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US6044465A
Expired / Lapsed
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User profile storage on and retrieval from a non-native server domain for use in a client running a native operating system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-07-07
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2017-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A user is authenticated at a client machine running a native operating system. Authentication may be effected from one or more non-native server domains including, without limitation, a Server Message Block (SMB) server domain, a DCE Cell, or some other non-Windows NT server domain. Following successful authentication, a user account is dynamically established or updated at the client by retrieving from the server user information and a set of "group" privileges associated with the authenticated user. A "user profile" is retrieved from the non-native server domain and used to establish at the client a user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Inventors
- 👤 David Paul Dutcher
- 👤 Scott Alan Lenharth
- 👤 James Michael Rolette, Jr.
- 👤 Stanley Alan Smith
- 👤 Courtney Joseph Spooner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/33; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of setting up a user desktop at a client running a native operating system using a user profile, the client normally configured against an account held at a server running the native operating system, comprising the steps of: following authentication of the user, retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of setting up a user desktop at a client running a native operating system using a user profile, the client normally configured against an account held at a server running the native operating system, comprising the steps of: following authentication of the user, retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the native operating system is Windows NT.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the non-native server domain file system is a Server Message Block (SMB) file system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the non-native server domain file system is DCE Distributed File System (DFS).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of using the user profile includes instantiating a desktop definition that controls an appearance of the desktop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as described in claim 1 further including the steps of: modifying the user profile; and storing the modified user profile back at the non-native server domain file system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the retrieving step includes the steps of: determining if the user has specified a location for the user profile; and if so, retrieving the user profile from the location specified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the retrieving step includes the steps of: determining whether a server location specific to the user is to be used; and if so, retrieving the user profile from the server location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of setting up a user desktop at a Windows NT client using a user profile, comprising the steps of: following authentication of the user, retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user; and storing the user profile back at the non-native server domain file system if the user profile has been modified.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of setting up a user desktop at a Windows NT client using a user profile, comprising the steps of: following authentication of the user, retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user; and storing the user profile back at the non-native server domain file system if the user profile has been modified.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as described in claim 9 wherein the non-native server domain file system is a Server Message Block (SMB) file system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 9 wherein the non-native server domain file system is DCE Distributed File System (DFS).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 9 wherein the step of using the user profile includes instantiating a desktop definition that controls an appearance of the desktop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as described in claim 9 wherein the retrieving step includes the steps of: determining if the user has specified a location for the user profile; and if so, retrieving the user profile from the location specified.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as described in claim 9 wherein the retrieving step includes the steps of: determining whether a server location specific to the user is to be used; and if so, retrieving the user profile from the server location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for setting up a user desktop at a client using a user profile, the client running a native operating system and normally configured against an account held at a server running the native operating system, comprising: means responsive to authentication of the user of retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and means responsive to the retrieving means for using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for setting up a user desktop at a client using a user profile, the client running a native operating system and normally configured against an account held at a server running the native operating system, comprising: means responsive to authentication of the user of retrieving the user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and means responsive to the retrieving means for using the user profile to establish the user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product as described in claim 15 wherein the native operating system is Windows NT.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product as described in claim 16 wherein the non-native server domain file system is a Server Message Block (SMB) file system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product as described in claim 16 wherein the non-native server domain file system is DCE Distributed File System (DFS).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program product as described in claim 15 further including means responsive to modification of the user profile for storing the user profile back at the non-native domain file system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer connectable to a network, comprising: a processor; a Windows NT operating system; retrieving means responsive to authentication of a user for retrieving a user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and means responsive to the retrieving means for using the user profile to establish a user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer connectable to a network, comprising: a processor; a Windows NT operating system; retrieving means responsive to authentication of a user for retrieving a user profile from a non-native server domain file system; and means responsive to the retrieving means for using the user profile to establish a user desktop and any preferences associated with the user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |