Operating methods for robust computer systems permitting autonomously switching between alternative/redundant

• US 6,125,387 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Fontenot, Larry A., Simonoff, Adam J., Taft, Robert L., McLintock, Brian T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asta, Frank J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YUAN, ALMARI ROMERO
• Application Number:
  US08/941,545
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/203, 709/208, 709/209, 709/217, 709/218
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication

Abstract

An operating method for a computer system having first, second, third, andlternate computers generating a graphical user interface (GUI) on the first computer screen corresponding to a presentation generated with respect to the second computer screen irrespective of the operating system differences between the respective first, second, third, and alternate computers. The method includes steps for: providing a hypertext markup language (HTML) document including an applet tag corresponding to a Universal Client device from the third computer to the first computer; initializing and executing the Universal Client device using a JAVA™ virtual machine associated with the first computer; parsing and interpreting a script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to display the GUI; generating and transmitting a heartbeat signal from the second computer to the first computer; parsing and interpreting the script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when the heartbeat signal is received by the first computer and to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when the heartbeat signal is not received by the first computer; and generating a string causing changes in the GUI displayed by the Universal Client device on the first computer.

Claims

1. A method for operating a computer system having first, second, third, and alternate computers interconnected to one another by a communications channel, said method comprising steps for:

(a) storing a document written in hypertext markup language (HTML), said HTML document including an applet tag for invoking a Universal Client device and computer readable first instructions for generating said Universal Client device, on the first computer;

(b) transmitting said HTML document and said first instructions for generating said Universal Client device from the first computer to the second computer via the communications channel;

(c) storing computer readable second instructions for permitting the second computer to utilize a World Wide Web browser providing a virtual machine;

(d) initializing and executing said Universal Client device on said second computer using said virtual machine to thereby generate predetermined graphical user interface (GUI) objects and display said GUI objects on said second computer;

(e) storing computer readable third instructions on the third computer for controlling the third computer during generation of a character string;

(f) processing said third instructions to thereby generate said string;

(g) storing computer readable alternate instructions on the alternate computer for controlling the alternate computer during generation of an alternate character string;

(h) processing said alternate instructions to thereby generate said alternate character string;

(i) transmitting said string and a heartbeat signal from said third computer to said second computer and said alternate character string from said alternate computer to said second computer; and

(j) modifying at least one of said GUI objects displayed on the second computer responsive to said string when said heartbeat signal is present and modifying at least one of said GUI objects displayed on the second computer responsive to said alternate character string when said heartbeat signal is absent.

2. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said method further comprises the step for;

(k) storing a script defining one of said predetermined GUI objects on said second computer; and

said Universal Client device generates said one of said predetermined GUI objects responsive to said script during said step (d).

3. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said method further comprises the step for;

(1) storing a script defining at least one of said predetermined GUI objects on said first computer; and

said Universal Client device generates said predetermined GUI objects responsive to said script during said step (d).

4. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said first instructions include commands to said Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between said second computer and said third computer, said predetermined connection being defined in said first instructions, when said heartbeat signal is present; and

said first instructions include commands to said Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between said second computer and said alternate computer, said predetermined connection being defined in said first instructions, when said heartbeat signal is absent.

5. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said HTML document includes a parameter statement which commands said Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between said second computer and said third computer, said predetermined connection being defined in said parameter statement, when said heartbeat signal is present;

said HTML document includes a parameter statement which commands said Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between said second computer and said alternate computer, said predetermined connection being defined in said parameter statement, when said heartbeat signal is absent; and

said Universal Client device modifies said predetermined GUI objects responsive to one of said string and said alternate character string during said step (j).

6. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 5, wherein:

said string comprises a GUIScript message; and

during said step (j), said Universal Client device running on said second computer selectively modifies and replaces said predetermined GUI objects responsive to an incoming GUIScript message corresponding to changing parameters associated with said third computer.

7. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 5, wherein:

said string comprises a datagram; and

during said step (j), said Universal Client device running on said second computer selectively modifies and replaces said predetermined GUI objects responsive to an incoming datagram corresponding to changing parameters associated with said third computer.

8. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 5, wherein:

said alternate character string comprises a GUIScript message; and

during said step (j), said Universal Client device running on said second computer selectively modifies and replaces said predetermined GUI objects responsive to an incoming GUIScript message corresponding to changing parameters associated with said third computer.

9. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 5, wherein:

said alternate character string comprises a datagram; and

during said step (j), said Universal Client device running on said second computer selectively modifies and replaces said predetermined GUI objects responsive to an incoming datagram corresponding to changing parameters associated with said third computer.

10. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said predetermined GUI objects comprises a MultiMedia presentation.

11. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said predetermined GUI objects comprises a duration timer.

12. An operating method for a computer system having first, second, third, and alternate computers generating a graphical user interface (GUI) on the first computer screen corresponding to a presentation generated with respect to the second computer screen irrespective of the operating system differences between the respective first, second, third, and alternate computers, comprising steps for:

providing a hypertext markup language (HTML) document including an applet tag corresponding to a Universal Client device from the third computer to the first computer;

initializing and executing the Universal Client device using a virtual machine associated with the first computer;

parsing and interpreting a script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to display the GUI;

generating and transmitting a heartbeat signal from said second computer to said first computer;

parsing and interpreting the script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when said heartbeat signal is received by said first computer and to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when said heartbeat signal is not received by said first computer; and

generating a string causing changes in the GUI displayed by the Universal Client device on the first computer.

13. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein said predetermined connection comprises a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

14. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein said GUI includes a plurality of GUI objects.

15. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 14, wherein one of said GUI objects comprises a MultiMedia object.

16. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 14, wherein one of said GUI objects comprises a performance assessment object.

17. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein said string comprises an ASCII character string.

18. The operating method for the computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein said string comprises a datagram.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein said string comprises a GUIScript message.