Patent ID: 6351271
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: H04L,H04N,H04R

Abstract:
An electronic communication system capable of providing a shared persistent data space to a plurality of clients of the electronic communication system, the electronic communication system comprising:a server including a persistent storage mechanism storing a first group board database; a first input/display unit (IDU) bi-directionally coupled with the server, the first IDU including: a first display screen; a first input detection space operable to receive user input indicative of a request to access a specific group; a first note data input device operable to receive input data generated by a user of the first IDU; and a first data processing device operable to process received input data and transmit the received input data to the server, the first data processing device further operable to control the first display screen and the first input detection space, wherein when a user indicates through the first input detection device a desire to access the first group, the first IDU establishes a communication link with the server and requests access to the first group, in response the server downloads content as needed from the first group database to the first IDU and the first IDU represents the content from the first group database upon the display screen, data later input into the first IDU is transmitted to the server and the server updates the first group database to reflect data input at the first IDU; and a second input/display unit (IDU) bi-directionally coupled with the server, the second IDU including: a second display screen; a second input detection space operable to receive user input indicative of a request to access a specific group; a second data input device operable to receive input data generated by a user of the second IDU; and a second data processing device operable to process received input data and transmit the received input data to the server, the second data processing device further operable to control the second display screen and the second input detection space, wherein when a user indicates through the second input detection device a desire to access the second group, the second IDU establishes a communication link with the server and requests access to the second group, in response the server downloads content as needed from the second group database to the second IDU and the second IDU represents the content from the second group database upon the display screen, data later input into the second IDU is transmitted to the server and the server updates the second group database to reflect data input at the second IDU.