IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,402,781
Granted Patent B2
US 10,402,781 · App. 13/233,376 · Granted Sep 3, 2019

Multidimensional barcodes for information handling system service information

Inventors: Kevin Terwilliger (Austin, TX); Scott Lauffer (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
G06Q10/10G06F16/9554G06Q10/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,402,781
App. No.
13/233,376
Filed
Sep 15, 2011
Granted
Sep 3, 2019
Kind
B2
Examiner
MAI, THIEN T
Art Unit
2887
USPC
235/462.45
Abstract

Multi-dimensional barcodes at a product include service identifiers for the product so that an end user with a portable information handling system captures an image of the multi-dimensional barcode and extracts the service identifiers to obtain service information from a service network location. For example, a service identifier embeds a URL that links to a video demonstrating how to assemble the product. As another example, a service identifier links to a service network location and includes a unique identifier so that an end user retrieves warranty or purchase information for the product.

Claims (27)

1. A system to aid service of an information handling system, the system comprising:

a service label presented at the information handling system and having a two-dimensional barcode, the two dimensional barcode having a service identifier that includes at least a universal resource locater and a unique identifier;

a portable information handling system having a processor, a camera and a barcode application interfaced with the camera, the camera operable to take an image of the two-dimensional barcode, the processor running the barcode application, the barcode application operable to analyze the image to retrieve the service identifier;

a service application interfaced with the barcode application and operable to apply the service identifier to retrieve service information from a network location through a network interface that provides service for the information handling system, the retrieved service information including at least a visual image retrieved from the network location of plural components disposed on a motherboard that match the plural components of the information handling system, the visual image presented in a browser and providing a display presentation at the portable information handling system having images of the plural components disposed on the motherboard, the images of the plural components individually selectable to obtain service information of an associated of the plural components including at least a video that depicts replacement for the associated one of the plural components that is selected.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the service identifier comprises a universal resource locator for a network location associated with a manufacturer of the information handling system and the service information comprises instructions for performing maintenance at the information handling system for the associated component, and wherein the image captured by the camera includes plural individually illuminated diagnostic LEDs that provide a diagnostic code, the service application analyzing the individually illuminated diagnostic LEDs to determine the diagnostic code and providing the diagnostic code to the network location.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the instructions comprise a user's manual for the information handling system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a wireless telephone that communicates with the Internet over a wireless wide area network, the service identifier comprises an Internet address and the service information comprises a video that presents instructions for replacing the associated component of the information handling system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a wireless telephone that communicates with the Internet over a wireless wide area network, the service identifier comprises telephone contact information and the service information comprises audio that presents instructions for replacing a component of the information handling system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a laptop, the service identifier comprises a file stored on the laptop and the file comprises a video that presents instructions for correcting a failure at the information handling system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the service application is further operable to retrieve service information for the information handling system by providing the unique identifier to a website of the universal resource locator.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the service information comprises warranty information for manufacturer warranty repair of the information handling system.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a telephone call to a manufacture service representative.

10. A method to aid service of an information handling system, the method comprising:

capturing an image of at least a portion of an information handling system with a camera integrated in a portable information handling system, the image including at least a service label having a bar code, the barcode having a unique identifier and a service network location;

analyzing the image with the portable information handling system to determine the unique identifier of the information handling system;

sending the unique identifier of the information handling system from the portable information handling system through a network to the service network location;

responding to the unique identifier at the service network location by sending service information for the information handling system to the portable information handling system, the service information including at least an image of the information handling system that depicts processing components of the information handling system disposed on a motherboard; and

presenting the service information with a browser of the portable information handling system, including presenting an image of the plural components disposed on the motherboard included in the information handling system based upon the unique identifier, each component selectable by pressing on a depiction of each component in the image, selection of a depiction of a selected component causing retrieval through the network of a video depicting replacement of the selected component.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the captured image comprises a multi-dimensional bar code having a service network location address, analyzing the image comprises determining the service network location address at the portable information handling system by analyzing the multi-dimensional bar code, and sending the identity information comprises contacting the service network location address.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the multi-dimensional bar code further comprises a unique identifier for the information handling system, sending the identity information further comprises sending the unique identifier to the service network location address, and responding to the identity information further comprises using the unique identifier to present an image at the portable information handling system having components associated with the unique identifier.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the multi-dimensional bar code further comprises a component part number for the information handling system, sending the identity information further comprises sending the component part number to the service network location address, and responding to the identity information further comprises using the component part number to present service information from a service network location associated with the component part number.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the component part number comprises a CPU part number and the service network location comprises instructions for replacing the CPU at the information handling system.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the captured image comprises plural LEDs disposed at a housing of the information handling system, the LEDs individually illuminated in one of plural configurations to present a diagnostics code, the service information comprising service instructions associated with the LED diagnostics code.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a telephone connection to a service call center.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the portable information handling system comprises a portable telephone and the service information comprises a video demonstrating a service action at an information handling system.

18. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the service information is applied by the network location to initiate a remote access of the information handling system to perform a system diagnostics of the information handling system.

19. The method of claim 10 further comprising initiating a remote access from the service network location to perform system diagnostics in response to a selection from the portable information handling system of a component.

Assignments (19)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (051302/0528) 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; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); SECUREWORKS CORP.
Reel/Frame 060438/0593 →
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 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 051449 FRAME 0728 Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.; EMC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058002/0010 →
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 Dec 31, 2019
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.; EMC CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 051449/0728 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Dec 16, 2019
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; SECUREWORKS CORP.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051302/0528 →
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 (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 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2011
From: TERWILLIGER, KEVIN; LAUFFER, SCOTT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 026911/0893 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130069794A1 · Mar 21, 2013
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