Virtual Thumbnail Zone Segmentation for VM Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in quickly accessing and managing large quantities of information from computers, as existing icons fail to convey multiple pieces of information effectively and are typically user-definable or limited to single functions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs virtual thumbnails with multiple zones to represent various attributes of virtual machines, hosts, and services, allowing users to interactively manage and display information through a network communications system, where each thumbnail can have a customizable number of zones and shapes, enabling users to view and manage multiple systems and services efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional icons are used to represent system elements, then the interface is simple and easy to understand, but the icons cannot convey multiple pieces of information and are not user-definable
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual thumbnail is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, third zone, fourth zone) where each zone displays different attributes or information about the virtual machine. This segmentation allows multiple pieces of information to be conveyed within a single visual element without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional icons to multi-dimensional virtual thumbnails that can display information across multiple zones and layers. The thumbnails can expand to show additional details when interacted with, adding dimensional depth to information presentation.
2Loss of information
If detailed information is displayed to manage complex systems, then users have comprehensive visibility, but users find it difficult to quickly digest the available information
Solution Approach 1:
Information is segmented into multiple zones within the virtual thumbnail, each representing different attributes (e.g., operational status, resource usage, location). Users can quickly scan across zones to find specific information without processing a wall of text or detailed lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays only the most relevant information in each zone rather than all possible details at once. Users can access comprehensive information by interacting with specific zones, balancing immediate visibility with complete information availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If icons are designed to perform single functions, then the interface is simple and consistent, but the icons cannot convey multiple pieces of information or be user-definable
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual thumbnail serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents the virtual machine, displays multiple attributes across different zones, and can be customized by users. A single thumbnail element performs what would traditionally require multiple separate icons and information displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual thumbnail can dynamically adapt its content and structure based on user interaction and system state. Users can customize which zones are displayed and what information they contain, making the interface flexible rather than static.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus of interfacing with a computer user via virtual thumbnails are disclosed. The system determines the number of zones for each virtual thumbnail, the variable to represent in each zone, and the current state of each of those variables. The system then dynamically renders each of the virtual thumbnails accordingly. For example, if the top-left zone of a virtual thumbnail is to indicate the current operating system associated with a virtual machine, and the current operating system for that virtual machine is Microsoft Windows, then the system displays a flying window icon in the top-left zone of that virtual thumbnail. Once the virtual thumbnail are displayed, the system looks for events associated with the virtual thumbnails (e.g., a click in one of the zones) and executes instructions in response to detecting those events (e.g., show virtual thumbnails indicative of the operating system's services if the operating system zone of a virtual thumbnail is clicked).