Method and apparatus for connecting a secure peer-to-peer collaboration system to an external system
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a collaboration system to a system external to the collaboration system, the collaboration system allowing collaboration between a plurality of collaborating members, each collaborating member interacting with a collaborating computer, the collaboration system also being adapted for each collaborating member to use tools to modify a local copy of a shred space on a collaborating computer, and each collaborating computer communicating data change requests representing changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer to other collaborating computers, and each collaborating computer being configured with a dynamics manager, the dynamics manager examining data change requests received from other collaborating computers, coordinating the execution of the data change requests, and directing a data-change engine to make changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer based on the data change requests, the method comprising:
- (a) replicating on a server a copy of an existing shared space based on information obtained from at least one collaborating member of the plurality of collaborating members;
(b) creating on the server an agent for a tool, the tool requiring a connection to the external system;
(c) using the agent to exchange data between the external system and the tool;
(d) modifying, with the tool, the copy of the shred space on the server based on the exchanged data; and
(e) communicating data change requests representing the modifications to the copy of the shred space on the server to a plurality of the collaborating computers.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connection between a secure shared space and an external system is created with a connector tool. The connector tool code is included in an independent agent called a “bot” that is created by a software developer. Bots run in the background in an automated and unattended manner in a specialized enterprise integration server. Each bot has a unique identity and runs under an account assigned to the enterprise integration server. A bot can be invited to a shared space much as another collaborator. Bots can also invite others to shared spaces. All bots running in the enterprise integration server are administered by a centralized administrative control. This allows account and identity policies to be established and global behaviors, including authentication settings, startup options and scope to be determined centrally. The centralized control allows simple installation, configuration and deployment and administrative control of bot operation and access. It also allows for logging and monitoring of system behavior.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a collaboration system to a system external to the collaboration system, the collaboration system allowing collaboration between a plurality of collaborating members, each collaborating member interacting with a collaborating computer, the collaboration system also being adapted for each collaborating member to use tools to modify a local copy of a shred space on a collaborating computer, and each collaborating computer communicating data change requests representing changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer to other collaborating computers, and each collaborating computer being configured with a dynamics manager, the dynamics manager examining data change requests received from other collaborating computers, coordinating the execution of the data change requests, and directing a data-change engine to make changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer based on the data change requests, the method comprising:
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(a) replicating on a server a copy of an existing shared space based on information obtained from at least one collaborating member of the plurality of collaborating members; (b) creating on the server an agent for a tool, the tool requiring a connection to the external system; (c) using the agent to exchange data between the external system and the tool; (d) modifying, with the tool, the copy of the shred space on the server based on the exchanged data; and (e) communicating data change requests representing the modifications to the copy of the shred space on the server to a plurality of the collaborating computers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for connecting a collaboration system to a system external to the collaboration system, the collaboration system allowing collaboration between a plurality of collaborating members, each collaborating member interacting with a collaborating computer using tools to modify a local copy of a shared space on the collaborating computer, and each collaborating computer communicating data change requests representing changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer to the other collaborating computers and making changes to the copy of the shred space on the collaborating computer in response to data change requests received from the other collaborating computers, the apparatus comprising:
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means for copying the shred space to a server comprising at least one processor, the shared space reflecting communication among the plurality of collaborating members made prior to copying the shared space, wherein the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; means for creating a first activity and at least a second activity, the first and second activity each interacting with a shared space copy on the server, wherein the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; means for creating an agent for a tool operating within the first activity, the agent exchanging data between the external system and the tool, wherein the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; means for associating the agent with the tool such that the agent exchanges the data between the external system and the tool, wherein the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; means for sending data change requests representing changes to the copy of the shared space made by a first engine means to a plurality of the collaborating members, the means for sending being responsive to the first engine means, wherein the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; and means for receiving data change requests from others of the plurality of collaborating members, wherein; the means comprises a computer storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for execution on a processor of the at least one processor; the first activity comprises a first engine for interfacing to the tool to apply changes to the shared space copy, the changes being generated by the tool in response to the data; and the second activity comprises a second engine for applying changes to the shared space copy based on received data change requests; and at least one of the means for copying, means for creating and means for associating comprises computer instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable storage medium. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for connecting a collaboration system to a system external to the collaboration system, the collaboration system being adapted to allow collaboration between a plurality of collaborating members, each collaborating member interacting with a collaborating computer, the collaboration system also being adapted for each collaborating member to use tools to modify a local copy of a shared space on a collaborating computer, and each collaborating computer communicating data change requests representing changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer to other collaborating computers and making changes to the copy of the shared space on the collaborating computer in response to data change requests received from other collaborating computers, the method comprising:
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(a) on a server, receiving an invitation from a collaborating member, consulting an invitation acceptance policy, and accepting the invitation in response to the consulting; (b) in response to accepting the invitation, replicating on the server a copy of the shared space; (c) determining on the sewer whether an appropriate agent is in existence and when an appropriate agent is not in existence, in response to the determining creating an agent associated with a tool, the tool requiring a connection to the external system; (d) using the agent to exchange data between the external system and the tool; (e) making changes to information within the shared space generated by at least one of the plurality of collaborating members; (f) making changes, with the tool, to information within the copy of the shared space on the server based on the exchanged data; and (g) communicating data change requests representing the changes to the copy of the shared space on the server to a plurality of the collaborating computers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification