Universal client device permitting a computer to receive and display

Abstract

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.