Patent US4361928A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2527072A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3582029A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0550370A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0550370A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collaborative computer based system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1992-11-19
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2012-11-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides for protecting floating blocks of text or other portions of a shared data object in collaborative computer based system from simultaneous manipulation originating with two or more users. The collaborative computer based system includes a network connecting a plurality of terminals for communication. Each terminal includes an output display device and a user input device. A shared data object (116) is simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users of the system. Responsive to a user obtaining access to the shared data object, the user is assigned a cursor (130, 138, 140) available for display on the visual display devices of all current users. Responsive to movement by a user of his or her cursor, an attempt is made to establish a lock region (142, 134, 123) in the shared data object by determining position coordinates. If the position coordinates do not include any portion of any previously established lock region, a lock region associated with the user's cursor may be established. Movement of a cursor operates to release any prior lock region associated with the cursor if a new lock is established or if the cursor leaves the old lock.
Inventors
- 👤 Cary L. Bates
- 👤 Jeffrey M. Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04812; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/52; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a multi-media collaborative computer based system including a network connecting a plurality of terminals for communication, wherein each terminal has an output display device and a user input device, and there exists a shared data object simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users of the system, a method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user, characterized in that it comprises the steps of : responsive to a user obtaining access to the shared data object, assigning the user a cursor available for display on the output display devices; responsive to a change in position of a cursor, determining a position for a cursor associated lock region related to the position of the cursor in the shared data object; if the position for the lock region does not include a portion of a previously established lock region, permitting establishment of a cursor associated lock region related to the cursor; and responsive to establishment of the lock region, releasing any previous cursor associated lock region related to the cursor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the permitting step includes: determining if any user selected conditions for establishment of a lock region exist; if such conditions exist determining if they are met; and if the conditions are met establishing the cursor associated lock region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the media of display include graphics and picture, the method further comprising the step of: responsive to use selection, establishing an object mode for the cursor associated, lock regions wherein a condition for establishing a cursor associated lock region is the presence of an object under the cursor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising the step of: releasing any previously established cursor associated lock region upon movement of the cursor outside of the lock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user as set forth in Claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of: determining whether a current user initiated action dictates modification of the shared data object; if the current user initiated action dictates a modification, determining if the modification would occur within a lock region; and if the modification would occur within a lock region if attempted through a cursor other than the one associated with the lock region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A collaborative multi-media computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with two or more users, the collaborative computer based system comprising: a plurality of terminals, each terminal having an output display device and a user input device; a computer; a network connecting the terminals and the computer for communication; the shared data object being simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users; means, responsive to a user obtaining access to the shared data object, for assigning the user a cursor available for display on the output display devices; means, responsive to user selection, for moving a cursor assigned the user within the shared data object; means, responsive to a change in position of a cursor, for determining a position for a new lock region associated with the cursor in the shared data object; means, responsive to the position not including any portion of any previously established lock region, for establishing the new lock region; and means, responsive to establishment of the new lock region, for releasing a previous lock region associated with the cursor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A collaborative computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object as set forth in Claim 6, wherein means for establishing the new lock region further includes: means for establishing a cursor lock mode specifying coverage of any cursor associated lock region; and means, responsive to user selection of a particular lock mode for specifying conditions under which a cursor associated lock is to be generated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A collaborative computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object as set forth in Claim 7, wherein one cursor lock mode is an object mode, wherein a cursor associated lock region extends to a defined subobject within the shared data object upon the condition that the cursor lies over the subobject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A collaborative computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object as set forth in Claim 7, wherein the collaborative computer based system further comprises: means for serializing user commands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
A collaborative computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object as set forth in Claim 9, the collaborative computer based system further comprising: means for checking whether a command from the current user indicates modification of the shared data object; means, responsive to such a command, for determining if the indicated modification occurs within a lock region associated with a cursor other than the cursor assigned the current user; means, responsive to positive determination, for blocking the modification; and means, responsive to a negative determination, for entering the modification.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of protecting transitory, floating blocks of the shared data object from simultaneous manipulation originating with more than one user as set forth in Claim 1, wherein the permitting step includes: wherein a assigned cursor includes a visual attribute to distinguish it as to its owner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A collaborative computer based system for protecting transitory, floating blocks of a shared data object as set forth in Claim 8, wherein means for establishing the new lock region further includes: wherein a assigned cursor includes a visual attribute to distinguish it as to its owner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.