Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-15
2001-05-29
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S960000, C345S960000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239800
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for directing a user through procedures required to install a complex software system and, more particularly, to such a method and apparatus which provides displays of graphical presentations and modifies such presentations as succeeding steps of the installation are accomplished.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
It is known that the installation of software systems on mainframe computers requires entry of many parameters and accomplishment of a large number of steps before the software is ready to run. During the installation process, an entry error or other mistake can result in substantial time being expended to debug the data that has been entered. The prior art has attempted to cope with this problem by creating an application which helps the user through the installation process.
One example of such prior art is disclosed in the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin (TDB), Volume 34, No. 11, April 1992 at page 174. There, it is noted that a local area network distribution system requires a large number of user actions to set up a work station to remotely install a local area network (LAN) requestor program. Previously, the LAN administrator would be required to create map files manually for all requestors that require remote installation. The IBM TDB article suggests that a preprocessor be used to help the LAN administrator customize the set-up for remote requestors. The preprocessing program creates a map file for each work station wherein a requestor program is to be installed. For each requestor, the LAN administrator inputs the requestor's name, domain name and drive where the program will be installed. The preprocessing program reads these input parameters and creates a map file with appropriate default values. The preprocessing program is said to reduce the chance of user error by utilizing predefined inputs and by displaying appropriate error messages.
It is further known to direct a user through the various steps that are required for installing an application program. However, such installation instructions are generally set out as a listed series of jobs to accomplish, with little information being given as to their interrelationship, the status of various tasks which comprise the overall job, or the overall relationship of the various subtasks to each other and to the job as a whole.
In fact to successfully install a complex program , it is often a necessity that the user be an expert on how to install the program, on how to adapt and/or alter parameters that are inserted during the installation procedure, etc., etc.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method for leading a user through the various steps of installing a program on a computer.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for enabling installation of a software program which enables the user to comprehend the readiness of a task to execute during the installation process.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved method for enabling a user to install a software program on a computer, which method provides the user with a visual feedback as to the state of execution of each job that is involved in the installation process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention leads a user through an application program procedure via interactions with displayed information. A method incorporating the invention first displays maps (i.e., flow charts) of tasks required to be accomplished during the application procedure. The maps include various graphical icons, each of which provides an indication of job execution status; job names that are associated with at least some of the graphical icons; and connectors between the job names which designate an execution relationship therebetween. During the application program procedure, the presentation of a graphical icon is modified to indicate a readiness of an associated job to execute. Thereafter, the user selects the associated job for execution by entering a selection signal. The graphical icon's presentation is modified to indicate completion of execution of the associated job and the presentations of one or more connectors are modified to indicate a completion of execution. A preferred application of the method of the invention is to an application program which enables installation of a complex software system such as a database, on a mainframe computer.
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Sankar L. Chakrabarti, “Synlib: The Core of CDE Tests”, Hewlett-Packard Jounal, 1996.*
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Mayhew Debra Lee
Powell Miriam Sarah
Shough David E.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Foerster, Esq. Ingrid M.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Joseph Thomas J
Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle LLP
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