Patent ID: 6662210
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for allowing multiple parties to collaborate, comprising:a) running a program that is stored on a host computer; b) sharing the running program with at least one remote computer; c) linking each remote computer and the host computer together using a network; d) running substantially identical programs on each remote computer, wherein running the program on each remote computer allows a user of each of the remote computers to perform the steps of: 1) selecting and running a program stored in the storage space of that remote computer; 2) providing input to the selected program; 3) showing an output of the selected program selected on the display of at least one of the remote computers, 4) allowing the user of each remote computer to draw at least one annotation image on the display of that user's remote computer; and 5) replicating the annotation images on the displays of the computers, wherein one or more of the steps of d)1) through d)5) are accomplished by a computer program which is distinct from the shared program.