System for network file server failure notification
First Claim
1. An error notification system for a computer, comprising:
- a CPU for managing operations of the error notification system;
a memory;
a telephone modem;
a message device for rendering a message file in audio form and providing the message to the telephone modem;
a communication bus connecting the CPU, the memory, the message device, and the telephone modem;
a communication link adapted for connecting the CPU to the computer;
a list of telephone numbers stored in the memory with each assigned a position in a priority calling sequence;
a pre-programmed response; and
a calling control routine stored in the memory and executable by the CPU;
wherein the calling routine, on detecting an error by the computer, calls the highest priority telephone number, requests the pre-programmed response if the call is answered, hangs up and calls the next number in order in the event that the pre-programmed response is not given in a preset time, and continues to call the telephone numbers in sequence until either the correct response is given or the end of the calling list is reached.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An error notification system operated independently of a connected computer receives signals indicating an error condition in operation of the computer, matches the signal with a prerecorded message, and dials phone numbers from a priority list of responsible parties. When a call is answered, the notification system announces the message, informing the answering agent of the error condition, and requests a response requiring a person. If the requested response is not given, the system dials the phone number next in priority, and so on, until a person answers and provides the human response. The system is applied to networked computers, such as file servers, and in one embodiment, the answering party can initiate corrective action.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An error notification system for a computer, comprising:
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a CPU for managing operations of the error notification system; a memory; a telephone modem; a message device for rendering a message file in audio form and providing the message to the telephone modem; a communication bus connecting the CPU, the memory, the message device, and the telephone modem; a communication link adapted for connecting the CPU to the computer; a list of telephone numbers stored in the memory with each assigned a position in a priority calling sequence; a pre-programmed response; and a calling control routine stored in the memory and executable by the CPU; wherein the calling routine, on detecting an error by the computer, calls the highest priority telephone number, requests the pre-programmed response if the call is answered, hangs up and calls the next number in order in the event that the pre-programmed response is not given in a preset time, and continues to call the telephone numbers in sequence until either the correct response is given or the end of the calling list is reached. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An error tracking and announcing computer system, comprising:
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a computer having a first CPU, a first memory, and a communication port; and an error notification system comprising a second CPU for managing operations of the error notification system, a second memory, a telephone modem;
a message device for rendering a message file in audio form and providing the message to the telephone;
a communication bus connecting the CPU, the memory, the message device, and the telephone modem;
a communication link adapted for connecting the CPU to the computer;
a list of telephone numbers stored in the memory with each assigned a position in a priority calling sequence;
a pre-programmed response; and
a calling control routine stored in the memory and executable by the CPU;
wherein the calling routine, on detecting an error by the computer, calls the highest priority telephone number, requests the pre-programmed response if the call is answered, hangs up and calls the next number in order in the event that the pre-programmed response is not given in a preset time, and continues to call the telephone numbers in sequence until either the correct response is given or the end of the calling list is reached. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A notification process for informing a responsible party of an error occurring in operation of a computer, comprising steps of:
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(a) signaling an error condition from the computer to an error notification system having a CPU separate from the computer over a communication link; (b) matching the error signal in the error notification system with a prerecorded message; (c) selecting a next phone number of a party to be notified from a priority list of phone numbers, and dialing the number via a telephone modem, the next number being the highest priority number not yet dialed since step (b) was executed; (d) announcing the prerecorded message if the dialed line is answered; (e) requesting a response requiring an action by a person; (f) going back to step (c) if the required response is not given; and (g) ending the notification process if the required response is given. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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22. The method of step 21 wherein the computer is a file server connected in a computer network.
Specification