Enhanced task manager for active process management

• US 20050060663A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Shengdong, Arkeketa, Woodrow Wyatt, Chakravarty, Vijaylaxmi
• Application Number:
  US10/651,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060663A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/321 Display for diagnostics, e.g. diagnostic result display, self-test user interface

Abstract

A method and system that enhances the functionality of a Task Manager with the capability to obtain and display information about specific services associated with a particular executable as well as the capability of obtaining and displaying information about what parameters have been utilized to launch an executable. The system user is provided with a single display by which to manage active programs/processes. Additionally, the user is able to quickly determine what the active programs are being utilized for, to locate the executable, and to see associated system usage attributes.

Claims

1. In a data processing system having a processor and a memory, and executing a plurality of program applications, a method for providing service level support during task management, said method comprising:

enabling selection of a services option within a pull down menu list associated with a selected process displayed within a task manager;

displaying a list of executing services associated with said process when said services option is selected; and

opening a properties window with parameters and selectable functions associated with one of said list of services that is selected, wherein a user is provided the option to stop the selected service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping an execution of the selected service in response to a user-selection of a stop option within said properties window.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying step comprises displaying said list with display names of said services.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said displaying step comprises opening a services window that comprises said display names along with other attributes and parameters of each of said services.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said displaying step includes displaying only services associated with an identification (ID) of said selected process selected within said services window.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating a background query to identify each of said list of services that are associated with said process, wherein said query generates said display of said list of services.

7. A computer program product for utilization in a data processing system having a processor and a memory, and executing a plurality of program applications, said computer program product comprising:

a computable readable medium; and

program code on said computer readable medium for providing service level support during task management, wherein an executing service associated with a displayed process within a Task manager application may be directly identified and manipulated by a user.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, said program code comprising code for:

enabling selection of a services option within a pull down menu list associated with a selected process displayed within a task manager;

displaying a list of executing services associated with said process when said services option is selected; and

opening a properties window with parameters and selectable functions associated with one of said list of services that is selected, wherein a user is provided the option to stop the selected service.

9. The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising code for stopping an execution of the selected service in response to a user-selection of a stop option within said properties window.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein said code for displaying comprises code for displaying said list with display names of said services.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein said code for displaying comprises code for opening a services window that comprises said display names along with other attributes and parameters of each of said services.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein said code for displaying includes code for displaying only services associated with an identification (ID) of said selected process selected within said services window.

13. The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising code for initiating a background query to identify each of said list of services that are associated with said process, wherein said query generates said display of said list of services.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein code for initiating said background query includes code for:

opening and displaying a services query graphical user interface (GUI) with an entry point for receiving user-input of a process ID (PID);

returning a list of said services associated with said PID when said PID is entered into said services query GUI.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising code for opening a services window with a display of actual display names of each of said list of services.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said code for opening said services window includes code for:

providing within said services window additional parameters and attributes associated with each of said services; and

enabling an opening of a properties window with properties affiliated with a selected one of said services, wherein said properties window includes a stop option for stopping an execution of said selected service.

17. In a data processing system having a processor and a memory, and executing a plurality of program applications, a system for providing service level support during task management, said system comprising:

program means for opening and displaying a services query graphical user interface (GUI) with an entry point for receiving user-input of a process ID (PID); and

program means for returning a list of services associated with said PID when said PID is entered into said services query GUI.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising program means for initiating a background query to identify each of said list of services that are associated with said process, wherein said query generates said display of said list of services.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising program means for opening a services window with a display of actual display names of each of said list of services.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said program means for opening said services window includes program means for:

providing within said services window additional parameters and attributes associated with each of said services; and

enabling an opening of a properties window with properties affiliated with a selected one of said services, wherein said properties window includes a stop option for stopping an execution of said selected service.