Sending service data to an RFID tag while an attached computer system is powered off

• US 7,450,008 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Komatsu, Jeffrey George, Erickson, Steven C., Syme, Fraser Allan, Knipfer, Ivory Wellman
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Shirley
• Application Number:
  US11/272,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5712, 340/572.8, 340/568.1, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system. In this way, in an embodiment, service data associated with a computer system, such as vital product service data and log information may be accessed and updated even while the computer system is powered off.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sending service data from a computer system to an RFID tag, wherein the RFID tag comprises tag memory and an antenna, wherein the RFID tag is attached to the computer system, and wherein the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off, wherein the computer system comprises a service processor, a main processor, and an RF interface device, and wherein the sending further comprises the service processor monitoring the main processor and sending the service data from the RF interface device via wireless signals to the antenna in response to a change of a product in the computer systems, wherein the change to the product comprises an upgrade to a new version of the product in the computer system; and

sending new service data from an RF transmitter to the RFID tag while the computer system is powered off, wherein the computer system receives the new service data from the RFID tag via the RF interface device while the computer system is powered on.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on a chip within the computer system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on a card within the computer system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the service data identifies the computer system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service data identifies the product within the computer system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the service data comprises log information associated with the computer system.