Method and apparatus for supporting real-time collaboration

Abstract

A collaboration system synchronizes an application or applications running on one or more computer systems. Each of the applications has a local data copy and the applications commence operation by creating consistent local copies from a common third copy. The consistency is maintained by distributing address space independent selections and commands to each application as they are entered at a controlling system. The selections and commands are generated by directly manipulating a presentation of each local data copy. When a selection and command arrive at a destination, the selection is used to find and selection the data and the command is applied to the data located by the selection.

1 . A method for supporting real time collaboration between a first collaborating computer, having a user interface and a first memory containing a first data file and connected by a network to a second collaborating computer having a second user interface and a second memory containing a second data file, the method comprising: 
 (a) generating in the first memory, a selection of data in the first data file, which selection does not directly point at data in the first data file;    (b) generating with the user interface, a command that modifies the selection generated in step (a);    (c) using the selection to find and select data in the first data file;    (d) applying the command to the data selected in step (c);    (e) sending the selection and command from the first collaborating computer over the network to the second collaborating computer;    (f) using the selection to find and select data in the second data file; and    (g) applying the command to the data selected in step (f).    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises creating a display of data in the first data file; and generating the selection in response to a user manipulation of the display.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising modifying the display in response to the generation of the selection.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein step (d) further comprises modifying the display in response to the application of the command.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (f) comprises creating a second display of data in the second data file; and modifying the second display in response to selection of data in the second data file.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (h) generating in the second memory, a second selection of data in the second data file, which selection does not directly point at data in the second data file;    (i) generating with the user interface, a command that modifies the selection generated in step (h);    (j) using the second selection to find and select data in the second data file;    (k) applying the command to the data selected in step (j);    (l) sending the second selection and command from the second collaborating computer over the network to the first collaborating computer;    (m) using the second selection to find and select data in the first data file; and    (n) applying the command to the data selected in step (m).    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein step (h) comprises creating a display of data in the second data file; and generating the selection in response to a user manipulation of the display.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising modifying the display in response to the generation of the selection.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein step (k) further comprises modifying the display in response to the application of the command.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (m) comprises creating a second display of data in the first data file; and modifying the second display in response to selection of data in the first data file.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for supporting real time collaboration between a first collaborating computer, having a user interface and a first memory containing a first data file and connected by a network to a second collaborating computer having a second user interface and a second memory containing a second data file, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for generating in the first memory, a selection of data in the first data file, which selection does not directly point at data in the first data file;    means for generating with the user interface, a command that modifies the selection;    means for using the selection to find and select data in the first data file;    means for applying the command to the selected data;    means for sending the selection and command from the first collaborating computer over the network to the second collaborating computer;    means for using the selection to find and select data in the second data file; and    means for applying the command to the data selected in the second data file.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the means for generating a selection of data in the first data file comprises means for creating a display of data in the first data file; and means for generating the selection in response to a user manipulation of the display.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising means for modifying the display in response to a generation of the selection.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the means for means for applying the command to the selected data further comprises means for modifying the display in response to the application of the command.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the means for using the selection to find and select data in the second data file comprises means for creating a second display of data in the second data file; and means for modifying the second display in response to selection of data in the second data file.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus for supporting real time collaboration between a first collaborating computer, having a user interface and a first memory containing a first data file and connected by a network to a second collaborating computer having a second user interface and a second memory containing a second data file, the apparatus comprising: 
 a selector that generates in the first memory, a selection of data in the first data file, which selection does not directly point at data in the first data file;    a command generator that generates with the user interface, a command that modifies the selection;    a first data finder that uses the selection to find and select data in the first data file;    a first data encapsulator that contains the data and applies the command to the data selected in the first data file;    a transmission mechanism that sends the selection and command from the first collaborating computer over the network to the second collaborating computer;    a second data finder that uses the selection to find and select data in the second data file; and    a second data encapsulator that contains the data and applies the command to the data selected in the second data file.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the first data finder is part of the first data encapsulator.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the second data finder is part of the second data encapsulator.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the selection and the command are platform independent.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the transmission mechanism sends the selection and the command as a single object.