System And Method For Using A Communication Lease To Open A Communication Channel

• US 20090007236A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Woodruff, Allison G., Aoki, Paul M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,225,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel is provided. An initiation terminal transmits a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal. Evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager is awaited. Approval of the channel initiation request is received upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease. A communication channel is opened between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

Claims

1. A system for using a communication lease to open a communication channel, comprising:

an initiation terminal to transmit a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager via a target terminal;

an approval receipt module configured to await evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager and to receive approval of the channel initiation request upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease; and

a communication interface to open a communication channel between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a lease update module to automatically modify the communication lease in response to the channel initiation request.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the communication lease comprises at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity.

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a decision module configured to determine whether the at least one condition is met based on the state of the communication lease; and

an approval module configured to approve the channel initiation request upon the at least one condition being met.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the channel initiation request further comprises one or more of a communication lease identifier, a biometric reading, a password, and a public key.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the lease is distributed between the initiation terminal and the target terminal.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the communication channel comprises one of synchronous communications and asynchronous communications.

8. A method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel, comprising:

transmitting from an initiation terminal a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal;

awaiting evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager;

receiving approval of the channel initiation request upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease; and

opening a communication channel between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising automatically modifying the communication lease in response to the channel initiation request.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the communication lease comprises at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining whether the at least one condition is met based on the state of the communication lease; and

approving the channel initiation request upon the at least one condition being met.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the channel initiation request further comprises one or more of a communication lease identifier, a biometric reading, a password, and a public key.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the lease is distributed between the initiation terminal and the target terminal.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the communication channel comprises one of synchronous communications and asynchronous communications.

15. A system for controlling notification of availability of a resource manager, comprising:

a receiver module configured to receive a request concerning availability of a resource manager from an initiation terminal;

a lease look-up module configured to access a communication lease comprising a lease identification and an access control between the initiation terminal and a target terminal;

an evaluation module configured to evaluate the access control for satisfaction of at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity; and

a notification module configured to notify the initiation terminal of the availability of the target terminal upon satisfaction of the at least one condition.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the communication lease expires upon satisfaction of a condition.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the communication lease is one of explicitly renewed by the resource manager or implicitly renewed upon satisfaction of a renewal condition.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the communication lease comprises a condition preventing approval of the availability request for a defined period of time.

19. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a lease update module to automatically modify the communication lease in response to the availability request.

20. A method for controlling notification of availability of a resource manager, comprising:

receiving a request concerning availability of a resource manager from an initiation terminal;

accessing a communication lease comprising a lease identification and an access control between the initiation terminal and a target terminal;

evaluating the access control for satisfaction of at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity; and

notifying the initiation terminal of the availability of the target terminal upon satisfaction of the at least one condition.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the communication lease expires upon satisfaction of a condition.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the communication lease is one of explicitly renewed by the resource manager or implicitly renewed upon satisfaction of a renewal condition.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein the communication lease comprises a condition preventing approval of the availability request for a defined period of time.

24. A method according to claim 20, further comprising automatically modifying the communication lease in response to the availability request.