Systems and Methods for Providing Computing Device Counts

• US 20090037200A1
• Filed: 08/01/2007
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hardy, Michael, DeCastra, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/301
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing computing device counts are disclosed. Exemplary methods include providing a count of computing devices corresponding to an organization, the count of computing devices being responsive to data corresponding to the computing devices, providing a time period for which the count is valid, and providing information on how the computing device count was determined.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing computing device counts, comprising:

providing a count of computing devices corresponding to an organization, the count of computing devices being responsive to data corresponding to the computing devices;

providing a time period for which the count is valid; and

providing information on how the computing device count was determined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to at least one of a time when the computing devices were determined to have been active, a software used by the computing devices, a software used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, a company used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, and a type of computing device among the computing devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the type of computing device is at least one of a user-computing device, a server, a desktop computer, and a notebook computer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing a count of computing devices:

receiving computing device records corresponding to the computing devices; and

determining whether each of the computing device records meets at least one predetermined criterion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to determining whether each of the computing device records meets each of the at least one predetermined criterion.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a report that includes the count of computing devices and an indication of the time period for which the count is valid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the report further includes a date on which the count was generated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein an amount billed is responsive to the count of computing devices.

9. A system for providing computing device counts, comprising:

a processor; and

memory having instruction stored in the memory, the instructions being configured to enable the processor to;

provide a count of computing devices corresponding to an organization;

provide a time period for which the count is valid; and

provide information on how the computing device count was determined.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to at least one of a time when the computing devices were determined to have been active, a software used by the computing devices, a software used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, a company used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, and a type of computing device among the computing devices.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the type of computing device is at least one of a user-computing device, a server, a desktop computer and a notebook computer.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further configured to enable the processor to:

receive computing device records corresponding to the computing devices; and

determine whether each of the computing device records meets at least one predetermined criterion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to determining whether each of the computing device records meets each of the at least one predetermined criterion.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further configured to enable the processor provide a report that includes the count of computing devices and an indication of the time period for which the count is valid.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the report further includes a date on which the count was generated.

16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising:

computer-readable instructions configured to enable a computer to;

provide a count of computing devices corresponding to an organization;

provide a time period for which the count is valid; and

provide information on how the computing device count was determined.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to at least one of a time when the computing devices were determined to have been active, a software used by the computing devices, a software used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, a company used to provide a service in connection with the computing devices, and a type of computing device among the computing devices.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further configured to enable the processor to:

receive computing device records corresponding to the computing devices; and

determine whether each of the computing device records meets at least one predetermined criterion.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the count of computing devices is responsive to determining whether each of the computing device records meets each of the at least one predetermined criterion.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein an amount billed is responsive to the count of computing devices.