Patent US6883118B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6883118B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Consumer network diagnostic agent
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-24
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Granted: 2005-04-19
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Expires: 2021-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A software tool and method are provided which allow an unsophisticated user to easily determine or identify problems in a networked computer system. The software tool comprises a diagnostic component adapted to determine at least one attribute associated with the computer system, and a user interface component adapted to launch the diagnostic component and to render the attribute to a user. The diagnostic component may obtain first information related to a local host computer, and selectively perform one or more tests associated with the local host computer according to the first information. The diagnostic component then determines the attribute according to the first information and/or the test results. A self-healing networked computer system is also disclosed, comprising the diagnostic component and a remedial object adapted to perform one or more remedial actions according to the attribute.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis A. Morgan
- 👤 David V. Gunter
- 👤 Benjamin E. Nick
- 👤 Sherwood H. Lawrence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/06; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0748; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294; H04L41/22; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0817; H04L43/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A software tool for diagnosing problems in networked computer system, comprising: an interface component that launches the software tool; and a diagnostic component associated with a local host computer in the networked computer system; wherein the diagnostic component is obtains first information related the local host computer when the software tool is launched, selectively performs at least one test associated with the local host computer in order to obtain at least one test result according to the first information, and determines at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information the at least one test result, and wherein the software tool selectively provides the at east one attribute to at least one of a transferable file in the local host computer and the interface component, and wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of a first data set corresponding to services associated with local host computer, a second data set corresponding to computer information, and a third data set corresponding to modems and network adapters associated with the local host computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A software tool for diagnosing problems in networked computer system, comprising: an interface component that launches the software tool; and a diagnostic component associated with a local host computer in the networked computer system; wherein the diagnostic component is obtains first information related the local host computer when the software tool is launched, selectively performs at least one test associated with the local host computer in order to obtain at least one test result according to the first information, and determines at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information the at least one test result, and wherein the software tool selectively provides the at east one attribute to at least one of a transferable file in the local host computer and the interface component, and wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of a first data set corresponding to services associated with local host computer, a second data set corresponding to computer information, and a third data set corresponding to modems and network adapters associated with the local host computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the software tool selectively provides the at least one attribute to the interface component, and wherein the interface component renders the at least one attribute to a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the first data set comprises information related to at least one of mail service, news service, Internet service, and loopback.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the second data set comprises information related to an operating system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the third data set comprises information related to at least one of a modem, a network adapter and an installed client.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic performs one of querying a data store and verifying a connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The software tool of claim 6 , wherein the diagnostic component queries a registry associated with the local host computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The software tool of claim 6 , wherein the agnostic component comprises a ping utility that tests a network by sending out a packet and waiting for a response.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The software tool of claim 8 , wherein the ping utility determines whether a particular IP address is online.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The software tool of claim 8 , wherein the ping utility determines an IP address from the response.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The software tool of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic component and the interface component reside on the local host computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a remedial object that performs at least one remedial action according to the at least one attribute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic component selectively provides the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file in to local host computer and an interface component associated with the local host computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one remedial action comprises determining another attribute associated with the networked computer system according to the at least one attribute using the diagnostic component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic component determines another attribute associated with the networked computer system alter performance of the at least one remedial action.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 , the interface component renders the at least one attribute to a user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 12 , the interface component launches the diagnostic component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the interface component renders information related to the at least one remedial action to the user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , a client side computer comprises the interface component, the interface component launches the diagnostic component and renders the at least one attribute to a user.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of diagnosing problems in a networked computer system, comprising: launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component, wherein selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of the transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component comprises providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer, further comprising sending the transferable file to another computer associated with the networked computer system, wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises one of querying a data store and verifying a connection, wherein querying a data store comprises querying a registry associated with the local host computer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of diagnosing problems in a networked computer system, comprising: launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component, wherein selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of the transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component comprises providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer, further comprising sending the transferable file to another computer associated with the networked computer system, wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises one of querying a data store and verifying a connection, wherein querying a data store comprises querying a registry associated with the local host computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component comprises providing the at least one attribute to the interface component, further comprising rendering the at least one attribute to a user using the interface component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises obtaining a first data set comprising information related to at least one of mail service, news service, Internet service, and loopback.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises obtaining a second data set comprising information related to an operating system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein determining the a least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises obtaining a third data set comprising information related to at least one of a modem, a network adapter and an installed client.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein verifying a connection comprises sending out a packet and waiting for a response.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein verifying a connection comprises determining an IP address from the response.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein verifying a connection comprises determining whether a particular IP address is online.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
209 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for: launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component wherein selectively providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component comprises providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer, sending the transferable file to a disparate computer related to the networked computer system, wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises querying a data store and verifying a connection, and wherein querying a data store comprises querying a registry associated with the local computer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
209 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for: launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and selectively providing the at least one attribute to at least one of a transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component wherein selectively providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer and the interface component comprises providing the at least one attribute to the transferable file associated with the local host computer, sending the transferable file to a disparate computer related to the networked computer system, wherein determining the at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system comprises querying a data store and verifying a connection, and wherein querying a data store comprises querying a registry associated with the local computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for providing the at least one attribute to the interface component comprises computer-executable instructions for rendering the at least one attribute to a user using the interface component.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for providing the at least one attribute to a transferable file associated with the local host computer comprises comprising computer-executable instructions for sending the transferable file to another computer associated with the networked computer system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for determining at least one attribute comprises computer-executable instructions for obtaining a first data set comprising information related to at least one of mail service, news service, Internet service, and loopback.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for determining at least one attribute comprises computer-executable instructions for obtaining a second data set comprising information related to an operating system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for determining at least one attribute comprises computer-executable instructions for obtaining a third data set comprising information related to at least one of a modem, a network adapter and an installed client.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions for determining at least one attribute comprises computer-executable instructions for one of querying a data store and verifying a connection.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
160 words
A software tool for diagnosing problems in a networked computer system, comprising: means for launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; means for obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; means for selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; means for obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; means for determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and means for associating the at least one attribute with one or more of a first data set corresponding to services associated with the local host computer, a second data set corresponding to computer information, and a third data set corresponding to modems and/or network adapters associated with the local host computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
160 words
A software tool for diagnosing problems in a networked computer system, comprising: means for launching a diagnostic software tool using an interface component associated with the diagnostic software tool; means for obtaining first information related to a local host computer in the networked computer system; means for selectively performing at least one test associated with the local host computer according to the first information; means for obtaining at least one test result associated with the at least one test; means for determining at least one attribute associated with the networked computer system according to at least one of the first information and the at least one test result; and means for associating the at least one attribute with one or more of a first data set corresponding to services associated with the local host computer, a second data set corresponding to computer information, and a third data set corresponding to modems and/or network adapters associated with the local host computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
54 words
A user interface associated with a networked computer system, comprising: a first component that launches a diagnostic tool; and a second component that renders attribute information related to an attribute associated with the networked computer system to a user, wherein the second component renders the attribute information to the user in a hierarchical fashion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
54 words
A user interface associated with a networked computer system, comprising: a first component that launches a diagnostic tool; and a second component that renders attribute information related to an attribute associated with the networked computer system to a user, wherein the second component renders the attribute information to the user in a hierarchical fashion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The user interface of claim 36 , wherein the second component is graphical.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
54 words
The user interface of claim 36 , wherein the attribute information comprises at least one of a first data set corresponding to services associated with a local host computer, a second data set corresponding to computer information, and a third data set corresponding to modems and network adapters associated with the local host computer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The user interface of claim 36 , the diagnostic tool determines an attribute associated with the computer system and provides the attribute to at least one of a file in the computer system and an interface.
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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) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-10-18 | 2009-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-04-18 | 2012-10-18 | 2013-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-04-18 | 2016-10-18 | 2017-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |