FR3040576A1 - MANAGING SCREEN SHARING IN AN ENTERPRISE APPLICATION - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide managed screen sharing in an enterprise application. In one embodiment of the invention, a managed screen sharing method in an enterprise application includes the steps of loading on behalf of a primary end user an instance of an enterprise application in memory of an enterprise application. a computer, direct the instance of the enterprise application to display a data screen in a computer display screen and select in the instance of the enterprise application a secondary end user for a screen sharing of the data screen. The method also includes the step of transmitting a request over a computer communications network to a different instance of the selected end user's enterprise application to display the data screen in a display screen. the secondary end user. Finally, the method includes the step of displaying the data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user.

Description

MANAGING SCREEN SHARING IN AN APPLICATION

CORPORATE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the sharing of data in an enterprise application and more particularly, screen sharing between different end users on a computer communications network.

[0003] Description of the Related Art [0004] Collaborative access to computing is a critical aspect of enterprise data processing. While the individualistic computing in which an end user accesses a computing resource in a unique way is important, the ability of two or more end users to collaboratively access computing resources to achieve a faster result with better performance and greater accuracy is of greater importance in many circumstances. The classic ways in which end users work together in enterprise computing range from the manual joint visualization of a singular computer screen to the more automated screen mirroring in which an end user's display is provided for viewing to another end user on a computer communications network.

[0005] There are many forms of screen mirror effect. In one form, the screen mirror effect is facilitated by remote access software. Application Sharing is a remote access item, falling under the umbrella groupware, that allows two or more users to access an application or a shared document from their respective computers simultaneously in real time. Typically, the application or shared document will run on a host computer, and remote access to shared content will be provided to other users by the host user. The screen mirror effect is a more rigid form of application sharing in which the entire display of a user is presented to another user, regardless of the parts of the display connected to applications respectively different.

[0006] The screen mirror effect intended for collaborative computing, nevertheless, while allowing two end users to fully view the screen content of one of the end users, is deficient in the sense that contemporary business computing provides management of granular resources, access by different end users to different data and features of a business application. In many enterprise systems, access to the features and data of an enterprise application is restricted depending on the role of each end user. On the other hand, the screen mirror effect allows an end user of an unauthorized role to access a data view of a allowed role. On the other hand, screen mirroring still often requires that source and target devices be identical in display characteristics. Nevertheless, different access modalities often exist for different users ranging from a mobile phone to a desktop computer. Finally, while the screen mirror effect shows everything from the beginning to the end of a session, in many cases it is desirable to selectively present only portions of a screen during the screen mirror effect. . Thus, the screen mirror effect is not a practical solution to collaborative computing in a business application.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address gaps in the art of collaborative computing in an enterprise application and provide a new and unseen sharing method, system, and computer program product. managed screen in an enterprise application. In one embodiment of the invention, a managed screen sharing method in an enterprise application includes the steps of loading on behalf of a primary end user an instance of an enterprise application in memory. a computer, direct the instance of the enterprise application to display a data screen in a computer display screen and select in the instance of the enterprise application a second end user for a screen sharing of the data screen. The method also includes the step of transmitting a request over a computer communications network to a different instance of the enterprise application of the selected end user to display the data screen in a display screen. the secondary end user. Finally, the method includes the step of displaying the data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the data screen displayed in the display screen of the secondary end user is filtered to exclude data whose viewing by the secondary end user is not permitted. according to a role of the secondary end user. In another aspect of the embodiment, the data screen displayed in the secondary end user display screen is formatted to conform to display characteristics of the user's display screen. secondary end which differs from display characteristics of the display screen of the main end user. In still another further aspect of the invention, the method includes repeating the steps of directing, selecting, transmitting, and displaying different selected data screens. Optionally, a report of the different selected data screens shared with the secondary end user is generated.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the display screen data includes a hyperlink referencing a different data screen. As such, a selection of the hyperlink in the display screen of the primary end user leads to the direction of the instance of the enterprise application to display the different data screen in the display screen. display of the primary end user, the transmission of a different request on the computer communications network to the different instance of the enterprise application of the selected end user to display the different data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user, and the display of the different data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user.

In another embodiment of the invention, a data processing system is configured for managed screen sharing in an enterprise application. The system includes a host computer system that includes one or more computers, each with a memory and at least one processor. The system also includes an application server running in the host computer system and serving different instances of one or more enterprise applications to each of a primary end user and a secondary end user of the application. 'business.

Finally, the system includes a managed screen sharing module coupled to each of the instances of the enterprise application. The module includes program code enabled to transmit different requests over a computer communications network from the main end user's enterprise application instance to the enterprise application instance of the secondary end user to display different data screens selected for display by the primary end user in a display screen of the primary end user, in a secondary end user display screen while excluding other display data screens selected for display in the main end user's display.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will be partly apparent from the description, or can be learned by the practice of the invention. Aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations underlined in particular in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are given only by way of example and explanation and are not limiting to the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, however, knowing that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, in which: FIG. 1 is a graphic illustration of a screen sharing process managed in an enterprise application; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a data processing system configured for managed screen sharing in an enterprise application; and, [0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a screen sharing process managed in an enterprise application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide managed screen sharing in an enterprise application. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a primary end user of an enterprise application directs a display of a data screen in the enterprise application. Then, the primary end user selects a secondary end user within the enterprise application to receive a synchronized display of the data screen. A role of the secondary user is determined. According to the role of the secondary end-user, data within the screen is filtered to exclude data whose viewing by the role is not allowed. Finally, a screen of filtered data is presented to the secondary end user only as long as the data screen is displayed to the primary end user. Subsequent screen displays for the primary user are not displayed to the secondary end user unless directed by the primary end user. Optionally, the display of the filtered data screen for the secondary user is formatted to conform to display characteristics of a secondary user's display device although the display characteristics differ from one device. display of the main user.

In a further illustration, Figure 1 is a graphic illustration of a screen sharing process managed in an enterprise application. As shown in FIG. 1, an application instance 120A of an enterprise application executes in the memory of a computer 100A within an operating system, a desktop user interface 110 among other instances 190. The computer 100A can be from a desktop computer to a mobile computing device, as long as the computer 100A includes at least a memory, a processor, a display and a fixed storage. The application instance 120A generates and displays a plurality of different data screens 130A towards a primary end user. The screens 13 OA may include different data fields with corresponding values 140A. The main end user of the application instance 120A selects one of the 130A screens for sharing with another secondary end user in response to which a selection of end users 150 available 160 is displayed in the user interface of the application user. 120A application instance. The end user then selects one of the available end users 160.

Screen sharing logic 170 detects screen sharing request 130A by determining both a role of a user selected from end users 160 and one or more device features of a computing device. 100B of a user selected from the end users 160. Next, the screen sharing logic 170 filters different values of the data values 140A whose display by the determined role is not allowed among the remaining data values 140A of the screen selected from the 13OA screens. In addition, the screen sharing logic 170 rearranges the display elements of the selected one of the screens 130A to conform to the display characteristics of the computing device 100B. Finally, the screen sharing logic 170 transmits the reformatted screen 130 B of the screen selected from the screens 13OA to another instance 120B of the enterprise application in the computing device 100B, with only a subset 140B data values for display in the computing device 100, thus ensuring a managed screen sharing.

The process described in connection with FIG. 1 is implemented in a data processing system. In further illustration, Figure 2 schematically shows a data processing system configured for screen sharing managed in an enterprise application. The system includes a host computer system 210 that includes one or more computers, each with a memory and at least one processor. The host computer system 210 is communicatively coupled to different client computing devices 240 over a computer communications network 230 and hosts a deployment of an enterprise application 220 providing access to creation, reading, modification, and modification. Data erasure in a data store 260. The host computer system 210 may further support the provision of different instances 250 of the enterprise application to different end users in each of the computing devices 240. In this regard, the system host computer 210 may maintain a table 270 of different end users providing information about a computer role of each of the different end users, and optionally device features about each of the computing devices 240.

[0019] Importantly, the system includes a screen sharing module 300 disposed either in the host computer platform 210, or in connection with the host platform 210, or both, as part of each of the application instances 250. The module 300 includes program code which, when running in computer memory, responds to a request by an authorized primary end user using a corresponding one of the instances 250 to share a selected data screen generated. among other data screens in instance 250, a secondary end user using a different instance among instances 250 in a device different from computing devices 240. Optionally, access to module 300 is restricted based on permissions predetermined in the enterprise application 220 for screen sharing.

The response by the program code includes filtering data into the selected data screen based on a secondary end user's role and reformatting the selected data screen to conform to the features of the devices. different device among the computing devices. Optionally, the program code of the module is activated to produce a report listing each of the generated data screens of the main end user instance 250 shared by the main end user with other end users. As another option, the data includes a hyperlink referencing a different data screen. As such, when the hyperlink is selected in the selected data screen, the corresponding instance of the instances 250 is directed to display the different data screen, and the instance different from the instances 250 is directed to display the different data screen.

In yet another illustration of the operation of the screen sharing module, Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a screen sharing process managed in an enterprise application. Beginning at block 310, an application instance of an enterprise application is loaded into an operating system on the desktop of a primary end user from other application instances of other applications. At block 320, a data screen is generated by the application instance and at decision block 330 it is determined whether a sharing request to share the generated data screen is received. If so, at block 340, an end user with a different application instance is selected and at block 350 an end user role is determined as are, in block 360, device characteristics of a user. computer device hosting the different application instance.

In block 370, data in the generated data screen whose display by an end user with the determined role is not allowed are filtered from the generated screen and block 380, the data screen is formatted to conform to the determined characteristics of the computing device hosting the different application instance. Finally, at block 390, the formatted screen selected for sharing including only data whose end-user viewing is allowed is transmitted to the different application instance for viewing by the end user. Optionally, at block 400, a record of the screen split of the data screen is created. Then, at decision block 410, it can be determined whether the application instance should be terminated. If not, the process may repeat block 320 with the generation of a new data screen. Otherwise, the application instance may end in block 420.

As can be seen in the description above, the approaches to the present managed screen sharing represent significantly more than the simple use of categories to organize, store and transmit information and organize information by mathematical correlations. . The managed screen sharing technology described here is actually an enhancement of screen sharing technology, as it provides a solution to the problem of inadvertently exposing data by a person sharing a screen containing data whose viewing by the person with whom the screen is shared is not allowed. In addition, the managed screen sharing technology described herein is applied using a particular machine, namely a system comprising a host computer system coupled by one or more computer networks to different client computing devices. As such, the managed screen sharing technology described herein is confined to screen sharing applications in a networked computer context, and the use of computers is essential to the claims.

The present invention may be integrated within a system, method, computer program product or any combination thereof. The computer program product may include a computer readable medium or storage media containing computer readable program instructions for causing a processor to realize aspects of the present invention. The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can store and store information for use by an instruction executing device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, driver or any suitable combination of the above.

Computer readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded to respective computing / processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network. The computer-readable program instructions may run entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone package, partly on the user's computer, and part on a remote computer or entirely on the computer or remote server. Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to block diagram illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of block diagram illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram illustrations and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a universal computer, a special computer or other programmable data processing apparatus for producing a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create a means for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or the block diagram block (s). These computer readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus and / or other devices to operate in a particular manner, such that the A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions includes an article of manufacture including instructions that implement aspects of the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or the block diagram block (s).

The computer readable program instructions can be loaded on a computer, another programmable data processing apparatus, or another device to bring a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, another programmable apparatus or another device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that instructions executing on the computer, another programmable device, or other device implement the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or the block diagram blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment or part of instructions, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function (s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may not take place in the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Note also that each block of the block diagrams and / or the flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart illustration can be implemented by hardware-based systems. that perform the specified functions or acts or perform special combinations of hardware and computer instructions.

Finally, the terminology used herein is intended to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "one", "the" and "the" are meant to include plural forms as well, unless the context otherwise requires. It will further be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of peculiarities, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or of stated components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

The structures, materials, acts and corresponding equivalents of all the means or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, any material and act to achieve the function in combination with other elements claimed as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been shown for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment has been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and various modifications as appropriate for the particular use envisaged.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and with reference to these embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

Claims (17)

A method of screen sharing managed in an enterprise application, the method comprising the steps of: loading on behalf of a primary end user an instance of an enterprise application in memory of a computer; direct the instance of the enterprise application to display a data screen in a computer display screen; select in the instance of the enterprise application a secondary end user for screen sharing of the data screen; transmitting a request over a computer communications network to a different instance of the selected end user's enterprise application to display the data screen in a secondary end user's display screen; and display the data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user. The method of claim 1, wherein the data screen displayed in the secondary end user's display screen is filtered to exclude data whose viewing by the secondary end user is not permitted according to a role of the secondary end user. The method of claim 1, wherein the data screen displayed in the display screen of the secondary end user is formatted to conform to display characteristics of the display screen of the secondary end-user that differs from display characteristics of the display screen of the primary end-user. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps of directing, selecting, transmitting and displaying for different selected data screens. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating a report of the different data screens selected and shared with the secondary end user. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a hyperlink referencing a different data screen, the method further comprising the steps of responding to a selection of the hyperlink in the user's display screen. main end by directing the instance of the enterprise application to display the different data screen in the display screen of the main end user, transmit a different application on the computer communications network to the different instance of the selected end user's enterprise application to display the different data screen in the secondary end user's display screen, and display the different data screen in the screen display of the secondary end user. A data processing system configured for managed screen sharing in an enterprise application, the system comprising: a host computer system comprising one or more computers, each with a memory and at least one processor; an application server ^^ running in the host computer system and serving different instances of an enterprise application to each of a primary end user and a secondary end user of the enterprise application; and a managed screen sharing module coupled to each of the instances of the enterprise application, the module comprising program code enabled to transmit different requests over a computer communications network from the instance of the enterprise application of the primary end user to the instance of the secondary end user's enterprise application to display different data screens selected for display by the main end user in a display screen of the primary end-user, in a secondary end-user display screen while excluding from displaying other selected data screens for display in the main end user's display. The system of claim 7, wherein each data screen displayed in the secondary end user's display screen is filtered to exclude data whose viewing by the secondary end user is not permitted under a role of the secondary end user. The system of claim 7, wherein each data screen displayed in the secondary end user's display screen is formatted to conform to display characteristics of the user's display screen. secondary end that differ from display characteristics of the display screen of the main end user. The system of claim 7, wherein the program code of the module is further enabled to generate a report of the different shared data screens shared with the secondary end user. The system of claim 7, wherein the data includes a hyperlink referencing a different data screen, and wherein the program code is further enabled to respond to a selection of the hyperlink in the display screen. The primary end user by directing the instance of the enterprise application to display the different data screen in the main end user's display screen, transmitting a different request on the computer communications network to the different instance of the enterprise application of the selected end user to display the different data screen in the secondary end user display screen, and displaying the different data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user. A computer program product for managed screen sharing in an enterprise application, the computer program product including program instructions recorded on a computer-readable storage medium, the program instructions being executable by a device for causing the device to perform a method comprising the steps of: loading on behalf of a primary end user an instance of an enterprise application in memory of a computer; direct the instance of the enterprise application to display a data screen in a computer display screen; select in the instance of the enterprise application a secondary end user for screen sharing of the data screen; transmitting a request over a computer communications network to a different instance of the selected end user's enterprise application to display the data screen in a secondary end user's display screen; and display the data screen in the display screen of the secondary end user. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the data screen displayed in the secondary end user's display screen is filtered to exclude data whose visualization by the secondary end user is not allowed according to a role of the secondary end user. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the data screen displayed in the secondary end user's display screen is formatted to conform to display characteristics of the display screen of the computer. secondary end user display that differs from display characteristics of the display screen of the main end user. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises repeating the steering, selecting, transmitting and displaying steps for different selected data screens. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the step of generating a report of the different data screens selected and shared with the secondary end user. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data includes a hyperlink referencing a different data screen, the method further comprising the steps of responding to a selection of the hyperlink of the screen. display the primary end user by directing the instance of the enterprise application to display the different data screen in the display screen of the main end user, transmit a different request on the communications network from the computer to the instance different from the selected end user's enterprise application to display the different data screen in the secondary end user's display screen, and display the data screen different in the display screen of the secondary end user.