Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-24
2001-08-21
Wright, Norman M. (Department: 2785)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S039000, C714S044000, C714S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279125
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Personal computers are complex electronic devices that are often purchased and used by individuals who have limited knowledge of their operation. When a personal computer user attempts to configure the computer for use with new hardware or software, many problems may arise causing the computer system to malfunction. When such problems arise, the computer user may not have the knowledge or equipment necessary to diagnose and fix the problem.
When computer configuration problems arise or when malfunctions occur, the user may rely on telephone assistance from a computer technician. In order to fix the problem, the technician require various items of computer configuration data. To get the required information, the technician may have to rely on an inexperienced user to locate the data items and properly disclose them. This may require complex examination of configuration parameters and databases at the malfunctioning computer. Even with guidance from the repair technician, this process is difficult for the inexperienced user and is error prone. Consequently, improved methods of reporting computer configuration data are desired.
SUMMARY
The invention enables reporting of diagnostic data from a user's computer to a diagnostic technician or an automated diagnostic system, and may be advantageously applied to report data over a telephone connection. To facilitate diagnostic data reporting, gathering of diagnostic data is automated and the gathered data is automatically reported using a generated audio signal. Automated reporting using a generated audio signal may be helpful in reducing human errors in the reporting of diagnostic data to remote technicians.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a software-implemented method of reporting computer system diagnostic information. The method includes receiving a report specification and generating an audio signal representation of report data. The report specification identifies one or more computer system parameters. The output report data can be generated by searching a configuration database for information associated with the identified computer system parameters. The located information may subsequently be converted to an audio signal by an audio output device.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The report specification may be received by selecting parameters using a graphical user interface or may be received by querying an operating system for fault information. Searching the configuration database may include searching both application program and operating system configuration files. The generated audio signal may be a telephone compatible voice-bandwidth signal and may include speech generated by a text-to-speech converter. Report data may be altered using a phonetic alphabet representation and/or may be converted to dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones by the audio device.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer system configured to report diagnostic data. The system includes a processor configured to determine a report parameter, to locate data associated with the report parameter in a system configuration database, and to convert the located data to an audio signal.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The invention may include an operating system program controlling the allocation of computer system physical resources and storage of resource allocation information in a configuration database. The system may include multiple configurable hardware components and may include a configuration database having data associated with the multiple configurable hardware components.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer system including an audio output device, a computer program residing on a storage media, and a system configuration database residing on a storage media. The system has a processor that can execute the stored computer program. The computer program includes instructions for causing the computer to receive a report specification, locate data associated with computer system parameter identification information, produce report information from the located data, and generate an audio signal representative of the report data
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer program residing on a computer-readable medium. The program includes instructions for causing a computer to receive a report specification having system parameter identification information, locate data associated with the identified system parameters in a computer configuration database, produce report data, and generate an audio signal representative of the report data.
Implementations of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. Diagnostic data reports may be automated. Complex steps involved in the gathering of diagnostic data may be reduced or eliminated. Human error in the reporting of diagnostic data may be reduced or eliminated. Implementations may also include other advantages as will become clear from the description and claims that follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4425625 (1984-01-01), Seligman et al.
patent: 4879738 (1989-11-01), Petro
patent: 5287505 (1994-02-01), Calvert et al.
patent: 5404503 (1995-04-01), Hill et al.
patent: 5521958 (1996-05-01), Selig et al.
patent: 5581600 (1996-12-01), Watts et al.
patent: 5615331 (1997-03-01), Toorians et al.
patent: 5678002 (1997-10-01), Fawcett et al.
patent: 5802526 (1998-09-01), Fawcett et al.
patent: 5862322 (1999-01-01), Anglin et al.
patent: 5881135 (1999-05-01), Watts et al.
patent: 5983369 (1999-11-01), Bakoglu et al.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
Wright Norman M.
LandOfFree
Computer system diagnostics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer system diagnostics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer system diagnostics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448827