Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers

• US 6,697,861 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ebates Performance Marketing, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Madrid, Richard T., Dean, Thomas Terence, Mueller, Randy S., Barnier, Brian Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): EL HADY, NABIL M
• Application Number:
  US10/246,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20030051034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-203, 709/217-219, 709/225-230, 709/245
• US Class Current: 709/225
• 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 that 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 comprising:

a network configured for data communication among remotely-located participants;

a server system configured for data communication with the network, the server system storing a plurality of applications, the server system being configured to make available particular instances of the plurality of applications to the network in response to a request by a participant for a particular application and in accordance with participant subscription information; and

a common screen menu usable by all participants on the network to access one or more applications on the server system.

2. The extranet of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a dedicated access network.

3. The extranet of claim 1 wherein the server system comprises storage configured to store the subscription information, the stored subscription information defining access granted to the particular application for the requesting participant.

4. The extranet of claim 3 wherein the server system comprises:

a subscriber database listing customers who subscribe to an extranet service of the extranet.

5. The extranet of claim 3 wherein the storage is configured to store customer-specific software and a list of customers allowed access to the customer-specific software or selections of data stored in an application.

6. The extranet of claim 1 wherein the server system is configured to store at least one of a workgroup application, a transaction application, a security application and a transport application.

7. The extranet of claim 1 wherein the server system is further configured to determine access for a user according to what applications the user has subscribed to.

8. The extranet of claim 7 wherein the server system is further configured to determine for the user access granted to data and applications by an organization of the user.

9. The extranet of claim 7 wherein the server system is further configured to determine access granted to particular data files by owners of the particular data files.

10. An extranet method comprising:

accessing subscriber subscription information of a subscriber database listing extranet subscribers who subscribe to an extranet service;

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 the subscriber subscription information;

associating a plurality of extranet subscribers as a workgroup of subscribers;

making the software applications available to subscribers of the workgroup; and

securing communication and data exchanged among the workgroup of subscribers.

11. The extranet method of claim 10 further comprising:

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

12. The extranet method of claim 10 further comprising:

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

13. The extranet method of claim 10 further comprising:

updating the software applications.