Method for creating durable web-enabled uniform resource locator links

• US 7,376,709 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proquest LLC (Clarivate Plc)
• Original Assignee: Proquest LLC (Clarivate Plc)
• Inventors: Holt, Mark, Potharaju, Sri, Olson, Ken, Brei, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone; Jason D
• Assistant Examiner(s): BHATIA, AJAY M
• Application Number:
  US10/142,248
• Time in Patent Office: 2,203 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/226, 709/218, 713155-158, 707 3- 6
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

The present invention is a process of creating durable Uniform Resource Locator links to results of performing web-enabled functions. The web-enabled functions are performed using a system delivered user interface requiring users to authenticate within the system. After authentication, the user will be able to perform a first user function that will create Uniform Resource Locator link results derived from the first user function. The user will then be able to conduct successive users functions, either dependent or independent of the first user function results without having to re-authenticate. The successive user function will then create durable Uniform Resource Locator link results derived from the successive user function without altering the previously created Uniform Resource Locator links to previous user function results.

Claims

1. A method of performing authenticated web-enabled functions, comprising the steps of:

authenticating a user on a web-enabled service with a user authentication;

receiving a first user function request on said web-enabled service;

returning a first user function request result;

creating a first Uniform Resource Locator link derived from said first user function request, and incorporating said user authentication and said first user function request result within said first Uniform Resource Locator link;

preserving said first Uniform Resource Locator link;

receiving a successive user function request without requiring said user to re-authenticate;

returning a successive user function request result; and

creating a successive Uniform Resource Locator link derived from said successive user function request, and incorporating said user authentication contained in said first Uniform Resource Locator link and said successive user function request result within said successive Uniform Resource Locator link;

wherein said successive user function request does not alter said first Uniform Resource Locator link.

2. A method of performing authenticated web-enabled functions comprising the steps of:

authenticating a user on a web-enabled service with a user authentication;

receiving a first user function request on said web-enabled service;

returning a first user function request result;

creating a first Uniform Resource Locator link derived from said first user function request, and incorporating said user authentication and said first user function request result within said first Uniform Resource Locator link;

preserving said first Uniform Resource Locator link;

receiving a successive user function request without requiring said user to re-authenticate;

returning a successive user function request result;

creating a successive Uniform Resource Locator link derived from said successive user function request, and incorporating said user authentication contained in said first Uniform Resource Locator link and said successive user function request result within said successive Uniform Resource Locator link; and

receiving multiple subsequent successive user function requests without requiring said user to re-authenticate;

returning multiple subsequent successive user function request results; and

creating multiple subsequent successive Uniform Resource Locator links, each incorporating said user authentication obtained from the successive Uniform Resource Locator link;

wherein said multiple subsequent successive user function requests do not alter previously created Uniform Resource Locator link.

3. A method for creating durable web-enabled Uniform Resource Locator links, comprising the steps of:

receiving authentication information to begin a session;

performing a first user function request;

returning first user function request results;

creating a first Uniform Resource Locator link to said first user function request results, the first Uniform Resource Locator link incorporating the authentication information; and

performing at least one subsequent user function request without having to re-authenticate and without affecting access to said first Uniform Resource Locator link.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of creating a subsequent Uniform Resource Locator link corresponding to each subsequent user function request, wherein the subsequent Uniform Resource Locator link incorporates the authentication information.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of allowing access to each Uniform Resource Locator link created at any time during said session.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said step of creating a first Uniform Resource Locator link to said first user function request results comprises the steps of:

providing location information to said first user function request results; and

attaching encrypted authentication information to said location information.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said step of creating a first Uniform Resource Locator link to said first user function request results further comprises the step of attaching control limitations to said location information.