Graphical user interface for generic listing of managed objects
First Claim
1. A generic graphical user interface for identifying a plurality of managed objects corresponding to a plurality of field installed managed entities of a communications network and for interacting therewith in a communications network management and service provisioning context brokered via a network management system, the graphical user interface comprising:
- a. a context sensitive listing pane for listing managed objects further comprising;
i. target object specification means for specifying the scope of a list of managed objects to be obtained;
ii. a list type specifier for selecting a managed object type for the managed objects in the list to be obtained;
iii. a filter pane for optionally specifying filtering criteria for refining the list of managed objects to be obtained;
iv. listing functionality invocation means for obtaining the list of managed objects; and
v. a results pane for displaying the list of managed objects obtained from one of a managed object server and a network management database; and
b. a menu bar providing access to graphical user interface functionality, the menu bar including at least one context sensitive menu having at least one list-type-selection-specific menu item providing selective access to listed managed-object-specific functionality.
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Abstract
Methods for efficiently filtering and sorting a large number of managed objects of different object types are presented. A single context-sensitive listing form is employed, the operation and display of which changes dynamically according to the selection of a target object. Whenever the user changes the selected target object, the items of a list type menu change to display the applicable list types. An action menu and/or a context-sensitive tool bar changes based on the selected target object to provide quick access selected object type specific actions. The solution allows users to paste objects into the listing form, perform complex filtering based on the object type used, provide a quick assessment of list filtering effectiveness, and invoke appropriate actions on managed object hits. Advantages of the solution include enhanced complex context-sensitive filtering and sorting capabilities, improved performance in dealing with large lists as well a reduction in window management.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A generic graphical user interface for identifying a plurality of managed objects corresponding to a plurality of field installed managed entities of a communications network and for interacting therewith in a communications network management and service provisioning context brokered via a network management system, the graphical user interface comprising:
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a. a context sensitive listing pane for listing managed objects further comprising;
i. target object specification means for specifying the scope of a list of managed objects to be obtained;
ii. a list type specifier for selecting a managed object type for the managed objects in the list to be obtained;
iii. a filter pane for optionally specifying filtering criteria for refining the list of managed objects to be obtained;
iv. listing functionality invocation means for obtaining the list of managed objects; and
v. a results pane for displaying the list of managed objects obtained from one of a managed object server and a network management database; and
b. a menu bar providing access to graphical user interface functionality, the menu bar including at least one context sensitive menu having at least one list-type-selection-specific menu item providing selective access to listed managed-object-specific functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of identifying a plurality of managed objects corresponding to a plurality of field-installed managed entities of a communications network and for interacting therewith in a communications network management and service provisioning context brokered via a network management system via a generic graphical user interface to the network management system, the method comprising:
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a. selecting a target managed object defining the scope of a list of managed objects to be obtained;
b. determining a group managed object list types corresponding to the target managed object selection;
c. selecting a managed object list type defining the type of managed objects to be listed;
d. optionally specifying filter criteria for refining the list of managed objects to be obtained;
e. displaying managed object list results obtained from one of a managed object server and a network management database; and
f. providing selective access to listed managed-object-specific functionality via at least one menu item of a context sensitive menu of the generic graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification