×

Distributed computer system providing simultaneous access to a plurality of users

  • US 5,687,317 A
  • Filed: 06/05/1996
  • Issued: 11/11/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A distributed computer system adapted to provide simultaneous interactive access by a plurality of users, the system including a first computer, an application server associated with the first computer, a plurality of further computers each in communication with the first computer whereby to access the application server via the first computer and each having means including a user interface whereby to provide user access to the system so as to permit simultaneous access by more than one user to a document, and a listener system responsive to user generated events interposed between the application server and each said user interface, wherein the listener system comprises an application listener associated with the application server and a plurality of surface listeners one associated with each said user interface, wherein the application listener and surface listeners each have a first free condition and a second busy condition, wherein each said listener is responsive to both application and user events in its free condition, wherein each said surface listener has first processor means responsive to an application event or a user event at that surface listener for relaying that event to the application listener, wherein the application listener has switch means responsive to a said relayed event for switching the application listener from its free condition to its busy condition, wherein the application listener has signalling means responsive to the switching to its busy condition for sending a signal to all said surface listeners so as to cause each said surface listener to enter its busy condition and to provide to the respective further computer a message indicative of the change in condition and of the nature and origin of the event causing change in condition, wherein the application listener has second processor means responsive to the switching from its free condition to its busy condition for relaying the corresponding event to the application server for processing, for relaying the result of said processing to the originating surface listener and for resetting all surface listeners to their free condition, and wherein each said surface listener has means responsive to the change from its busy condition. to its free condition for notifying its respective further computer that said processing is completed whereby to provide substantially simultaneous indication to all system users of the status and progress of the system response to user interaction with the system and to permit a number of said users to work together on a single document and ensure that each user of said number of users is made aware of actions performed by others of said number of users.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×