Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-10
2001-02-27
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C709S204000, C709S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195091
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of collaborative computing and, more particularly, to collaborative computing apparatus operable across multiple platforms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability for computer users to share work and otherwise to communicate, through desktop collaboration (including conferencing), is becoming increasingly important in business, government, and research environments. However, while networks of multimedia-enabled desktop workstations and personal computers are becoming the norm, numerous operating systems, network technologies, and communications services continue to exist. The ability to collaborate effectively is severely hampered by the lack of a single standard.
Different users also have vastly different desktop collaboration needs, depending largely on the setting. Computer users may be involved in staff meetings, project meetings, formal presentations, medical consultations, military or intelligence briefings, depositions, or other settings with very different requirements. The same users may be involved in different settings at different times. These settings and the collaborative requirements of these settings are not always adequately replicated by existing desktop collaboration environments, which typically take the form of either a virtual conference room (for example, Communique!, by InSoft, Inc. of Mechanicsburg, Pa.) or an extension of the telephone paradigm (the traditional video teleconferencing environment). While these existing forms permit desktop collaboration, they do not permit the customization of the collaboration environment to most effectively meet the needs of the various settings in which collaboration takes place.
For example, some settings require access to shared workspace to be controlled by a moderator (e.g., during a formal presentation), but other settings require relatively little control (e.g., during a design team meeting). Also, in some settings, allocation of screen space to different functions may need to be fixed to ensure that all necessary data, images, and other information is available to all participants in the same form. However, in other settings it is appropriate to permit participants to adjust the allocation of screen space for their own requirements. Different needs for control over conference participation may also exist. In military and intelligence settings, for example, tight control must be placed over who can participate in and monitor a conference. However, for a general staff briefing it may be appropriate to allow a broad range of access and there may be few control requirements.
Effective desktop collaboration also requires the ability to customize the tools shared by the users. For example, design teams may need to share computer-aided design (CAD) tools, engineers may need to share computeraided engineering (CAE) tools, attorneys may need to share document creation and review tools, and physicians may need tools to examine high-quality images. However, many collaborative environments will not require all of these functions. While certain basic functions (such as audio and video connections or a whiteboard) may usually be needed, users need to be able to select and revise the functions they will use. Some users may want to incorporate custom applications for their particular needs. Therefore, a desktop collaboration system should permit the integration of various off-the-shelf and custom applications to meet a customer's needs. Also, a desktop collaboration system should permit applications to be written independent of the intricacies of the specific platform and network techniques being used. However, existing desktop collaboration systems do not permit easy customization of applications.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved collaborative computing system that can operate across multiple computer platforms and network technologies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved collaborative computing system that permits customization of features and applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, these and other objects and advantages are achieved by employing a system that uses platform and subsystem independent modules and an open architecture that permits the creation and use of collaborative computing applications independent of the hardware and software platforms on which the collaboration will take place.
The system includes a virtual network module, or conference engine, which serves as an interface between collaborative computing applications and the network. The conference engine presents the same interface for collaborative computing applications regardless of the computer platform and network technology with which the collaborative application is used. The conference engine provides for tightly and loosely coupled sessions between the distributed application components, multiplexed message and data distribution, and distributed clipboarding. The conference engine also provides conference management functions.
Application modules, such as audio and video tools and a conference manager, connect to the conference engine through inter-process control (IPC) mechanisms and may connect to specialized hardware (e.g., a graphics board). The IPCs are operating system dependent. The application modules may be linked to an applications library, which provides the services required to communicate with the conference engine.
Collaborative computing applications are built around one or more of the application modules, and can include user interface modules, which control the interface between the user and application modules. An applications program interface (API) provides the services required for the user interface modules to communicate with the application modules.
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Harple Daniel L.
Pizzarro Richard H.
Bautista X. L.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Glenn Michael A.
Netscape Communications Corporation
Wong Kirk
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