DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046] For purposes of illustration and explanation only, three personal computers are illustrated and discussed. The system according to the present invention is designed to function for two or more remotely located personal computers.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates three remotely located personal computers (PCs) 10, 12, 14. The PCs 10, 12, 14 can be located in different buildings in the same city, in entirely different cities or different countries. The PCs 10, 12, 14 are linked over a digital communications network 22. Associated with each of the PCs 10, 12, 14 are telephone handsets 16, 18, 20, respectively. The telephone handsets 16, 18, 20 are preferably digital telephones and are connected over the same line of the digital communications network 22 as are the PCs 10, 12, 14.

[0048] The PC's 10, 12, 14 can be in any type of configuration, such as in word processing workstations or engineering workstations, and can be independent or associated with different local area networks. If associated with different local area networks, bridges can be used to provide compatibility, if necessary.

[0049] Traditionally, a personal computer is defined as a single-user microcomputer designed for personally controllable applications. However, recently introduced single-user computers have many times the processing power of their predecessors, and the term personal computer covers a wide variety of products. Today, single-user personally controllable “desktop” computers are used in technical or engineering workstations for CAD/CAM and the like. Many of these personal computers use reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessors, and can perform functions in a single-user system which were until only recently available just from mainframes. With the introduction of yet more powerful machines, the capabilites of personal computers will continue to evolve and expand.

[0050] A single file or document can be composed of words, graphics, other known computer representations or combinations thereof. In order to permit interactive editing of any portion of a file resident in a host PC by users of a plurality of PCs, at least the host PC, designated in FIG. 1 as the PC 10, must have capabilities which are only just now becoming available on the personal computer level. Preferably, the host PC 10 should have relatively fast processing capabilities and have multi-tasking capabilities. Multi-tasking can be implemented through the PC's microprocessor, operating system, the application software, the operating software, or some combination thereof. Fast processing speeds and multi-tasking are possible on personal computers which utilize complete instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessors, such as the Intel 80XXX series, including the 80386 and the recentLy introduced 80486 microprocessors, and also on CISIC microprocessors such as the Motorola 86XXX series;, including the 86030 and recently introduced 86040 microprocessors. These capabilities are also possible on reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessors, which are produced and/or utilized by such companies as Sun, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and DEC.

[0051] For example, Intel's 80XXX microprocessors are being utilized by IBM in its PS/2 series of personal computers. The more advanced of the PS/2 personal computers also utilize IBM's Micro Channel architecture, which speeds up data transfer within the personal computer, and the recently introduced OS/2 operating system, which is a multi-tasking operating system. The heretofore standard operating systems for personal computers, such as MS/DOS and the MacIntosh operating system, are not capable of multi-tasking in and of themselves.

[0052] Software is also available that can effectively convert a single-tasking personal computer into a multi-tasking machine. In this way, a single-tasking personal computer is able to run a plurality of different tasks or programs simultaneously. Until recently, however, few presently available personal computers were powerful enough to perform effective multi-tasking through the use of software.

[0053] In summary, most presently available personal computers do not have the capabilities necessary for effective multi-tasking. However, availability will become less of a problem as the new faster personal computers presently being developed are introduced to the marketplace. At present, the fastest personal computers operate at only approximately two million instructions per second (MIPS). However, within a relatively short period of time, it is expected that personal computers will be widely available which operate at many times that speed.

[0054] As discussed above, the host PC 10 should be a relatively fast personal computer capable of multi-tasking. The remote PCs 12, 14, which can be located in entirely different cities from the host PC 10, are connected to the host PC 10 by the digital communications system 22. The remote PCs 12, 14 do not necessarily have to have all of the capabilities of the host PC 10. In the preferred embodiment, the remote PCs 12, 14 have a master/slave relationship with the host PC 10. More specifically, the peripherals of the remote PCs 12, 14, i.e. the keyboard, the display, and memory, are controlled by and communicate with the microprocessor of the host PC 10. The microprocessors in the remote PCs 12, 14 play supporting roles only.

[0055] As discussed above, in order for substantially real time editing of a single document by a plurality of personal computer users to become a reality, speed of communications and cost effectiveness are essential. Until recently, this was not possible. Private digital communications systems have been available for some time. These provide high speed communications, but require dedicated lines. Dedicated lines are generally not available at a cost which is affordable to small businesses and do not provide the flexibility necessary for communicating with customers spread out over the entire country. However, with the arrival of the integrated services digital network (ISDN), readily affordable high speed communications together with the necessary flexibility is becoming a reality. ISDN is a non-dedicated digital communications network which can carry voice and data over the same pair of standard telephone wires. Depending upon the configuration, ISDN can transmit data at speeds up to 64 kilobits per second (kbps), while at the same time permitting simultaneous voice communication over the same line. As ISDN operates on telephone lines already in place, virtually no special equipment is necessary, and thus capital outlay is minimal.

[0056] When fully operational nationally, once ISDN is in place for a user, high speed digital communications is possible with any other ISDN subscriber in the country. And when international standards are established and the equipment is in place, international communications between ISDN subscribers will be possible. The only hardware that is necessary to connect a personal computer to an ISDN interface line is an ISDN adapter, such as the ISDN Tel Adapter, which is available from Progressive Computing of Oakbrook, Ill.

[0057] In addition, further engineering breakthroughs have been made which will enable even faster digital communications over non-dedicated lines. As these breakthroughs are implemented and become available, they will permit even faster digital communications between remote PCs.

[0058] More features of the actual configuration of the system are illustrated in FIG. 2. The remote PCs 12, 14 need not be directly linked to each other over the digital communications network 22, but rather linked directly to the host PC 10 only. The host PC 10 is a personal computer having the capabilities described above. The host PC 10 comprises a CPU 24, usually in the form of a microprocessor, internal memory 26, input/output processor 28, a bus 30 for connecting the CPU 24, internal memory 26 and input/output processor 28, and peripherals 34 which are connected to the input/output processor 28 either by a hardware connection 32 or some other conventional means, such as infrared transmitters and receivers. The peripherals 34 can include a display 35, a keyboard 36, and auxiliary storage 37, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0059] The remote PCs 12, 14 are also connected to the host PC 10, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The remote PCs 12, 14 are connected to the input/output processor 28 of the host PC 10 via the digital communications network 22. The CPUs of the remote PCs 12, 14 support thee overall operation of the system so that in effect the peripherals of the remote PCs 12, 14 are linked directly to the input/output processor 28 and are under the control of the host PC 10. By establishing such a link, the CPU 24 of the host PC 10 interacts with the peripherals of the remote PCs 12, 14 like it interacts with its own peripherals 34. Data input by a user of the remote PC 12 via its keyboard is input directly to the host PC 10 over the digital communications network 22. The CPU 24 then controls what is to appear on the display of the remote PC 12. Since the transfer of this data is conducted over the digital communications network 22, the likelihood is reduced that user of the remote PC 12 will even notice a time delay that would suggest that an operation has been carried out at the host PC 10 rather than the remote PC 12.

[0060] The telephone handsets 16, 18 and 20 associated with each of the PCs 10, 12, 14, respectively, are also linked over the digital communications network 22. As discussed above, it is preferred that the digital communication network 22 be capable of simultaneously handling both voice and data communications. The telephone handsets 16, 18, 20 should be connected over the digital communications network 22 so that each user is able to listen to and speak with all of the other users. Alternatively, if the digital communication network 22 does not have both voice and data capabilities, the telephone handsets 16, 18, 20 can be linked via a traditional conference call over other lines, such as standard analog telephone lines.

[0061] The preferred way to initialize the link-up between the PCs 10, 12, 14 is to first establish a conference telephone link between the users using the telephone handsets 16, 18, 20 over the digital communications network 22. Alternatively, a conference call may be established using standard telephone equipment and lines in the conventional way. Then, the PCs 10, 12, 14 are initialized and linked over the digital communications network 22.

[0062] In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessors of the remote PCs 12, 14 perform a supporting role only. The keyboard, display and memory of each of the remote PCs 12, 14 act as peripheral devices to the host PC lo.

[0063] The flow chart of FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the system as perceived by the host PC 10. In step 100, communication is established between the users, the PCs are initialized, and communication established between the PCs. The host PC then arbitrarily assigns each PC an access or designation number, and creates a buffer in its memory in which incoming data input or function requests may be stacked, if necessary, in step 101. In step 102, the host PC retrieves from any of the PCs the file to be edited, and performs any initial housekeeping procedures that must be carried out before actual editing may begin. At this time, all of the PCs are linked, and all of the users are in voice communication over the telephone handsets provided at each respective PC.

[0064] After the host PC retrieves a file for editing from the memory of any of the PCs, the first screen of the file is typically sent to each PC and displayed on the display of each PC (step 103). At this time, editing of the document by any of the users can begin. As illustrated in steps 104-109, the microprocessor of the host PC essentially sequentially polls each of the PCs for input. In the preferred embodiment, in step 104 the microprocessor polls the buffer which holds input for the first PC for input therefrom. The buffer may be checked for a certain period of time, until the buffer is empty, or until it is determined that no input data has been placed in the buffer, i.e. the user of the first PC has not input any data. If there is input, the microprocessor then enters the input and performs the requested function on the file image in memory being edited in step 105, and sends any updates of the file to the displays as they occur. The microprocessor then performs the same function for the other two PCs in steps 106-109. If no changes are requested in the polling sequence or the session is not to be ended, the polling is repeated, starting with step 104.

[0065] In general, since the time allotted for polling each PC is extremely small (in the milliseconds), no discernable delay in the processing will be perceived by the users, especially when the number of active users is relatively small. Given that word processing does not normally tax the capability of a typical microprocessor, having three users perform word processing functions on a single advanced microprocessor will not be substantially slower from the viewpoint of even the remote users. The high speed digital communication possible over the digital communications network 22 makes this possible. When editing changes the portion of the file being displayed, the changes are sent to all of the displays simultaneously, and due to the communications speed, a significant delay will not be perceived.

[0066] An example of a time that the microprocessor of the host PC may be relatively slow is when a rather complex function is requested, or when a large number of personal computers are active and may engage in editing. Such functions include merging files, moving blocks of data within a file, storing or printing a file, changing the margins or type, performing a spell check operation, etc. When such complex functions are requested, the microprocessor will temporarily stop its polling process, and work on the requested function until the function is completed. This prevents new data from being introduced to the file while the file is being stored, misspelled words from being input while a spell check operation is being performed, a file being changed while the file is being printed, etc. Depending on the function being performed, the microprocessor will either lock out the users from inputting any data or hold input in the buffers.

[0067] For the most part, the users will be interacting over the telephone while one user actually performs work on the file. In such cases, the non-active users do not even need to have access to the file. Rather, they can simply simultaneously watch the changes as they are made to the file and communicate their thoughts or ideas with the active user over the telephone hookup.

[0068] However, in some cases, different users may actually wish to work on different parts of the file. user of the host PC may be editing page one of the file, while the user of one of the remote PCs may be editing page three of the file. In this situation, the need for multi-tasking can become important. The relative position of each user in the file must be maintained while different portions of the file are being edited. The microprocessor in this case must send screen updates to each user which are pertinent only to the portion of the file each user is editing. In order to maintain a first user's perception while a second user is changing the file, the first user's display may be only changed to conform to changes entered by the second user only periodically or at the first user's request. The relative position of each user can be maintained by keeping the relative address of each user at the bottom of a stack in the buffer, placed there when the microprocessor finishes polling of that user's PC, and read first when polling of that PC's buffer begins again.

[0069] After each polling sequence, the microprocessor checks to see if a request has been made to end the editing (step 110). If so, each PC is queried as to whether its user wants the edited file placed in its memory (step 111), and performs whatever transfer is requested (step 112). The host PC is then queried as to whether it wants to save the edited file (step 113), and if so, the file is saved (step 114). In step 115, the host PC is queried as to whether another file is to be edited. If so, that new file is retrieved in accordance with step 102, and interactive multi-user editing of the new file is begun. If not, communication between the PCs is broken off (step 116).

[0070] As noted above, the system may become slow when a large number of users have access to the file. In such cases, the polling of all the users would take a relatively large amount of time. However, it is likely that not all of the users would need access to the file. In order to increase the relative speed of the editing, any of the PCs may be locked out and made non-active. If such is requested for a particular PC, that PC's buffer will not be checked for input. The PC will continue to be able to view the editing that is taking place, and its user will be in telephone contact with the other users should he or she have any comments. Conversely, a locked-out PC may be restored to editing status at any time. The lock-out and restoration of status is carried out in steps 117 and 118.

[0071] In actual use of the present invention, a newsletter editor in Denver having the host PC would first establish a conference telephone call with customers in Kansas City and San Francisco. All three users would then initialize their respective PCs and establish a link between the PCs over ISDN. The Denver user would then retrieve a file to be edited and perform any housekeeping functions using the host PC. The microprocessor of the host PC would then send the first screen of the file to the display of each PC. It is envisioned that the three users would remain in communication over the telephone link, trading suggestions and comments back and forth, while one of the users actually edits the file, until agreement is reached that the file is in the desired condition. However, any of the users may edit the file at any time, unless that user has been specifically locked out. When the file is in the desired condition, the edited file can be stored by any of the PCs as necessary. The telephone and PC links would then be ended, or work on a new file to be edited begun.

[0072] It is also possible to implement the present invention without the polling function and the buffers. In this case, the file would be subject to the input of any user at any time. In such cases, interaction between the users over the telephone is imperative in order to prevent simultaneous input of data, which could result in data collisions and crashing of the system.

[0073] An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates three workstations 40, 42, 44 comprising respective PCs 46, 48, 50, and telephone handsets 52, 54, 56. The workstation 40 is arbitrarily designated as the host workstation. The host workstation 40 includes a host PC 46 which has the capabilities discussed above. The host PC 46 is connected to remote PCs 48, 50 at the remote workstations 42, 44 over an analog communications network 64 via digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59 (one for each remote workstation). Using this equipment, digital signals from the host PC 46 are converted to analog signals (modulated) for transmission over the analog communications network 64, and vice versa. Additionally, each remote workstation 42, 44 has a digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converter 60, 62, respectively, for communicating with the host PC 46 via the analog communications network 64 and the respective host digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59.

[0074] In order for the present invention to operate using modems and standard telephone communication lines, high-speed modems are necessary. Therefore, the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters should be 9.6 kbps or faster modems which are compatible with each other. However, even at 9.6 kbps, data transfer may not be fast enough such that any change to the file will appear substantially simultaneously to all of the users. Therefore, each of the PCs 46, 48, 50 should use compression utilities and/or each of the modems should have data compression/decompression capabilities. Compression utilities are readily available, and can effectively compress data being sent. Using such compression utilities, 85 percent compression of data is possible. Actual effective throughput of data over the modems can be increased with compression utilities to as much as 100 kbps, rather than the sub-ten kbps without them. Alternatively, modems having inherent data compression/decompression capabilities that effectively increase throughput of data to well beyond 9.6 kbps are now becoming available that can be used for increased data transfer rates. Also, as long as data compression techniques and/or speeds are compatible, a combination of data compression/decompression capable modems and PCs which utilize data compression/decompression utilities can be used in a system.

[0075] In any case, in order to make the system fully operational, the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59, 60, 62 should be full duplex 9.6 kbps or faster modems. This permits high speed exchange of data back and forth between the remote PCs 48, 50 and the host PC 46.

[0076] Further, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the telephone handsets 52, 54, 56 are connected over a separate analog communication line 66. This is different than the preferred embodiment, in which voice and data communications are over the same line.

[0077] FIG. 5 illustrates the system configuration for an analog embodiment in which the PCs perform the data compression/decompression function. The host workstation 40 includes a PC 46 which comprises a CPU 70, memory 72, an input/output processor 74, and peripherals 80. The CPU 70, the memory 72, and the input/output processor 74 are interconnected by a bus 76. The input/output processor 74 is linked to the peripherals 80 by a hardwire connection 82. Also included in the workstation 40 are the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59, which are linked to the input/output processor 74 by hard wire connections 78, 79 respectively, or other suitable means. The digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59 connect the workstation 40 to the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 60, 62 in the respective workstations 42, 44 over the analog communications network 64. The digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 60, 62 are connected to their respective remote PCs 48, 50, each of which have a similar configuration to the host PC 46.

[0078] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the two separate lines 78, 79 are illustrated connecting the respective digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59 to the host PC 46. When a large number of remote PCs are being used, the number of such lines actually being input into the host PC 46 can be reduced by using multiplexers to bring the input from a plurality of such analog lines into one or a few serial lines going into the host PC 46. This would reduce the workload of the host PC 46.

[0079] The actual operation of the present invention over an analog communications line is slightly different than the digital operation. The digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 58, 59, 60, 62 and/or the PCs 46, 48, 50 must be capable of independent and compatible compression and decompression of data being sent and received. Further, the remote PCs 48, 50 will play a greater role in the analog system than in the preferred digital embodiment when the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters do not handle data compression/decompression. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation required from the perspective of each of the remote PCs 48, 50 in this latter case. After the remote PC is initialized, communication is established over the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters with the host PC (step 200). The remote PC then decompresses data received from the host PC (step 201), and displays the decompressed data on its display (step 202). If the remote user requests to save the file (step 203), the remote PC compresses the request and sends it to the host PC (step 204). When the file data is received, the remote PC then decompresses and stores it (step 205). Subsequent to this step or if no save is requested, the remote PC checks for input data or any other operation request from the remote user (step 206). If any is made, the data or operation request is compressed and forwarded to the host PC. If no such request is made, or after the data is sent, the remote PC decompresses data received from the host PC (step 201), thereby starting the process again.

[0081] The function of the host PC in the analog embodiment is similar to that as illustrated in the flow chart in FIG. 3 for the digital embodiment. However, either the host PC or its associated digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters should be capable of compressing data prior to sending it to the remote PCs and decompressing data when it is received from the remote PCs.

[0082] The present invention may also be carried out using a host PC, as discussed above, and remote computer terminals that do not have the full power of a PC. The remote terminals can be ASCII terminals if transmission of text only will be performed, or bit-mapped image terminals if text and graphics will be transmitted. Such terminals need only have enough local intelligence to enable communications with the host PC. Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the only difference between this embodiment and the preferred embodiment discussed previously with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 is that elements 12 and 14 would be ASCII or bit-mapped image terminals rather than full-fledged PCs. Similarly, terminals of this type could be used in place of the PCs 48, 50 in FIGS. 4 and 5 in an analog embodiment. In this case, the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converters 60, 62 should be capable of data compression and decompression, as the minimal processing power of the remote terminals would most likely not be able to support this function.

[0083] While several embodiments of the invention have been discussed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, as the processing power of PCs increases and communications systems improve further, it will be possible to implement the present invention so that processing of a file can be performed substantially contemporaneously by a plurality of the PCs. This would speed up the response of the system and would be particularly effective when a large number of users or time consuming processing is contemplated. No true host PC would be necessary, and each PC may only need to be in direct communication with one or two other PCs, as the system could function serially through a string of PCs or in a closed loop.