Method for providing information apparatus together with setups transfer service

• US 7,464,144 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Hiroshige, Yuzo, Sakaue, Masakazu, Miyauchi, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jacobs; Lashonda T
• Application Number:
  US09/974,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,618 Days
• Field of Search: 709/232, 709220-222, 709/223, 709/203, 709/217, 705/26
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

In the case of providing a new information apparatus purchased for the replacement of or for the use in addition to a currently used information apparatus, the present invention enables a user to use the new information apparatus immediately after the delivery by providing the user with the new information apparatus in such a state that the setups and/or data of the currently used information apparatus are stored therein. The new information apparatus is delivered in the aforementioned state by: receiving from the user an order of a service for transferring setups, data and the like at the same time with receiving an order of the new information apparatus; transmitting from the user to an administrative information apparatus the setups, data and the like to be transferred by using a setups/data transfer-dedicated tool; and transmitting and setting up the contents transmitted to the administrative information apparatus to the new information apparatus to be produced according to the user'"'"'s order. Thus, the user can operate the new information apparatus in the same environment as that of the currently used information apparatus when the user obtains the new information apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for providing a newly purchased information apparatus which replaces or augments a customer'"'"'s current information apparatus comprising:

a manufacturer information apparatus of a manufacturer accepting an order for purchasing a new information apparatus to replace or augment the current information apparatus, and accepting a request for transfer servicing;

in response to receiving the request for transfer servicing, transmitting order-receipt information and a dedicated program tool to the current information apparatus via a communication network, the dedicated program tool executes on the current information apparatus to perform steps of;

determining configuration information stored on the current information apparatus including setup information, installed applications, and user data;

obtaining from a user information relating to transfer of at least some of the configuration information;

obtaining from the user private information stored on the current information apparatus exclusive of the configuration information; and

storing the private information in an administrative information apparatus managed by an organization to which the user belongs;

the manufacturer information apparatus receiving from the dedicated program tool the configuration information and access information for accessing the private information stored in the administrative information apparatus, and storing the configuration information and the access information in a user information area;

producing the new information apparatus;

configuring the new information apparatus including transferring the configuration information from the user information area to the new information apparatus; and

wherein when the user received the new information apparatus, the private information is installed thereinto in accordance with the access information to complete installation of the new information apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the manufacturer information apparatus receiving confirmation of completion of installation of the new information apparatus and then deleting data stored in the user information area to ensuring the user'"'"'s security.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

the manufacturer information apparatus receiving from the new information apparatus confirmation that the configuration information and the private information have been installed; and

the manufacturer information apparatus deleting the configuration information and the access information that is stored the user information area upon receiving the confirmation.