| Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storageRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Multicomputer Data Transferring, Distributed Data Processing, Client/serverMethod and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070250564, Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application No. 10/762,934, entitled "Method And System For Providing A Modular Server On USB Flash Storage" filed Jan. 21, 2004 which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application No. 10/002,652, entitled "Method And System For Providing A Modulized Server On Board" filed Oct. 19, 2001 which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/324,900 filed on Sep. 25, 2001. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a method and system for providing a server on a generalized computing device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] FIG. 1 depicts a generalized computing device ("computing device") 10. The computing device 10 includes at least a CPU 12 and an optional mass storage 18, such as a hard disk. The computing device 10 may also include other features. The computing device depicted in FIG. 1 also includes a memory 14 such as a flash memory, a display 16, an input/output device 20 such as a keyboard, BIOS 22, a network interface 24 and a bus interface 26. Communication to a network (not shown) is carried out through the network interface 24. Similarly, communication to any attached devices (not shown) can be carried out via the bus interface 26. For example, the bus interface 26 could include interfaces for PCI Express, SATA, Ethernet, Infiniband or other serial bus connectors. [0004] The computing device 10 is capable of performing a variety of functions. It is often desirable to utilize the computing device 10 as a server. A server would include additional hardware and/or software that allows the server to serve multiple users. Thus, the server would allow multiple users to share resources, such as printers or the optional mass storage 18 of the computing device 10. [0005] There are a number of conventional methods for allowing the computing device 10 to be used as a server. In general, these conventional methods involve obtaining server software and installing the software on the computing device 10. The user must then manually set up the desired functions for the server. Alternatively, the computing device 10 could be specially built to function as a server. In either case, ensuring that the computing device 10 can function as a server is expensive. For example, obtaining and installing server software on the computing device 10 or specially building the computing device 10 may cost between $500 and $5,000. Moreover, installing the software and tailoring the system to provide the desired individual functions requires a substantial investment of time on the part of the user. Purpose of Invention [0006] As Universal Serial Bus (USB) becomes a standard communication interface on the PC and digital imaging device, USB-based flash storage system starts proliferating the consumer market. A traditional USB-based flash storage system tends to include an USB Local Control Program, one or more flash memory chips in addition to the USB connector. USB flash storage becomes one of the most popular choices for external removable storage due to its simplicity, high performance and reliability. [0007] If the PC or computing device has the capability in its BIOS to boot from a USB flash storage, it opens up a possibility to incorporate server functionality into a USB flash storage. The server is thus modular and very portable. The actual storage drives on a server are no longer needed to reside on the same physical space with the server itself. It is able to decouple the server from the storage drives completely. The server or storage drives can each evolve or upgrade independent to each other. Being able to easily hot swap the USB flash storage from the PC or computing device, it brings great benefits in service and support to the server itself. [0008] Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for cheaply and easily allowing the computing device to be used as a server. The present invention addresses such a need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides a method and system for providing a server on a computing device. The computing device includes at least a processor and an optional mass storage device. The method and system comprise providing bus interface logic, providing USB Local Control Program, a flash memory and, preferably, a set of control button connectors, light emitting diodes (LED) connectors and a liquid crystal display (LCD) connector. The USB Local Control Program is coupled with the bus interface logic and the memory. The bus interface logic interacts with the computing device and allows the computing device to detect the system. The USB Local Control Program boots up the server and prepares the computing device for use as the server. The memory stores a server image for the server, which is provided to the computing device using the USB Local Control Program. The control button connectors allow the server to be turned on, shut down gracefully, or restored to its initial state, by a single press of buttons connected to these connectors. The LED and LCD connectors allow the system status to be displayed or shown. [0010] According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides an inexpensive, easy to use mechanism for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional computing device. [0012] FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. [0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the Local Control Program of the system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. [0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of the image of the server stored in the memory of the system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. [0015] FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of one embodiment of the other control logic in the system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. [0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for utilizing the system in accordance with the present invention to allow the computing device to be used as a server. [0017] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for using one-button shut down interrupt logic as a feature of the system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. [0018] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for a shut down interrupt routine in the system in accordance with the present invention for allowing the computing device to be used as a server. Continue reading about Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage... Full patent description for Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for coordination of client/server processes Next Patent Application: System and method for controlling a telepresence system Industry Class: Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomputer data transferring or plural processor synchronization ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and system for providing a modular server on usb flash storage patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.19711 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
