Computer system having automatic registration for in-box configuration

• US 6,256,732 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gould, Christopher Brit, Cromer, Daryl Carvis, Ellison, Brandon J., Rhoades, David, Ward, James Peter, Kilmer, Gregory William
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoleil, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIEMER, RITA A
• Application Number:
  US09/103,684
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 713/2, 713/1, 534/28, 533/96
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0889 Techniques to speed-up the configuration process

Abstract

Described is a computer system which can automatically provide its capabilities to a main computer without powering on to facilitate configuring the system in its shipping package. The computer system is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The system includes a communication subsystem which is supplied with auxiliary power and is operative to detect when a valid communication link is established between the computer system and the main computer. After the detection the communication subsystem sends a first packet to the main computer via the communication subsystem. The first packet includes data which specifically identifies the computer system. When the communication link is coupled to the communication subsystem through the packaging and a power source is coupled to a power connector of the system through the packaging, the system is operative to send the first packet without powering on.

Claims

1. A computer system which is operable to be automatically configured in its enclosing shipping package, said system being coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link,

said system being adapted to transfer data over said communication link for establishing connection external of said packaging, and comprising:

a memory for storing data,

a communication subsystem for communicating data with said computer system, said communication subsystem being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to communicate with said computer system regardless of whether said computer system is in a normal operating state,

said communication subsystem being operative to generate a link signal in a first state when a valid communication link is established with said remote computer and wherein said subsystem is operative to change said link signal from said first state to a second state when said data communication link is disconnected, and a first logic circuit coupled to said communication subsystem, said first logic circuit being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to generate a transfer signal to a second logic circuit when said link signal is in said first state and an auxiliary power signal is in a first state,

wherein said second logic circuit is operative to receive said transfer signal and assemble a first packet having said identification and capability information of said computer system and automatically send said first packet to said remote computer via said communication subsystem wherein said first packet comprising data which specifically identifies said computer system,

wherein when said communication link is coupled to said communication subsystem through said packaging and a power source is coupled to a power connector of said system through said packaging, said system is operative to send said first packet without powering on, and

wherein said computer system is operative to automatically transmit said identification and capability information to a network administrator.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said remote computer is operative to receive said first packet and respond by sending a wake up packet to said system, and wherein said system is operative to receive said packet, power on and receive (1) signals from said remote computer via said communication link to set up data transfers to the memory of said system, and (2) data from said remote computer which is stored in the memory of said system, whereby said system is configured at least in part in its packaging.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said system logic circuit includes:

a first logic circuit supplied with said auxiliary power and operative to generate a transfer signal to a second logic circuit when said link signal is in a first state and an auxiliary power signal is in a first state, and wherein said second logic circuit is operative to receive said transfer signal and assemble said first packet with identification and capability information of said computer system and transmit said first packet via said communication subsystem.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein said second logic circuit includes a microcontroller for assembling said first packet, an interface for communicating with said communication subsystem, and a memory for storing data which identifies and provides capabilities of the computer system, said microcontroller being operative to receive said transfer signal and in response thereto assemble said first packet.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein said communication subsystem includes a MAC coupled to a physical layer via a MII bus, and a connector coupled to said physical layer and said communication link, said physical layer being operative to generate said link signal.

6. The computer system of claim 2, wherein said system is of a type that normally boots from a storage medium and sets, using self test logic an error condition if predefined input devices are not connected at connection ports of the system and wherein said computer system is operative to ignore said error condition after said communication link is coupled to said communication subsystem through said packaging and said power source is coupled to said power connector of said system through said packaging.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said communication subsystem is a LAN adapter card.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said communication subsystem is a LAN connection embedded on a planar of said computer system.

9. A computer system which is operable to be automatically configured in its enclosing shipping package, said system being coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link,

said system being adapted to transfer data over said communication link for establishing connection external of said packaging, and comprising:

a memory for storing data,

a communication subsystem for communicating data with said computer system, said communication subsystem being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to communicate with said computer system regardless of whether said computer system is in a normal operating state,

said communication subsystem being operative to detect when a valid communication link is established between said computer system and said remote computer and after said detection said communication subsystem assembles a first packet with identification and capability information of said computer system and automatically sends said first packet to said remote computer via said communication subsystem, said first packet comprising data which specifically identifies said computer system,] and

wherein when said communication link is coupled to said communication subsystem through said packaging and a power source is coupled to a power connector of said system through said packaging, said system is operative to send said first packet without powering on, and

wherein said computer system is operative to automatically transmit said identification and capability information to a network administrator.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said remote computer is operative to receive said first packet and respond by sending a wake up packet to said system, and wherein said system is operative to receive said packet, power on and receive (1) signals from said remote computer via said communication link to set up data transfers to the memory of said system, and (2) data from said remote computer which is stored in the memory of said system, whereby said system is configured at least in part in its packaging.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said communication subsystem includes:

a first logic circuit supplied with said auxiliary power and operative to generate a transfer signal to a second logic circuit when said link signal is in a first state and an auxiliary power signal is in a first state, and

wherein said second logic circuit is operative to receive said transfer signal and assemble said first packet with identification and capability information of said computer system and transmit said first packet via said communication subsystem.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said second logic circuit includes a microcontroller for assembling said first packet, an interface for communicating with said communication subsystem, and a memory for storing data which identifies and provides capabilities of the computer system, said microcontroller being operative to receive said transfer signal and in response thereto assemble said first packet.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein said communication subsystem includes a MAC coupled to a physical layer via a MII bus, and a connector coupled to said physical layer and said communication link, said physical layer being operative to generate said link signal.

14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said communication subsystem is a LAN adapter card.

15. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said communication subsystem is a LAN connection embedded on a planar of said computer system.