Patent ID: 6061727
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system having first, second, third and alternate computers interconnected to one another by a communications channel, comprising:said first computer including:a first storage device storing a document written in hypertext markup language (HTML), said HTML document including an applet tag for invoking a Universal Client device and computer readable first instructions for generating said Universal Client device; anda first communications device permitting said HTML document and said first instructions for generating said Universal Client device to be downloaded to a second computer;said second computer including:a second storage device storing computer readable second instructions for permitting said second computer to utilize a World Wide Web browser providing a virtual machine;a second communications device permitting said second computer to receive said HTML document and said first instructions for generating said Universal Client device provided by said first computer;a receiver which receives a heartbeat signal;a processor for initializing and executing said Universal Client device on said second computer using said virtual machine to thereby generate predetermined graphical user interface (GUI) objects and display said GUI objects on said second computer;a third computer, operatively connected to said first and second computers, comprising:a generator which generates a heartbeat signal indicative of operation of said third computer;a third storage device storing computer readable third instructions for controlling said third computer during generation of a character string;a third communications device which transmits said heartbeat signal and said character string from said third computer to said second computer;another processor responsive to said third instructions which generating said string and transmits said string to said second computer;said alternate computer, operatively connected to said first and second computers, comprising:an alternate storage device storing alternate instructions corresponding to said third instructions for controlling said alternate computer during generation of an alternate character string; andan alternate communications device which transmits said alternated character string from said alternate computer to said second computer;an alternate processor responsive to said alternate instructions which generate said alternate character string for transmission to said second computer,wherein said second computer severs its connection to said third computer and establishes a connection to said alternate computer when said heartbeat signal stops.