VIRTUAL NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER

• US 20080278478A1
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dillenberger, Donna N., Osias, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,294,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system, method, program product and service for implementing a virtual network operations center. A system is disclosed that includes: a system for rendering three dimensional (3D) models in an observation space, in which the 3D models mirror actual components in an associated operations center. Also included is a system for rendering a virtual display in the observation space, wherein the virtual display provides a message board for operators viewing the observation space, a cueing system for generating cues within the 3D models; and a communications hub for providing bidirectional communications with the associated operations center.

Claims

1. A system for implementing a virtual network operations center, comprising:

a system for rendering three dimensional (3D) models in an observation space, wherein the 3D models mirror actual components in an associated operations center;

a system for rendering a virtual display in the observation space, wherein the virtual display provides a message board for operators viewing the observation space;

a cueing system for generating cues within the 3D models; and

a communications hub for providing bidirectional communications with the associated operations center.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database of 3D models.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a navigation system for allowing an operator to move about within the observation space.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigation system allows the operator to select a 3D model to view layered details of the 3D model.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an operational interface system for allowing an operator to interface with 3D models to effectuate changes in the associated operations center.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system for rendering 3D models maintains substantially similar spatial characteristics as actual components in the associated operations center.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a system for generating an observation platform within the observation space.

8. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, which when executed, implements a virtual network operations center, the program product comprising:

means for rendering three dimensional (3D) models in an observation space, wherein the 3D models mirror actual components in an associated operations center;

means for rendering a virtual display in the observation space, wherein the virtual display provides a message board for operators viewing the observation space; and

means for providing bidirectional communications with the associated operations center.

9. The program product of claim 8, further comprising a database of 3D models.

10. The program product of claim 8, further comprising means for allowing an operator to navigate the observation space.

11. The program product of claim 8, further comprising means for allowing an operator to select a 3D model to view layered details of the 3D model.

12. The program product of claim 8, further comprising means for allowing an operator to interface with 3D models to effectuate changes in the associated operations center.

13. The program product of claim 8, further comprising means for generating cues within the 3D models.

14. The program product of claim 8, further comprising means for generating an observation platform within the observation space.

15. A method for implementing a virtual network operations center, comprising:

rendering three dimensional (3D) models in an observation space, wherein the 3D models mirror actual components in an associated operations center;

rendering a virtual display in the observation space, wherein the virtual display provides a message board for operators viewing the observation space; and

providing bidirectional communications with the associated operations center.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising retrieving the 3D models from a database.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a navigation system for allowing an operator to navigate the observation space.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a navigation system for allowing an operator to select a 3D model to view layered details of the 3D model.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising interfacing with a 3D model to effectuate changes in the associated operations center.

20. A method for deploying a system for implementing a virtual network operations center, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure being operable to;

render three dimensional (3D) models in an observation space, wherein the 3D models mirror actual components in an associated operations center;

render a virtual display in the observation space, wherein the virtual display provides a message board for operators viewing the observation space; and

provide bidirectional communications with the associated operations center.