System for transferring network connections from first to second program where the first enters an inactive state and resumes control of connections when second terminates

摘要

A system for network support of supplemental local applications allows one workstation application, communicating with a host computer on a network, to invoke a second workstation application that takes control of the first application's connection to the network. The first application waits for the second application to terminate and then resumes control of the network connection so that the user is returned to the same point in the work session. The transitions between the workstation applications are automatic and facilitated by the network through a protocol known by both workstation applications and the network. Although the user is aware of the change in applications, the user may never know that an online service host facilitated the transition between the applications.