Distributed directory service using junction nodes for providing network users with an integrated hierarchical directory services
First Claim
1. A distributed directory service for providing users of a computer network with a hierarchical directory of services on said network, comprising:
- a plurality of groups of application servers providing a plurality of different services, each one of the plurality of services storing a respective plurality of content nodes within a respective hierarchical directory structure for the service; and
a plurality of junction nodes stored on the plurality of groups of application servers, the junction nodes linking the hierarchical directory structure with content nodes of different hierarchical directory structures to form an integrated hierarchical directory structure wherein the content node of the different hierarchical directory structure is not a child node of the junction node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed directory service for an online services network. The directory service comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers.” Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. A common application program interface is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Various forms of node filtering, including language-based filtering and access rights filtering, are performed by the Directory Service Providers to determine which nodes to show end users.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A distributed directory service for providing users of a computer network with a hierarchical directory of services on said network, comprising:
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a plurality of groups of application servers providing a plurality of different services, each one of the plurality of services storing a respective plurality of content nodes within a respective hierarchical directory structure for the service; and a plurality of junction nodes stored on the plurality of groups of application servers, the junction nodes linking the hierarchical directory structure with content nodes of different hierarchical directory structures to form an integrated hierarchical directory structure wherein the content node of the different hierarchical directory structure is not a child node of the junction node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A node of a hierarchical directory structure, said node stored on an application server of an online services network, said node representing a service which may be accessed by users of said network via client applications running on client computers, said node comprising:
- a first property stored within a memory of said application server, said first property comprising a textual description of said service; and
a second property stored within said memory of said application server, said second property identifying a service application corresponding to said service, said service application providing user access to said service. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- a first property stored within a memory of said application server, said first property comprising a textual description of said service; and
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22. A distributed directory service for providing users of a computer network with a hierarchical directory of services on said network, comprising:
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a plurality of groups of application servers providing a plurality of different services, each one of the plurality of services storing a respective plurality of content nodes within a respective hierarchical directory structure for the service; a plurality of junction nodes stored on the plurality of groups of application servers, the junction nodes linking content nodes of different hierarchical directory structures to form an integrated hierarchical directory structure, each of the junction nodes serves as a proxy within one hierarchical directory structure for a corresponding content node of a different hierarchical directory structure, each of the junction nodes provides user transparent link between two of said hierarchical directory structures, and wherein the content node of the different hierarchical directory structure is not a child node of the junction nodes; and a client application configured to allow a user to interactively navigate said integrated hierarchical directory structure via a graphical user interface.
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Specification