US5764902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conditional insert or merge in a data conference
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1995-09-29
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2015-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A method, data conferencing system, and storage medium for inserting an annotation made by a node of a data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node. According to a preferred embodiment, the node inserts at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation. If the node is not the arbiter node, then the node requests to be the arbiter node. If the node is the arbiter node, then the node determines whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object. If the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then the node merges the annotation with the current indexed object and deletes the container object.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis V. Rothrock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inserting an annotation made by a node of a data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node; (c) if the node is the arbiter node, then determining whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inserting an annotation made by a node of a data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node; (c) if the node is the arbiter node, then determining whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the data conferencing system supports a data conference having a plurality of conference objects distributed among nodes of the data conference, each conference object having a unique identifier, wherein the determining of step (c) comprises the step of determining whether the identifier of the current indexed object is identical to the identifier of the contained object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the container object is a page object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of: (e) if the current indexed object is identical to the container object, then transmitting a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the container object and the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises the step of: if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then (1) merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object, and (2) transmitting a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation may be a text annotation, a graphic annotation, or a drawing annotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node and becoming the arbiter node when the request is granted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: if the node is not the arbiter node, then: (1) requesting to be the arbiter node; and (2) waiting for the request to be granted before performing the determining of step (c).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation is initially inserted on a blank screen when no container object has yet been created to contain the annotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
A data conferencing system for inserting an annotation made by a node of the data conferencing system, the data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, the data conferencing system comprising: (a) means for inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) means for requesting to be the arbiter node if the node is not the arbiter node; (c) means for determining, if the node is the arbiter node, whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) means for merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object, if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
A data conferencing system for inserting an annotation made by a node of the data conferencing system, the data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, the data conferencing system comprising: (a) means for inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) means for requesting to be the arbiter node if the node is not the arbiter node; (c) means for determining, if the node is the arbiter node, whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) means for merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object, if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein the data conferencing system supports a data conference having a plurality of conference objects distributed among nodes of the data conference, each conference object having a unique identifier, wherein the determining of means (c) comprises means for determining whether the identifier of the current indexed object is identical to the identifier of the contained object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein the container object is a page object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, further comprising: (e) means for transmitting, if the current indexed object is identical to the container object, a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the container object and the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein means (d) comprises: (1) means for merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, and (2) means for transmitting, after the merging of means (d)(1), a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein the annotation may be a text annotation, a graphic annotation, or a drawing annotation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein means (b) comprises means for requesting to be the arbiter node and becoming the arbiter node when the request is granted, if the node is not the arbiter node.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein means (b) comprises: (1) means for requesting to be the arbiter node if the node is not the arbiter node; and (2) means for waiting for the request to be granted before performing the determining of means (c).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data conferencing system of claim 10, wherein the annotation is initially inserted on a blank screen when no container object has yet been created to contain the annotation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
A storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions for inserting an annotation made by a node of a data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by a processor of the node, cause the node to perform the steps of: (a) inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node; (c) if the node is the arbiter node, then determining whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
142 words
A storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions for inserting an annotation made by a node of a data conferencing system having a plurality of nodes, wherein only one node at a time is an arbiter node, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by a processor of the node, cause the node to perform the steps of: (a) inserting at an index for indexing an indexed object a container object for containing the annotation; (b) if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node; (c) if the node is the arbiter node, then determining whether the current indexed object is identical to the container object; and (d) if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the data conferencing system supports a data conference having a plurality of conference objects distributed among nodes of the data conference, each conference object having a unique identifier, wherein the determining of (c) comprises the step of determining whether the identifier of the current indexed object is identical to the identifier of the contained object.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the container object is a page object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of instructions cause the node to perform the further step of: (e) if the current indexed object is identical to the container object, then transmitting a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the container object and the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein step (d) comprises the step of: if the current indexed object is not identical to the container object, then (1) merging the annotation with the current indexed object and deleting the container object, and (2) transmitting a message from the node to all other nodes of the plurality of nodes to distribute the annotation to the other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the annotation may be a text annotation, a graphic annotation, or a drawing annotation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: if the node is not the arbiter node, then requesting to be the arbiter node and becoming the arbiter node when the request is granted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: if the node is not the arbiter node, then: (1) requesting to be the arbiter node; and (2) waiting for the request to be granted before performing the determining of step (c).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the annotation is initially inserted on a blank screen when no container object has yet been created to contain the annotation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |