US6598223B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for installing and testing build-to-order components in a defined configuration computer system
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1999-10-06
•
Granted: 2003-07-22
•
Expires: 2019-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A computer system manufacturing process is disclosed in which a customer may order a computer system having one of several defined or base configurations of hardware and software components. After specifying the base configuration of hardware and software components, the user may identify custom hardware or software components to be added to the system. During the manufacturing process, the computer system accesses a network for retrieving a data record of the customer order and downloading the software of the computer system. The software to be downloaded will include the software of the base configuration and any custom software. Following the installation of the custom hardware and software components, the computer system will be tested to evaluate the function of the system components and the integration of the custom components and the components of the base configuration. Following a successful test, test software and networking software are removed from the computer system before the operating system of the computer system is resealed and the computer system is shipped to the customer.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Vrhel, Jr.
- 👤 Gaston M. Barajas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system, comprising the steps of: obtaining a customer order for a computer system having a defined configuration of components; obtaining a customer order for the addition of a custom component to the defined configuration of the computer system; manufacturing the computer system according the defined configuration; adding the custom component to the computer system; performing a system test of the computer system to evaluate the functionality and integration of the components of the defined configuration and the custom component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system, comprising the steps of: obtaining a customer order for a computer system having a defined configuration of components; obtaining a customer order for the addition of a custom component to the defined configuration of the computer system; manufacturing the computer system according the defined configuration; adding the custom component to the computer system; performing a system test of the computer system to evaluate the functionality and integration of the components of the defined configuration and the custom component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 1 , wherein the custom component is a custom software component, and wherein the step of adding the custom software component to the computer system comprises the steps of, accessing a computer network; retrieving a data record from a database on the computer network, the data record identifying the custom software component to be added to the computer system; downloading the custom software component to the computer system; and installing the custom software component on the computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of manufacturing a computer system of claim 2 , further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network test software for testing the custom software component of the computer system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 3 , further comprising the step of removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 4 , further comprising the step of removing from the computer system networking software configured to couple the computer system to the computer network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 5 , further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 1 , wherein the custom component is a custom hardware component; and wherein the step of adding the custom hardware component to the computer system comprises the steps of, installing the custom hardware component in the computer system; accessing a computer network; retrieving a data record from a database on the computer network, the data record identifying the custom hardware component to be added to the computer system; and downloading from the computer network any software necessary for the installation or operation of the custom hardware component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 7 , further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network test software necessary for testing the custom hardware component of the computer system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for performing diagnostic services of claim 8 , further comprising the step of removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 9 , further comprising the step of removing from the computer system networking software configured to couple the computer system to the computer network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for performing diagnostic services of claim 10 , further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; accessing a data record maintained on a computer network from the computer system, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; accessing a data record maintained on a computer network from the computer system, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 12 , wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 12 , further comprising the step of downloading from the computer network to the hard drive of the computer system an image of the software of the base configuration of the computer system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 14 , further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 15 , further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a memory; a storage device, the computer system having been manufactured in accordance with a manufacturing process in which a custom software or hardware component is added to a computer system having a base configuration of defined hardware and software components, the custom component being identified via access to a computer network, any additional software necessary for the installation of the custom component being downloaded from the computer network, the computer system having been tested following installation of the custom component to evaluate the functionality of the computer and the integrity of the combination of the components of the base configuration and the custom component.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a memory; a storage device, the computer system having been manufactured in accordance with a manufacturing process in which a custom software or hardware component is added to a computer system having a base configuration of defined hardware and software components, the custom component being identified via access to a computer network, any additional software necessary for the installation of the custom component being downloaded from the computer network, the computer system having been tested following installation of the custom component to evaluate the functionality of the computer and the integrity of the combination of the components of the base configuration and the custom component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the software downloaded from the computer network includes test software for testing the custom component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 18 , wherein software operable for the testing of the computer system having been deleted from the computer system following a successful test of the computer system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 17 , wherein the software downloaded from the computer network includes networking software for accessing the computer network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer network of claim 20 , wherein software operable for connecting the computer system to the computer network having been deleted from the computer system following a successful test of the computer system.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 22 , wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 22 , further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 24 , further comprising the step of sealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and, software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; downloading from the computer network the software components of the base configuration; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; downloading from the computer network custom software necessary for the operation of the custom component. receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; removing the test software from the computer system; removing networking software from the computer system; and sealing the computer system for shipment.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and, software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; installing the custom component; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; downloading from the computer network the software components of the base configuration; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; downloading from the computer network custom software necessary for the operation of the custom component. receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component; removing the test software from the computer system; removing networking software from the computer system; and sealing the computer system for shipment.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; installing the custom component, receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component, and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a computer system having user-specified components and a base configuration of hardware and software components, comprising the steps of: receiving a customer order for a computer system having a base configuration of hardware and software components; receiving a customer order for a custom component to be installed in the computer system; assembling a computer system having the base configuration of hardware and software components; booting the computer system from local software loaded to a local external media drive; accessing a computer network from the local software; reading a data record maintained on a computer network, the data record including an identification of the custom component to be installed in the computer system; installing the custom component, receiving at the computer system from a location on the computer network test software for testing the custom component; testing the custom component, and removing the test software from the computer system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 27 , wherein the step of installing a custom component comprises the step of installing a custom hardware component.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 27 , further comprising the step of removing from the computer system software that is applicable to the network connection between the computer system and the computer network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for manufacturing a computer system of claim 29 , further comprising the step of stealing the operating system of the computer system for shipment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-21 | 2007-01-20 | 2007-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-01-20 | 2011-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |