Generic object-based resource-sharing interface for distance co-operation
First Claim
1. A system for sharing software comprising:
- a server, including a processor, having or allowing access to at least one computer program to be shared by at least two user machines, all of the user machines having a Java enabled browser program;
computer readable code for identifying at least one of the user machines as an active user machine;
computer readable code, executed by the processor of the server, for allowing a connection between each user machine to be opened for presenting one or more sharable programs to each user through the browser at each user machine and allowing the or each active user to interact with the sharable program in substantially real-time;
computer readable code, executed by the processor of the server, for listening for and receiving, at the server, signals from a user browser interface indicative of active user interactions with a shared program that is at the server or accessible via the server, andcomputer readable, executed by the processor of the server, for using the signals indicative of active user interactions to generate window screen redrawing commands comprising pixel data, and for broadcasting the pixel data for each interaction by an active user to all user machines in substantially real time, so that any screen changes are presented substantially simultaneously to the active user and all other users, wherein the pixel data is broadcast in response to receipt of the signals indicative of the active user interactions.
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Abstract
A computer program interface for permitting multiple users to share a single copy of a computer program is described. The program interface is written in Java 1.2 or a later version and C++ and permits users who have browser programs enabled in Java to interact with the user interface. The system can be used in a variety of modes which includes a shared mode to allow multiple users to use the system, although other modes include use by a single user. In the shared mode two or more users share the same copy of software interactively over the Internet or an Intranet connection. In one embodiment during the sharing activity only one user, designated the active user, interacts directly with the computer program and the other users, designated passive user, observe what the active user does and what results are produced in response to the active user'"'"'s activities. The user interface allows intercommunication between users and allows passive users to assume the role of an active user and vice versa but there is only one active use at any time. In another embodiment more than one active user can share a program which permits real-time interaction for example in game playing or co-design. Various aspects of the invention including graphical and command-time user new interface programs are described.
13 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for sharing software comprising:
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a server, including a processor, having or allowing access to at least one computer program to be shared by at least two user machines, all of the user machines having a Java enabled browser program; computer readable code for identifying at least one of the user machines as an active user machine; computer readable code, executed by the processor of the server, for allowing a connection between each user machine to be opened for presenting one or more sharable programs to each user through the browser at each user machine and allowing the or each active user to interact with the sharable program in substantially real-time; computer readable code, executed by the processor of the server, for listening for and receiving, at the server, signals from a user browser interface indicative of active user interactions with a shared program that is at the server or accessible via the server, and computer readable, executed by the processor of the server, for using the signals indicative of active user interactions to generate window screen redrawing commands comprising pixel data, and for broadcasting the pixel data for each interaction by an active user to all user machines in substantially real time, so that any screen changes are presented substantially simultaneously to the active user and all other users, wherein the pixel data is broadcast in response to receipt of the signals indicative of the active user interactions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sharing software in a system that has a server having or allowing access to at least one computer program to be shared by at least two user machines, all of the user machines having a Java enabled browser program, the method comprising:
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identifying at least one of the user machines as an active user machine; allowing a connection between each user machine to be opened; allowing the or each active user to interact with the sharable program in substantially real-time; listening for and receiving, at a processor of the server, signals from a browser interface indicative of active user interactions with a shared program that is at the server or accessible via the server for using the signals indicative of active user interactions to generate window screen redrawing commands comprising pixel data; and broadcasting the pixel data for each interaction by an active user to all user machines in substantially real time, so that any screen changes are presented substantially simultaneously to the active user and all other users, wherein the pixel data is broadcast in response to receipt of the pixel data from the active user'"'"'s screen signals indicative of active user interactions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer program product for allowing computer software to be shared in a system that has a server having or allowing access to at least one computer program to be shared by at least two user machines, all of the user machines having a Java enabled browser program, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having code or instructions stored therein, the code or instructions being for:
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identifying at least one of the user machines as an active user machine; allowing a connection between each user machine to be opened; allowing the or each active user to interact with the sharable program in substantially real-time; listening for and receiving signals from a browser interface indicative of active user interactions with a shared program that is at the server or accessible via the server for using the signals indicative of active user interactions to generate window screen redrawing commands comprising pixel data; and broadcasting the pixel data for each interaction by an active user to all user machines in substantially real time, so that any screen changes are presented substantially simultaneously to the active user and all other users, wherein the pixel data is broadcast in response to receipt of the pixel data from the active user'"'"'s screen signals indicative of active user interactions.
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Specification