Method for context based discovery and filtering of portable collaborative networks

• US 20040019641A1
• Filed: 07/25/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olbia Software Inc.
• Original Assignee: Colligo Networks, Inc. (Olbia Software Inc.)
• Inventors: Maris Spaay, Henk Gerardus, Blackstock, Michael Anthony, Bartram, Linda Ruth
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1042 using topology management mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1068 Discovery involving direct consultation or announcement among potential requesting and potential source peers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A peer-to-peer collaborative network system is described. The peer-to-peer collaborative network system allows for the existence of a number of collaborative networks. Within the collaborative networks, users can interact in ways such as messaging, file sharing, resource sharing, and the like. The user will query other users on the network to determine which collaborative networks are active. The user can then select an active collaborative network without having to be invited there.

Claims

1. A peer-to-peer network comprising:

units electronically connected to the peer-to-peer network, the units having software to produce collaborative networks between at least some of the units, the software adapted to determine which collaborative networks are active on the peer-to-peer network by querying the units on the peer-to-peer network and the software adapted to enable a user of one of the units to select an active collaborative network determined from another unit, the software allowing collaborative interactions among units connected to an active collaborative network.

2. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the software is further adapted to create a new collaborative network and make it known to other participants on the peer-to-peer network.

3. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 further comprising an interactive user interface at the software.

4. The peer-to-peer network of claim 3 wherein the interactive user interface allows for the selection of active collaborative networks.

5. The peer-to-peer network of claim 3 wherein the interactive user interface allows for the creation of a new collaborative network.

6. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a public collaborative network.

7. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the software responds to indications of active collaborative networks.

8. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the software produces a display of possible collaborative networks.

9. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the at least some information concerning the active collaborative networks is stored at a server such that the network is a hybrid peer-to-peer network.

10. A method comprising:

determining which collaborative networks are active on a peer-to-peer network by querying units on the peer-to-peer network;

at a first unit on the peer-to-peer network, selecting one of the active collaborative networks determined from another unit; and

collaborating with other units connected to the selected active collaborative network.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising at the first unit, creating a new collaborative network and making it known to other participants on the peer-to-peer network.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the selecting step includes using an interactive user interface.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the creating step includes using an interactive user interface.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a public collaborative network.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the units respond with indications of active collaborative networks they are a member of.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the method further comprises producing a display of active collaborative networks.

17. A computer-readable medium containing a program which executes the following procedure:

determining which collaborative networks are active on a peer-to-peer network by querying the units on the peer-to-peer network;

under user control, selecting one of the active collaborative networks determined from another unit; and

allowing collaborative interactions with other units connected to the selected active collaborative network

18. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 17, wherein the procedure further includes, under user control, creating a new collaborative network and making it known to other participants on the peer-to-peer network.

19. The computer-readable medium containing a program of claim 17 wherein the procedure further includes producing an interactive user interface.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein peer-to-peer network comprises a public collaborative network.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the procedure further includes responding with indications of active collaborative networks over to units in the member.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the procedure further comprises producing a display of active collaboration networks.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the method further comprises setting the user status automatically according to which collaborative network the user is currently in.

24. A method comprising:

determining what units are on a peer-to-peer network;

using a user interface to create a new selectable collaborative network, the new collaborative network being made known to the units on the peer-to-peer network;

receiving from at least one of the units an indication that that the at least one of the units has joined the new collaborative network; and

collaborating with a unit connected to the new collaborative network.