Patent ID: 6233536
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
An remote inventory system for monitoring electronic boards/software routines at remote sites comprising:a) at least one remote site, each remote site having:i. a machine with boards/routines desired to be inventoried;ii. a device for storing a predefined unique machine-readable string of digital characters representing a unique serial number, embedded in each board/routine determined to be tracked at each remote site;iii. a microprocessor running a monitor program functioning to read the serial number and transmit them to other sites;b) a base having:i. storage device having a prestored database having information indicating the protected property within each of the boards/routines, and the sites authorized to use protected property;ii. a processor running a base program operating to read the database from storage device and the serial numbers at each of the remote sites and indicate those sites which are using protected property that they are not authorized to use;c) a communications link connecting the remote site and base allowing information to be passed between the base and remote sites.