Abstract: There is provided a method for specifying an operation via a graphical interface. The method comprises the steps of examining an image to distinguish a first bordered region within the image; examining the image to distinguish a second bordered region within the image; and determining a functional attribute of the second bordered region based on a position of the second bordered region relative to the first bordered region. There is also provided a system for specifying the operation via a graphical interface.

Abstract: A method for designing a telecom network includes retrieving data corresponding to a plurality of network node locations, a plurality of subscriber locations and other relevant information such as associated street blocks and distance values. Each network node location and subscriber location combination having a distance value therebetween greater than a maximum distance is initially eliminated. Thereafter, each network node location and subscriber location combination is assigned a priority value, based on constraints such as the proximity between their associated street blocks and/or the maximum capacity of each network node location. The total sum of priority values and total number of subscriber locations are then calculated for those sets of network node locations and corresponding subscriber locations that are selected by the algorithm.