International Business Machines Corporation

Raymond Hornback, Jr

William M Quinn

Kevin Solie

James S Johnston

Mark Scott Kressin

Andrew M Ortwein

Matthew A Levy

Amy D Travis

The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for flexible image sharing. In a system for flexibly distributing imagery in an image sharing session, an image cache can be disposed between an application sharing host and a plurality of application sharing viewers. Additionally, a multipoint communications server can be disposed between the image cache and the application sharing viewers and can be communicatively linked to the application sharing host. Importantly, a pull-based subscription model can be implemented in an image cache server hosting the image cache. In particular, the model can have a configuration for registering respective ones of the application sharing viewers to receive notifications of available updated imagery.

Pull-configured distribution of imagery

Screen sharing in which image pixel data operable to display one or more user interface windows associated with at least one shared application is retrieved from a memory. The retrieving excludes image pixel data operable to display at least one other display object currently contained in a user interface of said computer. The retrieved image pixel data is combined into a shared image.

Accessing window pixel data for application sharing

A method, system and apparatus for the selectable repainting of updatable network distributable imagery. A method for selectably repainting updatable network distributable content can include establishing a repainting selection selected from the group consisting of continuous repainting and delayed repainting. The method further can include rendering a complete view of the updatable network distributable content. The method yet further can include receiving portions of an image update to the complete view. Finally, the method can include repainting the complete view as the portions are received if the repainting selection indicates continuous repainting, and otherwise delaying a repainting of the complete view until a threshold portion of the portions have been received.

Selectable repainting of updatable network distributable imagery

The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for flexible image sharing. In a system for flexibly distributing imagery in an image sharing session, an image cache can be disposed between an image sharing host and a plurality of image sharing viewers. Additionally, a multipoint communications server can be disposed between the image cache and the image sharing viewers and can be communicatively linked to the image sharing host. Importantly, a pull-based subscription model can be implemented in an image cache server hosting the image cache. In particular, the model can have a configuration for registering respective ones of the image sharing viewers to receive notifications of available updated imagery. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image sharing host can be an application sharing host hosting a shared application among the image sharing viewers.

Described is a method for adapting an application sharing system for a network of computers according to user specific requirements. The method includes dynamically configuring system components and manually implementing user specific preferences to achieve a better user experience than is possible in typical application sharing systems. Users can configure the application sharing system based on their individual needs, and may need to modify their settings based on changing operating environments or usage patterns. The application sharing system can be dynamically configured based on content, current tasks, and changes in network conditions. System administrators can configure the application sharing system according to their general needs without preempting the needs of an individual user.

Adaptive and configurable application sharing system using manual and automatic techniques

The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for componentized application sharing. The system can include a multiplicity of different pluggable image processing modules. Each of the different pluggable image processing modules can conform to a single interface expected by the application sharing module. Additionally, a communicative coupling can be provided between the application sharing module and a selected one of the different image compression modules.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Raymond Hornback, Jr