PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 1
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`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
`6,085,324 A
`
`.. 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,
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal V. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`#2
`
`Server
`
`Site
`
`”
`
`Site
`#4
`
`25
`
` 1D
`
` —'—-
`
`
`E
`.-o--p-----—-
`
`
`
`1
`
`Site #7
`
`20
`
`Secondary User
`
`FIG.1
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 3
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 3
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`GURE 2
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 4
`PayPal Ex. 1052,
`. 4
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 0f 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`0 '
`
`5
`
`450$an
`
`858P8»5%3£83as83:3$3550
`
`5298;SE
`
`So
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 5
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 5
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOEN INE
`
`8.3so3:83Emcuts...
`
`
`
`=5:8»an;as=_BEE96..32.881
`
`wagesmumEEPE3w0OO5:...a32m523m25:
`
`
`_§S§§§aflg8mm
`58:3835935250>5.85.x83manager2620MW«3..$3$33oan.
`
`
`:28can;a8:255;:85
`asas532239852.UONM
`
`
`
`
`
`n2moans—53¢fies.$388
`
`nag
`
`
`
`80Ear.«mamas.
`
`2:2m3m3"
`
`momm
`
`comm
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`HJ
`
`4
`
`1B26ow71av6SU
`
`75:8“Eu9%9mun...<man.6.28
`mx83as5.=§amE2..mass:n,E3:225
`w.23.,.ea.«was3:23.amat«mama:%E:08...sz
`
`
`1.E82.2328:95:883955Mega35
`
`
`mowm
`
`comm
`
`comm
`
`town
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 6
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 6
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`N INE
`PayPal v. IOE
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 0f 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`5.38%23%”.33.52.:
`
`
`ES.ES=S=©>E9=¢:¢=~.fiEm
`mfiuwswumsmsn.555.388
`again—2EmEutmaoa
`
`
`
`NEWmmméom82ESEQ
`
`88-5?ch0:252522mgrammacmxx“.8E0
`
`
`
`Eats—.235Enema“.
`
`
`
`b259552.22
`
`"mESm59:.
`
`59:.
`
`53.8me
`
`.0me
`
`nomad aluOH
`
`mE'SXIOM
`
`‘ xauenul ( [a
`
`«own
`
`sown
`
`comm
`
`town
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 7
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 7
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`N INE
`PayPal v. IOE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 0f 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`Engage.52.62..season—.8E63920982$.m_mfigag-gag.uEsmeas?5..:98Eggs:
`
`52982603.55
`
`
`
`923838.8258&3
`
`.mE..2528235
` 5%.;A5505385.085A325523mA63%gas.
`
`
`
`
`
`“55:80A5.25553.
`ca3.25:35$2.23Eng:5»2flaga59%2:0»92¢tone“6&9;
`
`
`
`
`cm53.ewaEmEcan33:9:96583,2:=o=§En~5:22.5306%.;2:
`v8.25%25mesafig595:8no»9%E.<.933am:as.o52.95.3..
`
`
`
`ESE:.389;Sagas—8as329:8283_u:_soEwes—0:2:2:mm?
`£95:£8.83asfiuemaéBa95883.£055.35£0.58can.53
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:825:3.395:<23%25.ms=2,mmwasEEEESBaomoa£352..
`on.no102:3.can:8can.55985%£23985:58m:8e359:
`ENE.9253:59o.mcozsuwaxu3%Bamenu2:.5?9.3.55a:8
`
`
`
`
`as#52552B:.zoamBma2%.?5.2%as2%3:9may:
`235.".£353:£53:52aEms5%a:flag=mE25gBa2:Es
`
`
`2%3a:mass;m_Easoam.8“5551$3.;8:893
`
`
`
`
`we:8.3..cgomacns
`
`
`
`538230camp)
`
`3:50£2.200
`
`Baum523m0
`
`«200
`
`
`
`amaze:E288O.8.
`
`.gaoaxxxxao.0
`
`339385:80
`
`momm
`
`comm
`
`comm
`
`comm
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 8
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 8
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOEN INE
`
`

`

`
`am4Gina3%:mso.aa9:389.63.82.
`.m85D3:8832.5.u:m990a3.2.otnwwofifigegflaoz8932:
`
`
`geo¥w%z83<xum5“waumBen.9E:
`
`
`2235“99.25.3aS.w.82!8c:
`coagucozufimbofigwcoubcuo5.853
`
`.52.55......
`
`
`E8.:cawu_n_h<..
`
`Bum—Es.H5533
`
`cashing.)
`
`
`x8asScam:..
`
`cgmfisfio.aumfim
`
`coinage955aavmEmfixw
`
`£0.50:..<262
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 0f 17
`
`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`8:92
`
`N283—
`
`Name:—
`
`8388
`
`~283—
`
`Sago
`
`Euca—
`
`hang
`
`5388
`
`BB:83388
`
`Sanka
`
`8398
`
`anQmo
`
`Names
`
`53an
`
`538%
`
`Rage
`
`5398
`
`NQvfimc
`
`33gb
`
`2.558
`
`Sago
`
`means
`
`2283_.
`
`58:8
`
`>2E8
`
`
`
`
`
`U
`
`mauveEmaama$58.35wx3:8:.3:
`30:;EE2252...“:.ma56m5%m}l
`Imam”.
`
`
`9.3Econ33:23}
`EESum8:36
`
`
`
`$292one...
`
`.228$559»:
`
`335362:8
`
`Ems:sausage;an:303Eu
`
`
`Econ5.3.5toma
`
`
`
`8225
`
`.853.5553262mm
`
`mm.0_n_
`
`cozsgoz$2=55%?
`3.:3882%
`
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 9
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 9
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`N INE
`PayPal v. IOE
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`3V
`
`404
`
`404
`
`402
`
`410 II
`
`408
`
`412
`
`News Quotes
`
`i
`
`406
`
`
`
`405405
`
`406
`
`406
`
`406
`
`406
`
`406
`
`406
`
`Figure4
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 10
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 10
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`508
`
`504
`
`
`
`Figure 5
`
`606
`
`Figure 6
`
`600I
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 11
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 11
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`Select "Client
`Group"
`
`Select clients
`
`for group
`
`Figure 7
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 12
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`group name
`
` Enter new
`
`Figure 8
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 13
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`Read more
`9
`news -
`
`No
`
`Select
`
`Article
`
`Read Article
`
`Imponant
`news?
`
`Yes
`
`Send to
`
`client
`
`Figure 9
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 14
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 13 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`View unread
`
`items
`
`desu'ed 1tcm
`
`Read item
`
`contents
`
`Sclcot
`What’s New
`
`Yes
`
`Read more
`
`news?
`
`N°
`
`updon
`
`No
`
`Select other
`
`Figure 10
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 15
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`Initial
`
`message or
`response?
`
`Create new
`message
`
`message
`
`advisor or
`
`client
`
`Figure 11
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 16
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
` Select massage
`Read client’s
`
`do list
`
`from client
`
`
`Telephone /
`fax! pm in to
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Send message
`to client
`
`Figure 12
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 17
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`Select “create"
`
`option
`
`Select “Button"
`
`Option
`
`Choose
`
`content type
`
`Enter content
`
`Save button
`
`Yes
`
`Docs button
`g
`exi
`
`No
`
`Enter new
`name
`
`Yes
`
`Rename
`button?
`
`No
`
`chlace existing
`button with new
`
`content
`
`Di3play new
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 18
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 18
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 12, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 0f 17
`
`Us 6,917,962 B1
`
`
`
`Figure 14
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 19
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 19
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`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
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`(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
`
`

`

`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.
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`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
`
`

`

`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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`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.
`Issue management is a workflow application that allows
`project teams to report issues, notify the owners, and track
`the resolution.
`
`Project collaboration is a complete project management
`tool that provides managers and team members a Web sit
`environment for creating implementing and managing
`projects.
`Involv Project Collaboration also imports and
`exports Microsoft Project Plans.
`Presentation Library is an application similar to document
`management but specific to storing presentation files for
`sales and marketing use. File attachments, descriptions and
`a variety of views make accessing information easier.
`The Decision Survey in a Box is a survey application
`created by Emerging Technology Solutions for Involv
`
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 22
`PayPal Ex. 1052, p. 22
`PayPal v. IOENGINE
`PayPal V. IOENGINE
`
`

`

`US 6,917,962 B1
`
`7
`Intranet, Decision Survey allows for instant creation of
`surveys for publishing and gathering data from groups on
`the Intranet or extranet.
`
`NGS Proposal Development is a workllow application
`created by Nexgen Solutions for Involv Intranet. This appli-
`cation allows all stakeholders in the proposal development
`process to come together with content quickly and effec-
`tively.
`Document Manager is a central depository for posting and
`managing files and documents of all types. Check in/Check
`out and decision history makes this a powerful team tool.
`Your Own Custom Application is a Domino application
`that can be offered through the Involv Intact Desktop for self
`service.
`
`An embodiment of the system of the present invention is
`shown in FIGS. 3a—3e. All the display screens of the system
`exemplified in FIGS. 3a—36‘ have the appearance of a
`personal organiser, with an index “page” (300) on the
`left-hand side and a details “page” (310) on the dot-hand
`side. The index page is tabbed (320a—320a3 for convenient
`organisation and ease of use. As will be apparent, the style
`of screen display is not limited to this personal organiser
`style of display. Screen displays can be customized to a
`user’s preference.
`FIG. 3a shows a system homepage (130) as would be seen
`by a user upon accessing the system. The system homepage
`may be used to provide links to general access features such
`as news, library resources, phone directories, office proce-
`dure manuals, etc. From the system homepage, a user can
`also tab to their own personal workspace (320b).
`FIG. 3b shows a typical personal workspace as seen by
`the owner. The index page provides lurks to the dedicated
`sites to which the owner has access and also to some generic
`applications such a personal messaging, chat groups and
`E-mail.
`
`FIG. 3C shows a ty