Multidimensional barcodes for information handling system service information

• US 10,402,781 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Terwilliger, Kevin, Lauffer, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Thien T
• Application Number:
  US13/233,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20130069794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,910 Days
• Field of Search: 23546201, 23546245, 235383, 235375, 714760, 399 8, 358 114, 34833301, 3482111, 345 83
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Multi-dimensional barcodes at a product include service identifiers for the product so that an end user with a portable information handling system captures an image of the multi-dimensional barcode and extracts the service identifiers to obtain service information from a service network location. For example, a service identifier embeds a URL that links to a video demonstrating how to assemble the product. As another example, a service identifier links to a service network location and includes a unique identifier so that an end user retrieves warranty or purchase information for the product.

Claims

1. A system to aid service of an information handling system, the system comprising:

a service label presented at the information handling system and having a two-dimensional barcode, the two dimensional barcode having a service identifier that includes at least a universal resource locater and a unique identifier;

a portable information handling system having a processor, a camera and a barcode application interfaced with the camera, the camera operable to take an image of the two-dimensional barcode, the processor running the barcode application, the barcode application operable to analyze the image to retrieve the service identifier;

a service application interfaced with the barcode application and operable to apply the service identifier to retrieve service information from a network location through a network interface that provides service for the information handling system, the retrieved service information including at least a visual image retrieved from the network location of plural components disposed on a motherboard that match the plural components of the information handling system, the visual image presented in a browser and providing a display presentation at the portable information handling system having images of the plural components disposed on the motherboard, the images of the plural components individually selectable to obtain service information of an associated of the plural components including at least a video that depicts replacement for the associated one of the plural components that is selected.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the service identifier comprises a universal resource locator for a network location associated with a manufacturer of the information handling system and the service information comprises instructions for performing maintenance at the information handling system for the associated component, and wherein the image captured by the camera includes plural individually illuminated diagnostic LEDs that provide a diagnostic code, the service application analyzing the individually illuminated diagnostic LEDs to determine the diagnostic code and providing the diagnostic code to the network location.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the instructions comprise a user'"'"'s manual for the information handling system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a wireless telephone that communicates with the Internet over a wireless wide area network, the service identifier comprises an Internet address and the service information comprises a video that presents instructions for replacing the associated component of the information handling system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a wireless telephone that communicates with the Internet over a wireless wide area network, the service identifier comprises telephone contact information and the service information comprises audio that presents instructions for replacing a component of the information handling system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a laptop, the service identifier comprises a file stored on the laptop and the file comprises a video that presents instructions for correcting a failure at the information handling system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the service application is further operable to retrieve service information for the information handling system by providing the unique identifier to a website of the universal resource locator.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the service information comprises warranty information for manufacturer warranty repair of the information handling system.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a telephone call to a manufacture service representative.

18. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the service information is applied by the network location to initiate a remote access of the information handling system to perform a system diagnostics of the information handling system.

10. A method to aid service of an information handling system, the method comprising:

capturing an image of at least a portion of an information handling system with a camera integrated in a portable information handling system, the image including at least a service label having a bar code, the barcode having a unique identifier and a service network location;

analyzing the image with the portable information handling system to determine the unique identifier of the information handling system;

sending the unique identifier of the information handling system from the portable information handling system through a network to the service network location;

responding to the unique identifier at the service network location by sending service information for the information handling system to the portable information handling system, the service information including at least an image of the information handling system that depicts processing components of the information handling system disposed on a motherboard; and

presenting the service information with a browser of the portable information handling system, including presenting an image of the plural components disposed on the motherboard included in the information handling system based upon the unique identifier, each component selectable by pressing on a depiction of each component in the image, selection of a depiction of a selected component causing retrieval through the network of a video depicting replacement of the selected component.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the captured image comprises a multi-dimensional bar code having a service network location address, analyzing the image comprises determining the service network location address at the portable information handling system by analyzing the multi-dimensional bar code, and sending the identity information comprises contacting the service network location address.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the multi-dimensional bar code further comprises a unique identifier for the information handling system, sending the identity information further comprises sending the unique identifier to the service network location address, and responding to the identity information further comprises using the unique identifier to present an image at the portable information handling system having components associated with the unique identifier.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the multi-dimensional bar code further comprises a component part number for the information handling system, sending the identity information further comprises sending the component part number to the service network location address, and responding to the identity information further comprises using the component part number to present service information from a service network location associated with the component part number.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the component part number comprises a CPU part number and the service network location comprises instructions for replacing the CPU at the information handling system.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the captured image comprises plural LEDs disposed at a housing of the information handling system, the LEDs individually illuminated in one of plural configurations to present a diagnostics code, the service information comprising service instructions associated with the LED diagnostics code.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a telephone connection to a service call center.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a video demonstrating a service action at an information handling system.

19. The method of claim 10 further comprising initiating a remote access from the service network location to perform system diagnostics in response to a selection from the portable information handling system of a component.