Method and system for collaborating among interconnected client terminals

• US 7,089,279 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sakaguchi, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/439,130
• Time in Patent Office: 2,461 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/247, 709/246, 709/204, 709/205, 709200-202, 709217-220
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a method, software product, and apparatus for allowing various kinds of information existing on a client terminal to be referred to on a Web browser of another collaborating client terminal. If an image displayed on a display screen of client terminal is specified, the image is compressed to a predetermined formed image data and also given a unique name in the system. This file is automatically sent to a Web server. A Web browser operating on the client terminal is automatically switched to display the file. A Web browser of another client terminal collaborating with this client terminal is also switched to display the file.

Claims

1. A method of communicating on a communication system having a client terminal connecting a server through a network and collaborating with other client terminals connected to said network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating an image file in response to an operator of said client terminal specifying a screen range of said client terminal, wherein the image file is generated based on image data from the specified screen range;

(b) acquiring an image file name from said server;

(c) converting said image file to generate a predetermined formed compressed image data which has a file name relating to said image file name;

(d) sending said predetermined formed compressed image data to said server,

(e) posting the file name of said predetermined formed compressed image data to the client terminals collaborating with said client terminal, wherein the operator of said client terminal specifies the screen range during a capture mode;

(f) suspending the capture mode;

(g) receiving input from the operator to activate a hidden window image; and

(h) resuming the capture mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by manipulating a mouse to define a frame, wherein the frame encloses the screen range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by selecting an application window, wherein a frame of the application window defines the screen range.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring a device context of a desktop window; and

generating a desktop window image corresponding to the device context of the desktop window, wherein the screen range is a portion of the desktop window.

5. A client terminal connecting a server through a network and collaborating with other client terminals connected to said network, said client terminal comprising:

(a) a screen range selector for specifying a screen range in response to operation for specifying screen range by an operator;

(b) an image file generator for acquiring an image according to said screen range and generating an image file;

(c) a file acquisition for acquiring an original name from said server;

(d) an image file converter for converting said image file to generate a predetermined formed compressed image data;

(e) a file transmitter for sending to said server said predetermined formed compressed image data which has a file name relating to said original name;

(f) a posting division for posting the file name of said predetermined formed compressed image data to the client terminals collaborating with said client terminal, wherein the operator of said client terminal specifies the screen range during a capture mode;

(g) a suspending mechanism for suspending the capture mode;

(h) a receiving mechanism for receiving input from the operator to activate a hidden window image; and

(i) a resuming mechanism for resuming the capture mode.

6. The client terminal of claim 5, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by manipulating a mouse to define a frame, wherein the frame encloses the screen range.

7. The client terminal of claim 5, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by selecting an application window, wherein a frame of the application window defines the screen range.

8. The client terminal of claim 5, wherein the screen range selector acquires a device context of a desktop window and generates a desktop window image corresponding to the device context of the desktop window, wherein the screen range is a portion of the desktop window.

9. A communication system having a first and a second client terminal connecting with a network and a server connecting said first and a second terminal through said network, said communication system comprising:

the first client terminal comprising;

(a1) an image file generator for, in response to operation for specifying a screen range by an operator, generating an image file according to said operation;

(a2) a file name acquisition division for acquiring an original name from said server;

(a3) an image file converter for converting said image file to generate a predetermined formed compressed image data;

(a4) a file transmitter for sending to said server said predetermined formed compressed image data which has a file name relating to said original name;

(a5) a posting division for posting the name of said predetermined formed compressed image data to said second client terminal, wherein the operator of said client terminal specifies the screen range during a capture mode;

(a6) a suspending mechanism for suspending the capture mode;

(a7) a receiving mechanism for receiving input from the operator to activate a hidden window image; and

(a8) a resuming mechanism for resuming the capture mode;

(b) a server comprising a file name generator for generating an original name capable of uniquely identifying said first client-terminal in response to a request from said first client terminal and posting it to said first client terminal; and

(c) a second client terminal for displaying said predetermined formed compressed image data of said server on a Web browser on said second client terminal based on the name of said predetermined formed compressed image data sent from said first client terminal.

10. A storage medium storing a software product for connecting a server through a network and controlling communication performed on a communication system having a client terminal collaborating with other client terminals connected to said network, said software product comprising the program codes for:

(a) directing said client terminal to generate an image file in response to an operator of said client terminal specifying a screen range of said client terminal, wherein the image file is generated based on image data from the specified screen range;

(b) directing said client terminal to acquire an image file name from said server;

(c) directing said client terminal to convert said image file and generate a predetermined formed compressed image data which has a file name relating to said image file name acquired from said server;

(d) directing said client terminal to send predetermined formed compressed image data to said server;

(e) directing said client terminal to post the file name of said predetermined formed compressed image data to the client terminals collaborating with said client terminal, wherein the operator of said client terminal specifies the screen range during a capture mode;

(f) directing said client terminal to suspend the capture mode;

(g) directing said client terminal to receive input from the operator to activate a hidden window image; and

(h) directing said client terminal to resume the capture mode.

11. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by manipulating a mouse to define a frame, wherein the frame encloses the screen range.

12. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operator specifies a screen range of said client terminal by selecting an application window, wherein a frame of the application window defines the screen range.

13. The storage medium of claim 10, said software product further comprising the program codes for:

directing said client terminal to acquire a device context of a desktop window; and

directing said client terminal to generate a desktop window image corresponding to the device context of the desktop window, wherein the screen range is a portion of the desktop window.