Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a converged infrastructure platform in a data center is provided. The described apparatus configures the physical and virtual resources that run on the converged infrastructure to communicate with the rest of the data center. The network integration process understands the data center network already in place and extends the set up into the converged infrastructure to enable communication between the converged infrastructure and the rest of the network in the data center. The apparatus uses an infrastructure template that describes the data center and that may be pre-defined for a specific application deployed within the converged infrastructure platform.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a converged infrastructure platform in a data center is provided. The described apparatus configures the physical and virtual resources that run on the converged infrastructure to communicate with the rest of the data center. The network integration process understands the data center network already in place and extends the set up into the converged infrastructure to enable communication between the converged infrastructure and the rest of the network in the data center. The apparatus uses an infrastructure template that describes the data center and that may be pre-defined for a specific application deployed within the converged infrastructure platform.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-storage media for customizing the appearance of a desktop background are provided. The desktop is the bottom surface drawn behind the application windows, gadgets, a task bar, and other user interface elements displayed on a computing screen. Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to customize the background by dragging an image representation from a desktop control panel onto a portion of the desktop. Once dropped onto the desktop, the image associated with the representation is used to generate the desktop background. When the desktop is extended to different monitors, the portion of desktop on each monitor may be customized separately.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-storage media for customizing the appearance of a desktop background are provided. The desktop is the bottom surface drawn behind the application windows, gadgets, a task bar, and other user interface elements displayed on a computing screen. Embodiments of the present invention allow a user to customize the background by dragging an image representation from a desktop control panel onto a portion of the desktop. Once dropped onto the desktop, the image associated with the representation is used to generate the desktop background. When the desktop is extended to different monitors, the portion of desktop on each monitor may be customized separately.

Abstract: A connected account provider system allows a user of multiple electronic devices to set up a user account on one device with the device's settings saved in the cloud for application across different devices. A user can obtain secure access to the saved settings using a second (or subsequent) device and can select settings from the initial device to be synchronized to the second device. The system employs client account provider (CAP) software that can be obtained from an independent software provider and is installed on different devices of a user. The CAP client software creates an architecture on a user's device with a CAP client software layer conceptually separate from the device's operating system software. The CAP client software provides extension points for facilitating connection between connected user devices' operating systems and a cloud services layer typically provided by the CAP client software vendor.

Abstract: A user alert system is described that provides multiple dimensions of information to a user through a status icon. Initially the status icon displays a neutral state that informs the user that the user alert system is running, but there are currently no relevant alerts for the user to view. When the user alert system receives a lower priority alert, the system determines if the number of lower priority alerts received exceeds a threshold. If the number of lower priority alerts exceeds the threshold, then the user alert system modifies the status icon to display a low alert state. When the user alert system receives a higher priority alert, the system modifies the status icon to display a high alert state. Thus, the user alert system displays both the existence of alerts and the priority of the alerts to the user at the same time.