Methods and arrangements for providing a mark-up language based graphical user interface for user identifiacation to an operating system

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are provided that can be used to identify users to an operating system during initialization through an advanced graphical user interface (GUI). The resulting GUI can be visually compelling and functional while advantageously remaining easy for the developer to create, maintain and modify. A markup language rendering engine is loaded substantially near the beginning of an operating system initialization procedure, and provided with markup language code that solicits at least one user input associated with a user logon process when rendered by the markup language rendering engine. The markup language code can be written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, eXtensible Markup Language (XML), extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), etc.

1 . A method comprising: 
 while booting a computer and prior to allowing a user to logon to the computer, arranging for a markup language rendering engine to be loaded near the beginning of an operating system initialization procedure; and    providing markup language code suitable for use with the markup language rendering engine, the markup language code being capable of soliciting at least one user input when rendered by the markup language rendering engine, the user input being associated with a user logon process configured to selectively allow a user to logon to the computer.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing the markup language code further includes providing user data, the user data being operatively associated with the user logon process.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the user data includes data selected from a set comprising a list of users, a text identifier, a graphical identifier, a password enabled identifier, and password hint data, and related user information data.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 configuring the markup language rendering engine to display at least a portion of the user data based on the markup language code.    
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 configuring the markup language code to provide the user input to an authorization entity for validation determination.    
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the user input includes at least one input selected from a group of inputs comprising a user name, a user identifier, and a password.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the markup language code includes markup language code selected from at least one markup language in a group comprising hypertext markup language (HTML), Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML), extensible Markup Language (XML), extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), and Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).  
   
   
       8 . A method comprising: 
 loading a markup language rendering engine near the beginning of an operating system initialization procedure and prior to allowing a user to logon to a computer;    retrieving user data from the operating system;    rendering markup language code associated with a logon screen using at least a portion of the user data effective to identify one or more users;    collecting at least one user input associated with the logon screen; and    establishing a logon session if the user input is valid.    
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 8  wherein establishing a logon session further includes: 
 providing the user input to the operating system; and    causing the operating system to authenticate the user input.    
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein establishing a logon session further includes providing the user input to an authorization entity for validation determination.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the user data includes data selected from a set comprising a list of users, a text identifier, a graphical identifier, a password enabled identifier, and password hint data, and related user information data.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the markup language code includes markup language code selected from at least one markup language in a group comprising hypertext markup language (HTML), Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), and Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).  
   
   
       13 . A markup language based logon user interface arrangement for use in logging users onto a computer, the user interface comprising: 
 a logon screen displayed while booting the computer and prior to allowing a user to logon to a computer;    a user logon area within the logon screen, the user logon area visually identifying a plurality of users using text identifiers and graphical identifiers, such that each text identifier and graphical identifier are selectable by the user through the user interface and upon selection by the user cause the user interface to prompt the user to input a password; and    a single selectable shut down mechanism graphically located within the logon screen and configured to shut the computer down when selected through the user interface by the user.    
   
   
       14 . The user interface as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the logon screen is rendered substantially near the beginning of the initialization of the operating system using a markup language rendering engine.  
   
   
       15 . The user interface as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the logon screen is rendered during using markup language code selected from at least one markup language in a group comprising hypertext markup language (HTML), Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (DHTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), and Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).