IP Library Granted Patent US 11,164,146
Granted Patent B2
US 11,164,146 · App. 16/681,410 · Granted Nov 2, 2021

Inventory identification

Inventors: James Don Curlee (Round Rock, TX); Steven Embleton (Austin, TX); Joshua Scott Keup (Austin, TX); Ben John Sy (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
G06Q10/087G06F16/2365G06F16/252G06K19/06028G06K19/06037
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,164,146
App. No.
16/681,410
Granted
Nov 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus may include an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems; an information handling resource configured to store and update a data structure that includes information regarding the information handling systems that are received in the enclosure; and a display configured to display inventory information for the enclosure based on the data structure.

Claims (43)

1. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems;

an information handling resource configured to store and update a data structure that includes information regarding the information handling systems that are received in the enclosure; and

a display configured to display inventory information for the enclosure based on the data structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure and the mounting features are sized to receive information handling systems that conform to standardized rack unit sizes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the enclosure is further configured to receive information handling resources; and

the data structure further includes information regarding the information handling resources that are received in the enclosure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is further configured to:

display a first set of information while the apparatus is in a first location; and

based on the apparatus being moved to a second location, display a second set of information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the information handling resource is further configured to:

monitor a weight of the apparatus; and

update the data structure based on changes in the weight.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the weight is monitored based on an amount of deflection associated with a shock absorber or a vibration isolator of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the information handling resource is further configured to:

receive information indicative of a bar code and/or a QR code indicating that a particular information handling system has been added to or removed from the enclosure; and

update the data structure based on the particular information handling system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is an e-ink display.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is further configured to display location information for the information handling systems received within the enclosure.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a door, and wherein the updating the data structure is based on an indication that the door has been opened.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured for transportation of the information handling systems, but is not configured to allow for operation of the information handling systems while the information handling systems are received therein.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the information handling resource includes a processor and a memory.

13. A method comprising:

forming an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems;

coupling an information handling resource to the enclosure, wherein the information handling resource is configured to store and update a data structure that includes information regarding the information handling systems that are received in the enclosure; and

coupling a display to the enclosure, wherein the display is configured to display inventory information for the enclosure based on the data structure.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the enclosure and the mounting features are sized to receive information handling systems that conform to standardized rack unit sizes.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

displaying a first set of information while the enclosure is in a first location; and

based on the enclosure being moved to a second location, displaying a second set of information.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

monitoring a weight of the enclosure; and

updating the data structure based on changes in the weight.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the weight is monitored based on an amount of deflection associated with a shock absorber or a vibration isolator of the enclosure.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

receiving information indicative of a bar code and/or a QR code indicating that a particular information handling system has been added to or removed from the enclosure; and

updating the data structure based on the particular information handling system.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a door, and wherein the updating the data structure is based on an indication that the door has been opened.

20. A method comprising:

providing an enclosure that includes a plurality of mounting features that are configured to receive information handling systems;

storing and updating a data structure at an information handling resource of the enclosure that includes information regarding the information handling systems that are received in the enclosure; and

displaying, via a display of the enclosure, inventory information for the enclosure based on the data structure.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (052216/0758) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 060438/0680 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053311/0169) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 060438/0742 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AF REEL 052243 FRAME 0773 Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 058001/0152 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0169 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 26, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 052243/0773 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Mar 24, 2020
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052216/0758 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2019
From: CURLEE, JAMES DON; EMBLETON, STEVEN; KEUP, JOSHUA SCOTT; SY, BEN JOHN
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 050985/0538 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210142264A1 · May 13, 2021