Augmented Reality Server Maintenance Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers with numerous server computers face challenges in efficient maintenance due to the difficulty in locating specific servers and obtaining relevant performance metrics and maintenance information, especially in large environments with similar equipment.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality electronic equipment maintenance user interface (AUI) system that uses mobile communication devices to scan signatures affixed to equipment, transmitting this information to a server application for identification and retrieval of performance metrics, alarms, and recommended maintenance actions, presenting this data on the device for technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If technicians manually locate servers in large data centers, then maintenance can be performed, but time consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) as intermediary tools between technicians and servers. These devices run applications that communicate with server computers to retrieve performance metrics and maintenance information, allowing technicians to access critical data remotely without physically locating each server first.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical location and inspection methods with electronic and optical systems. Mobile devices capture images of servers using cameras, and automated systems process these images to identify servers and retrieve their information, substituting mechanical manual search with automated recognition and data retrieval.
2Measurement precision
If technicians access detailed server information manually, then accurate maintenance decisions can be made, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where server computers automatically collect their own performance data through data collection processes, and mobile applications automatically retrieve and display relevant information. This eliminates the need for technicians to manually navigate complex systems to gather information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of server information and performance metrics that are stored and transmitted to mobile devices. Instead of technicians directly accessing complex server systems, they view simplified copies of critical information displayed on mobile device screens, reducing the complexity barrier.
3Reliability
If technicians perform comprehensive maintenance checks, then reliability improves, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting and analyzing server performance data before maintenance is needed. The system continuously monitors server metrics, identifies potential issues, and prepares maintenance information in advance, allowing technicians to perform targeted maintenance rather than comprehensive checks during scheduled downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where server performance data is continuously collected, analyzed, and used to generate maintenance recommendations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt maintenance activities to actual server conditions, ensuring reliable maintenance while minimizing time by focusing only on areas that need attention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for maintaining server computers. The method comprises capturing a signature of one of a plurality of server computers by an augmented user interface (AUI) maintenance client application executing on a mobile communication device, transmitting the signature by the AUI maintenance client application to an AUI maintenance server application executing on a computer, looking up information on the server computer associated with the signature by the AUI maintenance server application based on the signature, wherein the information identifies a process executing on the server computer, identifies an alarm active on the server computer, and identifies a recommended maintenance action, transmitting the looked up information by the AUI maintenance server to the AUI maintenance client application, and presenting the information on a display of the mobile communication device, whereby maintenance of the server computer is assisted.