Method and apparatus for indicating the status of one or more computer processes

A system for communicating the status of at least one batch process executing on a central computer, comprising:

• a central computer, the central computer having a central processor for executing at least one batch process initiated from at least one user, and an output port for communicating a signal stream of central computer activity;
• means for monitoring the signal stream of central computer activity to present an indication of processing activity in real time;
• a communications link coupled to the means for monitoring, the communications link communicating a signal containing the indication of processing activity;
• means coupled to the communications link for receiving the indication of processing activity and creating a graphical representation of processing activity;
• and
• a remote computer coupled to the means for receiving, the remote computer receiving the graphical representation and having a display, the display for presenting to the user in real time the status of the at least one batch process.

A method for communicating the status of at least one batch process on a mainframe computer, comprising the steps of:

• providing a mainframe computer, the mainframe computer having a central processor for executing at least one batch process initiated from at least one user;
• tracking the status of the at least one batch process;
• generating in real time a signal indicative of the status of the at least one batch process;
• receiving the signal indicative of the status of the least one batch process;
• and
• graphically displaying in real time the status of the at least one batch process to the at least one user.

A method for communicating the status of at least one batch process executing on a central computer, comprising:

• providing a central computer having a central processor for executing at least one batch process initiated from at least one user;
• communicating in real time a signal stream of central computer activity;
• monitoring the signal stream of central computer activity to present in real time an indication of processing activity;
• communicating a signal containing the indication of processing activity;
• receiving the signal containing the indication of processing activity;
• creating a graphical representation of processing activity;
• and
• presenting to the at least one user the status of the at least one batch process.

A system for communicating the status of at least one process executing on a computer, comprising:

• a server, the server having a central processor for executing at least one process initiated from at least one user, and an output port for communicating a signal stream of server activity;
• means for monitoring the signal stream of server activity to present a real time identification of processing activity;
• a communications link coupled to the means for monitoring, the communications link to communicate a signal containing the identification of processing activity;
• means for receiving the identification of processing activity and creating a graphical representation thereof;
• and
• a client computer coupled to the communications link and having a display, the client computer receiving and displaying on the display the graphical representation of the status of the at least one process, wherein the receiving and displaying is performed in real time.