RFID Tag Broadcasts Computer Updates for Field Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

Field service technicians face challenges in efficiently locating and verifying the necessary hardware and software updates for multiple computers in a server farm setting, as they often require manual inspection of obscure serial numbers and network connectivity issues.

Innovation Solution

A system where configuration information is wirelessly sent to a remote server, which determines recommended updates and sends them to an RFID associated with each computer, allowing the RFID to broadcast the updates and identification, enabling easy location and verification by a technician using an RFID reader.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If technicians manually inspect serial numbers to locate target computers, then they can identify the correct computer, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputer identification accuracyVSAvoidtime to locate target computer

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary objects attached to computers and RFID readers carried by technicians. The RFID tag stores computer configuration information and serves as a mediator between the computer and the technician, enabling automatic identification without manual serial number inspection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manually reading serial numbers with an electromagnetic field-based RFID system. The RFID reader uses electromagnetic fields to automatically read configuration information from RFID tags, substituting manual visual inspection with automated electronic detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If technicians verify computer configuration through network queries, then they can confirm update compatibility, but the process requires additional time and network connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate compatibility verificationVSAvoidtime to verify configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing computer configuration information in RFID tags before the technician arrives. The configuration data is written into the RFID tag in advance, so when the technician scans the tag, the information is immediately available without requiring real-time network queries or verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If configuration information is stored centrally at the service center, then it can be accessed for updates, but technicians cannot quickly retrieve it at the field location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration information availabilityVSAvoidtime to access configuration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts configuration information from the centralized service center database and places it directly into RFID tags attached to each computer. This extraction allows the information to be locally available at the field location, eliminating the need for technicians to access the central database during field service operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Streamlines the process of identifying and installing updates by allowing technicians to locate and verify the necessary updates without manual inspection of serial numbers, ensuring compatibility and accuracy of updates, and facilitating efficient field service operations.

Implementation Method 1

RFIDs are currently known to store and broadcast identifications of products to which they are attached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7739396B2System, method and program for field service of computers

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 X CORP

AI summary

System, method and program product for managing field service of a computer. Configuration information of the computer is wirelessly sent to a remote server. In response, a determination is made as to a recommended list of updates to install in the computer which are compatible with the configuration information and not currently resident in the computer. The recommended list is wirelessly sent to the computer. In response, the recommended list is written into an RFID associated with the computer such that the RFID broadcasts the recommended list. The RFID also broadcasts an identification of the computer. A person visits a room containing the computer and uses an RFID reader to read the broadcast from the RFID. Based on the broadcast read by the RFID reader, a determination is made whether to install the recommended list of updates into the computer.