Communication connectivity initialization and verification system and method of use
First Claim
1. A communication connectivity initialization and verification system comprising:
- at least one on-line center having access to service software at a centralized facility so as to service in-field product remotely;
a plurality of subscribing stations, each having a computer operable with an in-field product;
a communication link connecting the on-line center to a subscribing station upon an initiation instruction;
wherein upon connecting the on-line center to one of the subscribing station via the communication link, the on-line center receives input from the subscribing station specifying customer data and a product profile and sends a configuration module to the subscribing station to configure the subscribing station to automatically receive service/maintenance software thereafter to update operating software of the in-field product automatically; and
wherein the configuration module causes the subscribing station computer to reconnect to the on-line center after a disconnection and transfer a data file for error checking at the on-line center and to initiate a test a predetermined time after disconnection;
the on-line center flags a call back success if the on-line center receives a call back within the predetermined time, otherwise, flags a call back failure.
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Abstract
A system and method is disclosed for in-field communication connectivity initialization and verification between centralized on-line centers, and a number of in-field subscribing stations. The substations each have associated therewith an in-field product controlled by software which requires periodic upgrading, maintenance, service, and general monitoring. The system and method includes a computer program and a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave for carrying out the process, which includes submitting customer and product data electronically to a centralized on-line center, which in turn creates a configuration module based on the submitted customer and product data. The configuration module is then transmitted to the subscribing station by the on-line center. The configuration module is loaded into the subscribing station to allow future communications between the on-line center and the subscribing station. After logging off the subscribing station, the on-line center automatically initiates a call-back to the subscribing station and uploads a file from the subscribing station to the on-line center to verify connectivity. If the in-field product is capable of dialing out, the configuration module causes the subscribing station to initiate a dial out test within a predetermined period after disconnection with the on-line center to ensure proper configuration for future automatic communications.
101 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A communication connectivity initialization and verification system comprising:
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at least one on-line center having access to service software at a centralized facility so as to service in-field product remotely;
a plurality of subscribing stations, each having a computer operable with an in-field product;
a communication link connecting the on-line center to a subscribing station upon an initiation instruction;
wherein upon connecting the on-line center to one of the subscribing station via the communication link, the on-line center receives input from the subscribing station specifying customer data and a product profile and sends a configuration module to the subscribing station to configure the subscribing station to automatically receive service/maintenance software thereafter to update operating software of the in-field product automatically; and
wherein the configuration module causes the subscribing station computer to reconnect to the on-line center after a disconnection and transfer a data file for error checking at the on-line center and to initiate a test a predetermined time after disconnection;
the on-line center flags a call back success if the on-line center receives a call back within the predetermined time, otherwise, flags a call back failure.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A networked system to initiate communication with a field product and configure the field product for future automatic call backs comprising:
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an on-line center node linked to an on-line center having access to at least one database to store customer data and a processor to create a product/customer configuration module;
a subscribing station node linked to a field product having operation software associated therewith;
a communication interface connectable to the subscribing station node and the on-line center to transfer data; and
wherein upon initialization and customer data input, customer data is transferred from the subscribing station node through the communication interface and to the on-line center node, and after processing by the on-line center, the on-line center sends the product/customer specific configuration module through the communication interface and to the subscribing station node to configure the field product automatically - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a set of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to run a connectivity initialization and verification on a field product by:
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connecting a subscribing station to an on-line center for data transfer therebetween;
transmitting customer data to the centralized on-line center wherein the customer data is processed and a configuration module is created therefrom;
transmitting the configuration module to the subscribing station to configure the subscribing station for connectivity verification and to allow future automatic communication;
disconnecting the connection between the on-line center and the subscribing station;
reconnecting the connection between the on-line center and the subscribing station; and
verifying valid connectivity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
transferring a known file from the subscribing station to the online center to ensure proper configuration of the subscribing station; and
if the subscribing station has a call-out feature, initiating a dial-out test, and after disconnecting a connection between the online center and the subscribing station, waiting for a call back from the subscribing station for a predetermined time period.
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23. The computer data signal of claim 21 further causing the act of setting a flag to indicate whether or not a call back was received from the subscribing station within the predetermined time period.
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24. The computer data signal of claim 21 wherein the computer data signal further causes the one or more processors to create an output report indicating whether or not valid connectivity was verified.
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25. The computer data signal of claim 24 wherein the computer data signal further causes the one or more processors to notify a user that the output report is ready to download.
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26. The computer data signal of claim 25 wherein the notification is by one or more of:
- an email notification, a voice mail notification, and a pager notification.
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27. A method of initializing communication with in-field product and verifying connectivity comprising the steps of:
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submitting customer and product data electronically to a centralized on-line center;
creating a configuration module at the on-line center based on the submitted customer and product data;
transmitting the configuration module to a subscribing station having field product associated therewith, loading the configuration module therein to allow future automatic communications between the on-line center and the subscribing station to update operating software of the field product, and logging off the subscribing station; and
automatically initiating a first call back from the on-line center to the subscribing station and uploading a file therefrom to the on-line center to verify connectivity. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by one or more computers, will cause the one or more computers to:
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retrieve customer and product data electronically in an on-line center;
create a configuration module at an on-line center based on the submitted customer and product data;
transmit the configuration module to a subscribing station having a field product associated therewith, load the configuration module therein to allow future automatic communications between the on-line center and the subscribing station to update operating software of the field product, and log off the subscribing station; and
automatically initiate a fist call back from the on-line center to the subscribing station and upload a file therefrom to the on-line center to verify connectivity. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification