Abstract:
A method and apparatus for selecting a desktop from a plurality of desktops for use upon turning on a computer system are provided. When the computer system is turned on, it is first determined whether there is more than one desktop available in the computer system. If so, the computer system determines whether a network address is associated with some or all of the available desktops by comparing its network address with the network addresses that are associated with the available desktops. If the computer system finds a network address that is the same as its own network address, the computer system then uses the desktop associated with the stored network address.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/998,401 filed on Nov. 15, 2001, now abandoned entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING ELECTRONIC DESKTOPS BASED ON A SCHEDULER OR NETWORK CONNECTION. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention is directed to electronic desktops. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of selecting an active electronic desktop based on a scheduler or network connection. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   At present, the most commonly used user interface paradigm for computing devices is the windows-icons-desktop-folders metaphor prevalent on computer systems such as the Macintosh or other computer systems running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Under this paradigm, the screen of a computer system simulates an office desktop that contains various objects. The objects are represented as graphical “icons” that can be opened as “windows” on the screen. A user can create an unlimited number of overlapping windows, and the size of the windows can be adjusted dynamically. The user can also hierarchically create and manipulate “folders” that reflect how the information is organized on the computer system&#39;s storage devices. 
   Most users equate a desktop to the screen that is first displayed when a computer system is turned on. Note that here “screen” is used to include items such as icons, background image, screen saver image that are displayed as well as video mode settings etc. used to display the items. Depending on the circumstance and environment (e.g., work) in which the computer system (e.g., a laptop) is being used, some icons, background image, screen saver image etc. may not be appropriate for display. In this case, the user has to delete the offending items from the desktop or replace them with others. However, in some other environments (e.g., away from work) the user may want these items displayed. Presently, a user can only have one desktop be automatically displayed whenever a computer system is turned on. 
   Thus, what is needed is an apparatus and method that automatically display a particular desktop based on the environment in which the computer system is being used. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method and apparatus for selecting a desktop from a plurality of desktops for use upon turning on a computer system. In an embodiment of the invention, it is first determined whether there is more than one desktop available in the computer system. If so, it is next determined whether any one of the desktops is associated with a scheduler. If so, the time specified in the scheduler is consulted. If the present time falls within the time in the scheduler, the desktop associated with the scheduler is used. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a network address is associated with some or all of the available desktops. Upon turning the computer system on, the computer compares its network address with a network address associated with each of the desktops. If the computer system finds a network address that is the same as its network address, the computer system then uses the desktop associated the stored network address. 
   In yet another embodiment, a desktop may downloaded from the Internet for use. For instance, when a user accesses the Internet through an ISP, the ISP may download the desktop to be used. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a distributed data processing system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of a server apparatus according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary block diagram of a client apparatus according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a display of a GUI used to access a desktop. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a display of a GUI used to create items on a desktop. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a display of a GUI used to create items on a desktop used by the invention. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a display of GUI for accessing a desktop used by the invention. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a flow diagram of a first process used by the invention. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram of a second process used by the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system  100  is a network of computers in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system  100  contains a network  102 , which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data processing system  100 . Network  102  may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. 
   In the depicted example, server  104  is connected to network  102  along with storage unit  106 . In addition, clients  108 ,  110 , and  112  are connected to network  102 . These clients  108 ,  110 , and  112  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. In the depicted example, server  104  provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients  108 ,  110  and  112 . Clients  108 ,  110  and  112  are clients to server  104 . Network data processing system  100  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, network data processing system  100  is the Internet with network  102  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system  100  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  FIG. 1  is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of a data processing system that may be implemented as a server, such as server  104  in  FIG. 1 , is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Data processing system  200  may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors  202  and  204  connected to system bus  206 . Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Also connected to system bus  206  is memory controller/cache  208 , which provides an interface to local memory  209 . I/O bus bridge  210  is connected to system bus  206  and provides an interface to I/O bus  212 . Memory controller/cache  208  and I/O bus bridge  210  may be integrated as depicted. 
   Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge  214  connected to I/O bus  212  provides an interface to PCI local bus  216 . A number of modems may be connected to PCI local bus  216 . Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to network computers  108 ,  110  and  112  in  FIG. 1  may be provided through modem  218  and network adapter  220  connected to PCI local bus  216  through add-in boards. 
   Additional PCI bus bridges  222  and  224  provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses  226  and  228 , from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, data processing system  200  allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter  230  and hard disk  232  may also be connected to I/O bus  212  as depicted, either directly or indirectly. 
   Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in  FIG. 2  may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, also may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. 
   The data processing system depicted in  FIG. 2  may be, for example, an IBM e-Server pSeries system, a product of International Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system or LINUX operating system. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram illustrating a data processing system is depicted in which the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system  300  is an example of a client computer. Data processing system  300  employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used. Processor  302  and main memory  304  are connected to PCI local bus  306  through PCI bridge  308 . PCI bridge  308  also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor  302 . Additional connections to PCI local bus  306  may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter  310 , SCSI host bus adapter  312 , and expansion bus interface  314  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter  316 , graphics adapter  318 , and audio/video adapter  319  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface  314  provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter  320 , modem  322 , and additional memory  324 . Small computer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter  312  provides a connection for hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , and CD-ROM drive  330 . Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. 
   An operating system runs on processor  302  and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system  300  in  FIG. 3 . The operating system may be a commercially available operating system, such as Windows 2000, which is available from Microsoft Corporation. An object oriented programming system such as Java may run in conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system  300 . “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operating system, and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive  326 , and may be loaded into main memory  304  for execution by processor  302 . 
   Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in  FIG. 3  may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in  FIG. 3 . Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system. 
   As another example, data processing system  300  may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interface, whether or not data processing system  300  comprises some type of network communication interface. As a further example, data processing system  300  may be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. 
   The depicted example in  FIG. 3  and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system  300  may also be a notebook computer or hand held computer in addition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing system  300  also may be a kiosk or a Web appliance. 
   The present invention provides an apparatus and method of displaying a particular desktop based on a network connection or a scheduler. The invention may be local to client systems  108 ,  110  and  112  of  FIG. 1  or to the server  104  or to both the server  104  and clients  108 ,  110  and  112 . Consequently, the present invention may reside on any data storage medium (i.e., floppy disk, compact disk, hard disk, ROM, RAM, etc.) used by a computer system. 
   As mentioned earlier, in some environments certain images or items (i.e., icons, background and screen saver etc.) may not be suitable for display on a desktop. Nonetheless, a user may not want to permanently delete these items from the desktop. The invention uses a plurality of desktops from which one may be chosen based on the environment in which the computer system is being used. 
   Two methods of determining when a particular desktop is to be used are going to be described. However, the invention is not restricted to only these two methods. Any other method that may be used to select one of a plurality of desktops to display is well within the scope and spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the invention will be used using the Windows operating system. But, although the Windows operating system is used to describe the invention, the invention is not restricted to this operating system. Any other operating system may be used with the invention so long as one of a plurality of desktops may be chosen based on an environment in which the computer system is being used. 
   To access and make changes to the desktop, a user needs to depress the right button of a mouse while the desktop is displayed. When this is done,  FIG. 4  is displayed. New item  400  allows a user to create a new folder, create a shortcut (i.e., linking an icon to the program the icon represents) and adding new icons to the desktop.  FIG. 5  depicts a menu that is displayed when the mouse is on new item  400 . In  FIG. 5 , when a user clicks on folder  500 , a new folder is created on the desktop. Likewise, if a user clicks on shortcut  510 , the user can point to the location where the item is located such that an icon may be linked to the item. 
   The invention adds one more item (a desktop item) to  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 6 , desktop item  620  is displayed. To create alternate desktops, a user may click on desktop item  620 . When done, a window may pop up requesting that the user enter when the desktop is to be displayed. The user may enter “anytime except between Monday to Friday, from eight (8) in the morning to five (5) in the afternoon” when possibly the user may be at work. To finalize the change, the user may assert an “OK” button to have the entry stored. Consequently, when the computer system is in use between the time specified, this desktop will be used. 
   Whenever the user accesses the desktop anytime thereafter (i.e. when a user clicks on the right mouse button while the desktop is displayed),  FIG. 7  will be displayed. In  FIG. 7 , desktop 1    700 , desktop 2    710 , desktop 3    720  . . . are added desktops. Active desktop  730  is the desktop that is currently being used. Desktops  700 - 720  may be displayed in  FIG. 7  with their constraints (i.e., the time between which they will be used). In addition, desktops  700 - 720  may be customized when active. To activate the desktop a user may double click on the particular desktop. When that is done, the user may customize the desktop as it is usually done. 
   Alternatively, depending on the network connection or the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the computer system the user is currently using, the invention may determine which desktop to display. An IP address is an identifier for a computer system or device on a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network. TCP/IP is a suite of protocols used to connect computer systems on the Internet. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination system. Thus, each computer system on the Internet has a unique IP address. 
   The IP address consists of four numbers separated each by a period. Each number may be between zero (0) and 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 may be an IP address. The four numbers are used to identify a particular network and a specific computer system on that network. Thus, each company that has a network (i.e., an Intranet) is assigned a number identifying the network. 
   Thus, the invention may be designed or the user may specify ahead of time that if the computer system is behind a company&#39;s firewall (i.e., is part of a company&#39;s Intranet) a particular desktop is to be displayed. Thus, when the user is creating a desktop, a window may pop open requesting that the user confirm that the desktop is to be displayed only when the computer system is behind the company&#39;s firewall. If the user does so confirm, the IP address of the computer system may be stored in association with the desktop. Whenever, the computer is turned on, it will check to see whether it is within the company&#39;s Intranet. If so, the desktop will be used. If not, a default desktop may be used or another desktop which may be associated with another IP address may be displayed. That is, the user may also associate a desktop with the IP address the computer system would have when used at home. 
   Note that, if the computer system does not know its IP address, it can simply use the reverse address resolution protocol (RARP) to find out its own address. ARP (address resolution protocol) is the protocol used by TCP/IP to convert a physical address into an IP address. A computer system wishing to find out an IP address of another computer system broadcasts an ARP request onto the network or Internet. A computer system on the network that has the IP address responds with its physical address. RARP, on the other hand, is used to obtain a computer system&#39;s own IP address. A computer system wishing to find out its own IP address broadcasts its own physical address on the network and the RARP server (the server that assigns IP addresses to the computer systems in the network) will reply with the computer system&#39;s IP address. Thus, as the computer system is turned on, it can request its own IP address if it does not already know it. Based on its IP address, it can use the appropriate desktop. 
   The invention may also be used for commercial purposes. For example, when a user accesses the Internet through an ISP (Internet Service Provider), the ISP may download onto the user&#39;s computer system a desktop. The desktop may have icons representing goods that are for sale, advertisements, links to Websites etc. Depending on the implementation, when the user exits the Internet, the desktop may or may not remain on the user&#39;s computer system. 
     FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the invention using the scheduler method. The process starts as soon as the computer is turned on (step  800 ). A check is made as to whether there exists a time specified desktop. If not, the regular or a default desktop is used (steps  805  and  810 ). If so, a check is made as to whether the present time is within the time specified (steps  805  and  815 ). If not, the regular or default desktop is used (step  820 ). If the time is within the specified time, the desktop associated with the specified time is used. 
     FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of the invention using the IP address method described above. Again, the process starts when the computer system is turned on (step  900 ). Then a check is made to determine whether there is a desktop associated with an IP address. If not, the regular or default desktop is used (steps  905  and  910 ). If yes, then another check is made to determine whether the associated IP address is the same as the computer system&#39;s IP address (steps  905  and  915 ). As mentioned above, if the computer does not know its IP address, it may send a query to figure it out. Of course, if the computer is not connected to the Internet or a network, the query may not be sent. At this point, the regular or default desktop may be used. In any case, provided that the computer system is on a network and the IP address returned is the same as the IP address stored with the desktop, this particular desktop is then used (step  925 ). 
   The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.