Method and apparatus for managing and displaying contact authentication in a peer-to-peer collaboration system
US7624421B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/104
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Proper user-to-data associations are maintained in shared spaces created in a peer-to-peer collaborative system by means of a simplified and minimal user interface that permits users to easily authenticate other members of a shared space. In particular, support is provided for automatically building authenticated relationships even if users do not take the time to authenticate other users. When a user enters a shared space and views the contacts in that space, the display names of each contact are accompanied by distinctive icons that identify that authentication status of that contact. A mechanism is provided for resolving conflicts between contacts with the same display names to prevent confusion and contact “spoofing.” Security policies can be established to provide a uniform approach to authentication. These policies can be set by a user or, alternatively, the policies can be set by an administrator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.