Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for dynamically controlling multiple channels of data in a multi-user collaborative system (2) having a central server (22) connected to a plurality of client workstations (4) over a network (8), comprising the steps of: displaying at each client workstation (4) a view on a room object (37) stored in an object database on the central server (22), the room object (37) being associated with a first channel stored in the object database; providing, at each client workstation (4), visual identification of each user object (36) located in a virtual room, each pair of user objects (36) located in the virtual room having associated therewith a whisper channel (102; 181); initiating, at a first client workstation (4), broadcast of data to each user object (36) located in the virtual room by selecting a first interface element displayed at the first client workstation (4), the first interface element being associated with the room object (37) and directing data to the first channel; and interrupting, at the first client workstation (4), broadcast of data transmitted over the first channel by selecting a second interface element displayed at the first client workstation (4), the second interface element being associated with a user object (36) at a second client workstation (4), said interrupting step initiating broadcast of data at the first client workstation (4) to the whisper channel (102; 181) associated with the user object (36) at the second client workstation (4).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of terminating said interrupting step to resume broadcast of data to the first channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of distributing, in response to said initiating step, a first multicast address and a first encryption key to each client workstation (4) for transmitting and receiving data over the first channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of distributing, in response to said interrupting step, a second encryption key to the first client workstation (4) and the second client workstation (4) for transmitting and receiving data over the second channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said terminating step broadcasts data using the first encryption key.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said displaying step identifies a user object broadcasting data.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said initiating step initiates the broadcast of voice data to each user object (36) located in the virtual room.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said initiating step initiates the broadcast of video data to each user object (36) located in the virtual room.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
222 words
A system (2) for coordinating communication of data between each of a plurality of client workstations (4) adapted to broadcasting data, in a network (8) interconnecting a central server (22) with a memory and the plurality of client workstations (4), the system (2) comprising: a device (12) for receiving data at a first client workstation (4); a first transmitter for coordinating transmission of data from said device (12) over a channel, said first transmitter being stored in the memory of the central server (22); a first receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at a second client workstation (4), said first receiver being stored in the memory of the central server (22); means for providing a first encryption key to the first client workstation (4) and the second client workstation (4) for secure broadcast of data over the channel; means for providing a second encryption key to the first client workstation (4) and the second client workstation (4) in response to a third client workstation (4) storing in the memory of the central server (22) a second receiver for coordinating receipt of data over the channel at the third client workstation (4), said providing means ensuring secure broadcast of data over the channel to the first client workstation (4), the second client workstation (4), and the third client workstation (4).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An system according to claim 9, further comprising a channel manager (25) for managing a membership list associate with the channel, and means for notifying said channel manager (25) whenever the membership of the channel changes.