(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`Cannata et a1.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jul. 12, 2005
`
`U3006917962B1
`
`(54) WEB-BASED GROUPWARE SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michael J. Cannata, Richmond H111
`(CA); Richard Lee, Toronto (CA);
`Matthew Powell, Georgetown (CA);
`Ryan Ramasra, Richmond Hill (CA);
`Gerald William Smith, StoulIville
`(CA)
`
`5,333,152 A
`5,353,398 A
`5,392,400 A
`5,432,934 A
`55442788 A
`
`.................. 379/10204
`7/1994 Wilber
`10/1994 Kitahara et a1.
`709/203
`2/1995 Berkowitz 6t a1.
`7/1995 Levin et a1.
`................ 713/200
`8/1995 B1“
`_
`(Confirmed)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73) Assignees: Brokercom Inc., Ontario (CA), Involv
`International Corporation, Bridgetown
`(BB)
`
`CA
`EP
`
`2221026 A2
`0616448 A2
`
`4/1999
`9/1994
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`t
`t
`‘
`Xt
`d d
`d.
`t d
`d
`35
`pJaSeHnC 1:5:(binb; 6306r dag}: 6 un er
`,
`.
`.
`.
`,
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`Clalriier.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Child, Don, 1997, “Using the Notes Client on the Internet”,
`Chapter 2, Lotus Notes and Doniirio Server 4.5, Sariis
`Publishing, pp. 562—578.
`
`(Continued)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/590,099
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 9’ 2000
`
`Primary Examiner—Moustafa M. Meky
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Winston & Strawn LLP
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(63)
`
`Coiitiliuation—iii—pai't of application No. 09/195,905, filed on
`Nov. 19, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,223,177, which is a continu-
`ation—in—part ofapplication No. 08/955,569, filed on Oct. 22,
`1997’ now abandoned
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06F 13/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................ 709/204; 709/203; 709/217
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/200—201,
`709/2177218, 223,224, 205’ 203’ 204,
`219, 227; 379/20501
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`The present invention relates to a SyStem and methOd for
`providing a communication network. The system comprises
`a network-connected server having input and access
`capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator,
`and memory. The site-builder receives instructions input
`from a first user and creates a dedicated network site based
`0n the received instructions The transmitter communicates
`the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated
`second user. The communicator provides accesses to the
`contents of the dedicated network site by the fast and second
`users. The memory stores information input by the first and
`the second user in the dedicated network site.
`
`5,208,912 A
`
`5/1993 Nakayama et a1.
`
`......... 709/203
`
`19 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 1
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`. 1
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`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`................ 358/400
`
`5,471,318 A * 11/1995 Ahuja et a1.
`5,548,506 A
`8/1996 Srinivasan
`5,555,375 A
`9/1996 Sudama et al.
`............. 709/226
`5,557,726 A *
`9/1996 Yoshizawa
`.. 345/753
`
`5,572,643 A
`11/1996 Judson ....................... 709/218
`5,581,702 A
`12/1996 McArdie et al.
`............ 709/204
`5,606,693 A
`2/1997 Nilsen et al.
`707/10
`
`5,721,763 A *
`2/1998 Joseph et al.
`379/8804
`............... 709/205
`5,724,508 A *
`3/1998 Harple et al.
`4/1998 Gennaro et a1.
`5,742,768 A *
`1/1
`5,781,909 A
`7/1998 Logan et al.
`.. 707/200
`
`..
`.. 713/202
`5,790,785 A
`8/1998 Klug et al.
`................ 709/206
`5,790,790 A *
`8/1998 Smith et al.
`8/1998 Shane ........................ 709/219
`5,793,972 A
`
`.. 709/217
`5,809,242 A
`9/1998 Shaw et al.
`..
`9/1998 Williams et al.
`.
`.. 713/200
`5,815,657 A
`
`.. 709/204
`5,822,525 A * 10/1998 Tafoya et al.
`10/1998 Van Huben et al.
`...... 707/8
`5,826,265 A
`
`.. 395/186
`5,845,067 A
`12/1998 Porter et al.
`
`............ 709/204
`5,859,974 A *
`1/1999 McArdle et al.
`5,867,653 A *
`2/1999 Aras et al.
`.................. 709/204
`5,889,945 A *
`3/1999 Porter et al.
`.
`.. 709/204
`5,892,905 A
`4/1999 Brandt et al.
`.. 713/201
`5,940,834 A *
`8/1999 Pinard et al.
`707/102
`5,974,446 A * 10/1999 Sonnenreich et al.
`709/204
`5,987,140 A
`11/1999 Rowney et al.
`705/79
`
`5,996,003 A * 11/1999 Namikata et al.
`.. 709/205
`6,026,433 A *
`2/2000 D’Arlach et al.
`709/217
`.................... 713/201
`6,052,785 A
`4/2000 Lin et al.
`6,085,192 A
`7/2000 Mendez et al.
`707/10
`
`7/2000 Ogram ...........
`.. 713/202
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`
`.. 707/9
`6,115,709 A
`9/2000 Gilmour et al.
`6,167,432 A * 12/2000 Jiang ........
`.. 709/204
`.. 717/101
`6,182,273 B1 *
`1/2001 Tarumi
`...........
`
`2/2001 Henderson et al
`.. 709/206
`6,185,603 B1 *
`.............. 709/225
`6,223,177 B1 *
`4/2001 Tatham et al.
`6,233,600 B1
`5/2001 Salas et al.
`.................. 709/204
`6,286,034 B1 *
`9/2001 Sato et al.
`6,563,914 B2 *
`5/2003 Sammon et al.
`379/202.01
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`Child, Don, 1997, “How does Lotus Notes Work with the
`Internet?”, Chapter 3, Lotus Notes and Domino Server 4.5,
`Sams Publishing, 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. 6067628.
`
`Wunderlich, Rob, 1997, “Connecting Notes to the Internet
`with Intemotes”, 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.
`BSCW' project, GMD—FIT, BSCW User Manual, Version
`2.0, Sankt Augustin. Germany, Jun. 1998.
`Backer, Andreas et al., “DocMan: ADocurnent Management
`System for Cooperation Support”, Proceedings of the Twen-
`ty—Ninth Hawaii International Conference on System Sci-
`ence, 3276 Jan. 1996, vol.: 3, pp. 82791.
`Hiltunen, Matti et al., “Access Control in WideiArea 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,
`<adrnin@sourceforge.net>:
`“SonrceForge, version 1.1.0” http://sourceforge.net, May 4,
`2000, Internet; the whole software program & Open Source
`Development Network: “[fmll]iProject details 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—1ine 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
`CSCW' and 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
`.2
`PayPal Ex. 1052,
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 1 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 2 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`US 6,917,962 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`US 6,917,962 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 8 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 9 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 10 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`
`
`Select "Client
`Group"
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`Select clients
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`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 11 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`group name
`
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`
`Figure 8
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 12 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`Read more
`9
`news -
`
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`Figure 9
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
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`Sheet 13 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`View unread
`
`items
`
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`Figure 10
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
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`Sheet 14 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`Initial
`
`message or
`response?
`
`Create new
`message
`
`message
`
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`
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`
`Figure 11
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
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`Jul. 12, 2005
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`Sheet 15 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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` Select massage
`Read client’s
`
`do list
`
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`
`
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`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Send message
`to client
`
`Figure 12
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
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`Sheet 16 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`Select “create"
`
`option
`
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`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 18
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`Sheet 17 0f 17
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`Us 6,917,962 B1
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`
`
`Figure 14
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`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 19
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`US 6,917,962 B1
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`1
`WEB-BASED GROUPWARE SYSTEM
`
`5
`
`This is a Continuation—in—Part application based on
`Application No. 09/195,905 filed Nov. 19, 1998, which is
`now issued as US. Pat. No. 6,223,177 B1, 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 invention relates to 10
`a system and method for providing network-based group-
`ware functionality.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Recently, the need for collaborative computing environ-
`ments has been receiving increasing attention. People are
`finding that it is more and more important to share infor-
`mation and work together to meet common goals. With
`increasing specialization in the marketplace, there is fre-
`quent need to work together with people from different
`offices, different organizations and even different countries
`to satisfy the requirements of a particular project or goal.
`Managing collaborative initiatives of this type is not a
`simple matter.
`Electronic network based, project management server
`systems are known. For example, US. Pat. No. 5,548,506
`[Srinivasan] discloses an automated, electronic network
`based, project management server system for managing
`multiple work groups. The system comprises a core piece of
`software which runs on a host server computer system and
`interacts with a messaging system such as E-mail or fac-
`simile. The system compiles multi-project plans into a
`multi—project database and tracks the ownership of projects,
`tasks and resources within the plans. The system automati-
`cally checks all resource requests and if resource availability
`limits are exceeded then resources are allocated on projects
`based on priorities and project plans are changed accord-
`ingly. The system is also programmed to send out reminders
`and follow-ups and the databases are continuously updated
`based on status changes reported by work group members.
`One of the disadvantages of known electronic network
`based, collaborative server systems is that they depend on
`Information Technology specialists or a system administra-
`tor to administer control of the system, i.e., if a user wishes
`to add functionality to a system, they must have access to the
`program itself. Further, many collaborative systems require
`each user to have specialized software installed on their
`computer.
`It is an object of the present invention to obviate and
`mitigate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`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 access
`capabilities;
`(ii) a site-builder for receiving instructions input from a
`first user and for creating a dedicated network site
`based on said received instructions;
`(iii) a transmitter for communicating existence of said
`dedicated network site to a nominated second 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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`(v) memory for storing information input by said first and
`said second user at said dedicated network site.
`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 about the exist-
`ence of said dedicated site to at least one secondary war
`nominated by said primary user;
`(iv) a communicator for transmitting information between
`said dedicated site, said primary user and said at least
`one secondary user;
`(v) memory for storing information at said dedicated site,
`said information from said primary and said at least one
`secondary user,
`(vi) a processor for processing said information stored at
`said dedicated site said processed information being
`transmitted by said communicator to said primary user
`and said at least one secondary user.
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`method for providing a communication network, compris-
`ing:
`(i) providing an network-connected server having upload
`and download capabilities;
`(ii) receiving instructions uploaded from a first user and
`for creating a dedicated network site on said server, said
`dedicated network site having a unique name based on
`instructions received;
`(iii) communicating the existence of said dedicated intra-
`net site to a nominated second user;
`(iv) downloading contents of said dedicated network site
`to said first and second users;
`(v) storing information in the dedicated web-site.
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`computer configured to operate a groupware application
`program, the computer comprising:
`(i) a network for connecting to at least a primary and a
`secondary user;
`(ii) a site builder for receiving instructions input from said
`primary user and for creating a dedicated site within the
`computer based on said instructions;
`(iii) a mailer for looking up an address of said secondary
`user from an address database;
`(iv) a communicator for communicating the existence of
`said dedicated site to said secondary user;
`(v) memory for storing information at said dedicated site
`at the request of the primary and the secondary user;
`and
`
`(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 carrier having thereon a computer program for per-
`forming the steps of:
`(i) facilitating communication between a server, a primary
`user and a secondary user;
`(ii) creating a dedicated site within the server based on
`instructions input from the primary user;
`(iii) 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
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`

`

`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 secondary user.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE 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
`embodiment of 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;
`FIGS. 7—14 are flow charts illustration the functionality of
`the system.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIIE
`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 capabilities
`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 means to create a dedicated intranet site 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 supaorting a graphical user interface and internet
`
`
`
`
`browser, such as Netscape Navigator
`or Microsoft
`
`Explorer
`, i.e., there is no requirement that either primary
`user 30 o
`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 hypertex document and is 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 user 30 and secondary user 40 body have access to
`at least some of the information stored 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 number of general sites (e.g.,
`Sites #1, #2, #3) which are automatically accessible to
`primary user 30 and secondary user 40; other sites (e.g., Site
`#6) which are accessible to only one of the users; and some
`sites (e.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 lines are already in place if primary user 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, i.e., all three need not be in the same city,
`county or even continent.
`The dedicated site stated in response to 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. Thus,
`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 member to 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 Technology specialist.
`The system of the present invention is further understood
`when described by its mode of operation and with reference
`to FIG. 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.
`Among other 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 and the site
`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
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
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`

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`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`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 which are
`to be utilized during the project and to provide a name for
`the dedicated site to be created.
`
`Once this 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 whether all
`the prospective group members identified by the primary
`user are listed on the existing intranet-user database (190).
`If a prospective group member is as existing intranet user,
`the server then sends details of the newly created dedicated
`site to that member of the group (secondary user) (200). In
`a presently preferred embodiment, the server automatically
`creates a link between each secondary user’s personal work-
`space and the newly created dedicated site. Alternatively, the
`details of the web-site may be 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 member is 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 intranet-
`connected user.
`
`If the primary user does not have authority to add external
`users, 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 workspace for 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-system controls all the day to day management of
`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 server traffic and hit counts and the control of the
`offering of additional subscriber applications.
`Security is an important feature of most business activity
`and the system of the present invention provides many levels
`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
`primary user and all the secondary users or every secondary
`user may be provided with a unique password. Providing
`each secondary user with a unique 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. Examples of 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 access to 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,
`NGS proposal development, document manager, and Your
`Own Custom Application.
`A bulletin board is a common place 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 may be utilized to gain
`access to the information, including by date, by author, by
`type, etc.
`A chat room is a real-time chat function for teams to
`
`schedule discussions on the fly.
`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.
`A contact database is an application that allows groups to
`track specific contracts in a central place. The views allow
`sorting by name, company type, 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 discussion is a complete collaborative appli-
`cation that olfers groups a central meeting place for the
`exchange of ideas.
`I