Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers

• US 20040199583A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Barnier, Brian Glen, Madrid, Richard T., Dean, Thomas Terence, Mueller, Randy S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0838 using one-time-passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An extranet includes a network which couples a plurality of non-related participants and a server coupled to the network. The server stores a plurality of applications including workgroup applicants, transaction applications, security applications and transport circuits and equipment. The server is programmed to load particular ones of the plurality of applications onto the network for use by the plurality of participants in response to a request by one of the participants for a particular application.

Claims

1. An extranet server system comprising:

storage units configured to store a plurality of applications including at least one of workgroup applications, transaction applications, security applications, and transport applications;

an application server in data communication with the storage units and configured to make available particular instances of the various applications over a network in response to a request received over the network from one extranet participant of a plurality of remotely located extranet participants for a particular application and in accordance with subscription information stored for the one extranet participant, the subscription information defining access to be granted to the particular application for the one extranet participant, and

the application server being further configured to define a workgroup of participants among the plurality of non-related participants, to make at least one of the plurality of the applications stored in the storage units available to the plurality of non-related participants of the workgroup, and secure communications and data exchanged among the participants of the workgroup from other participants.

2. The extranet server system according to claim 1 wherein the application server is in data communication with a dedicated access network.

3. An extranet method for providing extranet subscribers with access to software applications, the extranet method comprising:

storing at a common location accessible to the extranet subscribers software applications including at least one of collaboration software applications, workflow software applications, transaction software applications, electronic mail software applications, and electronic data interchange software application;

communicating over a communication link with extranet subscribers;

sharing the stored software applications among the extranet subscribers in accordance with predetermined subscriber subscription information, the predetermined subscriber subscription information defining extranet subscribers who subscribe to an extranet services

making the software applications available to a predetermined group of extranet subscribers; and

securing communication and data exchanged among the group of extranet subscribers.

4. The extranet method of claim 3 further comprising associating the group of extranet subscribers in a workgroup.

5. The extranet method of claim 3 further comprising:

storing subscriber subscription information in a subscriber database.

6. The extranet method of claim 5 further comprising:

updating the subscriber database to add new subscribers who subscribe to the extranet service.

7. The extranet method of claim 5 further comprising:

updating the subscriber database to delete customers from the extranet service.

8. The extranet method of claim 5 further comprising:

updating the software applications.