US 6,917,962 B1
`(10) Patent No:
`a2 United States Patent
`Cannata et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jul. 12, 2005
`
`
`US006917962B1
`
`(54) WEB-BASED GROUPWARE SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michael J. Cannata, RichmondHill
`(CA); Richard Lee, Toronto (CA);
`Matthew Powell, Georgetown (CA);
`Ryan Ramasra, Richmond Hill (CA);
`Gerald William Smith, Stoullville
`(CA)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(73) Assignees: Brokercom Inc., Ontario (CA); Involv
`:
`International Corporation, Bridgetown
`(BB)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`tent is
`extended
`djusted
`under
`35
`nsc “154(b)by 536 dws, eeuneer
`.
`.
`.
`.
`,
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/590,099
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jun. 9, 2000
`
`5,333,152 A
`5,353,398 A
`5,392,400 A
`5,432,934 A
`9,442,788 A
`
`TN994 Wilber wc. 379/102.04
`10/1994 Kitahara etal.
`.......... 709/203
`2/1995 Berkowitz et al.
`7/1995 Levin et al. we 713/200
`8/1995 Bier
`.
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`EP
`
`2221026 A2
`0616448 A2
`
`4/1999
`oy1004
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Child, Don, 1997, “Using the Notes Client on the Internet’,
`Chapter 2, Lotus Notes and Domino Server 4.5, Sams
`Publishing, pp. 562-578.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—Moustafa M. Meky
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Winston & Strawn LLP
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/195,905,filed on
`providing a communication nctwork. The system compriscs
`Nov. 19, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,223,177, which is a continu-
`a nelwork-connected server having input and access
`ation-in-part of application No. 08/955,569,filed on Oct. 22,
`capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator,
`1997, now abandoned.
`and memory.
`‘The site-builder receives instructions input
`(SL) Ute C0 eeeeee ceeeeeseceeeneeeneeeenneees GO06F 13/00
`
`(52) US. Che ceeeccceccccseessees 709/204; 709/203; 709/217‘ fromafirst user and creates a dedicated networksite based
`(58) Field of Search o.cccccccccccccsscsssseeeen 709/200-201,
`onthe received instructions. The transmitter communicates
`709/217-218, 223-224, 205, 203, 204,
`the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated
`219, 227; 379/205.01
`second user. The communicator provides accesses to the
`contents of the dedicated networksite by the fast and second
`uscrs. The memory stores information input bythefirst and
`the second user in the dedicated networksite.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,208,912 A
`
`5/1993 Nakayamaet al.
`
`......... 709/203
`
`19 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 1
`PayPal Ex. 1052,p. 1
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`US 6,917,962 BI
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Wunderlich, Rob, 1997, “Connecting Notes to the Internet
`with Internotes”, Chapter 26, Lotus Notes and Domino
`Server 4.5, Sams Publishing, pp. 630-697.
`Bentley et al., Designing a system for cooperative work on
`the World—Wide Web: Experiences with the BSCW System,
`Proceedings of HICSS’30: The Hawaii International Con-
`ference on the System Sciences, Maui, Hawaii, Jan. 7-10,
`1997, Germany.
`Bentley et al., Supporting Collaborative Information Shar-
`ing with the World Wide Web: The BSCW Shared Work-
`space System, The World Wide Web Journal: Proceedings of
`the 4th International WWW Conference, Issue 1, Dec. 1995,
`pp. 63-74, Germany.
`BSCWproject, GMD-I'IT, BSCW User Manual, Version
`2.0, Sankt Augustin. Germany, Jun. 1998.
`Backer, Andreasetal., “DocMan: A Document Management
`System for Cooperation Support”, Proceedings of the Twen-
`ty-Ninth Hawaii International Conference on System Sci-
`ence, 32-6 Jan. 1996, vol.: 3, pp. 82-91.
`Hiltunen, Matti et al., “Access Control in Wide-Area Net-
`works”, Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on
`Distributed Computing Systems, May 27-30, 1997, pp.
`330-337.
`
`Yavatkar, Rajendra et al., “Clique: A Toolkit for Group
`Communication using IP Multicast”, Proceedings of the
`First International Workgroup on Service in Distributed and
`Networked Environments, Jun. 27-28, 1994, pp. 132-138.
`The
`Sourceforge
`Crew,
`<admin@sourceforge.net>:
`“SourceForge, version 1.1.0” http://sourceforge.net, May 4,
`2000, Internet; the whole software program & Open Source
`Development Network: “[fmll]—Projectdetails for Source-
`Forge”
`Freshmeat.Net,
`[Online], Oct.
`15,
`2001,
`XP002180271
`Internet; Retrieved from the
`Internet:
`<url:http://freshmeat.net/projects/sourceforge/>
`[retrieved
`on Oct. 15, 2001] p. 1, line 1-line 8; p. 2, line 5-3 line 6.
`Bentley et al., The Architecture of the BSCW Shred Work-
`space System, Proceedings of the ERCIM Workshop on
`CSCWand the Web, Sank] Augustin, Germany, Feb. 7-9,
`1996.
`
`Horz Informatik and GMD, BSCW 3.1 Help, Jul. 20, 1998.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 2
`PayPal Ex. 1052,
`.2
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
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`
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`5,471,318 A * 11/1995 Ahuja et al. 358/400
`5,548,506 A
`8/1996 Srinivasan
`5,555,375 A
`9/1996 Sudamaet al. we. 709/226
`.. 345/753
`5,557,726 A *
`9/1996 Yoshizawa...
`
`11/1996 Judson 0... 709/218
`5,572,643 A
`5,581,702 A
`12/1996 McArdie et al.
`........... 709/204
`...
`.. 707/10
`5,606,693 A
`2/1997 Nilsen et al.
`
`379/88.04
`5,721,763 A *
`2/1998 Josephet al.
`3/1998 Harple et al... 709/205
`5,724,508 A *
`4/1998 Gennaro et al. ww VL
`5,742,768 A *
`5,781,909 A
`7/1998 Loganetal.
`.
`..
`5,790,785 A
`8/1998 Klug et al
`5,790,790 A *
`8/1998 Smith et al. wl. 709/206
`5,793,972 A
`8/1998 Shane... eee 709/219
`5,809,242 A
`9/1998 Shaw etal. ..
`709/217
`5,815,657 A
`9/1998 Williamset al.
`713/200
`5,822,525 A * 10/1998 Tafoya et al.
`...
`.. 709/204
`5,826,265 A
`10/1998 Van Hubenetal.
`............ 707/8
`5,845,067 A
`12/1998 Porteret al.
`....
`.. 395/186
`5,859,974 A *
`1/1999 McArdle et al.
`........... 709/204
`5,867,653 A *
`2/1999 Aras et al. 0... 709/204
`5,889,945 A *
`3/1999 Porter et al.
`.
`
`5,892,905 A
`4/1999 Brandtet al.
`5,940,834 A *
`8/1999 Pinard etal.
`5,974,446 A * 10/1999 Sonnenreichetal. ........ 709/204
`11/1999 Rowneyetal. ............... 705/79
`5,987,140 A
`
`.. 709/205
`5,996,003 A * 11/1999 Namikataet al.
`........... 709/217
`6,026,433 A *
`2/2000 D’Arlach et al.
`4/2000 Lin et al. wee 713/201
`6,052,785 A
`7/2000 Mendezet al.
`.. 707/10
`6,085,192 A
`
`« 713/202
`6,085,324
`7/2000 Ogram ........6
`
`9/2000 Gilmouretal.
`. 7107/9
`6,115,709
`
`709/204
`6,167,432 A * 12/2000 Jiang........
`1/2001 Tarumi...........
`TAT7/A01
`6,182,273 Bl
`*
`
`
`2/2001 Hendersonetal
`.. 709/206
`6,185,603 B1 *
`4/2001 Tatham et al. ........0.. 709/225
`6,223,177 B1 *
`6,233,600 B1
`5/2001 Salas etal.
`6,286,034 B1 *
`9/2001 Satoetal. we. 709/204
`6,563,914 B2 *
`5/2003 Sammonet al.
`........ 379/202.01
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`AA
`
`Child, Don, 1997, “How does Lotus Notes Work with the
`Internet?”, Chapter 3, Lotus Notes and Domino Server 4.5,
`SamsPublishing, pp. 51-61.
`Fredell, Thomas L., 1997, “Developing Web Applications
`with Domino Action”, Chapter 25, Lotus Notes and Domino
`Server 4.5, Sams Publishing, pp. 606-628.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`#2
`
`#4
`
`Server
`
`Site
`-
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`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 3
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 3
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`GURE 2
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 4
`PayPal Ex. 1052,p. 4
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 Bl
`
`
`
`
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`U.S. Patent oreVeolsoe
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 5
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 5
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 17
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`US 6,917,962 Bl
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 6
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOE
`NGINE
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 7
`PayPal Ex. 1052,p. 7
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. lOE
`NGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
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`US 6,917,962 Bl
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 8
`PayPal Ex. 1052,p. 8
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 17
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`US 6,917,962 Bl
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 9
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 17
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`US 6,917,962 B1
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`406
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 10
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 10
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`600
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 11
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 11
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 of 17
`
`creates group
`
`Figure 7
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`Select “Dynamic
`Group”
`
`Enter new
`group name
`
`
`
`Figure 8
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`Read more
`9
`news:
`
`No
`
`Important
`news?
`
`Figure 9
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 13 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 Bl
`
`Login
`
`View unread
`
` Need to
`
` No
`
`
`
`contact
`dvicar?
`
`Yes
`
`Contact
`advisor
`
`Fipure 10
`
`Select
`What’s New
`
`Yes
`
`Read more
`news?
`
`No
`
`Select other
`option
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 of17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`message
`
`Figure 11
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`Login / select
`
`
`
`“whar’e new” Select message
`
`
` Read client’s
`concem
`
`from client
`
`
` Telephone /
`fax/ put in to
`do list
`
` Yes
`to client
` Send message
`
`Figure 12
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`Select “create”
`option
`
`Select “Button”
`option
`
`Choose
`
`content type
`
`Enter content
`
`Save button
`
`Yes
`
`Does button
`already
`ext
`
`Enter new
`name
`
`Yes
`
`Rename
`button?
`
`No
`No
`content
` Replace existing
`
`
`
`Display new
`bufton on
`desktop
`
`button with new
`
`Figure 13
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 18
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 18
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 of 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`User Creates
`Content
`
`Yes
`
`Alert compliance
`officer
`
`Review
`content
`
`Release to
`clients
`
`Figure 14
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 19
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 19
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

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`1
`WEB-BASED GROUPWARE SYSTEM
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
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`2
`(v) memoryfor storing information inputbysaidfirst and
`said second user at said dedicated networksite.
`In another aspect the present invention provides a system
`to provide a team of users with intranet-based groupware
`functionality, comprising:
`(i) a network-connected server capable of receiving an
`initiate instruction from a primary user;
`(ii) a site builder for creating a dedicated site on said
`server in response to said initiate instruction;
`(iii) a transmitter for sending information aboutthe exist-
`ence of said dedicatedsite to at least one secondary war
`nominated by said primary user;
`(iv) a communicatorfor transmitting information between
`said dedicated site, said primary user and said at least
`Recently, the need for collaborative computing environ-
`one secondaryuser;
`ments has been receiving increasing attention. People are
`(v) memory for storing informationat said dedicatedsite,
`finding that it is more and more important to share infor-
`said information from said primaryand said at least one
`mation and work together to meet common goals. With
`secondary user,
`increasing specialization in the marketplace, there is fre-
`(vi) a processor for processing said information stored at
`quent need to work together with people from different
`said dedicated site said processed information being
`offices, different organizations and even different countries
`transmitted by said communicator to said primary user
`to satisfy the requirements of a particular project or goal.
`and said at least one secondary user.
`Managing collaborative initiatives of this type is not a
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`simple matter.
`method for providing a communication network, compris-
`Electronic nctwork based, project management server
`ing:
`systems are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,506
`(i) providing an network-connected server having upload
`[Srinivasan] discloses an automated, electronic network
`and download capabilities;
`based, project management server system for managing
`(ii) receiving instructions uploaded fromafirst user and
`multiple work groups. The system comprises a core piece of
`for creating a dedicated network site on said server, said
`software which runs on a host server computer system and
`dedicated network site having a unique name based on
`interacts with a messaging system such as E-mail or fac-
`instructions received;
`simile. The system compiles multi-project plans into a
`Gii) communicating the existence of said dedicated intra-
`multi-project database and tracks the ownership ofprojects,
`net site to a nominated second user;
`tasks and resources within the plans. The system automati-
`(iv) downloading contents of said dedicated networksite
`cally checks all resource requests and if resource availability
`to said first and second users;
`limits are exceeded then resources are allocated on projects
`based onpriorities and project plans are changed accord-
`(v) storing information in the dedicated web-site.
`ingly. The system is also programmedto send out reminders
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`and follow-ups and the databases are continuously updated
`computer configured to operate a groupware application
`based on status changes reported by work group members.
`program, the computer comprising:
`(i) a network for connecting to at least a primary and a
`One of the disadvantages of known electronic network
`secondary user;
`based, collaborative server systems is that they depend on
`Information Technology specialists or a system administra-
`(ii) a site builder for receiving instructions input from said
`tor to administer control of the system,1.e., if a user wishes
`primaryuser andfor creating a dedicated site within the
`to add functionality to a system, they must have access to the
`computer based on said instructions;
`programitself. Further, manycollaborative systems require
`(iii) a mailer for looking up an address of said secondary
`each user to have specialized software installed on their
`user from an address database;
`computer.
`(iv) a communicator for communicating the existence of
`It is an object of the present invention to obviate and
`said dedicated site to said secondary user;
`mitigate at least one of the disadvantages of the priorart.
`(v) memory for storing information at said dedicated site
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`at the request of the primary and the secondary user;
`and
`
`This is a Continuation-in-Part application based on
`Application No. 09/195,905 filed Nov. 19, 1998, which is
`now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,177 Bl, which is a
`Continuation-in-Part application based on application Ser.
`No. 08/955,569 filed Oct. 22, 1997, which is now aban-
`doned.
`The present invention relates to the field of collaborative
`software systems. More specifically, the inventionrelates to
`a system and method for providing network-based group-
`ware functionality.
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
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`Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention
`provides a system for providing a communication system,
`the system comprising:
`(i) a network-connected server having input and acccss
`capabilities;
`(ii) a site-builder for receiving instructions input from a
`first uscr and for creating a dedicated network site
`based on said received instructions;
`(ili) a transmitter for communicating existence of said
`dedicated nctwork site to a nominated sccond user;
`(iv) a communicator for accessing contents of said dedi-
`cated network site by said first and said second users;
`and
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`(vi) a processor for processing said stored information at
`the request of the primary and the secondary user.
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`data carricr having thcrcon a computer program for per-
`forming the steps of:
`(i) facilitating communication between a server, a primary
`uscr and a secondary uscr;
`(ii) creating a dedicated site within the server based on
`instructions input from the primary user;
`Gii) looking up address of the secondary user from an
`address database;
`(iv) communicating the existence of the dedicated site to
`the secondary user;
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 20
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 20
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`3
`(v) storing information at the dedicated site at the request
`of the primary and the secondary user; and
`(vi) processing the stored information at the request of the
`primary and the secondaryuser.
`BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
`
`invention will be
`An embodiment of the present
`described, by way of example only, with reference to the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flowchart outlining the operation of the system;
`FIGS. 3a—3e are reproductions of user screens from a
`communication network created in accordance with the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the system according to an
`embodimentof the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an advisor graphical user
`interface;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an client graphical user
`interface;
`TIGS. 7-14 are flow chartsillustration the functionality of
`the system.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OP THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`A system to provide a team of users with intranet-based
`groupware functionality in accordance with an embodiment
`of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1.
`The system generally comprises at least one server com-
`puter as an intranet connected server 10 which supports a
`TCP/IP protocol and which has input and access capabilitics
`via two-way communication lines, such as communication
`lines 15 and 20. The computer is configured as a web server.
`Server 10 has a unique resource locator (URL) address and
`comprises a meansto create a dedicated intranetsite 25 (e.g.
`Site #4) on the server in response to an initiate request
`received from a primacy user 30. Dedicated site 25 has a
`unique address which identifier it with the primary user 30
`(e.g., #4) within server 10. Server 10 further comprises a
`means to send information including its URL address and
`the unique address of the dedicated site,
`to at least one
`secondary user 40, nominated by the primary user 30.
`Both primary user 30 and secondary user 40 can com-
`municate with server 10 by means of in HTML compliant
`
`client supporting a graphical user interface and internet
`
`
`
`
`browser, such as Netscape Navigator
`or Microsoft
`
`ExplorerD, 1e., there is no requirement that either primary
`user 30 of
`secondary user 40 have access to specialized
`software applications in order to utilize the system of the
`present invention. Information on the site 25 is credited as
`a hypertext documentandis thus displayed as a web page on
`the GVI of the use’s web browser, with a link to this
`hypertext document.
`Once connected to dedicated site 25 crated on serve 10,
`primary uscr 30 and sccondary uscr 40 body have access to
`at least some of the informationstored at the site, the ability
`to access and process at least some of the information and
`the ability to input and store processed and/or new infor-
`mation. All the specialized software which provides the
`functional requirements to give primary user 30 and sec-
`ondary user 40 these abilities is provided by server 10 via
`dedicated site 25. Once again primary user 30 and secondary
`user 40 do not require any specialized software applications
`other than a standard internet browser.
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`Server 10 may be provided a numberof generalsites (e.g.,
`Sites #1, #2, #3) which are automatically accessible to
`primary user 30 and secondary user 40; othersites (e.g., Site
`#6) which are accessible to only one of the users; and some
`sites (c.g., Site #7) which can only be accessed by a system
`administrator (not shown). The nature and propose of these
`different sites will be described in more detail below.
`
`It will be apparent that although the system of the present
`invention is primarily internet-based, the nature of commu-
`nication lines, such as line 15 between server 10 and primary
`user 30, is not particularly limited. An intranet is simply
`defined by its security parameters for the connected users.
`Suitable intranet-adaptable communication lines include
`dedicated lines, public telephone networks, private tele-
`phone networks, satellite links, Ethernet links, etc. These
`communication linesare already in place if primaryuser 30
`and secondary user 40 have existing intranet access.
`It is envisioned that server 10 may be connected to the
`internet as well as an intranet. A suitable firewall (not
`shown) may be provided between the intranet and external
`or
`intranet users. As will also be apparent
`in this
`embodiment, the geographic locations of primary user 30,
`secondary user 40 and server 10 are only limited by internet
`accessibility, ic., all three need not be in the samecity,
`county or cven continent.
`The dedicated site stated in responseto the initiate request
`can be thought of as being a private office suite within the
`semi-public intranet.
`The private office suite may be created on the server for
`a period of time desired by the primary user, after which
`time the private suite can be erased to free-up system
`resources. The private office suite comes complete with all
`the application software required to permit group activity
`within the office. The primary user can construct a private
`office suite to include the specific applications desired. ‘hus,
`an advantage of the present system is that
`the user is
`provided with a customizable, secure office suite in which
`the user and his/her team members can access applications
`software without the need for each team memberto have
`
`individual copies of each applications software.
`The system of the present
`invention is “end-user
`friendly’, i.e., neither primary user 30 nor secondary user 40
`need specialist computer knowledge to make use of the
`system. There is no requirement for the primary user to have
`an in-house Information Technologyspecialist.
`The system of the present invention is further understood
`when described by its mode of operation and with reference
`to TG. 2.
`
`In order to create a private office suite, a primary user uses
`his/her web browser 110 to contact the intranet connected
`server. The server confirms the identity 120 of the primary
`user and directs the primary user to the system homepage
`130. From the system homepage,
`the primary user can
`access his/her personal workspace 140.
`Amongother options which will be discussed below, the
`primary user has the option to enter an existing workgroup
`with a predefined dedicated site or to create a new work-
`group with a new, unique dedicated site (150).
`If the primary user wishes to enter an existing workgroup
`the server permits access to the pre-defined site (160).
`If the primary user wishes to create a new workgroup,
`he/she is provided with a workgroup creation template (170)
`which permits the primary user to define parameters of the
`workgroup, such as the name of the workgroup andthesite
`to be created, the scope of the project being undertaken, the
`number of team members,etc.,
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 21
`PayPal Ex. 1052,p. 21
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPalv. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`US 6,917,962 B1
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`5
`During completion of the template, the primary user is
`prompted to identify the number and contact addresses of
`the group members,the types of user applications whichare
`to be utilized during the project and to provide a name for
`the dedicated site to be created.
`
`Oncethis template has been completed, the server creates
`a dedicated site (180) having the name chosen by primary
`user, the administration sub-system checks to see whetherall
`the prospective group members identified by the primary
`user are listed on the existing intranet-user database (190).
`If a prospective group memberis as existing intranet user,
`the server then sends details of the newly created dedicated
`sile lo that memberof the group (secondaryuser) (200). In
`a presently preferred embodiment, the server automatically
`creates a link between each secondaryuser’s personal work-
`space and the newly created dedicatedsite. Alternatively, the
`details of the web-site maybe sent in the form of an E-mail
`message which provides each secondary user with the
`address of the dedicated site, an invitation to join the
`workgroup and, if applicable,
`the password required for
`gaining access to the site (see later).
`If a prospective group memberis not an existing intranet
`user, the administration subsystem determines whether the
`primary user has the authority to add external users (210). If
`the primary user does have authority to add external users,
`the server creates a personal workspace for that user (220)
`and notifies the external user of the existence of the work-
`group (230). Preferably, the notification is done by means of
`E-mail, although other means, such as facsimile or pager,
`may also be used. Once authorized, an external user can
`contact the server via the internet and the external user has
`access to the same operational functionality as an intranct-
`connected user.
`
`If the primary user does not have authority to add external
`uscrs, a request is sent to a designated system administrator
`who makes the determination whether the external user can
`be added to the new workgroup (240). If approval is given,
`the system creates a personal workspacefor the external user
`as before (220), if the addition of the external user is not
`approved, the primary user (requester) is advised (250),
`Once the approved secondary users have been notified of
`the existence of the dedicated site, the workgroup remains
`operational until all workgroup activities have been com-
`pleted (260). When the primary user decides that there is no
`longer a requirement for the workgroup, the workgroup is
`closed (210) and the dedicated site may be deleted from the
`server. Prior to closure and deletion of the dedicated site,
`primary user may be given the option of downloading and
`storing all the data item the site for archive purposes.
`During the creation of a dedicated site, secondary user
`nomination, workgroup activity, closure of the workgroup
`and eventual deletion of the site, all
`the administrative
`details of the workgroup activity are automatically fed into
`the administrative sub-system for processing. The adminis-
`tration sub-systemcontrolsall the day to day managementof
`the system. It contains all the code and script required for
`workgroup size monitoring and database size monitoring.
`Further,
`the administration sub-system is responsible for
`monitoring servertraffic and hit counts and the controlof the
`offering of additional subscriber applications.
`Security is an important feature of most business activity
`and the system of the present invention provides manylevels
`of security which can be selected by the primary user and/or
`system administrator to suit his/her individual needs. For
`example, a basic form of security is to provide the dedicated
`site created with a password which must be entered by both
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`the primary user and the secondary users to gain access to
`the workgroup. This password may be the same for the
`primaryuser andall the secondaryusers or every secondary
`user may be provided with a unique password. Providing
`cach sccondary user with a uniquc password also permits
`primary user to set up different levels of information which
`can be accessed within the workgroup by each secondary
`user, i.e., the workgroup can be created on a “need to know”
`basis. Examplesof other security features include the ability
`of the primary user to decide: who has the authority to add
`new secondary users to and/or delete existing secondary
`users from the group after its creation; who has accessto the
`administrative records of the workgroup; and when and if
`passwords and/or security levels are to be changed.
`As will be apparent, there are many different types of
`workgroup activities which can be performed on a system in
`accordance with the present invention. In fact, it is envi-
`sioned that the present system could be adapted to perform
`many of the tasks of conventional LAN- or WAN-based
`group collaboration systems. Preferred workgroup activity
`applications of the present system include bulletin board,
`chat room, calendar, contact database, change control, event
`planner, group discussion,
`issue management, project
`collaboration, presentation library, decision survey in a box,
`NGSproposal devclopment, document manager, and Your
`Own Custom Application.
`A bulletin board is a commonplace for team members to
`post anything that might be of interest
`to the team.
`Discussion, file attachments, and broadcast mail are avail-
`able. Additionally, a number of views maybeutilized to gain
`access to the information, including by date, by author, by
`type, ctc.
`A chat room is a real-time chat function for teams to
`
`schedule discussions on thefly.
`A calendar is a central calendar dedicated to the team,
`where individuals may add entries to keep track of
`milestones, issues and events. It is presented in a dynamic
`view, i.e. 2day, one week, two weeks or one month.
`Acontact database is an application that allows groups to
`track specific contracts in a central place. The views allow
`sorting by name, companytype, etc.
`A change control is a workflow application that allows
`teams to request and manage project changes.
`An event planner is an application that is targeted at
`managing the deliverables for an upcoming event. Team
`members can assign tasks and milestones, broadcast mail to
`the stakeholders, and view a calendar in a number of
`formats.
`
`The group di