System and method for automatically maintaining a computer system
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A tool for automatically maintaining a computer system having a processor and a memory, the tool comprising:
- a knowledge database stored in the memory and holding a plurality of cases describing potential computer problems and corresponding likely solutions;
a plurality of sensors stored in the memory and executing on the processor and adapted for gathering data about the computer system, storing the data in the knowledge database, and detecting whether a computer problem exists from the data and the plurality of cases; and
an AI engine stored in the memory and executing on the processor in response to detection of a computer problem and utilizing the plurality of cases to determine a likely solution to the detected computer problem, whereinwhen the knowledge database lacks data necessary to determine a likely solution to the computer problem, the AI engine activates a particular sensor in the plurality of sensors to gather the necessary data and store the data in the knowledge database, and whereinwhen the knowledge database does not describe a likely solution to the computer problem, the AI engine saves the gathered data in the knowledge database as a new case.
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Litigations
4 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for the automated maintenance of a computer system. A scheduler periodically activates sensors. When activated, the sensors gather information about various aspects of the computer system. The sensors store this information in a knowledge database. The knowledge database also contains cases, questions, and actions. The cases describe potential computer problems and solutions. The questions are used to diagnose the problems while the actions describe steps that can be taken to solve the diagnosed problems. If the information gathered by the sensors indicates a problem with the computer system, then the sensors activate an artificial intelligence engine. The engine uses the information in the knowledge database to evaluate certain cases. If information necessary to evaluate a case is not in the knowledge database, then the engine activates a sensor to gather the information. As the cases are evaluated, the confidence levels of certain other cases, questions, and actions increase. If the confidence level of a case or question rises above a predetermined threshold, then the engine evaluates that case or question. If the confidence level of an action rises above the threshold, then that action represents the likely solution to the problem. Accordingly, the engine activates a sensor to perform the action. If no case, question, or action rises above the threshold, then the knowledge database does not contain enough information to solve the problem. In such a case, the engine saves the state of the computer system and knowledge database. Then, a human expert can update the database with the knowledge necessary to solve the problem.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tool for automatically maintaining a computer system having a processor and a memory, the tool comprising:
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a knowledge database stored in the memory and holding a plurality of cases describing potential computer problems and corresponding likely solutions; a plurality of sensors stored in the memory and executing on the processor and adapted for gathering data about the computer system, storing the data in the knowledge database, and detecting whether a computer problem exists from the data and the plurality of cases; and an AI engine stored in the memory and executing on the processor in response to detection of a computer problem and utilizing the plurality of cases to determine a likely solution to the detected computer problem, wherein when the knowledge database lacks data necessary to determine a likely solution to the computer problem, the AI engine activates a particular sensor in the plurality of sensors to gather the necessary data and store the data in the knowledge database, and wherein when the knowledge database does not describe a likely solution to the computer problem, the AI engine saves the gathered data in the knowledge database as a new case. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of optimizing a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a problem in the computer system; activating an AI engine in response to the problem detection; utilizing, by the AI engine, selected ones of a plurality of sensors to gather information about the computer system; determining, by the AI engine, a likely solution to the problem from the gathered information; and when a likely solution cannot be determined, saving a state of the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A program storage device readable by a computer system, the program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer system to perform method steps for automatically maintaining the computer system, the program storage device holding instructions for:
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sensing information about the computer system by at least one sensor; determining whether a computer problem exists from the sensed information; searching a plurality of cases with the sensed information to determine whether a likely solution to the computer problem exists; when additional information is needed to determine a likely solution to the computer problem, activating the at least one sensor to sense the additional information; and when a likely solution to the computer problem does not exist, saving the sensed information as a new case of the plurality of cases. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification