System and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel

• US 8,225,374 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Aoki, Paul M., Woodruff, Allison G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LANIER, BENJAMIN E
• Application Number:
  US12/201,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20090007236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel is provided. An initiation terminal transmits a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal. Evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager is awaited. Approval of the channel initiation request is received upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease. A communication channel is opened between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

Claims

1. A system for using a communication lease to open a communication channel, comprising:

an initiation terminal to transmit a direct channel initiation request for direct access through a telephone communication to a resource manager via a target terminal;

an approval receipt module configured to await evaluation of a communication lease controlling direct access to the resource manager and to receive approval of the direct channel initiation request upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease and to receive approval of indirect channel initiation upon the unsuccessful evaluation of the communication lease; and

a communication interface to open a direct communication channel between the initiation terminal and the target terminal through the telephone communication upon receipt of the approval of the direct channel initiation request and an indirect communication channel through a voice message left for the resource manager upon the receipt of the approval of indirect channel initiation.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a lease update module to automatically modify the communication lease in response to the direct channel initiation request.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the communication lease comprises at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity.

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a decision module configured to determine whether the at least one condition is met based on the state of the communication lease; and

an approval module configured to approve the direct channel initiation request upon the at least one condition being met.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the direct channel initiation request further comprises one or more of a communication lease identifier, a biometric reading, a password, and a public key.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the lease is distributed between the initiation terminal and the target terminal.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the direct communication channel comprises one of synchronous communications and asynchronous communications.

8. A method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel, comprising:

transmitting from an initiation terminal a direct channel initiation request for direct access through a telephone communication to a resource manager through a target terminal;

awaiting evaluation of a communication lease controlling direct access to the resource manager;

receiving approval of the direct channel initiation request upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease;

receiving approval of indirect channel initiation upon the unsuccessful evaluation of the communication lease; and

opening a direct communication channel between the initiation terminal and the target terminal through the telephone communication upon receipt of the approval of the direct channel initiation request and an indirect communication channel through a voice message left for the resource manager upon the receipt of the approval of indirect channel initiation.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising automatically modifying the communication lease in response to the direct channel initiation request.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the communication lease comprises at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining whether the at least one condition is met based on the state of the communication lease; and

approving the direct channel initiation request upon the at least one condition being met.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the channel initiation request further comprises one or more of a communication lease identifier, a biometric reading, a password, and a public key.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the lease is distributed between the initiation terminal and the target terminal.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the direct communication channel comprises one of synchronous communications and asynchronous communications.

15. A system for controlling notification of availability of a resource manager, comprising:

a processor comprising one or more modules, the one or more modules comprising;

a receiver module configured to receive a request concerning direct availability of a resource manager through e-mail communication from an initiation terminal;

a lease look-up module configured to access a communication lease comprising a lease identification and a direct access control between the initiation terminal and a target terminal;

an evaluation module configured to evaluate the access control for satisfaction of at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity; and

a notification module configured to notify the initiation terminal of the direct availability of the target terminal through an unfiltered primary e-mail folder upon satisfaction of the at least one condition and to notify the initiation terminal of the indirect availability of the target terminal through a filter into a secondary e-mail folder upon a failure of satisfaction of the at least one condition.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the communication lease expires upon satisfaction of a condition.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the communication lease is one of explicitly renewed by the resource manager or implicitly renewed upon satisfaction of a renewal condition.

18. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a lease update module to automatically modify the communication lease in response to the direct availability request.

19. A method for controlling notification of availability of a resource manager, comprising:

receiving a request concerning direct availability of a resource manager through e-mail communication from an initiation terminal;

accessing a communication lease comprising a lease identification and a direct access control between the initiation terminal and a target terminal;

evaluating the access control for satisfaction of at least one condition selected from the set comprising context-aware, renewable, exclusion, and proximity; and

notifying the initiation terminal of the direct availability of the target terminal through an unfiltered primary e-mail folder upon satisfaction of the at least one condition and the indirect availability of the target terminal through a filter into a secondary e-mail folder upon a failure of satisfaction of the at least one condition.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the communication lease expires upon satisfaction of a condition.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the communication lease is one of explicitly renewed by the resource manager or implicitly renewed upon satisfaction of a renewal condition.

22. A method according to claim 19, further comprising automatically modifying the communication lease in response to the direct availability request.