Method and apparatus for synchronously sharing data among computer
US5583993A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/131
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for synchronously sharing data among a plurality of computer systems includes the step of determining the initiation of a shared space session. Upon initiation, a message is transmitted to remote computer systems to announce the initiation. A shared space view is then displayed on a screen of the computer system. The input into the shared space view of data is then determined and this data is shared among the computer systems in the shared space session. The method further includes determining whether a message has been received from remote computer systems and incorporating these messages into the shared space view. A further method of the present invention resynchronizes a participant into communication with a shared space session. The method includes the steps of selecting a close box in the shared space view, closing the view to terminate participation in the session and reinitiating participation to reestablish synchronous communication. Contents of the session are saved upon the termination of participation so that sessions can be recreated. An apparatus for performing the methods of the present invention is further disclosed. Included in the apparatus is the mechani…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.