Patent ID: 6125387
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for operating a computer system having first, second, third, and alternate computers interconnected to one another by a communications channel, said method comprising steps for:(a) 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, on the first computer;(b) transmitting said HTML document and said first instructions for generating said Universal Client device from the first computer to the second computer via the communications channel;(c) storing computer readable second instructions for permitting the second computer to utilize a World Wide Web browser providing a virtual machine;(d) 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;(e) storing computer readable third instructions on the third computer for controlling the third computer during generation of a character string;(f) processing said third instructions to thereby generate said string;(g) storing computer readable alternate instructions on the alternate computer for controlling the alternate computer during generation of an alternate character string;(h) processing said alternate instructions to thereby generate said alternate character string;(i) transmitting said string and a heartbeat signal from said third computer to said second computer and said alternate character string from said alternate computer to said second computer; and(j) modifying at least one of said GUI objects displayed on the second computer responsive to said string when said heartbeat signal is present and modifying at least one of said GUI objects displayed on the second computer responsive to said alternate character string when said heartbeat signal is absent.