Abstract:
Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for automatically configuring information systems to support mission objectives. A Mission SoulPad is connected to an information system via a communication bus, such as a USB bus connection. The Mission SoulPad may autonomously detect and configure components of the information system (e.g., displays, sensors, emitters, transceivers) to support the defined objectives of the Mission SoulPad. The Mission SoulPad may also identify malfunctioning components of the information system needing repair or replacement. Typical operations of malfunctioning components may be dynamically re-routed to functional components. Entire sensor and information display suites may be transitioned simply by moving the Mission SoulPad between available information systems. This ensures that mission critical information is consistently available regardless of the type of system the Mission SoulPad is connected to.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to information systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to automatically configuring information systems to support mission objectives. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Existing information systems may incorporate multiple sensor and display systems requiring time consuming and often complicated configurations to support operator defined mission objectives. A typical information system may be a personnel information system mounted on a soldier&#39;s person, or an on-board information system of an armored personnel carrier (APC). For example, the on-board information system of an APC may have multiple components (e.g., displays, sensors, transceivers) all capable of supporting mission objectives. In the existing art each component requires specific programming and configuration that is performed in down time prior to the start of a mission. Changing mission objectives and real-world events may necessitate an on-the-fly re-configuration of the APC&#39;s on-board information system. However, time constraints may prohibit an operator from being able to manually re-configure a system before use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A method, system, and computer program product for automatically configuring information systems to support mission objectives. A Mission SoulPad is connected to an information system via a communication bus, such as a USB bus connection. The Mission SoulPad may autonomously detect and configure components of the information system (e.g., displays, sensors, emitters, transceivers) to support the defined objectives of the Mission SoulPad. The Mission SoulPad may also identify malfunctioning components of the information system needing repair or replacement. Typical operations of malfunctioning components may be dynamically re-routed to functional components. Entire sensor and information display suites may be transitioned simply by moving the Mission SoulPad between available information systems. This ensures that mission critical information is consistently available regardless of the type of system the Mission SoulPad is connected to. 
         [0006]    The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment in which the present invention may be implemented; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2 . is a block diagram of an exemplary system for autonomously configuring information systems to support mission objectives. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 . is a high-level logical flowchart of an exemplary method for autonomously configuring information systems to support mission objectives. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]    The illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and computer program product for autonomously configuring information systems to support mission objectives. 
         [0012]    In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or 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. 
         [0013]    It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe the components/devices/parameters herein, without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is utilized. 
         [0014]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a block diagram of a Mission SoulPad  102  in which the present invention may be implemented. Mission SoulPad  102  includes a processor  104  that is coupled to a system bus  106 . Display  107 , coupled to system bus  106 , allows for presentation of a general user interface (including text and graphics) for use by a user of Mission SoulPad  102 . Input/Output (I/O) Interface  108 , also connected to system bus  106  permits user interaction with Mission SoulPad  102 , such as data entry via keyboard  110 . System bus  106  also enables communication with a hardware-based readable storage medium  112  (e.g., Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), flash drive memory, etc). A network interface  114 , connected to system bus  106 , enables Mission SoulPad  102  to connect to network  116  utilizing wired or wireless technology. A communication bus interface  118 , connected to system bus  106 , enables Mission SoulPad  102  to connect to information systems  204   a - n , where n is an integer greater than one, utilizing wired or wireless technology (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, etc). Additionally, in some embodiments Mission SoulPad  102  may draw power from this communication bus to facilitate normal operation. 
         [0015]    Mission SoulPad  102  also comprises system memory  120 , which is connected to system bus  106 . System memory  120  of Mission SoulPad  102  includes automatic reconfiguration logic (ARL)  122 . ARL  122  includes code for implementing the processes described in  FIGS. 2-3 . System memory  120  also includes mission objectives  124   a - n . Mission objectives  124  establish tasks and goals relevant to a current mission of an operator of Mission SoulPad  102 . Additionally, mission objectives  124   a - n  may specify instructions for utilizing specific components (e.g., displays, sensors, emitters, transceivers, etc) of an information system  204   a - n  to display, track, or monitor some activity via that specific component. In one embodiment, Mission SoulPad  102  is able to utilize ARL  122  to autonomously configure information systems  204   a - n  to support mission objectives  124 . 
         [0016]    Mission SoulPad  102  also comprises system storage  126 , which is connected to system bus  106 . System storage  126  of Mission SoulPad  102  includes operating system  128  and system applications  130 . Additionally, system storage may be secured using encryption technology (e.g. AES128 block cipher). Operating system  128  is an auto-configuring operating system. In one embodiment, operating system  128  may boot on an information system  204   a - n  when connected, therefore resuming a suspended virtual machine state (not pictured) of the operating system  128 . This virtual machine state may further contain an operator&#39;s personal profile consisting of the operator&#39;s files, computing environment, desktop configuration, as well as running system applications and open windows. In one embodiment, when Mission SoulPad  102  is connected to an information system  204   a - n , ARL  122  may utilize functionality of the system  128  and system applications  130  to further interface with components of a connected information system  204   a - n.    
         [0017]    As illustrated and described herein, Mission SoulPad  102  may be a computer system or server having the required hardware components and programmed with ARL  122 , executing on the processor to provide the functionality of the invention. However, Mission SoulPad  102  may also be a device that is specifically designed to include the functionality of ARL  122 , as described herein. The hardware elements depicted in Mission SoulPad  102  are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essential components required by and/or utilized to implement the present invention. For instance, Mission SoulPad  102  may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0018]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an exemplary system for autonomously configuring information systems to support mission objectives, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The illustrative embodiment is described from the perspective of ARL  122  autonomously configuring components  208   a - n , where n is an integer greater than one, of one or more information systems  204   a - n  based on mission objectives (e.g., mission objectives  124 ,  FIG. 1 ) stored on Mission SoulPad  102 . 
         [0019]    Information system  204   a - n  comprises of multiple specialized components connected to a common communication bus  206 . Information systems  204   a - n  may be a personnel information system (e.g., networked heads-up displays, wrist mounted displays, or sensors mounted on a soldier&#39;s person) or may alternatively be a vehicle mounted information system (e.g. automobile, train, nautical vessel, airplane, etc). Alternatively, an information system  204   a - n  may be located at a fixed location (e.g., an Army base, or an office). Components  208   a - n  perform specialized actions specific to each component  208   a - n  (e.g., displaying monitored data, tracking a target of interest, chemical threat detection, seismic detection, transmitting/receiving of radio communications, etc). Each component  208   a - n  is connected to the communication bus  206  of that information system  204   a - n . Communication bus  206  serves as a transmission conduit common to components  208   a - n  of a same information system  204   a - n , which serves to allow Mission SoulPad  102  or an internal computer (not pictured) to communicate with components  208   a - n  of that information system  204   a - n . The communication bus  206  also contains means to connect Mission SoulPad  102  (e.g., a USB port, IEEE 1394 port, Ethernet port). When Mission SoulPad  102  is connected to information system  204   a - n , ARL  122  identifies components of the connected information system  204  and autonomously re-configures components  208   a - n  based on mission objectives stored on Mission SoulPad  102 . In an alternate embodiment, an operator of Mission SoulPad  102  may also manually enter additional mission objectives via a keyboard (e.g., keyboard  110 ,  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, Mission SoulPad  102  is connected to on-board information system  204   a  on an armored personnel carrier (APC). Mission SoulPad  102  contains stored mission objectives for monitoring hazardous gas levels, and displaying this relevant information on a display. Utilizing this information, ARL  122  autonomously reconfigures an onboard gas sensor, component  208   c , to detect the hazardous gas levels, and then reconfigures a secondary display, component  208   b , to display the current hazardous gas levels in real-time. Additionally ARL  122  may reconfigure a thermal printer, component  208   g , to print relevant data, or may monitor radio transmissions via a transceiver, component  208   f , for future instructions. 
         [0021]    Additionally, when identifying components  208   a - n  of an information system  204   a - n , ARL  122  may determine if any connected components  208   a - n  are malfunctioning. A malfunctioning component  208   a - n  may be any specific component  208   a - n  that connected to an information system  204   a - n  that is unable to perform the typical operations. Additionally, ARL  122  may identify a component  208   a - n  as malfunctioning because the component  208   a - n  is damaged or missing. Upon detecting a malfunctioning component  208   a - n , ARL  122  may transmit a notification message to a functional component  208   a - n  of the same information system  204   a - n  to inform an operator of Mission SoulPad  102  of damaged components  208   a - n . The notification message may be presented in the form of an audio message (e.g., a voice recording or pre-recorded audio message played back on a speaker), or a text based message (e.g., a pop-up or flashing message on a display) 
         [0022]    In the event that ARL  122  identifies a malfunctioning component  208   a , ARL  122  may autonomously reconfigure another similar component  208   b - n  of a currently connected information system  204   a  to perform the operations normally performed by the malfunctioning component  208   a . For example, a primary display, component  208   a , of the APC typically displays critical vehicle information of the APC, such as current speed, fuel levels, engine temperature, etc. The secondary display, component  208   b , of the APC typically displays a real-time satellite GPS map of the current location of the APC. In the event that the primary onboard display, component  208   a , of the APC is damaged, ARL  122  autonomously reconfigures the secondary display to display both the critical vehicle information and the satellite GPS map simultaneously. To accomplish this task ARL  122  may reconfigure the display in a meaningful manner, such as by dividing the display into two virtual displays, or by reformatting the satellite GPS map to fill a smaller, windowed portion of the display and moving the satellite GPS map view to an out-of-the way location of the currently displayed view. Similarly, in the event that a specific sensor is damaged, ARL  122  may autonomously reconfigure another similar sensor to perform a specific task, or may have the similar sensor perform multiple tasks simultaneously, or in an alternating fashion. 
         [0023]    ARL  122  may autonomously detect the presence of newly installed components  208   a - n , or replacement components  208   a - n  (intended to replace malfunctioning components). In response to identifying the presence of a newly installed component  208   a - n , ARL  122  may autonomously reconfigure the newly installed component  208   a - n  to perform a specific task. Alternatively, ARL  122  may autonomously reconfigure the newly installed component  208   a - n  to enable new functionality of information system  204   a - n , or to restore original functionality to one or more components  208   a - n  of information system  204   a - n  in response to the newly installed component  208   a - n  replacing a malfunctioning component  208   a - n.    
         [0024]    Mission SoulPad  102  autonomously monitors mission objectives and current conditions of a connected information system  204   a - n  in real-time. When Mission SoulPad  102  determines that the connection to an information system  204   a  has been severed, ARL  122  may autonomously create a last configuration profile (not pictured). The last configuration profile is the configuration of the disconnected information system  204   a  just prior to disconnection. Upon connecting Mission SoulPad  102  to another information system  204   b - n , ARL  122  may autonomously restore the last configuration profile on the newly connected information system  204   b . Alternatively, ARL  122  may configure information system  204   b  simply based on current mission objectives. 
         [0025]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a high-level logical flowchart is provided; illustrating an exemplary method for autonomously configuring information systems to support mission objectives. After initiator block  300 , the Mission SoulPad is connected to an information system (block  302 ). Upon detection of a connection of the Mission SoulPad to the information system, ARL identifies components of the information system (block  304 ). ARL may then detect malfunctioning components of the information system (block  306 ). In response to determining that there are malfunctioning components in the connected information system (block  308 ), ARL may configure one or more components that are similar to a malfunctioning component of the information system to perform the functionality typically performed by the malfunctioning component (block  410 ). 
         [0026]    Next, ARL autonomously configures the information system in accordance with mission objectives stored on the Mission SoulPad (block  312 ). After configuring the information system ARL continually scans for the presence of additionally connected components to determine if malfunctioning components have been replaced (block  314 ). When replacement components have been detected, ARL autonomously configures the replacement components and restores the originally intended functionality of the identified similar components (block  316 ). 
         [0027]    Upon detecting that the Mission SoulPad has been disconnected from the information system (block  318 ), ARL copies and stores the last configuration profile (block  319 ). The process ends at terminator block  320 . 
         [0028]    In the flow charts above, one or more of the methods are embodied in microcode such that a series of steps are performed when the computer readable code is executed on a computing device. In some implementations, certain steps of the methods are combined, performed simultaneously or in a different order, or perhaps omitted, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, while the method steps are described and illustrated in a particular sequence, use of a specific sequence of steps is not meant to imply any limitations on the invention. Changes may be made with regards to the sequence of steps without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Use of a particular sequence is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0029]    Although aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to a computer processor and program application/logic, it should be understood that at least some aspects of the present invention may alternatively be implemented as a program product for use with a data storage system or computer system. Programs defining functions of the present invention can be delivered to a data storage system or computer system via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g. CD-ROM), writable storage media (e.g. a floppy diskette, hard disk drive, read/write CD-ROM, optical media), and communication media, such as computer and telephone networks including Ethernet. It should be understood, therefore, that such signal-bearing media, when carrying or encoding computer readable instructions that direct method functions of the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be implemented by a system having means in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware as described herein or their equivalent. 
         [0030]    Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system, device or component thereof to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.