Patent Publication Number: US-2017367041-A9

Title: System wakeup on wireless network messages

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to wireless information handling devices and more particularly to receiving messages in various power states of the wireless information handling devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In certain situations, information handling devices, such as computers, notebooks, mobile phones, etc., may not power down completely, but instead, may enter reduced power states such as sleep modes (e.g., S 2 , S 3 ) or a hibernate mode (e.g., S 4 ). Other devices may be externally connected to an information handling device through the information handling device&#39;s ports or slots that receive power from the information handling device. For example, a laptop computer may have an ExpressCard slot in which a user may insert an ExpressCard. In this example, the ExpressCard may include a wireless transceiver, such as a WiFi transceiver, that the information handling device utilizes in order to wirelessly communicate with other devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     While an information handling device is in a reduced power state, the information handling device transitions from the reduced power state to a higher power state in response to receiving a message over an established wireless network connection that maintains a presence on a wireless network. In turn, the information handling device processes the message accordingly in the higher power state. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not Intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present disclosure, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a computer system using an external slot device to monitor wireless network activity when the computer system is in a reduced power state; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a computer system that includes an external slot device that monitors wireless network traffic when the computer system is in a low power state; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a computer system communicating with a network access point in a high power state through an internal, primary wireless device; 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing a computer system communicating with a network access point in a reduced power state through an external slot device&#39;s secondary wireless device; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing steps taken in a computer system and an external slot device maintaining a presence in a wireless network when the computer system transitions between power state modes; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram example of a data processing system in which the methods described herein can be implemented; and 
         FIG. 6  provides an extension example of the information handling system environment shown in  FIG. 5  to illustrate that the methods described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information handling systems which operate in a networked environment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. Certain well-known details often associated with computing and software technology are not set forth in the following disclosure, however, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments of the disclosure. Further, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that they can practice other embodiments of the disclosure without one or more of the details described below. Finally, while venous methods are described with reference to steps and sequences in the following disclosure, the description as such is for providing a clear implementation of embodiments of the disclosure, and the steps and sequences of steps should not be taken as required to practice this disclosure. Instead, the following is intended to provide a detailed description of an example of the disclosure and should not be taken to be limiting of the disclosure itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims that follow the description. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer program Instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The following detailed description will generally follow the summary of the disclosure, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding the definitions of the various aspects and embodiments of the disclosure as necessary. To this end, this detailed description first sets forth a computing environment in  FIG. 1  that is suitable to implement the software and/or hardware techniques associated with the disclosure. A networked environment is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as an extension of the basic computing environment, to emphasize that modern computing techniques can be performed across multiple discrete devices. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a computer system using an external slot device to monitor wireless network activity when the computer system is in a reduced power state. This disclosure allows a user to maintain a “presence” on a wireless network (e.g., for instant messaging) while a computer system is in a state that utilizes relatively low power (e.g., sleep mode or hibernate mode). Although specific examples provided herein refer to a computer system, the concepts described herein apply to any information handling device including mobile phones, small handheld palmtops or personal data organizers, small and large notebook computers, desktop computers, etcetera, as covered by the claims. 
     User  105  uses computer system  100  to connect to computer network  150  through network access point  140  in order to send/receive wireless messages to/from correspondence computer systems  170  (through messaging server  160 ). In particular situations, user  105  may wish to have computer system  100  monitor wireless network traffic when computer system  100  is in a reduced power state. For example, user  105  may be involved in an instant messaging session with one or more of users  180  and has to place computer system  100  (e.g., laptop computer) in hibernate mode for a short period. In another example, computer system  100  may be low on battery power and automatically enter hibernate mode until user  105  plugs in a power supply to computer system  100 . In either case, user  105  may wish to have computer system  100  monitor wireless network traffic in order for user  105  to not miss messages. 
     Computer system  100  includes primary wireless device  110  for connecting with network access point  140 . For example, computer system  100  may be a laptop computer and primary wireless device  110  may be an internal wireless network card. Computer system  100  also includes external slot device  120 , such as an external card in an ExpressCard form factor. External slot device  120  includes secondary wireless device  130  and monitor client  135 . In one embodiment, external slot device  120  may be an Always On/Constant Connect 2.0 card (CC card). 
     When computer system  100  is in a high power state, primary wireless device  110  establishes a wireless connection with network access point  120 . In turn main client  115  establishes a socket connection with instant messaging server  160  through computer network  150  (e.g., the Internet). A socket connection establishes bidirectional communication between a server program and one or more client programs. The socket connection associates a server program to a hardware port in order for a client program to communicate with the server program through the hardware port. 
     By establishing the socket connection, main client  115  sends/receives messages to/from correspondence computer systems  170  through messaging server  160 . In one embodiment, main client  115  includes a) a user interface through which user  105  may login/logout and view received message or compose messages, and b) a standard protocol implementation to communicate with messaging server  160  (e.g., XMPP, SIP, and SIMPLE). The protocols define messages that are exchanged between clients and servers, including messages to login, logout, report user status, send and receive messages, and report errors. 
     When computer system  100  enters a lower power state, computer system  100  disables primary wireless device  110  in order to conserve power. Concurrently, computer system  100  informs external slot device  120  of the reduced power state, which causes external slot device  120  to turn on. Secondary wireless device  130  establishes a wireless connection with network access point  120  and allows monitor client  136  to establish a socket connection with instant messaging server  160  using user  105 ′s credentials. As a result, user  105  appears to continually be available to receive messages while computer system  100  is in the reduced power state. 
     Monitor client  136  monitors wireless network traffic for messages intended for user  105 . When monitor client  135  detects an intended message, monitor client  135  notifies computer system  100  accordingly. In one embodiment, external slot device  120  and computer system  100  are linked via a universal serial bus (USB). In this embodiment, when monitor client  135  detects an intended message, external slot device  120  invokes computer system  100  to enter a high power state (S 0  state) using a USB wakeup protocol. When computer system  100  wakes up, monitor client  135  breaks its socket connection with messaging server  160  and main client  115  re-establishes its socket connection with messaging server  160 . In another embodiment, when monitor client  135  detects an incoming message, monitor client  136  examines the address of the message sender and, if the sender is on a pre-approved list, monitor client  135  sends a message for computer system  100  to enter the S 0  state. Otherwise, monitor client  135  stores the message for later viewing, and computer system  100  remains in reduced power state. 
     In yet another embodiment, before monitor client  135  breaks its socket connection with message server  160 , monitor client  135  responds to the sending correspondence computer system  170  in a manner that is protocol-specific. For example, in the case of an XMPP protocol (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), monitor client  135  sends an “error” response, causing the sender (correspondence computer system  170 ) to resend the message. In this embodiment, the re-sent message is received by primary wireless device  110  and main client  115  because computer system  100  is, at that point, in a high power state. 
     In yet another embodiment, such as with a laptop PC, system behavior may be related to the state of the laptop lid. If the lid is open, computer system  100  behaves as described above. However, if the lid is closed, monitor client  135  may inform messaging server  160  that user  105  is “away”, but it is still able to receive messages. In this embodiment, monitor client  135  does not awaken computer system  100  but, instead, may store messages for later viewing (see  FIGS. 2, 4 , and corresponding text for further details). 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a computer system that includes an external slot device that monitors wireless network traffic when the computer system is in a reduced power state. Computer system  100  includes primary wireless device  110  (e.g., internal wireless card) for communicating with wireless networks. When computer system  100  is in a high power state, main client  115  (e.g., software application executing on processor  200 ) sends and receives messages (through I/O controller hub  210 ) over a wireless network using primary wireless device  110 . In one embodiment, when computer system  100  enters a reduced power state, primary wireless device  110  may be disconnected from processor  200  and connected to external processor  240  (e.g., using an electrical switch). 
     Computer system  100  also includes a slot (e.g., ExpressCard slot, PCMCIA card slot, etc.) for which to insert external slot device  120 . The example shown in  FIG. 2  shows that external slot device  120  includes secondary wireless device  130 , monitor client application  135  executing on external processor  240 , and memory  245 . Memory  245  may be volatile or non-volatile memory. When computer system  100  enters a reduced power state, embedded controller  220  disables power to primary wireless device  110  via power control  260  and informs power controller  230  to provide power to external slot device  120  via power line  270 . In turn, external slot device  120  provides power to external processor  240 , which invokes monitor client application  135  and provides power to secondary wireless device  130  via power control  280 . As such, when computer system  100  enters a reduced power state, monitor client  135  and secondary wireless device  130  maintain a presence on the wireless network and monitor wireless network traffic. Monitor client  135  includes a standard messaging protocol implementation and an agent, which acts in place of a user. The agent includes logic that determines times at which to connect and disconnect to the server, and how to respond to messages received from the server. 
     When monitor client  135  detects a message (e.g., instant message) intended for computer system  100 &#39;s user, monitor client  135  sends a message to processor  200  via USB  250  to wake up (enter a high power state). In the process of entering a high power state, embedded controller  220  turns on power to primary wireless device  110  and informs power control  230  to remove power from external slot device. As such, computer system  100  re-establishes wireless connectivity via primary wireless device  110  (see  FIG. 4  and corresponding text for further details). In one embodiment, such as when a laptop computer&#39;s lid is closed, monitor client  136  stores received messages in memory  245  to provide to computer system  100  at a later time. 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a computer system communicating with a network access point in a high power state through an internal, primary wireless device. Computer system  100  includes primary wireless device  110  and a slot that is adapted to receive external slot device  120 , which includes external processor  240  and secondary wireless device  130 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows that when computer system  100  is in a high power state, computer system  100  communicates with network access point  140  through primary wireless device  110 . In one embodiment, in order to ensure that secondary wireless device  130  does not interfere with these communications, external processor  240  disables secondary wireless device  130  when computer system  100  is in the high power state. 
       FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing a computer system communicating with a network access point in a reduced power state through an external slot device&#39;s secondary wireless device. When computer system  100  enters a reduced power state,  FIG. 35  shows that external slot device  120  communicates with network access point  140  using secondary wireless device  130 . In one embodiment, in order to ensure that primary wireless device  110  does not interfere with these communications, computer system  100  disables primary wireless device  110  when computer system  100  is in the reduced power state (see  FIG. 4  and corresponding text for further details). 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing steps taken in a computer system and an external slot device maintaining a presence in a wireless network when the computer system transitions between power state modes. As discussed previously, this disclosure allows a user to maintain a presence on a wireless network, such as for instant messaging, while a computer system is in a state that requires relatively low power. In turn, the computer system does not miss messages intended for the computer system&#39;s user. 
     Computer system processing commences at  400 , whereupon the computer system initiates a high power state (normal start-up) at step  405 . At step  410 , the computer system invokes a main client application, such as main client  115  shown in  FIG. 2 . Next, at step  416 , the computer system utilizes a primary wireless device, such as primary wireless device  110  shown in  FIG. 2 , to establish a socket connection with messaging server  160 . For simplicity, network access point  140  and computer network  160  are not shown in  FIG. 4  as a conduit to send/receive communication between the computer system and messaging server  160 . 
     Once the computer system establishes the socket connection, the computer system processes messages (e.g., instant messages) at step  420 , which are messages sent to and received from correspondence computer systems through messaging sewer  160 . The computer system continues to process messages and monitors whether there is a power state change (decision  425 ). For example, the computer system&#39;s user may place the computer system in sleep mode, in hibernate mode, or close the lid. If there is not a power state change, decision  425  branches to “No” branch  427 , which loops back to continue to process messages using the main client and primary wireless device. 
     This looping continues until a power state change occurs, at which point decision  425  branches to “Yes” branch  429  whereupon the computer system disconnects its socket connection with messaging server  160  at step  430  (e.g., stops responding). Next, the computer system switches to a lower power state and sends a message to the external slat device step  435 . 
     At this point, external slot device processing commences at  450 , whereupon the external slot device receives the power state change indication and turns on at step  455 . Next, the external slot device initiates its monitor client at step  460 , such as monitor client  135  shown in  FIG. 2 . The monitor client uses the same user credentials utilized by the computer system to establish a socket connection with messaging server  160  using a secondary wireless device located on the external slot device, such as secondary wireless device  130  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The monitor client waits for a message from messaging server  160  (step  470 ). Once the monitor client receives a message, a determination is made as to whether to wake up the computer system or wait for a later time based upon the computer&#39;s wake up parameters (decision  475 ). For example, the computer system may be a laptop computer with a closed lid, and the wake up parameters do not allow the Computer to be woken up when its lid is closed. In this example, the monitor client stores messages and waits for a user to open up the computer system&#39;s lid before waking up the computer system. If the monitor client should wait to wake up the computer system, decision  476  branches to “No” branch  476  whereupon the monitor client stores the message (e.g., in memory  245  shown in  FIG. 2 ) at step  478  and informs messaging server  160  that the user is away but can still receive messages. 
     On the other hand, if the monitor client should wake up the computer system, decision  475  branches to “Yes” branch  479 . A determination is made as to whether to send the received message to the computer system or to send an error message to messaging server  160  in order for the originating correspondence computer system to resend the message (decision  480 ). If the monitor client should send the message to the computer system, decision  480  branches to “Yes” branch  482  whereupon the monitor client wakes up the computer system and sends the message to the computer system, such as using a USB wakeup protocol over USB bus  260  shown in  FIG. 2  (step  483 ). 
     The computer system wakes up at step  440 , switches to high power state at step  445 , and re-establishes a socket connection with messaging server  160  to process messages. In conjunction, the external slot device disconnects its socket connection with messaging server  160  (step  492 ) and switches to a reduced power state (step  494 ). 
     On the other hand, if the external slot device is configured to not send the message to the computer system but, instead, send an error message to messaging server  160 , decision  480  branches to “No” branch  488 , whereupon the external slot device sends a wake up notification (e.g., using a USB wakeup protocol) to the computer system at step  485 . Next, the monitor client sends an error message to messaging server  160  (step  490 ), indicating that the received message included errors which, in turn, causes the correspondence computer system that sent the original message to resend the message (which is received by the computer system&#39;s primary wireless device and processed by the computer system&#39;s IM client). At step  492 , the external wireless device disconnects its socket connection with messaging server  180  and switches to a lower power state at step  494 . External socket device processing ends at  495 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates information handling system  500 , which is a simplified example of a computer system capable of performing the computing operations described herein. Information handling system  500  includes one or more processors  510  (e.g., processor  200  shown in  FIG. 2 ) coupled to processor interface bus  512 . Processor interface bus  512  connects processors  510  to Northbridge  515 , which is also known as the Memory Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge  515  connects to system memory  520  and provides a means for processor(s)  510  to access the system memory. Graphics controller  525  also connects to Northbridge  515 . In one embodiment, PCI Express bus  518  connects Northbridge  515  to graphics controller  525 . Graphics controller  125  connects to display device  530 , such as a computer monitor. 
     Northbridge  515  and Southbridge  535  connect to each other using bus  519 . In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus that transfers data at high speeds in each direction between Northbridge  515  and Southbridge  635 . In another embodiment, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus connects the Northbridge and the Southbridge. Southbridge  535 , also known as the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chip that generally implements capabilities that operate at slower speeds than the capabilities provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge  535  typically provides various busses used to connect various components. These busses include, for example, PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISA bus, a System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), and/or a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus. The LPC bus often connects low-bandwidth devices, such as boot ROM  596  and “legacy” I/O devices (using a “super I/O” chip). The “legacy” I/O devices ( 598 ) can include, for example, serial and parallel ports, keyboard, mouse, and/or a floppy disk controller. The LPC bus also connects Southbridge  635  to Trusted Platform Module (TPM)  695 . Other components often included in Southbridge  535  include a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC), and a storage device controller, which connects Southbridge  535  to nonvolatile storage device  585 , such as a hard disk drive, using bus  584 . 
     ExpressCard  555  is a slot that connects hot-pluggable devices (e.g., external slot device  120  shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the information handling system. ExpressCard  555  supports both PCI Express and USB connectivity as it connects to Southbridge  535  using both the Universal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI Express bus. Southbridge  635  includes USB Controller  640  that provides USB connectivity to devices that connect to the USB. These devices include webcam (camera)  550 , infrared (IR) receiver  648 , keyboard and trackpad  544 , and Bluetooth device  546 , which provides for wireless personal area networks (PANs). USB Controller  540  also provides USB connectivity to other miscellaneous USB connected devices  542 , such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storage device  545 , modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USB hubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While removable nonvolatile storage device  545  is shown as a USB-connected device, removable nonvolatile storage device  545  could be connected using a different interface, such as a Firewire interface, etcetera. 
     Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device  575  connects to Southbridge  535  via the PCI or PCI Express bus  572 . LAN device  575  (e.g., primary wireless device  110  shown in  FIG. 1 ) typically implements one of the IEEE 802.11 standards of over-the-air modulation techniques that all use the same protocol to wireless communicate between information handling system  500  and another computer system or device. Optical storage device  590  connects to Southbridge  535  using Serial ATA (SATA) bus  588 . Serial ATA adapters and devices communicate over a high-speed serial link. The Serial ATA bus also connects Southbridge  535  to other forms of storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audio circuitry  560 , such as a sound card, connects to Southbridge  535  via bus  555 . Audio circuitry  560  also provides functionality such as audio line-in and optical digital audio in port  562 , optical digital output and headphone jack  564 , internal speakers  566 , and internal microphone  568 . Ethernet controller  570  connects to Southbridge  535  using a bus, such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet controller  570  connects information handling system  500  to a computer network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), the Internet, and other public and private computer networks. Trusted Platform Module (TPM  595 ) provides security functions for information handling system  500 . 
     While  FIG. 5  shows one information handling system, an information handling system may take many forms. For example, an information handling system may take the form of a desktop, server, portable, laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data processing system. In addition, an information handling system may take other form factors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, ATM machine, a portable telephone device, a communication device or other devices that include a processor and memory. 
       FIG. 6  provides an extension example of the information handling system environment shown in  FIG. 5  to illustrate that the methods described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information handling systems that operate in a networked environment. Types of information handling systems range from small handheld devices, such as handheld computer/mobile telephone  610  to large mainframe systems, such as mainframe computer  670 . Examples of handheld computer  610  include personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal entertainment devices, such as MP3 players, portable televisions, and compact disc players. Other examples of information handling systems include pen, or tablet, computer  620 , laptop, or notebook, computer  630 , workstation  640 , personal computer system  650 , and server  660 . Other types of information handling systems that are not individually shown in  FIG. 6  are represented by information handling system  680 . As shown, the various information handling systems can be networked together using computer network  600 . Types of computer network that can be used to interconnect the various information handling systems include Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and any other network topology that can be used to interconnect the information handling systems. Many of the information handling systems include nonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or nonvolatile memory. Some of the information handling systems shown in  FIG. 6  depicts separate nonvolatile data stores (server  660  utilizes nonvolatile data store  666 , mainframe computer  670  utilizes nonvolatile data store  675 , and information handling system  680  utilizes nonvolatile data store  685 ). The nonvolatile data store can be a component that is external to the various information handling systems or can be internal to one of the information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatile storage device  645  can be shared among two or more information handling systems using various techniques, such as connecting the removable nonvolatile storage device  645  to a USB port or other connector of the information handling systems. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to disclosures containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.