Method and apparatus for configuring information for multiple network access providers

• US 8,260,901 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2010
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Goldstein, David
• Primary Examiner(s): JACOBS, LASHONDA T
• Application Number:
  US12/684,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20100180017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5067 Customer-centric QoS measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

A computer program product that provides a graphical user interface for configuring communication information for multiple network service providers on a computer system. The program product is operable to display a network communication scene that includes edit windows and selectable options for a user to view, enter, remove, and modify configuration information for at least one network service provider, and allows the user to enter information for establishing communication with the same network service provider using at least two different communication mediums, and from several different geographical locations.

Claims

1. A computer system having telephonic functionality for communicating with at least one network service provider, the computer system comprising:

a display;

a processor;

a memory having a set of program instructions stored therein and executable by the processor, the program instructions for configuring at least one network service provider, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to;

display a network communication scene interface that provides edit windows and selectable options for a user to view, enter, remove, and modify configuration information for the at least one network service provider;

detect receipt for at least two options for establishing communication with the at least one network service provider; and

store the configuration information in the memory.

2. The computer system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further operable to display network services configured for the at least one network service provider in the network communication scene interface.

3. The computer system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display objects representing services available from the at least one network service provider and to display the network communication scene interface with services selected by the user.

4. The computer system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display connections configured for the at least one network service provider in the network communication scene interface.

5. The computer system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display objects representing communication connection types available to establish communication with the at least one network service provider and to display the network communication scene interface with connection types selected by the user.

6. The computer system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display options for establishing a communication connection with the at least one network service provider, the options being associated with one of the connection types.

7. The computer system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display locations configured for the at least one network service provider in the network communication scene interface.

8. The computer system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the program instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to display location edit windows and selectable options for viewing, entering, and editing connection information for a location.

9. The computer system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the memory further stores an application programming interface and a second set of program instructions that are executable by the processor, and wherein the second set of program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to interface with the program instructions for configuring the at least one network service provider using the application programming interface.

10. The computer system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second set of program instructions able read and write access to the configuration information.

11. The computer system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second set of program instructions present a customized user interface for viewing, entering, and editing the configuration information.

12. A method for configuring information for a network service provider, comprising:

using one or more processors to perform steps comprising;

generating a network communication scene interface for displaying on a display device, the network communication scene interface providing edit windows and selectable options for a user to view, enter, remove, and modify configuration information for the network service provider, wherein the user is enabled to enter at least two different means for establishing communication with the network service provider via a user input device; and

storing the configuration information in a data storage device.

13. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the steps further comprise:

displaying services configured for the network service provider in the network communication scene interface.

14. The method, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the network communication scene interface includes an add service button, the steps further comprise:

displaying a choose service window, the choose service window including objects representing services available from the network service provider; and

displaying the network communication scene interface with the added service.

15. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network communication scene interface includes a rename button.

16. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network communication scene interface includes a remove button.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network communication scene interface includes a look up button.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the steps further comprise:

displaying connections configured for the network service provider in the network communication scene interface.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the steps further comprise:

displaying a choose connection type window, the choose connection type window including objects representing communication connections available to establish communication with the network service provider;

receiving a user selection of a connection type from the choose connection type window via the user input device; and

displaying the network communication scene interface with the selected connection type.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the steps further comprise:

displaying a choose connection window, the choose connection window including options for establishing a communication connection with the network service provider, the options being associated with the connection type.