IP Library Granted Patent US 8,267,320
Granted Patent B2
US 8,267,320 · App. 12/644,226 · Granted Sep 18, 2012

Label-controlled system configuration

Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,267,320
App. No.
12/644,226
Granted
Sep 18, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system utilizes an optical scanner to scan a printed configuration label on which is printed a printed system configuration code. The printed system configuration code describes a system configuration of the system, and is used to dynamically configure the system.

Claims (27)

1. A system comprising:

an optical scanner for reading a printed system configuration code;

a printed configuration label comprising the printed system configuration code, wherein the printed system configuration code describes a system configuration of the system, and wherein the system configuration comprises a clock speed of a central processing unit of the system; and

a processor for dynamically configuring the system according to configuration information decoded from the printed system configuration code.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a viewing window between the optical scanner and the printed configuration label, wherein the printed configuration label is removably affixed to the viewing window.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the optical scanner comprises at least one optical emitter and at least one optical sensor, and wherein the viewing window is within a chassis enclosure for the system.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one optical sensor is an array of optical sensors, wherein the viewing window is a series of openings through the chassis enclosure, wherein each of the openings matches a specific optical sensor from the array of optical sensors.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the viewing window is a transparent opening through the chassis enclosure.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the printed configuration label has two sides, wherein the first side faces the optical scanner and comprises the printed system configuration code, and wherein the second side comprises information, written in a human-readable language, that describes the system.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the printed system configuration code is printed using a medium that is resistant to counterfeiting.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor utilizes the printed system configuration code to dynamically configure the system every time the system boots up.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises a bus speed of a system bus of the system.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises a bus speed of an input/output (I/O) bus of the system.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises a human language setting for the system.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises a network port setting of the system.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises an enablement setting of an input/output (I/O) card of the system.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system configuration further comprises adjusting components of the system such that a maximum power rating of the system is not exceeded.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the printed configuration label is affixed to a chassis enclosure of the system, and wherein the printed system configuration code is rendered permanently unreadable if the printed configuration label is removed from the chassis enclosure of the system.

16. A system comprising:

an optical scanner for reading a printed system configuration code;

a printed configuration label comprising the printed system configuration code, wherein the printed system configuration code describes a system configuration of the system, wherein the printed configuration label is affixed to a chassis enclosure of the system, and wherein the printed system configuration code is rendered permanently unreadable if the printed configuration label is removed from the chassis enclosure of the system; and

a processor for dynamically configuring the system according to configuration information decoded from the printed system configuration code.

17. A system comprising:

an optical scanner for reading a printed system configuration code;

a printed configuration label comprising the printed system configuration code, wherein the printed system configuration code describes a system configuration of the system, and wherein the system configuration comprises adjusting components of the system such that a maximum power rating of the system is not exceeded; and

a processor for dynamically configuring the system according to configuration information decoded from the printed system configuration code.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034194/0291 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2009
From: BANDHOLZ, JUSTIN P.; PAGAN, WILLIAM G.; PIAZZA, WILLIAM J.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023698/0021 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110147447A1 · Jun 23, 2011