Tracking and protection of display monitors by reporting their identity

• US 6,263,440 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Khatri, Barry B., Pruett, Gregory B., Kilmer, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Norman M.
• Application Number:
  US09/113,945
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 340/825.11, 340/825.15, 340/825.17, 340/825.1, 340/825.32, 340/825.36
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/042 for monitor identification
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/047 using display data channel standard [DDC] communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a method, system and computer readable medium (the present invention) for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory. The present invention includes electronically reading the information from the monitor and storing the monitor information in the system memory. The present invention further includes retrieving the monitor information from the system memory and providing the monitor information to a display via a browser. The monitor information comprises electronically readable information including its identity. One aspect of the present invention further includes comparing the monitor information with a corresponding last known information, wherein a mismatch indicates that the monitor has been changed. Another aspect of the present invention further includes copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader device. The RF reader device may be included in an RF gate and/or a hand held device. Computer systems with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology configured in accordance with the present invention enable automated electronic tracking of computer assets such as the monitors as they pass through the RF gate in or out of a portal. Computer systems with the RFID technology also enable the automated electronic tracking of the monitors or other computer assets via the hand held device. In either case, no direct contact with the monitor is needed for the tracking and reporting.

Claims

1. A method for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory, the method comprising the steps of:

a) electronically reading the information from the monitor;

b) storing the monitor information in the system memory;

c) retrieving the monitor information from the system memory; and

d) providing the monitor information for viewing via a browser.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step (d) further includes the step of:

d1) comparing the monitor information with a corresponding last known information, wherein a mismatch indicates that the monitor has been changed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing step (d) further includes the step of:

d2) producing a visible alert if it is determined that the monitor has been changed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further includes the step of:

e) copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory if it is determined that the monitor has been changed, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader means which, together with the visible alert, enables an automated tracking and protection of the monitor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitor information includes an identity of the monitor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the identity includes a serial number.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the browser includes a desktop management interface (DMI) browser.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the DMI browser is used for local viewing of the serial numbers on the display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the browser further includes a DMI protocol compatible system management means for viewing the serial numbers across a network.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the RF enabled memory comprises an RF identification (RFID) EEPROM.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the RFID EEPROM comprises a dual-ported non-volatile memory with both digital serial and RF interfaces, and wherein the RFID EEPROM can be updated via both a digital serial and RF interfaces.

12. The method of claim 4, wherein, the RF-enabled memory is linked to the RF reader means through an antenna, and wherein the monitor information can be electronically monitored without having to form a direct physical contact with the monitor.

13. A system for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory, the system comprising:

means for electronically reading the information from the monitor;

means coupled to the reading means for storing the monitor information in the system memory;

means coupled to the system memory for retrieving the monitor information from the system memory; and

means coupled to the retrieving means for providing the monitor information for viewing via a browser.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the providing means further includes:

means for comparing the monitor information with a corresponding last known information, wherein a mismatch indicates that the monitor has been changed; and

means coupled to the comparing means for producing a visible alert if it is determined that the monitor has been changed.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system further includes means for copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader means which, together with the visible alert, enables an automated tracking and protection of the monitor.

16. A computer readable medium including program instructions for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory, the program instructions for:

a) electronically reading the information from the monitor;

b) storing the monitor information in the system memory;

c) retrieving the monitor information from the system memory; and

d) providing the monitor information for viewing via a browser.

17. A method for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory, the method comprising the steps of:

a) electronically reading the information from the monitor;

b) storing the monitor information in the system memory;

c) retrieving the monitor information from the system memory;

d) providing the monitor information for viewing via a browser; and

e) copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory if it is determined that the monitor has been changed, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader means which, together with the visible alert, enables an automated tracking and protection of the monitor, wherein the RF enabled memory comprises an RF identification (RFID) EEPROM, and wherein the RFID EEPROM comprises a dual-ported non-volatile memory with both digital serial and RF interfaces, whereby the RFID EEPROM can be updated via both a digital serial and RF interfaces.

18. A method for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory, the method comprising the steps of:

a) electronically reading the information from the monitor;

b) storing the monitor information in the system memory;

c) retrieving the monitor information from the system memory;

d) providing the monitor information for viewing via a browser; and

e) copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory if it is determined that the monitor has been changed, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader means which, together with the visible alert, enables an automated tracking and protection of the monitor, wherein the RF-enabled memory is linked to the RF reader means through an antenna, and wherein the monitor information can be electronically monitored without having to form a direct physical contact with the monitor.