METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZED EXECUTION USING RESOURCE UTILIZATION MAPS

• US 20120260179A1
• Filed: 04/08/2011
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Cascaval, Gheorghe C., Rychlik, Bohuslav, RESHADI, Mehrdad Mohammad H., Salamat, Babak, Fowler, Seth, Ermolinskiy, Andrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,804,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/735
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5061 Partitioning or combining of resources

Abstract

Systems and methods enable displaying a graphical representation of system resource usage in a resource utilization map to inform users about system resource utilization by applications and processes running on a computing device. Users may provide inputs to enable the system to adjust resource allocations based on user preferences. This may enable users to improve the overall operational performance of the device consistent with their current personal preferences by identifying applications or processes of most or least interest so the device processor to prioritize system resources accordingly. Some aspects transmit resource allocation data based on such user input to a central server to enable community based resource allocation schemes. Community based resource allocation schemes may be transmitted to computing devices for use as default or preliminary resource allocations for particular applications, websites or device operating states.

Claims

1. A user interface method executed on a computing device, comprising:

translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map including a visual indicator illustrating usage of a resource by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application; and

displaying the resource utilization map so that the visual indicator is aligned with a corresponding display element.

2. The user interface method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the resource utilization information.

3. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a heat map resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise generating a color overlay display indicating relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to display elements in terms of color.

4. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a bar graph resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise bar graphs presented in conjunction with display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of height of bars in the bar graph.

5. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise shadows applied to display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a size of shadows.

6. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise an elevation display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a relative elevation with respect to other display elements.

7. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map in which the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise indicators positioned on a periphery of the computing device display.

8. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization by applications stored on the computing device wherein the visual indicators indicate resource usage when the application is run on the processor.

9. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map indicating resource utilization by background processes not associated with a display element wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise a display of indicators identifying both the background process and a relative resource utilization by the background process.

10. The user interface method of claim 1, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a plurality of resource utilization maps each corresponding to one of a plurality of system resources and each including a visual indicator illustrating usage of the one of the plurality of system resources by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application.

11. The user interface method of claim 10, wherein translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding utilization of first and second resources into a bubble resource utilization map comprising a bubble image wherein the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is a diameter of the bubble and the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is one of a color or an intensity of the bubble.

12. The user interface method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input in response to the displayed resource utilization map; and

allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

13. The user interface method of claim 12, wherein allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises directly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

14. The user interface method of claim 12, wherein allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises indirectly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input using operating system mechanisms.

15. The user interface method of claim 12, wherein allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises adjusting one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission.

16. The user interface method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting from the computing device one or both of user preferences and resource allocation data to a central server, wherein the user preferences and resource allocation data are derived from the received user input;

receiving on the central server one or both of user preferences and resource allocation data from a plurality of computing devices;

generating a resource allocation scheme based on the one or both of user preferences and received resource allocation data; and

transmitting the resource allocation scheme.

17. The user interface method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting from the computing device to a central server the user input received in response to the displayed resource utilization map;

generating a resource allocation scheme based on the user inputs received by the server; and

transmitting the resource allocation scheme.

18. The user interface method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving in the computing device the transmitted resource allocation scheme; and

using the received resource allocation scheme to initially allocate system resources to one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application running on the computing device.

19. A resource optimization method executed on a central server comprising:

receiving from a plurality of computing devices resource allocation data based on user inputs in response to a displayed graphical representation including one or more visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a corresponding display element;

generating a community resource allocation scheme based on the received resource allocation data; and

transmitting the community resource allocation scheme.

20. The resource optimization method of claim 19, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user preferences.

21. The resource optimization method of claim 19, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user inputs received by each of the plurality of computing devices in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

22. The resource optimization method of claim 19, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission set in each computing devices equipped to receive user inputs in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

23. A computing device, comprising:

a display; and

a processor coupled to the display and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map including a visual indicator illustrating usage of a resource by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application; and

displaying the resource utilization map so that the visual indicator is aligned with a corresponding display element.

24. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising obtaining the resource utilization information.

25. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a heat map resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise generating a color overlay display indicating relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to display elements in terms of color.

26. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a bar graph resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise bar graphs presented in conjunction with display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of height of bars in the bar graph.

27. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise shadows applied to display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a size of shadows.

28. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise an elevation display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a relative elevation with respect to other display elements.

29. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map in which the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise indicators positioned on a periphery of the computing device display.

30. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization by applications stored on the computing device wherein the visual indicators indicate resource usage when the application is run on the processor.

31. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map indicating resource utilization by background processes not associated with a display element wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise a display of indicators identifying both the background process and a relative resource utilization by the background process.

32. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a plurality of resource utilization maps each corresponding to one of a plurality of system resources and each including a visual indicator illustrating usage of the one of the plurality of system resources by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application.

33. The computing device of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding utilization of first and second resources into a bubble resource utilization map comprising a bubble image wherein the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is a diameter of the bubble and the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is one of a color or an intensity of the bubble.

34. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a user input in response to the displayed resource utilization map; and

allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

35. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises directly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

36. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises indirectly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input using operating system mechanisms.

37. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises adjusting one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission.

38. The computing device of claim 34, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting via the transceiver to a central server one or both of user preferences and resource allocation data, wherein the user preferences and resource allocation data are derived from the received user input.

39. The computing device of claim 34, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting via the transceiver to a central server the user input received in response to the displayed resource utilization map.

40. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, via the transceiver, a resource allocation scheme transmitted from the central server; and

using the received resource allocation scheme to initially allocate system resources to one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application running on the computing device.

41. A computing device, comprising:

means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map including a visual indicator illustrating usage of a resource by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application; and

means for displaying the resource utilization map so that the visual indicator is aligned with a corresponding display element.

42. The computing device of claim 41, further comprising means for obtaining the resource utilization information.

43. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into a heat map resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise generating a color overlay display indicating relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to display elements in terms of color.

44. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into a bar graph resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise bar graphs presented in conjunction with display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of height of bars in the bar graph.

45. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise shadows applied to display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a size of shadows.

46. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise an elevation display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a relative elevation with respect to other display elements.

47. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map in which the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise indicators positioned on a periphery of the computing device display.

48. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization by applications stored on the computing device wherein the visual indicators indicate resource usage when the application is run on the processor.

49. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map indicating resource utilization by background processes not associated with a display element wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise a display of indicators identifying both the background process and a relative resource utilization by the background process.

50. The computing device of claim 41, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a plurality of resource utilization maps each corresponding to one of a plurality of system resources and each including a visual indicator illustrating usage of the one of the plurality of system resources by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application.

51. The computing device of claim 50, wherein means for translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises means for translating information regarding utilization of first and second resources into a bubble resource utilization map comprising a bubble image wherein the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is a diameter of the bubble and the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is one of a color or an intensity of the bubble.

52. The computing device of claim 41, further comprising:

means for receiving a user input in response to the displayed resource utilization map; and

means for allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

53. The computing device of claim 52, wherein means for allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises means for directly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

54. The computing device of claim 52, wherein means for allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises means for indirectly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input using operating system mechanisms.

55. The computing device of claim 52, wherein means for allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises means for adjusting one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission.

56. The computing device of claim 52, further comprising means for transmitting to a central server one or both of user preferences and resource allocation data, wherein the user preferences and resource allocation data are derived from the received user input.

57. The computing device of claim 52, further comprising means for transmitting via the transceiver to a central server the user input received in response to the displayed resource utilization map.

58. The computing device of claim 52, further comprising:

means for receiving a resource allocation scheme transmitted from the central server; and

means for using the received resource allocation scheme to initially allocate system resources to one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application running on the computing device.

59. A non-transitory computing readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations comprising:

translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map including a visual indicator illustrating usage of a resource by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application; and

displaying the resource utilization map so that the visual indicator is aligned with a corresponding display element.

60. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations further comprising obtaining the resource utilization information.

61. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a heat map resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise generating a color overlay display indicating relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to display elements in terms of color.

62. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a bar graph resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise bar graphs presented in conjunction with display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of height of bars in the bar graph.

63. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise shadows applied to display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a size of shadows.

64. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into an elevation resource utilization map wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise an elevation display elements that indicate relative resource utilization of processes corresponding to the display elements in terms of a relative elevation with respect to other display elements.

65. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map in which the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise indicators positioned on a periphery of the computing device display.

66. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization by applications stored on the computing device wherein the visual indicators indicate resource usage when the application is run on the processor.

67. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization into a resource utilization map indicating resource utilization by background processes not associated with a display element wherein the visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a process or application comprise a display of indicators identifying both the background process and a relative resource utilization by the background process.

68. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a plurality of resource utilization maps each corresponding to one of a plurality of system resources and each including a visual indicator illustrating usage of the one of the plurality of system resources by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application.

69. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that translating information regarding resource utilization of the computing device by the one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application into a resource utilization map comprises translating information regarding utilization of first and second resources into a bubble resource utilization map comprising a bubble image wherein the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is a diameter of the bubble and the visual indicator illustrating usage of the first resource is one of a color or an intensity of the bubble.

70. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 59, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a user input in response to the displayed resource utilization map; and

allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

71. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises directly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input.

72. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises indirectly allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input using operating system mechanisms.

73. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations such that allocating resources of the computing device based on the received user input comprises adjusting one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission.

74. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting via a transceiver to a central server one or both of user preferences and resource allocation data, wherein the user preferences and resource allocation data are derived from the received user input.

75. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting via a transceiver to a central server the user input received in response to the displayed resource utilization map.

76. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor of a computing device to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, via a transceiver, a resource allocation scheme transmitted from a central server; and

using the received resource allocation scheme to initially allocate system resources to one or more of a function, a process, an application, a component of a process, and a component of a application running on the computing device.

77. A server, comprising:

a network connection configured to receive transmissions from and send transmissions to a plurality of computing devices; and

a server processor configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving from the plurality of computing devices resource allocation data based on user inputs in response to a displayed graphical representation including one or more visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a corresponding display element;

generating a community resource allocation scheme based on the received resource allocation data; and

transmitting the community resource allocation scheme via the network connection.

78. The server of claim 77, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user preferences.

79. The server of claim 77, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user inputs received by each of the plurality of computing devices in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

80. The server of claim 77, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission set in each computing devices equipped to receive user inputs in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

81. A server, comprising:

means for receiving transmissions from and send transmissions to a plurality of computing devices;

means for receiving from the plurality of computing devices resource allocation data based on user inputs in response to a displayed graphical representation including one or more visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a corresponding display element;

means for generating a community resource allocation scheme based on the received resource allocation data; and

means for transmitting the community resource allocation scheme via the network connection.

82. The server of claim 81, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user preferences.

83. The server of claim 81, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user inputs received by each of the plurality of computing devices in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

84. The server of claim 81, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission set in each computing devices equipped to receive user inputs in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

85. A non-transitory computing readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a server to perform operations comprising:

receiving from a plurality of computing devices resource allocation data based on user inputs in response to a displayed graphical representation including one or more visual indicators illustrating usage of a resource by a corresponding display element;

generating a community resource allocation scheme based on the received resource allocation data; and

transmitting the community resource allocation scheme.

86. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 85, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user preferences.

87. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 85, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises user inputs received by each of the plurality of computing devices in response to a displayed resource utilization map.

88. The non-transitory computing readable storage medium of claim 85, wherein the received resource allocation data comprises one or both of a priority setting and a resource permission set in each computing devices equipped to receive user inputs in response to a displayed resource utilization map.