Method, Apparatus, System, and Medium for Supporting Multiple-Party Communications

• US 20080243994A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AK Meeting IP LLC (Pueblo Nuevo LLC)
• Original Assignee: Uranus International Limited
• Inventors: Kropivny, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a system for supporting multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a client processor circuit operably configured to receive at least one of a) a user input signal, and b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at the client computer. The client processor circuit is operably configured to produce a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of the at least one of the user input signal and the function invocation signal, transmit the message to the server. The system further includes a server processor circuit operably configured to receive the message from the client computer, produce an output message representing the user input provided by the message, determine a message type associated with the message, transmit the output message to a) each of the plurality of client computers when the input message is associated with a persistent message type, and b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when the input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

Claims

1. A method for supporting multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the method comprising:

receiving at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

producing a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal; and

transmitting said message to the server.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving said user input signal comprises receiving at least one of:

a character signal representing character input received from a character input device in communication with the client computer;

a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement produced in response to user input received at a pointing device in communication with the client computer; and

an actuator button signal produced in response to user actuation of an actuator button associated with the pointing device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving said function invocation signal comprises receiving a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement to a position within a function invocation button displayed on a display area of the client computer, followed by an actuator button signal while said cursor is within said button.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising pre-associating combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal with said message types.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said pre-associating comprises pre-associating pre-defined sequences of said user input signals and said function invocations with said message types.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said pre-associating comprises pre-associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a persistent message type indicator and associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a non-persistent message type indicator.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said persistent message type indicator comprises associating with said persistent message type indicator, one of:

a character input signal;

a cursor movement signal in combination with an actuator button signal;

an image show function invocation in combination with an actuator button signal;

a clipboard function invocation, in combination with an actuator button signal;

a link creation function invocation in combination with a cursor movement signal and an actuator button signal; and

a game function invocation.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said non-persistent message type indicator comprises associating a cursor movement signal received in absence of an actuator button signal with said non-persistent message type indicator.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein said pre-associating comprises pre-associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a control message type indicator.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said control message type indicator comprises associating with said control message type indicator, one of:

a clear screen function invocation;

a save function invocation;

an open function invocation;

a page change function invocation; and

a quit function invocation.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein producing said message comprises producing a message comprising a plurality of said pre-defined combinations of said user input signals and said function invocation signals.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein producing said message comprises producing a message having a message identifier within one of a plurality of message identifier ranges, each respective message identifier range being associated with one of said message types.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein producing said message comprises producing at least one of:

a message representing a character;

a message representing a line;

a message representing a data identifier identifying a location of image data uploaded to the server;

a message representing a data identifier identifying a location of clipboard data uploaded to the server;

a message representing a request to display game pieces; and

a message including link information identifying a content location and a link associated with said content location.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

converting data representing one of image data and formatted clipboard data into a supported image data format; and

uploading said data to the server.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein producing said message comprises producing a message including link information comprising:

a coordinate position identifying a linked area; and

one of;

a) a filename of content stored in a memory store on the server; and

b) a uniform resource locator identifying content available on the computer network.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a character entry position, and wherein producing said message comprises producing a message representing a character, said message including said character entry position.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein determining said character entry position comprises reading a character entry position from a character entry position store.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising storing a character entry position in said character entry position store when said user input signal comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising storing a character entry position in said character entry position store when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises:

a default position when an actuator button signal has not been received while a cursor is displayed on a display area of the client computer;

a cursor position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer in absence of a pre-defined function invocation;

a horizontally spaced character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal, said horizontally spaced character entry position being spaced apart from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character; and

a new line character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal representing one of a line feed or carriage return, said new line being spaced downwardly from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character and horizontally aligned with a previous line.

20. An apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

means for producing a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal; and

means for transmitting said message to the server.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for receiving said user input signal comprises means for receiving at least one of:

a character signal representing character input received from a character input device in communication with the client computer;

a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement produced in response to user input received at a pointing device in communication with the client computer; and

an actuator button signal produced in response to user actuation of an actuator button associated with the pointing device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said means for receiving said function invocation signal comprises means for receiving a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement to a position within a function invocation button displayed on a display area of the client computer, followed by an actuator button signal while said cursor is within said button.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for pre-associating combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal with said message types.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for pre-associating comprises means for pre-associating pre-defined sequences of said user input signals and said function invocations with said message types.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for pre-associating comprises means for pre-associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a persistent message type indicator and means for associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a non-persistent message type indicator.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said persistent message type indicator comprises means for associating with said persistent message type indicator, one of:

a character input signal;

a cursor movement signal in combination with an actuator button signal;

an image show function invocation in combination with an actuator button signal;

a clipboard function invocation in combination with by an actuator button signal;

a link creation function invocation in combination with a cursor movement signal and an actuator button signal; and

a game function invocation.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said non-persistent message type indicator comprises means for associating a cursor movement signal received in absence of an actuator button signal with said non-persistent message type indicator.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for pre-associating comprises means for pre-associating at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a control message type indicator.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means for associating said at least one of said pre-defined combinations with said control message type indicator comprises means for associating with said control message type indicator, one of:

a clear screen function invocation;

a save function invocation;

an open function invocation;

a page change function invocation; and

a quit function invocation.

30. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for producing said message comprises means for producing a message comprising a plurality of said pre-defined combinations of said user input signals and said function invocation signals.

31. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for producing said message comprises means for producing a message having a message identifier within one of a plurality of message identifier ranges, each respective message identifier range being associated with one of said message types.

32. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for producing said message comprises means for producing at least one of:

a message representing a character;

a message representing a line;

a message representing a location of image data uploaded to the server;

a message representing a location of clipboard data copied to clipboard memory and uploaded to the server; and

a message including link information identifying a content location and a link associated with said content location.

33. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

means for converting data representing one of image data and formatted clipboard data into a supported image data format; and

means for uploading said data to the server.

34. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for producing said message comprises means for producing a message including link information comprising:

a coordinate position identifying a linked area; and

one of;

a) a filename of content stored in a memory store on the server; and

b) a uniform resource locator identifying content available on the computer network.

35. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for determining a character entry position, and wherein said means for producing said message comprises means for producing a message representing a character, said message including said character entry position.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said means for determining said character entry position comprises means for reading a character entry position from a character entry position store.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising means for storing a character entry position in said character entry position store when said user input signal comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising means for storing a character entry position in said character entry position store when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises one of:

a default position when an actuator button signal has not been received while a cursor is displayed on a display area of the client computer;

a cursor position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer in absence of a pre-defined function invocation;

a horizontally spaced character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal, said horizontally spaced character entry position being spaced apart from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character; and

a new line character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal representing one of a line feed or carriage return, said new line being spaced downwardly from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character and horizontally aligned with a previous line.

39. An apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising a processor circuit operably configured to:

receive at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

produce a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal; and

transmit said message to the server.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said user input signal comprises at least one of:

a character signal representing character input received from a character input device in communication with the client computer;

a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement produced in response to user input received at a pointing device in communication with the client computer; and

an actuator button signal produced in response to user actuation of an actuator button associated with the pointing device.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said function invocation signal comprises a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement to a position within a function invocation button displayed on a display area of the client computer, followed by an actuator button signal while said cursor is within said button.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to pre-associate combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal with said message types.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to pre-associate pre-defined sequences of said user input signals and said function invocations with said message types.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to pre-associate at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a persistent message type indicator and to associate at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a non-persistent message type indicator.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said pre-defined combination associated with said persistent message type indicator comprises one of:

a character input signal;

a cursor movement signal in combination with an actuator button signal;

an image show function invocation in combination with an actuator button signal;

a clipboard function invocation in combination with an actuator button signal;

a link creation function invocation in combination with a cursor movement signal and an actuator button signal; and

a game function invocation.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said pre-defined combination associated with said non-persistent message type indicator comprises a cursor movement signal received in absence of an actuator button signal with said non-persistent message type indicator.

47. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to pre-associate at least one of said pre-defined combinations with a control message type indicator.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said pre-defined combination associated with said control message type indicator comprises one of:

a clear screen function invocation;

a save function invocation;

an open function invocation;

a page change function invocation; and

a quit function invocation.

49. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce a message comprising a plurality of said pre-defined combinations of said user input signals and said function invocation signals.

50. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce a message having a message identifier within one of a plurality of message identifier ranges, each respective message identifier range being associated with one of said message types.

51. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce at least one of:

a message representing a character;

a message representing a line;

a message representing a location of image data uploaded to the server;

a message representing a location of clipboard data copied to clipboard memory and uploaded to the server;

a message representing a request to display game pieces; and

a message including link information identifying a content location and a link associated with said content location.

52. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

convert data representing one of image data and formatted clipboard data into a supported image data format; and

upload said data to the server.

53. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce a message including link information comprising:

a coordinate position identifying a linked area; and

one of;

a) a filename of content stored in a memory store on the server; and

b) a uniform resource locator identifying content available on the computer network.

54. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to determine a character entry position, and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce said message by producing a message representing a character, said message including said character entry position.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to read a character entry position from a character entry position store.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to store a character entry position in said character entry position store when said user input signal comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to store a character entry position in said character entry position store when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises one of:

a default position when an actuator button signal has not been received while a cursor is displayed on a display area of the client computer;

a cursor position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises an actuator button signal at a cursor position on a display area of the client computer in absence of a pre-defined function invocation;

a horizontally spaced character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal, said horizontally spaced character entry position being spaced apart from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character; and

a new line character entry position when said at least one of said user input signals and said function invocations comprises a character input signal representing one of a line feed or carriage return, said new line being spaced downwardly from a previous character entered at a previous character entry position in proportion to a size of said previous character and horizontally aligned with a previous line.

58. A computer readable medium encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to support multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

receive at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

produce a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal; and

transmit said message to the server.

59. A computer readable signal encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to support multiple-party communications on a client computer in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the processor circuit to:

receive at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

produce a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal; and

transmit said message to the server.

60. A method for supporting multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the method comprising:

receiving an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

producing an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

determining a message type associated with said input message;

transmitting said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion comprises transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers when all previously received messages of said persistent message type have been transmitted to said ones of the plurality of client computers during the multiple-party communication.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein producing said output message comprises storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising creating a shared buffer and associating said shared buffer with the multiple-party communication.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein creating said shared buffer comprises:

allocating a plurality of memory stores to the multiple-party communication;

associating a current data pointer with said plurality of memory stores, said current data pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message associated with the multiple-party communication is stored; and

for each client computer in the multiple-party communication, associating a client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores, each said client sent pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message sent to the respective client computer is stored.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising associating a client table with the multiple-party communication and wherein associating each said client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores comprises storing an identification of each respective client computer in said client table, said identification including at least a client computer identifier identifying the client computer, said client sent pointer, and a catch up flag for indicating that previous messages of said persistent message type have not been transmitted to the identified client computer.

66. The method of claim 65 further comprising associating a receive buffer and a transmit buffer with the client computer identifier, said receive buffer being operably configured to store input messages received from the client computer and said transmit buffer being operably configured to store output messages to be transmitted to the client computer.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein transmitting said output message comprises copying said input message into respective transmit buffers associated with respective client computers to which said output message is to be transmitted.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion comprises transmitting said output message to ones of the plurality of client computers that have:

a client sent pointer that does not match said current data pointer; and

an associated catch up flag set to not active.

69. The method of claim 65 wherein storing an identification of each respective client computer in said client table comprises storing a new client identification for each new client computer that joins the multiple-party communication and further comprising setting said catch up flag to active in said new client identification.

70. The method of claim 62 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving a save message from the client computer, said save message representing a request by the user of the client computer to save content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising causing output messages in said shared buffer to be saved to persistent storage.

71. The method of claim 62 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving an open message from the client computer, said open message representing a request by the user of the client computer to load content previously saved during the multiple-party communication and further comprising:

saving output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory;

transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on a display area of the client computer;

loading a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory; and

transmitting said plurality of previously saved messages to the client computer.

72. The method of claim 62 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving a page change message from the client computer said page change message representing a request by the user of the client computer to change content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising:

saving output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory store; and

transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

73. The method of claim 72 further comprising loading a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory and transmitting said previously saved messages to the client computer.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein transmitting said previously saved messages comprises setting a catch up flag to active, said server being operable to transmit output messages in said shared buffer of said persistent message type to the client computer when said catch up flag is active.

75. The method of claim 60 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving a message from the client computer representing a request by the client computer to clear content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

76. The method of claim 60 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving an input message representing a plurality of user input signals from one of the plurality of client computers.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein producing said output message comprises producing a message representing said plurality of user input signals.

78. The method of claim 60 wherein determining said message type associated with said input message comprises reading a message type indicator associated with one of said input message and said output message.

79. The method of claim 60 wherein determining said message type comprises:

pre-associating pre-defined ranges of message identifiers with respective message types;

reading a message identifier associated with one of said input message and said output message; and

associating said message identifier with one of said pre-defined ranges of message identifiers to determine said message type.

80. The method of claim 60 further comprising:

receiving upload data at the server from one of the client computers, said upload data being associated with a first identifier;

storing said upload data in a memory on the server;

generating a second identifier and associating said second identifier with said upload data stored in said memory;

wherein producing said output message comprises producing an output message including said second identifier; and

transmitting said upload data to each of the client computers in response to receiving a request from each of the client computers to download said upload data identified by said second identifier.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein receiving said input message comprises receiving an input message including said first identifier identifying said upload data.

82. The method of claim 80 wherein generating said second identifier comprises reading a value of said first identifier in said input message and setting said second identifier to said value.

83. The method of claim 80 further comprising determining a data type associated with said upload data and invoking a conversion function to convert said upload data into a supported image data format.

84. The method of claim 80 wherein receiving said upload data comprises receiving one of:

image data;

formatted clipboard data; and

screenshot data.

85. The method of claim 60 further comprising causing the server to execute a function when said message type associated with said input message is associated with a control message type.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein producing said output message comprises storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication and wherein causing the server to execute said function comprises at least one of:

causing a clear screen message to be transmitted to the plurality of client computers;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be written to a persistent memory store on the server;

causing messages to be read into said shared buffer from a persistent memory store on the server;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be deleted;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be overwritten; and

causing the multiple-party communication to be discontinued.

87. An apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

means for producing an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

means for determining a message type associated with said input message;

means for transmitting said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

88. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion comprises means for transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers when all previously received messages of said persistent message type have been transmitted to said ones of the plurality of client computers during the multiple-party communication.

89. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for producing said output message comprises means for storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication.

90. The apparatus of claim 89 further comprising means for creating a shared buffer and associating said shared buffer with the multiple-party communication.

91. The apparatus of claim 90 wherein said means for creating said shared buffer comprises:

allocating a plurality of memory stores to the multiple-party communication;

associating a current data pointer with said plurality of memory stores, said current data pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message associated with the multiple-party communication is stored; and

for each client computer in the multiple-party communication, associating a client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores, each said client sent pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message sent to the respective client computer is stored.

92. The apparatus of claim 91 further comprising means for associating a client table with the multiple-party communication and wherein said means for associating each said client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores comprises means for storing an identification of each respective client computer in said client table, said identification including at least a client computer identifier identifying the client computer, said client sent pointer, and a catch up flag for indicating that previous messages of said persistent message type have not been transmitted to the identified client computer.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 further comprising means for associating a receive buffer and a transmit buffer with the client computer identifier, said receive buffer being operably configured to store input messages received from the client computer and said transmit buffer being operably configured to store output messages to be transmitted to the client computer.

94. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein said means for transmitting said output message comprises means for copying said input message into respective transmit buffers associated with respective client computers to which said output message is to be transmitted.

95. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein said means for transmitting said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion comprises means for transmitting said output message to ones of the plurality of client computers that have:

a client sent pointer that does not match said current data pointer; and

an associated catch up flag set to not active.

96. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein said means for storing an identification of each respective client computer in said client table comprises means for storing a new client identification for each new client computer that joins the multiple-party communication and further comprising means for setting said catch up flag to active in said new client identification.

97. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving a save message from the client computer, said save message representing a request by the user of the client computer to save content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising means for causing output messages in said shared buffer to be saved to persistent storage.

98. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving an open message from the client computer, said open message representing a request by the user of the client computer to load content previously saved during the multiple-party communication and further comprising:

means for saving output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory;

means for transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on a display area of the client computer;

means for loading a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory; and

means for transmitting said plurality of previously saved messages to the client computer.

99. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving a page change message from the client computer said page change message representing a request by the user of the client computer to change content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising:

means for saving output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory store; and

means for transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

100. The apparatus of claim 99 further comprising means for loading a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory and means for transmitting said previously saved messages to the client computer.

101. The apparatus of claim 100 wherein said means for transmitting said previously saved messages comprises means for setting a catch up flag to active, said server being operable to transmit output messages in said shared buffer of said persistent message type to the client computer when said catch up flag is active.

102. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving a message from the client computer representing a request by the client computer to clear content displayed on a display area of the client computer and further comprising means for transmitting a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

103. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving an input message representing a plurality of user input signals from one of the plurality of client computers.

104. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein said means for producing said output message comprises means for producing a message representing said plurality of user input signals.

105. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for determining said message type associated with said input message comprises means for reading a message type indicator associated with one of said input message and said output message.

106. The apparatus of claim 87 wherein said means for determining said message type comprises:

means for pre-associating pre-defined ranges of message identifiers with respective message types;

means for reading a message identifier associated with one of said input message and said output message; and

means for associating said message identifier with one of said pre-defined ranges of message identifiers to determine said message type.

107. The apparatus of claim 87 further comprising

means for receiving upload data at the server from one of the client computers, said upload data being associated with a first identifier;

means for storing said upload data in a memory on the server;

means for generating a second identifier and means for associating said second identifier with said upload data stored in said memory;

wherein said means for producing said output message comprises means for producing an output message including said second identifier; and

means for transmitting said upload data to each of the client computers in response to receiving a request from each of the client computers to download said upload data identified by said second identifier.

108. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said means for receiving said input message comprises means for receiving an input message including said first identifier identifying said upload data.

109. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said means for generating said second identifier comprises means for reading a value of said first identifier in said input message and means for setting said second identifier to said value.

110. The apparatus of claim 107 further comprising means for determining a data type associated with said upload data and means for invoking a conversion function to convert said upload data into a supported image data format.

111. The apparatus of claim 110 wherein said means for receiving said upload data comprises means for receiving one of:

image data;

formatted clipboard data; and

screenshot data.

112. The apparatus of claim 87 further comprising means for causing the server to execute a function when said message type associated with said input message is associated with a control message type.

113. The apparatus of claim 112 wherein said means for producing said output message comprises means for storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication and wherein causing the server to execute said function comprises at least one of:

causing a clear screen message to be transmitted to the plurality of client computers;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be written to a persistent memory store on the server;

causing messages to be read into said shared buffer from a persistent memory store on the server;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be deleted;

causing messages in said shared buffer to be overwritten; and

causing the multiple-party communication to be discontinued.

114. An apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the apparatus comprising a processor circuit operably configured to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

determine a message type associated with said input message;

transmit said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

115. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion when all previously received messages of said persistent message type have been transmitted to said ones of the plurality of client computers during the multiple-party communication.

116. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce said output message by storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication.

117. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to create a shared buffer and associating said shared buffer with the multiple-party communication.

118. The apparatus of claim 117 said processor circuit is operably configured to create said shared buffer by:

allocating a plurality of memory stores to the multiple-party communication;

associating a current data pointer with said plurality of memory stores, said current data pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message associated with the multiple-party communication is stored; and

for each client computer in the multiple-party communication, associating a client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores, each said client sent pointer representing a location of a store in which a last message sent to the respective client computer is stored.

119. The apparatus of claim 118 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to associate a client table with the multiple-party communication and to associate each said client sent pointer with said plurality of memory stores by storing an identification of each respective client computer in said client table, said identification including at least a client computer identifier identifying the client computer, said client sent pointer, and a catch up flag for indicating that previous messages of said persistent message type have not been transmitted to the identified client computer.

120. The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to associate a receive buffer and a transmit buffer with the client computer identifier, said receive buffer being operably configured to store input messages received from the client computer and said transmit buffer being operably configured to store output messages to be transmitted to the client computer.

121. The apparatus of claim 120 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said output message by copying said input message into respective transmit buffers associated with respective client computers to which said output message is to be transmitted.

122. The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said output message to said ones of the plurality of client computers that meet said criterion by transmitting said output message to ones of the plurality of client computers that have:

a client sent pointer that does not match said current data pointer; and

an associated catch up flag set to not active.

123. The apparatus of claim 119 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to store a new client identification for each new client computer that joins the multiple-party communication and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to set said catch up flag to active in said new client identification.

124. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive a save message from the client computer, said save message representing a request by the user of the client computer to save content displayed on a display area of the client computer and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to cause output messages in said shared buffer to be saved to persistent storage.

125. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive an open message from the client computer, said open message representing a request by the user of the client computer to load content previously saved during the multiple-party communication and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

save output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory;

transmit a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on a display area of the client computer;

load a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory; and

transmit said plurality of previously saved messages to the client computer.

126. The apparatus of claim 116 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive a page change message from the client computer said page change message representing a request by the user of the client computer to change content displayed on a display area of the client computer and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

save output messages in said shared buffer to a persistent memory store; and

transmit a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

127. The apparatus of claim 126 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to load a plurality of previously saved messages into said shared buffer from said persistent memory and transmit said previously saved messages to the client computer.

128. The apparatus of claim 127 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit said previously saved messages by setting a catch up flag to active, said server being operable to transmit output messages in said shared buffer of said persistent message type to the client computer when said catch up flag is active.

129. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive a message from the client computer representing a request by the client computer to clear content displayed on a display area of the client computer and wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to transmit a clear screen message to the client computer, said clear screen message being operable to cause content associated with output messages previously transmitted to the client computer to be deleted on said display area of the client computer.

130. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive an input message representing a plurality of user input signals from one of the plurality of client computers.

131. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce an output message representing said plurality of user input signals.

132. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to determine said message type associated with said input message by reading a message type indicator associated with one of said input message and said output message.

133. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to determine said message type by:

pre-associating pre-defined ranges of message identifiers with respective message types;

reading a message identifier associated with one of said input message and said output message; and

associating said message identifier with one of said pre-defined ranges of message identifiers to determine said message type.

134. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to:

receive upload data at the server from one of the client computers, said upload data being associated with a first identifier;

store said upload data in a memory on the server;

generate a second identifier and associate said second identifier with said upload data stored in said memory;

produce an output message including said second identifier; and

transmit said upload data to each of the client computers in response to receiving a request from each of the client computers to download said upload data identified by said second identifier.

135. The apparatus of claim 134 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to receive an input message including said first identifier identifying said upload data.

136. The apparatus of claim 134 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to generate said second identifier by reading a value of said first identifier in said input message and setting said second identifier to said value.

137. The apparatus of claim 134 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to determine a data type associated with said upload data and to invoking a conversion function to convert said upload data into a supported image data format.

138. The apparatus of claim 137 wherein said upload data comprises one of:

image data;

formatted clipboard data; and

screenshot data.

139. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to execute a function when said message type associated with said input message is associated with a control message type.

140. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein said processor circuit is operably configured to produce said output message by storing said input message in a shared buffer associated with the multiple-party communication and wherein said function is operable to cause at least one of:

a clear screen message to be transmitted to the plurality of client computers;

messages in said shared buffer to be written to a persistent memory store on the server;

messages to be read into said shared buffer from a persistent memory store on the server;

messages in said shared buffer to be deleted; and

messages in said shared buffer to be overwritten; and

the multiple-party communication to be discontinued.

141. A computer readable medium encoded with codes for directing a server processor circuit to support multiple-party communications multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the server processor circuit to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

determine a message type associated with said input message;

transmit said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

142. A computer readable signal encoded with codes for directing a server processor circuit to support multiple-party communications multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, said codes directing the server processor circuit to:

receive an input message at the server, said message representing user input received at one of the plurality of client computers;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said input message;

determine a message type associated with said input message;

transmit said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.

143. A system for supporting multiple-party communications between a plurality of client computers in communication with a server in a computer network, the system comprising:

a client processor circuit operably configured to;

receive at least one of;

a) a user input signal; and

b) a function invocation signal representing a function invocation at said client computer;

produce a message having a message type associated with one of a plurality of pre-defined combinations of said at least one of said user input signal and said function invocation signal;

transmit said message to the server;

a server processor circuit operably configured to;

receive said message from the client computer;

produce an output message representing said user input provided by said message;

determine a message type associated with said message;

transmit said output message to;

a) each of the plurality of client computers when said input message is associated with a persistent message type; and

b) ones of the plurality of client computers that meet a criterion when said input message is associated with a non-persistent message type.