Installation planning window

• US 6,735,767 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hughes, Virginia W. Jr., Bleizeffer, Terry Michael, Devine, Kathryn Willbrandt, Kilburn, Barbara Jean, Shough, David Edward, Lea, Joseph Davis III
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhen, Wei Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/339,000
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 717/174-178, 717/168-173, 709/220-222, 345/594, 345/700, 345/705, 345/747, 345/762-764, 345/781, 345/809, 345/810
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A program installation system comprises an installation planning window displayed for a user prior to the installation of a computer program. The installation planning window may be an adjunct to an installation window and may also be accessible through the program once the program is installed. A series of controls within the installation planning window are linked to installation planning functions. The installation planning functions in given examples provide information regarding product migration, system requirements, and installation program usage. Additionally, a product and tools tour may be provided, as well as a link to product update information at a manufacturer'"'"'s Internet site. In an illustrated example, the controls are implemented as graphical buttons and each button is accompanied with a brief description of the installation information accessed through the button, as well as a graphic suggesting the nature of the installation information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implementing and displaying on a display device an installation planning window for use in planning an installation of a program, the apparatus comprising:

a processor for executing instructions; and

a memory device having thereon modules of operational data and executable code for execution by the processor, the operational and executable data (executables) comprising;

a plurality of installation planning functions containing information for consideration in planning the installation of a program;

a planning window module configured to provide an installation planning window to the display device;

a controls module configured to provide within the installation planning window one or more controls; and

a controls link module operably linking the one or more controls with the plurality of installation planning functions such that the installation planning functions are selectively invokable by the one or more controls and collectively comprise a central repository of installation planning information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of controls provided by the controls module, each control of the plurality of controls linked to invoke one of the installation planning functions and having associated therewith a graphic representative of a type of installation planning information accessible within the installation planning function invokable by the control.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a user installation window module for providing to the display device a user installation window;

a user installation invoke module linking the installation planning window with the user installation window such that the installation planning window is accessible to a user when the installation window is displayed; and

a program invoke module linking the installation planning window with the program installed through the user installation window, such that the installation planning window is accessible to a user when the program is in operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise a migration help file listing therein information relevant to a transition to the program from a predecessor program.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise a system help file listing therein information relevant to adaptation of a computer system to receive the installation of the program.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise an interactive tour module adapted to provide the operator with marketing information relevant to the program.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise an installer help file listing instructions regarding proper installation of the program.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise a link to a remote site on a network, the remote site containing update information from a manufacturer of the program regarding the installation of the program.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the installation planning functions is external to a help file accompanying the program.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the installation planning functions comprise:

a migration help file listing therein information relevant to a transition to the program from a predecessor program;

a system help file listing system considerations in the installation of the program;

an interactive tour module adapted to provide the operator with marketing information relevant to the program;

an installer help file listing instructions regarding proper installation of the program; and

a link to a remote site on a network, the remote site containing update information from a manufacturer of the program regarding the installation of the program, such that the installation planning window serves as a central repository of information for consideration in planning the installation of a program.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the program comprises a plurality of installation options, and wherein the installation planning functions are configured to assist a user in planning the installation of the program, including making a selection from among the installation options during an installation.

12. A method for implementing an installation planning window and displaying the installation planning window on a display device for planning an installation of a program, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of installation planning functions containing information for consideration in planning the installation of a program;

providing an installation planning window for display on the display device;

providing one or more controls within the installation planning window; and

linking the one or more controls with the installation planning functions such that the installation planning functions are selectively invokable with the one or more controls and collectively comprise a central repository of installation planning information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing one or more controls comprises providing a plurality of controls and linking each control of the plurality of controls to one of the installation planning functions and associating with the control a graphic representative of a type of installation planning information accessible within the installation planning function invokable by the control.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a user installation window for display on the display device during installation of a main program; and

linking the user installation window and the installation planning window such that the installation planning window is accessible when the user installation window is displayed on the display device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a link to the installation planning window within the program, such that the installation planning window is accessible from the program when the program is in operation.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the installation planning functions comprise an interactive tour of marketing information related to the program.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a plurality of installation planning functions comprises:

providing a migration help file listing therein information relevant to a transition to the program from a predecessor program;

providing a system help file listing system considerations in the installation of the program;

providing an interactive tour module adapted to provide the operator with marketing information relevant to the program;

providing an installer help file listing instructions regarding proper installation of the program; and

providing a link to a remote site on a network, the remote site containing update information from a manufacturer of the program regarding the installation of the program, such that the installation planning window serves as a central repository of information for consideration in planning the installation of a program.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising linking the one or more controls with one or more installation planning functions, the one or more installation planning functions external to a main program help file.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a plurality of installation planning functions further comprises providing an installation planning function containing information regarding marketing and providing an installation planning function containing instructions for installing the program, such that the installation planning window serves as a central repository of information for consideration in planning the installation of the program.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the program comprises a plurality of installation options, and further comprising configuring the installation planning functions are configured to assist a user in planning the installation of the program, including assisting the user in making a selection from among the installation options during an installation.

21. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a processor and embodying one or more instructions executable by the processor to perform a method for implementing an installation planning window, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of installation planning functions containing information for consideration in planning the installation of a program;

providing an installation planning window for display on the display device;

providing one or more controls within the installation planning window; and

linking the one or more controls with the installation planning functions such that the installation planning functions are selectively invokable with the one or more controls and collectively comprise a central repository of installation planning information.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 21, wherein the one or more controls comprises a plurality of controls, each control featuring a graphical illustration of a type of installation planning information accessible within an installation planning function invokable by the control.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a user installation window for display on the display device during installation of a main program; and

linking the user installation window and the installation planning window such that the installation planning window is accessible when the user installation window is displayed on the display device.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the method further comprises linking the installation planning window with the program, such that the installation planning window is accessible from the program when the program is in operation.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein the installation planning functions comprise an interactive tour of marketing information related to the program.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 25, wherein providing a plurality of installation planning functions comprises providing:

a migration help file listing therein information relevant to a transition to the program from a predecessor program;

a system help file listing system considerations in the installation of the program;

an interactive tour module adapted to provide the operator with marketing information relevant to the program;

an installer help file listing instructions regarding proper installation of the program; and

a link to a remote site on a network, the remote site containing update information from a manufacturer of the program regarding the installation of the program, such that the installation planning window serves as a central repository of information for consideration in planning the installation of a program.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises linking the one or more controls with the installation planning functions external to a main program help file.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises linking the one or more controls with installation planning functions containing information regarding marketing and installation information, such that the installation planning window serves as a central repository of information for consideration in planning the installation of a program.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 21, wherein the program comprises a plurality of installation options, and wherein the method further comprises configuring the installation planning functions are to assist a user in planning the installation of the program, including assisting the user in making a selection from among the installation options during an installation.