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AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.
InventorsYan Arrouye, John Comiskey, Christopher Nebel, Richard Ford, Michel Guittet, Alice Li
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for configuring a computer. One embodiment of the invention combines all of the prior art control panels related to networking into a consolidated Network Setup Control Panel. In addition, the invention provides for computer configuration by scripting. The configuration may be for a type of system setting or for network configurations and protocols. Through scripting, a computer may be configured locally or remotely on a network. One embodiment of the invention provides for a centralized database or Configuration Library consisting of collected data relating to available configuration settings. This database is not limited to configuration information and can be used as a general database containing information the user desires to store. To modify a configuration by scripting, the invention provides for a Scripting Interface consisting of a Scripting Server and Scripting Plug-In. The Scripting Server receives the script forwarded from a user or network administrator, parses the script and determines the appropriate Scripting Plug-In to forward the desired action to. The Scripting Plug-In receives the commands and executes the appropriate actions to modify the configuration as directed.
(UNCHANGED) A method for configuring a computer comprising:
(UNCHANGED) A system comprising:
(UNCHANGED) A system comprising:
(UNCHANGED) An apparatus for configuring a computer comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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Configuration by using pre-existing information, e.g. using templates or copying from other elements: based on generic templates
Program loading or initiating: configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
Dynamic linking or loading; Link editing at or after load time, e.g. Java class loading: plug-ins; Add-ons
Runtime interpretation or emulation, e g. emulator loops, bytecode interpretation: command shells
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of computer software, and, more specifically, to network protocols and configuration.
Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Apple, Macintosh, AppleTalk, AppleScript, and all Apple-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system capable of providing a suitable execution environment for an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the multiple reader protection provided by one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates the method of processing scripts provided by one embodiment of the invention.
The invention is a method and apparatus for configuring a computer. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
Embodiment of Computer Execution Environment (Hardware)
An embodiment of the invention can be implemented as computer software in the form of computer readable code executed on a general purpose computer such as computer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, or in the form of bytecode class files running on such a computer. A keyboard 110 and mouse 111 are coupled to a bi-directional system bus 118. The keyboard and mouse are for introducing user input to the computer system and communicating that user input to processor 113. Other suitable input devices may be used in addition to, or in place of, the mouse 111 and keyboard 110. I/O (input/output) unit 119 coupled to bi-directional system bus 118 represents such I/O elements as a printer, A/V (audio/video) I/O, etc.