Fast Start System for Workstation Login Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The congestion and slow login times experienced by thousands of users logging into a workplace network at the same time lead to decreased productivity due to prolonged startup times and application loading delays.

Innovation Solution

A fast start system that allows computing devices to automatically restart based on a scheduled restart time, log in users using stored credentials, initialize startup applications, and report status, thereby reducing network congestion by pre-loading necessary applications before the user arrives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If thousands of users login to the workplace network at the same time during work hours, then users can access network resources, but network congestion occurs and login times become slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser productivityVSAvoidlogin time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically logging in users and initializing applications during non-work hours (e.g., overnight) before users arrive at the workplace. This pre-execution of login and application startup tasks eliminates the need for users to wait during work hours, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and reducing login time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If users login during work hours to access network resources, then network resources become available, but network congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork accessVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by scheduling automatic logins and application initializations during non-work hours (e.g., overnight maintenance windows) rather than during work hours. This temporal distribution of network access requests eliminates congestion during critical work periods while ensuring network resources are properly accessed and initialized, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and avoidance of harmful congestion effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If applications are loaded during user arrival time, then users can begin working, but startup times are prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework start efficiencyVSAvoidapplication loading time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically initializing applications during non-work hours before users arrive at the workplace. The Fast Start application executes on each workstation during scheduled maintenance windows to load and prepare all necessary applications in advance. This eliminates the need for users to wait during work hours, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high work start efficiency and minimizing application loading duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If the system implements automatic restart and pre-login functionality, then login times are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewait timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling workstations to automatically perform their own login and application initialization tasks without requiring user intervention. The Fast Start application runs autonomously on each device, retrieving stored credentials and executing predefined startup sequences. This automation reduces wait time while managing complexity through standardized, repeatable processes rather than manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary component - the Fast Start application - that mediates between the user's login needs and the system's authentication and application loading processes. This intermediary handles the complexity of automatic logins, credential management, and application initialization in a standardized way, reducing the perceived complexity for users while achieving the goal of reduced wait time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9524172B2Fast start

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, systems, and apparatuses of a fast start system. A computing device may automatically restart itself based on a restart schedule from a fast start network server. The computing device may initiate a booting sequence and retrieve login credentials of a user stored in the computing device. Using the stored login credentials, the computing device can login the user to the system. In response to successfully logging in the user, the computing device may initialize at least one startup application on the computing device. Once the user is successfully logged in, the computing device may automatically lock the computing device to the user to prevent any unauthorized use of the workstation.