Abstract: Creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for displaying node information in wireless sensor networks. An exemplary system has logic that is configured to display a list of nodes in a wireless sensor network. The logic is further configured to display a plurality of function identifiers in response to a first user input identifying one of the nodes, and the function identifiers identify a plurality of functions and a script image of the one node. The logic is further configured to receive a second user input selecting one of the function identifiers and to transmit a remote procedure call through the wireless network to the one node in response to the second user input. The one node is configured to run the function or script image identified by the selected function identifier in response to the remote procedure call.

Abstract: A computing device receives a setting of a customizable preference for an interface element of a user interface and receives a definition for an event associated with the setting. The computing device monitors for an occurrence of the event and receives an indication of the occurrence of the event. The computing device also obtains the setting associated with the event, applies the setting to the interface element, and renders, for presentation on a display, the interface element based on the setting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for creating visual representations of farms that enables connecting farms securely. In one embodiment, a visual representation of a first farm and a visual representation of a second farm are created. A visual representation of a secure connection is created. The visual representation of the first farm is associated with a first end of the visual representation of the secure connection. The visual representation of the second farm is associated with the second end of the visual representation of the secure connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a browser supporting multiple user identifying states. A plurality of browser instances are initiated on a client. One of a plurality of user identifying states is selected for each of the plurality of browser instances. Each selected user identifying state is used in a distinct session between the browser and a server.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, on a client system, displaying a translucent overlay over a first web page displayed in a browser. A plurality of visually distinct sections of the first web page is displayed on the translucent overlay. Each section corresponds to a plurality of hypothetical browser sizes used to view the first web page. In each respective section a percentage corresponding to one of a portion of the community of users that can see or cannot see at least the respective section is displayed.

Abstract: A configuration management system (100) bundles (10) configuration items representing corresponding information technology components into composite configuration items, where each of the composite configuration items has plural associated configuration items. The configuration management system (100) presents (12) the composite configuration items for visualization, where the visualization specifies relations among the composite configuration items based on relations among the configuration items.

Abstract: Methods to match certain context of commands directed to a network technology or a network design from configuration files and a user interface to display these results. A language with the simple syntax similar to the human language is provided. The language includes rules to define the parameter and syntax for the parameter operations and also standard functions to parse commands. A script file can be conveniently written in this language to filter the desired contexts from a configuration file. In the exemplary embodiment, the system translates the script file to an executable standard Perl programming and Perl programming is run with the configuration file as the input. The result is displayed in the graphic user interface, which is designed to work with an interactive network topology map.

Abstract: A smart scheduler is provided to prepare a machine for a job, wherein the job has specific requirements, i.e., dimensions. One or more config jobs are identified to configure the machine to meet the dimensions of the job. Information concerning the machine's original configuration and groupings of config jobs that change the machine's configuration are cached in a central storage. The smart scheduler uses information in the central storage to identify a suitable machine and one or more config jobs to configure the machine to meet the dimensions of a job. The smart scheduler schedules a run for the config jobs on the machine.

Abstract: A method for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network is provided. The method includes self-discovering a physical network inventory of the video and data network. Additionally, a logical network inventory of the video and data network is self-discovered. Further, a planned network inventory of the video and data network is provided. Once the planned, logical, and physical network inventories are collected, the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory are loaded into the network element inventory. After loading, synchronization of the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory is performed. A view is then provided using the synchronized physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory when a request for the view of the network element inventory is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that personalizes preferences for a thin client using custom menus is disclosed. The method may include receiving registering capabilities from the thin client, storing feature list for all devices, generation of a custom alert settings menu based on the thin client's capabilities, storing selected alert settings, and generating a list of all registered devices that have similar alert capabilities as the thin client. The custom menu can be viewed by a user on any device that has display capabilities. The user can select from among the alert settings supported by the thin client or select the alert settings for the thin client that is similar to a registered device. Apparatus is also provided for mapping alert capabilities from the feature list and the received alert preferences from a user. Thin client mapping of mapping of alert type is also provided for processing an alert request from an external device.

Abstract: This invention is about a distributed dashboard system including related server side and communication related functionality. The key idea is loosely defined metadata for the input data coupled with the fact that metadata can be defined after the data is loaded to the system. Usually metadata gives some kind of meaning to all of the data that it covers, in the current invention only the part that is relevant for the use of the dashboard needs to be mapped. In known data import and processing applications the “import file specification” is defined before the data is introduced, but in current invention the data can be loaded before, and then the meaning given in “point and click” fashion after the data is loaded. Users can then subscribe to different kind of gauges (that make up the dashboard) in order to construct their own dashboard, this subscribing happens mostly in a web based user interface, but might also be allowed from the dashboard itself.

Abstract: A method for selectively controlling allocation of one or more computing resources for a process. The method includes providing a user option to execute a process using local or remote computing resources and then executing the process using a selected option. A more specific method includes predetermining two or more allocation options; displaying a plurality of the predetermined allocation options, wherein each option indicates a different allocation of resources between at least one resource on a local computing system and at least one resource on a remote computing system, wherein the resources; determining, by using the local computing system, a function to be performed; accepting a signal from a user-input device to select one of the plurality of options in association with performing the function; allocating the resources in accordance with the selected option; and then using the selected resource allocation to accomplish a task.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for adapting a network topology, in which the network topology comprises a plurality of points, a plurality of connections, each connection connecting a pair of points, and a zoneset comprising a plurality of zones, each zone defining a series of points that are connected. The mechanism performs operations of receiving one or more user inputs, each user input comprising a change to a zone, performing an analysis of the or each user input, to determine one or more consistent universal changes to the zoneset, presenting an output to the user comprising one or more of the determined consistent universal changes to the zoneset, receiving a selection user input selecting a presented consistent universal change to the zoneset, and changing the zoneset according to the selected consistent universal change to the zoneset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling a resource used by a virtual machine. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating information regarding utilization of a resource by a virtual machine, where the resource is used by the virtual machine to generate a media stream for communication with a remote computer, where information comprises a quality prediction for encoding the media stream and adjusting an allocation of the resource for use by the virtual machine based on the information.

Abstract: A product configurator is based on a constraint network having a plurality of nodes. The product configurator, when it receives a user choice, determines which nodes in the constraint network are affected by the user choice. For each affected node, the product configurator stores the prior domain state of the node and associates the stored prior domain state with the user choice. Therefore, the nodes can be restored to their prior state if the user choice is later removed for any reason.

Abstract: A mechanism for customizing an operating system installer via a web-based interface is disclosed. A method of the invention includes providing a web-based interface that enables an end user to customize a kickstart file to install an operating system (OS) on a computing machine of the end user, identifying a base kickstart file template selected by the end user via the web-based interface, identifying one or more customizations to the base kickstart file template that are selected by the end user via the web-based interface, modifying the base kickstart file template with the one or more customizations selected by the end user to create a modified kickstart file, and providing the modified kickstart file to the end user for use by an OS installer of the computing machine in installing an OS that includes the one or more customizations selected by the end user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for aggregating service components in a data processing system according to predefined aggregation rules. The method includes providing a plurality of visual elements, each visual element representing a corresponding service component; selecting a new visual element for addition to an aggregation structure; determining a set of eligible visual elements of eligible service components among the instantiated service components; associating a visual cue with the eligible visual elements; and aggregating the new service component to a selected eligible service component in the aggregation structure. The new service component is compatible for aggregation with each eligible service component according to the aggregation rules. The aggregation structure includes an aggregation of instantiated visual elements of instantiated service components to define an aggregated service according to the aggregation of the instantiated service components.

Abstract: A wireless device that automatically forms a connection to a remote device in accordance with a peer-to-peer protocol. The remote device may be designated as an auto-connect device for the wireless device such that, when the wireless device determines that it is in the vicinity of the auto-connect device, it can re-form a connection to the remote device based on stored information for re-establishing connections among a persistent group of devices, but without any express user input. When a user requests that the wireless device perform a function that involves interaction with an auto-connect device, that function may be performed with the delay associated with forming a connection. Any of multiple techniques may be employed for identifying devices designated as auto-connect devices and for determining when the wireless device and a remote, auto-connect devices are in close proximity.

Abstract: A method to enable defining of a profile of a service through manipulation of graphical representations of abstractions of resources in a data center is disclosed. The profile of the service is accessed. A graphical representation of an abstraction of the first resource type is presented. A graphical representation of an abstraction of a second resource type is presented. A manipulation of the graphical representation of the abstraction of the second resource type is detected with respect to the graphical representation of the abstraction of the first resource type. Based on the manipulation, a correspondence between the abstraction of the second resource type and the profile of the service is identified and a relationship between the abstraction of the second resource type and the abstraction of the first resource type is identified. The profile of the service is updated to include information identifying the correspondence and the relationship.

Abstract: An image distribution system, which is connected via a network with a client for displaying an image picked up by an image sensing unit of a server, judges a communication status of the network. In addition, in accordance with a result of the judgment, the image distribution system changes a user interface for selecting a function request command for the image sensing unit of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A system configured to organize and display configuration information associated with at least one digital printing apparatus. The system includes a processor, a communications interface operably connected to the processor and configured to establish an operable connection to at least one remotely located printing device, and a computer readable medium operably connected to the processor, the computer readable medium containing a set of instructions. The instructions are configured to instruct the processor to request configuration information from the at least one printing device, receive the configuration information from the at least one printing device, format the configuration information such that the configuration information is displayable in a window within the user interface, and display the configuration information.

Abstract: An object-oriented product configuration system generally includes a model tool for modeling a particular product line and a runtime tool for making the modeled information available to one or more external software applications. More specifically, the model tool enables a modeler to create a ProductModel object, which is an automatically populating electronic file containing all of the necessary information about a particular product line. Once the ProductModel is created, the runtime tool provides an external application with an interface for accessing and utilizing the information. Thus, a single source can deploy useful information to various types of software applications.

Abstract: One embodiment may be practiced in a computing environment and includes method acts for creating a new component model from an existing component model. The method includes accessing an existing component definition. The existing component definition is included in an existing component schema, which includes definitions of configuration parameters defined for the existing component including defining that one or more parameters are further configurable. Definitions of the one or more parameters that are defined as being further configurable are refined. The refined definitions for the one or more parameter values are stored in a refined schema defining refinements of the component definition, without including the existing component schema. The refined schema is stored separately from the existing component schema.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying a policy definition used for management in a computing system. An example of the method includes receiving the policy definition, and accessing stored information regarding at least one managed entity in the computing system. This example also includes applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. This example further includes outputting information providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. Another aspect of the invention is a method for defining a policy used for management in a computing system.

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: Methods and apparatuses to manage service user discovery and service launch object placement on a device. A method comprising: obtaining information to assist in identifying a portion of a user interface of a wireless device, the wireless device communicatively coupled to a network system over a wireless access network; determining a differentiating attribute of the identified portion of the user interface; obtaining one or more service launch objects for placement in the identified portion of the user interface; and sending configuration information to the wireless device over the wireless access network to assist the wireless device in placing the one or more service launch objects in the identified portion of the user interface.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for analyzing configuration data associated with a plurality of software applications. For example a system and method can be configured to receive configuration data about the software applications, wherein the configuration data about the software applications includes configuration items that have relationships with other configuration items. An interface display screen is provided to the user, wherein the user interface display screen is configured to display an evaluation of the retrieved configuration data.

Abstract: In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable displaying a graphical representation of system resource usage in a resource utilization map to inform users about system resource utilization by applications and processes running on a computing device. Users may provide inputs to enable the system to adjust resource allocations based on user preferences. This may enable users to improve the overall operational performance of the device consistent with their current personal preferences by identifying applications or processes of most or least interest so the device processor to prioritize system resources accordingly. Some aspects transmit resource allocation data based on such user input to a central server to enable community based resource allocation schemes. Community based resource allocation schemes may be transmitted to computing devices for use as default or preliminary resource allocations for particular applications, websites or device operating states.

Abstract: A method and user interface for informing a user of the status of a network connection are provided. Conventionally, the “connected” icon in the system tray only informs the user that the computer is linked to a network medium, such as an Ethernet or wireless access point. This icon does not indicate whether a routable IP address has been obtained. In this invention, an icon is used to inform the user that the network connection is disabled, connecting, connected (routable IP address obtained), or in a warning state. The warning state indicates that a non-routable IP address (e.g. autonet address) has been obtained, which will likely be unsatisfactory to the user. However, when connected to an 802.11 ad-hoc network, or when IP status checking is disabled, a non-routable IP address is deemed acceptable, and thus the “connected” icon is displayed.

Abstract: A PC is provided with a display control portion for displaying, in a setting dialogue box in which setting items corresponding to each function are provided in order to perform an operation setting for each function of a plurality of connected devices, illustrations of the plurality of devices, a device information storage portion for storing a mounted function for each of the devices, a detecting portion for detecting that a pointer indicates the setting item, and a device determination portion for determining the device mounted with a function corresponding to the detected setting item. The display control portion performs a display of an illustration of a function mounted device specified by the device determination portion of the plurality of devices in a different form from illustrations of other devices.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the utilization of user interface resources. Various aspects of the present invention comprise establishing a wireless communication link between a first system and a second system. The second system may be communicatively coupled to one or more user interface resources. The second system may, for example, determine whether at least a portion of a user interface resource is available for use with the first system. The second system may, for example, communicate the availability of various user interface resources for use with the first system. Various aspects may comprise requesting allocation of at least a portion of a user interface resource for use with the first system. The second system may allocate at least a portion of a requested user interface resource for use with the first system. Various aspects of the present invention also comprise system components that perform the above-mentioned operations.

Abstract: A method tags connecting components. The method comprises capturing an image of a plurality of grid sections. The image of each of the grid sections includes at least one connector disposed therein. The at least one connector has a first end in a first one of the grid sections and a second end in a second one of the grid sections. The method comprises displaying a first virtual identifier in the image of the first grid section for the first end of the connector. The method comprises displaying a second virtual identifier in the image of the second grid section for the second end of the connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating manufacturing equipment with factory automation software. In one embodiment, an equipment integrator (EI) has a user interface to facilitate user input of configuration information to provide an adaptable interface between a manufacturing tool and a manufacturing execution system (MES) that is operable over a plurality of manufacturing tools. The user configurable interface of the EI is adaptable so that tool-independent MES data collection requests may be satisfied by tool-specific data publication through the EI. In a further embodiment, data collected by the EI from a particular manufacturing tool is mapped to the MES without tool-specific interface coding. During processing, the configurable EI may fill a request from the MES for manufacturing data by collecting a data from the manufacturing tool, identifying data based on the configuration information and returning data satisfying a data keying criterion defined in the MES.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a communication interface configured to receive data representative of a virtual desktop, a user interface, and virtual desktop logic coupled with the communication interface and the user interface. The virtual desktop logic determines capabilities of the user interface and provides a virtual desktop on at least one component of the user interface based on the determined capabilities of the user interface.

Abstract: A technique for executing applets is provided. Initially, a webtop applet is loaded into, for example, a browser window. The webtop applet displays the list of applets available to a user. The user selects one or more applets from the list received by the webtop applet. The webtop applet generates a separate JInternal frame for each selected applet, and each JInternal frame executes its associated applet within a separate window. The windows assume different configurations such as being resized, repositioned, cascaded, tiled, windowed, minimized, maximized, or overlapped with one or more other windows within a fixed-size view space of the browser window. Each window is manipulated by the user separately from the other windows which are contained within the fixed sized view space.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to temporarily display information relating to an object manipulator. A graphic object is displayed in a computer graphics program. An object manipulator is then displayed on the graphic object. Cursor input where a cursor is placed over the object manipulator is received. In response to the cursor input, information relating to the object manipulator is temporarily displayed.

Abstract: A method is used in facilitating storage pool provisioning. A sequence of user interface screens is provided for configuring one or more physical devices of a data storage system for use in connection with provisioning a storage pool. By the sequence, a provisioning specification describing a RAID type and capacity is received. Best practices information describing one or more sets of data storage system best practices is received. By the sequence, a proposal is presented for performing configuration processing in connection with initialization of the data storage system to configure a first portion of the one or more physical devices for use with the storage pool. The best practices information is used in producing the proposal.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the allocation and utilization of user interface resources in a communication system. Various aspects of the present invention comprise establishing a wireless communication link between a user interface resource and a system with which the user interface resource may be used. It may be determined that at least a portion of the user interface resource may be used with the system. Various aspects of the present invention may communicate that at least a portion of the user interface resource may be used with the system. A request may be made that at least a portion of the user interface resource be allocated for use with the system. The allocation request may be received, and at least a portion of the user interface resource may be allocated for use with the system. The allocated user interface resource may be utilized with the system.

Abstract: A device may include a client. The client may be configured to send a request for a physical view about network devices that connect two end points of a network path. In addition, the client may be configured to receive information about the network devices of the network path in response to the request, the information including a complete list of physical devices in the network path in accordance with the request for the physical view. Further, the client may be configured to display the complete list of the physical devices in order the physical devices connect the two end points.

Abstract: A method for visualizing and simulating server consolidation of different virtual machines in a virtualized data center can include identifying different server computers in a virtualized data center, computing load metrics for each of the server computers, and rendering a graph of the computed load metrics for the server computers in a graphical user interface (GUI) in a host computer. The method further can include selecting a source one of the server computers and also a target one of the server computers and further selecting a virtual machine for prospective migration from the source one of the server computers to the target one of the server computers. Yet further, the method can include further computing prospective load metrics for the source and the target resulting from the prospective migration of the virtual machine to the target. Finally, the method can include displaying in the GUI respective graphs of the prospective load metrics for each of the source and the target.

Abstract: A system and method for network design are disclosed. In one embodiment of a method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, embedded network information describing at least one existing network element and a plurality of physical locations available for locating new network nodes may be received. A demand forecast for a coverage area of a proposed network may also be received. In an embodiment in which a proposed network has a core layer, a number of core layer nodes to be included in the proposed network may also be received. In an embodiment in which a proposed network has an aggregation layer, a number of aggregator layer nodes to include in the proposed network may be calculated by adding a positive integer to a lower bound number of aggregator layer nodes. Consideration may be given to these and other inputs in connection with generating a network design.

Abstract: The present invention is related to providing faster and more efficient ways to deploy and manage virtual server configurations in a hosted virtual server service. Broadly, a web interface allows a user to set conditions upon which specific types of virtual servers will be instantiated or terminated on a third-party hosted virtual server service. For example, the user may wish to instantiate a new virtual server each time the load on existing virtual servers exceeds a predetermined threshold. The web interface may also allow a user to select from among a plurality of hosted virtual server services. The web interface may further allow a user to incorporate dynamic variables into configurations of instantiated virtual servers.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for comparing and provisioning configurations for a local client having a windows-based embedded image. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the local client configured to facilitate locating a remote repository server containing a new configuration file, to facilitate obtaining the new configuration file from the remote repository server, and to facilitate obtaining a previous configuration file associated with a previous configuration change successfully applied to the embedded image. The apparatus may include a configuration comparison module of the local client configured to compare the new configuration file with the previous configuration file. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the local client configured to apply, to the embedded image, one of a new configuration change and the previous configuration change based on the comparison. The new configuration change may be based on the new configuration file.

Abstract: There is provided a field device management apparatus for acquiring and managing device information about a field device. The apparatus includes: a device information description unit having: an activation processing algorithm that activates a device information processing algorithm for acquiring the device information from the field device; and a description information that describes the device information; and a device information acquisition control unit that activates the device information processing algorithm using the activation processing algorithm so as to acquire the device information through the device information description unit.

Abstract: Described herein are various principles for assisting in the identification of a configuration of computing device and reconfiguration of the computing device. More particularly, some of the principles relate to identifying one or more software processes configured to be executed during operation of the computing device in a usage scenario. Following operation of the computing device in the usage scenario, amounts of one or more resources consumed by each of the software processes throughout the usage scenario may also be identified. In some embodiments, once the software processes and amounts of the resource(s) consumed by the software processes have been identified, the processes and the amounts can be displayed to a user and the user may then reconfigure the computing device, such as by preventing some software processes from executing during the usage scenario or by delaying an execution of some software processes.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change about at least one quality-controlling parameter, in which an input receives (a) the file size of the image before transformation, (b) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, (c) information about at least one quality-controlling parameter for application to the image during transformation, and (d) a scaling factor for application to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated on the basis of the received quality-controlling parameters information and scaling factor. The file size of the image after transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before transformation and the calculated relative size prediction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of controlling operation of a printer, apparatus and computer-readable medium. The embodiments control operation of a printer by displaying to a user a print user interface including selectable document settings and a default/saved settings control, the default/saved settings control displaying a list of at least one saved default setting and command settings, the at least one saved default setting including selected ones of the document settings, the command settings allowing the user to create additional default settings and to delete the at least one saved default setting, and controlling printing of a document to print on the printer using the saved default setting and the selected ones of the document settings.

Abstract: A single integrated software project deployment platform is provided that allows administrators to easily and effectively deploy software projects to remote computers. This allows business users with no Information Technology background or capabilities to develop and deploy sophisticated applications for execution on remote systems, such as mobile computers. Mobile workers can connect to backend enterprise systems in real-time to capture rich data types such as digital signatures, photos, speech recognition, bar code scans, etc. while in the field.