Abstract:
An arrangement which eliminates the need to remove a computer system from its packaging in order to initiate a re-imaging process. Particularly, there is broadly contemplated herein the use of a position-sensitive switching arrangement, such as a mercury switch, that is configured to power selected control circuitry in a computer so as to receive additional information or data as needed to update imaging or other aspects of a computer&#39;s operating system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computers systems and re-imaging processes therefor, as well as arrangements for initiating and controlling the action of re-imaging processes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Computer system manufacturers generally have standard models for their products. They will also build custom models for customers. These custom models may differ from a standard model only in the hardware configuration or they may have a custom image preloaded unto the system. Frequently, large corporate customers will purchase systems in large blocks, for example 500 or 1000 systems at a time. 
     These large customers will have service level agreements (SLA agreements) with the manufacturer which set aggressive goals for the turnaround time between order entry and order fulfillment. In order to meet these aggressive goals, the manufacturer will sometimes assemble, image, and package systems in anticipation of an order from the customer. Alternately, a customer may actually place a large order, only to cancel it after fulfillment of the order has begun. In either case, the manufacturer will be left with a number of systems that have been customized for a particular account. 
     If the customization is limited to hardware configuration, it may be possible for the vendor to sell the system without modification. However, when the customizations include a custom image for a particular client it may be necessary to re-image the system prior to selling it to a different client. This may be necessary because the image is not suited for general use, or because the manufacturer is contractually forbidden from distributing systems with the customer&#39;s custom image to anyone but the customer. Re-imaging the system is an expensive and time-consuming process. This cost is primarily driven by the need to remove the system from its packaging, manually power it on, and apply the new image. 
     Accordingly, a compelling need has been recognized in connection with providing a re-imaging process or arrangement that does not require the convoluted steps just mentioned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is broadly contemplated herein an arrangement which eliminates the need to remove a computer system from its packaging in order to initiate a re-imaging process. Particularly, there is broadly contemplated herein the use of a position-sensitive switching arrangement, such as a mercury switch, that is configured to power selected control circuitry in a computer so as to receive additional information or data as needed to update imaging or other aspects of a computer&#39;s operating system. 
     In summary, one aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for updating a computer operating system of a computer, the apparatus comprising: a wireless interface; control circuitry configured for activating the wireless interface and a boot protocol; a switch configured for activating the control circuitry, the switch being actuable upon an altered positional state of the computer; wherein the control circuitry is further configured for updating at least one aspect of the computer operating system upon actuation of the switch. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method of updating a computer operating system of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a wireless interface; providing control circuitry for activating the wireless interface and a boot protocol; providing a switch configured for activating the control circuitry, the switch being actuable upon an altered positional state of the computer; altering a positional state of the computer and actuating the switch; and updating at least one aspect of the computer operating system upon actuation of the switch. 
     Furthermore, an additional aspect of the invention provides a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps updating a computer operating system of a computer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a wireless interface; providing control circuitry for activating the wireless interface and a boot protocol; providing a switch configured for activating the control circuitry, the switch being actuable upon an altered positional state of the computer; altering a positional state of the computer and actuating the switch; and updating at least one aspect of the computer operating system upon actuation of the switch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a laptop computer in a package, and a network with which it interfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a laptop computer  102  may be found in a carton  104  for delivery to a customer or to some other location. Computer  102  can preferably be powered by a battery  106 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a position-sensitive switch  108  may be configured to power control circuitry  110  under given conditions, which in turn is configured to control a Pre-Boot Execution Environment (PXE) protocol  112  and a wireless network interface card (NIC)  114 . (Standard PXE protocols are well known; for instance, INTEL has one that is very commonly used.) Though any of a wide variety of other media can be controlled by circuitry  110 , an imaging arrangement  116  can preferably be so controlled. 
     Computer  102  can preferably access a wireless network  118  via a suitable wireless access point  120 . Network  118  itself is preferably keyed in to a “home” PXE server  122  and another relevant server, such as image server  124 , as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Imaging arrangement  116  will preferably be pre-configured to produce one or more graphical images on a screen (not shown), and this could be specific to the intended customer or other audience. However, it can often be the case that after a computer is packaged and ready for delivery, or has already been delivered, there might be a need to change the pre-configured image. Rather than unpacking and reconfiguring the computer  102 , there is broadly contemplated herein, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement that permits the image (or even some other aspect of computer  102  or its operating system) to be changed without so much as unpacking the computer. 
     As shown, position-sensitive switch  108  could be activated in such a way as to prompt control circuitry  110  to “power on” the computer  102  at least to the extent necessary to activate PXE protocol  112  and wireless NIC  114 . (It should be understood that battery  106  will have been charged up sufficiently to permit such an operation.) By activating PXE protocol  112  and wireless NIC  114 , the network  118  can be accessed through a wireless access point  120  to receive data relating to a new or updated image (or some other aspect of computer  102  or its operating system). By way of such access, PXE protocol  112  can be governed by PXE server  122  while a new or updated image can be retrieved from image server  124 . 
     Though a wide variety of configurations are conceivable, in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, switch  108  may be embodied by a mercury switch that activates upon the carton  104  (and thus computer  102 ) being tilted to or past a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal. For instance, this threshold angle could be 45 degrees. As such, the switch  108  can proceed to activate control circuitry  110  and other components in the manner described above. Thus, essentially, by merely tilting the carton  104 , it will be possible for computer  102  to very easily receive updated data or information without having to unpack the computer  102 . 
     Preferably, in connection with the operation just outlined, BIOS implemented in computer  102  will recognize that the operating system has only been enabled to the extent needed to carry out the tasks just described, thus prompting the wireless NIC  114  to be powered on and the PXE protocol  112  to be booted. 
     It should be understood that while the arrangement described above can preferably be employed to download new or updated imaging, other items may be downloaded as a result as well. For instance, a new or updated version of a device driver could be downloaded. Generally, the possible applications are wide and varied. For instance, if a customer refuses delivery of a computer or if the imaging or other aspect has been changed or updated in the interim, the actions described hereinabove can provide the greatly eased capability of incorporating such updates. 
     Preferably, control circuitry  110  will be deactivated after a predetermined period of time or responsive to a prompt, e.g., from the incoming data/information. This may or may not result in permanent disablement of the circuitry  110  (or, at least, until otherwise reactivated by the end user through in a predetermined manner), though clearly it would be desirable for a disablement mechanism to be involved (e.g., to avoid inadvertent re-activation of circuitry  110  when not needed). Thus, in a further refinement, switch  108  could be configured such that upon carton  104  and computer  102  being tilted to an even steeper angle than the initial “activation” angle (e.g., to 60 degrees from horizontal as opposed to 45 degrees), circuitry  110  will indeed be disabled until otherwise reactivated. 
     Switch  108  could be incorporated with computer  102  in essentially any suitable manner. Preferably, it may be embodied by a detachable component that is connected to the main body of computer  102 , e.g., via a dedicated 2-pin connector. On the other hand, wireless NIC  114  can preferably be built into the computer while the dedicated control circuitry  110  can be included inside computer  102 , e.g., by way of a detachable card. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, includes a wireless interface, control circuitry and a switch, which may be implemented on at least one general-purpose computer running suitable software programs. It may also be implemented on at least one integrated Circuit or part of at least one Integrated Circuit. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. 
     If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all patents, patent applications, patent publications and other publications (including web-based publications) mentioned and cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.