Persistent usage context

Abstract

A system and method for generating a persistent usage context is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of generating a persistent usage context includes monitoring usage of an information handling system and generating a first representation corresponding to a first item of usage and a second representation corresponding to at least one of the first item of usage and a second item of usage. The first representation and second representation are communicated so as to communicate an association of the first representation to the second representation and to enable a determination of at least one of the prior usage and current usage of an information handling system.

1 . A method of generating a persistent usage context, comprising: 
 monitoring usage of an information handling system;    generating a first representation corresponding to a first item of usage;    generating a second representation corresponding to a second item of usage;    communicating an association of the first representation to the second representation so as to enable a determination of at least one of prior usage and current usage of an information handling system.    
   
   
       2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising storing the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       3 . The method as described in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first stored representation and second representation may be accessed after termination of at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       4 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is capable of accessing at least one of a first item of usage and second item of usage.  
   
   
       5 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is interactive with at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       6 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the first representation includes as a part thereof the second representation.  
   
   
       7 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the association includes at least one of chronological mapping, organization scheme, spatial relationship, shared usage, and term of usage.  
   
   
       8 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of searching data relating to at least one of the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       9 . The method as described in  claim 8 , wherein the search is performed by at least one of type, topic, size, time taken for usage, time usage performed, user defined criteria, and name.  
   
   
       10 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first item of usage and second item of usage includes at least one of browsing the World Wide Web, printing, scanning for viruses, word processing, utilizing spreadsheets, utilizing a database, enabling an operating system, accessing a network, network applications, graphics usage, utilization of devices, and data manipulation.  
   
   
       11 . A program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an information handling system for causing the information handling system to execute steps for a persistent usage context, the steps comprising: 
 monitoring usage of an information handling system;    generating a first representation corresponding to a first item of usage;    generating a second representation corresponding to a second item of usage;    communicating an association of the first representation to the second representation so as to enable a determination of at least one of prior usage and current usage of an information handling system.    
   
   
       12 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , further comprising storing the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       13 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first stored representation and second representation may be accessed after termination of at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       14 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is capable of accessing at least one of a first item of usage and second item of usage.  
   
   
       15 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is interactive with at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       16 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , wherein the first representation includes as a part thereof the second representation.  
   
   
       17 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , wherein the association includes at least one of chronological mapping, organization scheme, spatial relationship, shared usage, and term of usage.  
   
   
       18 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of searching data relating to at least one of the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       19 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 18 , wherein the search is performed by at least one of type, topic, size, time taken for usage, time usage performed, user defined criteria, and name.  
   
   
       20 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first item of usage and second item of usage includes at least one of browsing the World Wide Web, printing, scanning for viruses, word processing, utilizing spreadsheets, utilizing a database, enabling an operating system, accessing a network, network applications, graphics usage, utilization of devices, and data manipulation.  
   
   
       21 . An information handling system for a persistent usage context, comprising: 
 a processor for executing a program of instructions on the information handling system;    a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program of instructions executable by said processor; and    an input and output system coupled to the processor for coupling the information handling system to a network wherein the program of instructions configures the information handling system to 
 monitor usage of an information handling system;  
 generate a first representation corresponding to a first item of usage;  
 generate a second representation corresponding to a second item of usage;  
 communicate an association of the first representation to the second representation so as to enable a determination of at least one of prior usage and current usage of an information handling system.  
   
   
   
       22 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , further comprising storing the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       23 . The information handling system as described in  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the first stored representation and second representation may be accessed after termination of at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       24 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is capable of accessing at least one of a first item of usage and second item of usage.  
   
   
       25 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is interactive with at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       26 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , wherein the first representation includes as a part thereof the second representation.  
   
   
       27 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , wherein the association includes at least one of chronological mapping, organization scheme, spatial relationship, shared usage, and term of usage.  
   
   
       28 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of searching data relating to at least one of the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       29 . The information handling system as described in  claim 28 , wherein the search is performed by at least one of type, topic, size, time taken for usage, time usage performed, user defined criteria, and name.  
   
   
       30 . The information handling system as described in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first item of usage and second item of usage includes at least one of browsing the World Wide Web, printing, scanning for viruses, word processing, utilizing spreadsheets, utilizing a database, enabling an operating system, accessing a network, network applications, graphics usage, utilization of devices, and data manipulation.  
   
   
       31 . An information handling system for a persistent usage context, comprising: 
 a processor for executing a program of instructions on the information handling system;    a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program of instructions executable by said processor; and    an input and output system coupled to the processor for coupling the information handling system to a network wherein the program of instructions configures the information handling system to include 
 means for monitoring usage of an information handling system;  
 means for generating a first representation corresponding to a first item of usage;  
 means for generating a second representation corresponding to a second item of usage;  
 means for communicating an association of the first representation to the second representation so as to enable a determination of at least one of prior usage and current usage of an information handling system.  
   
   
   
       32 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , further comprising means for storing the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       33 . The information handling system as described in  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the first stored representation and second representation may be accessed after termination of at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       34 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is capable of accessing at least one of a first item of usage and second item of usage.  
   
   
       35 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first representation and second representation is interactive with at least one of the first item of usage and the second item of usage.  
   
   
       36 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , wherein the first representation includes as a part thereof the second representation.  
   
   
       37 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , wherein the association includes at least one of chronological mapping, organization scheme, spatial relationship, shared usage, and term of usage.  
   
   
       38 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , further comprising the step of searching data relating to at least one of the first representation and second representation.  
   
   
       39 . The information handling system as described in  claim 38 , wherein the search is performed by at least one of type, topic, size, time taken for usage, time usage performed, user defined criteria, and name.  
   
   
       40 . The information handling system as described in  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first item of usage and second item of usage includes at least one of browsing the World Wide Web, printing, scanning for viruses, word processing, utilizing spreadsheets, utilizing a database, enabling an operating system, accessing a network, network applications, graphics usage, utilization of devices, and data manipulation.  
   
   
       41 . A method of generating a persistent usage context, comprising: 
 monitoring navigation of a resource during a first navigation session to obtain navigation data;    storing navigation data pertaining to the first navigation session;    initiating a second navigation session of at least one of the first resource and a second resource;    loading stored data in at least one of the first resource and second resource during the second navigation session so as to enable the utilization of stored first navigation data during the second navigation session.    
   
   
       42 . The method as described in  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the first resource and the second resource includes at least one of a web browser and operating system.  
   
   
       43 . The method as described in  claim 41 , wherein the utilization of the stored first navigation data during the second navigation session includes at least one of a forward and backward button.  
   
   
       44 . The method as described in  claim 41 , wherein the storing step includes storing the first navigation data in a format so as to be capable of being selectively accessed.  
   
   
       45 . The method as described in  claim 44 , wherein the storing step includes a user defined identification.  
   
   
       46 . The method as described in  claim 41 , wherein the stored first navigation data includes the utilization of navigation functions of at least one of the first resource and second resource.  
   
   
       47 . The method as described in  claim 46 , wherein the navigation functions include at least one of forward button, a backward button, a favorites list, a bookmark, and a history list of resources accessed.