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Virtual Network Computing Software for DataWall Remote Display

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is open-source software that allows a user to view and interact with a remote computer (known as the VNC server) from a local computer (known as the VNC viewer/client). VNC is used to display multiple remote desktops on the DataWall. The original VNC software can only project the whole desktop from a server to the DataWall. The VNC server and viewer were modified to project the whole desktop or an application of interest from a server to the DataWall.

In the modified version, a global variable called TargetProcessID was used to distinguish between projecting a single application and projecting the whole desktop. If TargetProcessID is zero, the whole desktop will be projected. Otherwise, TargetProcessID is the process identification of the application that will be projected. In the desktop projecting, the changes can be always additive (or aggregated) whereas the changes in the application projecting can be additive or subtractive. For example, in the desktop projecting, when a window is moved, the changes include the window at the new position plus all the newly exposed areas that were behind the window before the movement. In the application projecting, the changes include adding the window at the new position and subtracting the newly exposed areas.

In the application projecting, an application running on a remote computer can be projected on the DataWall with its own window frame. The VNC viewer does not add its frame to the application. Therefore, there is no difference between a projected application from a remote computer and an application started on the local DataWall computer. To achieve this, a new message called msgTypeVisibleWindows was added to the VNC protocol in the server-to-viewer direction. Whether the rectangles of pixels are relative or absolute, a new message type called msgTypeMode was added to be sent from the server to the client after authentication.

The original VNC is only capable of desktop sharing. The modified VNC can perform application sharing in addition to desktop sharing. For application sharing, how to select an application for sharing is a key issue. To address both privacy and convenience issues in application sharing, a VNC server can be run in one of the two modes: local and visitor.

In the visitor mode, the user (i.e. the visitor) at the application computer end is responsible for selection of an application for sharing. The visitor can select any application running on his/her computer for sharing on the DataWall using a property sheet. A user at the Data Wall is not able to select an application of the application computer to be shared. Once an application is selected for sharing, the application window(s) will be projected on the DataWall, and a user at the DataWall end can take control of the application.

This work was done by Jingyuan Zhang of the University of Alabama for the Air Force Research Laboratory. AFRL-0106

Topics:
Body structures Computer software and hardware Electrical systems Exteriors Frames Identification Research and development Software Starters and starting Windows and windshields
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Document cover
Virtual Network Computing Software for DataWall Remote Display

(reference AFRL-0106) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Defense Tech Briefs Magazine

    This article first appeared in the August, 2009 issue of Defense Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 3 No. 4).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document titled "Development of Enhanced Interactive Datawalls for Data Fusion and Collaboration" is a final technical report authored by Jingyuan Zhang and published in July 2008. It outlines the research and development efforts undertaken by the University of Alabama, focusing on the creation of advanced interactive display technologies designed to facilitate collaboration among multiple users.

    The report emphasizes the importance of high-resolution extended display Datawalls, which allow users to manage and interact with information using familiar applications. This technology aims to enhance collaborative efforts in various fields by providing a shared visual workspace where multiple users can engage simultaneously.

    The document is structured into several sections, beginning with an introduction that sets the context for the research. It then delves into specific methodologies, including a VNC-based approach and a mirror-driver-based approach, both of which are explored in detail. The VNC (Virtual Network Computing) section discusses the basics of VNC, modifications made for application sharing, and the implementation of visitor and local modes. The mirror-driver approach focuses on the use of mirror drivers for capturing and forwarding mouse events, enabling seamless interaction across multiple computers.

    Additionally, the report covers innovative input methods, such as using laser pointers as input devices for the Datawall, and discusses the software states, communication protocols, and user interfaces necessary for effective operation. The document also addresses the challenges of multiple computer interaction and annotation, providing insights into mouse event acquisition and interaction techniques.

    Another significant aspect of the report is the exploration of clipboard functionality and file transfer capabilities between computers, which are essential for collaborative work. The sections on copy and paste functionalities and simple file transfer protocols highlight the practical applications of the developed technologies.

    Overall, the report presents a comprehensive overview of the advancements in interactive Datawall technology, emphasizing its potential to transform collaborative environments. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in multi-user interactive systems, data fusion, and collaborative technologies. The findings and methodologies discussed in the report contribute to the ongoing development of interactive display technologies that enhance user collaboration and information management.

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