Method, apparatus, and program for extending the global sign-on environment to the desktop

• US 20020194508A1
• Filed: 06/14/2001
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lendacky, Yvonne Doray, Sanchez, Luis Benicio Casco-Arias, Cohen, Richard Jay
• Application Number:
  US09/881,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20020194508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers

Abstract

A global sign-on system integrates global sign-on functionality into the desktop, such that global sign-on targets can be represented as icons or shortcuts, thus making the desktop a global sign-on environment. Global sign-on may be configured with integrated login so that a user may log into the operating system or network environment and select sign-on targets using the familiar desktop environment. Global sign-on targets may then be selected by interaction with icons or start menu items without having to enter additional identifications or passwords.

Claims

1. A method for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

creating a data structure, wherein the data structure points to a global sign-on program;

associating the data structure with a global sign-on target; and

presenting a selectable graphical representation of the data structure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating a property of the data structure with a global sign-on command.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the data structure in a folder.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the folder is a desktop folder and the graphical representation comprises an icon on the computer desktop.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the folder is a start menu folder and the graphical representation comprises a start menu item.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data structure comprises a shortcut.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation comprises an icon.

8. A method for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

presenting a graphical representation of a global sign-on target; and

in response to a user interaction with the graphical representation, performing an action with respect to the global sign-on target.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the action comprises one of launching the global sign-on target, logging onto the global sign-on target, logging off of the global sign-on target, and changing the password for the global sign-on target.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the user interaction comprises a double-click of a mouse and the action comprises launching the global sign-on target.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the user interaction comprises a right-click of a mouse and the action comprises presenting a menu, the menu including global sign-on commands.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical representation comprises an icon.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for associating a property of the data structure with a global sign-on command.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

storage means for storing the data structure in a folder.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the folder is a desktop folder and the graphical representation comprises an icon on the computer desktop.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the folder is a start menu folder and the graphical representation comprises a start menu item.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the data structure comprises a shortcut.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the graphical representation comprises an icon.

13. An apparatus for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

creation means for creating a data structure, wherein the data structure points to a global sign-on program;

association means for associating the data structure with a global sign-on target; and

presentation means for presenting a selectable graphical representation of the data structure.

20. An apparatus for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

presentation means for presenting a graphical representation of a global sign-on target; and

interface means for performing an action with respect to the global sign-on target in response to a user interaction with the graphical representation.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the action comprises one of launching the global sign-on target, logging onto the global sign-on target, logging off of the global sign-on target, and changing the password for the global sign-on target.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the user interaction comprises a double-click of a mouse and the action comprises launching the global sign-on target.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the user interaction comprises a right-click of a mouse and the action comprises presenting a menu, the menu including global sign-on commands.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the graphical representation comprises an icon.

25. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

instructions for creating a data structure, wherein the data structure points to a global sign-on program;

instructions for associating the data structure with a global sign-on target; and

instructions for presenting a selectable graphical representation of the data structure.

26. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, for extending a global sign-on environment to a computer desktop, comprising:

instructions for presenting a graphical representation of a global sign-on target; and

instructions for performing an action with respect to the global sign-on target in response to a user interaction with the graphical representation.