Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Reconfiguration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2002-04-02
Heckler, Thomas M. (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Reconfiguration
Reexamination Certificate
active
06367008
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The invention relates generally to the configuration of computer systems and, more particularly, to modifying system configuration settings using a self-importing system change routine.
Microsoft® Windows® 98 and Windows NT® 5.0 operating systems include a windows report tool application (WinRep) that can collect various system configuration information. Illustrative system configuration information includes the type of processor installed, system clock speed, system memory configuration, device input-output (I/O) ranges, interrupt settings, and the existence and version number of software components such as the basic input-output system (BIOS), device drivers, and dynamic link libraries (DLLs).
When a user experiences trouble with her computer system, she may use WinRep to take a snapshot of the system's configuration (which is typically stored in a file in a compressed format) and send this information (e.g., via the internet) to a support provider for examination. A support professional receiving the WinRep generated file may review the system configuration directly, thereby reducing the guesswork involved in troubleshooting a problem over the telephone or via email. As a result, the support professional may be able to diagnose the problem more easily and accurately.
Upon completing their diagnosis, the support professional typically informs the user what steps to take to correct the putative problem. The user may, for example, be contacted via telephone or email. The ability of many users, especially novice users, to follow a support professionals instructions (in particular, written instructions) makes this current approach to customer support less effective than desired.
Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a mechanism to automatically modify a user's system configuration settings based on the user's system configuration and a support professionals diagnosis.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment the invention provides a program storage device having instructions executable by a programmable control device to cause the programmable control device to receive a system change indication, obtain an instruction module corresponding to the received system change indication, and store the instruction module in a system change file. In another embodiment, the system change file may be compiled to execute in a target operating environment. In yet another refinement, the compiled system change file may be transferred to a user so that, when executed, it implements the system changes specified by the system change indication.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4034194 (1977-07-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 4334307 (1982-06-01), Bourgeois et al.
patent: 4433413 (1984-02-01), Fasang
patent: 4819162 (1989-04-01), Webb, Jr. et al.
patent: 4881230 (1989-11-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4964125 (1990-10-01), Kim
patent: 5010551 (1991-04-01), Goldsmith et al.
patent: 5068787 (1991-11-01), Pipella et al.
patent: 5182705 (1993-01-01), Barr et al.
patent: 5247683 (1993-09-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 5414846 (1995-05-01), Lemble et al.
patent: 5455933 (1995-10-01), Schieve et al.
patent: 5459657 (1995-10-01), Wynn et al.
patent: 5463766 (1995-10-01), Schieve et al.
patent: 5493492 (1996-02-01), Cramer et al.
patent: 5508977 (1996-04-01), Tymm
patent: 5519832 (1996-05-01), Warchol
patent: 5521842 (1996-05-01), Yamada
patent: 5646839 (1997-07-01), Katz
patent: 5696702 (1997-12-01), Skinner et al.
patent: 5710887 (1998-01-01), Chelliah et al.
patent: 5715374 (1998-02-01), Heckerman et al.
patent: 5720001 (1998-02-01), Nguyen
patent: 5761677 (1998-06-01), Senator et al.
patent: 5764916 (1998-06-01), Busey et al.
patent: 5771354 (1998-06-01), Crawford
patent: 5784539 (1998-07-01), Lenz
patent: 5794237 (1998-08-01), Gore, Jr.
patent: 5802493 (1998-09-01), Sheflott et al.
patent: 5802504 (1998-09-01), Suda et al.
patent: 5838682 (1998-11-01), Dekelbaum et al.
patent: 5842024 (1998-11-01), Choye et al.
patent: 5842181 (1998-11-01), Fanjoy
patent: 5884045 (1999-03-01), Kurihara
patent: 5898872 (1999-04-01), Richley
patent: 5903642 (1999-05-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 5915010 (1999-06-01), McCalmont
patent: 5918207 (1999-06-01), McGovern et al.
patent: 5933646 (1999-08-01), Hendrickson et al.
patent: 5954808 (1999-09-01), Paul
patent: 5970468 (1999-10-01), Bull
patent: 6014658 (2000-01-01), Pretz
patent: 6128730 (2000-10-01), Levine
patent: 6141649 (2000-10-01), Bull
Patent Application Serial No. 08/964,943 Dated Nov. 4, 1997 Entitled “Method and System for Tracking Employee Productivity in a Client/Server Environment”.
Patent Application Serial No. 09/288,215 Dated Apr. 8, 1999 Entitled “Method and System for Providing Remote Technical Support With Face the Customer Feature”.
Patent Application Serial No. 09/349,735 Dated Jul. 8, 1999 Entitled “Text Based Markup Language Resource Interface”.
Patent Application Serial No. 09/247,615 Dated Feb. 10, 1999 Entitled “Graphical Representation of System Information on a Remote Controller”.
Patent Application Serial No. 09/201,536 Dated Nov. 30, 1998 Entitled “Self-Importing System Change Routine”.
Heckler Thomas M.
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
LandOfFree
Self-importing system change routine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Self-importing system change routine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-importing system change routine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2834825