Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsBrian Glen Barnier, Randy S. Mueller, Thomas Terence Dean, Richard T. Madrid
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A server comprising a memory coupled to a controller circuit that performs a method, the method 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.
A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method 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;
- 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.
A server comprising a memory coupled to a controller circuit that performs a method, the method 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
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.