Server-based computing environment

Abstract

A server-based computing system comprises at least one server ( 1 ) and at least one client computer ( 5 ), connected to the server ( 1 ) through a network ( 2 ). The server ( 1 ) comprises means for providing the client computer ( 5 ) with a user interface. The client computer ( 5 ) comprises an input device ( 8 ) for providing input to an application through the user interface and a display device ( 7 ) for presenting output from an application through the user interface. The server ( 1 ) comprises means for running the application and the client computer ( 5 ) comprises means for locally running at least one further application. The system comprises means for controlling the locally run applications through the user interface provided by the server ( 1 ). In a method for providing a client computer ( 5 ) with a user interface for controlling at least one application that can be run locally on the client computer ( 5 ), which client computer ( 5 ) is connected to a server ( 1 ) through a network ( 2 ) and comprises a display device ( 7 ), an input device ( 8 ) and means ( 6 ) for running the application, the user interface to the applications is provided by the server ( 1 ).

1 . A server-based computing system comprising at least one server comprising means for running an application and at least one client computer comprising means for locally running at least one further application, the client computer and the server being connected through a network,
 wherein the server comprises:   means for providing the client computer with a user interface comprising a central screen having means for initiating the application and the further application;   means for providing a command to the client computer over the network to launch the further application after initiation of the further application, and   wherein the client computer comprises:   an input device for providing input to the application and the further application;   a display device for presenting output from the application and the further application, and   means for launching the further application in response to receiving the command from the server over the network,   means for generating a local screen, said local screen being capable of comprising a window for the further application generated in response to launching the further application;   means for receiving the user interface comprising the central screen from the server; and   means for merging the local screen and the central screen to display a merged screen on the display device.   
   
   
       2 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the server further comprises:
 means for detecting initiation of the further application at the client computer; and   means for determining that the detected initiation relates to the initiation of a locally run further application.   
   
   
       3 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the server is further configured to provide a taskbar comprising buttons for the application and the further application in the user interface for the client computer. 
   
   
       4 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 3 , wherein the server is further configured to receive a signalling message from the client computer signalling that the window has been generated and to include the button for the further application in the taskbar in response to receiving the signalling message. 
   
   
       5 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 3 , wherein said system is further configured to expose the taskbar on the display device upon maximizing the window associated with the further application. 
   
   
       6 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein said client computer comprises means for terminating the further application and wherein the server comprises means for receiving a termination signal in response to terminating the application on the client computer and means for sending a termination command to the client computer to terminate the application in response to receiving the termination signal. 
   
   
       7 . The server-based computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the server is configured to access information on available further applications that can be run locally at the client computer. 
   
   
       8 . A server for use in the server system according to  claim 1 , said server comprising means for running an application and said server being connectable to a client computer through a network, said client computer being configured for running at least one further application, wherein the server comprises:
 means for providing the client computer with a user interface comprising a central screen having means for initiating the application and the further application;   means for detecting initiation of the further application at the client computer;   means for determining that the detected initiation relates to the initiation of a locally run further application, and   means for providing a command to the client computer over the network to launch the further application after initiation of the further application.   
   
   
       9 . The server according to  claim 8 , wherein the server is further configured to provide a taskbar comprising buttons for the application and the further application in the user interface for the client computer. 
   
   
       10 . The server according to  claim 9 , wherein the server is further configured to receive a signalling message from the client computer signalling that the window has been generated and to include the button for the further application in the taskbar in response to receiving the signalling message. 
   
   
       11 . A computer readable medium comprising software code portions for running at the server of  claim 8 , said server being connectable to a client computer through a network, said server comprising means for running an application and said client computer being configured for running at least one further application, said client computer comprising an input device for providing input to the application and the further application and a display device for presenting output from the application and the further application, said software code portions, when run on said server, being configured for performing the steps of:
 providing the client computer with a user interface comprising a central screen having means for initiating the application and the further application;   detecting initiation of the further application at the client computer;   determining that the detected initiation relates to the initiation of a locally run further application, and   providing a command to the client computer over the network to launch the further application after initiation of the further application.   
   
   
       12 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 11 , wherein said software code portions are further configured for performing the step of providing a taskbar comprising buttons for the application and the further application in the user interface for the client computer. 
   
   
       13 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 12 , wherein said software code portions are further configured for performing the steps of:
 receiving a signalling message from the client computer signalling that the window has been generated; and   including the button for the further application in the taskbar in response to receiving the signalling message.   
   
   
       14 . A client computer for use in the server system according to  claim 1 , said client computer being connectable to a server through a network, said server comprising means for running an application and said client computer being configured for running at least one further application, wherein the client computer comprises:
 an input device for providing input to the application and the further application;   a display device for presenting output from the application and the further application;   means for receiving a user interface from the server, the user interface comprising a central screen having means for initiating the application and the further application;   means for receiving a command from the server over the network to launch the further application after initiation of the further application via the user interface;   means for launching the further application in response to receiving the command from the server over the network;   means for generating a local screen, said local screen being capable of comprising a window for the further application generated in response to launching the further application; and   means for merging the local screen and the central screen to display a merged screen on the display device.   
   
   
       15 . A computer readable medium comprising software code portions for running at the client computer of  claim 14 , said client computer being connectable to a server through a network, said server comprising means for running an application and said client computer being configured for running at least one further application, said client computer comprising an input device for providing input to the application and the further application and a display device for presenting output from the application and the further application, said software code portions, when run on said client computer, being configured for performing the steps of:
 receiving a user interface from the server, the user interface comprising a central screen having means for initiating the application and the further application;   receiving a command from the server over the network to launch the further application after initiation of the further application via the user interface;   launching the further application in response to receiving the command from the server over the network,   generating a local screen, said local screen being capable of comprising a window for the further application generated in response to launching the further application; and   merging the local screen and the central screen to display a merged screen on the display device.