US 6,192,490 B1 · Method and system for monitoring computer performance utilizing sound diagnostics

Abstract

A method and system for diagnosing data-processing system performance. Initially, unique audible sounds are associated with particular performance indicators within the data-processing system. Thereafter, performance indicators are identified, one or more of which indicate data-processing system performance. A diagnostic is then periodically run to detect performance indicators within the data-processing system. A unique audible sound is then generated associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting the status of particular performance indicator via the diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying the unique audible sound. The unique audible sound may be continuously generated at varying durations and volumes to indicate the presence of system failures. A trained user, accustomed to particular audible sounds, can identify and diagnose system failures by analyzing unique audible sounds generated by the data-processing system. The frequency and duration of each particular sound may be designated and subsequently altered by the user. The performance indicators may be composed of fault modes, one or more of which may presage data-processing system failures. In addition, the data-processing system itself may be composed of a computer system, such as a personal or mainframe computer.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method in a data-processing system for diagnosing data-processing system performance, said method comprising the steps of:

associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system;
identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance;
periodically running a diagnostic to detect performance indicators within said data-processing system;
and
audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

2 more elements

A program product residing in data-processing memory in a data-processing for diagnosing data-processing system failures, said program product comprising:

instruction means residing in a data-processing for associating unique audible sounds with particular performance indicators within said data-processing system;
instruction means residing in a data-processing for identifying a plurality of performance indicators, one or more of which may indicate data-processing system performance;
instruction means residing in a data-processing for periodically running a diagnostic to detect performance indicators within said data-processing system;
and
instruction means residing in a data-processing for audibly generating a unique audible sound associated with a particular performance indicator, in response to detecting said particular performance indicator via said diagnostic, such that potential data-processing system failures may be recognized by identifying said unique audible sound.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for monitoring computer performance utilizing sound diagnostics

Life of this patent

Method and system for monitoring computer performance utilizing sound diagnostics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27