System and method for networking educational equipment

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for monitoring availability of end user devices needed for performing tasks. The system comprises a first network including one or more devices associated with an end user, at least one device adapted for communicating with a service provider over a second network, the service provider providing network-based services in the system. The system includes a memory storage device for maintaining information of tasks associated with an end user, the information including recommended end-user devices adapted to perform the tasks, the information being accessible to at least one end-user device. At least one end-user device detects non-availability or performance deficiencies of any end-user device required in performing end-user tasks, and communicates with the service provider for invoking network-based services to facilitate correcting non-availability of any end-user device. Such a system, method and computer program product enables students to receive these reminders and alerts, to order the necessary upgrades from suppliers via web services, and to monitor delivery from a single user interface provided on one of their devices.

1 . A system for monitoring availability of end user devices needed for performing a task, said system comprising: 
 a first network comprising one or more devices associated with an end user, at least one end user device comprising means adapted for communicating with a service provider via a second network, said service provider providing network-based services in said system;    means for maintaining information of tasks associated with an end user, said information including recommended end-user devices adapted to perform said tasks, said tasks information provided to at least one end-user device by said service provider; and,    at least one end-user device comprising means for detecting non-availability or performance deficiencies of any end-user device required in performing end-user tasks, wherein said means adapted for communicating with a service provider generates signals for invoking network-based services via said second network to facilitate correcting non-availability of any end-user device.    
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for detecting comprises a means for comparing a current inventory of devices associated with a particular end-user with said recommended end-user devices adapted for performing said tasks for said end-user.  
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said maintained information includes recommended performance criteria associated with each device sufficient for performing end-user tasks, said means for comparing further comparing a performance configuration of an end-user device associated with a task with said recommended performance criteria, said at least one end user device invoking network-based services from a service provider via said second network for correcting performance deficiencies of an associated end-user device.  
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said means for comparing further comprises a semantic based capability matching means adapted for matching said recommended performance criteria and said end-user device performance configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second network comprises one or more of an Internet, an intranet, an enterprise intranet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN).  
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for maintaining information of tasks associated with an end user and recommended end-user devices comprises a database accessible by a service provider.  
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said service provider communicates with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about required or unnecessary devices for task assignments to be performed.  
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said service provider communicates with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about hardware or software upgrades for said devices to enable completion of said task assignments in accordance with associated task performance criteria.  
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an end user device includes an adjustable component, said service provider communicating signals to said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about correct settings for said end user device having said adjustable component, wherein said at least one user device is responsive to said signals for initiating adjustment of said at least one adjustable component for said end user device.  
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said end-user devices comprise one or more active devices having computing capability and can invoke network-based services from an second network for said end users, and one or more passive devices without computing capability.  
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said first network comprises a wireless communications network, each said active device equipped with means enabling communication among said active devices and an external device, and each said active device and passive device having a unique identifier associated therewith.  
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said one or more passive devices comprises sensors for identifying said device by an active device, said system further comprising means for monitoring availability and configuration of said passive devices via said sensors.  
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said unique identifier comprises one of: an IP address, a phone number, a serial number, an alphanumeric string, an RFID tag.  
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said communications enabling means comprises a wireless communications system according to one of: a Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 protocol.  
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said signals generated for invoking network-based services via said second network comprise one or more of: service requests to request a catalog, generate a purchase order, and provide for payment and logistic service requests to replenish or upgrade devices in said system.  
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said service provider provides network-based services including W3C-specified web services according to an XML standard.  
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first network comprises a network of educational equipment, said end users being students of an educational system and said end user devices comprise devices for use in an educational setting.  
     
     
         18 . A method for monitoring availability of end user devices needed for performing a task comprising: 
 providing at least one device of a first network of one or more end user devices associated with an end user with capability for communicating with a service provider via a second network, said service provider providing network-based services;    maintaining information of tasks associated with an end user and recommended end user devices adapted to perform said tasks;    receiving signals by said at least one end user device that indicate said tasks and recommended end user devices information for a particular end user;    detecting non-availability or performance deficiencies of any end user device used in performing end user tasks; and,    generating signals for receipt by a service provider for invoking network-based services via said second network to facilitate correcting non-availability of any end-user device.    
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said detecting comprises: comparing a current inventory of devices associated with a particular end-user with said recommended end-user devices adapted for performing said tasks for said end-user.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said maintained information further includes recommended performance criteria associated with each device sufficient for performing end-user tasks, said method further comprising: comparing a performance configuration of an end-user device associated with a task with said recommended performance criteria, wherein said at least one end user device invoking network-based services from a service provider via said second network for correcting performance deficiencies of an associated end-user device.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said comparing further comprises: performing semantic based capability matching of said recommended performance criteria and said end-user device performance configuration.  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising enabling said service provider to communicate with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about required or unnecessary devices for task assignments to be performed.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising enabling said service provider to communicate with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about hardware or software upgrades for said devices to enable completion of said task assignments in accordance with associated task performance criteria.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said at least one user device includes an adjustable component, said method further comprising enabling said service provider to communicate with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about correct settings for a device having said adjustable component to enable completion of a task assignment.  
     
     
         25 . A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer usable program code for monitoring availability of end user devices needed for performing a task, said computer program product comprising: 
 computer readable program code for providing at least one device of a first network of one or more end user devices associated with an end user with capability for communicating with a service provider via a second network, said service provider providing network-based services;    computer readable program code for maintaining information of tasks associated with an end user and recommended end-user devices adapted to perform said tasks;    computer readable program code for receiving signals by said at least one end user device that indicate said tasks and recommended end user devices information for a particular end user;    computer readable program code for detecting non-availability or performance deficiencies of any end user device used in performing end user tasks; and,    computer readable program code for generating signals for receipt by a service provider for invoking network-based services via said second network to facilitate correcting non-availability of any end-user device.    
     
     
         26 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said computer readable program code for detecting comprises: computer readable program code for comparing a current inventory of devices associated with a particular end-user with said recommended end-user devices adapted for performing said tasks for said end-user.  
     
     
         27 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said maintained information further includes recommended performance criteria associated with each device sufficient for performing end-user tasks, said computer program product further comprising: computer readable program code for comparing a performance configuration of an end-user device associated with a task with said recommended performance criteria, wherein said at least one end user device invoking network-based services from a service provider via said second network for correcting performance deficiencies of an associated end-user device.  
     
     
         28 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said computer readable program code for comparing further comprises: computer readable program code for performing semantic based capability matching of said recommended performance criteria and said end-user device performance configuration.  
     
     
         29 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising computer readable program code for enabling said service provider to communicate with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about required or unnecessary devices for task assignments to be performed.  
     
     
         30 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising computer readable program code for enabling said service provider to communicate with said at least one user device over said second network to provide notification to an end-user about hardware or software upgrades for said devices to enable completion of said task assignments in accordance with associated task performance criteria.  
     
     
         31 . A network-based system for maintaining currency of equipment used by end users for performing tasks, said system comprising: 
 a computing service provider entity adapted to receive requests from an end user device via a network for specific task assignment details for an end user, and required equipment and related settings associated with said task, said computing service responsive to said received requests for providing said details to said end user device via said network;    monitoring means for determining in real-time whether the equipment required for a specified task is currently available and have settings sufficient to perform said task for said end user, and generating notification to an end-user if equipment is currently unavailable or not sufficient for performing said task via a user interface associated with an end user device,    wherein, via said user interface, an end user invokes a computing service via said network, said computing service adapted for enabling an end user via said user interface to replenish equipment or upgrade equipment sufficient for performing said task.    
     
     
         32 . The system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said computing service includes service requests and responses for providing a catalog provided by an equipment supplier.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said computing services includes service requests for providing and generating a purchase order for said equipment.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said computing services includes service requests for coordinating payment and equipment delivery to an end user.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a sponsor entity for contracting with said computing service provider entity for said service level agreements on behalf of groups of users, said computing service provider entities guaranteeing performance of said networked equipment according to said service level agreements.