Methods and arrangements for providing multiple concurrent desktops and workspaces in a shared computing environment

• US 6,807,666 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Garg, Praerit, Tan, Victor, Fink, Reiner, Sierra, Giampiero M., Hellyar, Paul S., Evans, Christopher A., Matthews, David Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Follansbee, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, HARESH N
• Application Number:
  US09/573,628
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 709/100, 709/203, 709/107, 709/108, 709/217, 709/219, 713/201, 345/473, 345/866, 345/778, 345/779, 712/9, 711/168
• US Class Current: 718/108
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are provided for use in multiple user computing environments. These methods and arrangements can be configured to allow for a plurality of separate and concurrent desktops and workspaces within the shared computing environment. One method includes creating a separate desktop thread for each user that is authenticated during a logon process, creating a separate desktop associated with each desktop thread, and maintaining a list of desktop threads that are created. In this manner, several users can be logged on simultaneously. In certain implementations, the method further includes establishing a separate user environment associated with each desktop and launching a separate user shell associated with each desktop. The list of desktop threads allows for selective and/or automatic switching from a first desktop to a second desktop without terminating a desktop thread associated with the first desktop. The methods and arrangements are also applicable to remote process logon and switching.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

configuring a single computer to be concurrently and physically shared by multiple users by executing a plurality of concurrent switchable desktop environments within the single computer by;

presenting a logon user interface to each said user physically seeking to use said computer; and

within the computer;

creating a separate desktop thread for each said user that is authenticated by the logon user interface;

creating a separate desktop associated with each said desktop thread for said concurrent switchable desktop environments;

displaying only one said desktop as active at a time; and

maintaining a list of said desktop threads to support switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a separate user environment associated with each said desktop.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

selectively switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

automatically switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop; and

launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the automatically switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop occurs following a defined period of said user inactivity.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

selectively removing at least one said desktop thread from the list of said desktop threads when said user logs off.

8. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for causing at:

least one processor to perform steps comprising;

configuring a single computer to be concurrently and physically shared by multiple users by executing a plurality of concurrent switchable desktop environments within the single computer by;

presenting a logon user interface to each said user physically seeking to use said computer; and

within the computer;

creating a separate desktop thread for each said user that is authenticated by the logon user interface;

creating a separate desktop associated with each said desktop thread for said concurrent switchable desktop environments;

displaying only one said desktop as active at a time; and

maintaining a list of said desktop threads to support switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop.

9. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8, having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of:

establishing a separate user environment associated with each said desktop.

10. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8, having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of:

launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

11. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8, having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of:

selectively switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop.

12. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8, having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of:

automatically switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop; and

launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

13. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the automatically switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop occurs following a defined period of said user inactivity.

14. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8, having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of:

selectively removing at least one said desktop thread from the list of said desktop threads when said user logs off.

15. An arrangement comprising:

a single computer capable of being concurrently and physically shared by multiple users by executing a plurality of concurrent switchable desktop environments within the single computer, the computer having;

memory having at least a portion of an operating system stored therein; and

at least one processor operatively coupled to the memory and responsive to the operating system to present a logon user interface to each said user physically seeking to use the computer, create a separate desktop thread within the computer for each said user that is authenticated through the logon user interface, create a separate desktop associated with each said desktop thread, display only one said desktop as active at a time; and

maintain a list of said desktop threads to support switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop.

16. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further responsive to the operating system by establishing a separate user environment associated with each said desktop.

17. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further responsive to the operating system by launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

18. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further responsive to the operating system by selectively switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop.

19. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further responsive to the operating system by:

automatically switching from a first said desktop to a second said desktop without terminating the desktop thread associated with the first said desktop; and

launching a separate user shell associated with each said desktop.

20. The arrangement as recited in claim 19, wherein the automatically switching from the first said desktop to the second said desktop occurs following a defined period of said user inactivity.

21. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further responsive to the operating system by selectively removing at least one said desktop thread from the list of said desktop threads when said user logs off.