Apparatus and method of displaying electronic desktops based on a scheduler or network connection

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selecting a desktop from a plurality of desktops for use upon turning on a computer system are provided. 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 be 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of using a desktop upon turning on a computer comprising the steps of: 
 determining whether more than one desktop exist on the computer system;    selecting one of the desktops to use if more than one exist; and    using the selected desktop.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step includes the step of using a scheduler.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said scheduler includes time and day that said selected desktop is to be used.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said selecting step includes comparing a network address of the computer system with a stored network address and using the selected desktop if the two network addresses are the same.  
     
     
         5 . A method of using a desktop comprising the steps of: 
 accessing a Website;    downloading a desktop from said Website; and    using the downloaded desktop.    
     
     
         6 . A computer program product method on a computer readable medium for using a desktop upon turning on a computer comprising: 
 code means for determining whether more than one desktop exist on the computer system;    code means for selecting one of the desktops to use if more than one exist; and    code means for using the selected desktop.    
     
     
         7 . The computer program product of  claim 6  wherein said selecting code means includes code means for using a scheduler.  
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 7  wherein said scheduler includes time and day that said selected desktop is to be used.  
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 6  wherein said selecting code means includes code means for comparing a network address of the computer system with a stored network address and using the selected desktop if the two network addresses are the same.  
     
     
         10 . A computer program product on a computer readable medium for using a desktop comprising: 
 code means for accessing a Website;    code means for downloading a desktop from said Website; and    code means for using the downloaded desktop.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for using a desktop upon turning on a computer comprising: 
 means for determining whether more than one desktop exist on the computer system;    means for selecting one of the desktops to use if more than one exist; and    means for using the selected desktop.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said selecting means includes means for using a scheduler.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said scheduler includes time and day that said selected desktop is to be used.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said selecting means includes means for comparing a network address of the computer system with a stored network address and using the selected desktop if the two network addresses are the same.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for using a desktop comprising: 
 means for accessing a Website;    means for downloading a desktop from said Website; and    means for using the downloaded desktop.    
     
     
         16 . A computer system for using a desktop upon being turned on computer comprising: 
 at least one memory device for storing code data; and    at least on processor for processing said code data to determine whether more than one desktop exist on the computer system, to select one of the desktops to use if more than one exist, and to use the selected desktop.    
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16  wherein the desktop is selected by using a scheduler.  
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17  wherein the scheduler includes time and day that the selected desktop is to be used.  
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 16  wherein the desktop is selected by comparing a network address of the computer system with a stored network address.  
     
     
         20 . A computer system for using a desktop comprising: 
 at least one memory device for storing code data; and at least one processor for processing said code data to access a Website to downloading a desktop, and to use the downloaded desktop.