Computer system and method for performing multiple tasks

US6199160A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Heimo Echensperger · Waldenbuch, DE
• Wolfgang Eibach · Holzgerlingen, DE
• Michael Fox · Fitchburg, US
• Hans H. Harz · Eppelheim, DE
• Rolf Schaefer · Mainz, DE
• Ralf Streit · Heimsheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 1994
• Grant date: Mar 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F9/4843
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer system and method for performing multiple tasks. The computer system comprises a host (2), a communication subsystem (3), a plurality of application programs (1, 2), virtual terminal manager (5), virtual terminals (9, 4), an application programming interface (6), and a cross application program (7) as well as a real terminal T. The logical connections L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the application programs to their associated virtual terminals are independent from the logical connections of the respective virtual terminals to the real terminal T. The logical connections l.sub.3T, l.sub.2T are user selectable by positioning of the software controllable switch 11. A plurality of application programs, for example applications programs (A.sub.1, A.sub.2), are integrated by the cross application program (7) which has access to the respective virtual terminals (4, 9) via the application programming interface (6) and the virtual terminal manager (5). The cross application program (7) can also be used for user simulation in order to automate the operation of the integrated application programs.