User specific execution of programs

• US 6,512,526 B1
• Filed: 08/17/1999
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: McGlothlin, James P., Stedman, Roy W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Mylinh T
• Application Number:
  US09/376,116
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 345/762, 345/764, 345/765, 345/733, 345/744, 345/700, 709/328, 717/11, 717/1, 710/8, 710/10
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A computer system and method allows customization of a desktop of a user in a multiple user environment, such as a windows type operating system. Configuration files trigger a program to execute upon the invocation of the operating system by the user and install or delete elements. The program has a list associated with the program wherein if the list contains at least one element, the program checks whether the at least one element in the list has been executed on a desktop of a user; and if the elment has not been executed for the user, the program executes the at least one element. The at least one element may include custom desktop components. Configuration files may include a registry.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a graphical user interface controlled by an operating system, comprising:

reading a configuration file;

calling an installation program, the calling being an instruction from the configuration file; and

altering the graphical user interface during an invocation of the operating system by a user according to the installation program, wherein the altering further includes determining that an invocation of the operating system is the first invocation of the operating system.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuration file includes a registry and wherein the altering results from reading a run once key of the registry.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the operating system is a windows type operating system.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user is one of a plurality of users and wherein the method is performed upon a first invocation of the operating system by each of the plurality of users.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

invoking the application program, the application program being related to a graphical image upon a selection of the graphical image by the user.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the altering further comprises:

removing a graphical image from the graphical user interface following a first invocation of the application program by the user.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the graphical image is related to an Active Desktop component.

8. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a nonvolatile storage device coupled to the processor;

a desktop component stored on the nonvolatile storage device, the desktop component including a graphical image for display on a display device and one or more software objects;

an operating system coupled to the processor, wherein the operating system includes a graphical user interface for displaying graphical images on the display device, and one or more configuration files;

a software object stored on the nonvolatile storage device, the software object altering a configuration file associated with the graphical user interface upon execution of the software object by a user, wherein the altering includes a determination that an invocation of the operating system is the first invocation of the operating system by a user.

9. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more configuration files includes a registry.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the operating system is a windows type operating system.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the user is one of a plurality of users and wherein the software object alters a configuration file of the graphical user interface for each of the plurality of users.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein one of the one or more software objects is responsive to a user selection of the graphical image.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the graphical image is related to an Active Desktop component.

14. A method for modifying a desktop of a user in a multiple user computer system with an operating system, the method comprising:

reading a configuration file related to the operating system;

invoking a program in response to the reading;

checking a list associated with the program, the list capable of providing a plurality of elements;

determining if an invocation of the operating system is the first invocation of the operating system;

if the list contains at least one element, checking whether the at least one element in the list has been executed on the desktop of the user; and

if the element has not been executed for the user, executing the at least one element.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

after executing the at least one element, marking the at least one element as executed for the user.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the executing the at least one element includes removing at least one desktop component from the user'"'"'s desktop.

17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one element includes an application capable of modifying a user'"'"'s desktop.

18. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the executing the at least one element adds a graphical representation to a graphical user interface, wherein the added graphical representation is visible during one of a subsequent invocation of the operating system.

19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the user is one of a plurality of users and wherein the method is performed upon one of a first invocation of the operating system by each of the plurality of users and each invocation of the operating system by each of the plurality of users.

20. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a nonvolatile storage device coupled to the processor;

an operating system coupled to the processor, wherein the operating system includes one or more configuration files; and

a program stored on the nonvolatile storage device, the program being invoked upon a reading of one of the one or more configuration files;

a list associated with the program, the list capable of providing a plurality of elements, wherein;

if the list contains at least one element, the program checks whether the at least one element in the list has been executed on a desktop of a user;

if an invocation of the operating system is the first invocation of the operating system for the user; and

if the element has not been executed for the user, the program executes the at least one element.

21. The computer system as recited in claim 20, wherein the one or more configuration files includes a registry.

22. The computer system as recited in claim 20, wherein the operating system is a windows type operating system.

23. The computer system as recited in claim 20, wherein the user is one of a plurality of users and wherein the program alters a configuration file for each of the plurality of users.