RFID Transponder for Remote Server Fault Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information handling systems, diagnosing faults and accessing system identification information is cumbersome, requiring physical contact and frequent service calls, especially when the system is non-functional, leading to prolonged downtime.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder that allows remote access to system information, including fault codes, via a radio frequency link, enabling technicians to diagnose issues and retrieve necessary components without physical contact, even when the system is powered down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical contact and manual component testing are used to diagnose server errors, then fault diagnosis can be performed, but service downtime increases and multiple service calls are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidservice downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical component testing with an electromagnetic field-based RFID detection system. The RFID transponder embedded in components communicates fault information wirelessly to external readers, eliminating the need for technicians to physically test each component and significantly reducing service downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary RFID transponder system that acts as a mediator between the server components and the diagnostic equipment. The transponder stores and transmits component identification and fault information, allowing remote diagnosis without direct physical contact with the server components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If technicians physically access and test server components to identify faults, then accurate diagnosis can be achieved, but the complexity of the repair process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault identification accuracyVSAvoidrepair process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fault diagnostic function from the physical server system and embeds it in separate RFID transponders attached to or integrated with components. This allows the diagnostic information to be accessed independently of the server's operational state, simplifying the repair process while maintaining diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates information copies of component identification and fault status data by encoding them in RFID transponders. These digital copies can be read remotely and used for diagnosis without requiring physical manipulation of the actual components, reducing repair complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If error logs are accessed only through physical connection to the server, then fault information can be retrieved, but access is impossible when the server is non-functional

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror log accessibilityVSAvoidlog access convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing component identification and fault information in the RFID transponder before the server becomes non-functional. This ensures the data is available for retrieval even when the server crashes or is powered down, eliminating the limitation of traditional log access methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the frequency of service calls and allows for quicker identification of faulty components, minimizing downtime by enabling remote access to system information, including fault codes, and allowing for accurate replacement of components without additional visits.

Implementation Method 1

receiving a request for at least a portion of the system information via a radio frequency identification ('RF') transponder link

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8274366B2Method and apparatus for RF access to system ID and fault information

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method and apparatus for RF access to system identification and fault information is disclosed. In one aspect, the present disclosure teaches a method of accessing system information in an information handling system including storing system information in a computer component forming a part of an information handling system. The method further includes receiving a request for at least a portion of the system information via a radio frequency identification (“RF”) transponder link. The method further includes automatically transmitting a response from the computer component via the RFID transponder link such that the response includes the at least a portion of the system information.