Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network-to-computer interfacing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-10-09
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network-to-computer interfacing
C709S223000, C710S009000, C713S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301622
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all rights accruing thereto under 35 U.S.C. §119 through my patent application entitled Computer Having Identification Number Storing Function and Method for Storing Identification Number earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 8th day of December 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. 1997/66752.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the identification of individual computers and, more specifically, to a device and a method for storing computer identification data in a computer.
2. Background Art
Today, computers use permanent memory to store the software code that provides essential low-level services, commonly called Basic Input/Output Services, some type of storage device to provide access to an operating system that provides higher level services, and some type of storage device that allows a user to run application programs and retrieve stored data. For example, one configuration is for a personal computer to have the Basic Input/Output Services stored in an integrated circuit located on the motherboard, and to provide volatile memory chips, commonly referred to as random access memory, into which programs or parts of programs are retrieved from a secondary storage device for operation.
There are two types of identifying data commonly associated with computers. There is manufacturing data that is used to identify the computer hardware itself and address data that is used to identify a computer to a network or a server. In a networked computer system, each computer has an exclusive means of identifying the computer to the network. In addition, for manufacturing purposes, inventory purposes, and security purposes, computers also have serial numbers attached to facilitate the identification of the computer hardware itself. These serial numbers or manufacturer's label indicate the product name and provide a bar code label that indicates a serial number. Some techniques for using identifying data with computers are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,729 to Matsushita entitled Genuine Security Article Distinguishing System for an Image Forming Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,318 to Martel entitled Secure Remote Control System With Receiver Controlled to Add and Delete Identification Codes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,892 to Cain entitled Security Apparatus and Method, U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,280 to Cotichini entitled Security Apparatus and Method, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,367 to Berea entitled Flash Reprogramming Security for Vehicle Computer.
The need for separate computer hardware identifying numbers and computer network address numbers has resulted in both manufacturers and network providers needing to maintain multiple databases for the separate numbers. However, with today's convergence between manufacturers and network providers, the maintenance of two separate databases and the constant need to generate new numbers results in a waste of time and a lowering of efficiency in networking productivity.
As such, I believe that it may be possible to improve the contemporary art of computer identification by providing a method and a device for storing identifying data in a computer, that can be used to provide an exclusive network address, that safely stores the serial number in read only memory, and that reduces the costs of operating both a manufacturing operation and a computer networking operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for storing computer identifying data in a computer.
It is another object to provide a method and a device for storing computer identifying data that can also be used to provide an exclusive network address.
It is still another object to provide a method and a device for storing computer identifying data that safely stores the serial number of a computer in read only memory.
It is yet another object to provide a method and a device for storing computer identifying data that reduces the costs of operating both a manufacturing operation and a computer networking operation.
To achieve these and other objects, a computer system is provided that uses a read only memory to store computer identifying data. Accordingly, the computer system uses a read only memory that has first portion for storing a set of instructions to operate the basic input/output services of the computer and a second portion for storing identification data that is unique to the individual computer.
In addition, the computer system may be constructed using a random access memory, a central processing unit, a read only memory having a first portion and a second portion, an auxiliary memory, and a serial input/output device. Furthermore, the computer system may have an identification number, or serial number, storing function. An attached bar code reader may be used to read the serial number, or other identifying data, from a bar code. Then, an identification number input program stores the data in random access memory. Both of the programs reside in the random access memory and are executed under control of the central processing unit. The data scanned using a bar code reader is then transferred through the serial input/output device, or peripheral port, and stored in a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage, or auxiliary memory, of the computer. An identification number storing program stores the identifying data in a portion of the read only memory. To facilitate the integration of hardware and networking service providers the identifying data used for the individual computer can also be used to specify an exclusive network address.
A method is provided for storing an identification number for a computer in a read only memory that has a portion containing basic input/output services and a portion containing identifying data. The method starts with reading the identification number recorded on a bar code and temporarily storing the data in an auxiliary memory of the computer. Then, the computer system loads the basic input/output services instructions from the read only memory and writes the instructions into the random access memory of the computer. After, the identification number, or data, that is stored in the auxiliary memory is stored in the random access memory. Then, the computer erases the data stored in the read only memory that relates to the basic input/output services. Afterwards, the computer stores both the computer identifying information and the data related to the basic input/output services into the read only memory. The stored computer identification data can also be used to provide an exclusive network address.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4930159 (1990-05-01), Kravitz et al.
patent: 5132729 (1992-07-01), Matsushita et al.
patent: 5473318 (1995-12-01), Martel
patent: 5619724 (1997-04-01), Moore
patent: 5764892 (1998-06-01), Cain et al.
patent: 5781407 (1998-07-01), Brauel
patent: 5787367 (1998-07-01), Berra
patent: 5794007 (1998-08-01), Arrigotti et al.
patent: 5802280 (1998-09-01), Cotichini et al.
patent: 5946497 (1999-08-01), Lee et al.
patent: 1996/2038 (1996-01-01), None
patent: 10-1997/0066752 (2000-08-01), None
patent: 162365 (1991-07-01), None
Kim Jae-Wook
Lee Kil-Moo
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Vu Viet D.
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