The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 2006
Filed:
May. 17, 2002
Method and apparatus for connecting a secure peer-to-peer collaboration system to an external system
William E. Zircher, Pepperell, MA (US);
Jack E. Ozzie, Chester, NH (US);
Raymond E. Ozzie, Manchester, MA (US);
William E. Zircher, Pepperell, MA (US);
Jack E. Ozzie, Chester, NH (US);
Raymond E. Ozzie, Manchester, MA (US);
Groove Networks, Inc., Beverly, MA (US);
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.