USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Adam J Simonoff

Larry A Fontenot

Brian T McLintock

Robert L Taft

Julian B Hebert, Jr

Bradley A Repp

Albert M Wurm

Spencer R Courtney

A multiple-user graphical programming and analysis environment is disclosed that includes graphically represented code objects, graphically represented inter-code object connections, application programs, and a graphical white board area. Each code object may be created by a user, and accessible by other users in an asynchronous fashion, in accordance with the security privileges of the other users. Each inter-code object connection represents data transfer between a pair of code objects. Each application program is made up of one or more chains of the code objects, interconnected via the inter-code object connections. The code objects are definable and movable within the graphical white board area, and the inter-code object connections are creatable within this area. The application programs are executable within the graphical white board area. The code objects, as well as the environment itself, may be developed in an architecture-independent and Internet web browsing program-independent computer programming technology, such as Java.

Multiple-user graphical programming and analysis environment

A Collaborator computer collaborative environment (CCE) instantiated by a computer network includes N Collaborator CCE clients and a Collaborator CCE server. Each of the N Collaborator CCE clients generates message objects each including a nested group identifier and an associated privilege level; the Collaborator CCE server filters the generated message objects and routes only those message objects to an Nth Collaborator CCE client that is a member of the respective group having the group identifier and that has a privilege greater than or equal to the associated privilege level. Corresponding software is also described.

Collaborative environment implemented on a distributed computer network and software therefor

A White Board system permitting a plurality of users to collaborate with one another irrespective of the respective user's hardware platform or operating system, includes a server computer, and a plurality of client computers coupled to the server computer. Preferably, each of the client computers logs into the server computer and is thereby assigned a unique identifier, each of the client computers includes a graphical user interface (GUI) which selectively displays any combination of objects having active content, active hyperlinks, and text, each of the client computers transmits user-generated objects to the server computer for selective retransmission to respective one of the client computers, the server selectively controls transmission of all user-generated objects to respective ones of the computers responsive to the respective assigned identifier, and the server commands one of the client computers to update a new client computer when the new client computer logs into the server. A method for operating a computer network to facilitate collaboration between users and software for implementing the method are also described.

Collaborative development network for widely dispersed users and methods therefor

A method permitting collaboration between a plurality of users of incompatible hardware and/or operating system, includes steps for selectively generating predetermined objects, text objects, active hyperlink objects, active track objects, and freehand drawing objects, which are displayable at user-selected locations on the White Board screen of one of the users, transmitting all generated ones of the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects for selective distributions to each of the other users, accumulating the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects, and filtering the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects to thereby permit selective transmission of the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects to respective ones the other users.

Method for facilitating collaborative development efforts between widely dispersed users

A White Board system permitting a plurality of users to collaborate with one another irrespective of the respective user's hardware platform or operating system includes a server computer, and a plurality of client computers electrically coupled to the server computer. Preferably, each of the client computers logs into the server computer and is thereby assigned a unique identifier, each of the client computers includes a graphical user interface (GUI) which selectively displays any combination of objects having active content, active hyperlinks, and text, and each of the client computers transmits user-generated objects to the server computer for storage and selective retransmission to the computers. Additionally, the server stores all user-generated objects from all the client computers and selectively controls transmission of all user-generated objects to respective ones of the computers responsive to the respective assigned identifier.

Interactive communication system permitting increased collaboration between users

Machine readable code stored in a memory converts a general purpose computer system into a dedicated White Board system facilitating collaboration between a plurality of users. Preferably, execution of the machine readable code generates a predetermined object placement tool for generating predetermined objects which are displayable at user-selected locations on a White Board screen, a text placement tool for generating text objects which are displayable at user-selected locations of the White Board screen, a hyperlink connection tool for generating active hyperlink objects which are displayable at user-selected locations on the White Board screen, a track object tool for placing active track objects which are displayable at user-selected locations on the White Board screen, a freehand drawing tool for generating freehand drawing objects which are displayable at user-selected locations on the White Board screen, a transmission device for transmitting all generated ones of the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects to each of the users, an accumulating device for accumulating the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects, and a filter device permitting selective transmission of the predetermined, the active hyperlink, the text, the active track, and the freehand drawing objects to users.

Computer software for converting a general purpose computer network into an interactive communications system

An operating method for a computer system having first, second, third, and lternate computers generating a graphical user interface (GUI) on the first computer screen corresponding to a presentation generated with respect to the second computer screen irrespective of the operating system differences between the respective first, second, third, and alternate computers. The method includes steps for: providing a hypertext markup language (HTML) document including an applet tag corresponding to a Universal Client device from the third computer to the first computer; initializing and executing the Universal Client device using a JAVA.TM. virtual machine associated with the first computer; parsing and interpreting a script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to display the GUI; generating and transmitting a heartbeat signal from the second computer to the first computer; parsing and interpreting the script associated with the Universal Client device to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when the heartbeat signal is received by the first computer and to thereby cause the Universal Client device to establish a predetermined connection between the first and the second computers when the heartbeat signal is not received by the first computer; and generating a string causing changes in the GUI displayed by the Universal Client device on the first computer.

Operating methods for robust computer systems permitting autonomously

A computer system includes first, second and third computers. Preferably, e first computer includes a first storage device storing a document written in hypertext markup language (HTML), the HTML document including an applet tag for invoking a Universal Client device and computer readable first instructions for generating the Universal Client device, and a first communications device permitting the HTML document and the first instructions for generating the Universal Client device to be downloaded to a second computer, while the second computer includes a second storage device storing computer readable second instructions for permitting the second computer to utilize a World Wide Web browser providing a JAVA.TM. virtual machine, a second communications device permitting the second computer to receive the HTML document and the first instructions for generating the Universal Client device provided by the first computer, and a processor for initializing and executing the Universal Client device on the second computer using the JAVA.TM. virtual machine to thereby generate predetermined graphical user interface (GUI) objects and display the GUI objects on the second computer. Moreover, the third computer, which is operatively connected to the first and second computers, includes a third storage device storing computer readable third instructions for controlling the third computer during generation of a character string, and another processor responsive to the third instructions which generates the string and transmits the string to the second computer.

Universal client device permitting a computer to receive and display

A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Using a client-server architecture, the Universal Client receives GUIScript from the server, which commands the Universal Client to display certain graphical user interface (GUI) objects. The GUIScript also describes the behavior of the GUI objects presented by the Universal Client, thus providing a personality which defines the client application without changing the Universal Client's software. The Universal Client can also send GUIScript to the server to cause the server to execute commands. A method for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) utilizing GUI objects and a computer architecture independent device, comprises steps for: generating a GUISCRIPT defining the GUI; scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects; parsing and interpreting the GUISCRIPT; and presenting a plurality of the GUI objects to thereby form the GUI.

Methods permitting rapid generation of platform independent software

A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Preferably, the computer system includes a computer architecture independent device for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) on a client computer operatively connected to a server computer. More specifically, the device includes elements: for handling network protocols; for presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form a GUI; for generating scripts defining respective ones of the GUI objects; for generating a GUIScript defining the GUI; for sending one of the scripts and the GUIScript; for receiving one of the scripts and the GUI script; and for scripting both behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects and client-server commands unrelated to the GUI objects.

Universal client device for interconnecting and operating any two

A computer system having first, second, third and alternate computers for generating a graphical user interface (GUI) on the first computer screen corresponding to a presentation generated with respect to the second computer screen irrespective of the operating system differences between the respective first, second and third computers, includes:

Robust computer systems permitting autonomously switching between

An operating method for a computer architecture independent device generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) on a client computer operatively connected to a server computer includes steps for scripting both behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects and client-server commands unrelated to the GUI objects, storing scripts defining respective GUI objects on the server computer, storing a GUIScript defining the GUI on the server computer, handling network protocols defining communications between the server and the client computers, sending one of the scripts and the GUIScript from the server computer to the client computer, receiving one of the scripts and the GUI script on the client computer, and presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form a GUI on the client computer.

Methods for operating a universal client device permitting

A method for operating a computer architecture independent device for genting and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) includes steps for generating scripts defining respective GUI objects, generating a GUI script defining the GUI, storing one of the scripts and the GUI script, deciphering one of the scripts and the GUI script, scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects, and presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form the GUI.

Method for using guiscript and providing a universal client device

A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript forms a computer architecture independent device for generating and displaying a graphic user interface (GUI). Preferably, the computer executing the Universal Client includes circuitry for presenting a plurality of GUI objects to thereby form a GUI, for generating scripts defining respective ones of the GUI objects, for generating a GUISCRIPT defining the GUI, for storing one of the scripts and the GUISCRIPT, for reading one of the scripts and the GUI script; and for scripting behavior of a program responsive to operator interaction with one of the GUI objects.

Computer system providing platform independent universal client device

A Universal Client with a self-contained scripting language called GUIScript allows computing systems of varying architectures linked to the Internet or connected by an Intranet to run the same application software without modification or recompilation. Using a client-server architecture, the Universal Client receives GUIScript from the server, which commands the Universal Client to display certain graphical user interface (GUI) objects. The GUIScript also describes the behavior of the GUI objects presented by the Universal Client, thus providing a personality which defines the client application without changing the Universal Client's software. The Universal Client can also send GUIScript to the server to cause the server to execute commands. Preferably, a storage medium stores computer readable instructions for permitting a computer to display a graphical user interface (GUI) responsive to commands issued in the GUIScript scripting language to a Universal Client running on a JAVA.TM. virtual machine.

Growing community of inventors

Fairfax Station, VA, United States of America

Adam J Simonoff