Managing assets using at least one policy and asset locations

• US 20070250410A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company), Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Inventors: Brignone, Cyril, McReynolds, Alan, Tourrihes, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 10,198,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Assets are managed using policies. Locations of the assets are also determined. A policy may apply to an asset as determined based on the location of the asset. If a policy applies to the asset, a control function is performed.

Claims

1. A method of managing assets using at least one policy, the method comprising:

storing at least one policy associated with managing assets;

receiving locations of the assets;

automatically determining whether the at least one policy applies to at least one asset of the assets based at least on the location of the at least one asset; and

performing a control function if the policy applies to the at least one asset.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving sensor information from sensors sensing information associated with the assets, and

determining whether the at least one policy applies comprises determining whether the at least one policy applies based on the sensor information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a control function comprises:

generating a user alert indicating that the at least one policy applies.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a control function if the policy applies further comprises:

controlling another system that is operable to directly or indirectly affect the at least one asset.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the at least one policy applies to at least one asset of the assets based at least on the location of the at least one asset further comprises:

determining whether the at least one asset is affected by a rule provided in the at least one policy.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a control function if the policy applies to the at least one the assets further comprises:

generating a procedure for managing the at least one asset using the location of the at least one asset and parameters specified in the at least one policy for managing the at least one asset.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one policy includes a policy associated with accessing assets and the at least one asset includes a plurality of assets, and generating a procedure further comprises:

specifying an order for accessing the plurality of assets based on the locations of the plurality of assets; and

specifying the location of each of the plurality of assets in an order.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the order is based on a user being able to access the plurality of assets in a least amount of time.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of assets are housed in different racks in an area and specifying the order and the location of each of the plurality of assets further comprises:

generating a map of the area;

providing a path on the map to be followed by a user for accessing the plurality of assets.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of assets are housed in at least one rack, the method further comprising:

activating an alert device adjacent each of the plurality of assets on the at least one rack to indicate the plurality of assets needing to be accessed.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining whether the procedure was performed; and

generating an alert if the procedure was not performed.

12. A method of activating one or more alert devices based on at least one policy, the method comprising:

storing at least one policy associated with managing assets;

storing locations of the assets;

determining whether the at least one policy applies to at least one asset of the assets based at least on the location of the at least one asset; and

sending a message to a controller for activating an alert device for the at least one asset if the policy applies to the at least one asset.

13. A rack controller system for a rack including slots housing assets, the system comprising:

a rack controller; and

alert devices provided on the rack, each alert device located adjacent one or more of the slots to provide an alert signal for an asset housed in a corresponding slot, wherein the rack controller is operable to determine whether an alert signal is to be generated for an asset of the assets and is further operable to activate an alert device of the alert devices located adjacent to the asset for generating the alert signal for the asset.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert devices comprise at least one of a plurality of visual and audible indicators, each visual or audible indicator being located adjacent one or more of the slots.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the rack controller receives a message requesting activation of an alert device corresponding to an asset housed in a rack.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the message is generated based on a policy that is applicable to the asset.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

at least one sensors sensing information associated with the asset, and the policy uses the information to determine whether to activate the alert device corresponding to the asset.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the rack controller is operable to activate an alert device corresponding to one of the assets housed in the rack in response to receiving a request identifying the one of the assets.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert devices are physically independent of the assets.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the rack controller is operable to deactivate the alert device.