Method and apparatus for sending and receiving lightweight messages
    4.
    发明授权
    Method and apparatus for sending and receiving lightweight messages 有权
    发送和接收轻量级消息的方法和设备

    公开(公告)号:US06351271B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-02-26

    申请号:US09169750

    申请日:1998-10-09

    IPC分类号: G06F700

    摘要: The present invention teaches methods and apparatus for social interaction allowing users to communicate at their leisure (asynchronously or “semi-synchronously”) by providing simple, flexible access to a persistent, shared space. For example, an electronic communication system according to one embodiment provides a shared persistent data space to a plurality of clients. This system comprises a server and at least two input/display units (IDUS) which clients use to access shared persistent data in the form of group boards. The group boards store discrete notes in a group database made accessible to all members of the group. In order to allow clients to select a desired group, each IDU includes an input detection space operable to receive user input indicative of a request to access a specific group. The input detection space can take on many forms such as electromechanical buttons, touch or pressure sensitive devices, a digital inking device, a token input device (tokens each have some identification in the form of circuitry or such), or a voice command device. In order to allow clients to enter data into the board group database, each IDU includes a note data input device. Like the input detection space, a wide variety of note data input devices are contemplated. For example, a touch, stylus or pressure sensitive device would be suitable. A scanning device also works well, creating a unique persistent space wherein users can exchange discrete note messages of a variety of forms such as handwritten notes and photographs.

    摘要翻译: 本发明教导了用于社交交互的方法和装置,允许用户通过提供对持久的共享空间的简单,灵活的访问来以其休闲(异步或“半同步”)进行通信。 例如,根据一个实施例的电子通信系统向多个客户端提供共享的持久数据空间。 该系统包括服务器和至少两个客户端用于以组委员会的形式访问共享持久数据的输入/显示单元(IDUS)。 小组委员会将离散的笔记存储在组数据库中,该组数据库可供该组的所有成员访问。 为了允许客户端选择所需的组,每个IDU包括可操作以接收指示访问特定组的请求的用户输入的输入检测空间。 输入检测空间可以采取许多形式,例如机电按钮,触摸或压敏设备,数字上墨设备,令牌输入设备(令牌每个具有电路形式的一些标识)或语音命令设备。 为了允许客户端将数据输入到板组数据库中,每个IDU都包括一个音符数据输入设备。 像输入检测空间一样,可以考虑各种各样的笔记数据输入装置。 例如,触摸,触笔或压敏设备将是合适的。 扫描设备也可以很好地工作,创建一个独特的持久空间,用户可以交换各种形式的离散音符信息,如手写笔记和照片。