Method and system for monitoring computer performance utilizing sound diagnostics

• US 6,192,490 B1
• Filed: 04/10/1998
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gross, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/058,365
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 714/47, 714/39, 702/38, 702/39, 702/54, 702/75, 702/171, 702/183, 702/185, 704/208, 704/214, 704/226, 704/500, 704/503
• US Class Current: 714/47.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/321 Display for diagnostics, e.g. diagnostic result display, self-test user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/326 for error or online/offline status

Abstract

A method and system for diagnosing data-processing system performance. Initially, unique audible sounds are associated with particular performance indicators within the data-processing system. Thereafter, performance indicators are identified, one or more of which indicate data-processing system performance. A diagnostic is then periodically run to detect performance indicators within the data-processing system. A unique audible sound is then generated associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting the status of particular performance indicator via the diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying the unique audible sound. The unique audible sound may be continuously generated at varying durations and volumes to indicate the presence of system failures. A trained user, accustomed to particular audible sounds, can identify and diagnose system failures by analyzing unique audible sounds generated by the data-processing system. The frequency and duration of each particular sound may be designated and subsequently altered by the user. The performance indicators may be composed of fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures. In addition, the data-processing system itself may be composed of a computer system, such as a personal or mainframe computer.

Claims

1. A method in a data-processing system for diagnosing data-processing system performance, said method comprising the steps of:

associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system;

identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance;

periodically running a diagnostic to detect performance indicators within said data-processing system; and

audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound, further comprises the step of:

continuously audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the steps of associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system, further comprises the step of:

associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system, wherein said performance indicators comprise fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system, further comprises the step of:

associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system, wherein said data-processing system comprises a computer system.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance, further comprises the step of:

identifying a plurality of fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

increasing a volume associated said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance mode; and

decreasing said volume, in response to user input.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

increasing a frequency associated with said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance indicator; and

decreasing said frequency, in response to user input.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

terminating said unique audible sound, in response to user input.

9. A system for diagnosing performance within a data-processing, said system comprising:

means for associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system;

means for identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance;

means for periodically running a diagnostic to detect performance indicators within said data-processing system; and

means for audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound, further comprises:

means for continuously audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said performance indicators comprise fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said data-processing system comprises a computer system.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of performance indicators comprises a plurality or fault modes.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

means for increasing a volume associated said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance indicator; and

means for decreasing said volume, in response to user input.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

means for increasing a frequency associated with said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance indicator; and

means for decreasing said frequency, in response to user input.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

means for terminating said unique audible sound, in response to user input.

17. A program product residing in data-processing memory in a data-processing for diagnosing data-processing system failures, said program product comprising:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system;

instruction means residing in a data-processing for identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance;

instruction means residing in a data-processing for periodically running a diagnostic to detect performance indicators within said data-processing system; and

instruction means residing in a data-processing for audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

18. The program product of claim 17 wherein said instruction means residing in a data-processing for audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound, further comprises:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for continuously audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

19. The program product of claim 18 wherein said performance indicators comprise fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures.

20. The program product of claim 19 wherein said data-processing system comprises a computer system.

21. The program product of claim 20 wherein said plurality of performance indicators comprises a plurality or fault modes.

22. The program product of claim 21 further comprising:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for increasing a volume associated said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance indicator; and

instruction means residing in a data-processing for decreasing said volume, in response to user input.

23. The program product of claim 21 further comprising:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for increasing a frequency associated with said unique audible sound, in response to continuously audibly generating said unique audible sound associated with said particular performance indicator; and

instruction means residing in a data-processing for decreasing said frequency, in response to user input.

24. The program product of claim 21 further comprising:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for terminating said unique audible sound, in response to user input.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein each of said instruction means further comprise signal bearing media.

26. The program product of claim 25 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.

27. The program product of claim 25 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.