Detecting available computers to participate in computationally complex distributed processing problem

Abstract

A complex computational task is processed by a plurality of computers coupled to a network. A plurality of different computers (,) are each assigned a different portion of a distributed processing task by a problem dispatcher (,). Each computer determines if a local operator has not used a keyboard (,) or a mouse (,) for a predefined period of time. If not, a screen saving program is initiated and the computer begins monitoring the network to determine if a request for participation in a distributed processing task has been transmitted. Upon receiving such a request, the screen saver program responds, indicating that the computer is available to participate in the task. Each computer also sends characteristics to the problem dispatcher, which selects assistant computers to participate in the task. The problem dispatcher assigns specific portions of the task to each of the assistant computers until the task is completed. If a local operator interrupts, the portion of the task being processed by that computer is assigned to a different assistant computer. In this manner, the complex computational task is processed relatively quickly using only those computers that are available and have the appropriate capabilities.