Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Distributed data processing – Client/server
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-18
2001-03-13
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Distributed data processing
Client/server
C709S205000, C709S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202083
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to distributed computer systems and graphical user interfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for updating a “wallpaper” for a graphical user interface by accessing a central repository for wallpaper over a network to update a wallpaper based upon personal preferences of a computer user.
2. Related Art
The advent of graphical user interfaces for computer systems has lead to the development of “wallpaper” for graphical displays. Wallpaper is typically a type of picture, graphical image or pattern used to customize a graphical user interface in an aesthetically pleasing way. In a window-based operating system such as Windows 95, produced by the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., wallpaper often takes the form of a background picture or pattern over which windows can be opened or otherwise manipulated. Many computer users customize their background wallpaper with digitized family pictures or images relating to sports and current events. This gives computer users the ability to express their personality and interests.
At present, most computer system users use the default wallpaper bitmaps provided by operating systems such as Windows 95. Others retrieve bitmaps from a floppy drive, a CD-ROM drive, or from a publicly available source such as the Internet. In any of the above cases, a computer user must manually locate wallpaper images, transfer the images and reconfigure display options every time the wallpaper is changes. These tasks are time-consuming. Consequently, most computer users change wallpaper infrequently, if at all.
What is needed is a system that facilitates automatic updating of wallpaper with pictures tailored to specific interests of a computer user. Additionally, what is needed is a system that allows computer users with similar interests to share interesting wallpaper.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for updating a wallpaper for computer display, which operates on a server attached to a computer network. This method includes receiving a request from a client to fetch a wallpaper, and selecting the wallpaper from a collection of wallpaper based upon a personal profile of a user. It also includes retrieving the selected wallpaper, and sending the wallpaper across a network to the user on the client. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wallpaper is selected based upon a personal interest of the user. In a variation on the above embodiment, the client automatically requests new wallpaper at periodic time intervals, and also upon system initialization. Another embodiment of the present invention includes allowing the user to request an alternate wallpaper if the user does not care for the new wallpaper. Another embodiment includes registering a user for access to a collection of wallpapers for which there is restricted access. Another embodiment includes receiving a wallpaper from a user for insertion into a collection of wallpaper. Yet another embodiment includes receiving a complaint regarding the activities of a user, and in response to the complaint removing the registration of the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5535332 (1996-07-01), Ishida
patent: 5774650 (1998-06-01), Chapman et al.
patent: 5793966 (1998-08-01), Amstein et al.
patent: 5905492 (1999-05-01), Straub et al.
patent: 5913040 (1999-06-01), Rakavy et al.
Rangan et al., Software Architure for Integration of Video Services in the Etherphone System, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication, vol. 9, No. 9, Dec. 1991, pp. 1395-1404, 1991.
Tamura, Randall, Lotus Notes and Domino 4.6 Unleashed, Sams, Macmillan Computer Publishing, Chapters 1, 4, & 18, Nov. 1997.
Burgess Glenton B.
Edelman Bradley
Micron Electronics Inc.
Park & Vaughan LLP
LandOfFree
Method for updating wallpaper for computer display does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for updating wallpaper for computer display, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for updating wallpaper for computer display will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2446752