System and method for globally and securely accessing unified information in a computer network

Abstract

A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference parent application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 903,118, entitled “System And Method For Globally And Securely Accessing Unified Information In A Computer Network” of Daniel J. Mendez, Mark D. Riggins, Prasad Wagle, Hong Q. Bui, Mason Ng, Sean Michael Quinlan, Christine C. Ying, Christopher R. Zuleeg, David J. Cowan, Joanna A. Aptekar-Strober and R. Stanley Bailes, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending patent application entitled “System and Method for Globally Accessing Computer Services,” Ser. No. 08 / 766,307, filed on Dec. 13, 1996, by inventors Mark D. Riggins, R. Stanley Bailes, Hong Q. Bui, David J. Cowan, Daniel J. Mendez, Mason Ng, Sean Michael Quinlan, Prasad Wagle, Christine C. Ying, Christopher R. Zuleeg and Joanna A. Aptekar-Strober; and of co-pending patent application entitled “System and Method for Enabling Secure Access to Services in a Compu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] The present invention may further benefit the roaming user who needs emergency access to information. The roaming user may request a Management Information Systems (MIS) director controlling the client to provide the global server with the proper keys to enable access to the information on the client. If only temporary access is desired, the keys can then be later destroyed either automatically or upon request. Alternatively, the MIS director may select the needed information as workspace elements to be synchronized and may request immediate synchronization with the global server. Accordingly, the global server and the client can synchronize the needed information, and the user can access the information from the global server after it has completed synchronization.

Problems solved by technology

A roaming user, i.e., a user who travels and accesses a workstation remotely, is faced with several problems.

However, slow computers and slow communication channels make downloading large files and programs a time-consuming process.

Further, downloading files and programs across insecure channels severely threatens the integrity and confidentiality of the downloaded data.

For example, when maintaining multiple independently modifiable copies of a document, a user risks using an outdated version.

By the time the user notices an inconsistency, interparty miscommunication or data loss may have already resulted.

The problem of data inconsistency is exacerbated when multiple copies of a document are maintained at different network locations.

Without access to the other sites, the user cannot confirm that the version on the accessible site is the most recent draft.

Data consistency problems may also arise when using application programs from different vendors.

However, since each web engine uses different formats and stores bookmarks in different files, the bookmarks are not interchangeable.

A user who, for example, runs the Internet Explorer™ web engine at home and runs the Netscape Navigator™ web engine at work risks having inconsistent bookmarks at each location.

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