Diagnostic display

• US 20040181367A1
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, John, Martinez, Robert, Nguyen, Minh H., Gebara, Ghassan R.
• Application Number:
  US10/385,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/325 by lamps or LED's

Abstract

A diagnostic system combines an electronic device with a plurality of status indicators that are visible to a user. A plurality of status indicators are arranged in a map representative of the physical location of components within the electronic device.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system, comprising:

a computer-based device having an external housing; and

a plurality of status indicators visible at a desired location of the external housing to indicate the status of corresponding components, wherein the plurality of status indicators are arranged in a map representative of the physical location of the corresponding components in the computer-based device.

2. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer-based device comprises a server.

3. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of status indicators comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).

4. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of status indicators comprises windows disposed in the external housing and arranged in the map.

5. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 4, wherein the LEDs are operatively coupled to the windows via a plurality of light pipes.

6. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 1, wherein the external housing comprises a front and a top, the plurality of status indicators being visible through the top.

7. A diagnostic system, comprising:

an electronic device having;

a plurality of components, a map indicative of each component location of the plurality of components, and a plurality of visual indicators positioned on the map to provide status information relevant to changes in status of an individual component.

8. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a computer-based device.

9. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a server.

10. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of visual indicators provides status information via light.

11. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 7, wherein the light is provided by a plurality of LEDs.

12. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic device comprises a housing having openings through which light passes from the LEDs.

13. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 12, wherein the LEDs are operatively coupled to the openings by a plurality of light pipes.

14. The diagnostic system as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of visual indicators provides an indication of component malfunction.

15. A method, comprising:

placing a plurality of components within a housing to form a computer-based device; and

arranging a plurality of component status indicators along a portion of the housing in a configuration representative of the arrangement of the plurality of components.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein placing comprises locating the plurality of components within a server housing.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein arranging comprises arranging a plurality of lights along a top of the housing.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein arranging comprises forming a plurality of windows in the portion of the housing.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein arranging comprises forming a plurality of windows in a top panel of the housing.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising coupling LEDs to the plurality of windows via light pipes.

21. A system, comprising:

means for enclosing a plurality of components in a computer-based device; and

means for arranging lightable status indicators in a map corresponding to an arrangement of the plurality of components.

22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for enclosing comprises a server housing.

23. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for arranging comprises a plurality of windows arranged in a representative pattern in a housing.