IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,112,508
Granted Patent B1
US 8,112,508 · App. 11/852,789 · Granted Feb 7, 2012

Delivering data from device management services to devices using bulletin system

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,112,508
App. No.
11/852,789
Filed
Sep 10, 2007
Granted
Feb 7, 2012
Kind
B1
Examiner
SHIU, HO T
Art Unit
2457
USPC
709/223
Abstract

A system for targeting bulletins to specific electronic devices includes a device management (“DM”) service, one or more electronic devices, and a database for storing bulletins. Generally, the DM service creates a bulletin, associating targeting criteria specifying one or more electronic devices with the bulletin. An electronic device submits a service request to the DM service identifying bulletins previously received (if any) by the device and a device identification number assigned to the device. Using the information from the service request, the DM service queries the database for bulletins available for the device. Upon locating an available bulletin, the DM service notifies the device and after receiving a request for the bulletin from the device, the DM service transmits the available bulletin. Alternately, the DM service can transmit the bulletin without first notifying and receiving a request from the device.

Claims (61)

1. In a device management system, a method for transmitting content to one or more electronic devices, the method comprising:

receiving a service request from an electronic device, the service request containing a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device;

in response to the service request, using the device identifier, which was contained in the service request, to perform a first query of a first database containing one or more targetable characteristics of the one or more electronic devices, the first database being indexed by device identifiers of the one or more electronic devices;

identifying, via the first query, targetable characteristics of the electronic device that are associated with the device identifier, which was contained in the service request;

using the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device to perform a second query of a second database containing a notice of an event, called a bulletin, the bulletin comprising an action, a schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, and one or more targetable characteristics requiring execution of the action, the second database indexed by targetable characteristics of the one or more electronic devices;

determining, via the second query, that at least one of the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device is included in the one or more targetable characteristics of the bulletin; and

in response to determining, via the second query, that at least one of the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device is included in the one or more targetable characteristics of the bulletin, transmitting the bulletin, which includes the action and the schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, to the electronic device;

wherein the action, which is included in the bulletin transmitted to the electronic device, includes a series of commands to be executed by the electronic device; and

wherein the electronic device is configured to, in response to receiving the bulletin that includes the action and the schedule, execute the series of commands of the action according to the schedule;

adding the electronic device to a group of electronic devices;

in response to adding the electronic device to the group, creating a group sync bulletin in the second database which defines dependencies to one or more bulletins pertaining to the group;

sending a notification to the electronic device that the group sync bulletin has been added to the second database;

receiving a request from the electronic device for the group sync bulletin;

sending the group sync bulletin to the electronic device which causes the electronic device to request each of the one or more bulletins pertaining to the group.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the action associated with the bulletin further includes one or more of: an alert, an asset update, a software update, a change to a registry of the electronic device, and a survey.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more targetable characteristics of the bulletin comprise one or more of:

a device category, wherein one or more device identification numbers are associated with the device category;

a device type, wherein one or more device identification numbers are associated with the device type, a device type being a subset of a device category;

a partner identification number, wherein each of the device identification numbers has an associated partner identification number assigned by an external partner;

a device group, wherein one or more device identification numbers are associated with the device group; and

a pack, the pack including one or more electronic devices having a collection of service software installed thereon.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the electronic device from the group.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bulletin comprises a dependent bulletin and wherein the dependent bulletin transmitted to the electronic device includes a notification to the electronic device that the dependent bulletin is dependent on one or more previous bulletins, the method further comprising, after transmitting the dependent bulletin to the electronic device, receiving a second service request for the one or more previous bulletins.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising, transmitting the one or more previous bulletins to the electronic device, wherein the electronic device is configured to execute and process the one or more previous bulletins prior to executing and processing the dependent bulletin.

7. In a device management service communicably connectable to one or more electronic devices, wherein each electronic device has an assigned device identification number, a method for transmitting content to an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a service request from an electronic device, the service request including a header containing a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device and information identifying one or more bulletins previously received by the electronic device;

in response to the service request, using the device identifier, which was contained in the service request, to perform a first query of a first database containing one or more targetable characteristics of the one or more electronic devices, the first database being indexed by device identifiers of the one or more electronic device;

identifying, via the first query, targetable characteristics of the electronic device that are associated with the device identifier, which was contained in the header of the service request;

using both the device identifier and the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device to perform a second query to determine that a new bulletin in a second database of bulletins is currently available for the electronic device, wherein a bulletin comprises an action, a schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, and an identification of one or more groups of electronic devices requiring execution of the action; and

in response to determining that the new bulletin in the second database of bulletins is currently available for the electronic device, transmitting the new bulletin, which includes the action and the schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, to the electronic device;

wherein the action, which is included in the new bulletin transmitted to the electronic device, includes a series of commands to be executed by the electronic device; and

wherein the electronic device is configured to, in response to receiving the new bulletin that includes the action and the schedule, execute the series of commands of the action according to the schedule;

adding the electronic device to a group of electronic devices;

in response to adding the electronic device to the group, creating a group sync bulletin in the second database which defines dependencies to one or more bulletins pertaining to the group;

sending a notification to the electronic device that the group sync bulletin has been added to the second database;

receiving a request from the electronic device for the group sync bulletin;

sending the group sync bulletin to the electronic device which causes the electronic device to request each of the one or more bulletins pertaining to the group.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, prior to transmitting the new bulletin to the electronic device:

sending a response to the service request to the electronic device, the response identifying the new bulletin; and

receiving a request for the new bulletin from the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining that an additional bulletin is currently available for the electronic device; and

after transmitting the new bulletin to the electronic device, transmitting the additional bulletin to the electronic device in response to receiving a request for the additional bulletin from the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the new bulletin comprises a smart bulletin, the smart bulletin including components from a plurality of software updates pending for the electronic device, such that transmitting the components to the electronic device in the smart bulletin limits the number of bulletins that are transmitted to the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining that a new bulletin is currently available for the electronic device comprises:

using the device identifier and one or more targetable characteristics of the electronic device identified in the first database to search the second database indexed by device identifiers and targetable characteristics.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the group is a group of beta testers.

13. One or more computer storage devices storing computer executable instructions which when executed perform the following method:

receiving a service request from an electronic device, the service request containing a device identifier corresponding to the electronic device;

in response to the service request, using the device identifier, which was contained in the service request, to perform a first query of a first database containing one or more targetable characteristics of the one or more electronic devices, the first database being indexed by device identifiers of the one or more electronic devices;

identifying, via the first query, targetable characteristics of the electronic device that are associated with the device identifier, which was contained in the service request;

using the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device to perform a second query of a second database containing a notice of an event, called a bulletin, the bulletin comprising an action, a schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, and one or more targetable characteristics requiring execution of the action, the second database indexed by targetable characteristics of the one or more electronic devices;

determining, via the second query, that at least one of the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device is included in the one or more targetable characteristics of the bulletin; and

in response to determining, via the second query, that at least one of the query-identified targetable characteristics of the electronic device is included in the one or more targetable characteristics of the bulletin, transmitting the bulletin, which includes the action and the schedule of an appropriate time for the action to be processed, to the electronic device;

wherein the action, which is included in the bulletin transmitted to the electronic device, includes a series of commands to be executed by the electronic device; and

wherein the electronic device is configured to, in response to receiving the bulletin that includes the action and the schedule, execute the series of commands of the action according to the schedule;

adding the electronic device to a group of electronic devices;

in response to adding the electronic device to the group, creating a group sync bulletin in the second database which defines dependencies to one or more bulletins pertaining to the group;

sending a notification to the electronic device that the group sync bulletin has been added to the second database;

receiving a request from the electronic device for the group sync bulletin;

sending the group sync bulletin to the electronic device which causes the electronic device to request each of the one or more bulletins pertaining to the group.

Assignments (16)
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 (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
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 21, 2019
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 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 11, 2008
From: ZING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020353/0262 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2007
From: AMBROSE, CRAIG M.; CLANTON, KEITH W.; EVANS, JOHN S.; KASRAWI, NAWWAR; SULLIVAN, TIMOTHY T.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 019804/0027 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 60825103 · Sep 8, 2006