Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers

• US 8,566,398 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2011
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rakuten, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barnier, Brian Glen, Mueller, Randy S., Dean, Thomas Terence, Madrid, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Whipple, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US13/294,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20120060201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-206
• US Class Current: 709/204
• 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 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. A server comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the controller performs operations comprising;

communicating data over a network to facilitate establishment of a virtual extranet community among a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of entities and to facilitate establishment of secure communications within the virtual extranet community, wherein the plurality of entities are unrelated; and

providing access for the plurality of communication devices to a software application that enables managing contact information for the plurality of entities, managing messages provided in the virtual community and managing collaborative sharing of documents,

wherein the access is based on the plurality of communication devices being associated with a workgroup defined from among the plurality of communication devices associated with the plurality of entities, and

wherein the secure communications comprise first communications between an entity router of each of the plurality of entities communicatively coupled to a network router remotely located from each of the plurality of entities, and second communications between the network router and the server via a firewall remotely located from each of the plurality of entities.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein the software application enables managing of projects and defining of workgroups.

3. The server of claim 2, wherein the network is an internet protocol network, and wherein the workgroup is defined by a communication device of the plurality of communication devices utilizing the software application.

4. The server of claim 1, wherein the software application facilitates transactions between the plurality of communication devices.

5. The server of claim 1, wherein the software application enables the plurality of communication devices to retrieve information from a database.

6. The server of claim 5, wherein the database comprises a legacy database.

7. The server of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining a security profile to provide the access for the plurality of communication devices to the software application, wherein the security profile defines an association for the plurality of entities with the workgroup.

8. The server of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise accessing a security policy to facilitate the establishment of the secure communications in the virtual extranet community, wherein the security policy comprises a routing table defining a secure communication link between the plurality of communication devices associated with the workgroup.

9. The server of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise enabling access for the plurality of communication devices to a common display menu for selecting the software application.

10. The server of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise limiting access for the plurality of communication devices to data files based on permission from an entity associated with the data files.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

providing access for a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of entities to a server system,

wherein the access is provided over a data network which communicates data in accordance with an internet protocol to facilitate establishment of a virtual extranet community among the plurality of communication devices for secure communications,

wherein the plurality of entities are unrelated, and

wherein the secure communications comprise first communications between an entity router of each of the plurality of entities communicatively coupled to a network router remotely located from each of the plurality of entities, and second communications between the network router and the server via a firewall remotely located from each of the plurality of entities;

obtaining workgroup information that identifies workgroup communication devices from among the plurality of communication devices that are associated with a workgroup; and

providing access for the workgroup communication devices to a software application that enables collaborative sharing of documents, wherein the access to the software application is based on the workgroup communication devices being associated with the workgroup.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the software application enables the workgroup to be defined by a communication device of the plurality of communication devices.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the software application enables managing contact information for the plurality of entities.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the software application enables managing messages provided in the virtual extranet community.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise enabling access for plurality of communication devices to a common display menu for selecting the software application.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining security information to facilitate the secure communications in the virtual extranet community, wherein the security information comprises a routing table defining a secure communication link between the plurality of communication devices.

17. A server comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the controller performs operations comprising;

communicating data over a network to facilitate establishment of a virtual extranet community among a plurality of communication devices associated with a plurality of entities and to facilitate secure communications over the network between the plurality of communication devices,

wherein the plurality of entities are unrelated, and

wherein the secure communications comprise first communications between an entity router of each of the plurality of entities communicatively coupled to a network router remotely located from each of the plurality of entities, and second communications between the network router and the server via a firewall remotely located from each of the plurality of entities; and

providing access for the plurality of communication devices to a software application that enables managing collaborative sharing of documents,

wherein the access to the software application is based on the plurality of communication devices being associated with a workgroup defined from among the plurality of communication devices associated with the plurality of entities.

18. The server of claim 17, wherein the software application enables managing of projects and defining workgroups, wherein the network is an internet protocol network, and wherein the workgroup is defined by a communication device of the plurality of communication devices utilizing the software application.

19. The server of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise enabling access for the plurality of communication devices to a common display menu for use of the software application, and wherein the software application enables managing contact information for the plurality of entities and managing messages provided in the virtual community.

20. The server of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise accessing a security policy to facilitate the secure communications in the virtual extranet community, wherein the security policy comprises a routing table defining a secure communication link between the plurality of communication devices associated with the workgroup.