Abstract:
An identification label including a carrier that attaches to a manufactured good and holds identification information. The carrier attaches in such a way that it is difficult to remove when the manufactured good is closed, or operational, but can be removed with or without the use of a tool when the manufactured good is opened for service. The carrier can be mounted on a less visible surface of the chassis, in plain sight, or can be moved into a position where it is not visible during normal use, but readily available when needed by pulling it out, rotating it out or flipping it out.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. patent application, Gateway Designation P1883US00, filed on even date herewith, also entitled, “System Information Placard,” and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of attaching semi permanent identifiers to a good. More particularly, a process for attaching an identifier in a manner that permits authorized personnel to transfer that identifier to another good without harming or invalidating the identifier.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Identification means are an important component of many products. Such identification means come in many forms, not limited to labels, stickers, painted, molded, screened or etched words or symbols. They identify the product, uniquely identify a particular unit by serial number or serve other purposes. They also provide other information such as authenticity data to thwart unlicensed use of software. In the past, placements of these identification means have been somewhat of a nuisance. If the identification means is placed on a visible surface where it is easy to find and use, it interferes with the aesthetics of the device. If the identification means is placed on a rear surface, it is harder to find and use. In general, in some industries, such as the computer industry, there is a need for an improved identification label.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention is directed to an identification means that is either mounted in such a way that it can be removed and replaced during manufacture or service or is mounted in such a way that it can be hidden during normal use of the device but made readily available when information on the identification means is required. As an example, the identification means can be removed or changed when a system or manufactured good is being serviced or upgraded. In one embodiment, the identification means is a carrier with a label that can be snapped onto a chassis, manufactured good or other work product during manufacture. The label may be attached to the carrier or be part of the carrier. This may be accomplished in many ways such as glued to the carrier, printed on the carrier, etched or molded into the carrier or made as part of the carrier. Once the carrier is installed, it cannot be easily removed without opening the chassis or manufactured good and even then, may require a special tool for removal. Once the chassis is opened, the carrier can be easily removed and replaced with a different carrier. Again, this operation may require a special tool if added security is desired. In systems that are shipped with Certificates of Authenticity (COA), the present invention would permit a COA to be transferred from one system to another in cases where a manufacturing error is made, an order is canceled or returned or a customer changes their desire. If the mentioned added security is desired, the carrier may include a receptacle for a fastener that is engaged from the inside or outside of the chassis, where the fastener can be one of ordinary type such as a Philips-head or flat-head screw or the fastener can be of the type that cannot be removed with standard tools. Such fasteners are known in the industry and include star slots, twin points and the like.  
           [0005]    In another embodiment, the identification means includes a label that is installed on a carrier or is part of a carrier that is normally hidden from view, but can be easily viewed when needed, perhaps during service, when restoring the system or restoring the software of which the label pertains. This carrier may slide out of the system chassis, rotate out of a hidden area or flip down. This carrier would not be easily removable from the chassis or manufactured good.  
           [0006]    In another embodiment, the identification means is the same carrier and label as the previous embodiment, except the carrier can be disengaged by a release mechanism located on the inside of the chassis, requiring a user or technician to open the chassis or manufactured good before the carrier and label can be easily removed.  
           [0007]    It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The general functions of this invention may be combined in different ways to provide the same functionality while still remaining within the scope of this invention. The label carrier may be mounted or hidden in different locations or in different ways while still remaining within the scope of this invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0009]    [0009] 
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 shows a carrier with label that snaps into a surface of a chassis and can be easily removed from the chassis, only when the chassis or manufactured good is opened.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the carrier with label.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 shows a carrier with label that snaps into a surface of a chassis or manufactured good and has provisions for a fastener that can be easily removed from the chassis from the inside by a technician having the appropriate removal tool.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the carrier with label that also provides a means to include a screw from the inside of the chassis that may require a special tool to remove.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 shows a carrier with label that can easily be extended out of a chassis when needed and pushed back into the chassis or manufactured good when finished.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 shows a carrier with label that can easily be rotated out of a chassis or manufactured good when needed and rotated back into the chassis when finished.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 shows a carrier with label that can easily be rotated out of a chassis or manufactured good when needed and rotated back into the chassis when finished.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 shows a carrier, possibly made of metal, that holds in place using springs and has a finger hole to allow a user to push the carrier out of the chassis after the chassis is opened for service.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 shows a carrier, possibly made of metal, having springs to hold it in place after being inserted into a chassis. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently discussed embodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Some embodiments of the invention are draw to identification means configured for attachment to computers. In some cases, the identification means may have significant value such as when it serves as a license for a program (e.g, an operating system or other computer program) installed on the computer. As such, the identification means, or information therefrom (e.g, serial number, ID number), may be required as proof of ownership for returning the software or for calling a service representative. Moreover, it can be beneficial to a computer manufacturer or assembler to permit easy removal and replacement within a manufacturing environment, while maintaining a more difficult removal in the retail environment or the user environment. Furthermore, since identification means that serve as a license for valuable software sometimes carry the full value of that software, installing said identification means too early in the manufacturing process may incur the cost of the software before the system is ready for sale. Therefore, it is sometimes beneficial to install the identification means later in the manufacturing cycle, perhaps after the complete system is assembled, tested and loaded with software or when it reaches a retail sales outlet. In some instances, a system may be shipped with multiple software packages loaded on its hard drive, then in the retail environment, all software packages may be deleted except for the package preferred by the customer, after which, an identification means pertaining to that software package may be attached. For example, a manufacturer might ship two versions of an operating system pre-installed on a system&#39;s hard drive, perhaps a home version and a more advanced professional version. In the retail point of sale, the customer could indicate their preferences for the various available software packages and the remaining software could then be deleted from the computer system hard drive, and an identification means attached at the point of sale would indicate the selected operating system and software packages and any keys required to re-install or use the selected software.  
         [0020]    Referring now to FIG. 1, an identification means comprising a carrier mounted on a system in accordance with the present invention is shown. The label  130  can be made separate from the carrier  120  and mounted to carrier  120  or can be made as part of carrier  120 . The label  130  is mounted, etched, glued, screened or attached in any known way to the carrier  120 . The label  130  can be mounted before the carrier  120  is inserted into chassis  110  or after it is inserted. Carrier  120  has two spring tabs  140  and  150  that are pushed through slots  160  and  170  of chassis or manufactured good  110 . Once tabs  140  and  150  are pushed completely into slots  160  and  170 , the spring section opens enough to prevent removal from slots  160  and  170  of chassis  110 . The entire operation of insertion can be performed when chassis or manufactured good  110  is open or closed, but once inserted, chassis or manufactured good  110  must be opened and the spring tabs  140  and  150  must be compressed to remove carrier  120 .  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 2, an expanded view of the label carrier shown in FIG. 1 in accordance to the present invention is shown. Carrier  220  has a label section  230  where the label can be attached in many ways or the label can be made as part of the carrier using methods known in the industry including molding, printing, screening or etching techniques. Carrier  220  also has two spring tabs  240  and  250 . When carrier  220  is pushed through chassis or manufactured good  110 , the spring edges  280  and  290  of spring tabs  240  and  250  compress to allow the spring tabs  240  and  250  to be inserted through slots  160  and  170  of chassis or manufactured good  110 . Once spring edges  280  and  290  are inserted far enough into chassis  110  so that they clear the surface, spring edges  280  and  290  uncompress far enough so that carrier  220  cannot be removed from chassis or manufactured good  110  without manually compressing spring edges  280  and  290  sufficiently so that they can pass through slots  160  and  170 . The operation of manually compressing can only be performed when the chassis is in the open position.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a carrier mounted on a system in accordance with the present invention is shown. The label  330  can be made separate from the carrier  320  and mounted to carrier  320  or can be made as part of carrier  320 . The label  330  is mounted, etched, glued, screened or attached in any known way to the carrier  320 . The label  330  can be mounted before the carrier  320  is inserted into chassis  310  or after if it is a separate component. Carrier  320  has two spring tabs  340  and  350  that are pushed through slots  360  and  370  of chassis or manufactured good  310 . Once tabs  340  and  350  are pushed completely into slots  360  and  370 , the spring section opens enough to prevent removal from slots  360  and  370  of chassis or manufactured good  310 . Additionally, boss  382  is provided to accept screw  384  after insertion through chassis or manufactured good opening  385 . Screw  384  can be of any type, but for added security it can be a security screw that has a head that requires a special driver for removal. The entire operation of insertion can be performed when chassis or manufactured good  310  is open or closed, but screw  384  can only be inserted when the chassis is opened. Once inserted, chassis or manufactured good  310  must be opened, screw  384  must be removed and the spring tabs  340  and  350  must be compressed to remove carrier  320 . Although in this embodiment, a screw is shown as an example, any type of fastener could be used.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 4, an expanded view of the label carrier shown in FIG. 3 in accordance to the present invention is shown. Carrier  420  has a label  430  attached, printed, mounted, etched or molded onto its surface. Carrier  420  has two spring tabs  440  and  450 . When carrier  420  is pushed through chassis or manufactured good  310 , the spring edges  480  and  490  of spring tabs  440  and  450  compress to allow the spring tabs  440  and  450  to be inserted through slots  360  and  370  of chassis or manufactured good  310 . Once spring edges  480  and  490  are inserted far enough into chassis  310  so that they clear the surface, spring edges  480  and  490  uncompress far enough so that carrier  420  cannot be removed from chassis or manufactured good  310  without manually compressing spring edges  480  and  490  sufficiently so that they can pass through slots  360  and  370 . Once carrier  420  is inserted in this manner, screw  484  is screwed into boss  482  to provide added security. Screw  484  can be any type of screw, but for added security, it may be of the type that requires a special driver for removal. The operation of removing screw  484  and manually compressing spring edges  480  and  490  can only be performed when the chassis is in the open position.  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a carrier in accordance with the present invention. Label  530  is attached, printed, mounted, etched, screened or molded onto the surface of carrier  520 . Carrier  520  has two spring tabs  550 . During manufacture, carrier  520  is inserted into opening  540  of chassis  510  by compressing spring tabs  550  to a position shown by  560 . Once fully inserted into slot  540 , spring tabs  550  expand and prevent carrier  520  from being removed from the outside of chassis  510 . Carrier  520  can be removed by opening chassis  510  and compressing spring tabs  550  to push carrier  520  through slot  540 . Pull-tab  580  is provided so that the user can extend carrier  520  and view label  530 .  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a carrier in accordance with the present invention. Label  630  is attached, printed, mounted, etched, screened or molded onto the surface of carrier  620 . During manufacture, carrier  620  is attached to chassis or manufactured good  610  by inserting it through slot  640  and passing screw  650  through hole  660  from the inside of chassis or manufactured good  610 . Once attached, carrier  620  can be swiveled out of chassis or manufactured good  610  to let the user view contents of label  630 . Carrier  620  can only be removed by opening chassis or manufactured good  610  and removing screw  650 . Screw  650  can be of any type, but preferably a shoulder screw with the surface that interfaces with hole  660  being substantially smooth.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a carrier in accordance with the present invention. Label  720  is attached, printed, mounted, etched, screened or molded onto the surface of carrier  730 . Carrier  730  is attached to chassis or manufactured good  710  by way of a hinge  740  and hinge pin  750 . Carrier  730  can be positioned in its open position to show label  720  or hinged into its closed position to hide label  720  for aesthetic reasons. Pin  750  can only be inserted into hinge  740  when the chassis is opened to prevent undesired removal of carrier  730  and label  720 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 8, an identification means comprising a carrier mounted on a system in accordance with the present invention is shown. The label  830  can be made separate from the carrier  820  and mounted to carrier  820  or can be made as part of carrier  820 . The label  830  is mounted, etched, glued, screened or attached in any known way onto the carrier  820 . The label  830  can be mounted before the carrier  820  is inserted into chassis  810  or after it is inserted. Carrier  820  has two spring tabs  840  and  850  that are pushed through slots  860  and  870  of chassis or manufactured good  810 . Once spring tabs  840  and  850  are pushed completely into slots  860  and  870 , the springs expand to prevent removal from slots  860  and  870  of chassis  810 . In this embodiment, carrier  820  might be made of metal or other stiff material and made very thin so that it would be hard for someone to remove carrier  820  from chassis  810  without opening chassis  810  for service and pushing from the inside. Finger hole  880  is provided so that after chassis  810  is opened for service, pressure can be applied behind carrier  820  to overcome springs  840  and  850  and remove carrier  820  from chassis  810 . The entire operation of insertion can be performed when chassis or manufactured good  810  is open or closed, but once inserted, chassis or manufactured good  810  must be opened to apply force to the back of carrier  820  to remove carrier  820 . To make it more difficult to remove carrier  820  from chassis  810  when chassis  810  is not open for service, carrier  820  can be positioned in an indentation or well so that its edges are not flush with the surface of chassis  810 , further preventing unwanted removal before service access.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 9, an expanded view of the label carrier shown in FIG. 8 in accordance to the present invention is shown. Carrier  920  has a label section  930  where the label can be attached in many ways or the label can be made as part of the carrier using methods known in the industry including molding, printing, screening or etching techniques. Carrier  920  also has two springs  940  and  950 . When carrier  920  is pushed through chassis or manufactured good  910 , the springs  940  and  950  compress to allow insertion through slots of chassis or manufactured good  910 . Once springs  940  and  950  are inserted far enough into chassis  910 , carrier  920  cannot easily be removed from chassis or manufactured good  910  without opening chassis  910  for service and pushing carrier  920  from the inside. Finger hole  960  is provided to allow pushing from the inside after chassis  910  is opened for service. To prevent unwanted removal before chassis  910  is open for service, carrier  920  can be made very thin and flush with chassis  910  to make it difficult to remove carrier  920  using a wedge such as a screw driver. To make it even more difficult, carrier  920  can be located in an indentation or well  915  within chassis  910 , providing more protection from being pried out of chassis  910 .  
         [0029]    Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There are many methods of attaching the label to the carrier, many of which are explained, but this invention is not limited to the methods cited. While embodiments have been described herein in terms of a carrier and a label, other terms may be used in lieu of these words. For example, the embodiments may also be described in terms of a bracket and a placard, or other like terms. Moreover, embodiments are described herein as being configured to not be removable from outside of the computer case. This phrase is intended to mean not be removable from outside of the computer case without damaging the bracket. It is understood that a user could possibly use a screwdriver or other tool to forcibly pry the bracket off of the computer case. However, this type of forceable removal with a screwdriver is to be considered “breaking” the bracket off of the case, rather than removing it.  
         [0030]    It is believed that the System Information Placard of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, and further without providing substantial change thereto. It is the intention of the claims to encompass and include such changes.