Abstract:
A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for recommending to a potential customer that the customer retain a current electronic device and purchase additional products to use the current electronic device in a network. The recommendation may be made based on the electronic device&#39;s configuration.

Description:
FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to electronic devices and more particularly to marketing a networking solution based on a configuration of an electronic device.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The Internet has seen dramatic growth in only a few years with many homes having personal computers connected to the Internet. But, now networks are spreading to inside the home, and home appliances, such as television sets, VCRs (Video Cassette Recorders), stereos, telephones, and computers are beginning to be connected to each other. These appliances, and many others, may be connected via existing telephone lines, AC (Alternating Current) power wiring, and wireless communications.  
           [0003]    The computer and semiconductor industries have recognized the potential for connecting home appliances, and have created the Home Phone Line Networking Alliance (HPNA) to select, promote, and standardize technologies for home phone line networking. But, in order to enjoy the benefit of interconnected home appliances, consumers need to have the appropriate hardware and software to take advantage of this new technology. Further, in order to sell more products, providers of networking products need to effectively communicate to their customers how the new technology can fit with the customers&#39; existing appliances. Without appropriate information about networking, consumers will be hampered in their ability to enjoy the benefits of this new technology, and providers will be hampered in their ability to sell their products.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    The invention provides a method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for recommending to a potential customer that the customer retain a currently-owned electronic device and purchase additional products for use with the electronic device in a network. A recommendation may be made to upgrade the electronic device based on an analysis of the configuration of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is capable of operating in a network. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a network for implementing an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of configuration data, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a configuration rules, according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of processing, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]    In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
         [0010]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a network of electronic devices for implementing an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]    System  100  may include electronic device  110 , telephone  115 , network  120 , server  130 , and telephone  190 . According to this embodiment, server  130  may analyze the configuration of electronic device  110  and may make networking recommendations to electronic device  110  based on the configuration.  
         [0013]    Electronic device  110  may be implemented using any suitable hardware and/or software, such as a personal computer available from a number of vendors. But, other embodiments may be portable computers, network computers, laptop or notebook computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mainframe computers, cellular phones, pocket computers, pagers, or any other suitable computing devices. Although one electronic device  110  is shown, in other embodiments any number of electronic devices may be present.  
         [0014]    Electronic device  110  may include memory  112 , processor  114 , and network adapter  118 , all connected via bus  119 . In another embodiment, electronic device  110  may also include an unillustrated input device and/or an output device  
         [0015]    Memory  112  may contain configuration data  116 , which may describe the configuration of electronic device  110 . In an embodiment, configuration data  116  may include the speed of processor  114 , the size of memory  112 , an indication of the presence or absence of network adapter  118 , and the characteristics of network adapter  118 . In another embodiment, configuration data  116  may include more or fewer items. Configuration data  116  is further described below with reference to FIG. 2. Referring again to FIG. 1, although only one memory  112  is shown, in another embodiment, multiple memories and/or multiple levels of memory may be present.  
         [0016]    Processor  114  may represent a central processing unit of any type of architecture, such as a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing), RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word), or a hybrid architecture, although any appropriate processor may be used. Processor  114  executes instructions and includes that portion of electronic device  110  that controls the operation of the entire electronic device. Although not depicted in FIG. 1, processor  114  typically includes a control unit that organizes data and program storage in memory and transfers data and other information between the various parts of electronic device  110 . Processor  114  may read and store code and data from/to memory  112 . Processor  114  also may transmit and receive information across network  120  using network adapter  118 . In another embodiment, logic circuits may be substituted for processor  114 .  
         [0017]    Telephone  115  may be any form of telephone, including hard-wired and wireless telephones. Telephone  115  may be connected to network  120 . Telephone  115  may be utilized by a user of electronic device  110 . In another embodiment, telephone  115  may not be present.  
         [0018]    Network adapter  118  may facilitate communication between electronic device  110  and network  120 . Network adapter  118  may provide electronic device  110  with a means of electronically communicating information with a remote electronic device, such as server  130 . In addition, in another embodiment, network adapter  118  may support distributed processing, which enables electronic device  110  to share a task with other devices linked to network  120 . Although network adapter  118  is shown as part of electronic device  110 , in another embodiment they may be packaged separately. Although only one network adapter  118  is shown, in other embodiments multiple network adapters of the same or of a variety of types may be present. In an embodiment, network adapter  118  may support the HPNA (Home Phone Line Networking Alliance) protocol.  
         [0019]    Bus  119  may represent one or more busses (e.g., PCI, ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), X-Bus, EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture), or any other appropriate bus and/or bridge (also called a bus controller).  
         [0020]    Network  120  may be any suitable network capable of supporting communication between electronic device  110 , telephone  115 , server  130 , and telephone  190 . Although one network  120  is shown, in other embodiments any number of networks and/or combinations of networks may be present. In an embodiment, network  120  may support wireless communications. In another embodiment, network  120  may support hard-wired communications, such as a telephone line or cable. In an embodiment network,  120  may be the Internet and supports IP (Internet Protocol). In other embodiments, network  120  may be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). In another embodiment, network  120  may support a HPNA (Home Phone Line Networking Alliance) protocol. In an embodiment, telephones  115  and  190  may use the same network as electronic device  110  and server  130 , but in another embodiment, they may use different networks. In still other embodiments, network  120  may support any appropriate protocol or protocols.  
         [0021]    Server  130  may include processor  135 , storage device  140 , network adapter  145 , input device  150 , and output device  155 , all communicatively coupled via bus  180 . Processor  135  may represent a central processing unit of any type of architecture, such as a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing), RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word), or a hybrid architecture, although any appropriate processor may be used. Processor  135  executes instructions and includes that portion of server  130  that controls the operation of the entire server. Although not depicted in FIG. 1, processor  135  typically includes a control unit that organizes data and program storage in computer memory and transfers data and other information between the various parts of server  130 . Processor  135  may receive input data from input device  150  and network adapter  145 , read and store code and data in storage device  140 , and may present output data to a sales representative via output device  155 . Processor  135  also may transmit and receive packets of information across network  120  using network adapter  145 .  
         [0022]    Although server  130  is shown to contain only a single processor and a single bus, the present invention applies equally to servers that may have multiple processors and to servers that may have multiple buses with some or all performing different functions in different ways.  
         [0023]    Storage device  140  represents one or more mechanisms for storing data. For example, storage device  140  may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and/or other machine-readable media. Although only one storage device  140  is shown, multiple storage devices and multiple types of storage devices may be present. Further, although server  130  is drawn to contain storage device  140 , it may be distributed across other servers.  
         [0024]    Storage device  140  may include controller  160  and home network configuration rules  165 . Controller  160  may include instructions capable of being executed on processor  135  to carry out the functions of the present invention, as further described below with reference to FIG. 4. In another embodiment, some or all of the functions of the present invention may be carried out via hardware in lieu of a processor-based system. Of course, storage device  140  may also contain additional software and data (not shown), which is not necessary to understanding the invention.  
         [0025]    Home network configuration rules  165  may include a minimum and a suggested configuration for an electronic device to be able to support a home network. Home network configuration rules  165  is further described below with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0026]    Bus  180  may represent one or more busses (e.g., PCI, ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), X-Bus, EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture), or any other appropriate bus and/or bridge (also called a bus controller).  
         [0027]    Network adapter  145  facilitates communication between server  130  and network  120 . Network adapter  145  provides server  130  with a means of electronically communicating information with a remote electronic device, such as electronic device  110 . In addition, in another embodiment, network adapter  145  may support distributed processing, which enables server  130  to share a task with other devices linked to network  120 . Although network adapter  145  is shown as part of server  130 , in another embodiment they may be packaged separately. Although only one network adapter  145  is shown, in other embodiments multiple network adapters of the same or of a variety of types may be present.  
         [0028]    Input device  150  is that part of server  130  that accepts input from a user, who in an embodiment may be a sales representative. In an embodiment, input device  150  may be a keyboard, but in other embodiments, input device  150  may be a pointing device, mouse, trackball, keypad, touchpad, touch screen, pointing stick, microphone, or any other appropriate input device. Although only one input device  150  is shown, in other embodiments any number of input devices of the same or of a variety of types may be present. In another embodiment, input device  150  may not be present.  
         [0029]    Output device  155  communicates information to the user of server  130 . Output device  155  may be a cathode-ray tube (CRT) based video display well known in the art of computer hardware. But, in other embodiments output device  155  may be replaced with a liquid crystal display (LCD) based or gas, plasma-based, flat-panel display. In still other embodiments, any appropriate display device may be used. In yet other embodiments, a speaker that produces audio output may be used. Although only one output device  155  is shown, in other embodiments, any number of output devices of different types or of the same type may be present. In other embodiments, output device  155  might not be present.  
         [0030]    Server  130  may be implemented using any suitable hardware and/or software, such as a personal computer or other electronic computing device. Portable computers, laptop or notebook computers, and mainframe computers are examples of other possible configurations of server  130 . The hardware and software depicted in FIG. 1 may vary for specific applications and may include more or fewer elements than those depicted. For example, other peripheral devices such as audio adapters, or chip programming devices, such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) programming devices may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware already depicted. Thus, an embodiment of the invention may apply to any hardware configuration that supports analyzing an electronic device configuration.  
         [0031]    Telephone  190  may be any type of telephone, analogous to telephone  115 . In another embodiment, telephone  190  may not be present.  
         [0032]    As will be described in detail below, aspects of an embodiment pertain to specific apparatus and method elements implementable on servers. In another embodiment, the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a server. The programs defining the functions of this embodiment may be delivered to a server via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, but are not limited to:  
         [0033]    (1) information permanently stored on a non-rewriteable storage medium (e.g., read-only memory devices attached to or within a server, such as a CD-ROM readable by a CD-ROM drive);  
         [0034]    (2) alterable information stored on a rewriteable storage medium (e.g., a hard disk drive or diskette); or  
         [0035]    (3) information conveyed to a server by a communications medium, such as through a computer or telephone network accessed via network adapter  145 , including wireless communications.  
         [0036]    Such signal-bearing media, when carrying processor-readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, represent embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of configuration data  116 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Configuration data  116  represents the current configuration of electronic device  110 . Configuration data  116  includes processor field  210 , memory field  220 , and network adapter field  230 . The fields shown in configuration data  116  are examples only, and more or fewer fields may be present. In the example shown, processor field  210  contains “750 gigahertz,” indicating the speed of processor  114 ; memory field  220  contains “64 megabytes,” indicating the size of memory  112 ; and network adapter field  230  contains “56K modem,” indicating the type of network adapter  118 . But, the values illustrated in configuration data  116  are only examples, and any appropriate values may be present.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of configuration rules  165 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Configuration rules  165  indicate the minimum configuration  310  and the suggested configuration  320  needed for electronic device  110  to use home networking functions. Both minimum configuration  310  and suggested configuration  320  are suitable configurations for networking. In the example shown in FIG. 3, minimum configuration  310  indicates a processor speed of 500 megahertz, a memory size of 128 megabytes, and a network adapter type of HPNA. The suggested configuration  320  indicates a processor speed of 1 gigahertz, a memory size of  256  megabytes, and a network adapter type of HPNA. But, the values illustrated in configuration rules  165  are only examples, and any appropriate values may be present.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of processing, according to an embodiment of the invention. Control begins at block  400 . Control then continues to block  405  where controller  160  receives a query or request from a potential customer. In an embodiment, the query arrives via telephone  190 . In another embodiment, the query arrives via network adapter  145 . In an embodiment, the query may include a request for information. In another embodiment, the query may include an order for an electronic device.  
         [0040]    Control then continues to block  415  where controller  160  determines whether the customer currently has an electronic device. In an embodiment, controller  160  may determine the customer has a current electronic device by virtue of receiving the query from the customer via network adapter  145  and/or examining configuration data  116 . In another embodiment, controller  160  may determine whether the customer has a current electronic device by information communicated via telephone  190 , which a sales representative then inputs to controller  160  via input device  150 .  
         [0041]    If the determination at block  415  is true, then the customer has a current electronic device, so control continues to block  420  where the customer is encouraged to retain the current electronic device to act as a part of home network. In another embodiment, the customer is encourage to retain the current device to act as part of a LAN (Local Area Network). In an embodiment, controller  160  encourages the customer to retain current electronic device  110  by transmitting advice via network adapter  145  and network  120  to electronic device  110 . In another embodiment, controller  160  may encourage the customer to retain current electronic device  110  by displaying advice on output device  155 , which the sales representative communicates to the customer via telephone  190 .  
         [0042]    Control then continues to block  425  where controller  160  receives configuration data  116  via network adapter  145 . Control then continues to block  430  where controller  160  compares information within configuration data  116  to home network configuration rules  165 . In an embodiment, controller may compare the processor speed, memory size, and network adapter type in configuration rules  165  to the corresponding fields in configuration data  116 . But, in another embodiment any appropriate fields, including more or fewer fields may be compared.  
         [0043]    Control then continues to block  435  where controller  160  determines whether the current configuration as indicated in configuration data  116  is better than minimum configuration  310  indicated in configuration rules  165 . In an embodiment, the current configuration is better than the minimum configuration when the current configuration has a faster processor, more memory, and at least the correct network adapter to support home networking. But, in another embodiment, any appropriate criteria may be used to determine if the current configuration is better than the minimum configuration.  
         [0044]    If the determination at block  435  is true, then control continues to block  445  where controller  160  determines whether the current configuration is better than the suggested home network configuration. In an embodiment, the current configuration is better than the suggested configuration when the current configuration has a faster processor, more memory, and at least the correct network adapter to support home networking. But, in another embodiment, any appropriate criteria may be used to determine if the current configuration is better than the suggested configuration.  
         [0045]    If the determination at block  445  is true, then control continues to block  455  where controller  160  suggests buying an additional electronic device to add to the home network. In an embodiment controller  160  displays the suggestion to the sales representative on output device  155 , and the sales representative relays the suggestion to the customer via telephone  190 . In another embodiment, controller  160  sends the suggestion to the customer via network adapter  145 . Control then continues to block  499  where the logic returns.  
         [0046]    If the determination at block  445  is false, then control continues to block  450  where controller  160  offers to sell to the customer an upgrade from the current configuration to the suggested configuration. In an embodiment controller  160  displays the offer to the sales representative on output device  155 , and the sales representative relays the offer to the customer via telephone  190 . In another embodiment, controller  160  sends the offer to the customer via network adapter  145 . Control then continues to block  455  as previously described above.  
         [0047]    If the determination at block  435  is false, then control continues to block  440  where controller  160  offers to sell to the customer an upgrade from the current configuration to the minimum or the suggested configuration. In an embodiment controller  160  displays the offer to the sales representative on output device  155 , and the sales representative relays the offer to the customer via telephone  190 . In another embodiment, controller  160  sends the offer to the customer via network adapter  145 . Control then continues to block  455  as previously described above.  
         [0048]    If the determination at block  415  is false, then control continues to block  455  as previously described above.  
         [0049]    In this way, a customer is encouraged to retain a current electronic device to participate in a home network. In an embodiment the current electronic device may become a server in the home network. But in other embodiments, the current electronic device may become client or peer on the home network. The server and/or sales representative encourages the customer to purchase a package (including the necessary hardware, software, service, and/or training) in order to use the current electronic device in a home network, which expands the capabilities of the new system being purchased. This eliminates the shipping and disposal of the current electronic device, increases revenue for the provider, and gives increased function to the customer.  
         [0050]    Although the invention has been described in the context of a home network, the invention applies equally to a business network or other types of networks.