Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing relationships between individual components and configurations assembled to fulfill requirements in a computer system. In one embodiment, a method is provided whereby a configuration which includes a set of components is dynamically modified to add an additional component, so that the additional component can communicate with at least some of the set of components to fulfill a requirement. In one illustrative implementation in a retail store environment, a cash register configuration is dynamically modified to incorporate a handheld scanning device during periods of high customer traffic, so that a store employee can use the scanning device to provide input to the cash register while it would otherwise have sat idle (e.g., while the cashier is bagging another customer's items).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing relationships between individual components and configurations assembled to fulfill requirements in a computer system. In one embodiment, a method is provided whereby a configuration which includes a set of components is dynamically modified to add an additional component, so that the additional component can communicate with at least some of the set of components to fulfill a requirement. In one illustrative implementation in a retail store environment, a cash register configuration is dynamically modified to incorporate a handheld scanning device during periods of high customer traffic, so that a store employee can use the scanning device to provide input to the cash register while it would otherwise have sat idle (e.g., while the cashier is bagging another customer's items).

Abstract: A method of, and system for, generating an image for use in monitoring interaction between a user and a computer is provided. The method includes generating random reference data wherein the reference data comprises a plurality of characters and randomly selecting a font from one of a plurality of fonts. Each font may comprise a plurality of font images and a font image may be retrieved for each character of the reference data. Thereafter the retrieved font images may be combined. In one embodiment, each font image includes a font background and a user identifiable character defined by removal of the font background so as to define the user identifiable character. In addition or instead, each font image may include a font background including a plurality of font patterns, and a user identifiable character defined by a concentration of the patterns so as to define the user identifiable character.