US Patent 5,515,491: Method and system for managing communications within a collaborative data processing system (IBM Corporation)

Title: Method and system for managing communications within a collaborative data processing system
Patent Number: US Patent 5,515,491
Issued: May 7, 1996
Filed: December 31, 1992
Parent case: n/a
Inventor(s): Bates, Cary L. et al.
Assignee: IBM Corporation
Referenced at issuance: US Patent 4,974,173 (Xerox Corporation) Φ and  US Patent 5,008,853 (Xerox Corporation) Φ.
Referenced after issuance: US Patent 6,088,702 (Plantz, Scott H. et al).
Blogger comment:

There were 18 references to prior patents at issuance, including US Patent 4,974,173 and US Patent 5,008,853. The remaining 16 references are unremarkable for the scope and purposes of this blog.

An advanced search at USPTO online on May 16, 2008 for distinguishing references to this patent after its issuance using ref/5515491 reveals 91 references. A more refined search reveals US Patent 6,088,702.

Abstract:

It is therefore an object of the present invention:

1. to provide a method of enhancing cooperative work in a collaborative computer system,
   
2. to provide a collaborative editing system for utilization within shared data objects,
   
3. to provide a modified "What You See Is What I See" (WYSIWIS) interface, and
   
4. to provide a method of protecting user selectable blocks of a shared data object in collaborative computer based system from simultaneous manipulation originating with other users. 
   

Independent claims (as numbered):

1. A method of communications management within a collaborative computer-based system a plurality of display devices, a shared data object simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users, means for displaying portions of said shared data object within each of said plurality of display devices, and means for providing a plurality of cursors within said shared data object, wherein each of said plurality of cursors is associated with one of said plurality of users, said method comprising computer implemented steps of:

entering a mode in which messages are sent in response to selected events by said plurality of users;

determining whether a cursor movement event has occurred;

in response to a cursor movement event occurring, determining whether a cursor movement event has resulted in a cursor moving within a designated notification region within said shared data object;

in response to a cursor moving into the designated notification region, identifying users to receive said message; and

displaying said message to said identified users.

3. A method of communications management within a collaborative computer-based system a plurality of display devices, a shared data object simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users, means for displaying portions of said shared data object within each of said plurality of display devices, and means for providing a plurality of cursors within said shared data object, wherein each of said plurality of cursors is associated with one of said plurality of users, said method comprising computer implemented steps of:

entering a mode in which messages are sent in response to selected events by said plurality of users;

defining a notification region within said shared data object, said defined notification region containing cursors;

defining a message to send; and

sending said message to each user having a cursor within said defined notification region.

4. A communications management system within a collaborative computer-based system a plurality of display devices, a shared data object simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users, means for displaying portions of said shared data object within each of said plurality of display devices, and means for providing a plurality of cursors within said shared data object, wherein each of said plurality of cursors is associated with one of said plurality of users, said communications management system comprising:

means for entering a mode in which messages are sent response to selected events by said plurality of users;

determination means for determining whether a cursor movement event has occurred;

first responsive means for responding to a cursor movement event occurring, determining whether a cursor movement event has resulted in a cursor moving within a designated notification region within said shared data object;

second responsive means for responding to a cursor moving into the designated notification region, identifying users to receive a message; and

display means for displaying said message to said identified users.

6. A communications management system within a collaborative computer-based system a plurality of display devices, a shared data object simultaneously accessible by a plurality of users, means for displaying portions of said shared data object within each of said plurality of display devices, and means for providing a plurality of cursors within said shared data object, wherein each of said plurality of cursors is associated with one of said plurality of users, said communications management system comprising:

means for entering a mode in which messages are sent in response to selected events by said plurality of users;

definition means for defining a notification region within said shared data object, said defined notification region containing cursors;

definition means for defining a message to send; and

sending means for sending said message to each user having a cursor within said defined notification region.