Patent ID: 7870504

Claim:
A method for using a first computer system to remotely monitor and interact with the operation of a second computer system through a graphical user interface of said second computer system, comprising the steps of: receiving a bitmap image of said second computer system graphical user interface at said first computer system; searching said bitmap image of said second computer system graphical user interface for a first graphical element contained within and comprising less than said bitmap image through an automated execution of said first computer system commands; responsive to said receiving step and results of said searching step, generating a user peripheral input device input action within said second computer system graphical user interface as interpreted by said second computer by automatically creating and passing a signal through a communications channel from said first computer system to said second computer system graphical user interface; monitoring said bitmap image of said second computer system graphical user interface automatically from said first computer system for an expected second graphical element contained within and comprising less than said bitmap image within a predetermined time interval; and signaling a failure at said first computer system if said predetermined time interval elapses without detecting said expected second graphical element.