Support network

• US 20060161394A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextnine Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nextnine Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Elkayam, Ronny, Levonai, Gil, Minzer, Oren, Maniv, Eldad, Dulberg, Adi
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/366 using diagnostics G06F11/0703 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of device maintenance, comprising: providing a maintenance network including a user site and a multi-device servicing site that provides maintenance to at least one target device in said user site; selecting, by a user, a degree of access of maintenance functions of said servicing site to at least one of maintenance-related information of said target device and commanding said target device to perform a maintenance-related task; and setting said degree of access.

Claims

1. A method of device maintenance, comprising:

providing a maintenance network including a user site and a multi-device servicing site that provides maintenance to at least one target device in said user site;

selecting, by a user, a degree of access of maintenance functions of said servicing site to at least one of maintenance-related information of said target device and commanding said target device to perform a maintenance-related task; and

setting said degree of access.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said setting comprises setting at said target device.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said setting comprises setting at a site server associated with a plurality of devices located at a same site as said target device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said setting comprises setting at a communication server that mediates communication between said user site and servicing site.

5. A method according to claim 1, comprising enforcing conformance with said degree of access by an entity associated with said user site.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said entity comprises a site server associated with a plurality of devices located at a same site as said target device.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein said entity comprises a dedicated agent associated with said target device.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein said enforcing comprises blocking data arriving from said target device.

9. A method according to claim 5, wherein said enforcing comprises blocking tasks sent to said target device.

10. A method according to claim 5, wherein said enforcing comprises faking device data.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said provided maintenance comprises automated maintenance.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said provided maintenance comprises manual maintenance.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance network comprises an on-line network.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance network comprises an off-line network.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of access comprises allowing said servicing site to view maintenance-related information from said target device.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of access comprises allowing said servicing site to set parameters in said target device.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of access comprises allowing said servicing site to access a maintenance protocol supported by said target device.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein said target device comprises a home appliance.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein said target device comprises a telecommunication network device.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said target device comprises a computer network device.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said target device comprises a computer device.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance-related task comprises an instruction to patch software on said target device.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance-related task comprises at least one diagnosis rule.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance-related task comprises an instruction to collect information on said target device.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said task includes a collection profile.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance comprises preventive maintenance.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance comprises diagnosing a fault condition.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein said maintenance comprises repairing a fault condition.

29. A maintenance configuration adapted for carrying out the method of claim 1, comprising:

at least one target device at a user site;

at least one site server associated with a plurality of devices at said user site; and

a maintenance server that provides maintenance for said target device.