of the at least one target computer system; transmitting data representative of the detected event or condition from the agent to a control server in a communication link, at least a portion of the communication link including a public data communication network; at the control server, receiving the detected event or condition and determining a course of action including a change in one of the software configuration and hardware configuration of the at least one target computer system of the subscriber; and transmitting data representative of the course of action from the control server to the agent process through the communication link to initiate the course of action at the agent process.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of identified computer programs with conditions affecting performance of the computer program; on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber, hosting one of a plurality of agent processes, each of the agent processes being associated with one or more of the target computer systems; detecting changes in the conditions affecting the performance of at least one particular computer program identified in the database; transmitting data from a control server to one or more of selected ones of the agent processes representative of a query through a communication link including a public data communication network; transmitting data through the communication link from each of the selected agent processes, in response to the query, to the control server indicating whether the software configuration of the target computer systems associated with the selected agent include the particular computer program identified in the database; and transmitting data from the control server to the selected agents associated with target computer systems with a software configuration having the particular computer program to initiate a change in the software configuration.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
243 words
A method of providing a management service to at least one subscriber, the at least one subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of identified computer programs with conditions affecting performance of the computer program; on at least one target computer system of the at least one subscriber, hosting one of a plurality of agent processes, each of the agent processes being associated with one or more of the target computer systems; detecting changes in the conditions affecting the performance of at least one particular computer program identified in the database; transmitting data from a control server to one or more of selected ones of the agent processes representative of a query through a communication link including a public data communication network; transmitting data through the communication link from each of the selected agent processes, in response to the query, to the control server indicating whether the software configuration of the target computer systems associated with the selected agent include the particular computer program identified in the database; and transmitting data from the control server to the selected agents associated with target computer systems with a software configuration having the particular computer program to initiate a change in the software configuration.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein the public data communication network includes the Internet.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 52 , wherein transmitting data from the control server to the selected agents includes transmitting a message to the selected agents for displaying a warning to an administrator of the subscribers.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of identified computer programs with conditions affecting performance of the computer program; on at least one target computer system of each subscriber, hosting one of a plurality of agent processes, each of the agent processes being associated with one or more of the target computer systems; detecting changes in the conditions affecting the performance of at least one particular computer program identified in the database; transmitting data from a control server to one or more of selected ones of the agent processes representative of a query through a communication link including a public data communication network; transmitting data through the communication link from each of the selected agent processes, in response to the query, to the control server indicating whether the software configuration of the target computer systems associated with the selected agent include the particular computer program identified in the database; and transmitting data from the control server to the selected agents associated with target computer systems with a software configuration having the particular computer program to initiate a change in the software configuration.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of providing a management service to a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having at least one target computer system having a hardware configuration and a software configuration, the software configuration including one or more computer programs hosted on the target computer system, the method comprising: maintaining a database accessible by a control server, the database associating each of a plurality of identified computer programs with conditions affecting performance of the computer program; on at least one target computer system of each subscriber, hosting one of a plurality of agent processes, each of the agent processes being associated with one or more of the target computer systems; detecting changes in the conditions affecting the performance of at least one particular computer program identified in the database; transmitting data from a control server to one or more of selected ones of the agent processes representative of a query through a communication link including a public data communication network; transmitting data through the communication link from each of the selected agent processes, in response to the query, to the control server indicating whether the software configuration of the target computer systems associated with the selected agent include the particular computer program identified in the database; and transmitting data from the control server to the selected agents associated with target computer systems with a software configuration having the particular computer program to initiate a change in the software configuration.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: registering subscribers to receive computer system management services for a subscriber network, the subscriber network having a target computer system; utilizing an agent to supervise the subscriber network; obtaining target computer system data from the agent; retrieving data associated to the target computer system data from a database having hardware and software data; and making available the retrieved data to the subscriber.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions encoded thereon for: registering subscribers to receive computer system management services for a subscriber network, the subscriber network having a target computer system; utilizing an agent to supervise the subscriber network; obtaining target computer system data from the agent; retrieving data associated to the target computer system data from a database having hardware and software data; and making available the retrieved data to the subscriber.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of supplying system management services to a network of target computers, the method comprising: registering subscribers to receive computer system management services for a subscriber network, the subscriber network having a target computer system; utilizing an agent to supervise the subscriber network; obtaining target computer system data from the agent; retrieving data associated to the target computer system data from a database having hardware and software data; and making available the retrieved data to the subscriber.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of supplying system management services to a network of target computers, the method comprising: registering subscribers to receive computer system management services for a subscriber network, the subscriber network having a target computer system; utilizing an agent to supervise the subscriber network; obtaining target computer system data from the agent; retrieving data associated to the target computer system data from a database having hardware and software data; and making available the retrieved data to the subscriber.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , further comprising identifying an operating system utilized by the target computer system and wherein the database has data restricted to the operating system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , further comprising confirming that the subscriber is registered before making available target computer system information to the subscriber.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , further comprising providing a unique identification code and a unique password to the subscriber.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , further comprising invoicing and collecting a fee from the subscriber for computer system management services delivered and for future delivery of computer system management services.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , wherein the subscriber may choose particular computer system management services to obtain from a plurality of available computer system management services and wherein the subscriber is invoiced a fee associated with the computer system management services chosen.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of providing system management services to a network of target computers of claim 57 , wherein the agent is intelligent and is updated via the sending of plug-ins.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |