Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers

• US 9,800,571 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rakuten, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barnier, Brian Glen, Mueller, Randy S., Dean, Thomas Terence, Madrid, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHIPPLE, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US15/073,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20160197908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 device comprising:

a memory that stores instructions; and

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

establishing communication over the Internet with a server of a group of servers of an extranet;

providing a password to the server;

responsive to the password, obtaining via the server, access to a group of selectable icons representing available data of the extranet, wherein the data is available in accordance with subscription information associated with a user of the device;

providing, to the server, a selection of particular data based on a user selection from the group of selectable icons; and

accessing, via the server, the particular data.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise establishing communication via the server with another device of a non-related subscriber on the extranet.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise exchanging communications with the other device to associate with the other device in a workgroup.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the communications are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the group of selectable icons include graphics and text.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the subscription information comprises a security profile associated with the user of the device, the user being a subscriber on the extranet.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein access to the data is in accordance with the security profile.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device establishes communication with the server through a router.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device communicates with the server to transmit to service provider equipment of the extranet a suggestion regarding a new application to include on the extranet.

10. A method comprising:

providing, by a system including a group of servers of an extranet, communication access for a subscriber device to the extranet;

receiving, by the system from the subscriber device, a password;

responsive to the password, enabling access by the subscriber device to a group of selectable icons representing available data for display at the subscriber device, wherein the data available to the subscriber device is in accordance with a user profile;

receiving, by the system, from the subscriber device, a selection from the group of selectable icons; and

providing, by the system to the subscriber device, access to particular data according to the selection from the group of selectable icons of available data.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing, by the system, communication access to another device of a non-related subscriber on the extranet;

and

enabling, by the system, an exchange of communications between the subscriber device and the other device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, in accordance with the exchange of communications, the subscriber device and the other device are associated in a workgroup.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein communications between subscribers in the workgroup are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the group of selectable, icons include graphics and text.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the system receives a suggestion regarding a new application to include on the extranet.

16. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a subscriber device communicatively coupled to a server of an extranet, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

establishing communication with the server;

receiving, from the server, a group of selectable icons of available data of the extranet, wherein the data is available in accordance with a user profile associated with the subscriber device;

providing a selection of particular data according to a selection from the group of selectable icons of available data; and

accessing the particular data.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise receiving from the server a prompt to provide a password;

and

providing the password.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise establishing communication via the server with another device of a non-related subscriber to the extranet;

and

exchanging communications with the other device to associate with the other device in a workgroup, wherein the communications are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the group of selectable icons include graphics and text.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise providing a suggestion to the server regarding a new application to include on the extranet.