Scoped access control metadata element

• US 20050278390A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kaler, Christopher G., Waingold, Elliot, Della-Libera, Giovanni
• Granted Patent: US 7,730,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2141 Access rights, e.g. capability lists, access control lists, access tables, access matrices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/34 Source routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/566 Routing instructions carried by the data packet, e.g. active 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 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

Methods, systems, and data structures for communicating object metadata are provided. A generic metadata container is presented that allows object metadata to be described in an extensible manner using protocol-neutral and platform-independent methodologies. A metadata scope refers to a dynamic universe of targets to which the included metadata statements correspond. Metadata properties provide a mechanism to describe the metadata itself, and metadata security can be used to ensure authentic metadata is sent and received. Mechanisms are also provided to allow refinement and replacement of metadata statements. The generic metadata container can be adapted to dynamically define access control rights to a range of objects by a range of users, including granted and denied access rights.

Claims

1. A method for determining access rights to a range of objects by a range of users, comprising:

(a) receiving identifying information corresponding to a user attempting to access a resource;

(b) determining whether the resource is encompassed by a first range defined in an access control metadata element;

(c) based on the identifying information, determining whether the user is encompassed by a second range defined in the access control metadata element; and

(d) when steps (b) and (c) are answered in the affirmative, applying access rights defined in the access control metadata element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (d) the access rights comprise granted access rights.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (d) the access rights comprise denied access rights.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a) the resource comprises a file stored on a storage device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a) the resource comprises a web service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a) the identifying information corresponds to a human user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a) the identifying information corresponds to an application program.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a) the identifying information comprises an authentication token.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein in step (a) the identifying information comprises biometric information corresponding to the user.

10. A computer comprising a processor controlling operation of the computer according to computer readable instructions stored in a memory, wherein, upon execution of the computer readable instructions by the processor, the computer performs a method comprising:

(a) receiving identifying information corresponding to a user attempting to access the resource;

(b) determining whether the resource is encompassed by a first range defined in an access control metadata element;

(c) based on the identifying information, determining whether the user is encompassed by a second range defined in the access control metadata element; and

(d) when steps (b) and (c) are answered in the affirmative, applying access rights defined in the access control metadata element.

11. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (d) the access rights comprise granted access rights.

12. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (d) the access rights comprise denied access rights.

13. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (a) the resource comprises a file stored on a storage device.

14. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (a) the resource comprises a web service.

15. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (a) the identifying information corresponds to a human user.

16. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (a) the identifying information corresponds to an application program.

17. The computer of claim 10, wherein in step (a) the identifying information comprises an authentication token.

18. The computer of claim 15, wherein in step (a) the identifying information comprises biometric information corresponding to the user.