Abstract: System and method for configuring a client system, e.g., a measurement system. First input is received from a client system over a network requesting access to a plurality of configuration diagrams comprising respective solutions to respective tasks. At least a subset of the plurality of configuration diagrams is displayed on a display device of the client system for viewing by a user. Second input is received from the client system selecting one of the displayed configuration diagrams indicating a solution for a task to be performed by the client system. The solution is provided to the client system over the network, and may include the selected configuration diagram and/or pricing information for proposed products. The configuration diagrams are stored in a configuration diagram database. The stored configuration diagrams may be pre-defined solutions for pre-defined tasks, generated in response to received user requirements, and/or received from client systems and/or vendors.

Abstract: System and method for generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task. A server computer communicates with a client system, e.g., a measurement system, including a client computer system, over a network. The server receives requirements, e.g., a task specification, for a task, e.g., a measurement task, where the requirements are provided in response to user input. A plurality of products operable to perform the task are determined in response to the requirements, e.g., by programmatically analyzing the requirements. A diagram is displayed on the client computer system iconically representing the plurality of products, including icons representing at least a subset of the products to the user as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system. Pricing information for the proposed products may be displayed. User input indicating purchase of at least one of the products is received and the purchased products provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a connectable element of a hardware device in a measurement system. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include a first icon representing a hardware device component of the measurement system. The hardware device may include one or more connectable elements. A graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements of the hardware device may be displayed in response to user input. For example, the user may hover a pointer, e.g., a mouse cursor, over the first icon or may hover the pointer in a vicinity of the first icon to cause the graphical indication to be displayed. A first connectable element of the hardware device may be selected in response to user input received to the displayed graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements. For example, the first connectable element may be selected in order to connect the first connectable element to another component in the measurement system.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for configuring a client system, e.g., a measurement system. First input is received from a client system over a network requesting access to a plurality of configuration diagrams comprising respective solutions to respective tasks. At least a subset of the plurality of configuration diagrams is displayed on a display device of the client system for viewing by a user. Second input is received from the client system selecting one of the displayed configuration diagrams indicating a solution for a task to be performed by the client system. The solution is provided to the client system over the network, and may include the selected configuration diagram and/or pricing information for proposed products. The configuration diagrams are stored in a configuration diagram database. The stored configuration diagrams may be pre-defined solutions for pre-defined tasks, generated in response to received user requirements, and/or received from client systems and/or vendors.

Abstract: System and method for generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task. A server computer communicates with a client system, e.g., a measurement system, including a client computer system, over a network. The server receives requirements, e.g., a task specification, for a task, e.g., a measurement task, where the requirements are provided in response to user input. A plurality of products operable to perform the task are determined in response to the requirements, e.g., by programmatically analyzing the requirements. A diagram is displayed on the client computer system iconically representing the plurality of products, including icons representing at least a subset of the products to the user as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system. Pricing information for the proposed products may be displayed. User input indicating purchase of at least one of the products is received and the purchased products provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for configuring a client system, e.g., a measurement system. First input is received from a client system over a network requesting access to a plurality of configuration diagrams comprising respective solutions to respective tasks. At least a subset of the plurality of configuration diagrams is displayed on a display device of the client system for viewing by a user. Second input is received from the client system selecting one of the displayed configuration diagrams indicating a solution for a task to be performed by the client system. The solution is provided to the client system over the network, and may include the selected configuration diagram and/or pricing information for proposed products. The configuration diagrams are stored in a configuration diagram database. The stored configuration diagrams may be pre-defined solutions for pre-defined tasks, generated in response to received user requirements, and/or received from client systems and/or vendors.

Abstract: System and method for generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task. A server computer communicates with a client system, e.g., a measurement system, including a client computer system, over a network. The server receives requirements, e.g., a task specification, for a task, e.g., a measurement task, where the requirements are provided in response to user input. A plurality of products operable to perform the task are determined in response to the requirements, e.g., by programmatically analyzing the requirements. A diagram is displayed on the client computer system iconically representing the plurality of products, including icons representing at least a subset of the products to the user as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system. Pricing information for the proposed products may be displayed. User input indicating purchase of at least one of the products is received and the purchased products provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for visually indicating deployment of programs in a system. A client system includes a plurality of devices coupled together, where at least one of the devices includes one or more programs, e.g., graphical, text-based, and/or hardware configuration programs. A configuration diagram is displayed which visually represents the client system. The diagram includes device icons representing the devices, including a first device icon corresponding to a first device. A first program is deployed onto the first device. The configuration diagram is programmatically animated to visually indicate the deployment, e.g., a first program icon corresponding to the first program, or one or more other icons, may be propagated from a first location on the display, e.g., from a second device icon representing a second device initially storing the program, to the first device icon, possibly along link icons indicating coupling between the devices. The deployment may be performed programmatically.

Abstract: System and method for installing software using component dependency analysis. A list indicating an initial set of sub-installers is received, each sub-installer including respective software components and installation software for deploying the components onto a target system. The initial set of sub-installers includes one or more user-files sub-installers and one or more supporting sub-installers. The initial set of sub-installers is programmatically analyzed (e.g., re dependencies) to determine additional sub-installers. An application system dependency file is generated based on the analysis, and an application system installer generated based on the sub-installers and the application system dependency file.

Abstract: System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.

Abstract: System and method for creating an application system installer. A root deployable for an application system is received, and programmatically analyzed to determine a root deployer. The root deployer is programmatically analyzed to determine zero or more deployables, and one or more files-to-install. For each respective deployable, a respective deployer is programmatically determined that analyzes the respective deployable to determine any further deployables and files-to-install. This process is repeated for each of the further deployables until all deployables for the respective deployable have been determined and analyzed, and all files-to-install have been determined. The application system installer is then generated using the determined files-to-install, where the installer is operable to programmatically deploy the application system onto a target system to perform the function.

Abstract: System and method for representing an unspecified portion of a measurement system or visually indicating an action required of a user in designing the measurement system. Designing a measurement system may be a gradual process where the user progressively specifies more information regarding components in the system. At any point in the design process, it may be desirable to visually indicate to the user that one or more portions of the system are not yet specified or that the user needs to perform one or more actions. A diagram of the system is displayed, including one or more component icons visually indicating components of the system, and a special icon visually indicating that information regarding a portion of the system has not yet been specified. User input specifying information regarding the portion of the system may be received, and in response, the special icon may be removed from the diagram.

Abstract: System and method for installing software using component dependency analysis. A list indicating an initial set of sub-installers is received, each sub-installer including respective software components and installation software for deploying the components onto a target system. The initial set of sub-installers includes one or more user-files sub-installers and one or more supporting sub-installers. The initial set of sub-installers is programmatically analyzed (e.g., re dependencies) to determine additional sub-installers. An application system dependency file is generated based on the analysis, and an application system installer generated based on the sub-installers and the application system dependency file.

Abstract: System and method for creating an application system installer. A root deployable for an application system is received, and programmatically analyzed to determine a root deployer. The root deployer is programmatically analyzed to determine zero or more deployables, and one or more files-to-install. For each respective deployable, a respective deployer is programmatically determined that analyzes the respective deployable to determine any further deployables and files-to-install. This process is repeated for each of the further deployables until all deployables for the respective deployable have been determined and analyzed, and all files-to-install have been determined. The application system installer is then generated using the determined files-to-install, where the installer is operable to programmatically deploy the application system onto a target system to perform the function.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a connectable element of a hardware device in a measurement system. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include a first icon representing a hardware device component of the measurement system. The hardware device may include one or more connectable elements. A graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements of the hardware device may be displayed in response to user input. For example, the user may hover a pointer, e.g., a mouse cursor, over the first icon or may hover the pointer in a vicinity of the first icon to cause the graphical indication to be displayed. A first connectable element of the hardware device may be selected in response to user input received to the displayed graphical indication of the one or more connectable elements. For example, the first connectable element may be selected in order to connect the first connectable element to another component in the measurement system.

Abstract: A system and method for representing an unspecified portion of a measurement system or visually indicating an action required of a user in designing the measurement system. Designing a measurement system may be a gradual process where the user progressively specifies more information regarding components in the measurement system. At any given point in the design process, it may be desirable to visually indicate to the user that one or more portions of the measurement system are not yet specified or that the user needs to perform one or more actions. A diagram of the measurement system may be displayed. The diagram may include one or more component icons visually indicating components of the measurement system. The diagram may also include a special icon visually indicating that information regarding a portion of the measurement system has not yet been specified. User input specifying information regarding the portion of the measurement system may be received.