Scalable multiparty conferencing and collaboration system and method of dynamically allocating system resources in same

• US 7,167,182 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Butler, Laura J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tung; Kee M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, TAM D
• Application Number:
  US10/785,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 345/537, 345/538, 345/543, 345/544, 715/751, 715/749, 715/753
• US Class Current: 345/537
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5016 the resource being the memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A networking conferencing and collaboration tool utilizing an enhanced T.128 application sharing protocol. This enhanced protocol is based on a per-host model command, control, and communication structure. This per-host model reduces network traffic, allows greater scalability through dynamic system resource allocation, allows a single host to establish and maintain a share session with no other members present. The per-host model allows private communication between the host and a remote with periodic broadcasts of updates by the host to the entire share group. This per-host model also allows the host to allow, revoke, pause, and invite control of the shared applications. Subsequent passing of control is provided, also with the hosts acceptance. The model contains no fixed limit on the number of participants, and dynamically allocates resources when needed to share or control a shared application. These resources are then freed when no longer needed.

Claims

1. A method of allocating memory for a host computing device and at least one conference participant computing device during an application program share session of a multipoint data conference, comprising:

allocating within the host computing device a first block of memory for a host of the application program share session of size sufficient to allow program sharing;

allocating within the host computing device a second block of memory for a participant computing device of the application program share session of size less than the first block of memory;

transferring control of the application share session to the participant computing device; and

upon transferring control, allocating additional memory associated with the first block of memory to process input from the participant computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transferring causes the participant computing device to dynamically allocate additional memory.

3. The method of claim 1 including maintaining the second block of memory essentially the same size when allocating additional memory.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising dynamically reducing the size of the first block of memory upon relinquishment of control of the shared application program by the participant wherein additional memory was allocated to the first block.

5. A computer-readable medium storing a computer-executable instructions for performing a method of managing memory during an application sharing session between a host computing device and a participant computing device, the method comprising:

allocating a first block of memory for the host of the application program share session of size sufficient to allow program sharing;

allocating a second block of memory for the participant computing device of the application program share session of size less than the first block of memory;

receiving control of the application share session from the host computing device; and

upon receiving control, allocating additional memory associated with the second block of memory to process input.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 wherein the participant computing device dynamically allocates additional memory upon receiving control.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 including maintaining the first block of memory at essentially the same size when allocating additional memory associated with the second block of memory.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 further comprising dynamically reducing the size of the second block of memory upon relinquishing control of the shared application program.